I was out visiting the local thrift stores yesterday, and the last one had the usual array of plastic crap, when in the back I saw the handle of the Concept 1 sticking up. I pulled the machine out, and it is in surprisingly good condition. I gave the lady the $20 they wanted for it and drug it home on the bus. After I got it home, I ran it and the motor is in excellent condition. It doesn't have a cord reel, but it is self propelled, and has the power surge feature. It grooms the carpet very nicely, and while, not the quietest vacuum I've used, it is not ear drum shattering either. Today, I'm going to get some bags and a new belt for it, and do some cleanup. The outer bag is in serious need of a good cleaning, because I do get a puff of dust when I power it up. Does anyone know how to remove the outer bag from the machine for cleaning? After I finish polishing it up, I'll post some pictures.
My First Hoover
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vacuumfreeeke
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Power Drive Concepts are one of my favorite older machines. Congrats! If you look inside the bag, I believe there are some screws inside that have to be taken off before the bag can be removed. Should be pretty obvious which ones when looking in! A bags are readily available, but I think the belts are a little more difficult to find.... vac shop or online seem to be the best place.
My Concept I is noisy
As most of you already know, the Concepts are very good carpet cleaners. Mine is just so loud and when using the tools I can hardly stand it. I read on another post that the noise is due to a needle bearing. I can’t understand why vacuum manufactures build such a nice machine and then compromise on quality where it really counts. Like when Electrolux came out with the PN-1 and then used an all plastic stealth instead of a metal inner wand. That’s just my opinion.
Congratulations on your find, I have been using my Concept I a lot lately. By the way I have the 7.2 amp model that could be why mine is so loud.
As most of you already know, the Concepts are very good carpet cleaners. Mine is just so loud and when using the tools I can hardly stand it. I read on another post that the noise is due to a needle bearing. I can’t understand why vacuum manufactures build such a nice machine and then compromise on quality where it really counts. Like when Electrolux came out with the PN-1 and then used an all plastic stealth instead of a metal inner wand. That’s just my opinion.
Congratulations on your find, I have been using my Concept I a lot lately. By the way I have the 7.2 amp model that could be why mine is so loud.
I couldn't agree more, Kenny. When the Concept 1 was first released in 1978, it was as if Hoover took "three steps forward, two steps back." Hoover IMHO erroneously sold the patented clean air design of the Dial-A-Matic to Panasonic, and so the Concept 1 was the result. Flawed though it was, the Dial-A-Matic was a better machine. I prefer the metal base, and it definitely wins the crown for ease of tool conversion.
- Karl
- Karl
vintageroyal611
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and you still never miss a chance to bash the Concept line......................and i won't say another word on the matter.
vacuumfreeeke
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Wow.... I feel so differently. I can't stand the Dial-a-matic! It's clunky and clumsy, bottom fill bag, super heavy... terrible! The Concept had dual pedal handle release, top fill bag, seems more agile and not as heavy as the DAM. I can't think of anything about the Dial-a-matic that I like better than the Concept... but I'm weird for a collector.... I don't like Convertibles or Heritages either! Give me a Concept any day!
What a great find, I absolutley love my Concepts. I have 4, 2 Hoover, and 2 badged for Penneys. My newest is from about 86 or 87 and has a 5.6 amp motor, so they're not as loud as the later model Concepts with the 7 amp motors.
The Concept I use the most is my one with out a cord winder as I find a cord winder more of a hassle.
I also far prefer the Concept over the Dial A Matic, it is easier to maneuver, seem to have a better build quality, best carpet groomer, very reliable.
As for an Elite being a let down after the Convertible, isnt entirely true, the Elite appeared in March 1988 and the Convertible ended in 1992, but could be found in stores for a while(our K Mart had them in early 1994)
Anyways the Elite was NEVER intended to be a replacement for the Convertible, it was intended to be an entry line cleaner below the Convertible. The Elite quickly became popular, and then the need to add onboard tools to compete with the Regina HouseKeeper and the Dirt Devils is what caused the Convertible line to be cut.
The Concept I use the most is my one with out a cord winder as I find a cord winder more of a hassle.
I also far prefer the Concept over the Dial A Matic, it is easier to maneuver, seem to have a better build quality, best carpet groomer, very reliable.
As for an Elite being a let down after the Convertible, isnt entirely true, the Elite appeared in March 1988 and the Convertible ended in 1992, but could be found in stores for a while(our K Mart had them in early 1994)
Anyways the Elite was NEVER intended to be a replacement for the Convertible, it was intended to be an entry line cleaner below the Convertible. The Elite quickly became popular, and then the need to add onboard tools to compete with the Regina HouseKeeper and the Dirt Devils is what caused the Convertible line to be cut.
vacuumfreeeke
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Sam, are your Concepts power drive, or no? We gotta talk again, I miss our 3 hour vacuum talks in the middle of the night 
) I changed my number because an ex I hadn't spoken to in over a year was harassing me, so if you e-mail me yours I'll call ya.
Joe, did you manage to get the bag off? It must have been interesting taking a vacuum home on a bus!
) I changed my number because an ex I hadn't spoken to in over a year was harassing me, so if you e-mail me yours I'll call ya.Joe, did you manage to get the bag off? It must have been interesting taking a vacuum home on a bus!
Bobby,
All of my Concepts are Power Drives, 3 have cordwinders.
I would like to find one or two non-powerdrive models, since everyone I knew as a child who had(actually most still have)Concepts were non-powerdrive models
I've emailed my number. It would be great to chat again.
All of my Concepts are Power Drives, 3 have cordwinders.
I would like to find one or two non-powerdrive models, since everyone I knew as a child who had(actually most still have)Concepts were non-powerdrive models
I've emailed my number. It would be great to chat again.
thermokid
Well-known member
Vacuums on a bus?
when I was about 10 or so I drug an old Westinghouse Upright home behind my Schwinn Stingray bicycle. My mother was really mad and made me take it back where I bought it and get my money back. I was heartbroken. But my mother to her dieing day never could figure out why I loved vacuums so much as when I was little I was terrified of them... Dan
when I was about 10 or so I drug an old Westinghouse Upright home behind my Schwinn Stingray bicycle. My mother was really mad and made me take it back where I bought it and get my money back. I was heartbroken. But my mother to her dieing day never could figure out why I loved vacuums so much as when I was little I was terrified of them... Dan
"I also far prefer the Concept over the Dial A Matic&qu
And that's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors. Concepts are more plentiful for the simple reason they were built after the Dial-A-Matic. I just feel Hoover could have produced a better vacuum had they kept the clean air patent and built a Dial-A-Matic II. It's a quieter machine, has better filtration, and I find the suction port on the back of the machine so much more convenient for tool conversion. The Concept isn't a bad machine (I do have a few of them), but if given the choice, I would choose the Dial-A-Matic in a non power drive version. As for the Elite, well, it may not have been intended as a replacement for the Convertible, but ultimately that's what wound up happening. Not many early Elites still exist because of the flimsy build quality. I'm sure Hoover loved it though, since they cost less to produce than the Convertibles.
And that's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors. Concepts are more plentiful for the simple reason they were built after the Dial-A-Matic. I just feel Hoover could have produced a better vacuum had they kept the clean air patent and built a Dial-A-Matic II. It's a quieter machine, has better filtration, and I find the suction port on the back of the machine so much more convenient for tool conversion. The Concept isn't a bad machine (I do have a few of them), but if given the choice, I would choose the Dial-A-Matic in a non power drive version. As for the Elite, well, it may not have been intended as a replacement for the Convertible, but ultimately that's what wound up happening. Not many early Elites still exist because of the flimsy build quality. I'm sure Hoover loved it though, since they cost less to produce than the Convertibles.
Actually, (my $.02)...you're all right! WOW, huh?
It's true: HOOVER couldn't make the Elites fast enough. They were NOT intended to replace the Convertible. The Dial-A-Matics had GREAT tool conversion, groomed the rugs well, easy to change bag,etc.. The handle didn't go inside deeply enough, thus, causing the "wiggle". Concept took care of that. The Dial-A-Matic was heavy, had an uneasy tilt to the nozzle. But, I love it. The Concept is a bit bulky, a bit loud, BUT, a great machine. Then, the Convertible.....well, some were made better than others, we know. Can you imagine if they made some kind of Convertible with clean air, top fill (I know, they did that), on-board tools.....it would have been amazing. TTI: There's your project. So, see? Ye were all right.
It's true: HOOVER couldn't make the Elites fast enough. They were NOT intended to replace the Convertible. The Dial-A-Matics had GREAT tool conversion, groomed the rugs well, easy to change bag,etc.. The handle didn't go inside deeply enough, thus, causing the "wiggle". Concept took care of that. The Dial-A-Matic was heavy, had an uneasy tilt to the nozzle. But, I love it. The Concept is a bit bulky, a bit loud, BUT, a great machine. Then, the Convertible.....well, some were made better than others, we know. Can you imagine if they made some kind of Convertible with clean air, top fill (I know, they did that), on-board tools.....it would have been amazing. TTI: There's your project. So, see? Ye were all right.
and, I own numerous models of each....
use them, love them. The Concept powerdrive.... well, you could run that thing down the Pennsylvania Turnpike....it would get to Allentown before you did! Arthritics must love them, so easy to use. IF the tool conversion were like the Dial-A-Matic....you'd be in heaven! BUT, If the house were burning to the ground, or caving into the coal mines (God forbid), and I could get ONE cleaner out, it would be a Convertible. Ok, my $.02 turned into about $6.00.
use them, love them. The Concept powerdrive.... well, you could run that thing down the Pennsylvania Turnpike....it would get to Allentown before you did! Arthritics must love them, so easy to use. IF the tool conversion were like the Dial-A-Matic....you'd be in heaven! BUT, If the house were burning to the ground, or caving into the coal mines (God forbid), and I could get ONE cleaner out, it would be a Convertible. Ok, my $.02 turned into about $6.00.
No, I haven't got the bag off yet
Some things came up Sunday, so I had to put it on the back burner for a few days. I did make it to the store and got a pack of bags for it. No belt though, but it really doesn't need one now as the one in it is in decent shape.
The bus was interesting. I thought the nozzle was low enough to keep it form rolling around, and it did stay put most of the time. However, the driver (a friend) made a sharp right turn, and the machine went zipping down the isle. Needless to say I kept a hand on it for the rest of the trip.
Some things came up Sunday, so I had to put it on the back burner for a few days. I did make it to the store and got a pack of bags for it. No belt though, but it really doesn't need one now as the one in it is in decent shape.
The bus was interesting. I thought the nozzle was low enough to keep it form rolling around, and it did stay put most of the time. However, the driver (a friend) made a sharp right turn, and the machine went zipping down the isle. Needless to say I kept a hand on it for the rest of the trip.
