Thread Number: 24219
Constellation handle rebuild
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Post# 270974   3/9/2014 at 21:31 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Well I got this Constellation at a store called the Goodwill outlet a while ago. It works fine but unfortunately I didn't get there in time to save it from getting its handle broken. The Goodwill outlet is not like a regular store and things can get thrown around a bit. I was fortunate to find a big piece of the handle though. I've been looking for a replacement handle but am not holding out too much hope so I decided to fix the one I had in the meanwhile. I first glued a steel rod into the channel that is under the handle -- it fits in there tightly.

Post# 270977 , Reply# 1   3/9/2014 at 22:01 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

The front of the handle was broken above the screw, so in order to make it strong again I poured some fiberglass into the cavity there. I was a little worried this would melt the plastic but it didn't.

Post# 270978 , Reply# 2   3/9/2014 at 22:04 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

here is putting on some bondo to fill in that missing gap

Post# 270979 , Reply# 3   3/9/2014 at 22:06 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Here is that area sanded down. I am thinking there will form a stress crack there but it will be better than nothing. The handle feels real strong.

Post# 270980 , Reply# 4   3/9/2014 at 22:08 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Here it is primed with a thick coat of primer. I plan on wet sanding this a little with really fine sandpaper after it dries

Post# 270981 , Reply# 5   3/9/2014 at 22:14 (3,671 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Well, here it is painted with a light tan spray paint. I was able to finesse some of the imperfections out that were visible after the primer with just sandpaper. I am still on the lookout for a rusty non-working one that has the handle intact. But in all these years I have never seen one of these at an estate sale or thrift store, though they are on ebay and craigslist I know -- I don't want to part out a machine that is restorable though. BTW this machine was the one our family had when I was growing up, before my mom bought the Filter Queen she still uses today. Thanks for looking. Brian

Post# 271007 , Reply# 6   3/10/2014 at 09:36 (3,670 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
Looks good. Nice job

Post# 271013 , Reply# 7   3/10/2014 at 10:03 (3,670 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California)        
Like he said...

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
takes some patience, but it looks like it paid off.
Crazy to think how many great vacs are dumped every day.
I saw a room full of old but mostly still useable vacs at a local Aerus shop waiting for the scrap dealer to haul them away.
This is the step i afraid of taking, making an offer for such a lot. By weight i would guess about a dollar a vac tops using the $50-$100 an old car or truck typically brings at the crusher.


Post# 271049 , Reply# 8   3/10/2014 at 13:25 (3,670 days old) by beko1987 (Stokenchurch, United Kingdom)        

Wow that's a great repair! Is it strong or just for show?

Post# 271092 , Reply# 9   3/10/2014 at 16:55 (3,670 days old) by constellation86 (Roy, UT)        

Nice job! Looks great.

Post# 271202 , Reply# 10   3/10/2014 at 21:54 (3,670 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
WOW!!

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
Stellar restoration.


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