Newly acquired Hoover 541

[cousineddy]

I just got back from picking up a Hoover 541 from an auction, definitely excited to start going over it! Any advice from people that have rebuilt these would be greatly appreciated, I restored kirbys and worked on old premier but this one is different. Any way to find manufacturers date? And cleaning them with out polishing? I believe it’s original bag and cord, 6/6 brush roll, Canadian built

 

[justjunque]

Very nice!

 

[repairman]

From what I'm seeing, all it needs is a good wipedown. Hoover 541's are not supposed to be polished. That was done by vac shops to make them look like the 700 which was polished from the factory. I would NOT polish or paint this machine if I was you.

You have the original switch and bag which is a huge plus. Most switches were replaced with generic bakelite ones and the bags would often disintegrate. I'm not too sure about the cord.

In regards to age, that depends if your machine has a metal bag spreader or not. Early to mid 1920's is your range. Early 541 units had a bag setup much like the 102 and 105 where there's a fabric strip on the center of the bag that slides up and down a rail on the handle when it inflates/deflates.

Tom or Ray can shed more light into this but I hope my info helps.

 

[cousineddy]

I definitely don’t want to polish or wreck the finish for sure, and glad u mentioned the bag set up as it was part of my curiosity, mine does have the slide on the handle

 

[cousineddy]

It is cleaning up surprisingly well, to the point I’m happy, time open it up tho and make it run as it should

 

[bikerray]

I would say it was made in 1923.
The early 541 was a 6/6 bristle, later on they went to a 5/7 configuration.
The cord is a replacement but it looks good on the vacuum.
Be sure to add a couple of drops of oil every so often, use 3-IN-ONE Motor Oil.
The brushroll should have ball bearings in it that may need grease.

The 541 used a 484 belt, you can get a replacement. If you go to JoAnn fabrics (or your local fabric shop) pick up a package that has a Singer rubber belt and bobbin winder tire. See picture below.


Like the Columbia Gramophone on the night stand.