gj3476
Well-known member
I remember back in September I went to a goodwill store and I happened to saw a Fantom Thunder and it didn’t have any attachments and the cyclone inside the dirt cup was broken so I didn’t brought, kinda wish I did.
Dream vac acquired! Fantom Thunder!
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gj3476
Well-known member
I remember back in September I went to a goodwill store and I happened to saw a Fantom Thunder and it didn’t have any attachments and the cyclone inside the dirt cup was broken so I didn’t brought it, kinda wish I did.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Nice Fantoms, I always wanted a Thunder when I was younger. I thought they were so cool and believed they must be really really powerful.
One of my neighbors had one and when I happened to go over one day, she had it out and she demonstrated it for me. Though I don't think she showed how the hose worked.
I know Kmart sold the Thunder, Fury and Lightning, and I saw them there on display back in the day, but I've only seen one Fury in a thrift store in 2007 or so. More recently I saw a Thunder at a flea market, but it wasn't for sale I don't think. Other than that never seen any other than my neighbor's.
One of my neighbors had one and when I happened to go over one day, she had it out and she demonstrated it for me. Though I don't think she showed how the hose worked.
I know Kmart sold the Thunder, Fury and Lightning, and I saw them there on display back in the day, but I've only seen one Fury in a thrift store in 2007 or so. More recently I saw a Thunder at a flea market, but it wasn't for sale I don't think. Other than that never seen any other than my neighbor's.
man114
Well-known member
Thunders were made right up until the end in 2001. I have one made probably weeks before they went bankrupt. They also rebuilt them right up until the end too.
We have a winner
man114, I have to hand it to you: the Carnuba wax suggestion has been the best yet. The Thunder looks downright glossy now! I just love those uninterrupted reflections of light up and down the main cylinder of the cleaner. Even the dust bin looks better. That's not haze in the plastic at the bottom of the bin--that's a wad of dust. I've been putting this Thunder to work.
In fact, I was so pleased by the wax that I subjected all of my glossy plastic vacuums to the same treatment, and with good results. It sure did a good number on my Hoover C1403 and "Kenvertible" High Performance. Thanks again for the tip!
I also have ordered two brand new 626-2RS sealed ball bearings for the brush roll. I just decided I'd go ahead and do that upgrade--I'm just not convinced that the original 626-ZZ shielded ball bearings were the best choice for this application.
man114, I have to hand it to you: the Carnuba wax suggestion has been the best yet. The Thunder looks downright glossy now! I just love those uninterrupted reflections of light up and down the main cylinder of the cleaner. Even the dust bin looks better. That's not haze in the plastic at the bottom of the bin--that's a wad of dust. I've been putting this Thunder to work.
In fact, I was so pleased by the wax that I subjected all of my glossy plastic vacuums to the same treatment, and with good results. It sure did a good number on my Hoover C1403 and "Kenvertible" High Performance. Thanks again for the tip!
I also have ordered two brand new 626-2RS sealed ball bearings for the brush roll. I just decided I'd go ahead and do that upgrade--I'm just not convinced that the original 626-ZZ shielded ball bearings were the best choice for this application.
man114
Well-known member
Yep the wax works
These were super super easy to find here in Buffalo in the late 1990s early 2000s, so after I got a job and car I used to pick them up out of the garbage, or get them at thrift stores, clean and polish them with car wax then sell them for $50 to co workers and online. Fantoms were fairly expensive so this was easy money. Car wax proved the best to restore the like new looks like they came out of the box.
I've got a lot of thunders, I'm currently using a late Thunder from right before they went under with... no top carrying handle! I'm sure this was to cut costs but since the rest of the vac still weighs a lot this is surprisingly inconvenient when you've used them for years and are used to it being there. What a pain. Still cleans the same though. I haven't polished it yet or anything just been giving it some test runs.
Car wax might work slightly better on Fantoms than some vacs because the Fantoms are ABS some of the cheaper stuff is some sort of junkier plastic.
I attached a pic of the top of the no carrying handle Fantom since I don't think we've seen one of those yet.
These were super super easy to find here in Buffalo in the late 1990s early 2000s, so after I got a job and car I used to pick them up out of the garbage, or get them at thrift stores, clean and polish them with car wax then sell them for $50 to co workers and online. Fantoms were fairly expensive so this was easy money. Car wax proved the best to restore the like new looks like they came out of the box.
I've got a lot of thunders, I'm currently using a late Thunder from right before they went under with... no top carrying handle! I'm sure this was to cut costs but since the rest of the vac still weighs a lot this is surprisingly inconvenient when you've used them for years and are used to it being there. What a pain. Still cleans the same though. I haven't polished it yet or anything just been giving it some test runs.
Car wax might work slightly better on Fantoms than some vacs because the Fantoms are ABS some of the cheaper stuff is some sort of junkier plastic.
I attached a pic of the top of the no carrying handle Fantom since I don't think we've seen one of those yet.
Mine has the handle but it doesn't see much use; I usually just lift from the handle that you push the cleaner with. I can't say I've ever seen a Thunder without a carry handle, but then again the only Thunders other than mine that I have seen were in pictures on the internet.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
New Brush Roll Bearings
I have finally gotten around to replacing the brush roll bearings on my Thunder.
These new sealed bearings were totally worth the couple bucks! The old shielded bearings felt (and sounded) scratchy and contaminated, in contrast to the new ones which are virtually silent.
Installation was a breeze. Pop out the old ones and press the new ones in. It's about a 10 minute job.
I would recommend this upgrade for anyone who owns one of these Fantoms.
Pictures are below. First is a shot of one of the old shielded bearing, followed by some pictures of the new ones.
I have finally gotten around to replacing the brush roll bearings on my Thunder.
These new sealed bearings were totally worth the couple bucks! The old shielded bearings felt (and sounded) scratchy and contaminated, in contrast to the new ones which are virtually silent.
Installation was a breeze. Pop out the old ones and press the new ones in. It's about a 10 minute job.
I would recommend this upgrade for anyone who owns one of these Fantoms.
Pictures are below. First is a shot of one of the old shielded bearing, followed by some pictures of the new ones.
Here's an odd one:
As man114 shared with us, the rebuilt Fantom Thunder I found last year has the cryptic note "SONWIL" printed at the bottom of its serial tag because it was rebuilt by Fantom in a place on Sonwil Drive in Buffalo, NY.
Last week I ordered a manufacturer refurbished Dyson Cinetic Animal + Allergy upright vacuum from the Dyson Outlet on Ebay. I got a shipping notice telling me that it's coming from "Sonwil Distribution" in Buffalo NY!
I assume that after Fantom Technologies Inc. gave up its ghost, the place on Sonwil transitioned to refurbishing Dysons and are still at it 19 years later. I think it's cool that I'll have now two "Dyson" vacuums which have been given a second chance at life by the same people!
As man114 shared with us, the rebuilt Fantom Thunder I found last year has the cryptic note "SONWIL" printed at the bottom of its serial tag because it was rebuilt by Fantom in a place on Sonwil Drive in Buffalo, NY.
Last week I ordered a manufacturer refurbished Dyson Cinetic Animal + Allergy upright vacuum from the Dyson Outlet on Ebay. I got a shipping notice telling me that it's coming from "Sonwil Distribution" in Buffalo NY!
I assume that after Fantom Technologies Inc. gave up its ghost, the place on Sonwil transitioned to refurbishing Dysons and are still at it 19 years later. I think it's cool that I'll have now two "Dyson" vacuums which have been given a second chance at life by the same people!
myles_v
Well-known member
crazykirbydude
Well-known member
Anyone know how to put one of these back together? I forgot to take pics of mine.
man114
Well-known member
Sonwil
I tried to do some digging into what happened when Fantom closed. I did find a ton of patents that were sold off for some money to another company.
The may have inherited rights going forward for due to the licensed patents from Dyson. Presumably if the refurbishment work was effective then Dyson probably just went forward continuing to use them.
I tried to do some digging into what happened when Fantom closed. I did find a ton of patents that were sold off for some money to another company.
The may have inherited rights going forward for due to the licensed patents from Dyson. Presumably if the refurbishment work was effective then Dyson probably just went forward continuing to use them.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
For anyone curious, I did some research through old websites and information and I found out the official address of Fantom vacuums was...
200 Sonwil Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Sonwil was the name of the distribution center/warehouse complex, and unit 200 was where Fantom was, in the back.
Also in related news - as of Jun 4, 2021 James Dyson cancelled his refurbishment and wholesale fulfillment contract with Sonwil Distribution Center and shifted Dyson's assets to Mexico because the labor is cheaper. 180 full time workers and 57 temp workers will lose their jobs at the three Sonwil plants in Buffalo, Depew and Orchard Park.
https://buffalonews.com/business/lo...cle_78df8bf6-c581-11eb-b3ca-2b1fbca7a7fd.html
200 Sonwil Drive
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Sonwil was the name of the distribution center/warehouse complex, and unit 200 was where Fantom was, in the back.
Also in related news - as of Jun 4, 2021 James Dyson cancelled his refurbishment and wholesale fulfillment contract with Sonwil Distribution Center and shifted Dyson's assets to Mexico because the labor is cheaper. 180 full time workers and 57 temp workers will lose their jobs at the three Sonwil plants in Buffalo, Depew and Orchard Park.
https://buffalonews.com/business/lo...cle_78df8bf6-c581-11eb-b3ca-2b1fbca7a7fd.html
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