stricklybojack
Well-known member
Thrift Store buy, not a vacuum i'm usally interested in but the condition was outstanding, actually doubly so considering it's age & general fragility of design.
Kenmore Powermate find...
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stricklybojack
Well-known member
more pics...
This vac has only received a light cleaning for dust, the attachments & compartment haven't been touched yet.
This vac has only received a light cleaning for dust, the attachments & compartment haven't been touched yet.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
The power-head...
This nozzle needs an edge cleaning plastic piece (riveted in place) for the vac to be 100%.
This nozzle needs an edge cleaning plastic piece (riveted in place) for the vac to be 100%.
vac-o-matic
Well-known member
That's a sweet looking Kenmore!
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Needs the motor filter...
the old one disintegrated when i removed it for cleaning, are they still available or can one be substituted? Seems i could make a better one as the original is just flimsy junk anyway.
the old one disintegrated when i removed it for cleaning, are they still available or can one be substituted? Seems i could make a better one as the original is just flimsy junk anyway.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Needs the motor filter...
the old one disintegrated when i removed it for cleaning, are they still available or can one be substituted? Seems i could make a better one as the original is just flimsy junk anyway.
the old one disintegrated when i removed it for cleaning, are they still available or can one be substituted? Seems i could make a better one as the original is just flimsy junk anyway.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Power Nozzle, bottom...
skinniest wheels ever on a vac i believe! Needed a belt & the vac store near where i bought this Power-Mate suggested a hoover Concept I power drive belt as the originals are not available. I got 2 belts as i also go a motorized cinnamon Concept I on this same trip along with a Koblenz floor scrubber.
skinniest wheels ever on a vac i believe! Needed a belt & the vac store near where i bought this Power-Mate suggested a hoover Concept I power drive belt as the originals are not available. I got 2 belts as i also go a motorized cinnamon Concept I on this same trip along with a Koblenz floor scrubber.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
For the filter, you may be able to put in a round Compact/Douglas/Lamb filter. Otherwise get some A/C cut to fit filters and cut material to fit. The original filter as you noted was just a little foam felt circle that sat on top.
You can still find the bags at Sears as Type E which are for machines taking 5033/5011 bags. They only have them in regular filtration paper bags though. Not sure if any aftermarket bags are still made for this type or not.
You can still find the bags at Sears as Type E which are for machines taking 5033/5011 bags. They only have them in regular filtration paper bags though. Not sure if any aftermarket bags are still made for this type or not.
squarehandle
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2012
- Messages
- 132
Cool find
Looks like something from the original Star Trek!
Looks like something from the original Star Trek!
stricklybojack
Well-known member
So how does she perform?
i have a Numatic backpack vac & the light bulb went off that the bags would be enough of a close fit to work on this Power-Mate, Shazaam(!) they are, & they are also allergy bags, perfect. So i go to vacuum this small hall for a quick test drive, end up doing an extra room because this baby is soooo smooth! Would still be going if the house needed it.
Keep buying vacs to sell only to find them too fun to let go of...
i have a Numatic backpack vac & the light bulb went off that the bags would be enough of a close fit to work on this Power-Mate, Shazaam(!) they are, & they are also allergy bags, perfect. So i go to vacuum this small hall for a quick test drive, end up doing an extra room because this baby is soooo smooth! Would still be going if the house needed it.
Keep buying vacs to sell only to find them too fun to let go of...
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
Wow,,that is awsome, please take VERY good care of that ol Kenmore,,they DONT and never will make em like that anymore. These Kenmore Powermate vacs were/are VERY powerful,,and many collectors consider this style of PN to be one of the very best, even by today's standards. The thin wheels make this PN extremely easy to use, and lets the brush and beater bar DIG the way they are supposed to.
Most parts for these Powermate's are now NLA, and i have a feeling the bags will be soon be the same way.
Sure Wouldnt hurt to stock up on bags for the ol gal while you still can!
Also, be VERY careful with that hose. Especially at the handle end of the machine,,this is where they soon start to wear. Those original hoses are scarce as hens teeth!
As you probablly already know, this is a Whirlpool made machine, and LONG ago discontinued.
Yes, the filtration wasnt the best back then, but these vacs sure picked up alot of dirt and dust. You can sure put more layers of filter on if you want.
Test the suction after doing so, to make sure you havnt cut off the suction completly! ( i did that once)
What a great find,,that is like finding a pearl
in an oyster!
This specific model would have been new in around 1980-83 i believe.
( i spent MANY a day drooling over these vacs as a kid 35 plus yrs ago, whenever we visited the Sears store. Dreamed of owning one someday. This was when the vacs were Green, and then Blue. When they changed to this creme color, i wanted one all the more! Finally got a TOL 1977 model from a member of this site. And love it!)
Most parts for these Powermate's are now NLA, and i have a feeling the bags will be soon be the same way.
Sure Wouldnt hurt to stock up on bags for the ol gal while you still can!
Also, be VERY careful with that hose. Especially at the handle end of the machine,,this is where they soon start to wear. Those original hoses are scarce as hens teeth!
As you probablly already know, this is a Whirlpool made machine, and LONG ago discontinued.
Yes, the filtration wasnt the best back then, but these vacs sure picked up alot of dirt and dust. You can sure put more layers of filter on if you want.
Test the suction after doing so, to make sure you havnt cut off the suction completly! ( i did that once)
What a great find,,that is like finding a pearl
in an oyster!
This specific model would have been new in around 1980-83 i believe.
( i spent MANY a day drooling over these vacs as a kid 35 plus yrs ago, whenever we visited the Sears store. Dreamed of owning one someday. This was when the vacs were Green, and then Blue. When they changed to this creme color, i wanted one all the more! Finally got a TOL 1977 model from a member of this site. And love it!)
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Brian, thanks for the info
I'm generally not a fan of cannisters because the power heads seem weak & ineffective compared to an upright. This machine was a joy from the start for the very reasons you mention. Powerful airflow coupled with a nozzle that feels like it's digging into the carpet going after the dirt. It is also a nice machine to hear, smooth sounds from both motors at a resonable decible level.
I'm generally not a fan of cannisters because the power heads seem weak & ineffective compared to an upright. This machine was a joy from the start for the very reasons you mention. Powerful airflow coupled with a nozzle that feels like it's digging into the carpet going after the dirt. It is also a nice machine to hear, smooth sounds from both motors at a resonable decible level.
Awesome!
So cool; my grandmother had one of these when I was a kid in the early 80's, except hers was bright green. I used to always ask if I could help her vacuum when I was there. This brought back so many memories! Thanks for posting!
So cool; my grandmother had one of these when I was a kid in the early 80's, except hers was bright green. I used to always ask if I could help her vacuum when I was there. This brought back so many memories! Thanks for posting!
rugsucker
Well-known member
Sears
Sears always sold lots of vacs but I have seen few with that style tool storage with lid.And very,very few left in that condition.Nice!
Sears always sold lots of vacs but I have seen few with that style tool storage with lid.And very,very few left in that condition.Nice!
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Make it a double...
justt picked this on up in what looks to be similarly as good of condition as the last, sweet!
justt picked this on up in what looks to be similarly as good of condition as the last, sweet!
stricklybojack
Well-known member
another pic...
the previous owner got it from his mother & used it awhile before his move back east, "really digs into the carpet" he said, my thoughts exactly.
the previous owner got it from his mother & used it awhile before his move back east, "really digs into the carpet" he said, my thoughts exactly.
electromatik
Well-known member
Nice condition on those vacs. Who ever owned them took care of them. That middle brown/beige one with the tools on top looks like the one my aunt had. Many people used to using an upright feel that a canister isn't as good because a canister power nozzle and wand system is far lighter. Rest assured that an electrically driven brushroll and the canister's far superior suction and airflow will clean effectively. I would use those very well cared for vacuums a lot.
Although the Kenmores are large and boxy looking they are very practical. I like that you can store spare bags inside as well as remove the tool carrier and put it on the top of the lid while using the vacuum and then hide them away when not in use.
Gary
Gary
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Nice vacuums there. The machine I want to find most is like that blue one, but in green and yellow!
The beige one is probably just below TOL. The TOL would have a headlight, variable speed control instead of two speed and the controls for the canister and PN were on the handle near the PN plug.
The little guard on the motor may have been added later I think. Not sure, but I remember a recall about these vacuums because people could easily put their fingers in the fan through that opening on top. The brown and tan at top has the motor enclosed in the plastic, so there was no need for the guard.
The beige one is probably just below TOL. The TOL would have a headlight, variable speed control instead of two speed and the controls for the canister and PN were on the handle near the PN plug.
The little guard on the motor may have been added later I think. Not sure, but I remember a recall about these vacuums because people could easily put their fingers in the fan through that opening on top. The brown and tan at top has the motor enclosed in the plastic, so there was no need for the guard.
stricklybojack
Well-known member
Glad to see this again...
I have only ben able to use that first vac in this thread,the one time, and the second PowerMate not even once! This summer i will have 10 weeks to putter around with my too many vacs and these are way up the list for takin' out for a spin.
Does anyone know a complete color list? Those Sears catalogs got pretty worn out when i was a kid but there has to be some out there.
I have only ben able to use that first vac in this thread,the one time, and the second PowerMate not even once! This summer i will have 10 weeks to putter around with my too many vacs and these are way up the list for takin' out for a spin.
Does anyone know a complete color list? Those Sears catalogs got pretty worn out when i was a kid but there has to be some out there.
