Opinions needed from the vacuum gurus

[veg-o-matic]

Since it looks like I'm not going to find a Dial-A-Matic any time soon, I kinda thought this would be a fun item.

I think I remember hearing that certain Kenmore vacs weren't very good, but I have a lousy memory.

Is this worth getting as a daily driver? Bags still available? Also, the seller says the bag cover doesn't want to stay on; is that a hugge problem?

I'll admit what really attracted me was the color!

veg

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[kevinpreston8]

Veg....

love that color too. I used to always call that "sewing machine blue" because it reminded me of the color of my mom's sewing machine and sewing kit. I also knew a lady in my "service station" days that had a Plymouth Valiant painted that color.

For the price you can't go wrong!

 

[urarachu]

I have a feeling....

That vacuum is going to sell for a fortune. That is a very rare vacuum cleaner. I am very curious to hear how it sounds, and if it cleans or pushes better than a Hoover dial-a-matic.

Wow what a fascinating vacuum!

 

[petek]

Hi Veg.. I have that vac since new..in green I think I posted pics of it before, the self propelled model. It's been a great vac BUT !!!!! BAGS NO LONGER AVAILABLE, here, but check with Sears in the US.. bag 5025 and 5026 work. Is that a self propelled model?

 

[hoover1060]

1978

Veg,
Thats a '78 model, and 2nd down from TOL. The Duo power was Sears' counter to the Hoover Dial a Matic, and pretty much the only other widely available clean air machine aside from the DAM.
I have often said people should save these machines as they are collectible and rare, certainly more so than the DAM.

I have been looking for a DAM for you too!

 

[irishwashguy]

This might be a longshot.........

There is this place in Regina,Sk that might have bags for that, and I am saying maybe.It is a big place.I love their website with the "Monkey loves you".You could always check them out. Or call Starks here in Portland. They also have everything under the sun---1-800-232-4101.I will put a link to Hillybillys site down here---

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[buffalo-joe]

Is someone looking for a DAM??

I have some decent ones that can be restored. Or I can clean one up if necessary. Drop me an email and tell me what DAM you have in mind. I have alot of 1140's (blue)and 1149's (green)along with a few u5015's (gold). I have other models, but I'm not sure of their condition without digging them out.

[email protected]

Joe in Buffalo, NY

PS: Patrick, if your viewing, I got your phone message and will get back to you a bit later.

 

[tolivac]

Veg-o-matic-very interesting KN vac-never seen one like that-very nice looking machine.

 

[tolivac]

I am now wondering if this Sears KN upright Clean air vac is the forerunner of todays Panasonic upright vacuums?If I have it straight-Panasonic took over the Whirlpool vac building operations. (they built vacs for Sears)Is the "scoop" on top of the vac head a headlight?I would wonder if Sharp-Panasonic P-2 (beleive thats the #) would fit this machine.If so could be put into service-everybody these days has bags for Sharp and Panasonic upright clean air vacs.

 

[Designgeek]

Since this seems to be getting into general questions, here's one:

What are some commonly-available vacs with two-speed motors? Makes and model numbers?, and anywhere I can find pictures of any of these?

Reason is, I have a Kenmore 116-4695 that's got a two-speed motor, it works well and only uses about 450 watts in the low-speed setting (e.g. for cleaning floors) and 750 watts in the high setting, compared to over 1,000 watts for normal vacs nowadays. It would be nice to track down more of the same or similar types for potential use on off-grid selfcontained power systems.

And/or it would be interesting to know about other vacs with single-speed motors and power consumption under 500 watts. Makes & model numbers & pictures if possible.

(Weird coincidence department: we had the same or darn similar model of Kenmore when I was a little kid, except it had a retractible cord whereas the one I have now doesn't, I just wind up the cord around the housing. Before which we had a Hoover Constellation, and after the Kenmore we got a Dial-a-Matic, and after that, the Compact.)

 

[petek]

These Duo Powers were a Westyinghouse design later sold to Panasonic for their clean air uprights. The TOL models have every conceivable feature too, retractable cord, headlight, edge cleaner , pile height adjustment, belt view window, and a change bag indicator. The brush roller is also adjustable by repositioning the rollers endcaps in the end cap holders on the bottom. The only slight negative I've found which is purely imho is the size and width of the base, it's very large compared to a DAM etc so the machine isn't the greatest for small spaces. BTW there's even a port on the base for the optional hose and wands.

 

[urarachu]

Does anyone know if it is quieter than the Hoover dial-a-matic???? I'd love to hear one run.

Which would you people (who have used them) say is the superior machine? Does it fix a lot of the bugs the dial-a-matic had????