Thread Number: 4527
Sunbeam Upright 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 50660   9/5/2008 at 14:16 (5,705 days old) by xraytech ()        

I just won this Sunbeam Deluxe Heavy Duty Upright.
I was wandering if anyone could tell me anything about these.
Also if anyone knows where I could find a replacement lens for the light I need one also.

Thanks
Sam

CLICK HERE TO GO TO xraytech's LINK on eBay


Post# 50675 , Reply# 1   9/5/2008 at 16:29 (5,705 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
One thing for certain...

 ..it sure is a pretty machine!

Post# 50678 , Reply# 2   9/5/2008 at 16:39 (5,705 days old) by rugmaster37 ()        
Sunbeam Upright....

 Hi Sam,

Looks like you got the younger sibling to the machine that I was able to obtain from David C. at the convention. I am 99% positive that mine came earlier. But then again I leave that 1% for error.

Our machines, were of course the badge enginnered way for Sunbeam Corporation, in order to have an upright vacuum cleaner without tooling one theirselves, to have one for sale. Of course Singer was happily supplying their machines to Sears as we know, along with the SCM Lewyt Corporation as there was a Lewyt Version also.

I'm unsure of when Sunbeams uprights came about, but my guess is around 1970 or so, and were gone by 1977-78. I have never seen one in any catalog after 1977 for that matter, and I'm going entirely by that process of elimination. Again they could have been offered longer but I seriously doubt it.

Your machine hails from 1974-75, and was featured in BEst catalogs amongst others. More expensive than comparable Eureka's and Hoover's; this machine retialed I believe for 89.95 I will check when I get home.

A few things. I would suggest taking off the hood off when you get it and do a complete vacuuming of the motor compartment. These machines were notorious fuzz and lint collectors in this area. As I have stated befoe this makes the motor run very hot, and can cause failure of the motor.

Check both bearings on the brushroll, and apply minor lubrication if needed. This roller should have sleeve bearings, and I have always applied a small drop of "Turbine Oil" to the sleeves. I have not had any unsavory results doing so so I make this suggestion. I would await some other advice given on this subject as certain people may suggest not to do this. again this is something that I have done only, and has nevr failed me thus far.

If your zipper is still looking lik it's in good shape, slowly pull it up and down when you get it to see if you have any issues with the zipper. On mine the Zipper faces the handle, and the zipper on the vey lower part of it, stated to drop teeth. I had to do an emergency zipperectomy, and stop the actual travel of the zipper, higher than original. You do not want an original bag that does not zip up and down. It ruins your machine if the bag is a bojack or not original. That does look to be the correct one for the time frame.

Also purchase the proper belt. I have used Oreck belts on them before, and did myself no favors. I usually now use a Hoover Elite belt, and that seems more pliable and stretchy. You will want to put little pressure on the brushroller bearings, and fan bearings. THey're of course irreplaceable, and unless you find a donor machine will make your life very hellish if they fail. Jeff P. or others may offer a more suitable replacement.

Essco advises to use a Hoover Elite belt so that's what I do now.

As for you finding a lens for said cleaner....well you either may have excellent luck and find one immediately, or you may have a better chance at getting hit by lightning, or winning the lottery. Becasue these machines were not common when new, and even moreso now, there is a chance you may never find one to replace it with. And the lens was exclusinve to Sunbeams model only.

That said I never thougth I would find a parts machine to replace the lens on my Singer Golden Powermaster. Yet a year after I got mine form another collector, one showed up in terrible shape, but had a perfect lens and brushroller. So do not give up.

I'm glad that you won it... You may wnat to check with Morrisons for a headlight lens. I know he has NOS rollers, as I purchased one for mine, but in all that digging, I never found a lens. Who knows, he may have one stuck somewhere in the far recesses of his place of buisness. In that place I wouldn't be suprised...

Good too see that you won it tho...

Chad

Post# 50679 , Reply# 3   9/5/2008 at 16:45 (5,705 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)        
Sunbeam

 truckerx's profile picture
I had a similar Sunbeam upright. If I am correct, I believe some of the Sunbeams shared the same chasis as the Singer Uprights of that age. You might check to see if it is a "Twin-Fan" model which might identify it as a Singer design.
Sears Kenmore Uprights of that age were Twin-Fan Singers as well.

Post# 50681 , Reply# 4   9/5/2008 at 16:51 (5,705 days old) by charles~richard ()        

Hmm, based on the proceeds of this auction, one hopes the seller's "upcomming [sic] property taxes" aren't very high (per the remark on his/her listing about needing to sell stuff to pay the taxes).

One also wonders what it is that compels some people to place "sob story" verbage on their listings. Do they really think people will be encouraged to bid if they tell about their need for a new artifical leg, a new house for Aunt Betty, or funding for their dog's sex change?!

Well, those who have deluded themselves into believing they can play on the sympathies of total strangers really don't know very much about human nature, do they.

I think eBay should be approached as a business in all aspects, including the listings. While it's okay to use polite humor where appropriate, one should not interject their personal lives into their listings any more than they would do so if they run a "hard space" retail store.

Can you imagine walking into a grocery store and seeing signs, "Tomatoes $2.59/lb - please purchase some to go toward my new kitchen floor!" "Canned corn 99¢. Your purchase will help me pay for my kid's new braces!"

Post# 50705 , Reply# 5   9/5/2008 at 23:59 (5,705 days old) by xraytech ()        

Chad,

Thank You for all of your information since I was hoping that you would see it because I figured that since you seem to have a great knowledge of the Singers and all of their rebadged uprights that you would be able to help. Also I was thinking of the beautiful green Sunbeam that you got at the convention when I was bidding on this. I still think that your model is mor attractive in it's color scheme than mine is. I also thought about Morrison's for trying to get a lens, It will give me an excuse to drive back to N. Canton very soon to get some parts( I also need a new handle for my Concept 1 which I know they have and some bulbs for my Decade 80) and to hopefully meet up with Tom A.
Thanks again for all of your Help.

Post# 50706 , Reply# 6   9/6/2008 at 00:06 (5,705 days old) by xraytech ()        

charlie,

You are hilarious with your comments about using pity to sucker people in, especially with the funds for my dog's sex change and the new prosthetic leg. Very funny.
This guy has had this pity party for himself in every auction he has had listed and none of his items have sold for over $30, so he isn't getting too far and his feedback was only 4 or 5. I did when I saw this I asked if he would end early for $30 thinking that since it is a rare find that it may go through the roof, he wanted $35 because he said that is what he had in the machine,so I decided to wait and see, I am glad I did because it saved me a bundle.
Unfortunately for people who try to use pity to get attention and money it dosen't work for me, I work as an x Ray tech in an Emergency room and I can see through people and can tell who truly has a problem and who is just using pity to get attention, money, or pain meds. It just dosen't work on me any more because I can see through the lies.

Post# 50709 , Reply# 7   9/6/2008 at 01:58 (5,705 days old) by rugmaster37 ()        
On Sunbeams....

 Sam,

There are no worries, and no thanks required. I'm glad that we got to meet at the convention finally. Most of the information that I have learned I learned from a great many people who reside or post right nere on this forum.

Yes I did do dome digging for information on my own, but you learn from those who knew before you. I owe alot to the elder statesmen of the club, and the old vacuum forums for what I "think" I know now. Some were correct with the information supplied, and some spun yarns for their amusememnt and my attention. I feel I know who's right and wrong 15 years on.

And you learn as you go. Until 2006 I never knew that Singer made machines for Lewyt for example.It took the wonderful site from Canada to teach me something I did not know. And until yesterday, when It was put out there to learn I was unaware that the Singer Systems wer ever sold thru Target.

We are all on a constant learning curve in this game of old vacuum cleaners.

In reguards to " pity-stories", I've heard several over the years from people bringing me their grandma's ratty old Hoover and wanting a small fortune from it. I usually listen to the whole thing and just explain that I wish to sav our mechanical history, andthat I will give it a good home if they so choose to leave it with me.

I've found that if you emphasize with them, and let them tell their story about Aunt Mabel's new w/ box 1205 Electrolux, sometimes after telling you their story and sharing something small with them in return, they will end up just guiving it to you. Something I learned from someone else along time ago.

Let them tell their story.

On the other hand, in certain cases many peole do not wish to hear "The Rest Of The Story", and in fact the story isn't all the great to listen to. I've heard both kinds so...

Glad you won it again. IT should work and clean well enought to use as a driver if you wish to, but I would just leave it as a "every now and then machine". Of course that is your choice what you wish to do.

Yours

Chad

Post# 50717 , Reply# 8   9/6/2008 at 07:56 (5,704 days old) by xraytech ()        

Chad,
I do plan as leaving the sunbeam as an occasional vacuum since we know it is impossible to get parts, I rotate between my decade 80 and my JCPenney convertible for daily drivers.
I did not know either that Singer made for Lewyt until you mentioned it on a past post and until I saw your sunbeam I didn't know they made sunbeams either, I thought they only had a rebadged model for Sears. It was nice to finally get to meet you also Chad.


Post# 51200 , Reply# 9   9/12/2008 at 00:30 (5,699 days old) by xraytech ()        

Well,

It finally arrived today sometime after I left for work. What a great suprise to trip over this box on my way to the door at midnight when I got home from work. got it assembled and look alright, needs to be cleaned up.

Also, Chad if you read this could you please give me a call this evening I have some questions about how to do a few things with this Sunbeam, I am not familiar with the Twin fan uprights.

Thanks,
Sam

Post# 51202 , Reply# 10   9/12/2008 at 01:12 (5,699 days old) by rugmaster37 ()        
could you please give me a call this evening....

 Sam,

Sorry I wasn't at the switchboard tonight. I was in Taylor, or south Detroit runing around watching my sisters little tornado's of FURY again. Sister Mary Smart Mouth, Mary Lou Retton and Dolly Parton. Kelsey, The sassy indignant 14 year old, the middle one Emily the 12 year old gymnast, and then Sidney the five year old who sings at all times.

They like to push uncle Chad's buttons. Will I ever be a good dad for real get's tested quite often when I'm there...usually one or twice a month.

You can call me anytime tomorrow. I do work, but can take personal calls as long as they are kept to a respectable minimum. And tommorow night I can talk as well, although I may be going out again.

Just let me know by calling my cell which you should have

Chad

Post# 51221 , Reply# 11   9/12/2008 at 08:57 (5,698 days old) by xraytech ()        

Ok, Thanks Chad I will call tomorrow afternoon, I work at 3:00 so it will be before 2:00. But I do believe I am an hour ahead of you so for you it will be by 1:00.


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