thanks to HOOVER 300 and REPAIRMAN!!

[bongo]

Thanks to your advice, my Hoover 700 is up and running and in daily use. Ditto my little handheld Singer, which is mostly used for cleanup on my workbench.
Have a paper bag in the Hoover, inside the cloth outer bag and will likely continue that way to preserve the outer bag.
couldn't have done it without your help!