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Thread Number: 44567
/ Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Early Kenmore Deluxe |
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Post# 463485 5/31/2023 at 10:37 (323 days old) by VacMadMan  (Pueblo Co.) |
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I have this Kenmore Deluxe coming to my house soon. This Deluxe has no light and I don't know what year this Deluxe model came out. Maybe the armature will have the year stamped on it. It appears to be all original. Looking forward to restoring this old Vac and adding it to my collection.
Jim | ||
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Post# 463486 , Reply# 1 5/31/2023 at 11:44 (323 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Post restoration anticipation | ||
| Post# 463494 , Reply# 2 5/31/2023 at 19:37 (323 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
Beautiful old Kenmore! :)
Very nice Jim. Especially the bag, that looks nearly flawless.
As for the era it came from, I am gonna guess early '30's. It appears Birtman was trying to compete with the Hoover Coffee Can uprights and this was their clone of one. Based on the bag logo being so similar to the Kenmore Bugeye from '36 or so, and other Kenmore uprights from that time period which used that bag logo, my guess is this is the predecessor to those models. | ||
| Post# 463497 , Reply# 3 5/31/2023 at 22:36 (323 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
Anna | ||
| Post# 463502 , Reply# 4 6/1/2023 at 01:09 (323 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
Nice Find Jim!
And having seen your other restorations, I have no doubt that it will be absolutely beautiful when you're finished with it! As for the year, I'm guessing about 1935. I have a Sears Catalog from that year and I'm pretty sure it was in there. I can't get to it right now, or I'd look it up for you.
Jeff | ||
| Post# 463503 , Reply# 5 6/1/2023 at 06:15 (323 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.) | ||
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Wow Rick This is going to be great. I'm happy for both you and the Kenmore. I'm ready to admire yet another beauty coming out of your shop! | ||
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Post# 463505 , Reply# 6 6/1/2023 at 08:35 (322 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks so much | ||
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Post# 463510 , Reply# 7 6/1/2023 at 12:33 (322 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Post# 463645 , Reply# 8 6/6/2023 at 15:54 (317 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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It's been a good day
I decided to get started on this old Kenmore today. I cleaned all of this in my kitchen sink with soap and water some steel wool, and a little elbow grease. I haven't done any sanding or polishing yet.
I am very pleased with the overall condition of this Kenmore. The rubber trim, cord, and wheels are in like new condition. This vacuum was very well cared for or hardly used. The oxidation on the top of the nozzle and motor housing was very even in color, but only on the very top. it looked almost painted. Picture #3 shows the before. I'll look forward to heading out to the shop tomorrow. Side note: I don't know who Anna is, but I wonder how old she is today and what she would think of this so far? Jim | ||
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Post# 463649 , Reply# 9 6/6/2023 at 18:08 (317 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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| Post# 463656 , Reply# 10 6/7/2023 at 01:54 (317 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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| Post# 463658 , Reply# 11 6/7/2023 at 04:05 (317 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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Id | ||
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Post# 463660 , Reply# 12 6/7/2023 at 07:41 (316 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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I'm not sure
What to think about the finish on this old Kenmore. In the seller's picture #1 the finish doesn't look as dark as my pictures. The finish in picture #2 and #3 you can see on the sides of the motor housing, handle fork, and nozzle the aluminum showing.
The grey coloring is only on the very top of the parts. If this was painted what would cause this to happen? Again, it didn't look painted in the seller's pictures and if it was painted, I wouldn't have bought it. I have removed paint from aluminum before, and this one didn't come off like paint. What say you? I could use some feedback. Jim This post was last edited 06/07/2023 at 08:23 | ||
| Post# 463665 , Reply# 13 6/7/2023 at 10:35 (316 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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| Post# 463691 , Reply# 14 6/8/2023 at 01:27 (316 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Jim, I would guess that the color you found the Kenmore in was from a bad case of oxidization. Since the Kenmore was probably a bit cheaper than a Hoover Coffee Can was when sold new, Birtman may have used a aluminum that had other metals added to it that made it have a cheaper production cost. With the unfortunate result that it would oxidize quicker and worse than a Hoover Coffee Can would have.
I would polish it up, not paint it. The fact that you observed that it seemed no paint was coming off as you were doing the polishing process is ultimate proof it was likely never painted, just oxidized. And since it seems most Kenmore uprights produced by Birtman before 1940 you can find photos of online were not painted, I would assume unless we find some evidence otherwise that all their uprights from the 20s and 30s were polished metal. From what I have noticed online here and listings for Kenmore uprights sold online, it seems that it was only after 1945 that they started introducing painted models. BTW, since this was a clone of a Hoover Coffee Can, when you post the final pictures could you post one of what the brushroll & fan look like? I think it would be interesting to see how it compares to a Hoover Coffee Can. Looking forward to seeing the final result - I bet with how nice you will make this Kenmore look, you're gonna have a few club members here green with envy! :) | ||
| Post# 463692 , Reply# 15 6/8/2023 at 02:01 (316 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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| Post# 463693 , Reply# 16 6/8/2023 at 02:04 (316 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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Post# 463702 , Reply# 17 6/8/2023 at 09:22 (315 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks so much! | ||
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Post# 463713 , Reply# 18 6/8/2023 at 13:11 (315 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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She's coming along.
Kirbylux77,
Here are some pictures of what you asked for and a few more of her progress. Picture #1 are two Kenmore brushrolls the one on top is from a Kenmore I bought for parts and is made of wood the bottom one is from the Deluxe and is made of metal. Jim | ||
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Post# 463714 , Reply# 19 6/8/2023 at 13:15 (315 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Your Kenmore Deluxe is going to be beautiful with a shiny polish.
Within this thread and other Vacuumland threads, there are references to four Kenomore deco uprights from the mid- to late-1930s: Deluxe (without light) Deluxe (with light) Imperial (Bugeye) Automatic Imperial Were there other Kenmore uprights during this period, or was the Sears line of vacuums just lucky and limited to these four striking models? | ||
| Post# 463721 , Reply# 20 6/9/2023 at 01:41 (315 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
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Jim,
I got out my 1935 Sears Spring & Summer Catalog and your Kenmore Deluxe is indeed on page 526, and it is the top-of-the-line model! It was priced at $35.50 cash with your old cleaner or $39.00 and your old cleaner if you made payments. It was also referred to as the Famous Kenmore 39, and the other models on the page were the Kenmore 29 at $26.95 and your old cleaner and the Kenmore 19, which was a horizontal motor machine similar to an early Eureka, at $17.95 and your old cleaner. None of them made any mention of attachments but there was a hand vac on the page called the Kenmore Junior. I scanned the page and would have posted it here but my Scanner/printer wouldn't let me download it.
Jeff | ||
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Post# 463723 , Reply# 21 6/9/2023 at 08:02 (314 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks | ||
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Post# 463731 , Reply# 22 6/9/2023 at 13:29 (314 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Nice bag
I really got lucky with this one. The bag is in wonderful condition with no holes or dry rot. This bag should wash up nicely and hopefully bring back some of the color.
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| Post# 463741 , Reply# 23 6/10/2023 at 00:21 (314 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
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You're Welcome Jim! | ||
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Post# 463748 , Reply# 24 6/10/2023 at 11:00 (313 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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some before and after's
I still need to finish the handle and bag, but here is a few before and after's. I'll post more when she's done.
Jim | ||
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Post# 463749 , Reply# 25 6/10/2023 at 11:04 (313 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Post# 463750 , Reply# 26 6/10/2023 at 11:25 (313 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks | ||
| Post# 463783 , Reply# 27 6/11/2023 at 02:00 (313 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
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Excellent Work Jim! | ||
| Post# 463785 , Reply# 28 6/11/2023 at 04:40 (313 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana) | ||
 You did a great job! I too am never sure if a vacuum has painted metal or it's just centuries of oxidization to the metal. I think in your case it was just oxidization. Something to do with how they plated the metal or whatever. It looks like it survived in really good shape underneath as well. I'd nickname the vacuum "Anna" | ||
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Post# 463788 , Reply# 29 6/11/2023 at 10:34 (312 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Anna is all done
Again I got to say how lucky I was to get this Kenmore Deluxe. Everything on this old Kenmore is original except for the two rivets in the front holding the bumper in place. The bag cleaned up beautifully and is in like new condition.
Anna is a great addition to my collection. Jim | ||
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Post# 463791 , Reply# 30 6/11/2023 at 18:09 (312 days old) by JustJunque (Western MA) |
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| Post# 463797 , Reply# 31 6/12/2023 at 02:05 (312 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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Post# 463809 , Reply# 32 6/12/2023 at 15:07 (311 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Group shot
I thought I would share a group shot of the Kenmore's. I would like to thank everyone for your comments, Help and support.
Jim
View Full Size
This post was last edited 06/12/2023 at 16:22 | ||
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Post# 463810 , Reply# 33 6/12/2023 at 16:40 (311 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Great Kenmore Trio | ||
| Post# 463813 , Reply# 34 6/12/2023 at 22:10 (311 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah) | ||
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Nice | ||
| Post# 463817 , Reply# 35 6/13/2023 at 01:36 (311 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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| Post# 463837 , Reply# 36 6/14/2023 at 06:15 (310 days old) by kirbylux77 (London, Ontario, Canada) | ||
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Post# 463899 , Reply# 37 6/16/2023 at 13:27 (307 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks so much!
I would like to thank Jeff for sending me a copy of page 526 from the 1935 Sears catalog showing the Kenmore Deluxe. This will be wonderful to add to my records. Something interesting I noticed was the Kenmore model 19 looks just like my Apollo.
If I'm not mistaken the Kenmore's were made by the Brittman company for Sears. My Apollo was also made by Brittman, so I'm not surprised to see a Kenmore look alike. The story goes that if you bought 500 or more units from Brittman they would put your company name and logo on the vacuums badge and bag. My Apollo has serial number 735 on it. So I'm "guessing" that there were only 1000 Apollo's made, but who really knows. Side note: $35.95 in 1935 was equivalent to $798.06 today, and in 1935 an American consumer could purchase a new Ford "Deluxe" touring Sedan for $655.00 which is equal to $14,508.00 today. Thanks again Jeff! Jim This post was last edited 06/16/2023 at 14:24 | ||
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Post# 463907 , Reply# 38 6/16/2023 at 16:16 (307 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Question answered
When I first saw the bag for this Kenmore, I noticed a small line towards the bottom of the bag that looked out of place, and I wondered why it was there. After reading the Sears ad Jeff sent me, I got the simple answer. It's called the "Dust line" that shows when the bag should be emptied. I should have known...lol.
Jim | ||
| Post# 463912 , Reply# 39 6/16/2023 at 18:00 (307 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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I found this other higher end Apollo. I wonder if anyone got it?
www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bi... Birtman has been private labeling vacs since the 1910s. I have an old ad showing the same odd looking Birtman vac sold under 2 different names from around 1915. I'll have a look later. I'd LOVE to find either the 1930s handheld or upright Birtman "Magnetic" | ||
| Post# 463917 , Reply# 40 6/17/2023 at 02:31 (307 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
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You're Welcome Jim!
So glad to be able to help. And just remembered someone who might have even more info for you. Although I haven't seen any posts from him in a while, Steve Holvay, aka Beevac here in Vacuumland, is pretty much our resident expert on Kenmore and Birtman up until Birtman was bought out by Whirlpool. His email is sholvay52@aol.com. He could probably give you the years of production of your Kenmores and other helpful info. And yes, all three of your kenmores are absolutely beautiful!
Jeff | ||
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Post# 464017 , Reply# 41 6/20/2023 at 11:51 (303 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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You were right!
Hoover300
You were right when you said "Looks like you need the black trim automatic" I won that Automatic and it will be on the way here soon. I bought another Kenmore to complete my Automatic, witch came without a bag, and the original black handle grip was damaged as was the bumper trim as well. I'm looking forward to getting this I'm hoping the condition of the replacement parts are in good shape. Picture #1 is the Kenmore I used for parts with the Automatic. I will start a new thread about it when it arrives. I also have a 1935 Kenmore Jr. Deluxe on it's way. So I will have both the Kenmore Deluxe and the Jr. Deluxe as well. Jim | ||
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Post# 464019 , Reply# 42 6/20/2023 at 13:14 (303 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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This post has been removed by the member who posted it. | ||
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Post# 464022 , Reply# 43 6/20/2023 at 14:14 (303 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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This post has been removed by the member who posted it. | ||
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Post# 464023 , Reply# 44 6/20/2023 at 14:16 (303 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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| Post# 464025 , Reply# 45 6/20/2023 at 14:54 (303 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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Post# 464148 , Reply# 46 6/27/2023 at 12:04 (296 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Interesting find
After getting the copy of the 1935 Sears catalog page showing the Kenmore Deluxe from Jeff, I decided to buy a copy of the 1936 Sears spring/summer Catalog which also shows the Kenmore Deluxe as their top Vacuum model for that year.
I always thought the Kenmore Imperial came out in 1935, but it turns out that is not the case. Maybe it was 1937? If I can find a copy of the 1937 catalog for the right price I might pick it up and dig a little deeper. Pictured is the ad for the 1936 Deluxe. Jim | ||
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Post# 464216 , Reply# 47 6/30/2023 at 09:45 (293 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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1937 / 1938 Fall / Winter Sears Catalog | ||
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Post# 464238 , Reply# 48 7/1/2023 at 08:29 (292 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Thanks
Kevin,
Thanks for doing that...can't wait to see it. I just had a eBay seller send me the vacuum ad from the 1942 Sears spring/summer Catalog, and it was not what I was expecting to see. She said it was the only vacuum ad in that catalog. | ||
| Post# 464239 , Reply# 49 7/1/2023 at 09:41 (292 days old) by Rugsucker (Elizabethton TN) | ||
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1942 Franklin Supreme I have never seen or heard of that.I wonder if it was printed before Pearl Harbor when household manufacturing would soon be stopped. | ||
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Post# 464241 , Reply# 50 7/1/2023 at 10:01 (292 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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| Post# 464352 , Reply# 51 7/5/2023 at 21:52 (288 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky) | ||
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Post# 464371 , Reply# 52 7/6/2023 at 14:26 (287 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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1937 / 1938 Sears Fall/Winter catalog, page 1000
Here is the vacuum page from the Sears catalog.
I don't know much about vintage vacuums, but I'm guessing the Sears "Automatic" and the Sears "Imperial - Bugeye" must appear in the 1939 catalog?
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| Post# 464372 , Reply# 53 7/6/2023 at 15:20 (287 days old) by Hoover706 (Schererville, Indiana) | ||
Cool! Very cool! | ||
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Post# 464373 , Reply# 54 7/6/2023 at 15:47 (287 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Non-Electric Vacuum Cleaners in the 1937/1938 Sears Catalog
I overlooked these two non-electric vacuums in the Sears catalog on page 552.
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| Post# 464923 , Reply# 55 7/29/2023 at 20:48 (264 days old) by EmanM18 (Wabash, Indiana/ United States) | ||
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Removing motor Hi! I have one of these Kenmore Deluxe vacuums with the light and I was wondering how you get the motor off the base? I removed the 4 screws that appear to hold it down but the motor still doesn't seem to budge. I want to take the motor off to clean it and to repair the wires going to it. | ||
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Post# 464929 , Reply# 56 7/30/2023 at 10:06 (263 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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So cool!
Kevin,
Thanks so much for posting the Sears catalog page's now we know when the first Kenmore deluxe with a light came out. This is one of the models I would like to find. Kenmore had two different models with lights that I hope to add to my collection some day. Thanks again Kevin. Eli, You might need to pry it off with a screwdriver or try using a rubber mallet to tap around the motor cover to break it loose...good luck! Jim | ||
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Post# 464931 , Reply# 57 7/30/2023 at 10:48 (263 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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The final touch
I decided to give my Kenmore deluxe it's final touch by painting the bummer trim rivets black. I personally liked the way the rivets looked unpainted it gave it more of what I call the "pop" value, but originally the rivets were black so in the quest to keep it original I painted them.
Jim | ||
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Post# 464932 , Reply# 58 7/30/2023 at 11:22 (263 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Sears 1939 / 1940 Fall & Winter Cataglog, page 787 and 788
Here is a photo from the 1939 / 1940 Sears Catalog.
The top-of-the-line upright vacuum appears to be a Kenmore Automatic (I think).
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Post# 464934 , Reply# 59 7/30/2023 at 12:49 (263 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Kenmore Deluxe
Kevin,
Thanks for posting this. This is the 2nd Kenmore Deluxe that came with a light. You can see the deluxe name on the bag. This proves that the Automatic and the Imperial came out sometime in the 40's not the 30's like many believe. Good stuff thanks again Kevin. Jim This post was last edited 07/30/2023 at 13:15 | ||
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Post# 465068 , Reply# 60 8/3/2023 at 14:26 (259 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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1949 Kenmore's
I just received a 1949 Sears midseason spring book catalog, and these are the Kenmore's sold that year. This was the Kenmore I bought to use the handle and bag to complete my Automatic the first time.
Jim This post was last edited 08/03/2023 at 16:04 | ||
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Post# 465069 , Reply# 61 8/3/2023 at 14:42 (259 days old) by kwalsh97214 (Portland) |
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Post# 465072 , Reply# 62 8/3/2023 at 16:17 (259 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Kevin,
It wasn't called the Automatic. The Automatic is polished aluminum and has the Automatic name on the bag. I don't know what model it was. Pictured is my Automatic. This was a very basic model with no apparent height adjustment also pictured. Jim This post was last edited 08/03/2023 at 16:38 | ||
| Post# 465082 , Reply# 63 8/4/2023 at 01:51 (259 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
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Thank You Jim!
Thank you for posting the 1949 Sears Catalog pages! The $64.95 tank shown is the one I have, and my only Kenmore. Got it off ebay years ago then replaced some missing or broken parts from a donor vac and then got some of the missing attachments along with a Ken-Kart caddy from ebay. It brings memories as my parents had one of these when I was a kid that they used in the basement and to clean out the cars. Considering when they bought their first house, it would have been at least 6 years old when they bought it. Wish I had theirs, it had everything shown on the catalog page and the attachment box and instruction book. But I am glad to have the one I've got, always gives me a thrill to hear that distinctive prrrrrreeeeeeeeeennn sound when it's turned on! Here's a picture of mine.
Jeff
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Post# 465086 , Reply# 64 8/4/2023 at 09:17 (258 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Jeff,
Thanks for sharing, I hope to someday find the Sears catalog showing the Kenmore Imperial, and finally nail down what year it was released. So far It appears it wasn't in the 30's or the 40's. Could it be sometime in the 50's? I also would like to find out when the Automatic was released. I have heard that the Automatic was released the same year as the Imperial, and the Imperial was the top-of-the-line model, and the Automatic was the next model down of the same year. It seems to be a mystery at this point. I was always told the Imperial came out in 1935, but it seems now that's not the case. Thanks again. Jim | ||
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Post# 466203 , Reply# 67 9/15/2023 at 09:03 (216 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.) |
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Automatic
Stephen,
I don't think this model was called the Automatic deluxe Its the newer version of the Deluxe you can see on the add picture it says Deluxe on the bag, but I could be wrong. I hope to add this Deluxe to my collection someday, it's a very cool looking vac. Please post some pictures of your Deluxe here I would love to see it. Jim | ||
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