The age of space.......

[rugmaster37]

IIRC...

There was some really big news years ago on the old forum about the "Haley's Comet" vacuum cleaner. I do not remember all the specifics, and although I feel it's a rip off of the Compact or Revelation brand of cleaners....I do remember the jingle that was I believe printed on the inside lid of every cleaner...

"Haley's Comet"- the age of space, the rocket race, push button leisure day. Be SURE to clean your jet-set home...the "Haley"s Comet" way.....

And look what appeared on fleabay......


What was so special about this vacuum cleaner. And...does any collector have one in their possession. Besides it being a relatively uncommon little bugger, did it work at all well, and werent all the attachments done up in gold like the wands and floor nozzle...

I guess in summary...what's the "Close history:" about this little guy...

Thanks

Chad

http://cgi.ebay.com/Haleys-Comet-Vi...yZ115993QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[electrogirl]

Haley's Vacuum

I don't have one of these and I must admit it is one ugly little bugger. Though if I happened upon one at a fair price in a thrift, I would pick it up for sure.

 

[arh1953]

Dave--Pete!! Something to fight over! Get on it! Quick!!

 

[electrogirl]

Yes Alan, I see this with Dave and Pete written all over it.

 

[aeoliandave]

The way the hose is placed I see the Golden Elephant of Canister Vacs...ugly to some perhaps but endearing in its awkward attempt at good Space design - but then, there are no aerodynamic considerations in Space. Reminds me of utilitarian Star Wars Space Cargo Barge. LOL

I will be keeping an eagle eye on it 'cause it would find a good home here among its own kind. I know Pete likes the uprights and even gave me a Compact C6 to keep my other two company, so...

 

[vac-o-matic]

Haley's Comet

I have one of these in much better shape than the one on ebay. They are an extremely heavy machine, but follows along behind you very well considering the weight. They had a very unusual rug nozzle, not very effective, but a unique design for sure. The suction is quite good actually, I'll check it on the gauge to see what it pulls. It is very similar in design to the Compact for sure, except is equipped with a cordwinder and a motor filter that resembles a pleated car air filter. As soon as I'm able to post my pics from the mini-meet, it'll show up. I have been entertaining the thought of selling it, as I'm running out of room for my collection and will be weeding out some that I won't miss. I have no more room for shelve units for canisters, so I thought I'd start with the Comet. Maybe I should entertain private email bids?

 

[rugmaster37]

IIRC the machine did have strange.....

Tools that is...

You must remember I have been on these forums since dial up was many peoples only option, and e-bay was FAR more difficult to manage and maneuver than it is today. I just remember that there was a furor about these things way way back, and it was stated that they were not at all common, and were quite the desirable collectible then.

Of course that type of thinking ran the gamut of Air-Way, Compact, Filter-Queen, Rainbow/Rexair and Lewyt and such back then as for whatever reason, whatever was in the moment, was collectible and prices shot WAY WAY up for the things.

Of course memories fail, time moves on and people forget about things like the Haley's Comet, until one appears.

Unfortunately this little dear looks a bit haggard, and appears to be missing a switch cover as well as many things. I cant begin to believe either that this would be an easy restoration, or even a machine possible or impossible to get parts for.

It would be good at any rate for just the rarity of it....


I just kinda stopped cold when I saw it, and tho I have no interest in it at all.....I thought that it maybe would spark a conversation, since things get kinda stale and stagnant here occasionally....


Chad

 

[arh1953]

Yes it does. Again, no offense to this site. We need to kick start things once and a while. This is the premier vacuum site.

 

[rocketwarrior]

Ahhhhh the Comet

I would enjoy picking one of those up and putting it out if its misery.

 

[rugmaster37]

Hi, Mark...

You realize you may get clawed for that statement...lol...

However, I've seen your work and it's really good.

Just a few thoughts....

Chad

 

[rocketwarrior]

Space Cargo Barge

I think Dave's comment that it might lend itself to a Star Warsesque Space Cargo Barge is spot on. We could use the bag cover bubble area as the command cockpit, etc. And that aluminum cuts like butter. Fun, fun, fun.

 

[ian88]

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/AA-9_Coruscant_freighter
;]

 

[aeoliandave]

Say Rick, since you have one, does the ebay Haleys Comet have the correct hose nozzle handle? Certainly looks unique with that black ribbed handhold. If I get it I'll be pestering you for mnay pictures of yours...

 

[aeoliandave]

Big dirty ugly gold Vacuum Shaped Object.

Ha! I just bought it...for $10! It's about a 3 hour drive west of Stratford and I'll be picking it up this weekend or Monday. Apparently its just dirty & scuffed, not paint scratched. And what could be easier than touching up gold paint? Couldn't be happier. Dave

 

[vac-o-matic]

Space Age Find

Congrats Dave on your unique find. Yes, that is the correct hose assembly. The wand is like an upside down Kirby wand and the strangest rug tool I've ever seen. When I can, I'll post pics of mine. There is a pic of my friend Phillip using mine in the pics from the mini-meet thread, check out the rug nozzle.

 

[aeoliandave]

Now I'm just flummoxed, Rick...

There's 3 posts of the St Louis Mini Meetin the off topic forum, Threads 2258, 2289 and 2297. Lots of pics of Phillip with vacuums, none of which are the elusive Haleys Comet tho he is pictured with the Lewyt and it's strange floor tool. Only mention of Haleys Comet refers to the dog.

So I'll just hang 10 til actual Haleys Comet pix appear. Picking up the Comet on Sunday and then dropping off some 'stuff' with Pete on the way back home. Leaving for western Pennsylvanioa and North Canton OH on Tuesday morning. When I get home from that trip on Friday I'll have a day or two before heading out to Winnipeg MN for a few weeks. Dave is on the move...

 

[petek]

That Dave, he's here, he's there, he's everywhere. Everywhere there's a vacuum for the taking or delivering. LOL
Imagine crossing the great plains in December in search of elusive vacuumabilia. That's determination.

 

[vac-o-matic]

Sorry Dave!

I knew I had a pic of Phillip with the Haley's Comet, unfortunately it's a pic that was taken with a 35mm camera. I'm just glad to know I'm not losing my mind, well, maybe a little! I'll post a pic as soon as my computer skills will allow me to do so!

Rick

 

[aeoliandave]

That's really ok, Rick. There's no panic and I appreciate you tracking it down. Its the usual sight unseen pre-adoption jitters. I'll be laying eyes on the poor thing I got by noon Sunday. My heart will go out to its sorry state and lumpy undortunate design...because after all, nobody can un-ugly something like a Pontiac Aztec. All you can do is tell it it's pretty - no offence to anyone who has one, ok?

I was at the Detroit Auto Show when the original Aztec Show Truck vehicle was shown and that was beautiful and innovative. The following year when they showed the final production version with the hatch camptent accessory, the most heard comment was "Do you have a tent/hood/cover/paperbag for the front end, too?" Really, I heard that several times. No joke.