new to me Hoover 105

[toddk13]

Hi all. New to this list, and vacuum collecting. Current vintage products: Bissell Grand Rapids, early Johnson Wax polisher, Hoover 105. I'm a housekeeping manager for a college, and want to build a working display for my office. Here is my recent purchase of a Hoover 105 factory rebuild. It's really ugly, but I fell in love with it. Unfortunately, the rear wheels were smashed in shipping. Otherwise it's intact. I bought a cheap new cloth bag so it will work without throwing dust around. Belt is missing, and need thoughts on best fit for replacement. The motor fan turns okay after some encouragement, but needs a good cleaning. Any idea how to safely remove the fan so I can get the motor out of the housing? It's really dirty around the windings.

I'm looking for ideas (on a budget) to keep building my teeny collection. The main focus is having all display equipment functional. My eventual buys: hand operated vacuum, early canister, Kirby (I've always been facinated by those big lunky things), electric hand vacuum. Thoughts on what to look for?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have THREE Kirbys I'd like to sell.

I'm all Hoover, so, that's all I have. (450+ machines). In the Hoover 'collection line', I think some must haves are: a 28 (excellent specimen from the 40s, a 69 Convertible, model, not year...superior color, a 707 (hideous shade, but you must have one, a 1070 and 1076, the "Brady Bunch" Convertible, at least one Slimline, Dial A Matic, Pixie, Handivac,
windtunnel. etc.................................
As far as the other species, I'm no expert. However: the G E Roll Easy seems quite coveted, a Dual Sanitronic (Kirby), A Singer upright, Eureka Prince...canned ham...... and the list goes on. Welcome to our world. You'll get lots of advice (good and bad).
John

 

[s31463221]

Office Display

I definitely like the way you think! I work as a Database Administrator at a small university, and I too have a small office display. I wasn't entirely sure how it would be received, but surprisingly, my co-workers and visitors seem to really like it! The old Hoover 543 and my Electrolux XXX actually start a LOT of conversations that go something like this: "I remember my grandmother having a......" or "There's no way that thing still works......." I LOVE being eclectic, and it has served me well! Keep us updated on your display, I can't wait to see that old 105 fixed up!

 

[toddk13]

I bow to the experts

Ha! I was not sure if I would fit in here. I'm a dozen years from retirement, and wanted to START collecting something. Kinda nuts, huh? I got the Bissell on a whim - $10 from Goodwill, and it's in excellent condition. It has gotten SO much attention. I love the Hoover 105 since it's so simple. A flat blade screwdriver takes it apart. It's not a big pile of plastic junk.

I'm planning on getting the machine to be presentable - clean up the case and motor housing. Replace the cord so it's at least period correct. Find a set of rear wheels - 1 3/4" x 1/2" x 3/8" hole. It'll take me a bit, but I'll get this looking better. I respect the harsh reviews on previous 105 topics. I'll never be a purist - I don't have the knowledge or money to accomplish what some deem critically important. My goal is to keep slices of history alive and show people how they worked.

 

[bikerray]

I saw that on ebay.

I'm guessing you already have the motor out of the main casting, when you turn the motor over you will see the pulley on the end of the armature shaft. On some models there is a set screw on the side of the fan if you loosen the set screw the fan will come off. On other models the pulley is holding the fan on. You can put a screwdriver in the slot on the end of the armature, hold the fan and turn the screwdriver to the left. Sometimes you can take a used flat belt from another vacuum put it around the pulley, hold the fan, take a pair of pliers (gripping the belt, so you don't damage the pulley) and turn the pulley to the right.

Once you get the fan off there should be a couple of fan spacing washers under the fan ( do NOT lose these ) then you can take the motor head casing off to get the armature out. To get the motor head casing off loosen the screws and slide the carbon brush holders out as well as carefully disconnecting the field wires from the carbon brush holder screws. Also it helps to take a sharpie pen and mark the back side of the motor head casing so it goes back on the same way it came off otherwise the motor may bind up if the casing is put on the wrong way.

Have Fun

 

[toddk13]

slow deconstruction

Learned some things about my 105. The housing was repainted - probably when the unti was rebuilt. I'm stripping off all paint as corrosion has pitted a number of spots. The cast aluminum is not remotely smooth. Instead of trying to polish it out, I'll find a suitable grey paint.

Interesting find: Brush roller has roller bearings. I've read here that there wasn't supposed to be any. I can say mine does. The rebuild date is 1949, so I guess that they may have been retrofitted?

I'm in real trouble with figuring out what to do with the rear wheels. The ends of the shaft appear to be pressed / pinned over washers to hold the wheels on. I can't see any way to unscrew them. I've got to find a way to replace the broken wheels (well, and find a set of wheels). Hmmmmm..

Taking my time. Here are some update pictures.