A Forgotten Dirt Devil

[dc]

Hello to all! I'm new here and I want to share with you a vacuum I never really see much on the web at all, the original Green Dirt Devil Featherlite from the 90's. There is only one Youtube video of it (link below). I tried to Google it, and there is really nothing but a few pictures of it. There's also no mention of it on this forum, so it's something new. Anyways, the thing is around 15 years old (immortal plastivac!), the part that holds the upholstery tool broke off, so a rubber band holds the tool on. The crevice tool also had a chunk crack off it. It is so loud that someone next door may mistake it for the sound of a formation of fighter jets flying above at low altitude. Despite all that, it cleans REALLY well. It agitates and cleans probably almost as good (if not as good) as the Miele S7 I usually use for cleaning. Have any of you seen this long ago or owned one?

 

[dustin]

I have one of the newer 12 amp featherlites, and I can agree it is deafeningly loud! Mine does clean fairly well with a new bag, but once the bag starts filling up, forget it. I have only seen a couple like yours, one sat out behind our house for a few years after my Aunt used it until the motor completely siezed. It must have been a decent vacuum to last her even a year lol. By the way, How do you like your Miele S7? I'm considering buying one eventually.

 

[dc]

The Miele is Great! Never had a problem with it for over a year and a half. I got it when my old Hoover Powerdrive died. Anyways, The Miele's performance is great on all my huge amount of carpet. Its brush agitation is really good, so carpets will be clean. The quality is good, but not like a commercial vacuum's, but far superior to what you'll find at Wal-Mart. It's so quiet that I can have a conversation with someone and hear them clearly, too. I bet it'll last a long time. The only downside is that the bags are $20 a box of 4. I slowly stocked up on them by buying them occasionally. Too expensive to buy so many at once.

 

[dc]

Your Aunt had one and you saw a few of these old things? I thought they were almost extinct to the point that you can't even find them at all considering I can't find ANY info about it (besides the single Youtube video I found). And yeah, it's a good ol' US made vac that I like to use every now and then when I'm not in the mood for using the Miele

 

[dustin]

I think I have seen a total of 3, maybe within the last 10 years or so. My aunt had one, same shape and style, but hers was dark blue. I know she had it at least 5-6 years. I have an older, soft bag Dirt Devil "Lite", which has the same style body, but is red and has a less powerful (6 amp) motor. Mine has an issue with the motor so is rarely used. Even with the smaller motor, that thing can wake the dead! You know, my biggest concern with the Miele is the cost of bags, but it would be worth it for me to not have as much dust and animal dander flying around.

 

[stricklybojack]

Crazy bag price!

I found this deal on Dirt Devil's own website (linked) using this free shipping code: REMINDERFS
This is my shopping cart in pic, equals $1 a bag delivered.


http://dirtdevil.com/

 

[elijahch13]

Featherlite

One of my favorite vacuums is my dort devil featherlite with stretch hose. It lifts the carpet a little but, and the agitation is very good. I love it alot.

 

[suckolux]

Mom has a bagged featherlite I got her at Target 6? years ago, I think $29 on sale, worth about that in my opinion, sorry. Runs SO SO hot, not even any dust on filter, new bag very early on and with no height adj the belt burns up pretty fast. I took over my 90s Legacy to use when I am there.

 

[electroluxxxx]

I have one of the originals and I love it!

 

[human]

Several years ago, I rescued a baby blue Featherlight from beside a dumpster at the apartments where I used to live. I refurbished (replaced the bag and belt and added a missing accessory or two) and gave it to my church. The altar guild is still using it to vacuum the chancel area every Saturday in preparation for Sunday services.

 

[super-sweeper]

Giving a Dirt DEVIL to a church....shame on you! 

 


I've seen only one of the green ones before! Still have the red 'Lite' like the one above, it's sitting in stasis.

 

[cb123]

I like that! It sounds like it's in cryogenic refrigeration for one super long space voyage to Alpha Centauri, to boldly go and inhabit extraterrestrial junkyards in the sky! 

 

[rugsucker]

"giving a Dirt Devil to a church"

This reminds me that years ago when DD was fairly new a member of a big church(bigger city,big building,big parking lot,big fleet of vans)saw a DD hand vac in my shop and said-"I will not have anything in my home with the Devils name on it!"
(The above uprights have proved to be best in small areas with careful use.)

 

[tolivac]

I looked at a DD Featherlite at the vac shop "autopsy" table-the motor stator and rotor were wound with aluminum wire!!!No wonder it burnt out!!!Esp if the fan gets jammed!So if you have one of these Featherlites-STOP it right away if something jams the fan or brush!!!Some of these have been reported to burst into flames after overload.