Mr Conrad 'Connie' Hoover aka Constellation 821 goes to the Spa.

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Test fit. Hit the switch, the lid was sucked down tight and got a solid smooth 60" reading. Woo-hoo!

Bolted the halves together before re-attaching the base ring hinge, silly me. Took it apart again, did that and re-attached the hinge-pins and handle. Was forced to epoxy the swingarm/bag seal ring assembly in place as I do not have a spot welder handy. It's a hidden repair so you'd never know...unless I tell you. :-)

Arcane Minutia and Trivia section:
Sometime during the 1954 - 1957 run of the three concurrent swiveltop Constellations 82, 84 & 85 the bag support was changed from this one's half-shell one piece stamping with the ballchain restraint to a thick wire frame affair with crimped-on bag collar. Jeez, did a ball chainm restraint add That Much to the beancounter's bottom line? I guess so...

Both my North Canton made 82 non-floater, floating 85 and the Canadian Mulberry 841E have the later open frame. I revel in differential dating details like this...

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Wow!

I've never used a Magic Eraser... I'll have to pick one up.

I have, however taken a Constellation hose into the shower with me--along with a scrub brush and a bottle of dish soap... 30 minutes later, I had a clean hose.

Beautiful restoration... I should rip my 82 apart and give it a full-on cleaning and restore.

~Fred
 
Never used one! Fred, it will change your life! LOL

Once you've used and understood how effectively the Magic Eraser works one will never be enough, Fred. :-)
You need to be forewarned that you'll want to find them on sale and stock up by the dozens. Stick with the Original version or buy generic knock-offs.
My box says the material is made in Germany. In that box you will find two rectangular white blocks that seem to be nothing more than micro-cell foam. They feel like sponges and have a squeaky rubbery texture. You wet them under the tap and squeeze out the water, then attack your smudge. I'm sure they last a decently long time under normal household use of gently rubbing the kiddy's crayon marks off walls and baseboards...

But for our purposes of removing decades of schmutz and scuffs - like no other sponge, abrasive pad or brush you've ever used - from upright hoods & handles and bumpers, wands, hoses, cylinder hammertone, etc, your jaw will drop in giddy astonishment. They deteriorate quickly while getting into all the crevices and bumps. Under a firm heavy hand necessary on some stubborn flaws the material compresses permanently and soon the block starts to break up into fragments. As it gets filthy with the rubbings you can rinse it fairly clean under the tap and keep going. I keep paper towels handyby to wipe up the cleaned area as I go, before the muddied water droplets can dry.

I begin by tearing one rectangle in half, or use scissors.
I used up two whole erasers on the Connie and that was by using the increasingly small shard fragments to complete sections and the nozzles before they were too small to pinch between two fingers. Yes, they are that good! And that expensive. In Canada a Two pack of Mr Clean costs about $3.99 !!! The originals are usually on sale as they are being discontinued. Get mine at Giant Tiger for $2.99 or less. and at Target the generic two-pack is $1.50, I think.

They are such a runaway hit for Procter & Gamble that they have introduced more pricey 'improved' versions with 'texture' on one side or bonded to a scouring pad/sponge. WASTE OF MONEY! They are ridiculously expensive to begin with and that's why I look for the generic versions at Target or discount grocery stores.

Once you've got those marks off a once over with a damp cloth and you're ready for your favorite wax or polish application. While the Eraser is not abrasive - more like a draftsman's pencil eraser - they do leave a satin finish on enamel paint and plastic hoods and such. This is where plastic polish or Muther's Aluminum polish will restore the gleaming shine. Obviuosly, do not use them vigorously on decals or litho-stamped letterings.

Do try them, Fred, and when Mr Clean says disposable, he really means it. Worth every penny, you'll see.

Dave

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Great job again Doctor.

Modern science and a dedicated medical genius has put humpty dumpty back together again! The above picture- alas, no earring, I rarely smile, and the arms? I wish.

A fun, wonderful thread Dave!

Rick
 
Not finished yet, Rick. :-)

More observations of minutiae...

Positing that this Canadian 821 is one of the very first issue, due to its one piece bag support, looking closer I find the handle hinge brackets are inserted and riveted from the inside through slots in the dome, presenting a cleaner cosmetic design. Later swiveltops I have have the brackets attached on the outside, eliminating the slots.

This 821 had the remains of a factory sealing putty over the slots from the inside. When I re-sealed them with epoxy the suction rose 15" yes, 15" !!! Pic proof later.

Here's Conrad in all his renewed gleaming glory...alas, I've yet to find a blue dusting brush and crevice tool. But I WILL!

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Being my first original Ultraflex I am fairly excited.

Ever curious about the true reach of an Ultraflex hose...

That's 12 feet from coupler to upholstery nozzle. I coulda pulled it another 12" but then it would be outside the frame. This was a comfortable stretch that would allow me to vacuum that top step without wrist strain.

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While the meter was out I decided to suction test the other swiveltops.

This is my banged up 82 non-floater. Has not been on the doctor's table yet and still pulled 70". Remember, this one has the outside handle brackets. Oh yeah, the bag is 1/3 full of debris.

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