Haley's Comet has an appointment at the Spa.

[aeoliandave]

Switchplate at rest

 

[aeoliandave]

Pressed (or stepped on).

 

[aeoliandave]

Inside mounting points. Once again, this is a very robustly constructed vacuum cleaner.

What I had to work with and around and provide clearances for. I wanted to use the old hinge stubs for the correct clearance fit of the plate - the new plate (a piece from an electrical box that was just the right width, thus the hole) was cut with extension tabs that are crimped tight around the stubs front and back to prevent slippage.

The cast aluminum handle mounts on the same axle as the plate hinges.

So, now it fits I'll file down the rough edges, paint the plate black and pressure tape a 3/16" thick fitted ribbed rubber mat to it that will sit flush with the
surface.

 

[aeoliandave]

The Monster LIVES!!!

Yup, Haleys Comet is back in stable orbit tonight.

The plastic logo plate is not yet pressure taped to the flank. Since I have only the one plate I'll have to ponder which profile is the most future photogenic.

 

[aeoliandave]

Pulls +84"...perhaps an extra fan or two isn't required at this time but this will be the perfect vacuum to try that experiment on...

 

[aeoliandave]

It's Felix Approved!

 

[camelotshadow]

wow

Looking good!

hey, I';d like to get me one of those fangled vac testers

 

[aeoliandave]

Any vacuum gauge will work and you often find them at flea markets in the auto mechanic's section for engine manifold testing.

This particular one is an all-in-one portable box for the Vacuum Service Shop to go on site - ie: the customer's home. As you can see, it has a fuse protected electric system to plug in the vac and then check wireing and motor coil continuity with the light socket or the meter. I also have the pos & neg needle probes for it.

The side has a small rubber ball socket to hold a hose wand end against for basic suction testing.

The large rubber ball and hose extension I added so that I can test any vacuum port with the hose removed for really accurate readings. The different readings reveal the severity of a leaky hose.

 

[camelotshadow]

really
like the ones you test compression in the engine
hmmm
may have to get me one

Thanks

 

[aeoliandave]

Here's an oldie I've used for decades for player piano work. Players operate in the 7 to 25" water lift range, up to 40" on crash chords. This one was always perfect in that it is a dual free-wheeling dial with no bump stop peg. It measures both vacuum and pressure for engine vacuum and fuel pump pressures.

Since I've not had to go out looking for a new one I'm not sure where you'd start Someone else here probably knows. Home Depot Tool department, maybe? or a local hardware store. I don't even know what such a thing is priced at these days.

For vacuum cleaners you'd want one that reads up to at least 100".

Dave

 

[arh1953]

The Comet restoration came out flawlessly, the control switch was a bit of genius too. Felix looks like he's sipping on your sculpture, and the Serta Sheep look like they're wired for sound. I bet whoever bought those machines new were really happy with them.

 

[countryguy]

Wow, great restoration job Dave!

Gary

 

[crevicetool]

A line from TRUE GRIT.....

By God, he reminds me of me!!!

Can't say anything else that Alan didn't say in the above post.

 

[arh1953]

Come out, come out wherever you are!

Is there anyone else here that has a Comet?

 

[aeoliandave]

Aforementioned Peerless Engine vacuum and fuel pump tester.

that hook is right handy for hangin' in awkward places.

 

[aeoliandave]

Pointless yet amusing fun with the new slinky hose.

At rest the soft vinyl hose collapsed down to a tidy 3.5 foot length.

 

[aeoliandave]

But let the motor warm up and blow hot air at 85" through it and it begins to grow...and grow...and grow til it reaches almost 3 times it's length and this is with the hose being freely blown with no blockages!

Another indication the Haley's Comet exhibits elephantine characteristics. Now, about that time at the Syracuse Zoo when the bull elephant grew a 5th leg...or a second trunk...

 

[electroluxxxx]

you have been to the syracuse Zoo??? I am about an hour and a half away from there in Greene Ny you should come for a visit sometime dave.

Mike

 

[aeoliandave]

Thanks Mike. The next time it looks like I'll be in that area I'll get in touch. Now that the our Theatre is entering preview period and we run 6 day weeks right through to early November...well, that's when I don't get out much. LOL But I do get over to Syracuse/Saratoga/Albany every year around late Nov/early December. Buddy of mine has a 33 rank Aeolian Duo-Art player pipe organ in his house.

Now then, Haley's Comet is as together as it's gonna be for the next little while. I did find this once white, now yellowed heavy plastic ribbed wand in the parts bin. As you can see it has a button latch arrangment - on the far side two of the ribs are raised to form a channel for a press-in power cord. The plastic is the quality and heft of a Kirby wand. But I don't think it's for a Kirby.

Anyone hazard a guess what vacuum brand this is for?




http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/

 

[aeoliandave]

The Haley's Comet Jingle Lyrics/poem

and my Comet's serial number.

Inside of the lid was NOT painted, just washed clean.