Singer/Westinghouse

John and others,

In short, YES, Singer DID make their uprights. At least this model anyway. The high dormer hood, and metal base was eventually used for their TOL Singer Golden Power-Master U-69 of about 1975. I have one so I know this as fact. The other slight difference was that their A frame handle was different, styled to look like the A frame handle of the then current Converto-Vac, which was a Westinghouse built and designed product to the best of my knowledge.

Now I AM speculating a bit here, and operating off from heresay, but I DID hear along the way (of being a collector and sales/service person), that the Converto-Vac, while funky and different and over-engineered, was too (funky and different) for the customer. Not to mention it weighed a ton, and had (via- testing mags) "so so" cleaning performance. So (uht-oh), better come up with a "conventional" upright and QUICK. Also, that its possible that Singer had been frolicking with W-H before with their One Stroke Upright, that used a very early Singer-esque' twin fan desing also....

My best guess is that it would seem that Westinghouse after seeing that the Converto-Vac was NOT going to set the world on fire, and was in fact being more of a hindrance, and their other machines weren't putting much of a dent in the marketplace, decided NOT to drop alot of money again in the vacuum market. I mean they hadn't a chance of touching Hoover, let alone the others. And Westinghouse by this point wasn't doing too well as a home appliance manufacturer anyway... The vacuums were gone with the small-appliances by 1972, and the major ones by 1974. Clearly not the atmosphere for a whole new upright when there were plenty around for rebadging.

So off they went to see the Singer people, and wham bam thank you ma'am you see what you see. Singer as most of you know wasn't at ALL embarrassed to private-label/ badge engineer for anyone. We all know about their Sears, Sunbeam, K-Mart's FLOR-GENIE and Lewyt clones. Well clearly they did it for Westy too.

Bottom line, I have never seen one in 30+ years of vacuum watching, collecting, and industry working. Its a VERY VERY rare bird. I would dare say that this machine hails from at least 1967, as I have a catalog from 1966 which features to my knowledge the whole 1966 Westinghouse Vacuum Line. The two tone blue color scheme is there, for two cans and the lower end Converto-Vac are styled in it. This machine was absent form that page.

That could have meant that it was simply a on spec machine that WH used to lure people into the showrooms, when the Converto-Vac or the canisters couldn't do so. At the very best it just wasnt heavily advertised.

My thoughts...

Chad


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Post# 230747 4/30/2013 at 22:04 (4,006 days old) by chan55 (Green Bay, WI)
Checkrate/Likes There is a Westinghouse upright for sale on Ebay. It looks a lot like a Singer. Did Singer make their uprights? I know they made Sunbeam.

Post# 230758 , Reply# 1 4/30/2013 at 23:19 (4,006 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes Here is a link to that auction... CLICK HERE TO GO TO Unimatic1140's LINK on eBay

Post# 230759 , Reply# 2 4/30/2013 at 23:20 (4,006 days old) by bnsd60m9200 (Akron OH)
Checkrate/Likes looks very similar to a GE U1 Will Hemb

Post# 230791 , Reply# 3 5/1/2013 at 10:14 (4,006 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes *twin fan Westinghouse* The Westinghouse (mine) does seem to be the Singer/Sunbeam version. Other than this one I have only seen in a 1967 Bennett's catalog. Needs restoration as stated but is super RARE and matches many other WH vacs.

Post# 230792 , Reply# 4 5/1/2013 at 10:18 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Did Singer make their uprights?* John and others, In short, YES, Singer DID make their uprights. At least this model anyway. The high dormer hood, and metal base was eventually used for their TOL Singer Golden Power-Master U-69 of about 1975. I have one so I know this as fact. The other slight difference was that their A frame handle was different, styled to look like the A frame handle of the then current Converto-Vac, which was a Westinghouse built and designed product to the best of my knowledge. Now I AM speculating a bit here, and operating off from heresay, but I DID hear along the way (of being a collector and sales/service person), that the Converto-Vac, while funky and different and over-engineered, was too (funky and different) for the customer. Not to mention it weighed a ton, and had (via- testing mags) "so so" cleaning performance. So (uht-oh), better come up with a "conventional" upright and QUICK. Also, that its possible that Singer had been frolicking with W-H before with their One Stroke Upright, that used a very early Singer-esque' twin fan desing also.... My best guess is that it would seem that Westinghouse after seeing that the Converto-Vac was NOT going to set the world on fire, and was in fact being more of a hindrance, and their other machines weren't putting much of a dent in the marketplace, decided NOT to drop alot of money again in the vacuum market. I mean they hadn't a chance of touching Hoover, let alone the others. And Westinghouse by this point wasn't doing too well as a home appliance manufacturer anyway... The vacuums were gone with the small-appliances by 1972, and the major ones by 1974. Clearly not the atmosphere for a whole new upright when there were plenty around for rebadging. So off they went to see the Singer people, and wham bam thank you ma'am you see what you see. Singer as most of you know wasn't at ALL embarrassed to private-label/ badge engineer for anyone. We all know about their Sears, Sunbeam, K-Mart's FLOR-GENIE and Lewyt clones. Well clearly they did it for Westy too. Bottom line, I have never seen one in 30+ years of vacuum watching, collecting, and industry working. Its a VERY VERY rare bird. I would dare say that this machine hails from at least 1967, as I have a catalog from 1966 which features to my knowledge the whole 1966 Westinghouse Vacuum Line. The two tone blue color scheme is there, for two cans and the lower end Converto-Vac are styled in it. This machine was absent form that page. That could have meant that it was simply a on spec machine that WH used to lure people into the showrooms, when the Converto-Vac or the canisters couldn't do so. At the very best it just wasnt heavily advertised. My thoughts... Chad

Post# 230793 , Reply# 5 5/1/2013 at 10:19 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Other than this one I have only seen in a 1967 Bennett's* Jimmy that would make sense. As my catalog is a Bennett Brothers from 1966. So Clearly it was out there, just not in my book!!!

Post# 230803 , Reply# 6 5/1/2013 at 11:44 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *A few shots for posterity...* As we do with other machines. Here are a few posterity shots of the machine.

Post# 230804 , Reply# 7 5/1/2013 at 11:46 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *A few Posterity shots* 2.

Post# 230805 , Reply# 8 5/1/2013 at 11:47 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *A few posterity shots* 3.

Post# 230867 , Reply# 11 5/1/2013 at 19:35 (4,005 days old) by chan55 (Green Bay, WI)
Checkrate/Likes *Singer* Wow! What some great info.I think Hamilton Beach took over some of Westinghouse's small appliances.For one their famous roaster-oven, I have my parents Westinghouse model from around 1950, still works! , I think they also took over their irons, the odd ball baconer, and their skillets. Maybe toasters too. HB had enough mixers and blenders so they left that alone. I have used a Westinghouse hand mixer, and it was very sturdy. They also made a strange can opener that pulled the lid off rather then cutting it. I wonder what happened to Westinghouse? they were a major company for a long time.

Post# 230891 , Reply# 12 5/1/2013 at 23:26 (4,005 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Westinghouse* I grew up in Mansfield, OH, where Westinghouse was a major industrial presence for 72 years. When I was a teenager one of my best friend's parents had that very upright. His Dad was a Westinghouse employee, and almost all of their appliances were Westinghouse. Although the Mansfield plant was the headquarters of the appliance division, electric fans and vacuum cleaners were made in another plant in Springfield, MA. At one time, ALL major Westinghouse appliances, and many of the smalls, were made in the Mansfield plant. Refrigerators and air conditioners were moved to a new plant in Columbus, OH in 1954, followed by dishwashers in 1956, and water heaters in 1957. The small appliance lines were moved to Byesville, OH in 1967, then sold to Hamilton Beach/Scoville in 1970. The Westinghouse major appliance division was sold to White Consolidated Industries in 1975, who also acquired Frigidaire in 1979, and in turn WCI was acquired by the Swedish A. B. Electrolux (who had previously bought the Tappan Co.) in 1986. Just four years later in 1990, all production at the Mansfield plant ceased and the plant was closed. I worked at the Mansfield plant for about 6 months in 1977, on the dryer floor. By that time, the only appliances made there were washers, dryers, and ranges, and the plant itself was officially called Mansfield Products Co., division of WCI. Jeff

Post# 230908 , Reply# 13 5/2/2013 at 09:34 (4,005 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Westinghouse* I also have the 1966 Bennetts catalog(found at flea mkt,1982) that was the first time I was aware that there had even been a Convertovac.As above no twin fan UR until the 1967 Bennetts catalog.After owning a vac store(90s to present)I have only had at most 3 customers that have mentioned needing WH service or supplies.Good vacs but very small market share. By coincidence one of my EBay vacs within 2 weeks will be the Golden Powermaster as above in great condition.Would you say this model is the best and brightest of the 'groovy' bags and colors?

Post# 230918 , Reply# 15 5/2/2013 at 10:23 (4,005 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *I worked at the Mansfield plant for about 6 months in 1977* Jeff, I forgot you told me that you worked for Westy back then. Thank you for clearing up the dates. If anyone should know this information, it would be you. I also remember us discussing the plant, and that they were tearing it down, and not to waste my time going down there from Luke's house at his mini-meet last fall. I had heard from someone, who I cant remember anyway that Westy stopped vacuums in 1972. And the story of the above TwinFan variant was chatted about in the same conversation. I was probably 19 or 20 then and have forgot the actuals. Hope we get to see each other again soon!!! Chad

Post# 230806 , Reply# 9 5/1/2013 at 11:48 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *A few Posterity shots* 4.

Post# 230809 , Reply# 10 5/1/2013 at 11:54 (4,006 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *AND the later Singer Golden Powermaster* This is my machine take a few years back at Kyle Krichbaums house. Note the same hood, with indentions pressed into it, the headlight of course, and the by then 5 position height adjustment lever, and cord-reel.... Same A fram handle design tho...

Post# 230914 , Reply# 14 5/2/2013 at 10:16 (4,005 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Would you say this model is the best and brightest of the &#* Jimmy, yeah the banana yellow color was possibly the most wild out of all Singers Vacuums up to that point. The Following model which was black, cream and chrome/aluminum accents, which I believe MoparHemiPower has; was their final real "Singer Company" vacuum line. After that it was PURE Ryobi from then on if what I have learned is correct. Chad

Post# 230956 , Reply# 16 5/2/2013 at 16:16 (4,005 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)
Checkrate/Likes *Let me tell you how BAD I wanted that Westinghouse...* I would if there was a word to describe it! XD Alas, The auction went on and someone else took her home, I wonder who...Perhaps a member of this site? As for now, I guess I'm lucky to have my Singer Golden Powermaster (The Cream and Black one Dirtmaster described above). The poor thing Isn't doing as well as it used to, The bag's zipper is in Dire need of repair, the Headlight lens exploded into two pieces, and then the Carbon-Brush exploded out of it's socket (Disconnecting itself from the copper cabling that connects to power). All theses faults have unfortunately rendered the singer to no-more than a beautiful show-piece. (W ould anyone PLEASE Have an extra carbon-brush, lens and possible bag?) Although this cleaner has her faults, It is one I am proud to own. -Alex.

Post# 231245 , Reply# 17 5/4/2013 at 23:13 (4,002 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Chad,* Yes, I hope we can see each other again soon too. Maybe when you get down this way we can run over to Mansfield, only about 15 miles from Galion, and I can show you what's left of the Westinghouse plant. There are actually 2 buildings still standing, not much compared to what it used to be. There is also a museum over there that has a nice Westinghouse display. Only one vacuum cleaner but they do have the famous Elektro robot that was built by Westinghouse in the late 30's. Jeff