Mystery Bodged Shop-Vac, That Isn't A Shop-Vac

[huskyvacs]

Hello all! I have returned yet again with another curious yet mysterious vacuum purchase to add to my collection. This is something I picked up at the local Restore for $30.00 back on December 30, 2022. I know it seems expensive, and yes I agreed on that too, but I hemmed and hawed about it and I said "I'll do it". I followed my own rule that if I have never seen something before, and it looks unique, it just might be rare, and that usually proves me right. Also it's cheaper than eBay which is usually where I get all my vacuums from since it's hard to find vacuums in thrift stores where I live. I am not sure if they just chuck them in the bin or what, but it is usually months between seeing any for sale.

When I got it I originally thought it was a Shop-Vac, like many of you would say right off the bat. It looks nearly exactly like the early 80's Shop Vacs that came in this same color scheme. However, there is one nuance, the colors are reversed! The pattern goes from light to dark gradients of blue going from top to bottom, and not dark to light like on a Shop-Vac.

Of course the first thing that drew me was the weird looking industrial motor on top. I thought that was pretty cool. However I did not notice until I got home and took all the attachments off the lid that this motor was a bodge.I am not sure what vacuum it came from but it looks pretty old. What amazed me is that this thing does still pull quite a lot of suction, enough to discolor your skin when sticking the hose to your hand. For such a tiny motor on this big drum that is quite a feat!

If anyone knows an exact idea of who made this, I would appreciate knowing for my collection's inventory. I did find one other photo online of one, but it was too poor of a photo from a Facebook advertisement to make out the label. I have a suspicion it is made by a brand called "Master Mechanic" which has a history of copying Shop-Vac paint jobs with inverted designs, but I am not 100% sure on it.

More photos and discussion after the jump. Enjoy!

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:26 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the motor's top. I know here you can obviously tell someone bodged it on, but in the store with all its tools and hose and stuff on top you couldn't tell.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:27 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's one of the attachments included with it. I have no idea what this goes to. Some kind of Shark steam cleaner or something?

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:27 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's one of the attachments included with it. This was one of the selling points that got me to buy it and I was shocked that this was on there. These are rare aren't they? I have no idea who (other than collectors) would just casually have 1930's vacuum parts laying around their house.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:28 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the tool holder bolted to the top. Just your average ordinary broom holder. I have no idea how the original owner intended this to work. I tried putting the hose into it but it did not fit or hold the hose, it just fell out and it also crushed the hose flat.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:28 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the tool holder bolted to the top. They custom-cut wooden dowel rods to make this elaborately organized setup. I will leave the vacuum exactly like this one I restore it. I don't want to undo this work, it gives it character.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:28 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the clamps holding the lid down if that helps identify it any. It looks like they added little rubber pads to the hook to help it seal better.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:29 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the drain plug cap if that helps identify it any.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:29 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the bottom if that helps identify it any. It is very clean and rust-free, which was another selling point of this vacuum for me. Usually these are rusted all to pieces. Also included for free - tons of spider eggs! Oh boy, I hope they are long dead!

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:30 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here's a shot of the plug on the motor if that helps identify it any. It's a Belden plug! I heard these were really good cords.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:31 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

Here is a shot of the inside. It is very clean and rust-free, which I had no idea what it looked like inside until I took the lid off for this photo. I was very surprised! Usually these are rusted all to pieces. Not much dirt in the bin. It looks like it just came out of the box, minus the original motor being gone.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:32 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

This is what the motor filter and shroud looks like. We got a very sophisticated bag securement setup going on here. Curiously the filter bag is a Shop-Vac OEM filter. Go figure!

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:33 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

This is what the motor filter and shroud looks like. Curiously the filter bag is a Shop-Vac OEM filter. Go figure! It must be rather old because it mentions asbestos and arsenic compounds hazards, both of which were banned in the late 80s, early 90's.

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:36 AM

 

[huskyvacs]

This is a cracker wrapper that was inside the bin. It has a copyright date of 2009 on it, so that dates to when this vacuum was last switched on and used. Quite a long time, that's for sure.

That will do it for the photo gallery. Thanks for viewing and happy hunting out there in vacland!

Photo taken on: 1/3/23 11:37 AM

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Very odd machine

 

[thevacomaticiec]

a early shop vac or commercial brand ???