Sad day with my first vintage vacuum hoover 300 that arrived DAMAGED

[steamawayclean]

So my first Hoover model 300 1939. In fact my second vintage Hoover, the 1st being my Hoover dust at that I posted last week. But this will be my first upright. When I took it out of the box as you can see from the picture the side where you bolted on was broken off. The bag was still connected in shipping so the ear broke off the bag and the vacuum cleaner. I use some of this dr. Bond super glue that's for aluminum and plastic and such and it seems to be really strong so that was a plus. I guess as much of a plus as you could ask for. Event opened up the bottom and replace the belt I had a belt here a Hoover 48. So I put that belt on and then the handle was a little loose even when I tighten it all the way so I took that pipe clamp cut the nut off of it and just slid metal part in around the handle that way I'd have more to tighten and it works perfect. I then brought the vacuum cleaner into the living room and turned it on. It seems like it works for a minute and then when I picked it up to see if the beater bar was bending I saw that metal knob from the bottom of the motor sitting on the floor. I don't know if the belt was too tight or if the bottom of the motor was weak at that spot but it looked fine. I don't know what I did wrong I wouldn't think about that was a little too tight would SNAP that off. I'm pretty depressed about it right now considering I spent $80 on shipping from California but only 30 on the vacuum. I did purchase a 700 motor yesterday just because I saw it. I'm wondering if that 700 motor will fit on the 300 and I can swap them out. I also have a 541 on the way as well. Any expert opinion would be great since I'm still learning and like I said this is really depressing. Actually I did get a Hoover convertible last week as well and the height adjustment pedal was broken off and she didn't send the bolts for the handle two connected to the machine. So I have had the worst luck. MATT

 

[pr-21]

The older machines had bakelite (spelling)? wheels. With age they became very brittle and easily broken. Make sure that the person packs these old vintage machines well, if you buy them. UPS and Fed Ex are normal shippers, however in my experience, Fed Ex is much better at getting your package delivered without breakage, but it still has to be bubble packed, and peanuts are ok as long as the machine is placed in some kind of bag or towels before placing the peanuts in the shipping box. Otherwise you will be digging out those pesky things for a long while.....

As collectors, we have all probably been through similar experiences....

Sorry for you disappointment. Other donor machines will be the only way to go and unfortunately, the very vintage vacuums are getting very rare and people on ebay know it.......


Sincerely,

PR-21
Bud

 

[steamawayclean]

I mean the guy did packet good he had a pack of brown paper and plastic and styrofoam. It was already missing the wheel and I knew that when I bought it. It was that side of the housing that broke in shipping. And the plastic ear that hooks onto the bolt on the bag. It did come FedEx and it was $80 but it stopped at like nine states and it had this side up written all over it and they still delivered it upside down so it probably got thrown around a lot. I'm going to call FedEx tomorrow and see if I can get reimbursed on my shipping since it was broken because FedEx is actually the people who packed it. He had FedEx pack it for him. Does anybody know if the 700 motor will fit this machine? When it comes in hopefully next week I'm hoping to swap it out because I don't think there's any way to put that nub back on the bottom of the motor that the belt wraps around. I'm still stunned that it broke off. It's like Solid Steel. I didn't think about that was a little too small would do that

 

[jimjimmunster]

Dont ever buy a hoover that looks like basement oxidization.

This is a beautiful hoover, but it was left in someone's wet basement and looks to have been heavily used. I use machines like that purely for wheels, motor parts, and handle parts. When you buy an old hoover, make sure its aluminum and steel are not to oxidized. When its old and oxidized, it tends also to be brittle. If it gets banged up when its brittle, it cracks apart. Your handle probably wasn't tight because there was no plastic collar cap thing. You can make one for it. Those attachments are a score though. Those are real nice. Sounds just like when I got one from California on my birthday. It was all there in pics, but those rare bag bolts weren't there, and the original bag came ripped. It had a frozen bottom, not pictured or stated. I couldn't even open the bottom up to get the beater bar out. It was too rusty. Also NEVER EVER use a 48 belt on those. Way too small, you'll toast your motor, and break a cheap pulley. Use a Sanitaire/Eureka RD belt. Always try to get those solid pulleys, off of a 28 or something. I tried to take off one of those cheap pulleys and it snapped. Theres 2 different hoover pulleys that ive seen. I got some parts for your vacuum if your willing to trade or buy them from me. Ill check my email this week to see if you want the parts.

 

[jimjimmunster]

DONT REPLACE THE MOTOR

That part is really easy to get and replace! its part of the pulley, its reverse threaded onto the armature shaft. Just take the pulley off the 700 motor or I can sell ya one.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

DO NOT USE A HOOVER 48 (49258) BELT! It is too tight for that machine. Use a Hoover 44783 or a Eureka RD Belt.


Andy

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Say Bill (JimJimmumster) Do you have a belt pulley to fit a 150? Mine is in bad shape...


Andy

 

[jimjimmunster]

Yes i do Andy

I got junkers that I can get you a good pulley off of. A solid one. Not to chewy. Email me Andy. make an offer.

 

[blknblu]

that sucks ..
I spent a small fortune shipping my old Hoover to California from Connecticut.
It was broken down into manageable pieces in about three or 4 boxes.
Well padded, and the handle was shipped in an industrial tube.
Never a thank you from the buyer either.

Just the other day, I received carbon brushes that were just put in a plastic envelope with no padding, no bubble wrap, nothing.
Just the brushes rolling around loose.

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Even the best packing jobs go sputum I had a perfectly packed Electrolux G that showed up with 2 broken wheels and a broken switch. Took me 2 months to get it good looking again.
Andy

 

[steamawayclean]

I did thank the guy. We actually had quite an ongoing conversation. I told him it wasn't his fault and I told him I was so pumped , he was funny, especially when he said he was throwing in the box of attachments. He told me to have a ball lol. It's funny on the original receipt she (his grandma) paid 3 dollars and change a month for it new in 1939

 

[gottahaveahoove]

That's how they did it then.

Imagine purchasing a vacuum cleaner, a HOOVER vacuum, during the Depression!!!!!!
Hoover made a fortune...One Dollar at a Time!