Here's what I would change:
Sanitaire/Eureka F&G upright (SC886, SystemPro S675):
- Go back to a cast aluminum metal base
- Steel fan chamber insert (for non-Quick Kleen) or steel Quick Kleen cover, cast aluminum or Amodel fan
- Steel motor/bearing plate and motor frame
- Improve the sealing surface where the bag meets the discharge, the motor seal and Quick Kleen seal, or rather, eliminate the gaskets altogether and employ air duct sealant (I've used air-duct sealant on my S647 and 643 to seal the motor to the base)
- Heavier duty cord wraps bolted to handle, with upper cord wrap hook able to pivot to facilitate easy cord removal
(643)
- Hex-end brushroll rather than the extinct square-end for sure, or just keep the square-end setup for later machines
Hoover Convertible (JCPenney Convertible, Hoover Model 1010, Hoover Model U4004)
- The field coil and bearing is removable from the motor/bearing plate via bolts instead of rivets
- Bearing plate and motor frame is made out of steel rather than bakelite
- Eliminate the male/female power connection at the handle fork/bottom of handle and just have a plug connector pigtail coming out of the motor a la Royal
- Bumper is easily removable/replaceable
Royal (880, 884, Preferred Series 6103f):
- Hole in armature a la Kirby to facilitate easier shaft/fan removal by inserting a pick or thin screwdriver through the shaft
- Handle is bolted to handle fork rather than clamped
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
Kirby (Avalir):
- Steel motor frame and bearing plate rather than plastic
- Keep the cast aluminum lower base rather than going to plastic
Kirby (Heritage II Legend):
- Mini emptor made of cast aluminum rather than Lexan
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
- Better reinforcement for handle stop on motor shell to prevent leaning
Kirby (Dual Sanitronic 50/Sanitronic 7):
- Disposable bag system (note - I've added a Mini Emptor/discharge tube to both and added zippers to both bags to facilitate disposable bags)
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
- Better reinforcement for handle stop on motor shell to prevent leaning
What would you change about your machine(s) in your collection?
Sanitaire/Eureka F&G upright (SC886, SystemPro S675):
- Go back to a cast aluminum metal base
- Steel fan chamber insert (for non-Quick Kleen) or steel Quick Kleen cover, cast aluminum or Amodel fan
- Steel motor/bearing plate and motor frame
- Improve the sealing surface where the bag meets the discharge, the motor seal and Quick Kleen seal, or rather, eliminate the gaskets altogether and employ air duct sealant (I've used air-duct sealant on my S647 and 643 to seal the motor to the base)
- Heavier duty cord wraps bolted to handle, with upper cord wrap hook able to pivot to facilitate easy cord removal
(643)
- Hex-end brushroll rather than the extinct square-end for sure, or just keep the square-end setup for later machines
Hoover Convertible (JCPenney Convertible, Hoover Model 1010, Hoover Model U4004)
- The field coil and bearing is removable from the motor/bearing plate via bolts instead of rivets
- Bearing plate and motor frame is made out of steel rather than bakelite
- Eliminate the male/female power connection at the handle fork/bottom of handle and just have a plug connector pigtail coming out of the motor a la Royal
- Bumper is easily removable/replaceable
Royal (880, 884, Preferred Series 6103f):
- Hole in armature a la Kirby to facilitate easier shaft/fan removal by inserting a pick or thin screwdriver through the shaft
- Handle is bolted to handle fork rather than clamped
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
Kirby (Avalir):
- Steel motor frame and bearing plate rather than plastic
- Keep the cast aluminum lower base rather than going to plastic
Kirby (Heritage II Legend):
- Mini emptor made of cast aluminum rather than Lexan
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
- Better reinforcement for handle stop on motor shell to prevent leaning
Kirby (Dual Sanitronic 50/Sanitronic 7):
- Disposable bag system (note - I've added a Mini Emptor/discharge tube to both and added zippers to both bags to facilitate disposable bags)
- Easily removable/replaceable bumper
- Better reinforcement for handle stop on motor shell to prevent leaning
What would you change about your machine(s) in your collection?