Author Topic: HOOVER 867A (Read 19481 times)

beko1987 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2015, 10:08:21 pm »

I have on very good authority (from the bloke who did it) that Miele motors fit into connies well!

MVacs · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2015, 05:04:42 am »

So I found a Constellation down in Essex a chap had advertised. £32 inc delivery with various tools, bags etc with it. It looks quite straight from the photos and runs. Doesn't seem a lot of money to tinker with a golden oldie.

beko1987 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2015, 08:23:58 am »

TBH even if the machines scrap a good hose and toolset will probably fetch that on the bay if you start it low on a 7 day listing, near unobtanium now!

Added bonus is the motor strips to component level so easy to re-grease the bearings and remove sticky old grease that impedes rotation, bags are super easy to get still. Filters can be upgraded by chopping up a heap-type vacuum bag to lay where the old filter once did too.

Have you seen the underside of the floor tool? Depending on which type it is there is a red 'noodle' strip that runs along the front that could be worn smooth, again unobtanium

I bought it's cousin, a Hoover 417g late last year which is lovely to use, although needs a mechanical stripdown, then a repaint in the summer when I can go out in the garden again!

MVacs · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2015, 09:03:29 am »

Depending what cosmetic condition this one is in, we may strip it down and have the metal bits powder coated in a fashionable retro colour.

beko1987 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2015, 01:14:04 pm »

You should paint it up like the Death Star...

Madrat · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2015, 01:56:26 pm »

I remember seeing one of those at my cousins house when I was a kid, I thought it was magic the way it glided, for years after I was convinced my cousin was a witch

MV Claire · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2015, 01:06:19 pm »

The one we have needs a cleaner head/floor tool. Anyone know about availability of them, a part number or have one?

Do these have a stair tool as well?

Halfie · « **Reply #22 on:** January 18, 2015, 08:16:02 pm »

Can't find our carpet tool at the mo ... but we have a mini-size one, which I presume is the stair tool. If I can put a photo on, here it is.

beko1987 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2015, 11:34:11 am »

The pips missing from that upholstry tool though, so it'll be forever falling out

I may have a worn but complete floor tool you can have, but it ont be for a while as I need to make one good one out of two for my 417g.

The floor tools are pretty rare nowadays tbh, you're probably more likely to obtain one in a container of spares from your sources than find one on ebay. You got any contacts who have been in the trade for 60+ years who may have a dusty few? They clean up nicely enough. The red lint strips always wear down though, as do the brushes.

MVacs · « **Reply #24 on:** January 19, 2015, 03:54:03 pm »

Quote from: beko1987 on January 19, 2015, 11:34:11 am

I may have a worn but complete floor tool you can have, but it ont be for a while as I need to make one good one out of two for my 417g.

Cheers. Are they metal or plastic?

Do any later Hoovers share a hose to body fitting?

beko1987 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 19, 2015, 04:08:18 pm »

Plastic housing with a metal soleplate. I can take a picture if you want. I have 2, one that has worn underneath bits and a good shell, one that has tape on the pivot and good underneath bits, I was going to make one good one out of both, and then one ok one. Ill prioritise this and let tou know the state of the one thats left, it will be useable anyway!

The constellation hose to machine adapter is unique to it too, however as luck has it I have a very manky one in the shed you can have foc to fit a house into!

MVacs · « **Reply #26 on:** January 19, 2015, 10:52:33 pm »

I've got a good hose as it goes, I was thinking of bringing some up to date for resale.

beko1987 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 20, 2015, 12:26:59 pm »

Hopefully you will do better than Hoover did when they relaunched it a few years ago!

Although in a classic case of beauracracy, they couldn't call it a Hoover Constellation as Candy UK had no right to the name, so it was launched as the Maytag (at the time their parent company) Sattelite. It didnt like the 1300w motor though, and the stupid floppy hose they used just pulled itself rigid when turned on, and they only sold it with a turbo brush!

An older one re-done would probably work better though!

MVacs · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2015, 11:24:39 pm »

Quote from: beko1987 on January 20, 2015, 12:26:59 pm

An older one re-done would probably work better though!

As an experiment, as we do with black Airblades, I was thinking of reworking the whole machine, new Miele (?) motor, up to date hose and fittings, and a powder coated base unit to make a new 'old' machine.

But I don't know what hose and head or which exact motor yet. Hoping for some guidance........