Thread Number: 14879
Fantom Wildcat
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Post# 157835   11/2/2011 at 22:23 (4,529 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        

I wasn't looking for a vacuum, and this was the last one I ever expected to see or buy, but I was at a thrift shop today and this guy followed me home. It was 20 bucks, and I think that's a bit much for one, but I think these are becoming rare because they are kind of fragile, so I got it. I loved the original Fantoms as a kid and convinced many people to buy them. I was sad when then went out of business, and I don't have any Fantoms in my collection except this one now.

I like the burnt orange color and it is really light weight. Not too loud, and not very powerful, but still a fun unique vacuum. I love the off set handle! It also has a bare floor feature and the brushroll doesn't engage when the handle is upright.... I think that is cool because those features weren't as common back then as they are are now. No height adjust, hepa filter, or headlight. I think it's from the late 90s if I remember right.... somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. The only filter is above the dirt bin (in a similar location to the one on the Dyson DC 14). It looks like it is made out of the same material as the filter on a stove hood vent fan! Is that right, or did someone bojack this thing?

I didn't set out to add a bagless plastivac to my collection, but with Fantom being out of business, I figured this was part of vacuum history, much like a Regina Housekeeper.

I like the shape of the handle release pedal and bare floor rocker.

Anyone know anything else about these? It didn't come with any attachments, but I am curious as to what the little twisty hook thing on the hose handle is... if anyone knows, please share with me.

I know this model was also sold in a green color, and later as the Westinghouse unplugged cordless upright.

It's harder to push than I thought it would be, given its weight and big back wheels, but that's probably due to a lack of height adjust. The brushroll for this thing still spins, but it's tiny! Does anyone know if belts are still available or what kind it takes, or if it had a permanent belt?

Thanks for any info!

By the way, the thrift shop had several vacuums to choose from today and not all of them were bad.... an original green Hoover Windtunnel bagged canister with power nozzle (I sold the blue one at Sears, this one was a hunter green that almost matched the original S/P W/T upright), a green Hoover Tempo looking upright (missing the handle cap, why does Hoover do that?), bagged as well, and a post Euro Pro takeover Fantom Twister looking upright in maroon. The also had the purple Kenmore Direct Drive bagged, and this is the one that I used to sell at Sears.... I love it and have wanted one for a while, but the cord had been replaced and the handle release was broken, so at 25 dollars, I passed it up. They aren't so rare that it would be impossible for me to find one in better condition for less money.

This of course is before the clean up.... I haven't started that yet.... it came from smokers or pet owners or something because there is a dreadful smell perfumed when it's running, so it will probably take several days of soaking to make an impression on that. I know I finally got my Dyson to stop smelling like dogs after several weeks.... I expect to have soaking Fantom Wildcat parts strewn all over the apartment for about the next week. I can't wait to take plastic polish to that dull power foot plastic housing!



Post# 157837 , Reply# 1   11/2/2011 at 22:27 (4,529 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
switches

switches

Post# 157839 , Reply# 2   11/2/2011 at 22:29 (4,529 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        

I've never seen one of those, it looks very cool. I love how the handle is off-center. I passed up a fury today because it was $10 and it didn't have any tools with it, plus I already have a fury. I have never seen a pre-europro fantom that wasn't black, either.

Post# 157840 , Reply# 3   11/2/2011 at 22:29 (4,529 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
this twisty thing

If anyone knows what this thing was originally intended for, I'd be ever so grateful. It can't be a quick release cord wrap, because the cord wraps are on the other side by the carry handle.

Post# 157842 , Reply# 4   11/2/2011 at 22:32 (4,529 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
back side

How fun is that pedal? Huge back wheels!

Post# 157844 , Reply# 5   11/2/2011 at 22:34 (4,529 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
last one

The brushroll.... the opening and brushroll are so small I don't know how it picks anything up but dust!

Post# 157845 , Reply# 6   11/2/2011 at 22:34 (4,529 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
I have the cordless version of this. The Westinghouse unplugged. I bought it new a long time ago and used it for a short while. I stored the battery pack out in the shed for a while and the vacuum in my closet. If the battery pack and charger still work fine would anyone care to buy one of these?

Post# 157856 , Reply# 7   11/2/2011 at 22:57 (4,529 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        

I might be interested in that


Post# 157857 , Reply# 8   11/2/2011 at 23:22 (4,529 days old) by twocvbloke ()        

Is that a vac for left-handed people? The handle shifted over to the left side (viewing from the rear) would get quite irritating for someone like me who's right-handed and stands to the vac's left... :S

It's a weird looking thing for sure...


Post# 157866 , Reply# 9   11/3/2011 at 01:24 (4,529 days old) by veroroger (Vero Beach, Florida)        
This is only a guess

But, could that be a runner? It appears to stick out far enough to match the position of the rear wheels allowing you to lay the vacuum down when using the tools and use it much like a cylinder vacuum.
Roger


Post# 157896 , Reply# 10   11/3/2011 at 11:19 (4,528 days old) by kenmore81 (Warwick, RI)        

kenmore81's profile picture

Neat. I had the Westinghouse Unplugged. It was ok for a battery vac, but my battery didn't hold a charge after about a year. IIRC the filter on mine was foam. Mabe the thing on the back is to "rest" the hose while using the attachments?


Post# 157915 , Reply# 11   11/3/2011 at 14:32 (4,528 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)        

vacman117's profile picture
The flip piece on the wand is actually a cord wrap that was used on some of the late Furys, as well as the Westinghouse Wired. I am guessing that they just used leftovers from other Fantoms for this one!

Chase


Post# 157944 , Reply# 12   11/3/2011 at 21:17 (4,528 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
Thanks guys

Thanks for chiming in guys. It appears that the belt is permanent from reviews.... and people hated this thing! I, however am really enjoying it. I cleaned the filter and washed the dirt bin and this thing has a TON of suction! At least as much as the Dyson DC 14 if not more. Now I wish it had attachments! Man, how I'd love to have a talk with the engineers who thought this thing up!

I used it around the apartment tonight, and it got up a lot more dirt than I expected it to! The bottom part below the flip traps is just packed with fine dust.... even with the extremely soft bristles on the tiny brushroll, this thing out cleaned my Dyson! I wonder if there are any other attachments that would fit this thing?

I wonder what 95 PPR means? I found another filter which I will picture below.... I know they are NLA so I'm going to have to deodorize it somehow. I wonder if this one is washable?

Here are some more pics... first a before of the power foot....


Post# 157945 , Reply# 13   11/3/2011 at 21:21 (4,528 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
after

After cleaning and plastic polish... it doesn't look very dramatic in the picture, but it really is much better in person.



Post# 157949 , Reply# 14   11/3/2011 at 21:31 (4,528 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
the filter

the filter that I was able to wash....

Post# 157951 , Reply# 15   11/3/2011 at 21:34 (4,528 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
The other filter

This is the other filter.... what I thought about doing is putting it in a bag with baking soda and/or borax and shaking it around and letting it sit for a week and then vacuuming it off with another vacuum.... or maybe I could use the filter from another vacuum and make it fit this one somehow...

Post# 157952 , Reply# 16   11/3/2011 at 21:40 (4,528 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        
The dirt....

This is the dirt that it got up with just one pass around the apartment..... such a fun vacuum!

Post# 157960 , Reply# 17   11/3/2011 at 22:51 (4,528 days old) by gmerkt (Edmonds WA)        

Well, I've had pretty good luck cleaning those element-type filters. From the picture, your filter looks pretty good. I've started with some that were just horrible, even to include semi-liquids that had been vacuumed up and then solidified.

Yours won't need this, but first I tap out as much as I can on something solid out of doors. Next, I blow it off/out with compressed air but not too much, say 35-40 pounds max. More pressure than that and you might blow it open/apart.

Next, I soak it in a solution of 50/50 bleach/water. Usually overnight. Then I rinse it off with clean water and let it dry. After this, the filter should be clean and smell good.

I clean a lot of those tall Hoover element filters for the bagless Windtunnels this way. Replacements are expensive, so thoroughly cleaning an existing one seems like a good choice.


Post# 158173 , Reply# 18   11/5/2011 at 23:50 (4,526 days old) by szymonrules (Philadelphia, PA )        
95 PPR

szymonrules's profile picture
Well, the 95 PPR means 95 Power Performance Ratio

Post# 158270 , Reply# 19   11/6/2011 at 19:19 (4,525 days old) by Vacuumfreeeke ()        

Thanks Symon, I would have had no way of knowing that!

I read the sticker and it said this thing is only 6 amps, which surprises me.... it's so loud compared to other 6 amp machines and just so freaking powerful!

I made a video if anyone's interested :o)


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