Dave and Petes March micro-meet

[elux89]

Still wish that Kenmore made the flared out crevice tool. They work great for vacuuming the car!

In regards to the Kenmore, mother bought one in 1974, a little larger than this, green color. Unfortunately, the filtration level is rather dismal. Don't laugh, but this is what I did to improve things. Years ago electrolux had the iota bags, 99% efficient at 0.5 microns. I cut the cardboard on the top and bottom of the lux bag to the point where it meets the bag, about 3/4 of an inch from the bottom, I scored the cardboard, and bent it back. The bag will now fit into the Kenmore chamber, and better filtration as well.

Vernon

 

[petek]

Oh don't bring up that dreadful car. It's been the biggest and the most unreliable disappointment I've ever owned and I won't make that mistake again I guarantee you. Literally falling apart as soon the warranty ran out. Actually before the warranty ran out but at least then the warranty paid for all the repairs it kept needing. Since then I've spent almost $4000 on it and it still doesn't run properly, the bumpers fall off looking at it. The wiper motor failed. The turn signal lens casing fell off on the hiway for no apparent reason. The cruise control lever fell out. Now they say it needs another engine job. It's had two. I"m just going to sell it for parts and the new tires I put on it. It's barely been out of the driveway in over a year.

 

[scott55405]

Oh my goodness, Pete. Sorry to have raised a sore subject. On a brighter note, you seem to have many other wonderful things that have stood the test of time and dependability! So glad you were able to enjoy this fun weekend. Having a collection is such fun when someone comes and enjoys it with you from time to time!

 

[buffster]

Pete...

Thank you for sharing those pics of the Kenmore canister. My mother's was very, very similar. The only differences I recall were the power nozzle, which was slightly different and the toggle switch on the back, which it lacked. I don't think they came out with the on/off switch that ran the full length of the front until a few years later.

Thanks again,

Mike

 

[aeoliandave]

Hey Pete! Trip home took a little longer than intended...

The only place Pete & I didn't make it to is the massive junk barn place in Petrolia, which is on my way east...sorta. Since it was 3:30 when I pulled out of the driveway (left the dead, I mean discharged, battery camera behind and had to dash back for it), I figured I'd drive straight home to play with stuff.

Pete, as I passed the Petrolia exit the car just steered itself to the right and...found the place easily by the railroad station. Glad I stopped by because...

First, with all the talk about Fantoms I noticed this Fury with metallic green accents half buried in a snow pile and froxen to the ground. After scouring the inside buildings wher I found more neat stuff, I examined it and decided to free it from the ice. The guy had a newer looking Fantom in scratched up shape inside the store for $35. This frozen one seems to be all there, triple extending aluminum wand & hose great, rubber canister gaskets in good shape, Clean (new?) HEPA filter cartridge installed and it runs-ish.

So I got it for $5 to dry it out, reassemble it and see what all the Fantom Fuss is about. It also appealed to me as a demonstrator because it is narrower and lighter than the Fantom I fixed for Lena a few months back. Please forgive me, Vintage Metal Gawds.

 

[aeoliandave]

More Westinghouse Steamliners...

The place is a bit more organized where mixers and blenders are concerned. On the shelf was a complete Westinghouse on the stand and a Dormeyer on the stand along with the usual all years of Sunbeams. No Bowls to be seen anywhere. :-( There's a heap of assorted juicer bowls and reamers, etc - at least a dozen - you'd have to sort through to find the one you need/want, and in a box beside that another Westinghouse streamer w beaters and no stand in excellent cosmetic condition. You really need to take a strong flashlight to this place to see what's what in the dark corners and under tables. Do I really need a spare standless one? Yes, I did. LOL

This is the manual that came with the one that had no bowls, that I located in clear glass this morning. I luv the shape - the Moby Mixer!

 

[aeoliandave]

But this is THE find of the day!

On my way out with the Fury once again my eyes were drawn sideways and I saw this standing in 2" of ice & snow just waiting to be destoyed by the snow coming in this week. I fairly leapt upon it!

So, speaking of late 30's streamline moderne styling applied to previously plain old houshold goods we present...The Kenmore Touch-O-Matic Carpet Sweeper in shaped Oak, embossed rubber and gleaming chrome.

Obviously these are all before pix.

 

[arh1953]

That's a respectable looking rescue from a frozen death. I hope it turns out to work as well as it looks like it will.

 

[aeoliandave]

The angle view showing off it's sensuous form. Dig that gorgeous lettering font.

The handle is also oak and has a metal ferrule with threads that screws to the hoop. The lower hoop has sprung indents that keep the handle upright at rest.

Oh yeah - $10. A paltry sum for such a cosmetic fixerupper.

 

[aeoliandave]

The functional bits.

Here we can see it's nothing more under the hood than a basic run of the mill square oak box carpet sweeper.

The removable brush is in really great shape.

 

[arh1953]

I like the name Kenmore affixed to a non-electric household item. After the haircut and application of a good furniture rejuvinator, that should be a real showpiece.

 

[aeoliandave]

and finally, it came with it's own supply of vintage sweepings for that authentic touch. LOL

now I'll go pulverize some celery & carrots into juice with the fabulous ACME Juicerator centrifuge. Hoping by week's end I'll be able to concoct my own V8 juice and avoid all that added salt.

 

[petek]

I remember seeing that Fantom when I was there 2 weeks ago and grabbed the triple whip, as well the Westys and Dormeyer, didn't see the wooden Kenmore carpet sweeper though. I have some tinted wood scratch cover that will make it look like new again.
Hows that,, you saw 2 Fantoms in one day.. LOL

The doors always open here if anyones in the neighborhood and wants to play vacuums.

 

[aeoliandave]

Over on the right Horace is telling Sophie "We're gonna need new slacks and a peter pan collared blouse for you if we're gonna dance the fandango like Carol over there".

 

[hygiene903]

Great Finds!

And great photos, all obviously from a mini-meet that was great fun!! And that Kenmore carpet sweeper looks like a rare one!
Jeff

 

[aeoliandave]

Noticed late last night that the varnish coat on the oak is so dry you can flake it off as dust with a fingernail. So I will carefully remove it around the gold decaled letters, touch them up as best I can, a light sanding, a swab of golden oak stain and a new shiny protective finish. She'll gleam like new again.

The rubber bumper is held in place with 4 tack brads - it acts like a large rubber band to keep the chrome wheel caps snug against the side of the sweeper box. They are otherwise unattached. I am amazed at the general; condition of the sweeper, considering how many times it probably banged against furniture legs.

Taking a 1 hour run back west tonight after work to the Nauvoo Road to pick up Felix from his neutering adventure.

Dave

 

[aeoliandave]

Felix came through this morning's surgery with flying colors. But he ain't flying right now...real groggy from the meds.

He wanted out of the cage on the 60 minute drive home. Climbed into my lap, gave a whimper, licked my hand, laid across my arm and snoozed all the way home.

 

[aeoliandave]

Hector is appreciating the utter lack of attention from Felix...for now.

 

[aeoliandave]

He was mighty happy to get home again. First thing he did was trot around the house to familiar spots making sure everything was as it should be, checked out the odd smell of the new pine-ish smelling Fantom Fury for a few minutes, then finished off his tour by climbing up the screen door, leaping to the attache case and ricocheted off the cat cage (probably to prove to himself, and show me, he still could)...and promptly fell asleep on the linoleum. What a character.

While he was snoring I started taking the Fantom completely apart and washing the parts. Gonna make it as like new as I can. Felix joined me to watch from his favorite tabletop towel. Dang, he's adorable and smart as a whip!

They love him so much at the Vet Hospital in Watford - Pete's sister Pauline works there - they want to keep him. This is where he was socialized on a daily basis for 2-3 weeks before I got him.

Perfect timing in that another major snowstorm is due to hit southern Ontario on Tuesday.

 

[arh1953]

I'm glad Felix knows you didn't just leave him there. Nice that it went so well. I hope Hector starts enjoying him again soon. And I hope the Fantom project is a success.