So Is This Vacuum Anything Interesting?
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eluxomarty
New member
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.
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
New member
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!
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!
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
New member
look at the diagram
in the pulley cover. Shows which way the apply the belt.
in the pulley cover. Shows which way the apply the belt.
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
New member
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.
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.
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...
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..
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
Well-known member
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
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
hoover1060
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2006
- Messages
- 1,093
Birtman Electric
is who made Robert's Kenmore. They made the majority of Sears vacuums into the 1950's.
is who made Robert's Kenmore. They made the majority of Sears vacuums into the 1950's.
magic-clean
Well-known member
The model # shown in post 18753 shows 116.9815-1. 116 was the source code prefix for Whirlpool made vacuums and now Panasonic. So as stated by Jeff above; Birtman must have been the manufacturer as Whirlpool and Birtman eventually merged years later and Sears retained the 116 code. So interesting to see the code live on today.
centralvacman
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2006
- Messages
- 140
the first 3 digits
I seen many sears producrts have 3 digits & then a pirod the Sears source list is in the internet, a example 917.4568899 the 917. is a prefix that American yard products manifactured the unit wich is electrolux now.
I seen many sears producrts have 3 digits & then a pirod the Sears source list is in the internet, a example 917.4568899 the 917. is a prefix that American yard products manifactured the unit wich is electrolux now.
kc_kirby
Well-known member
I'm the new owner.....
I attended the convention this past weekend and I won this vacuum that Robert put in the raffle. I thought it looked familiar and then I remembered I saw it on here. I think it's great and a rare model indeed as it appears most have never seen one. I thank Robert for donating it. I plan to polish it up and make it look nice and maybe I'll bring it to next year's convention.
Chad
I attended the convention this past weekend and I won this vacuum that Robert put in the raffle. I thought it looked familiar and then I remembered I saw it on here. I think it's great and a rare model indeed as it appears most have never seen one. I thank Robert for donating it. I plan to polish it up and make it look nice and maybe I'll bring it to next year's convention.
Chad
portable
Well-known member
About the numbering, etc.
I did some extensive research back in the 80s on Sears cleaners. The prefix 116. is actually a mark denoting upright vacuums (it may also be for canisters, too, I have to go back and check). Also, Marty, your machine was a successor to the BugEye Imperial. It first appeared in about '37 with the all-metal top, then variations of it with painted tops kept appearing right through WWII. A very popular machine. And, Unimatic, your model in one variation or another, was offered as the "B" line for quite awhile. The "A" versions were mostly headlight models with higher AMP motors, though none were very powerful (but seemed to work fine).
I did some extensive research back in the 80s on Sears cleaners. The prefix 116. is actually a mark denoting upright vacuums (it may also be for canisters, too, I have to go back and check). Also, Marty, your machine was a successor to the BugEye Imperial. It first appeared in about '37 with the all-metal top, then variations of it with painted tops kept appearing right through WWII. A very popular machine. And, Unimatic, your model in one variation or another, was offered as the "B" line for quite awhile. The "A" versions were mostly headlight models with higher AMP motors, though none were very powerful (but seemed to work fine).
