Westinghouse Upright -- Help Needed

[westinghouse1]

Hello, all. My grandmother died recently, and in going through the stuff in her attic, my brother and I found an old Westinghouse upright vacuum cleaner. I thought I had seen one like it on Ebay, with the ad saying it was from the 1940's, but I can find absolutely nothing about old Westinghouse vacuums. I did plug this one in and turn it on. The motor sounded great, the light came on, and the bag puffed up; but I didn't run it long because the handle is not attached. I took it to an older gentleman who supposedly liked working on old vacuums, but he said it's beyond help. I think he mostly says that because he does not have parts readily available in his basement. He is into Kirby and Rainbow models. As far as I can tell, it needs a brush roll (is that the correct terminology?), a cord, and some work on the handle. Is it possible to find parts--or even information--anywhere?!? I tried looking for pictures of other Westinghouse models online to get some idea of its age, and it looks similar to what I've seen in ads from 1947-49. It is still at the repair man's shop, but I will try to post pictures when I get it back. This is my first experiment in vintage vacuum cleaners (except for the Singer canister model I use all the time--and which came from my other grandma's attic lol), and I really want to preserve it if I can. Were Westinghouse vacuums good quality and worth preserving? I appreciate any information or suggestions you might have.

 

[kenkart]

Westinghouse...

Some were VERY good, post some pics and I can tell you how old it is,.

 

[westinghouse1]

Westinghouse

Thanks. I will post pics as soon as I get the vacuum back from the shop. I took it there because I had to take my other vacuum also. I'm waiting to pick them up at the same time.

What about the brush roll? The bristles are gone from it. Is there anything to do about that? Would it be possible that any brush rolls that are available could be made to fit it?

 

[westinghouse1]

Pictures of Westinghouse

Ok, I finally got my vacuums back from the repair man. I'm posting a picture of the Westinghouse for you all to help me identify it. I hope t his picture is good enough quality.

 

[westinghouse1]

The Part it Needs

Here is a picture of the roller brush. My repairman didn't even really consider this vacuum because he swears this part will be impossible to find. Any suggestions? Would there be any other roller that could possibly be made to fit in its place?

 

[kenkart]

Well!!!

I would say its early to mid 30s, the roller brush can be re bristled by Mr Don O Conner in Youngstown Ohio, Someone will have to help me on the address and phone no. I have it but dont know where it is, He did a 55 Westinghouse upright brush for me 15 years ago and it still looks like new, Great machine you have there!!

 

[westinghouse1]

Brush

Thanks! That's some really good news. When I turned it on, it sounded great! I hope to get Mr. O'Conner's address soon! I've never worked on vacuums much, but I'm excited about this one.

 

[bvac6]

Westinghouse

That is a beautiful machine, with the original bag to! Keep that one, i'm sure its rare!

 

[westinghouse1]

Brush

Any contact information for Mr. O'Conner in Ohio?

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">David,</span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">I know that I have Donald's contact info somewhere. It might take me a day or two to dig it up. Hang on....</span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;">John</span>

 

[caligula]

Back in the old days.

Don O'Connor was one of the early memember of the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club. Here he's standing in the back row, between Norbert Miller on the left and John Lucia on the right. I'm front, my mom Anne Taber, secretery of the V.C.C.C. is center and Mike Pupek front right.

This was at an early meeting the year is I tink 1988, the place is club headquarters, Naperville, Illinois. This was my display room and our club museum.

 

[portable]

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">David, </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Here's the last contact info I have for Don:</span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">Don O'Connor, 3224 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44507. Telephone 330-782-6602. I have an email address for him, which does not look right, but you can try it. It looks like there is an extra space between the s's: doconnors [email protected]  If that does not work, try it without the space (see what the computer did to it? It must be wrong.) </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;"> </span>


<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva; font-size: medium;">If possible, would you let us know what happens? I know that some folks have used Don in the past and have had great results, but I've not heard anything about him now in a long time. Good luck.</span>

 

[westinghouse1]

Don O'Connor

Thanks for the info and the picture! I'll try to contact him and let you know what I find out.

 

[bee-vac]

Any updates on this cleaner?

 

[johnnyb59c]

what model is that?

I've never seen one like that and would love to have one someday

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Well, I have one.

It's old, dirty, but complete. It lives in the basement. A 'cellar dweller'. Not sure of it running, or shipping, but, I have no need of it.

 

[johnnyb59c]

?

you got pics?

 

[dysonman1]

I found a new brush roll for that machine among the stuff I got from Stan Kann.

 

[johnnyb59c]

awesome

was that a pretty good little unit?