vintagehoover
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And with some related paperwork:
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Hoover Model 541 Supply Parts Catalog - page 1
- Thread starter truckerx
- Start date
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watsonw
Well-known member
The flex.
.........Jack, is the flex 50's Hoover ribbed rubber or braided dustette type ?
Although your shots are vastly better than the single photo on the actual ebay listing I still can't tell properly.
Didn't the machine come from Maidenhead ?
I wondered who I was bidding against......I should have gone on !!!!
At least someone in the VCCC got it and we can still see it.
Regards, Walter.
.........Jack, is the flex 50's Hoover ribbed rubber or braided dustette type ?
Although your shots are vastly better than the single photo on the actual ebay listing I still can't tell properly.
Didn't the machine come from Maidenhead ?
I wondered who I was bidding against......I should have gone on !!!!
At least someone in the VCCC got it and we can still see it.
Regards, Walter.
vintagehoover
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Hi Walter...
...yes, it turned out to be rather better than the eBay photos suggested it would be. I was expecting it to be covered in filth and corrosion; you can imagine my delight when I took off the bubble-wrap to find it was just an extra-thick layer of attic dirt! A few moments with a Miele and a duster and it was looking like new.
The cord is the braided Dustette kind. The bag I have on it isn't the one it arrived 'wearing', which was an 875 bag. That, naturally, went on my 875, and I replaced it with the standard black Hoover one.
...yes, it turned out to be rather better than the eBay photos suggested it would be. I was expecting it to be covered in filth and corrosion; you can imagine my delight when I took off the bubble-wrap to find it was just an extra-thick layer of attic dirt! A few moments with a Miele and a duster and it was looking like new.
The cord is the braided Dustette kind. The bag I have on it isn't the one it arrived 'wearing', which was an 875 bag. That, naturally, went on my 875, and I replaced it with the standard black Hoover one.
vintagehoover
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This was the eBay photo;
you can see why I wasn't expecting much! I thought it would need stripping down and re-spraying, not just a wipe with a duster!
you can see why I wasn't expecting much! I thought it would need stripping down and re-spraying, not just a wipe with a duster!
truckerx
New member
Jack.....
...it's all too true..... That's a very nice 541 you have there. I noticed that on some of the early models, the base appears to be a rougher sand casting, on others, a more polished look. Maybe it has something to do with production years?
I'm looking for a black twisted cloth cord for mine, to make it look more original. Its rubber replacement cord is so old now that it is deteriorating. Had to dig it out though. It was dusty as could be and not real pretty. It's not been run in several years. With a little electricity (carefully applied) zzzzzzzzzzzzz and Voila! This is model #5680336. What is the production number on yours?
...it's all too true..... That's a very nice 541 you have there. I noticed that on some of the early models, the base appears to be a rougher sand casting, on others, a more polished look. Maybe it has something to do with production years?
I'm looking for a black twisted cloth cord for mine, to make it look more original. Its rubber replacement cord is so old now that it is deteriorating. Had to dig it out though. It was dusty as could be and not real pretty. It's not been run in several years. With a little electricity (carefully applied) zzzzzzzzzzzzz and Voila! This is model #5680336. What is the production number on yours?
vintagehoover
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As far as I know, all the 541s were rough in finish; the first machine to be polished was the 700. The 543 and 575 continued with the unpolished finish, until the new 400-series came in in '32. I would guess from your machine that it's been serviced by Hoover at some point in it's life, polished, and the cord and furniture guard replaced. The bag is just beautiful, it's from the 543 (same as the 541, but with the Agitator). You never find original bags over here!
The serial number of mine is 5H545935. It would have been built in Canada, not North Canton, so I'm not sure if the serial numbers can be compared.
The serial number of mine is 5H545935. It would have been built in Canada, not North Canton, so I'm not sure if the serial numbers can be compared.
truckerx
New member
You're correct....
..Jack, that is in fact a 543 bag on my 541. I'd really like to have an original for it, but it doesn't hurt to dream. I do have a 543 with the very same bag though, so I'll take it to be original. Thanks for the tip. The 543 has a cloth covered cord but not the twisted type. I don't know if it's original.
You're spot-on about the rarety of original bags. I've been collecting since 1982, when original spares were much more available. You have a grand collection from what I have seen.
You made out well; your 541 being a diamond in the rough.
..Jack, that is in fact a 543 bag on my 541. I'd really like to have an original for it, but it doesn't hurt to dream. I do have a 543 with the very same bag though, so I'll take it to be original. Thanks for the tip. The 543 has a cloth covered cord but not the twisted type. I don't know if it's original.
You're spot-on about the rarety of original bags. I've been collecting since 1982, when original spares were much more available. You have a grand collection from what I have seen.
You made out well; your 541 being a diamond in the rough.
1066hoovers
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The cloth bag you got off the 541 Jack!
Hi Jack. That cloth bag looks interesting. Is it for a Model 160?
You were lucky to get a 541 with original foot switch. Most were been replaced by the old style round brown Bakelite light switch which fitted perfectly. My theory is that there was a safety scare connected with the original switches and they were replaced by service engineers over time. Either that or the originals broke easily!
Hi Jack. That cloth bag looks interesting. Is it for a Model 160?
You were lucky to get a 541 with original foot switch. Most were been replaced by the old style round brown Bakelite light switch which fitted perfectly. My theory is that there was a safety scare connected with the original switches and they were replaced by service engineers over time. Either that or the originals broke easily!
hygiene903
Well-known member
Here's Mine!
My 541 looks a little different. It was rebuilt (by Hoover, I assume) in 1929, and either then or at a later date the original motor hood was replaced by one with a built-in headlight. I have also polished it since this picture ws taken. Unfortunately the bag on mine is a generic replacement. I also have a set of tools and instruction book.
By the way Bernie, is that a Royal I see hiding out behind your 541??
Jeff
My 541 looks a little different. It was rebuilt (by Hoover, I assume) in 1929, and either then or at a later date the original motor hood was replaced by one with a built-in headlight. I have also polished it since this picture ws taken. Unfortunately the bag on mine is a generic replacement. I also have a set of tools and instruction book.
By the way Bernie, is that a Royal I see hiding out behind your 541??
Jeff
truckerx
New member
541.....
...That's a good looking 541, Jeff. They did a good job updating it. The bag may be a generic replacement but in keeping with the period. I do like the headlamp. I think there are a few 541's still around. Judging from the serial numbers, I believe there were quite a few produced.
...That's a good looking 541, Jeff. They did a good job updating it. The bag may be a generic replacement but in keeping with the period. I do like the headlamp. I think there are a few 541's still around. Judging from the serial numbers, I believe there were quite a few produced.
truckerx
New member
The catalog...
gives one a perspective of how a 541 was originally dressed. My 541 has had several updates/changes as well. As Jack points out, it is wearing a model 543 bag.
gives one a perspective of how a 541 was originally dressed. My 541 has had several updates/changes as well. As Jack points out, it is wearing a model 543 bag.
truckerx
New member
The Royal question....
Yes..Jeff...that is an old Royal c.1918 lurking in the background (forgot it was there) in the photo. I'll clean it up and post it later, if you are interested.
Yes..Jeff...that is an old Royal c.1918 lurking in the background (forgot it was there) in the photo. I'll clean it up and post it later, if you are interested.
vintagehoover
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'Lighter, handsomer, better - the finest electric cleaner for the home ever devised by the industry's oldest and largest maker...'
Judging by the serial numbers, nearly 650,000 Model 541s were built in North Canton for the US market, over a 3-year production run. That was nearly 250,000 machines more than were made of Model 105. I don't have a record of the number built in Ontario, Canada, and supplied to the British Empire.
In April of 1923 alone, nearly 30,000 Hoover cleaners were shipped to dealers in the US, and May was forecast to exceed April's record by 20%.
Hoover did a huge advertising drive in newspapers and magazines for the 541 - I believe their largest ever campaign at that point. It focussed on the improvements of the 541 over previous models, including:
- A more durable bag
- A non-marring hand-grip
- Lighter in weight to previous models
- Lower in height to previous models
- New attachments
- Tool converter easier to fit
- Ball-bearing brush-roll
- Belt-life doubled
It sold for $65, plus $12.50 for dusting tools. It could also be bought on hire-purchase, with a $6.25 down-payment. 30-40% of all sales were made to customers who already owned a vacuum cleaner. The company had on file nearly 60,000 unsolicited letters of endorsement sent to them by satisfied customers.
Walter - yes, it does seem to be unusual to find 541s or 543s with their original switches. My 541 has its switch intact; one of my 543s had no switch at all, and my other 543 had the bakelite light-switch you mention. Luckily, I do have a second original switch - made by G.E.C - which will go on the better of the 2 543s when I have a chance to fit it. It's only missing the little metal knob from the top of the lever.
The bag my 541 arrived wearing is an 875 bag - so it's been put on my 875! It's very faded; you can see the true colour and pattern of the fabric (same as the 160) in the folds in the side of the bag:
Judging by the serial numbers, nearly 650,000 Model 541s were built in North Canton for the US market, over a 3-year production run. That was nearly 250,000 machines more than were made of Model 105. I don't have a record of the number built in Ontario, Canada, and supplied to the British Empire.
In April of 1923 alone, nearly 30,000 Hoover cleaners were shipped to dealers in the US, and May was forecast to exceed April's record by 20%.
Hoover did a huge advertising drive in newspapers and magazines for the 541 - I believe their largest ever campaign at that point. It focussed on the improvements of the 541 over previous models, including:
- A more durable bag
- A non-marring hand-grip
- Lighter in weight to previous models
- Lower in height to previous models
- New attachments
- Tool converter easier to fit
- Ball-bearing brush-roll
- Belt-life doubled
It sold for $65, plus $12.50 for dusting tools. It could also be bought on hire-purchase, with a $6.25 down-payment. 30-40% of all sales were made to customers who already owned a vacuum cleaner. The company had on file nearly 60,000 unsolicited letters of endorsement sent to them by satisfied customers.
Walter - yes, it does seem to be unusual to find 541s or 543s with their original switches. My 541 has its switch intact; one of my 543s had no switch at all, and my other 543 had the bakelite light-switch you mention. Luckily, I do have a second original switch - made by G.E.C - which will go on the better of the 2 543s when I have a chance to fit it. It's only missing the little metal knob from the top of the lever.
The bag my 541 arrived wearing is an 875 bag - so it's been put on my 875! It's very faded; you can see the true colour and pattern of the fabric (same as the 160) in the folds in the side of the bag:
hygiene903
Well-known member
You're Right, Bernie
There are still quite a few 541's around. Right now there's one on ebay, and I have seen them on there frequently. Probably because there were so many produced. But as Jack said, it's unfortunate that you seldom find one with the original switch. Mine has the more common brown bakelite toggle switch on it. Yours and Jack's are beautiful machines!
As for the Royal, I'd loveto see pictures of it sometime!
Jeff
There are still quite a few 541's around. Right now there's one on ebay, and I have seen them on there frequently. Probably because there were so many produced. But as Jack said, it's unfortunate that you seldom find one with the original switch. Mine has the more common brown bakelite toggle switch on it. Yours and Jack's are beautiful machines!
As for the Royal, I'd loveto see pictures of it sometime!
Jeff
watsonw
Well-known member
Thanks Jack,
A friend of mine was given a 543 and a lux 11 by someone clearing out the attic of the coach house of a large house just up the road from where he lives Sutton Coldfield. They were both in a rather sorry but retrievable state. Both were beautifully restored. His late Father was a clever 'all-rounder' having been trained as a tool maker at Lucas in Birmingham. He even brought the 543 name / indentification plate back to life...the added bonus being that the 543 had the original switch. Someday I hope to be able to drive down to the Welsh coast to photograph these treasures !!
Regards.
A friend of mine was given a 543 and a lux 11 by someone clearing out the attic of the coach house of a large house just up the road from where he lives Sutton Coldfield. They were both in a rather sorry but retrievable state. Both were beautifully restored. His late Father was a clever 'all-rounder' having been trained as a tool maker at Lucas in Birmingham. He even brought the 543 name / indentification plate back to life...the added bonus being that the 543 had the original switch. Someday I hope to be able to drive down to the Welsh coast to photograph these treasures !!
Regards.
watsonw
Well-known member
CALLING ALL 541 OWNERS!!!
Hello Folks,
I hope to complete the re-assembly of my restored 541 within the next few weeks; I have to admit that this project has been on my to do list for some considerable time!
I have noticed that my brush roll is missing several components as detailed on page 2 i.e. catalogue nos 5696 & 97; washers for the 'small' and 'large' holes.
Can anybody advise me as to their dimensions as I would love to finish this lovely machine.
Regards, Walter.
Hello Folks,
I hope to complete the re-assembly of my restored 541 within the next few weeks; I have to admit that this project has been on my to do list for some considerable time!
I have noticed that my brush roll is missing several components as detailed on page 2 i.e. catalogue nos 5696 & 97; washers for the 'small' and 'large' holes.
Can anybody advise me as to their dimensions as I would love to finish this lovely machine.
Regards, Walter.
