Curious Constellation

[gottahaveahoove]

Love them all

That mode, "pumpkin" and "Seal Greige" (Tom A. has the colors... gave me the list, too. That cleaner sold in the late 70s for only $39.99 ($42.00 w/ tax)

 

[fan-of-fans]

I have the first tilted model, early 1960s, with tool caddy on the back. It was branded as Penncrest Canister for JCPenney, then Hoover got it after JCPenney changed models.

Good idea on getting a Hoover Convertible attachment sets in order to get the attachments for these. I've thought of doing that too, plus if I ever get a Convertible, I can use them with it too.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

they ARE the same tools

Colors may vary, but..................

 

[real1shep]

Some of the color....

schemes are breathtaking. One could collect for just that reason! I love the Pumpkin color I have, but that 'Nassau Blue'....hubba hubba!

And who wouldn't like that floor tool with the support wheels....never even seen one in the flesh.....

Kevin

 

[vimmco]

Ladies and gentlemen we got it

Hello everyone I have successfully retrieved Connie, after a quick test it's pretty muxh everything I was expecting. The floating is just as impressive as I hoped it would be (I'm a sucker for silly features) while having fairly great suction at least enough for a slight temperature different. From what you all said about the lack of a down filter seems the previous owner noticed that issue too and added their own (I'll send pictures later). Looks even better up close though!

The Teflon inserts on it should be fine since it doesn't seem anyone has taken the wand apart, but if needed I have some of a similar shape made for pipes and it should work. Biggest issue I had was figuring out the bag needed as it didn't come with one, however I found someone said the S type works so I ordered a few of those might filter a bit better than the old J type. She's got some weight to her I'll say, certainly more than any 40$ new vacuum I've felt haha. For now I think I'll look for those Hoover convertible attachments, but I have to say the pumpkin color is kinda growing on me.

 

[real1shep]

Great....

....welcome to Connie Wonderland!

If you're a sucker for whimsical, you sure got it...lol. I'm a plumber by trade and I can think of nothing Teflon or seal-like that are similar to what Hoover put in the wand segments. Perhaps you can post a pic of what you have?

It's not an issue if you leave them alone and the wand intact. Breaking it down is where the issues start.

The 'J' type bags are plentiful on eBay.....I've never tried anything else. I may never use my older Connies now for anything but display. The retro Connie is that much better.

I wonder if your PO copied the extra filter arrangement from the UK version? It's not complicated at all. Please post some pics of what you have. There's a vid on YouTube of a British guy opening up an old Connie from a box and in the discussion you can clearly see the extra filter for the motor dust. That's how I knew about it.

Kevin

 

[bikerray]

I don't remember Teflon in the wands, I do remember a plastic collar in the end of the wand to help seal the wands for better suction.

 

[real1shep]

Semantics....either plastic or Teflon.....I assumed Teflon because they are still very pliable after all these yrs....not usually indicative of plastic.

They are very flat/thin pliable rings. I had smeared them with grease with some success, but the grease attracts dirt. Maybe a carrier which dries and leaves a lubricant like Teflon.

Kevin

 

[real1shep]

The Teflon inserts on it should be fine since it doesn't seem anyone has taken the wand apart, but if needed I have some of a similar shape made for pipes and it should work."

You're probably thinking of the Teflon compression washers for 1 1/4' and 1 1/2" sink drain piping. I don't think those are gonna work, although I've never tried that. They need to remain in the segment grooves and not stay on the tubing.

Kevin

 

[vimmco]

Mentioned above

Real1shep mentioned it above, I just pretty much take it at face value since I haven't looked "down the barrel" yet. However if it is I'm prepared to find a way around, but if not then phew at lot less seal worry haha.

Though whimsy is the ultimate deal maker for me, hopefully modern companies never find out haha. I'm perfectly find with leaving it together if so, learned that the hard way with engine seals...

Hm I just went with Amazon as I have prime as it offered me more bags for about the same price, it looks to be a big cloth strapped around the big center hole of the vacuum. About exactly like this picture but a bit thicker I haven't gotten home yet to mess around with it but this looks right.

 

[real1shep]

I found that.....

big filter at one of the more popular vac places that members use here. I think it was about $8-$10. Might be able to sub in a wet & dry paper filter in a pinch, but the OE filter is of a different composition.....more felt-like.

The motors are VERY durable and can take a lot of abuse. It's an industrial motor I think someone in here said once.

My experience with these vacs is that they've generally been tossed around and abused. Lots of people acquired them as 'freebies' and so there's no incentive to take care of them.

However, they were made about 20yrs and so I imagine they are still out there to some extent......to discover again!

Honestly, I had a lot of FUN with mine for a yr or two. Then something came along more interesting/usable. You'll reach a 'saturation' point where your 'floating vac' has been seen by all your family and friends...then you're on your own.

Kevin

 

[vimmco]

As promised

Hello all I am back with the photos and the somewhat interesting custom bottom filter. I'm rather interested in what the actual bottom filter should look like and if they make any similar new versions.

Yes it seems to be more of a carbon filter type material that covers the motor, but sounds about right Hoover would toss in such a big motor with all that space and that it needs extra energy to lift up. Even though showing it off is a big selling point it seems like it satisfies my vacuuming needs quire reasonably too! Just might need to get an extra segment for the want, speaking of the wand seems like someone was quite creative with an insert they made.

 

[ilovehoovers]

Neat!