My New Juniors!

[74simon]

I just wanted to show these off after getting them today! I won the one on the right from a friend who'd put it on Ebay, and also got the one on the left from him.

The one on the left is a standard U1012, built in March 1976 - it was trade-in (he works in a repair shop), and just look at how filthy that bag is! It's the companion cleaner to the brown U1016 in the background (pardon me using my cleaners as coatstands by the way!).

The green one is a rarity, a special 1346A built for a mail order catalogue called Littlewoods, and is a companion cleaner to my lilac 'Challenge' Junior. This one was built in September 1975, and is odd in that it has the Roman numerals on the height adjuster, but the later style adjuster lever! Hoover changed this feature over in late 1975 I understand, so it seems to be a bit of a crossover model... I have wanted one of these for *years*, and am so pleased that I finally have one!

I especially like the co-ordinated furniture guard, handgrip and handle release pedal on this one, a feature not found on standard Hoover Juniors since late 1969. Sadly, the top cord hook has partially broken off, and although my mate supplied a spare upper handle with white handgrip, I can't get the green handgrip off the damaged handle, despite soaking in boiling water twice to try to loosen the glue. Any hints on how to get it off without damaging it, anyone?

I'm very pleased though. The Junior has always been my favourite, and these have plugged another gap in my collection!

Si

 

[vintagehoover]

I saw the Littlewoods Junior on eBay, and I thought you'd be after that one! Looks great, I love those colours, the green reminds me of Harrods! I wonder if Harrods ever did an exclusive...could look quite dignified, that colour green, perhaps with gold lettering and a gold Hoover emblem on the cover...

As for the handgrip, boiling water is the only method I've had luck with, so if that doesn't work, I wouldn't know what to suggest...prayer and chanting, perhaps?

And I have been known to use cleaners as coat racks on occasion, too, although it's my long-suffering Panasonic Icon which usually fills that role, I'd never risk damaging one of my oldies!

 

[vacuumkid3]

First vacuum lamps and now coat racks! What next! HAHA! Well, those are some beautiful cleaners! You are a lucky man!

~~K~~

Try some penetrant oil. That should not harm the plastic, but make sure to spray it in a cup and dip the handle in or pour it on the bottom of the handle; don't directly spray because the propellants might cause the plastic to "melt."

 

[ian88]

I sometimes use my kirby heritage 2 for my long black cashmere coat prob the only cleaner strong enough for it.. ;p

Ian

 

[vacuumkid3]

I dressed my Omega up for Halloween. Take a look at the picture!

 

[ian88]

Surely a Kirby is monsterous enough without the effects? ;p

My Heritage 2 has the darth vader colour scheme going on ;p

Ian

 

[vacuumkid3]

He has a ghost face made of poster board and a pillow case. The "head" of the ghost is a hollow sphere for outdoor plant vines to grow on. Too bad we did not have a single visitor that night!

~~K~~

 

[convertible68]

Si, congratulations on the Juniors. Your U1012 shares the same color scheme I have on my U1025, aside from the checkered bag (and missing bumper!) on mine.

As for the handgrip, most types of aerosol penetrants (which I've used quite a bit working on washing machines and are great on corroded bolts, screws, etc.) and aren't recommended for use on or near soft plastics. If the handgrip happens to be soft, chances are spraying penetrating oil could make it "stick" even worse. If it's a hard plastic handgrip, it might be worth a try...my Junior doesn't have one so I'm not sure what type they have over there.

--Austin

 

[seamusuk]

Nice

Hey Si
Thought you might have been glad to get that lol!!.

I have sucessfully removed a 1346 handle grip before now- as well as soaking in boiling water for 10 odd mins I also got a electrical flat blade screwdriver and kinda pushed it up and around to loosen the glue, it took a while but can be done .

See you got a U1012 as well- that must pretty much complete the 70s set .

Chat soon mate!

Seamus

 

[vacuumkid3]

Kirbys are pretty scary! I know a lot of people were scared of them as kids. Charles, wasn't that you?

~~K~~

 

[74simon]

I had to shout at my partner the other day, for putting a very heavy leather motorcycle jacket on my 652, which pushed the bag down! No respect, some people

Austin, I saw your U1025 on AW.org, it's a beautiful machine, especially with that plaid bag! I remember a really good thread on AW about the Junior, but can't find it now... I would love to find a 1348, and always check Ebay USA for them.

Seamus: still got to find the hard bag models, a brown/beige U1012 like yours and an orange 1346/54A. But I'm getting there!!!

Si

 

[seamusuk]

Si

Hey mate
Can ya drop me a mail if ur at home and fancy a quick chat!?

Seamus

 

[junior1975]

Littlewoods/Debenhams? 1346A.

Simon, you lucky so and so.

I was bidding on that Junior until I saw you after it. I know you have been hankering after this one for ages. Still. I always take comfort in my 1346A Challenge I snatched for £2 from Chesterfield market! LOL.

I'm looking forward to seeing some better pics of the old lady soon.

BTW, can we have some more pics of your U1016?? This is just too rare!

Happy hoovering all.

Clark.

 

[seamusuk]

Clark!

Cool to see ya here mate !

Guess who lol

 

[74simon]

For Clark...

Here's a pic of of my U1016 next to my freshly cleaned up U1012. It's a bit noisier than a lot of my other Juniors due to the 220v motor, but runs nicely enough for me. Unusually, the headlamp bulb still worked when I got it!

Sorry I outbid you on the Littlewoods But I had to go a bit mad there - it's the most I've ever paid for a machine! So far...

How well does your Challenge run? Mine is noisy as hell - I think the bearings are dry, but one of the screws holding the front one in place has been mangled (not by me, I hasten to add!), so I can't take it apart... Mine cost ten times the price of yours - you got a bargain there!

 

[junior1975]

Challenge

Hi Si,

What a lovely couple they make! Awwwwwwwwwww.

My challenge is running sweet dude, but suffers the usual with broken cable hooks and teh handle bail is less than stable, but hey for £2 you can't have it all. I have some NOS cable hooks if you want, that way you will not have to try and prise the grip of the original handle top, merely replace the hook. Thats what I am doing to my challenge once I get a decent pop riveter.

No worries about being outbid though mate, you have wanted that one for ages!!!!!!!

If you want one or two of the cable hooks feel free to email me your details and I'll post 'em on.

Happy hoovering.

Clark.