Hoover Portable

[spiralactivator]

Today's $5 find: A '60s Hoover Portable canister vac. It's like a suitcase that opens up, with the hose and attachments stored inside. It works great, except the suction on the floor/rug nozzle seems a little weak...then again, I'm used to uprights. Anyone familiar with the Hoover Portable?

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Hoover Vac:

This sounds like the same Vac that I've got, as part of my Vac Collection. They called that "Box-Shaped" Vac a "Hat-Box" Vac. Is yours a 2-Tone Green or Gold/Yellow Color? Mine is the 2-Tone Green Color. Have you checked all of the Part's out? It might have something clogged in either the Rug/Floor Nozzle or even possibly in the Flex Hose or the Wands. Is it also possible that the Bag is full, not allowing proper Suction? If you have another Vac that has a Blower {no pun's intended} area, place the Flex Hose against the opening of the Hose of the other Vac and Blow any obstructions out, as well as seeing if you can take the Floor/Rug Brush apart to see if it might have something clogging an area of it that isn't visible, without taking it apart. If the Flex Hose isn't able to be disconnected from the Unit, then use the Suction of your other Vac to pull any obstruction's out of the Flex Hose. "Good-Luck" with getting the Vac operating good again.

Peace and Happy Vacuuming, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[petek]

I sort of remember those

Can you post a pic to jog the memory bank? I do remember the Porta Vacs that strapped over your shoulder,,,saw an older commercial model the other day in the same store I found the Kirby but had to make a choice, Kirby won.

 

[westytoploader]

Cool find, love the Hoover Portable "suitcase" machines, but weak rug nozzle suction?? I'd check it out a little further...Hoover canisters didn't vary that much between designs and were usually quite powerful compared to other brands. I had a 1970's Hoover Celebrity (flying saucer type that hovered across the floor; wish I kept it) and it would practically suck the rug up!!

These take Hoover Type J bags that are relatively easy to find on eBay (also used by the Slimline and Constellation). I think the bag most likely needs replacement; I'm not 100% positive but I think the bag compartment is under the tool storage. Check the hose and attachments for clogs as well, though I think that's not the problem. Hope this helps!

--Austin

 

[spiralactivator]

Sorry I can't post pics--no scanner. (I'm a Luddite) The vac is tan and grey, with a small caster and two large wheels. I've solved the problem of the floor nozzle. The "rug" setting is meant for shag, and since the carpet at my place is very low it was just riding over the pile. I set it on "floor," and it cleans fine. The bag is a little full, but it actually came with a package of Hoover J bags, so...no problem!