Hoover 344

[sfcoronet]

I was at the Goodwill and was thinking that they had overpriced a nice old typewriter there ($75) when I saw this Hoover 344. Pretty dirty and the paint on the base is in really bad shape, but for $5 I couldn't resist! It runs well - I think I'll just clean it and leave it as is.

 

[sfcoronet]

cleaned it up a little bit, greased the bearings, put a different bag on. Looks better. If I find an original outer bag, I might think about painting the base.

 

[kloveland]

Looks great!

Love the blue color. The replacement bag coordinates with the vacuum nicely as well

 

[brandon_w_t]

Sure is a LOT nicer than mine was!


The 344 is a very special machine for me. It was my first ever vacuum. Was given it to play with at my grandparents house in the garage when I was just starting to walk. I also had an orange and white eureka upright from the early 70s.

Mine was so badly corroded, and painted yellow, that I never thought it would work again. Took it to the local vacuum shop and he sanded it all down and rebuilt the motor from the ground up and its now my 2nd quietest Hoover. He also gave me a new old stock bag. I have a cord that I intend to place on it that is original. I painted the base blue and the hood a darker blue.

I had another 344 that was original except for the bag. It now resides with Fred in Minn.

 

[sfcoronet]

Brandon,
I'd love to see some pictures of yours!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Did you know that this was a commercial model? It would have taken a shake out bag originaly. Great find. They also made the same cleaner with a three prong cord and called it the 348

 

[brandon_w_t]

Ok. Here is a picture of my custom 344 commercial and the other one.

 

[sfcoronet]

repainted the bad parts

before and after. Just a can of spray paint. I think it looks much better, but I'd love to find an original bag...

 

[pnluxconvlvr]

That is a nice blue !

I love your Hoover. You did a great job restoring it. Love the color and it really looks nice !