Hoover Swingette

[gansky1]

We bought a Hoover Porta-Power in 1976 at the same time we got our Hoover Convertible upright. My mother wanted two rather than than the attachments for the upright and we were quite 'swept away' by the salesman removing the hose from the Porta-Power and sticking it to the wall with the suction holding it up. I've found many of these at estate sales and given them to friends and family. Terry used my '76 era Porta-Power when he was here for the convention and loved it - lots of power in a small package. I found another at an garage sale a block away yesterday, but instead of Porta-Power it says Swingette. This must be a fairly early model, but I've never seen it before.

Congrats Terry - you have a new Swingette!!

 

[fnelson487]

Congratulations Terry

The Swingette is the very first (or very early) Porta Power. These are great little machines that used the same motors and fans that the dial-a-matics used. There only drawback were their small bags. Great for above the floor cleaning with an upright. Jeff would know more about their history. Still sold in a commercial model.

Fred

 

[hoover1060]

Greg & Terry

Thats Swingette #2, model 409 I believe. Its colors are ceylon yellow and taupe. Its vintage is between 1972 and 1975.
The motor in those is the same as the Slimline/Portable canisters, and of course the Dial A Matic upright.
The wire tool holder is very RARE!
The Swingetter debuted in 1970 as model 404 in flamingo orange and seal griege medium.
Congrats Terry!

 

[westytoploader]

That is too cool! When you told me that the bag door was yellow over the phone, I thought it was going to be a "chocolate brown" machine; I think the taupe color looks much better! I'm not even going to comment on what the PortaPower looks like today. Oy.

 

[tlee618]

Hi All, I am really excited about my new Swingette. It sure doesn't look like it has been used much Thanks so much Greg. Jeff thanks for the information about the wire rack, very intereting. I had no idea that they had such a powerful motor in them either. I don't believe I have ever seen this model before. Fred, that is a really cute little "Pixie". It looks like it is in perfect shape. Terry

 

[petek]

Did the Porta Power also come in a model with wheels? Somehow I'm thinking it did or was it similar but a bit bigger. I have the Kenmore 75 version of this, a Kenmore Hand Vac, not made by Hoover though. I quite like it because you can use the hose with the wands, or just put the attachments right on the vac port as a hand vac, or attach the wands right to the vac and have a stick vac. Lots of suction too.

 

[maytagbear]

The similar Eureka

Mighty Mite has wheels, but to the best of my knowledge, the Hoover Swingette/Porta Power has never been wheeled.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[GESwivel]

Wheeled Hoover

Yes, you could find wheels on these Hoovers. There were two large rear wheels and a small, front, swivel wheel. There was a dolly that would attach to the bottom of the Portapower.

 

[toggleswitch]

Neat machine

Looks sorta like today's Oreck hand-held based on the hose hatch. Are they at all alike to a more trained eye?

 

[gansky1]

I've given away a couple of Porta-Power machines with wheels, I never really used one for too long though as I always liked the non-wheeled versions. There was (or is on the commercial?) a shoulder strap for a smart, stylish look your friends will envy!

 

[hoover1060]

Today's commercial Portapower

Today's model does come with a shoulder strap, as well as a 2nd strap that's used for storing the 8 mile long cord. I bought one new a couple of years ago, mainly to remove Jack's hair from the couch. It works ok, but the bag is too small and clogs fast.
Last summer I bought a Hoover Telios canister, also what I'd consider a compact. I LOVE the Telios, its light, powerful, and quiet. Two big features I really like are the cord reel and the variable speed. The tools are also nice and store on the machine. For quickie pickups, its a great machine!

 

[hoover1060]

OOPS... wheels

The wheels for the portapowers were only available for the top model, and they detached as previously mentioned.
These were available in the middle 80's, to make the Hoover more competitive with Eureka's Mighty Mite

 

[kenmore1978]

Wheels

I inherited my Porta Power from a deceased friend, and upon discovering in the manual that wheels were available, found a set at a local vac shop. I also got the optional cloth bag, which I use when I know there is going to be a lot of stuff to pick up, since it can be emptied. After a while, though, the pores in the cloth tend to clog, so then I have to use my Electrolux G to vacuum the inside of the cloth bag. The only other disadvantage is the same as my Kirby G4, the bags (Type N) are only available at vacuum cleaner shops, whereas the Electrolux bags are available virtually everywhere.