What in the Name of Henry Dreyfuss Have We Here?

[marukap]

150 Converter, continued

Detail of converter "feeler" roller that is attached to the automatic nozzle lifter actuator and the bail spring . . .

 

[marukap]

A Study in Converters for other Hoovers - in Reverse Chronol

The straight brown one is original to models: 60, 61, 27 and 28.

The brown converter with the 90° bend is from a model 62

The blue one is from a 63.

Any of these three will fit any of these models: 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 634, 27, 28, and 29

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, continued

The flip-side

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, continued

For Model 115, the little brown apartment sized or junior cleaner.

The shorter converter accepts only the bayonet type hose-end. The longer one can accept either the bayonet, umbrella latch or button-on-hose type hose-end!

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, continued

From left to right:

425, the only flat-belt Hoover until the Dail-a-Matic

305

25, 26 and 930. This is the only Bakelite converter that I'm aware of.

Conversion of the 425 and 305 require removal of the bottom plate.

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, continued

The flip-side . . .

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, continued

Again, from left to right:

"Button-on-Tools" (older style) for 541, 543, 575, 700, 725, 750, 800, 825, 900, 925. This model also serves as a blower adaptor.

"Button-on-Hose" (newer style) for 541, 543, 575, 700, 725, 750, 800, 825, 900, 925. The blower adaptor is a separate item in tool sets using this adaptor.

1, 300, 450, 475

 

[marukap]

Other Converters, THE END

Flip-side . . .

 

[gottahaveahoove]

they look like

old ice cream scoopers

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I think I will retire painting and take all my work to Marty. Hey Marty do you have room for 25-30 vacuums at once? lol



They look GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[swingette]

Cool motor shots. Surprising how much its like a 20s Hoover under the skin.

 

[z30soulbrother]

converters

was there any particular reason for the L- shaped side entry converter?

 

[marukap]

L-shape converter

This bend made it much easier to pull the cleaner along by the hose rather than dragging it perpendicularly to the direction of the wheels, or around in a circle.

 

[z30soulbrother]

converter

of course ! never thought of that cheers
si

 

[vintagehoover]

This is amazing!

I've been enjoying this thread so much! The 150 Special, and the 155, must be among some of the rarest Hoover models. How lucky you are to have 5 - I thought I was doing well with 2 160s and a 960!

I was really interested to see how the bag full indicator worked; we didn't have that, or the height control. And although we got the better-looking new handle, the pitch-fork style one was much sronger and more reliable.

Tom - if you're selling some 150s, and I do make it to the Convention, I'd certainly be in the market for one; I've been trying to get hold of one for ages!

 

[myhooverco]

Jack...

I do hope that you can make it to this VERY SPECIAL VCCC convention here in North Canton...at my super duper garage sale first come first served...(wink) I even have a complete tool set for a 150 that will be going with everything else! I have to thin out the herd so to speak.

The converter saga is very interesting. The side conversion was big news in the 1930s. The model 60 and 27 used the same side converter but it was silver in color. There were two different brown angled converters for the model 62. The 29 used the same set. The earlier one had a round "elbow" until it reached the flat section that entered the machine. The one shown looks like the blue one making it a later version. There were lots of small changes over the years. Much like the Kirby thread...a Hoover expert can spot the changes in a minute however subtle they are! Thanks again Marty for posting all of these wonderful photos. You have expertise in this field that is for sure.

--Tom

Marty,I never realised that the 425 had its own unique converter! Will the 425 converter fit the later 450 and 475?

I can't wait to talk with you during the convention!

 

[watsonw]

Magnificent !!

Congratulations, superb job Marty, people who don't have our passion just dont know what there missing !!

Those USA 150's were so luxurious compared to our equivalent Perivale 160's.

Why were some American hoovers not fitted with rubber handle grips ?

Regards, Walter, UK.

 

[vintagehoover]

425 converter...

Tom, the 425 converter will not fit the later 400-series machines, or the 300; it is totally unique, hence finding one is a rare event. The little metal tab which secures it in place under the spring-latch for the underplate is located higher on the 425 converter than on the one for the 450 and 475.

The Model 425 was the first pre-war Hoover I ever bought, and I was lucky enough to find one complete with it's boxed tools.

 

[myhooverco]

Thanks Jack...I never realised this converter was so rare...I will have to look through my odd loose converters...I may have one lurking around yet. You are quite lucky to have the whole 425 ensemble. Beautiful machine.

--Tom

 

[marukap]

Match that converter!

The models: 1, 300, 450 and 475 all share the same converter. The 425 is alone in its glory!

Walter: The comings and goings of rubber handle grips on American Hoovers is, to me, one of the great mysteries of the universe.

For instance: 25 YES; 26 YES (I think); 27 NO; 28 YES; 29 NO; 31 NO
60, 61, 62 YES; 63, 64 NO

Jack: That 425 is picture perfect!