Hoover model 28

[doesitlookclean]

Browsing a peddlers mall, when I walked past a booth with this model 28. Is it worth $50. It turns on (I was surprised how quiet it is). The cloud of dust it made, looked like Pigpen from Snoopy. Would I be better off finding one in nicer condition?

 

[hoover300]

Omg thats in great shape, especially for a Peddler's mall. Has a replaced cord but everything else seems to be original. I'll let another member quote a price, as I have never owned a 28 and would probably pay more than that for one in that shape.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I'd say it's in very good shape

for it's age. After a nice cleanup, it should look great.

 

[electrolux137]

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Seventy-five-year-old vacuum cleaners don't turn up much any more, in any condition. All this one appears to need is a day at the spa and an original (or, at least, brown) cord.

 

[doesitlookclean]

Do these have an inner disposable bag? Or is it just the outer cloth bag? With the dust cloud, I assume the outer bag has moth holes. Are replacement outer bags readily available? Belts? Brushroll? The headlight didn’t work. I’ve read the lenses were notorious for breaking. Is there a way to change the light without breaking the lens? Should I be concerned about the pile of dirt that was under the base after I turned it off? I assume the cord was replaced in the 70s/80s by the repair shop’s sticker under the base. I Googled and found no results. Either the shop was in another city, or long out of business. The color of the cord is the least of my worries. I just hate to buy it, if it needs everything replaced to be an everyday vacuum. I’d be going on a quest to find a hose & attachments. Perhaps I will call and ask if they allow vendors to take less on items.

 

[hoover300]

No inner bag, its a shakeout. Bags with the inner conversion aren't too hard to find, but ruin part of the value and usually the look of the vacuum. It takes Eureka F&G belts. It takes brush strips that screw into the roller. It prolly has lots of dirt backed up in the roller plate or bag making it leak. As for the light, I have no idea. You may have to take the hood off to replace it.

 

[betam64]

The Hoover 28 has a shakeout bag, but I designed a tool that allows you to use a type C (or F&G) bag in your 28 while keeping its original look/value. Eureka RD belts will fit the 28, as well as any '20s or '30s machine.

Regarding the brush strips, you can try to rebristle them yourself with horse hair, or you can try to find NOS strips on eBay by typing in the model number of the brush strip (not the vacuum). Both strips will be different; there is one large, and one smaller one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154063800240?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

 

[huskyvacs]

The fact it still has its plastic lens makes it worth the $60 alone there. If you buy it, swap the bulb with an LED bulb before using it in order to save the lens from being destroyed.

I would not use this vacuum as an every day vacuum. It's great as a collector's vacuum and a runabout, but I wouldn't use it daily.

I just paid $60 for two Model 28 bases on eBay with no cord, bag, or handles on either.

 

[doesitlookclean]

So I was able to get the seller down to $30. Before I put it in my car, I unscrewed the bag and dumped it in the parking lot. To say it was full would be an understatement. When I got home, I tried it out on my living room rug. I only ran it less than a minute. But it seemed to do alright. I washed the bag in the sink repeatedly. After the 6th time the water was no longer black. I replaced the belt with a spare RD I had. I’ve decided it’s something I will have and will replace this here and replace that there. One day it will be like new, but it’s not going to be today.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Excellent

Enjoy it.

 

[doesitlookclean]

Update

I’ve taken it apart and started cleaning it. The scuff marks on the hood came right off with a magic eraser. Would it be recommended that I take it to a vacuum shop and have the wiring replaced? I noticed last night it does have a strong electrical smell.

 

[fan-of-fans]

Wow those windings are dusty! I'd definitely make sure to blow those out with some compressed air or an air compressor.

The electrical smell could possibly be from the carbon brushes? Like an ozone smell? I'd make sure to check those out too, they may likely need replacement due to the age of the cleaner, if they never have been changed.

 

[suckolux]

Exactly

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Moat Ace Hqrdware stores have the correct carbon brushes, just bring an old one in for size reference.

If the wiring is not brittle, it should be perfectly safe

 

[madman]

The wires pictured look fine. Those types of wires usually last a long time. Usually. It's more the cord and maybe the wire going to the switch you'd need to worry about. Still, if you plan on using this machine, the motor and all the wiring should be looked over by someone with a good eye for that thing. Make sure bearings are well lubricated and carbon brushes are free and have plenty of life left.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

If you take it to a vac shop, make sure they are well versed in older machines. Depending on where in KY you are, we have a member who works on machines down there. I will direct him to this thread

 

[s31463221]

Hoover 28 in KY

That’s a FANTASTIC find! You don’t hardly see the older vacs anymore in stores or flea markets, or even estate sales it seems! I’m in Central/Eastern KY (think Morehead/Mt. Sterling area), if you’re close to me and want it looked at! Just let me know! I think there’s an unwritten law that EVERY Vac collection has to have at least 1 Hoover 28!!

 

[doesitlookclean]

I guess it’s an “ozone” smell. It’s a very distinct smell. I have a 40s radio that gave off that smell until I had it restored. This afternoon, I removed the brushroll, and with an sos pad was able to get the rust off the beater bars. After getting out all the gunk that was inside the brushroll, it spins perfectly. Are the outer bags not sealed? The top appears to be folded over and wedged under the “clamp”. A corner of the bag I thought the seam was torn, but I think it has worked it’s way out of the “clamp”. Is there a trick to getting it back under there?
I live in Louisville. There are several vac shops here. A couple of them have been in business for decades. I will call both this week and explain what I have and ask what they’d recommend in order for it to not be a fire hazard.

 

[myvacsrock]

Bring it up to Dayton..

I thoroughly rebuild these by the dozens lately. You wouldn’t be disappointed!