So Is This Vacuum Anything Interesting?

[unimatic1140]

YAY, it's been a long time since I had a chance to post anything in the Vintage Forum here at Vaccumland!

At an estate sale yesterday there were a bunch of old vacs in the basement, but this one stood out because it seemed like it was in really nice shape. So for $3 I thought I could be a big spender and take it home and take a few pictures of it. It appears to be a late 1930's Kenmore, but I really don't know for sure. Here are some pictures of it, it works just fine although the belt needs replacement...

 

[unimatic1140]

So was the De Luxe the top of the line or was there something above this like the Bug Eye?

 

[unimatic1140]

Nice knob!

 

[luxg]

Robert what a great find, this is one that I have never seen before. It is in great shape and should be a very easy restore for you. Are the bag and brush-roll in pretty good shape? Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[unimatic1140]

Are the bag and brush-roll in pretty good shape?
Hi Terry, they seem to be in excellent shape, although I really don't know what to look for. The brush roll has all its bristles and doesn't appear to be worn down in any way. The bag is clean and doesn't show any sign of leaks. The machine runs quietly and doesn't seem like it's had a huge amount of use, since there were quite a few other vacuums in the house.

 

[swingette]

how bout a pic of the underside?

that cleaner is a blatant Hoover copy. if today, Hoover would sue!

 

[unimatic1140]

The money shot

 

[dial-a-nap]

Nice Kenmo'

You should keep this - put a belt on it and use it for the living room rug. You'll be amazed at the sweeping ability of those brushes - Gladys' hair will be no match for spinning brushes!

 

[ian88]

Maybe Sears were selling rebadged Hoovers as early as this? It's possible I suppose.

(although I realise there are some differences )

 

[luxg]

Robert, I agree with Greg, clean her up a bit, get a new belt and give it a try. I am amazed at the excellent condition of the underside and the brushes!!

 

[unimatic1140]

So how does one measure and buy a belt for something like this?

 

[luxg]

Great question Robert, we will have to do some checking into it.

 

[ian88]

Wouldn't a modern convertible belt fit alright?

 

[vinvac]

Robert,

What a great vacuum. I don't think a convertable belt would fit, but try a dial-a-matic, or possibly a Bissel style 2. This looks like it would require a flat belt. You don't want the belt to be to tight and ruin the bottom bearing.

I am curious, it is actually a Hoover made for Kenmore? Perhaps Tom or Jeff can shed some light for us.

Morgan

 

[chestermikeuk]

Belts...

Robert, that vac is absolutley NOT very interesting, you dont need it, especially with your 1205.....I`ll give you $5 dollar`s and pay the shipping, there, Hows that....LOL

Cheers, Mike

p.s. I`ll bring some belts with me, its defo a keeper!!!

 

[eluxomarty]

Robert

For $3.00 I would have definately picked it up! That brush roll looks just like a Kirby! The whole vacuum in general looks like a Hoover. I'm wondering if thats not the original brush roll. You know, one of the draw backs of having your collection 30 miles away is that you can't just go to the next room to see your collection and look things up for people! I will check the brushroll on my Kenmore and take a photo to see what it looks like.

Marty

 

[hoover1060]

belt

looks like a flat belt Robert?
I'd try a Hoover Elite belt first, that would probably work best.

 

[petek]

Nice score Robert. I'm also wondering who manufacturered it for Sears. The other thing,, De Luxe, more often than not denoted the bargain model in a line up. Anyone have that old a Sears catalog?

 

[sfovacman]

Could Bertram Electric have made the Kenmore?

Am wondering if Bertram Electric wasn't the maker of the Kenmore pictured.

Jim K.

 

[compactc9]

So Is This Vacuum Anything Interesting?

N definately not. Its probably best to jut ship it to me so I can properly dispose of it for you.

Actually, that is a nice find. In good condition too.

 

[eluxomarty]

Okay here are those pix

I put the old Kenmore that I have next to the Hoover 150 because they resemble each other. The white cord on the Kenmore is actually a Kenmore cord so I'm keeping it on.

 

[eluxomarty]

Brushrolls

The brushroll on your Kenmore Robert looks to me like a Kirby brushroll. When i flipped both vacuums over to compare brushrolls, lo and behold, the Kenmore does have a flat belt!

 

[unimatic1140]

My Sears Catalog collection is very spotty this early, here is the Vacuum page from the Spring/Summer 1940 Catalog, you can see the Deluxe is the TOL for this year, but the 1940 model seems to be newer than my find...

 

[eluxomarty]

look at the diagram

in the pulley cover. Shows which way the apply the belt.

 

[unimatic1140]

The only other Sears Catalog I have from around this time is back to Spring/Summer 1931, which is too early for the vac I found...

 

[eluxomarty]

belt

the belt used on this vacuum is a Hoover belt for the Elite as Jeff suggests! It is Hoover belt 38528-040-F6.

Robert, try this belt for your Kenmore and see if it works.

 

[unimatic1140]

Hi Marty, thank you for the pictures! And the info, I will go out and get that belt and give it a try, here is a close up of the access panel cover...

 

[unimatic1140]

Its probably best to jut ship it to me so I can properly dispose of it for you.

Thanks Reggie! I'll keep that in mind for when I'm ready to "throw it away"

Here is a close up of the brushroll and bearings..

 

[hygiene903]

Nice Kenmore, Robert!

Just so happens that I have a copy of the 1935 Sears Catalog, and this vacuum is shown on page 526 as their top model, selling for $35.50 cash with your old cleaner, or $39.00 and your old cleaner if paid monthly. They also offered, on the same page, the Standard model at $26.95 cash or $29.65 if paid monthly (either way with trade-in), and the economy model at $17.95 with your old cleaner, cash only. Attachments were not shown for any of them, but they did offer the Kenmore Junior hand vac for $9.95, also on the same page. AND, on page 594, two non-electric models are shown, at $9.50 and $10.85 respectively. Sorry I can't help with information on the manufacturer, but would assume it's Birtman, as they built for Sears for quite a few years.
Jeff