Thread Number: 2863
Dirt Devil Broom Vac
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 31376   2/10/2008 at 11:26 (5,891 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

My wonderful partner got me this a vacuum shop here in Irving. Part of my birthday present. It seems a bit loud any thoughts?

Post# 31403 , Reply# 1   2/10/2008 at 14:21 (5,891 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

arh1953's profile picture
I like it and I see you have one of your Elektrikbrooms with it. Is that strictly a floor Dirt Devil?

Post# 31408 , Reply# 2   2/10/2008 at 14:34 (5,891 days old) by lux1521 ()        

That one looks real nice! It looks like a newer one to me because of the bag pattern. What model is it? Does it have any rust? The ones I have run across have some awful rust issues around the base plate and brush roll bearings so I'd advise you not to let it get near too much moisture.

The broom vacs can be loud without having any issues but I would check the fan to make sure it is not broken and make sure the belt is tight. The motor might also need a good cleaning and a bit of oiling. I should warn you though that these motors are not repair friendly and if you decide to dig in to the motor I can post some pictures and tell you how it should be done.


Post# 31466 , Reply# 3   2/10/2008 at 20:20 (5,891 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

Hey that would be great.. Right now it doesn't get much use because as you can see I don't have any carpet.. *not much sense for someone who collects vacuum cleaners huh??? I would appreciate any help!

Post# 31467 , Reply# 4   2/10/2008 at 20:28 (5,890 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

PS it is a model DB720

Post# 31472 , Reply# 5   2/10/2008 at 20:57 (5,890 days old) by lux1521 ()        

I'll take some pictures monday. For now I'll just give you a general overview of the disasembly procedure.

Small Dirt Devils tend to come in halfs. The side with the screw holes is the empty half. The other half supports the motor, switch, and wiring. To begin, you need to remove the 2 screws that hold the base plate in place. Then remove all of the screws on the left (I think) side of the machine. At this point you might want to carefully remove half of the Dirt Devil sticker on the top of the vacuum. If you want you can cut it in half where the two sides split. Then you can take one side of the machine off. This will expose most everything, including the motor, fan, stone shield, and handle support parts. From here you can inspect for fan damage. This is as far as an inexperienced person should go before things start to get tricky. I'll explain about motor stuff later.

Just for reference this model takes Dirt Devil style 2 belts and type E paper bags. Broom vacs did have attachment kits available but they are rare now. You can use Dirt Devil hand vac attachments if you don't mind a 3 foot hose. You can check on ebay for the attachments and I recomend totalvac.com for bags and belts.



Post# 31500 , Reply# 6   2/11/2008 at 00:11 (5,890 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

Thanks! PS it has no rust..

Post# 31524 , Reply# 7   2/11/2008 at 08:34 (5,890 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Piece of advice!

thunderhexed's profile picture
I had one of those Broom vacs at one time and I had it in the shop twice to have the switch replaced. Go easy on the switch! They are fragile! The third time it went out, it was beyond repair and I had to trash it :(. I bought mine brand new and it was pretty loud right out of the box too.

Post# 31531 , Reply# 8   2/11/2008 at 10:23 (5,890 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
I've got one of those!

But the pattern on my machine's bag is different...

I got it brand new, back around maybe.. 1992/1993 or so?

I always liked how tiny it was... I used the hell out of it for quite a while, then just haven't touched it much since. But, oh, I wanted one of those in the WoRsT way! I somehow convinced my parents to get me one. :) I, too, had trouble with the switch. My grandfather, who was somewhat mechanically inclined, "helped me" take it apart and fix it. There was a loose wire, if I remember correctly. But, I haven't had a problem with it since-- although, I haven't used it with any regularity of course. Maybe I'll pull it out and give it a run one of these days.

~Fred


Post# 31564 , Reply# 9   2/11/2008 at 14:46 (5,890 days old) by lux1521 ()        
Switches

The Dirt Devil broom vacs used two different switches, one was a pushbutton and the other was a small rocker switch. I would assume that it is the pushbutton switch that causes trouble.

Post# 31588 , Reply# 10   2/11/2008 at 15:15 (5,890 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

Mine has the rocker switch..

Post# 31591 , Reply# 11   2/11/2008 at 15:53 (5,890 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
switch

thunderhexed's profile picture
mine was the push button switch.. my broom vac was one of the first made as it didn't have the adjustable handle and it had the smaller bag on it.

Post# 31851 , Reply# 12   2/13/2008 at 17:06 (5,888 days old) by ericaustin (Dallas, TX)        

I got the DD for 25.00 from a lady at a vacuum shop!

Post# 37501 , Reply# 13   4/8/2008 at 21:58 (5,832 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
burning smell

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I dated someone who had one of those Dirt Devils. I used it. The other day,
i got one . turned it on. There is a TERRIBLE burninng smell. It lasted for hours. This might be just "art". As ye know, I'm HOOVER all the way. I also have a tall-bag, 2 toned handivac, not as bad, but a 'smell". I liked those handivacs AND have 10 Pixies.... am I nuts?
Be kind


Post# 37517 , Reply# 14   4/9/2008 at 04:46 (5,832 days old) by arh1953 ( River Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida)        

arh1953's profile picture
Anybody with 10 Pixies can't be all bad!

Post# 37534 , Reply# 15   4/9/2008 at 13:50 (5,832 days old) by louvac (A)        

The Dirt Devil Broom Vac came in blue, also. If I get some spare time (Ha! What's that?) I will scan a spec sheet and post it. I would love to find that model as it would be more "rare"! I do have an attachment set brand new in a box unopened for my red model.

These machines are quite loud. They work well, however, one would have the tendency to believe that these machines should have the same motor as the hand-held Dirt Devil, but that is not the case.

Louis


Post# 37536 , Reply# 16   4/9/2008 at 13:57 (5,832 days old) by louvac (A)        

John,

I believe in collecting what you like, even if it means doubles! That's what makes the club interesting. I have five Kirby Tradition models and only two of them are exactly alike. The other three are different and distinct in more than one way from each other. And besides, if it's blue...I gotta have it! Don't ask why. I simply don't know why. Does that make me nuts? Ahh..go ahead and say it...I have think Italian skin! LOL

Luigi!

Louis


Post# 37548 , Reply# 17   4/9/2008 at 16:54 (5,832 days old) by lux1521 ()        

As a Royal-Dirt Devil broom vac and hand vac collector, I would love to see the spec sheet for the blue model. I am also aware of a black model but have never seen one.

I have the blue hand vac that would match it, and have seen many of those but the broom vacs are far rarer overall. These days you would be lucky to find a red one in good shape.

The motor is the same design as the hand vac but more powerful on most occasions. Later hand vac models have the same power as some broom vacs at the 3 amp level.

By the way, does anyone have a spare brush roll sitting around? I could use one.


Post# 37566 , Reply# 18   4/9/2008 at 20:53 (5,832 days old) by louvac (A)        

Here ya go boys!

Enjoy.


Post# 37567 , Reply# 19   4/9/2008 at 20:54 (5,832 days old) by louvac (A)        

another...

Post# 37569 , Reply# 20   4/9/2008 at 20:57 (5,832 days old) by louvac (A)        

yet another....

Post# 37571 , Reply# 21   4/9/2008 at 21:19 (5,832 days old) by lux1521 ()        

Well, I'll take one of each! Those things are slick looking. This also poses a problem because I thought there was little difference between the 733 and 737 and now I realize there is a big difference. Now I have one more rare Dirt Devil I need to find. Great! I also never knew about a pro series stick vac so I'll have to keep an eye out for all of those too.

As far as Dirt Devil spec sheets, if you have any more I'd love to see any and all that you have. Since you seem to be a great resource with this paperwork, you woulden't happen to have spec sheets on Royal metal hand vacs from that time period, or any time period for that matter? I'd love to see one of those.


Post# 37573 , Reply# 22   4/9/2008 at 21:30 (5,831 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
burning???

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
should I look into repairing? It IS cute. sad reminders of an X in Jersey, but............... And, by the way, I live in a VERY Italian town. I LOVE Italians, well, some more than others. And, I have "doubles" of about 15 HOOVERS, plus the 10 Pixies. Thanks for the encouragement. John

Post# 37596 , Reply# 23   4/10/2008 at 05:14 (5,831 days old) by petek (Ontario)        

I used to run across those red ones all the time at thrift stores back in Calgary. I had the stick vac with the triangular nozzle for awhile but gave it away. It was way too screaming loud for me

Post# 38171 , Reply# 24   4/19/2008 at 22:31 (5,821 days old) by camelotshadow (Valley Village)        
Too Loud

I have a later model red Bagless w hepa filter 12 amp stick vaC
SMALL pick up capacity
its holds less than a cup


think its going to be donated


Post# 40486 , Reply# 25   5/15/2008 at 17:07 (5,796 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
WOW!!!!

Those are awesome! I've always wanted one, you lucky duck!

Post# 40559 , Reply# 26   5/16/2008 at 23:22 (5,794 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        

aeoliandave's profile picture
There's something about Flaming Red Dirt Devils that makes me see red. So I was happy to drag home this blue bagged one with the heart shaped corner brushless nozzle. Kinda cute in a kangaroo way. :-) On the backside are slots & holders for crevice tool, upholstery brush, dusting brush and wand extension. All I have is the wand.

Another of the free curbside gleans from Thorndale, a Dirt Devil Swivel Glide Platinum with rear casters rather than straight wheels, it's up and running again.

When I was at Ellison's Vac shop this aft Bill had one just like it in for repair...

The suction through the brushroll and bag chamber are fantastic. But there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for diverting full suction mainly to the hose when it is wanted and used with the tools (like Hoovers with the plug-n hose or a sliding door across the brushroll inlet on Cleaning Tools setting). Because of this the hose & tools are more of a dubious affectation than of any real use. Can anyone explain what I'm missing?

Certainly nowhere near the high quality thick plastic and internal ribbing as a Hoover upright bagged of similar 'vintage'.


Post# 40560 , Reply# 27   5/16/2008 at 23:25 (5,794 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        
Hoover wins again.

aeoliandave's profile picture
No wonder it's Preferred. :-)
Better construction & engineering and a more Royal Blue.

Much more all around useful - when the hose is plugged in it blocks the air passage from the brushroll admitting full vacuum force to the hose.


Post# 40571 , Reply# 28   5/17/2008 at 03:07 (5,794 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
There's the Hoover Elite Preferred again...

I'm just as enthusiastic about that machine as you are! The Hoover Elite Preferred wins over all my vacuums, too. But, it can compete with a friend's Hoover Elite 350 that he wants me to fix for him. We are going to the vacuum store tomarrow to buy a piece that holds the motor down on the left side that broke.

Post# 40694 , Reply# 29   5/17/2008 at 19:43 (5,794 days old) by aeoliandave (Stratford Ontario Canada)        
Revisiting Dirt Devil suction diverter

aeoliandave's profile picture
"But there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for diverting full suction mainly to the hose when it is wanted and used with the tools (like Hoovers with the plug-n hose or a sliding door across the brushroll inlet on Cleaning Tools setting). Because of this the hose & tools are more of a dubious affectation than of any real use. Can anyone explain what I'm missing?"

Never mind - I was having a moment of idiocy. The DD hose runs through the back directly into the paper bag with clean air suction - and lots of it. The hose has a handled removable wand end that connects to the fitting & short hose leading to the brushroll intake and so the hose is always ready to use with tools. Duh. Found some black tools and a wand extension to fill those empty spaces. Lending this to a gal with a shaggy small dog so we'll see how it goes...

Guess I was all flummoxed & diverted in my thinking by the Hoover's dirty air configuration & plug-in hose for tool use.


Silly Dave


Post# 40804 , Reply# 30   5/18/2008 at 11:20 (5,793 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        
I Have Your Broom Vac's Little Baby!

Here it is! Its so cute!

Post# 40805 , Reply# 31   5/18/2008 at 11:21 (5,793 days old) by hoover_elite_20 ()        

Here it is running:


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy