The Eureka Patriot -- Opinions Please!

[eurekastar]

So I'm rebuilding this old Eureka, and I'm thinking of making a couple of minor appearance updates. I'm repainting the hood. It was a soft ivory color and I'm painting it out in a crisp white. The blue base is in good shape, along with the blue bag. The handle was missing on it, so I'm installing a chrome plated handle from a Sanitaire. I think the original handle was painted.

So here's my question: In order to make it more "patriotic", I thought about installing a red cord from a Kirby Classic III. Would that be too tacky?

 

[eurekastar]

The Eureka Patriot will also have a new 7 amp motor since there are no available replacement parts for the old 4 amp motor.

 

[eurekastar]

And to complete the transformation, I'm adding an experimental brush roll. Half the brush strips are VGII. The other half are VGIII strips with the stiffeners!

 

[constellation86]

The red cord might go with the red E on the hood. I'm at the edge of my seat waiting to see the motor transplant! Take lots of pictures. And good luck.
Nicholas

 

[hoover119dude]

I SAY DO IT!! I BET IT WILL LOOK GREAT. HOPE THER ARE MANY PICS OF THIS BEAUTY WHEN DONE.

 

[eurekastar]

The hood is all painted up! I used appliance paint, so it should be pretty durable. I'm going to let the paint cure for a couple of days before I reassemble everything.

I was a little nervous about paint bleeding onto the label after masking it off. There is a tiny speck that did bleed, but I think a little bit of acetone on a q-tip will take care of that.

 

[vac-o-matic]

Good job Bill! Looking forward to the finished product! I'm anxious to know how you like the revised brushroll..should be a beast on carpet!

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

nice respray job!


 

 

[eurekastar]

This is what the original 4 amp motor looked like with with the motor cover on. The top of the cover butts up against the vents on the hood in order to draw in fresh cool air. Hot air is exhausted through vents cut into the bottom of the base.

 

[eurekastar]

This is the new 7 amp motor.

 

[eurekastar]

This is a photo with the vent board in place. I suppose it is designed to provide the same function as the motor cover on the old 4 amp motor. Although, some of the new Sanitaire models are vented out the sides of the hood. To accomplish that, there are a couple of ducts that run from the motor to the side vents.

 

[eurekastar]

Vibragroomer 2.5

Here's the modified Vibragroomer brush roll. Half the bristles are VGII and half are VGIII. I had the trim the VGIII bristles just a tad in order to make it fit.

I also installed an ST dirt tube so that I can use HEPA bags. Now, I'm just waiting for the paint on the hood and handle socket to cure before I wire it up and put it all together!

 

[super-sweeper]

I'll be expecting these under the Montgomery Ward brand, EurekaStar!!!! 

 

[constellation86]

Any updates on the project? I'm still on the edge of my seat to see the finished product.
Nicholas

 

[eurekastar]

haha! Thanks! I'm waiting on a new handle. The old handle was plastic, so I decided to change it out to a chrome plated steel handle, especially since it now has a heavy duty 7 amp motor. I also sprayed out a handle grip in red plastic paint (shades of Kirby). So I'm waiting for it to dry.

I have, however, taken it for a test run with the old plastic handle. The VGII.5 brush roll is quite impressive too. The brush stiffeners from the VGIII help to propel it along (not unlike a metal Royal and its "Cushion of Air" technology). So half the brush strips are VGII and the other half are VGIII (with the stiffeners). I was afraid to go all the way with VGIII only because I think that would prematurely shorten the life of the round belt.

Hopefully, I'll have photos by the end of the week!

 

[eurekastar]

Forgot to mention that one added benefit of the combination bristles is that the fur from my Golden Retriever seems to slough right off the roll and into the fan. The bristles on the VGII are spaced wider apart so that they don't get caught as easily. I think the brush stiffeners on the VGIII bristles also help keep hair from getting wrapped around the roll. Maybe it has to do with the thumping/beating action?

 

[eurekastar]

I also forgot to mention that I ordered a new bumper. It should be here on Tuesday or Wednesday. The existing bumper is in very good shape, so I'm thinking of spraying it out in the same red as the handle grip for a little more tough of red. We'll see! LOL!