spencersvacs92
Member
Hello members of vacuumland. I am seeing if anyone here can help me look for some parts for my Sanitaire Model 643 made September 1974. Anything would help
Sanitaire Model 643
- Thread starter spencersvacs92
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madman
Well-known member
There's tons of those around. Hell, they still make them, I think. What parts do you need?
human
Well-known member
MadMan grabbed my response. What specific parts do you need? The beauty of these machines is they changed less than the Volkswagen Beetle over the years so parts are plentiful and cheap. I fixed up a fairly recent Sanitaire S-645 (blue series) earlier this year, mainly using extra parts I had on hand from fixing up a 1980s vintage Sanitaire SC-686 a while back. I found eBay to be a great source for parts and economies of scale are unbelievable. For instance, buying three sets of plastic cord hooks from one vendor actually cost me less than buying one set from another. It definitely pays to shop around.
Beware, if you need a brushroll...
These old metal-base Sanitaires (and Eurekas) require a brushroll that's long-NLA. I fought a hard battle getting a NOS VG1 for my 641. I've looked on eBay, scoured the Internet, called around to all kinds of vacuum shops and finally found one from a vac shop in Pennsylvania (mind you I live in Washington state). The owner told me that I lucked out and that was his last one. I do apologize in advance that I have taken what possibly was the last new square-end brushroll available if that's one of the parts you needed. It's identical to the current VGI/II brushrolls in the newer Sanitaires except they have square ends rather than hex ends. You cannot use a hex-end brushroll (the hex ends will NOT fit in the square notches cast into the base) and you cannot swap your old square ends onto a brushroll with hex ends -- I've tried. Also bear in mind that the brushroll is clipped into the base with a spring-type clip on each side. If those springs break or get lost, your machine is probably toast since those have vanished off the parts shelves as well. Be gentle with those.
The rug plates are rare too, even though they look almost the same as the newer counterpart. The difference is that the old rug plates have a metal tab that matches up with a slot in the base, the newer rug plates have two symmetrically placed notched tabs that match up with the notches on the base. The one original to my machine was rusted and crudded out but I happened to run across a NOS one on eBay for not a whole lot, but bear in mind that it was the only one of this type available.
I imagine that other parts should be able to interchange otherwise. The cutout and screw pattern for the motor looks to be the same as the newer machines, the bag latch assembly is compatible with newer bags. The cord clips are stamped metal welded to the handle assembly so you don't have to worry about replacing those.
Too bad Eureka changed up their brushroll ends and rug plates when they went to plastic bases sometime in the late 70s, I imagine thousands of otherwise perfectly serviceable Eureka and Sanitaire metal base machines have been tossed because a simple yet crucial part is no longer available. It's a shame because I like Sanitaires and finally had my chance to grab one of the first ones made (I have a 641).
These old metal-base Sanitaires (and Eurekas) require a brushroll that's long-NLA. I fought a hard battle getting a NOS VG1 for my 641. I've looked on eBay, scoured the Internet, called around to all kinds of vacuum shops and finally found one from a vac shop in Pennsylvania (mind you I live in Washington state). The owner told me that I lucked out and that was his last one. I do apologize in advance that I have taken what possibly was the last new square-end brushroll available if that's one of the parts you needed. It's identical to the current VGI/II brushrolls in the newer Sanitaires except they have square ends rather than hex ends. You cannot use a hex-end brushroll (the hex ends will NOT fit in the square notches cast into the base) and you cannot swap your old square ends onto a brushroll with hex ends -- I've tried. Also bear in mind that the brushroll is clipped into the base with a spring-type clip on each side. If those springs break or get lost, your machine is probably toast since those have vanished off the parts shelves as well. Be gentle with those.
The rug plates are rare too, even though they look almost the same as the newer counterpart. The difference is that the old rug plates have a metal tab that matches up with a slot in the base, the newer rug plates have two symmetrically placed notched tabs that match up with the notches on the base. The one original to my machine was rusted and crudded out but I happened to run across a NOS one on eBay for not a whole lot, but bear in mind that it was the only one of this type available.
I imagine that other parts should be able to interchange otherwise. The cutout and screw pattern for the motor looks to be the same as the newer machines, the bag latch assembly is compatible with newer bags. The cord clips are stamped metal welded to the handle assembly so you don't have to worry about replacing those.
Too bad Eureka changed up their brushroll ends and rug plates when they went to plastic bases sometime in the late 70s, I imagine thousands of otherwise perfectly serviceable Eureka and Sanitaire metal base machines have been tossed because a simple yet crucial part is no longer available. It's a shame because I like Sanitaires and finally had my chance to grab one of the first ones made (I have a 641).
spencersvacs92
Member
I need a cord, possibly a brushroll a bag. I am wanting to restore this 70s workhorse
human
Well-known member
Mostly easy stuff...
The cord is no problem at all. Any generic three-wire cord will work. You could even cut the female end off of a drop cord and use that. Installing the cord is not all that hard, either. The one on it now is black. Is it original? My SC686 has a 50-foot white cord. My S645 came with a 30-foot gray cord but I upgraded it to a 40-foot black cord. The bags are also easy to source. How does yours attach? Does it have a latch mechanism or does it attach with screws? My SC686 has a latch mechanism for easy mounting and removal and my S645, which came factory configured for F&G bags, attaches with screws since the bag assembly does not need to be removed to change out the paper bags. I actually upgraded my SC686 about a year ago from the original dump bag setup to a Eureka F&G setup. The kit cost about $25 on Ebay and included the outer bag, a dozen F&G bags and a new belt. I highly recommend this conversion. It was completely plug-and-play. I still have the old dump bag but I have no intention of ever using it again. It's yours for the cost of shipping, if you want it. It's still in nice shape albeit dirty on the inside. It is missing the spring that attaches it to the handle at the top as I took it to repair the bag on my S645. Replacement springs are available or you could just transfer the one from your existing bag. Actually, the easiest thing would be to swap the entire metal topper. The brush roll, as superocd described in some detail, could be a little more problematic.
Good luck with your project and let us know how we can help.
The cord is no problem at all. Any generic three-wire cord will work. You could even cut the female end off of a drop cord and use that. Installing the cord is not all that hard, either. The one on it now is black. Is it original? My SC686 has a 50-foot white cord. My S645 came with a 30-foot gray cord but I upgraded it to a 40-foot black cord. The bags are also easy to source. How does yours attach? Does it have a latch mechanism or does it attach with screws? My SC686 has a latch mechanism for easy mounting and removal and my S645, which came factory configured for F&G bags, attaches with screws since the bag assembly does not need to be removed to change out the paper bags. I actually upgraded my SC686 about a year ago from the original dump bag setup to a Eureka F&G setup. The kit cost about $25 on Ebay and included the outer bag, a dozen F&G bags and a new belt. I highly recommend this conversion. It was completely plug-and-play. I still have the old dump bag but I have no intention of ever using it again. It's yours for the cost of shipping, if you want it. It's still in nice shape albeit dirty on the inside. It is missing the spring that attaches it to the handle at the top as I took it to repair the bag on my S645. Replacement springs are available or you could just transfer the one from your existing bag. Actually, the easiest thing would be to swap the entire metal topper. The brush roll, as superocd described in some detail, could be a little more problematic.
Good luck with your project and let us know how we can help.
tylerhawkins84
Well-known member
Question for superocd...
Superocd, you mentioned calling vacuum shops across the country for NOS parts. I have considered doing this myself in search of parts for my Royal tank but was wondering if there is a good resource of larger or well established vacuum shops in the US or did you just look up shops in larger cities on Google. I had a list of Royal service centers at one point but it was probably over 40 years old so I am sure many of those shops would not still be around, have the same name, or phone number anyway. Something similar but newer would be very helpful. BTW, I like your username, I to have Super OCD
Superocd, you mentioned calling vacuum shops across the country for NOS parts. I have considered doing this myself in search of parts for my Royal tank but was wondering if there is a good resource of larger or well established vacuum shops in the US or did you just look up shops in larger cities on Google. I had a list of Royal service centers at one point but it was probably over 40 years old so I am sure many of those shops would not still be around, have the same name, or phone number anyway. Something similar but newer would be very helpful. BTW, I like your username, I to have Super OCD
@tylerhawkins84
Sorry for answering your question super late but I did an extensive Google search of "square end Eureka brushroll", "square end Sanitaire brushroll" and about 1001 iterations of search terms that would bring me results to a square-ended brushroll. I only started calling vac shops I found on Google showing they had the brushroll only after one of them cancelled my order and informed me that there was a mix-up in their inventory and that they didn't have a VG1 square end brushroll. Ultimately it took a couple tries before I confirmed that a vac shop in PA had one. One vac shop told me that there was no such thing as a Sanitaire older than 1985, that they all had plastic bases, they all took hex-ended brushrolls -- despite me telling him over the phone that I was looking at a Sanitaire from 1973, it had a cast aluminum base and it took a square-ended brushroll. After I set him straight, he went on about how it was "foolish" to try to fix something that old and that it should have been "chucked long ago".
As far as my username, I have a pretty serious case of (cleaning/sanitizing/washing) OCD. I've had it since 2nd grade, I would immediately beeline to the bathroom to wash my hands and hair when I got home from school. By 4th-5th grade it was a shower. I would spend some of my allowance on hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, etc. Fast forward to 27, a homeowner and married, it hasn't gotten better. I immediately beeline for the shower after work (I'm an HVACR tech and have been in a few atrocious homes). Everything must be spotless, gleaming and sanitized in my house or I'm not happy. Having a vacuum collection is a plus, lol, and each one was torn down to its last screw and thoroughly de-grimed and disinfected before it ever left the garage. My wife has OCD as well, COVID has sent her over the edge since she is a cardiac RN and (understandably) doesn't want to get it or spread it. The weird thing about me is that COVID hasn't kicked my OCD into overdrive. Also pretty interesting is that pre-COVID *I* was the bigger OCD-er of the two of us.
Sorry for answering your question super late but I did an extensive Google search of "square end Eureka brushroll", "square end Sanitaire brushroll" and about 1001 iterations of search terms that would bring me results to a square-ended brushroll. I only started calling vac shops I found on Google showing they had the brushroll only after one of them cancelled my order and informed me that there was a mix-up in their inventory and that they didn't have a VG1 square end brushroll. Ultimately it took a couple tries before I confirmed that a vac shop in PA had one. One vac shop told me that there was no such thing as a Sanitaire older than 1985, that they all had plastic bases, they all took hex-ended brushrolls -- despite me telling him over the phone that I was looking at a Sanitaire from 1973, it had a cast aluminum base and it took a square-ended brushroll. After I set him straight, he went on about how it was "foolish" to try to fix something that old and that it should have been "chucked long ago".
As far as my username, I have a pretty serious case of (cleaning/sanitizing/washing) OCD. I've had it since 2nd grade, I would immediately beeline to the bathroom to wash my hands and hair when I got home from school. By 4th-5th grade it was a shower. I would spend some of my allowance on hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, etc. Fast forward to 27, a homeowner and married, it hasn't gotten better. I immediately beeline for the shower after work (I'm an HVACR tech and have been in a few atrocious homes). Everything must be spotless, gleaming and sanitized in my house or I'm not happy. Having a vacuum collection is a plus, lol, and each one was torn down to its last screw and thoroughly de-grimed and disinfected before it ever left the garage. My wife has OCD as well, COVID has sent her over the edge since she is a cardiac RN and (understandably) doesn't want to get it or spread it. The weird thing about me is that COVID hasn't kicked my OCD into overdrive. Also pretty interesting is that pre-COVID *I* was the bigger OCD-er of the two of us.
texbodemer
Well-known member
Everett Vacuum, Everett WA
Everett Vacuum has them! They're about $25.
Everett Vacuum has them! They're about $25.
spencersvacs92
I think the exact square-end brush roll you want would be the single-row Disturbulator, if that is what your 643B originally came with when you first bought it.
~Ben
I think the exact square-end brush roll you want would be the single-row Disturbulator, if that is what your 643B originally came with when you first bought it.
~Ben
