aeoliandave
Well-known member
This wee beastie was a lovely parting gift from John Long on my grand tour. Sent it to the Spa tonight.
Humble Li'l KENMORE Handvac
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aeoliandave
Well-known member
I love Streeamline Moderne Industrial/Commercial/Domestic Design.
One piece Bakelite handle terminating in a tailcone cap. Handle has an old crack that was wrapped in old electrical tape, which kept the break clean...so I crazyglued it back together.
No doubt it was also available in polished metal with a logo on the snap-in belt access panel.
One piece Bakelite handle terminating in a tailcone cap. Handle has an old crack that was wrapped in old electrical tape, which kept the break clean...so I crazyglued it back together.
No doubt it was also available in polished metal with a logo on the snap-in belt access panel.
aeoliandave
Well-known member
The brushroll spins in two hard maple blocks that can be reset in 4 positions as the brushes wear. Judging from the bristle length I doubt it was ever rotated. It really sucks good.
As can be seen in this bottom view, there is an vacuum channel opening to the right of the brushroll bearing block.
Found a belt that fits but I have a bit of belt overrun as can be seen. Either the brushroll is out of alignment or I have to cut the belt narrower? Both the brushroll and motor spindle are convex.
Diagnosis and suggestions, anyone?
As can be seen in this bottom view, there is an vacuum channel opening to the right of the brushroll bearing block.
Found a belt that fits but I have a bit of belt overrun as can be seen. Either the brushroll is out of alignment or I have to cut the belt narrower? Both the brushroll and motor spindle are convex.
Diagnosis and suggestions, anyone?
electroluxxxx
New member
dave that hand vac looks FABULOUS!!! what year is it from??
Mike
Mike
Flip the brushroll end for end... I think it may be a tad longer on one end..
Just a thought.
Morgan
Just a thought.
Morgan
aeoliandave
Well-known member
BINGO !
Thank you Morgan. Flipping the brushroll did the trick; belt riding snug & firm between the flanges. The extra axle length is barely discernible by eye but is in fact 1/16". You saved me an hour of experimental blundering.
Dave
Thank you Morgan. Flipping the brushroll did the trick; belt riding snug & firm between the flanges. The extra axle length is barely discernible by eye but is in fact 1/16". You saved me an hour of experimental blundering.
Dave
akabent
Well-known member
Nice Hand.....
That is a really nice Hand-Vac, Dave! And it appears to have the original cord, too!! (plug??) I've always been fond of them; my very first (vacuum!) was a Premier hand vac, not the fairly popular Spic-Span, but another version (same bag) called a 'Pick-Up' that had a rotating brush. Cool gift, John! And in good hands, too.
Rick
That is a really nice Hand-Vac, Dave! And it appears to have the original cord, too!! (plug??) I've always been fond of them; my very first (vacuum!) was a Premier hand vac, not the fairly popular Spic-Span, but another version (same bag) called a 'Pick-Up' that had a rotating brush. Cool gift, John! And in good hands, too.
Rick
aeoliandave
Well-known member
Yes Rick, the cord and molded plug are original. The cord rubber is just beginning to crack up but not enough to replace it yet as it`s hardly my only choice for handvac daily driver. LOL
I am surprised and pleased at what fine shape it`s in. Really only the cloth bag is a bit rough with some rust spots but I don`t dare to wash it as the logo silkscreen is fading.
I am surprised and pleased at what fine shape it`s in. Really only the cloth bag is a bit rough with some rust spots but I don`t dare to wash it as the logo silkscreen is fading.
electroluxxxx
New member
Dave would you happen to kno what year this is from???
Mike
Mike
aeoliandave
Well-known member
This is all pure historically informed musing & theory-rizin
Mike, it's only possible to guess until someone comes up with and posts a dated advertisement with this model in it.
I'd like to say it's pre WW2 - based on the streamline Kenmore font used on the bag logo, which matches the font on my Kenmore Streamline carpet sweeper and used by Kenmore for late 1930-s products. The manual sweeper has a definite 1939/40 design and has all nickle plated hardware, which was stopped with the advent of WW2.
I'm going to submit that the design is 39/40 but the dull brown crinkletone paint dates it to wartime, post 1942, as the polishing of cast aluminum and chrome plateing of metals for domestic consumer goods - such as bumpers for automobiles - was also suspended in favour of dull paints.
Several reasons for this austerity.
1. There was a perceived real threat of shiny, reflective and lighted things becoming targets from airborne attack - see European blackout precautions and the V2 rocketbomb. America had no reason to assume she was immune to airborn threats. And then came Pearl Harbor...
2. The labor required to polish metal was better applied to the manufacture and finish of bombs, aircraft and aeroplanes. 3. Many metals were in short supply as it was needed for the manufacture of the War Machine - see Scrap Metal Drives.
I'm sure others can contribute their own memories or analysis of the societal forces in play in the 1940s both here in North America and Europe.
Dave
Mike, it's only possible to guess until someone comes up with and posts a dated advertisement with this model in it.
I'd like to say it's pre WW2 - based on the streamline Kenmore font used on the bag logo, which matches the font on my Kenmore Streamline carpet sweeper and used by Kenmore for late 1930-s products. The manual sweeper has a definite 1939/40 design and has all nickle plated hardware, which was stopped with the advent of WW2.
I'm going to submit that the design is 39/40 but the dull brown crinkletone paint dates it to wartime, post 1942, as the polishing of cast aluminum and chrome plateing of metals for domestic consumer goods - such as bumpers for automobiles - was also suspended in favour of dull paints.
Several reasons for this austerity.
1. There was a perceived real threat of shiny, reflective and lighted things becoming targets from airborne attack - see European blackout precautions and the V2 rocketbomb. America had no reason to assume she was immune to airborn threats. And then came Pearl Harbor...
2. The labor required to polish metal was better applied to the manufacture and finish of bombs, aircraft and aeroplanes. 3. Many metals were in short supply as it was needed for the manufacture of the War Machine - see Scrap Metal Drives.
I'm sure others can contribute their own memories or analysis of the societal forces in play in the 1940s both here in North America and Europe.
Dave
akabent
Well-known member
I noticed the plug...
...after I wrote, but it is great, Dave. Glad the cord is serviceable, it's always nice to have the original cord, plug, and bag!!! (I can live with a replacement fan belt!! lol)
Rick
...after I wrote, but it is great, Dave. Glad the cord is serviceable, it's always nice to have the original cord, plug, and bag!!! (I can live with a replacement fan belt!! lol)
Rick
