Must be something in the (Rainbow) water...?

[hoovercelebrity]

Fred, when you run your parts through the dishwasher, do you

Well, no -- the machine doesn't "heat" the water, there's no need for that.  I just bleed the tap, to make sure the water is as hot as it can be from the water heater... it's an "extra" dishwasher that we picked up just for running vacuum parts through, nothing fancy.  If parts are super dirty, I'll run them through multiple times.  I also give everything a wipe-down with a microfiber cloth when it comes out, before laying out to dry.  I do hit the "energy saver dry" button -- so no heating element to potentially melt anything, although in a Vintage KitchenAid, that would never happen. 

 


Thanks for the compliments, Brian... Parts should be here tomorrow; hopefully I'll have the energy to start re-assmbly after work and my personal training session. 

 

[goadie12]

Quick question Fred what kind of detergent do you use because since every one else is running the vacuums through the dishwasher I had to try but mine didn't come out very clean at all thanks? Zach

 

[floor-a-matic]

I don't know why the "cup style" Spider isn't made anymore? Or are they only available through a Rainbow service center?

 

[mark40511]

God that pie looks good! Blueberries are and always will be my favorite fruit....... I put frozen blueberries in the blender for my shake every morning for breakfast. I can't remember the last day that went by that I didn't consume blueberries. Fresh is best, but frozen is still good.

 

[pdub]

Great thread Fred

I really enjoyed seeing this Rainbow get torn down. I have always been fascinated by Rainbow's but have not bit on one yet. I got to play with one at Marty's in Palm Springs and it was so cool to see the dirty water when emptied. This came from carpet that had already been vacuumed too!

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Now craving fresh blueberry pie!

 

[floor-a-matic]

I have yet to give the D4SE (the one my parents bought new) a spa treatment soon.

btw, I use Mr. Clean to hand wash the parts, since I don't have a dishwasher.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.  So, the parts did arrive yesterday...  But I hit a bit of a hurdle (to be explained...)


 


To answer the Dishwasher question -- I just use regular Cascade powder.  We also have some phosphates which I run as well -- as DW detergent is no longer phosphated.  But that's a whole other discussion.


 


So, here are all of the new parts I ordered.  I'm a sucker for a long hose, so I absolutely had to order the 12' hose.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Everything laid out on the dining room table ready to go back together...

 

[hoovercelebrity]

There was some grease residue behind the bearing retainer, so I decided to put some grease in there after all (if you don't know what I'm talking about, see this thread -- regarding grease in the slinger ring).

 

[hoovercelebrity]

So, I get it all back together, and when I tighten the nut on the spider, the spider doesn't turn freely.  In fact, the whole motor doesn't turn.  I don't remember if it did turn freely, but based on the fact that the separator needs to ride on top of it, I deduced that it needs to spin freely.  I also went and checked the D2 upstairs, and the spider spins with the motor. 


 


I'm 100% sure that I didn't miss anything, as far as parts/spacers go... so back apart the motor comes again. 

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I would imagine this is the problem.  Maybe I tightened it too much, and it broke?  I'm pretty sure it was probably at least cracked before I put the motor back together, but am not 100% sure.  I do recall the nut on the spider being tight, and taking some force to get off when I initially took the motor apart.  That nut is also essentially what holds the motor and fans together, so it needs to be tight, doesn't it? 


 


Well, this upper fan housing is the one part I didn't order.  So, I placed another order for that housing and some other items I had wavered on getting the first round, but now decided to get. 


 


Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion when I get my next parts order... hopefully yet this week.


 


Any advice in the meantime, on how tight the spider is supposed to be would be much appreciated.

 

[shelly]

This is exciting, too bad about the break. Can't wait to see the finished result.

 

[mark40511]

Yea. Can't wait to see it back together and just like a new machine. Sorry for the break and having to order new parts and play the waiting game again.

 

[eurekastar]

Fred, sorry about that.  It's very frustrating when that stuff happens.  Glad to know that I'm not the only one who has those mishaps.  About the nut --  I don't remember in what direction it tightens.  But if it has left handed threads, I don't think it needs to be too tight.  I think it will continue to tighten up as the motor spins. 

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Fred,

You are so brave to take it that far apart... I'd be scared to death to take any of my machines apart like that... I'd never get them back together. Did you get the parts yet? I'm excited to see the conclusion and to see what you think.

I have the same one, and I don't really use it because I don't like making mud... but it really does sound like a quality machine when it is running... I don't like that power nozzle though (I have the same one).... I prefer the more deluxe one that was kind of tapered instead of this long skinny monster...

Hope you enjoy it once you get it all fixed up. You certainly gave it the spa treatment... complete with sauna and shower!

 

[hamiltonbeachbo]

Waiting anxiously for more .....

Fred,


Can't wait for the next segment in your blow-by-blow photo essay.


The only thing better than following this thread would be working with you as we've worked on several machines together in the past.


Have to tell you, over the past few weeks I've been using the Hoover DAM that you and I rebuilt when we first met.


Love that machine!!!


As I usually do, I made a few modifications. 


I changed out the brush roll to a more contemporary spiral design (I think I might have gotten it from you??) that seems a bit more aggressive in addition to upping the headlamp to 25 watts to better light the highway .... great fun to pilot it around my place.


I'll be sending you a few shots of the Regina model K I finished rebuilding ..... the new lower bearing made a huge difference.


I had to use several parts from the model 1 I got from you and Robert so that machine bit the dust but for good cause.


Also, put Terry's tan G through the spa (Tania found new rear wheels for it)..... it looks fabulous and it's Terry's.


I think the best part of this hobby is cleaning up and restoring machines to almost-like-new condition.


Great Fun!!


More to come ....


Pat

 

[hoovercelebrity]

The parts arrived on Thursday -- they were waiting for me when I came home for lunch on Thursday.  So I grabbed a super fast sandwich so I could get as much done as possible while on my break.  Here are the parts I ordered on my second round of ordering parts.  I almost didn't order the parts for the Rainbow-Mate mini powerhead, but am glad I did.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I realized pretty quickly that I was in fact doing something wrong.  Everything seemed to make sense -- everything was in the exact order as in the exploded parts diagram.  For some reason, I had it in my mind that the metal plate with the 8 screws (one of the last items you put on when reassembling the motor) went on before the spider.  I could swear that's how the machine came apart.  Well, duh, it goes on after the spider.  I don't know why I didn't notice that on the parts diagram -- I think because I was sure the spider went on last.  Well, sure as I was, I was wrong.  The spider spins underneath this ring. 


 


So, once I got that figured out, everything else went together in a snap.  I got it mostly back together, but had to get back to work.  I came home that night, and finished up.  Hit a bit of a snag, when I realized the new switch had wiring that was different from the old switch.  So, a bit of googling, and I was set.  Switch in, new cord in, I glued the gasket on, and clamped it to the water basin.  I wanted to let it set overnight before exposing it to water.  Here's a picture from that night...


 


One more day until I could reap from the fruits of my labor...

 

[hoovercelebrity]

So, here's the final product, all back together  -- ready for some closeups!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Ta daa!

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Attachments...

 

[hoovercelebrity]

New Cord!  The attachment caddy/cord wrap is kind of cheezy, but it works, and is somewhat handy.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

That stupid &$#@&^ spider, under the retaining plate where it belongs... 

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Cool picture.  I think the "493" means it was made in April of 1993?  Does anyone know what that number means?  The serial number is stamped on the other side.  The motor had "DEC 93" stamped on it.  So that 493 = April 93 doesn't make sense then...  Unless the motor was replaced?

[this post was last edited: 7/14/2012-23:25]

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Another cool picture.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

I think it may feel a bit out of place?

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Oh well, it got a hose stuck in it and I put it to work!  I should have had Robert take a picture of me using it... I vacuumed the whole downstairs and did some dusting with it.  Tomorrow.


 


I had also used it on the carpeting upstairs, Friday during my lunch break.  Not sure about that powerhead.  Something may not be quite right with mine... I'll have to take it apart again and give it a look-see.  It doesn't sound like it's really doing much.  I know Rainbows use airflow to its advantage -- so is it not supposed to suck tight to the carpet?  I guess I'm just not used to that.  It also runs kind of rough/noisy, may need a new motor at some point.


 


Really glad I got those parts for the Rainbow Mate as well.  That works really well, and was perfect for the stairs.  I'm also super glad I got both of the longer hoses... Love leaving the Rainbow in one place and not having it constantly at my ankles!

 

[shelly]

Wow, you really made the effort to get it running and looking good while doing it. Your kitchen is beautiful! BTW, my SE PN is a bit noisy like that too, it may just be the way it is.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Wow, Fred, you have that thing looking brand new! Have you watched any videos on Youtube with other machines like yours to hear the power nozzle to see if yours sounds similar? I did that with my Electrolux Sidekick because it rattled terribly, and it seems that they are all like that, so I didn't worry about it... but I never use it because it's less powerful than a turbo tool and rattles so much I can't stand the noise! I don't remember how my power nozzle sounds, it's been so long since I've used it. Be careful with the water pan clips... they are fragile if the machine is older and can break easily.... I guess the plastic becomes brittle. I had to replace one of mine from one on Ebay and it doesn't match the machine now.... actually it does, because I peeled the decal off the old one and stuck it on the new one )

Anyway, what did you think when you looked at the water? There likely wasn't a speck of dirt in it at your house )

How is your water tub... is it dull and cloudy? They usually get that way... I thought about taking plastic polish to mine to see if that would help...

 

[pr-21]

Seal to carpet

Hi Fred,

I have had the power nozzle you have and mine did not seal to the carpet. However it was not very loud. Also your water basin looks a little different than mine. Almost like it has an extra lip...I sold my SE and got the SE PE when it came out. Both the SE and SEPE had the same water basin without the extra lip that seals the basin to the gasket. I looked at goodvac and their water basin for an SE looks like mine...it says it will fit D3's on up until the E Series.

The powernozzle you have should still be a very good cleaner. It uses the same brush roll as the wooden distributor that is still made by Eureka. The SEPE powernozzle is a very good power nozzle as well, the only problem with it is that it lifts up on the back stroke. They took care of this problem on the new Black Rainbow.

PS the water lift on these is in the 60's. But as you said earlier, it is the airflow that cleans. As long as you do not pick up non wettable things, your exhaust port will always be nice and clean.


Sincerely,

Bud Mattingly