Thread Number: 15180
GE Vacuum AVF - 801 - Some Questions |
[Down to Last] | ![]() |
Post# 161109   12/4/2011 at 19:47 (4,821 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() So Fred S. forwarded me an email he received from someone here in Chicago who is cleaning out his grandmothers house:
"Dear VACC,
I am cleaning my Chicago house and would like to find a good home for a late 1940s / early 1950s GE vacuum cleaner & accessories. The vacuum cleaner & accessories are free. Please see the attached images. Please pass this message along to anyone that may have an interest.
The vacuum cleaner can be picked up at the house, which is located on the NW side of Chicago, near the intersection of Irving Park Road (4000 N) and Austin Ave. (6000 W). The best time for me to meet would be anytime between Friday afternoon (12-2-2011) and Saturday morning (12-10-11). The vacuum cleaner, which was purchased new by my grandmother, seems too nice to place in the trash.
I will provide contact information to anyone that is interested.
Thanks,"
Well, I took a trip into the city yesterday to pick it up. Lovely gentleman. The machine has been sitting in the basement since his grandmother died - about 30 years. Pretty dirty, but under the dirt a very nice machine. Just gave everything a bath and waiting for it to dry. Two questions: I know there has been posted here a guy who rebristles old brushrolls. Any contact information would be appreciated. Also, how do I grease or oil this thing? It looks like one of the bearings is accessible from the back. Here is a picture sent to me. I'll post the "after" pictures this week.
![]() |
Post# 161110 , Reply# 1   12/4/2011 at 19:49 (4,821 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161115 , Reply# 2   12/4/2011 at 20:07 (4,821 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161120 , Reply# 3   12/4/2011 at 20:34 (4,821 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]()
Nice find! The rear bearing is a ball-bearing type and is sealed with grease. They usually go a long way before needing service. The Premier version of this cleaner is nearly identical. The gentleman who has re-bristled for me is in Youngstown, Ohio. ...trying to think of his name. Surely, some of the older members seeing this might be able to help you with that. I'll let you know if it comes to mind.
|
Post# 161121 , Reply# 4   12/4/2011 at 20:40 (4,821 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161129 , Reply# 5   12/4/2011 at 21:00 (4,821 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() "They usually go a long way before needing service." Well this old gal is at least 60 years old. Time for some bearing packing. I'll check with Duane Taylor in Mequon. I am sure he knows how to do it. I will definitely call O'Connors tomorrow and get the brush roll off to them. That being restored should put the machine in almost new condition. Grandmother had the sense to release the tension on the belt. Still flexible. Amazing. Thanks again.
Fred |
Post# 161130 , Reply# 6   12/4/2011 at 21:14 (4,821 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161148 , Reply# 7   12/5/2011 at 02:29 (4,821 days old) by buffster ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
Can't wait to see the refurbished result |
Post# 161259 , Reply# 9   12/5/2011 at 20:24 (4,820 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() Here she is after the initial cleaning. I am sure that some armor-all will fix up the base and bumper very nicely. The washed bag turned out like new. Plugged her in and turned on the switch - and nothing - na da. So the brush roll is going to Ohio (talked with the gentlemen today and he said to send it.) And the machine is going to Duane in Mequon (if he will have it!) to diagnose the problem. Hopefully just a stuck motor brush or loose connection. Thanks everyone for the calls and suggestions - including Dan P who offered up an adoption. I'll keep you apprised of our progress. ![]() |
Post# 161266 , Reply# 10   12/5/2011 at 21:52 (4,820 days old) by luxg ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
Fred, that bag looks like new!! and what did you do to polish that chrome hood? Just beautiful!!!
Terry |
Post# 161394 , Reply# 11   12/7/2011 at 07:51 (4,818 days old) by dial-a-nap ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161399 , Reply# 12   12/7/2011 at 08:39 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161400 , Reply# 13   12/7/2011 at 08:39 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161401 , Reply# 14   12/7/2011 at 08:41 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161402 , Reply# 15   12/7/2011 at 08:42 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161403 , Reply# 16   12/7/2011 at 08:43 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161404 , Reply# 17   12/7/2011 at 08:44 (4,818 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161418 , Reply# 18   12/7/2011 at 12:14 (4,818 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]()
Hi Fred,
Those are great brochures! Love it when you can assemble all the original stuff. As for the ball-bearing issue, Hans is right. God forbid you'd lose your balls! The balls are not contained in a race - they are in there loose. If the spindle turns freely, I'd leave it alone. ...remebering the old adage "If it ain't broke...." ...just a suggestion from past experience. Those GE's ball bearings rarely ever seize. Chances are there is still sufficient grease in the bearing, albeit slightly dryer than when fresh but sufficient. If there are no signs of leakage beyond the bearing seals - the grease would still be in there. Also, I thought the DOA diagnosis of stuck brush carbons was a good one. If you're handy and the brush caps are exposed, unscrew the caps, remove the spring and brush, lube the opening lightly with a shot of WD-40 and reassemble. It might be a simple fix that could get you up and running easily. Otherwise, I'd look for continuity between the plug, through the switch, and to the motor - really quite simple with a cheap ohm meter or test light. Glad you were able to contact O'Connor's in Youngstown. If memory serves, Mr.O'Connor was a club member at one time. He has a nice collection of old vacuums as well as vintage cars. His family has been in the vacuum business forever. He told me that his Dad taught him how to re-bristle brushes when he was young. I gave him an old Air-Way tank that he wanted the last time I was through there. That would have been in 2003 while in route to the Milwaukee Convention. That's it.. --Bernie Mehlbaum |
Post# 161491 , Reply# 19   12/8/2011 at 17:59 (4,817 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161494 , Reply# 20   12/8/2011 at 19:27 (4,817 days old) by HooverCelebrity (Germany)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
Yay!
So glad you were able to save the machine! I knew it looked like a beauty!
Here's your answer for getting service..... ![]() |
Post# 161499 , Reply# 21   12/8/2011 at 20:12 (4,817 days old) by compactelectra ![]() |
  | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161509 , Reply# 22   12/8/2011 at 21:50 (4,817 days old) by luxg ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
That would be so fun Fred!! I can only imagine... |
Post# 161511 , Reply# 23   12/8/2011 at 22:18 (4,817 days old) by truckerx (Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |
Post# 161538 , Reply# 25   12/9/2011 at 12:38 (4,816 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() very cool and timely information. I am currently on the December Grand Tour of a week or so, on my way to Syracuse for the weekend Annual Christmas Dinner at organ pal Rich's. From there I will be seeing Chis in Oneida and on Monday down to Greene NY to visit with Mike - electroluxxx.
On a hunch (and a twingle?) I removed and brought along the bristle-less brushroll that was in my otherwise excellent Premier upright I scored from Mark in St Louis.
If time and weather permits I hope to be able to get down to Scranton...er...Pittston, then over toward North Canton. Youngstown comes up just before Canton so...I will be dropping in at least.
Dave... stay tuned...and if you are located along that general route...message me.
|
Post# 161883 , Reply# 27   12/12/2011 at 20:16 (4,813 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
![]()      
![]() |