My new "Hoover"

[DesertTortoise]

A week or so ago there was a post asking the brain trust here what their opinion was of a vintage Hoover upright being offered on eBay. Well, I didn't find the vacuum listing in question, but I did find a "Vintage Hoover canister vacuum" being offered with floor brush, hose and pet powered brush for a paltry $41. The only problem, and this wasn't really a problem for me, was that the vacuum wasn't a Hoover. It was a Kenmore Whispertone canister, with the hose, Powermate and Pet Powermate. I put in a bid for $41 and nobody else bid on it the whole time.

Other the expected dust in the motor compartment and a dirty and worn floor brush roll, it needed nothing. It is a very quiet vacuum, so I was surprised to find a full sized two stage Lamb motor laying on it's side inside a white plastic cocoon. So I took it all apart like I do and sanitized it pretty well. I like how the bulkhead between the motor and bag compartments can be removed. Makes taking the wiring out for cleaning very easy. This comes apart a touch easier than the other vacs that precede the Whispertone. Being white, it hides it's battle scars well. If the vac was a dark color it would not have come out looking as nice as it does. Overall the previous owner(s) took good care of this vac and the seller cleaned it up and put in a new bag before selling it. I'm still pinching myself regarding the price.

The Powermate is the quietest one I have yet experienced. Now consider I have six Powermates and a Hayden, all of which are pretty much the same mechanically yet all of them feel and sound different in use. The eldest is deafening and will be rebuilt soon. But this one is actually quieter than my new Hayden Deluxe, which is it's mechanical twin with very little use under it. I don't get it.

I am going to give my fiancée her choice of that red 12 Amp and this vac to use. She whines about using my older vacs. I have a hunch she will choose this Whispertone over the red 12 Amp.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Here are some images of the test run of the motor after reassembly and images of the brush being reassembled after cleaning. Compare the simplicity of the Panasonic head to that of the Electrolux head. Now tell me why I need all that complexity again. Oh, you can't.

 

[DesertTortoise]

And the glamor shots. Big fat smooch for this vacuum. Only $41. I'm still pinching myself.

 

[super-sweeper]

nice restoration!

But wait until John sees this thread, he'll get a kick out of a Kenmore being called a HOOVER!! 

 

[DesertTortoise]

If you squint hard enough or there is enough alcohol involved I guess you could mistake it for a Hoover Spirit or similar, heh, heh, heh.

 

[suckolux]

Very nice find, I like that machine, job well done. I do have one complaint about those powerheads and its not a big one. The air flow is not strong perhaps due to the large opening? I have gaps at the edge of carpets and floor and I have to run it over there several times to pick up cat litter, the Lux or Miele I don't.I figure it has to be the large opening, they have a great brush.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

All I'll say is.........................

'Don't MAKE me HURT you"!!!!!!!!

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

Nice Job Phil!

 

[super-sweeper]

John,

Nevada is pretty far from Pittsburgh, are you sure it's worth the drive?


 


 I hear HOOVER air is cheap these days, you can buy tickets at your local authorized Hoover dealer!


 


(For those who don't get the joke, that's the famous Hoover model 68 convertible colo balloon from 'who's minding the store', Norman certainly didn't fix the broken vacuum cleaner, he broke it and the repairmens foot!)

 

[ctvacman]

The previous owner must have gotten a new base and put the old hood on it. I say this because that model is from the mid to late 90's and they still used the "double brush" and green agitator setup. That's why you find it so much quieter. But none the less a good no BS machine that's convenient, hence why kenmore accounted for 75% of the canister market back in the day.

 

[DesertTortoise]

No, I changed the brush roll. The old one was worn out.

 

[DesertTortoise]

You can put modern motors, belts and brushrolls in old Powermates. The mounting points for hardware in those bases hasn't changed even as the upper plastic has.

I actually much prefer the beater bar brush roll but as far as I know that kind of brush roll is no longer available.

 

[ctvacman]

No I meant the base plate it's self is not original to that machine. The original one would have only had two bars going across the bottom instead of the four in your picture. I'm guessing the original owner cracked the bottom housing. Going to sears parts direct.com will show what I'm getting at. But nice clean up.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Darn, now I can't wait to get home and flip a couple of older Powermates over to count the bars, lol. Isn't it funny the things that get us all excited. You are probably right because the base was not as dirty as I expected. You have a good eye for detail!

 

[ctvacman]

Haha. Well when you said it was quieter I was like hmm even mine with the beater bar setup and new bearings is not quiet, then I saw the bottom and was like ahh ha. I might have a extra base and brush if you want

 

[DesertTortoise]

You're right. When I came home I flipped all my Powermates over and had a look. The beater bar Powermates have a different base than this one and the Hayden, fewer crossmembers like you mentioned. It looks like I couldn't use an old style beater bar in that base either (not sure about using the new style brush in an old base however). I always learn new things at this website. Thanks for the lesson.