Thread Number: 43802  /  Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Hoover 541 Journey
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Post# 457043   9/24/2022 at 22:03 (551 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Let me start off by saying that this project would not have been possible without the help of Owen and Ray. Thank you two for everything you have contributed to this project.

A few weeks ago, I was informed by Ray during his visit to Owen's shop of a Hoover Model 541 on eBay that had been relisted since no one bought it. After being the only bidder at $29, I won it later that night and had Owen grab it for me since it was located in the city and I'm not a big fan of driving there.

Upon receiving the machine, Owen noticed the lack of a "rebristled" stamp on the brushroll which he thought was original but later found out it wasn't. Ray and I took the roller apart and discovered it did not have ball bearings used in 541 brushrolls meaning this must have came out of a 102 or 105 from what Ray told me. Thankfully, Ray came to the rescue with a rebristled unit that he had on hand and saved the day.

But that wasn't enough. Ray was VERY kind enough to provide a bag that he sewed himself along with some braided cord, a button plug, switch, belt, strain relief, and a homemade spreader since mine had an aftermarket bag with a spring.

The motor housing has been touched up at some point with textured paint which I don't really care for. I'm going to leave it as is since I will probably come across another one down the line and don't want to ruin this one.

Again, huge thank you to Ray for his knowledge and parts as well as Owen for grabbing it and letting me work on it in his shop with Ray.

Now for the before pictures!


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Post# 457044 , Reply# 1   9/24/2022 at 22:08 (551 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Here's me replacing the switch and wiring in the cord on Owen's bench with Ray's guidance.

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Post# 457045 , Reply# 2   9/24/2022 at 22:13 (551 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

For the finale, here's my machine next to Ray's original 541. It is a completely different machine than the state I received it in and I have no one to thank but Owen and Ray for their assistance and parts for this project.

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Post# 457055 , Reply# 3   9/26/2022 at 08:27 (549 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)        
WOW!!

vacmadman's profile picture
Nicely done indeed!!

Jim


Post# 457057 , Reply# 4   9/26/2022 at 10:43 (549 days old) by Dysonman1 (the county)        

dysonman1's profile picture
Ray is an awesome guy and a good friend. He has made bags for my very old Hoover’s, as well as re-bristled my brush rolls. So happy you got his help with your 541.

Post# 457058 , Reply# 5   9/26/2022 at 10:50 (549 days old) by 2011hoover700 (owosso michigan)        

2011hoover700's profile picture
Can I have Ray's contact information?
I thought if I need rebristling and I don't have time to do my own I'd have Ray help me.
Thanks.


Post# 457099 , Reply# 6   9/27/2022 at 20:48 (548 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Thank you for the kind words everyone! I think this machine bit me with the Hoover bug because now I want to start collecting the coffee-can style units and have a wall of them hahahaha.

Mike


Post# 457155 , Reply# 7   9/30/2022 at 02:55 (546 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Got bored and decided to take a chance at using paint stripper to remove the wrinkle finish as well as attempt to restore the previously painted over oiling instructions. Turned out quite well. You can see what wrinkle finish looked like in the 3rd and 4th photos.

Mike


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Post# 457171 , Reply# 8   9/30/2022 at 23:38 (545 days old) by repairman (Woodridge, IL)        

Now for the after. Yes. I'm aware that the ring between the top cap and motor base should be silver. I didn't strip the paint from there yet.

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Post# 457234 , Reply# 9   10/4/2022 at 11:18 (541 days old) by watsonw (Newport, Shropshire, UK)        
The sleeve bearings

.... how are they, although I have restored my 541 to a good standard the bearings are shot!!!

Regards, Walter, West Midlands area, ENGLAND, UK.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO watsonw's LINK


Post# 457236 , Reply# 10   10/4/2022 at 15:15 (541 days old) by bikerray (Middle Earth)        

bikerray's profile picture
Sleeve Bearings in the motor

There should be some vertical movement up and down, but there shouldn't be movement side to side.

It even states in the patent about the vertical movement of the armature. It talks about the center of the armature being below the center of the field coils. When the Field is energized it tends to raise the armature and thus take the load off of the shaft bearing sleeve of the armature.



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