General Electric swivel top vacuum restoriation - help needed

[dusthater]

I’ve done some more tinkering and finally was able to completely deconstruct the thing. So now for any future readers here is a comprehensive guide to taking apart this vacuum. Each number corresponds to the picture of the same number.

1. Remove lid and bag. Unscrew screw in black plastic case and remove black paper ring.

2. Unscrew the three screws on the three metal plates holding down the black rubber ring. Disconnect wires connecting motor to power switch and power cord.

3. Pull out motor and fan assembly by grabbing the motor housing for leverage and rocking it back and forth while pulling up. Remove the ring of rubber that holds the assembly together.

4. Remove the dish on the bottom and flip the motor assembly upside down. Unscrew the nut (clockwise not counterclockwise) and remove everything on the shaft being sure to remember (or photograph) the order it goes back on.

5. Remove the next dish. I had to pry it open with a flathead screwdriver. Continue taking everything off the shaft.

6. Unscrew the two nuts below the motor and remove the two long screws that go through the motor. Now you can flip the motor over and remove the cap on top of the motor. There is a spring beneath the cap so be careful not to lose it.

7. Take the motor housing and lift it up to remove it. When you put it back on you will need to make sure the brushes (black piece at the end of a spring) on the outer section of the motor are nicely connected with the cylinder below the ball bearing on the inner section of the motor. I don’t know the terminology sorry.


Now that I’ve got everything apart I’d like to clean everything and do any maintenance required. The motor is very dusty inside should I just use compressed air? Also is there any other maintenance like oiling bearings? One of the wires going into the motor is a bit damaged as seen in pic 8. How should I fix that? The last three pictures show examples of the rust and wear to the metal. How should I clean that up and protect the metal to keep it in good condition in the future?

 

[lesinutah]

Pic

1&2 fold up 90 degrees.
3 might separate it might not.
6 should disconnct from 5.
Cut the wire connector off on 6 and make sure the connector looks like the one currently on it.
The other options get heat shrink. Put it over the 2 places with exposed wire and use heat gun and it will seal it.
The metal on the motor clean off with steel wool. You could rub a little grease on it. The grease adheres to rust and sort of renews the metal. Ypu could highly go over it it with a little oil on a rag like oiling leather.
The paint area sand it down by hand or use steel wool.
You could also hit the entire body with a wire wheel. Then your going to put a coat of primer on it. Then repaint entire thing and you have a brand new 1962 swivel top cannister.
Good job so far. Yours was a little tricky but you got it.
Les

 

[paul]

Alec,

Congrats on your progress and thanks for the photo instructions of disassembly—you're quickly becoming a valuable member of VL! I hope you'll do the same for your lubricating procedure step by step for future reference. A video, too, would be helpful if you're able.

1. Yes, use compressed air to clean out the motor; some have also used the blower port of a canister or tank vacuum cleaner.

2. The damaged wire will have to be soldered to your spade connector.

3. I'm unsure what type of bearings or bushings you have, but the rule of thumb is to oil bushings (with a non-detergent oil) and grease bearings.

4. Regarding the body, here are general metal refinishing instructions from Angie's list:

https://www.angi.com/articles/best-way-paint-metal-surfaces.htm

I would recommend first practicing on another vacuum cleaner or other metal items that needs repainting; so you can learn from any mistakes on something with no sentimental attachment.

5. A good "appliance wax" as recommended in older appliance instruction manuals, will help protect the surface from future damage. I have used a vintage product called Jubilee kitchen wax, which is available from

Ace Hardware at https://www.acehardware.com/departm...sy5pz9BTU3HONuKSm5RoCdC0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds and can be picked up in store

or shipping from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/appliance-wax/s?k=appliance+wax

There are other products available, as well.

 

[lesinutah]

Lol

What Paul said.