Thread Number: 21520
A little recent project 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 240839   7/18/2013 at 21:10 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

I will go on record in saying that I like my dyson dc14's, not for their effectiveness, but because I enjoy using them and they tend to work well for me. However I have always found their ability to remove dirt from carpet to be a bit lethargic at best.

Now to offer a bit of history, I'm sure that many of our overseas friends are very familiar with the non-clutch versions of the dc07 and dc14, however over here we only got the non-clutch dc07's for a very short time and no non-clutch dc14's whatsoever. I did manage to track down a very sorry looking dc07 "carpet" model as they were called here, and when I got it back up and running I was very surprised to find how different it's performance was compared the standard clutch equipped dc07's and 14's. I figure it was down to the brush bar and I wished I could have used it as a daily driver, however there are still a few fragile parts which keep me from putting it to use. And considering how difficult to find they are anyway I wanted to preserve it for the collection.

Enter my first dc14, a few years ago the vacuum store for which I work we received an absolutely trashed dc14 animal. I believe it was used in a commercial setting as the bottom plate was worn to the point where the belt was rubbing against the floor, and the brush bar had no brushes left. Originally I thought it would be far too much work to restore (and I was right), but it grew on me seeing it everyday sitting sadly in the corner and decided to take on the challenge. Long story short after a long, expensive, but enjoyable restoration we had another derelict dc14 (I think from the same people) a later all floors model this time. This one was in a worse state than the last but it did have something I needed, a perfect (but dirty)cord where as my other ones cord had five inch long tears in it, not too safe if you ask me. So I took it too, switched the cords and threw it in storage.

Fast forward to about two or three months ago and my trusty dc14 animal has received fairly regular usage over the last couple years and has been quite reliable and nice to use despite it's yellowed, brittle plastic and all. Still one problem remained, it's udder inability to remove any clinging surface dirt from carpets the likes of which come from outside in droves by way of our dog. At the same time I was (and still am) weeding out my collection trying to get rid of the junk and of course that yellow junk pile came up once more.

The motor in the dc14 all floors was still good. And on top of that last year our shop became a dyson dealer and gained access to many more genuine dyson parts at better prices. And a fairly simple idea crossed my mind and got me exited.

Put together my own dc14 "carpet" I knew it would be an expense and a good bit of work, but out of all dysons I enjoy working on the dc14 the most (I will NEVER work on another dc17 again!)
There will be a lot of pictures on this thread.
Thanks for reading all this.
Scott

First, the before pictures...


Post# 240840 , Reply# 1   7/18/2013 at 21:11 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

the bin

Post# 240841 , Reply# 2   7/18/2013 at 21:12 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

inside the bin

Post# 240842 , Reply# 3   7/18/2013 at 21:12 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

filter

Post# 240843 , Reply# 4   7/18/2013 at 21:13 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

into the depths of soot

Post# 240844 , Reply# 5   7/18/2013 at 21:14 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

yuck

Post# 240845 , Reply# 6   7/18/2013 at 21:15 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

the bin was completely coated with sooty dirt

Post# 240846 , Reply# 7   7/18/2013 at 21:16 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

not too many brushes left, not to mention all the small front wheels were locked up

Post# 240847 , Reply# 8   7/18/2013 at 21:16 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

the pictures don't do the dirt and scratches justice

Post# 240848 , Reply# 9   7/18/2013 at 21:17 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

after a very intensive wash, here is the finished bin

Post# 240849 , Reply# 10   7/18/2013 at 21:18 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

old hepa filter

Post# 240850 , Reply# 11   7/18/2013 at 21:19 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

No wonder the clutch was bad, somehow a rubber band managed to work it's way inside!

Post# 240851 , Reply# 12   7/18/2013 at 21:20 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

a bit of a skip here as I forgot to take pictures.
Here is the machine almost done with the new cleaner head fitted.

Post# 240852 , Reply# 13   7/18/2013 at 21:21 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

New filters

Post# 240853 , Reply# 14   7/18/2013 at 21:22 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

Much better brush bar.

Post# 240854 , Reply# 15   7/18/2013 at 21:22 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

here's everything installed

Post# 240855 , Reply# 16   7/18/2013 at 21:25 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

The finished product. Despite the odd color scheme I am quite happy with it.
I cleaned the house with it for the first time today and it's grooming and cleaning performance was much better than my other dc14.

Post# 240856 , Reply# 17   7/18/2013 at 21:28 (3,933 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

For me this was a fun little project that had a nice result. I just wanted to share!
Scott

Post# 240881 , Reply# 18   7/19/2013 at 04:22 (3,932 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)        

gsheen's profile picture
I have done that too, Its fun to do things like this.

The blue and yellow go together really nicely

Post# 240883 , Reply# 19   7/19/2013 at 04:27 (3,932 days old) by thekirbylover (Warrington, cheshire )        
may I ask

 thekirbylover's profile picture
Why do some dc14's have backwards handles and some dont

Post# 240885 , Reply# 20   7/19/2013 at 04:34 (3,932 days old) by beko1987 (Stokenchurch, United Kingdom)        

Excellent result! Do like the DC14's, I used to have one before I gave it to the girlfriends Aunt, gettign abused daily I think and still working well.

Post# 240891 , Reply# 21   7/19/2013 at 06:01 (3,932 days old) by kirbyeureka95 ()        
in the vein of this post...

 I see you replaced the brushroll with a standard looking one, and I remembered that dyson still sells the brushbar and soleplate for the DC07 carpet (www.dyson.com/parts/b/brushbar-an...) - would this fit any DC07?

Post# 240908 , Reply# 22   7/19/2013 at 07:59 (3,932 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

I'm afraid that there are too many differences in design for the brush bar and soleplate kit to work with a normal dc07. And I think the dc14's with the backwards facing handle are newer versions.
Scott

Post# 240909 , Reply# 23   7/19/2013 at 08:13 (3,932 days old) by RootCyclone (East Midlands,UK.)        

Yay! Another DC14! I love them! My favourite Dyson model out of all of them :) I have a DC14 Animal model from 2006!

Post# 240914 , Reply# 24   7/19/2013 at 09:45 (3,932 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)        
I just had the pleasure

 jfalberti's profile picture

of replacing the clutch in a friends DC14 Animal.  First time I ever did it, but it came out well.  Next time (and I know there will be a next time because two of my friends have a DC07, and one has a DC14 All Floors) it should go easier.  I have a question.  Is it possible to get the old clutch rebuilt, so I can keep it on hand as a spare? 

 

As far as my Dyson experience,  my first was a DC07 All Floors, which I gifted to my best friend when I upgraded to a DC14.  I then bought a nearly new DC15 Animal off eBay, and gifted the DC14 to another friend.  I really like the DC15, and use it pretty frequently for quick cleanups.
Post# 246462 , Reply# 25   8/18/2013 at 19:51 (3,902 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        
Update

Good Lord! I've managed to fill the bin with barely a weeks worth of use! It usually takes around two weeks to fill my dc14 animal!

 

I really am pleased with the way this machine is performing, it seems to clean so much better than my other dysons I own and yet still has the nice easy to use feel of the dc14's.

 

I did encounter a little hitch though, occasionally during use a little rubbing sound can be heard due to the belt vibrating back and fourth on the shaft and sometimes rubbing against a part of the bottom plate. I have replaced the black bearing clips on the sides of the housing only to have a slight improvement. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Scott
Post# 246490 , Reply# 26   8/19/2013 at 06:35 (3,901 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)        

gsheen's profile picture
On clutch less dysons there is a metal plate that goes over the belt pulley side motor mount, You will need to get this.

Post# 246492 , Reply# 27   8/19/2013 at 07:11 (3,901 days old) by beko1987 (Stokenchurch, United Kingdom)        

I strip down clutches to their component form all the time, and yes you can replace all the parts individually if you keep enough scrap clutches for parts.

I have a few, on one the outer casing is cracked with good innards, the other the brushroll belt roller is screwed and everythign else works. Bit of swappage and jobs a goodun. I also put a drop of oil on each of the 3 ball bearings inside to keep it running sweet, and on the 2 bearings too. Quietens them down no end.

Just picked up a DC07 to rob it's motor and clutch, and the clutch is jammed, so hoping it will come back to life after a stripdown later tonight!

Post# 246605 , Reply# 28   8/19/2013 at 20:54 (3,901 days old) by singingrainbow (Texas)        

Gareth, Thank you so much! I would have never noticed that part on my own. I got one on order at work today and it normally takes about 10 days for our orders to arrive. In the mean time I will cease all use on my "dc14 carpet" until the proper part is installed.

Thanks again

Scott
Post# 246616 , Reply# 29   8/19/2013 at 22:29 (3,901 days old) by Vinvac (Dubuque IA)        

vinvac's profile picture
Great job Scott.

I just repaired DC14 for a co-worker. Filters were dirty, the cyclones were a mess. I am looking for a good used canister for her. She has total hard wood floors with area rugs. The Dyson just doesn't meet her needs.

Can't say I have any desire to own one. Clumsy to use and heavy. The weight surprised me....it was more awkward to use than any of my Kirby's. I tried vacuuming the stairs and gave up...those stretch hoses are useless.

It was a fun project to work on, this was my third Dyson repair. One was beyond much help. By the time I would have ordered the parts it would have been close to 200.00. They ended up buying a Sanitaire upright instead. So far they are happy with it.

They are all fun to play with and fun to watch the transformation when you find one in bad shape and make it look like new.







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