Fellow Vacuum Freeks:

[bobbyderegis]

Picked this Kenmore up at the thrift store this weekend for $14. Who made this for Kenmore? I am guessing Riccar. It is in mint condition, and is pretty good for a newer vac. I picked up one package of bags and a package of belts today, $16! Go figure.
Bobby in Boston

 

[andyelectrolux]

Bobby

That was made by Panasonic. It seems to me that was one of the first Kenmores of that style (Panasonic made,motor bypass, on-board tools). What's unique about this machine is that it actually has two motors. One for the suction, and one for the brushroll. The later incarnation reverted back to the standard one-motor system.

I remember when I was working at Sears in high school, the last run of the metal handle uprights (like yours but with one motor) were on closeout. We sold a TON them for $89.95, which was a really good deal compared to other uprights in that price range.

Congrats on your find!

 

[hoover1060]

Nice...

Hey Bobby,
That dates from the early 90's, made by Panasonic for Sears.
Those were decent cleaners, and its a two motor system.
I'd say you got a good deal!

 

[andyelectrolux]

Actually

I'm looking closer at the pic, and I don't see the "floor" setting on the height adjustment. This may be a one motor machine. But they did have one with two motors.

 

[petek]

Can't go wrong for 14 bucks.
Can you tell me if it has a port on the back for inserting a hose and also how the bag connects inside, pic if possible. Some Panasonics had a removable bag clip you put on the bag first them clipped into the machine, others just push the bag onto the the fitting inside.

 

[electroluxxxx]

all I know is that Panasonic also makes riccar and kenmore. they are very good and powerful machines

 

[andyelectrolux]

Riccar's are not made by Panasonic, though some of the earlier models were similar.

FYI, Panasonic is no longer contracted with Sears to make their machines. From what I understand, TTI is making their uprights and LG is doing the canisters. If you go to the Sears vacuum dept, you can see some of the new TTI stuff, and it definitely has the TTI (cheap) feel.

 

[gansky1]

Nice vac!

I have a similar Sears vac in black & gray colors. Bought it at a thrift store for $20. I took it over to a commercial office building we do and it's been put to hard use since September of last year and has only needed one belt & bags - it still runs perfectly. Mine is a two-motor version that also has a switch that shuts off the brushroll motor when you pull the hose out of the base-port on the back of the machine. Very good suction and a decent agitation.

The bags and belts are much cheaper through Hesco Inc. but they have a $25 minimum order so you need to plan your vac supply order all at once.

http://www.hescoinc.com/

 

[bobbyderegis]

Hey All!
Andy,it's a two motor machine. It does not have a "floor" setting. It should, as it would have been so easy to have a switch to turn off the brush roll. The brush roll motor does turn off when the hose is removed for above the floor cleaning. It sure is powerful, but a bit stiff to push and fairly heavy. Petek, I took some pics for you of the bag holder and the back attachment port. I don't know if it had a separate hose, as it has a door similar to the Panasonic Jet-Flo models.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Bag Compartment: There is no removeable holder, just press fit.
B in B

 

[andyelectrolux]

Very nice

Bobby, if you plan on using the machine regularly, spring for the Miele Z Bags, as you will get the great Intensiveclean Miele filtration and more airflow. If not, then regular bags would do fine.

 

[oldhouseman]

I miss

vacuum cleaners that were made of metal. I had a 1954 Kirby that I found at an estate sale for 20 bucks that was in mint condition. I loved that machine. My partner (still, 17 years now) didn't understand why I wanted to buy an "old" machine.

While I was at work a few months later he tossed my beloved Kirby and bought me a "New" vacuum cleaner. He could not understand why I was more than PI**** off. He thought he was doing me a favor.

I have a shop vac and a Dyson now (both gifts). I am in the market for a vintage Electrolux cannister.

I miss that Kirby.

 

[oldhouseman]

Has anyone noticed

how lots of marketing people now put that "5.1 5.2 9.0" marketing language on their products to try and impress people that they are keeping up with the computer age?

I wish they would leave computers and such to their own and stay in the home field.

 

[petek]

Here's what the Panasonic versions look like. The black one is pretty plain jane. On/off switch on the body, only a bag full indicator. The beige one has the brushroll on/off switch, bag gauge indicator, switch on handle and hi-low switch. Neither had on board tools. Panasonic didn't start adding those till the late 90's. Like Sears they offered different models in different colors with more features for more money. I don't think any of the Panasonics had height adjustments though like the Sears. It's possible the higher priced Sears had more features and auto adjustment.. don't have the catalogue to check.. Anyone?

 

[bobbyderegis]

Oldhousman:
I love the old metal Kirbys with the smaller nozzle. I would have killed the other half!
Andy:
I use the Sears Micro-filtration bags, and they are very good. The church has a Progressive canister that is about two years old. At first we used regular Sears bags and the filter was covered in crud after every use. Now we use the micro filtration bags as well and the filter stays perfectly clean. I don't think this machine will be a daily driver, it's too cumbersome to use.
Petek:
I love the Panasonic Jet-Flos. I have a commercial one that I love. They are quieter, lighter, and easier to push than the Sears, but they are not quite as powerful.
Bobby in Boston

 

[petek]

I have that very same red commercial model LOL but it's in pieces at the moment awaiting a new motor. Did you get the cloth bag with that one or are you using paper bags?

 

[bobbyderegis]

I use the paper bags Pete. I honestly didn't even know a cloth one existed.
Bobby in Boston

 

[petek]

yup, looks like this,, has a slide off plastic clip on the bottom for emptying.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Pete:
That's a neat bag. I wonder if they are still available. What the hell happened to your Commercial Jet-Flo?
Bobby in Boston

 

[andyelectrolux]

The cloth bags are still available. Great for commercial use.

 

[petek]

My Commercial I found at a thrift store but when I turned it on it the motor was making an ear piercing shrieking a la dried up bearings or somesuch so I've taken it apart awaiting a replacement motor to install in it.