Kenmore Magicord "Sears Best"


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Thread Number: 5255
Kenmore Magicord "Sears Best"

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Post# 58570 1/18/2009 at 22:03 (5,568 days old) by filterqueen83 ()
Checkrate/Likes I finally got this today and gave it the pre spa treatment. I have had it for a while and just never got around to picking it up at my mothers house. I do have a few things to say, This must have been quite a nice model for its time and may have cost quite a bit. I have always wanted one as a can van With PN has always been a weakness for me. I find this odd cause when I was a kid all I ever wanted was an upright but that is off the point. I do think this machine is a bit fragile it has great suction and plenty of control for this suction, Such as a variable speed motor and suction control on the wand. I would love to have a new hose as this one has a few very minor cracks and thats about it. Does anyone know if it is rare or how many out there and also any pics of theres. Thanks

Post# 58572 , Reply# 1 1/18/2009 at 22:07 (5,568 days old) by filterqueen83 ()
Checkrate/Likes *second pic* See the Sears Best Sticker still there.

Post# 58575 , Reply# 2 1/18/2009 at 22:35 (5,568 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Really nice those and getting harder to find every year. Those darn Kenmore hoses of that era were terrible for splitting and cracking up by the handle. Use some silicone to patch the cracks if you're getting any splits. I'm still looking for the matching top of the line green Power Ease upright. I had the blue canister but it's gone to live with Chad. I've got the even earlier light green 2 speed model and I had the brown/tan model but that may have gone with Chad as well in my zeal to slim down on vacs. It's too bad they only used a cheap sticker to herald those vacs as Sears Best. There were usuall 3-4 models in the lineup: good, better and best with Sears Best having all the bells and whistles. The good model usually had no lid, shorter cord, one speed and/or less fancy power nozzle adjustments or no light on the power nozzle. And the power on/off foot pedal on the "good" models usually didn't extend from one side of the machine to the other.

Post# 58597 , Reply# 3 1/19/2009 at 10:23 (5,568 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *Good Machine!* I had this exact Kenmore for many years; it was a very good vacuum for what it was. Mine finally burned out its motor (I'd bought it at a thrift, so I have no idea what its history was prior to the time I got it), and I let it go, since I'd found a very nice Lux Diamond Jubilee by that time. Your machine should have a plastic tray to go on top of the canister; the tray fits into those little slots you can see at the sides of the woodgrain on top of the canister's lid. It was white plastic, and Sears called it a "tool garden." They're not easy to find, since many people didn't understand how to remove them or put them back on (you pressed down on it, and slid it towards the front of the machine), and broke the tabs. You might check with Sears Parts to see if by some miracle there is still some stock left. All your tools snap very neatly into the tray, and they're held in place by little "fingers" that won't let them fall out if you raise the canister's lid to change bags, etc. Your power nozzle has an early version of edge clean; there is a little red plastic brush under the power nozzle, at the edge of the unit. The little brush probably needs replacing by this time; Sears Parts still had them the last time I checked, which was a while back, admittedly. Hoses are still readily available for this generation of Sears vac. There are two filters for it; the big rectangular motor filter, and an afterfilter for the exhaust. I think you can still get those, too. Congrats on a nice find!

Post# 58608 , Reply# 4 1/19/2009 at 15:45 (5,568 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Sears Best PowerMate Vacuum.....* Matthew, I have several of these machines now, thanks to Pete who noted in his post that I have some of his castaways living now in my collection. My oldest is a 1974 version, complete with the earlier second series PowerMate beaterbar brush. The headlight hood and lens penthouse is a full inch and a half high. And it's only an 11 or MAAYBE 12 inch cleaning path also. The powerhead you have was the third incarnation introduced in 1975-76. This powerhead stayed around until 1982, with the introduction of the double brush, double beater bar 15 inch cleaning width style head, which would have been POwerMate incarnation number 4. I have a few shots, of the last SearsBEST Canister from that time frame, that used the same tank, hose, and everythng except the powerhead. I like mine alot, and it gets a fair amount of use.

Post# 58609 , Reply# 5 1/19/2009 at 15:47 (5,568 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Sears Best 1981-82* PIc # 2 The next year, Sears came out with their aerodynamic canisters, the more common Panasonic body machines we see today....

Post# 58610 , Reply# 6 1/19/2009 at 16:11 (5,568 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Last one* The whole shebang.... My hose is thankfully not screwed up. I keep it that way by coiling it up inside a large trashbag,when it's going into long storage. What I do is, after spraying down the hose with vacpolish, and lightly wiping it off leaving some vac polish on the hose, I coil it inside of the bag, and tie it shut. Doping this keeps the vinyl so soft and supple. Hence no cracks...and no hose damage. And this is quite important for me and my machine , for this model was the first Kenmroe to have a "fingertip switch control" to operate the cleaner. YOu could turn the Vacuum on, without powermate, and then the whole enchilada with the powermate on it the last position . So it has a three position switch you can kinda see right behind the suction control in the last picture. Becasue of it's fragility, I use it but not alot. I keep it excersized, but it wont be cleaning my whole place. And I have very good reason to not overuse it, becasue I have direct confirmation from the supplier that this hose is NLA!!

Post# 58620 , Reply# 7 1/19/2009 at 17:03 (5,568 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes I am trying to find a hose for one of these. Could anyone please find me one?

Post# 58623 , Reply# 8 1/19/2009 at 17:57 (5,568 days old) by methodistbill ()
Checkrate/Likes *Manufacturer?* Who was manufacturing this generation of vacuums for Sears? Thanks! Bill

Post# 58627 , Reply# 9 1/19/2009 at 18:48 (5,568 days old) by shag (Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Will putting vac polish on the hose keep it from turning yellow?

Post# 58629 , Reply# 10 1/19/2009 at 18:53 (5,568 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes Hello Matthew I had that one only mine was white and wood grain with a reddish brown rubber trim. loud machine but very powerful and I kinda miss it. I think I still have the hose but it is in need of work because it is torn in a couple of spots and is stiff. but all in all Very nice machine matt Mike

Post# 58636 , Reply# 11 1/19/2009 at 21:05 (5,567 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Who was manufacturing this generation of vacuums for Sears?* From everything I've read, and what I've heard, these machines were still being made by Whirlpool's left-over vacuum division at the time.... Up until the Panasonic years from about 1984 onward. Today, Panasonic, and I believe Dirt Devil make most of Sears current line of caca'... IT's well known then and now that Whirlpool was asked by Sears to buy out Birtman Electric Company of Chicago, sometime around 1957-58. Birtman had made all of Sears Vacuum Cleaners from the 1930's forward. Whirlpool was instructed by Sears to up the quality of , and get control of costs, manpower and so forth. Sears was obviously pleased with Whirlpool's performance elsewhere, and somehow hammered out a what was reffered to as a "hostile" takeover, and thus Whirlpool became a manufacturer of vacuum cleaners, amongst their major appliance lines. Whirlpool supposedly sold off "most" it's vacuum division during the early 1960's I believe during 1963-64, but kept producing the only the canister vacuum cleaners for Sears. The old school BEE Vac style uprights, were discontinued, in favor of the new Singer Twin-Fan made re-badged uprights that came along in 1965 or so. Everything else that was Birtman/Whirlpool made was thusly sold to David Oreck, who became VERY weathy and famous on the lightweight upright craze. The original Whirlpool 1000, and Sears "Featherweight??" ultralight uprights were the original forefathers from Birtman Electric-Whirlpool, direct to the current Oreck line. Honestly, Sears was known nationwide for their canisters by 1965 because of their well reguarded PowerMate vacuums in several different models. That helped Sears develop a stranglehold on a market that they had mostly to themselves during the 1960's and early 70's. They also had liberal credit terms, and their catalog, and their uprights during the same period...the Birtman-Whirlpools were just MUCH less well reguraded. Hence Sears, and Whirpool made their decision to farm that work out to Singer, and other minor manufacturers for their other vacuum items. For example most of Sears stickvacs were made for them by Regina for example.... The years may be slightly off here, and Some extra info from others may well fill in the gaps. In a strange twist of irony, Sears tapped their Birtman-Whirlpool arm again during the 1970's to create the Duo-Power or jokingly reffered to the Don't-Has-No-Power, to compete with the clean air Hoover Dialamatic's. IT was really overengineered, and in some cases underengineered depending on who you talk to. This was I'm 90% sure Birtman-Whirlpool's last new vacuum design before it was all sold later on as Panasonic took over. Chad Ann Arbor Michigan

Post# 58637 , Reply# 12 1/19/2009 at 21:28 (5,567 days old) by methodistbill ()
Checkrate/Likes *Great History Lesson* Thanks for the history lesson! I was an advertising major in college, so I've always been interested in marketing channels, re-branding, etc. Bill

Post# 58645 , Reply# 13 1/20/2009 at 06:03 (5,567 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes fantastic history on Kenmore. I never thought that dirt devil made todays junk. anyway I found a kenmore commercial vac at the good will for $5 that I could not pass up. it kind of looks and sounds a little like a Hoover Concept.

Post# 58647 , Reply# 14 1/20/2009 at 07:15 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Here the older version, with Magicord and two speed toggle switch located on the back not shown. The on/off switch is on the front under the hose connection point as usual. This ones in remarably good condition, no hose problems and the power cord is substantially and noticeably heavier duty than the models that followed.

Post# 58649 , Reply# 15 1/20/2009 at 07:30 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Here in my old vac room at our old house you can see the matching green Duo Power upright. This is/was the vac that somehow got lost in the move grrrrr.

Post# 58656 , Reply# 16 1/20/2009 at 09:26 (5,567 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *And Mike jogged my memory...* The Duo-Power was NOT the last machine by Birtman-Whirlpool. I'm glad I'm not a historian or I would have MANY angry reders......LOL The machine that you just found, was another Birtman-Whirlpool upright that was brought out around 1986-87, and was based as I was told very loosely on the current Hoover Concept One-Two, the design they were going after. So when you say it's sounds like a then current Concept, you are right on the money, cause that was exactly what they (Birtman-Whilpool) were going for. It had a Horizontal motor , quich attachment connector on one side, flat belt drive on the other, and a rigid dirt tube taking the dirt up into the bag. IIRC there were several models available, one being a Self-Propelled. There was also a soft bag, and rigid bag versions available too. This one the Commercial is an especially uncomon bird, becasue it was much more expensive than the regular household counterpart, an it's major difference from the standard one was the black color, and a three wire grounded cord.. Whirlpool, for whatever reason unknown to me, began producing vacuums again under their name. This "premier line" of Whirlpool vacuums starting about the same time as it was introduced by Sears. Mostly done in light choclate browns and beige's, this line aped the current Kenmore line haveing several canisters and several uprights, including a commercial. I remember that J.L. Hudson's, the american Hudson's, not Canada's Hudson's Bay, although you'd think they were related, (and maybe they were)....sold these machines exclusively thru their MarketPlace departments in their upscale department stores. I can especially remember the ads that Hudson's would do for the Whirlpools at MarketPlace. One that sticks out especially had the whole lineup of Whirlpool cleaners, taking up the entire page sometime around Chirtmas in 1989. I had that on my bedroom wall for YEARS. It's long gone now, god I wiwhs I could find it again. Anyhoo.... These Whirlpool vacuums were WAY more expensive, than what they were worth, and sold nowhere near as well as the Kenmore versions. By the early/mid 90's these Whirlpool, Whirlpool's were gone as well, as were the Kenmore versions. I believe that is when Whirlpool threw in the towel with vacuum cleaners period. ANd sold off or closed the Birtman arm, ending many tumultuous years as being under Sears thumb, and a forced into vacuum manufacturer. Of course they again quickly divested themselves of the Hoover brand almost as soon as thy had that company in their grasp, citing that they did not have the "moxie" so to speak to handle the vacuum cleaner buisness, and "were unsure of how to restore the lustre to the Hoover brand" so to speak.. Seems that Whirlpool had the final say as to what they think about the vacuum cleaner buisness... They don't wnat nothin to do with it... Chad Ann Arbor Michigan

Post# 58657 , Reply# 17 1/20/2009 at 09:31 (5,567 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Chad - thanks for the information. Quite interesting. Hi Matthew - Just as another bit of information. The plastic accessory tray that Sandy refers to was also designed so that it could sit inside the machine over the bag too as well as on top depending on what the customer wanted. Doug

Post# 58659 , Reply# 18 1/20/2009 at 09:57 (5,567 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *PETEK!!!!* Yeow- that is a machine I've been looking for, and looking for, and looking for. I know you'll probably never part with it, but if you should ever decide to find it a new home, I would greatly appreciate knowing that it's available.

Post# 58660 , Reply# 19 1/20/2009 at 10:00 (5,567 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *Petek:* Sorry - I didn't say which machine, did I? The blue Sears canister is the one I'm talking about. Ooh-la-la! Is that Powermate one of the ones with a cast-metal housing?

Post# 58664 , Reply# 20 1/20/2009 at 10:31 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Actually it's not blue, it's a very light green top and a grayish green darker bottom half. Are you thinking the darker blue model that looks identical to the green one in the original picture up top? Chad has that one. Here's the brown and tan one.

Post# 58665 , Reply# 21 1/20/2009 at 10:33 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Here's the power mate to the early green model it's metal and the wands are painted metal.

Post# 58671 , Reply# 22 1/20/2009 at 12:09 (5,567 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *Petek:* Blue or grey-green, I am drooling, LOL. I didn't think I'd ever see one of those early PowerMates again. They were sturdy beyond belief. I also once had one of the brown/tan machines you show; it was late '70s or early '80s. There's supposed to be a little flip-down lid to go over the tool tray, but it's usually missing, because the mounting tabs were prone to breaking off. I think I replaced mine like, three times or something. Very annoying, and it was otherwise a very good vacuum.

Post# 58672 , Reply# 23 1/20/2009 at 12:32 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes Yes those lids with the thin plastic hinges weren't too sturdy. Actually all of the plastic on those era Kenmores wasn't too good but then they are getting on in years which is why all metal is bestest LOL. The on/off pedals are prone to snapping, the lids as mentioned, the Duo Powers casing cracked and I noticed on others back at the time you saw them about that they were always cracking as well. For the moment greeny is gonna remain here as a lone Kenmore representative. The others have been culled from the herd. I'm getting to that point where even I'm acknowledging I can't have everything!!! But I've made a valiant effort cause it aint just vacuums at me casa.

Post# 58679 , Reply# 24 1/20/2009 at 15:05 (5,567 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes The Heavy Duty that Mike posted is the first vacuum that my sister bought from QVC It forget how much she paid for it but she had a brown plastic Convertible that she gave to our other sister and bought this one only because it came with a set of attachments. She used that vacuum from 1990 ( I believe)till about 2003 when the bearings started screaming. She loved that vacuum, then I gave her our grandmothers grey Riccar upright N2100 that she used and loved even more for a few months then I got it back (still have it) and sold her a brand new Electrolux Guardian that she will never part with. I want to find one of those Kenmore heavy duty machines so bag I can't stand it. It brings back so many memories of when I was a little kid use my big sisters vacuum. I have the grey self proppelled version of this but it's just not the same. I have a Sears catalog from Spring of 1991 that has these in it. The black Heavy Duty sold for $164.99, the self propelled sold for $299.99, and the awful cheaper black heavy duty with the twin fan system sold for $144.99. This also has the hoover electronic 1000, concept,convertibles, and many more cool vacuums in it. As soon as I get my scanner hooked up I will scan pictures of my catalogs. P.S thank you Chad for your info, I always enjoy reading your novels(lol) or um I mean your posts. You are full of important knowledge that we ALL appreciate and love. Thank you, Phillip

Post# 58683 , Reply# 25 1/20/2009 at 15:42 (5,567 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *Petek:* Yeah, the years do take a toll on plastics, but my problems with that tool compartment lid began when my machine was about a year old. So, it wasn't just advancing age, LOL.

Post# 58693 , Reply# 26 1/20/2009 at 16:25 (5,567 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *My novels....* "P.S thank you Chad for your info, I always enjoy reading your novels(lol) or um I mean your posts". When i first read that, I laughed otu loud, then I kinda was like "I wish I made money on them, the novels". LOL... I just hate to give too little information when I answer, and I just like the talking between all of us. I'm a talker and an informer I guess. I like to share what I've learned by many years of reading, and talking with others. I've had such a great opportunity to learn form many of the "elder statesmen" that have come and gone over the years. So I like to pass that info on. Chad

Post# 58695 , Reply# 27 1/20/2009 at 16:30 (5,567 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes thank you for the fascinating comments on the new machine if I get the registration form out soon I will bring it to convention this summer. however it is in need of the height adjusting wheels. the vacuum is in great condition and it sounds fabulous. however I cannot figure out how to get in to the belt chamber because the belt needs to be changed badly lol

Post# 58698 , Reply# 28 1/20/2009 at 16:43 (5,567 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes phillip here are pics of the under side

Post# 58699 , Reply# 29 1/20/2009 at 16:45 (5,567 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes pic 2

Post# 58705 , Reply# 30 1/20/2009 at 17:04 (5,567 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes I'll have to pay more attention to those Kenmore Heavy Duties because I didn't know there was more than one model. I've passed on quite a few of them just in the last year or so. I wouldn't mind a self-propelled one eventually.

Post# 58707 , Reply# 31 1/20/2009 at 17:11 (5,567 days old) by myvacsrock (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Self Propelled one?* I have that one that Chad gave me quite some time ago..geeze..almost a year? I'll take a pic and post, along with my NEW out of BOX Kenmore Duo Power. Will post later. Kyle

Post# 58750 , Reply# 32 1/20/2009 at 23:44 (5,566 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)
Checkrate/Likes I was just talking to my sister a few minutes ago and reminded her of this vacuum. She said ( oh I loved that vacuum) she remembered paying $150.00 for it on QVC and she said it had the best edge cleaning. She was sad on that day in 2002 when it died. Kinda like my Mom was very upset when her 1978 Eureka power team canister quit in 1989. My hole family like their vacuums. We figure that a vacuum is an everyday part of our lives and we need good ones and when they quit on us it's to bad. I told my sister that I have the self porpelled one and I thought she was going to throw money down for it rigt then and there. Uh sis it's NOT for sale. lol

Post# 58754 , Reply# 33 1/21/2009 at 06:00 (5,566 days old) by electroluxxxx (��)
Checkrate/Likes lol the kenmore actually needs a little bearing grease I will probably take care of it later on today or tomorrow

Post# 58812 , Reply# 34 1/22/2009 at 01:36 (5,565 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)
Checkrate/Likes *Hey Chad -* The "Whirlpool-Whirlpools" you mentioned from the late 80s were also carried by Macy's. I was living in San Francisco at the time and I know I kept the newspaper page showing the various models (like the ad you remember, it was almost a full page of the SF Chronicle). It might take me a week or two to dig it out, but I'll find it and post it. John L.

Post# 58814 , Reply# 35 1/22/2009 at 02:11 (5,565 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *"Whirlpool-Whirlpools"* Hi John, Gosh that would be very cool if you could do that. I kinda figured that more than Hudson's carried those machines, and wonder ever further if they were featured thru Whirlpool outlets that carried the major appliance lines. For example Town and Country Appliance, which was a family owned outfit, which had (since all of them long ago closed uner pressure from the big boxes); several stores around Lansing Michigan, and was a exclusive Whirlpool full line distributor, along with Speed Queen and Amana. I do not ever remember them having any vacuum cleaners of any brand, but wonder if possibly as a franchise of Whirlpool, and a service center for the big stuff, if they were bound to help out in the vacuum arena too??? As I wrote earlier, it just seemed that the "new" Whirlpool Floor Care line was kinda though of as an "elite" or higher end brand, and were more at the register, than their badge engineered Kenmore counterparts. I'll look forward to your post. Like I said, I remember that ad distinctly, and I've missed it for over a decade, since my folks have moved, and it just fell apart and tore when I tried to take it down out of my old bedroom. Thanks Chad Ann Arbor Michigan

Post# 58840 , Reply# 36 1/22/2009 at 12:00 (5,565 days old) by vacuumfreeeke ()
Checkrate/Likes I have a blue one (with a broken PN, wahhhh)... mine does have the attachment tray. Does yours have the attachment tray as well, Matt? If not, I can post pictures of mine. Of course you'll see it in person when we finally set up our mini-meet day of vacuum play.

Post# 58871 , Reply# 37 1/22/2009 at 18:43 (5,565 days old) by ge1969 (Jefferson, GA)
Checkrate/Likes Hey Matt! Here's my green TOL Kenmore like yours, with all tools and tray. They were a little loud but great vacs. Trg

Post# 58872 , Reply# 38 1/22/2009 at 18:46 (5,565 days old) by ge1969 (Jefferson, GA)
Checkrate/Likes Lastly, here's my older green Kenmore like the one posted earlier. It's still all original, though the hose is a little stiff. Anyone have any suggestions how to help with that? Later, Trg

Post# 58894 , Reply# 39 1/22/2009 at 21:29 (5,564 days old) by danemodsandy ()
Checkrate/Likes *Waaaah!* Toby - I want one! P.S.: Your carpet is great - I really like it. Very retro.

Post# 58897 , Reply# 40 1/22/2009 at 21:42 (5,564 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *Can I add another question to the Kenmore/Whirlpool discussi* When did Matsushita (National Panasonic) of Japan buy that Whirlpool plant in Tennessee that seems to have been making the Kenmores up until about a year or 2 ago? I hear that that Tennessee plant was closed and all Kenmores made by Matsushita are now made in Mexico. Can anyone fill us in on when this Japanese company entered the Kenmore scene?

Post# 58899 , Reply# 41 1/22/2009 at 21:57 (5,564 days old) by filterqueen83 ()
Checkrate/Likes *ge 69* that is perfect you have all the attachments. Maybe one day I will for now she is put away.

Post# 58903 , Reply# 42 1/23/2009 at 00:57 (5,564 days old) by rugmaster37 ()
Checkrate/Likes *When did Matsushita (National Panasonic) of Japan buy that W* Well, I'm amking an educated guess here, as I never have conversated with people about Kenmore post 1980's era. They aren't even still exciting to me, and I havent done ANY research at all. It does stands to reason that this may have happened sometime after 1983-1984, as this was the year that the new Panasonic bodied canister came online for Sears. These machines were still made under the Panasonic and Simplicity lines as well. The Simplicity machine was called the Simplicity Summit. BUT....that wouldn't make sense would it. My final guessestimate would be in the mid 1990's after Whirlpool was done with vacuum cleaners round 2, and the vacuum manufacturing fell completly to Panasonic as even the Singer built uprights were gone.... Someone may have to do some footwork to find out about this. There are several unanswered questions that I have mself... 1. When did Whirlpool stop using the original manufactuirng facility that used to be Birtman Electric in north Chicago Illinois? The plant is still there, as I found it awhile ago, and posted that in a fallen thread. 2. Why did Whirlpool even bother with a new vacuum cleaner line under it's own name during the 1980's and early 90's, when they clearly wanted out of the game during the early 1960's to begin with. And becasue Sears kept the pressure on them to continue vacuum manufacture of the canister line. 3. I was under the assumption that Whirlpool made all their canisters up in Chicago at the 4140 Fullerton Avenue Address, and was unaware that there was any plant in Tennessee. So now that that's in the works, maybe they used both, mayube they used just the southern plant after awhile who knows. I guess we'll either need to find someone who may have more information, or simply start finding out the 4 W's and an H. Chad Ann Arbor Michigan

Post# 58905 , Reply# 43 1/23/2009 at 05:19 (5,564 days old) by electroluxkirby ()
Checkrate/Likes I had Sears canister like green one but it was all white or ivory in 1984 or 85 complete with power nozzle. It was a great vacuum, excellent suction. I had it until 1993 or 1994 when a roommate stole it.

Post# 59079 , Reply# 44 1/25/2009 at 17:12 (5,562 days old) by petek (Ontario)
Checkrate/Likes I Youtubed the light green two speed canister. CLICK HERE TO GO TO petek's LINK

Post# 59080 , Reply# 45 1/25/2009 at 17:38 (5,562 days old) by eurekaprince (Montreal, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *I found the identical machine in Florida two years ago...* My parents were escaping the Canadian winter in 2007 with other "snowbirds" and they rented an apartment in Hallandale. The place had a Kenmore identical to the one shown in your video, Pete. My mom has gone down to Florida to stay for a few months in the same apartment, and I flew down for a week to help her get settled. Mom said she wanted me to get a replacement for "Kenny" because it was too hard for her to use. The instruction manual had a print date of 1969! The hose had cracked near the handle and I did not want anyone getting electrocuted, so I went out and got my mom a Hoover Tempo Widepath for $75 + tax at Best Buy (great machine, by the way). One of the best things about that late 1960's Kenmore is the crevice tool and the floor brush, believe it or not. I really think the designs for these two attachments are pure genius in that they are really well thought out. The design of the crevice tool allows you to lay it flat under furniture or between tight crevices, as the channel is positioned to one side of the tool. The floor brush must be the first ever to be designed with a centre bristle strip, allowing dirt to be taken up on the back-stroke as well as the forward stroke. I think Hoover later improved on this concept with the floor brushes they have sold in the last 2 decades. Brian

Post# 284260 , Reply# 46 6/12/2014 at 18:32 (3,598 days old) by DesertTortoise ()
Checkrate/Likes I love how these old Vacuumland threads keep popping up during web searches of parts for my little fleet of ancient Kenmore iron. I have exactly the same Kenmore 4.1 depicted above by rugmaster37. It has been ours since it was purchased new circa early 1980s and used by my mom for decades (my dad probably didn't rouch it after mom died). No one really gave it any love, yet it's still a fine vacuum with absolutely nothing wrong with it. I have cleaned it up, rebuilt the hose using the original ends and cuffs and bare vacuum hose stock from Sears. I have rebuilt the Powermate on it using current production parts for a Hayden Superpack. Other than the shape and color of the exterior plastic cover and headlight cover, the rest of that old Powermate is part for part identical to modern powermates from Panasonic, Hayden, Cen-Tek and several others. In fact, you can update these old Powermates with modern quiet motors, new style brush rollers and quiet serpentine belts. The lower housing has remained unchanged all these decades! All the manufacturer of these things does is put a silver adhesive data plate on the bottom for each different brand name. Absent the data plate there is no difference. I also have a couple of earlier specemins, including a Kenmore 3.9 on the same body as the 4.1 and an earlier model from the mid 70's with a green steel lower body and the tools tucked into a slot in the front of the lid. I put an Ametek Lamb 115923 motor in it (447 air watts, 122 cfm and 100.5" sealed water lift !) and little domed HEPA filter over the motor cover. This one sucks through a modern Hayden Superpack. A little hot rod! Unfortunatley the plastic flexible hinge on the lid just broke last weekend so I have to find a suitable piano hinge that clears the rubber gasket and figure a way to attach it that doesn't lose vacuum. I also have to reinforce the lid so it doesn't flex so much when it pulls a hard vacuum. Fun for a rainy winter weekend. All Kenmore products have a three number prefix that tells you who manufactured the product. If you look at the serial numbers of these vacuums, you will see the three number prefix is 116, the prefix for Matsushita Electric Manufacturing Company. They built Kenmore vacuums at one of several plants they owned in the US. Matsushita is the parent of Panasonic, the current manufacturer of Kenmore vacuums. The Matsushita name was retired a decade or so ago and the prefix on post Matsushita Panasonic machines is 568. I don't know that Whirlpool ever made a vacuum for Sears and certainly not these. These are all Matsushita/Panasonic machines. Oh yeah, you can rebuild old Kenmore hoses using modern hose stock and your cuffs and handle. Alternatively you can use modern Kenmore hoses for their central vacuum systems, but pay attention to the details of the handle and the other end for how the two prong plugs are situated. If you pay attention you can buy brand new hoses for these things from companies like MD Central Vacuum in Bakersfield CA of all places (home of the Buck Owens sound, lol).

Post# 284264 , Reply# 47 6/12/2014 at 19:32 (3,598 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool definitely made machines for Sears/Kenmore. Originally they were built by Birtman Electric, then Whirlpool took over. They made them up through the rounded body swivel hose machines that came out in 1984, and in 1991, the vacuum division went to Panasonic, shortly after the Whispertone was introduced. Whirlpool-made machines actually used the same 116 prefix as Panasonic did when they took over. They also kept the designs that Whirlpool had used, which continued until the original Whispertone body was done away with by Sears/Kenmore in about 2000-2001. That's when the "jellybean" styled machines came out (the original Progressive line came out around 1998). That's also about the time the last Ametek/Lamb motors were used. Now they all use small Chinese made motors such as Cip Cinderson Ltd or Panasonic.

Post# 284265 , Reply# 48 6/12/2014 at 19:33 (3,598 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Whirlpool definitely made machines for Sears/Kenmore. Originally they were built by Birtman Electric, then Whirlpool took over. They made them up through the rounded body swivel hose machines that came out in 1984, and in 1991, the vacuum division went to Panasonic, shortly after the Whispertone was introduced. Whirlpool-made machines actually used the same 116 prefix as Panasonic did when they took over. They also kept the designs that Whirlpool had used, which continued until the original Whispertone body was done away with by Sears/Kenmore in about 2000-2001. That's when the "jellybean" styled machines came out (the original Progressive line came out around 1998). That's also about the time the last Ametek/Lamb motors were used. Now they all use small Chinese made motors such as Cip Cinderson Ltd or Panasonic.

Post# 284401 , Reply# 49 6/13/2014 at 14:57 (3,597 days old) by DesertTortoise ()
Checkrate/Likes I have contacted Panasonic with the question of who made these vacuums with the 116 prefix. I'll let everyone know their answer. My vacuum repair source tells me they are Matsushita products. They were certainly manufacturing electronics in the US by the 1970's.

Post# 284402 , Reply# 50 6/13/2014 at 14:59 (3,597 days old) by DesertTortoise ()
Checkrate/Likes Btw rugmaster37, that 4.1 of yours is simply beautiful. Hang on to it because it's a keeper.

Post# 351502 , Reply# 51 5/4/2016 at 01:03 (2,906 days old) by Paul (USA)
Checkrate/Likes *Sears Source Codes* According to the partial source code chart below, Desert Tortoise was correct that the 116 prefix indicates Matsushita products rebadged by Sears. The link contains the entire list--at least to that point (I don't know how long ago it was made or updated). I would add that the list is incomplete according to another source, as I noticed one omission, 118-Corning, was not included; so there may be others. That other source was also incomplete in that it didn't list include the 116 code. Anyway, it appears that Matsushita vacuum cleaners were first manufactured for Sears in the 1960s (there is a current eBay listing of Model 116.29400 from that era). Interestingly, the prefix is stamped on the bottom of the canister but is not printed on the label. I noticed that on the Model 29781, as well. CLICK HERE TO GO TO Paul's LINK View Full Size

Post# 351529 , Reply# 52 5/4/2016 at 11:37 (2,906 days old) by dirtmaster37 (Ypsilanti, Michigan USA)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *Desert Tortoise was correct* Actually, he's not... The current information supplied by Sears is the just that. The Current information. Matsushita has been manufacturing canister vacuum cleaners with the 116. prefix since 1994 when the business was purchased from the Whirlpool corporation. This is a SEARCHABLE, proofed out tome of FACT based correct information that hopefully will put the subject to rest. Desert Tortoise was a member who consistently argued fact. Published, actual fact. To a point that he was asked to leave, and hasn't returned. Because he couldn't put it in the happy box. And not argue factual history. So, Production of Kenmore Vacuum cleaners began in a factory on Lake Street in the heart of Chicago. 600 Lake St, Chicago Illinois. There is ample information on such, and a search of google-maps bears this out. When Birtman began production for Sears Roebuck and Co, they were assigned the manufacturing prefix of 116. This also borne out on their smaller electrics as well. Birtman also made mixers, blenders, toasters and such for them. again simple google searching will born this out. Birtman, by the end of the 1930's moved to a large modern industrial complex at 4150 Fullerton Avenue. If you look on google maps, you will see a large complex flanked by a major rail line, and a semi circle rail-spur. Again, simple looking bears this out as being so. They still retained the 116. prefix. IN this document here : file:///C:/Users/Adel/Downloads/history_... ...In the 1957 category, it states that Birtman was discontinued in Chicago and moved to Minnesota St. Paul in 1957. This was completed in total by 1960. Sears and Whirlpool asked the Birtman factory to run off a three year supply of parts for all previous models, and then closed them down. Production was moved to Cottage Grove Minnesota, sometime fully, around 1960. It has been said by historians far more versed than "some" that Birtman employees, who had a VERY strong, and militant union; were told BY Whirlpool executives that they were loosing their jobs. Hence the move to Minnesota. This was a move by Whirlpool to consolidate their manufacturing bases closer together. Whirlpool also took over Seeger Refrigerator Company in St. Paul Minnesota around the same time as Birtman, but built a modern vacuum facility for the vacuum cleaners On Jamaica Rd, in Cottage Grove. The moment Whirlpool had majority stake in Birtman...it ceased to exsist, and NOW Whirlpool now owned the prefix 116. And would IN FULL until 1994. The Cottage Grove vacuum cleaner manufacturing facility was closed in 1984. So all the beloved Powermates from 1960-1984 were manufactured in this plant, along with the Duo-Powers, and other Whirlpool built machines. ALSO alongside of the Kenmores they built similar WHIRLPOOL badged machines. They were in production from 1958 thru at least 1967. There is documentation to prove this out too... Here is the news of the Cottage grove closing. news.google.com/newspapersQUESTI... Production was moved to Danville Kentucky to a lower cost, semi-idle factory there. Again to bust unions and make cheaper machines. This continued until the vacuum cleaner division was SOLD to Matsushita Electric in 1994. View the same document in the 1994 section. There is other information available to prove this out. file:///C:/Users/Adel/Downloads/history_... AFTER this. and only after did Matsushita become the owner of the 116. prefix. From there forward it was so. I haven't found the Danville plant, nor do i care to. This hopefully should help answer finally that 1. Desert Tortise isnt right. 2. Google is your friend. \| 3. Many people know this information and have consistently kept the story pretty straight. AND 4. Sears people can barely tie their shoes, run a business, or let alone count back proper change without an abacus. It's stands to reason, that most people who walk around in a daze up in Hoffman Estates Illinois couldn't give a frogs fat about proper history. Too many are still sewing their golden parachutes to use, when the final RED button is pressed. If you want factual history. It's ALL here in vacuum land. And it's all find-able to fact check if you do the homework. Chad

Post# 351594 , Reply# 53 5/5/2016 at 09:03 (2,905 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)
Checkrate/Likes *"The current information supplied by Sears is the just t* That's correct. I believe, back in the 30's and 40's, Sears was numbering vacuum cleaner models beginning with 116. It's just a prefix they used for vacuums. There were some not numbered that way, but most model numbers on vacuums began with 116....

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