Born from the Ashes

[broomvac]

The other day I realized that I had almost enough Dirt Devil parts around to construct a complete Broom Vac. Yes, most of these parts did actually come from the same vacuum which was broken apart years ago to donate parts to other machines. The leftovers were thrown inside the bag and forgotten about. However, it wasn’t until recently that I remembered these parts and started searching for replacements for the missing key components. Namely, the motor, the belt spindle, the fan, the switch, and the cord were needed.

The motor and cord came from a 3-amp Dirt Devil Plus hand vac and are identical to what the vacuum came with originally. The belt spindle and fan presumably came from another Broom Vac (they were used). The spindle was a bit messed up; its threads were damaged and the whole thing was bowed slightly from being used once with an ill-fitting belt. A quick turn on the lathe restored it back to true and some careful thread restoration enabled it to screw onto the newly obtained motor. Finally, the switch came from a local electronics store and is identical to the original.

I also fitted an odd heavy duty grey shake out bag just for fun. I found this bag in a pile of bags at one of the local thrift shops. It came with no packaging and has no markings whatsoever, but it seems to fit a variety of vacuums, including the Broom Vac and Panasonic/Kenmore Uprights. I imagine it would also fit Miele uprights. Although its filtration efficiency is questionable, it sure is convenient!

The final product isn’t perfect, but at least nothing is missing and it runs well!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I have built many vacuums using left over parts. Good job!

One time long ago when I still had my store there was a vacuum shop a couple hours away that I knew well. He asked if I wanted to come see if there were any parts in his back room I might need for my store. When I got there It was a room filled with Rainbow stuff all d4 and SE model parts, no complete machines, just all parts including tons if motor parts. I paid him $100 for the whole room. I built and sold nearly a dozen Rainbows from that stash at $300-$400 a machine. Some of the stuff was trash and some motor parts were bad but most of it was perfect. I still have remnants left over for one more machine but Its been in my workshop storage nearly 10 years. Some day I shall see what there is to build another d4.

 

[human]

I've replaced the odd part here and there to bodge together something that works but nothing that ambitious, at least not with a vacuum cleaner. I did build a '68 VW Beetle from spare parts when I was in high school, but that was a long time ago.

 

[honestjoe68]

Wow... I am SO jealous! This Dirt Devil is on my list of dream vacuums I want to own. I’ve yet to find one in good condition where it’s not damaged or scraped up.

I hope you do build your Franken-Vacuum lol and let us see pics. I own three of the hand vacuums of this style/era that I took apart and totally cleaned and refurbed.. but have yet to find THIS one, my want simply because of fond memories and I definitely want and search for the Dirt Devil RoomMate!

Thanks for sharing broomvac.. you made me smile and determined to get back online to search for my own too.

Have a great day everybody!

 

[broomvac]

kirbyvertibles—That sounds like it was a pretty good deal! I don’t know much about Rainbows; are many of the parts interchangeable between models?

human—I’d say that piecing together a VW is a lot more ambitious than putting together a Dirt Devil! Haha

HonestJoe68–Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. The vacuum is all put together and working well. You mentioned you wanted to see pictures...I don’t know if they showed up for you, but I posted five in my original post. There, you can see the final result if you are curious.

I’m sure you will come across one before too long. There still are a number of them around. They come up on eBay every now and then, but expect to pay a fortune for those.

 

[honestjoe68]

@broomvac

Wow.. I am always forgetting to tap the “next photo” and I missed all but the first one of your pictures when I first read this post.

You have three beautiful vacuums there! I also would pay just about anything for one of these in the Blue Royal color as well. But I’m also really wishing I could find the RoomMate as well. I had one when they first came out and Loved it! I don’t remember why I sold it other than I think I was wanting the “brand new at the time” Hoover Windtunnel, when they had loads of infomercials for them.. I ordered mine and to this day can still remember my excitement when unpacking the box and first seeing that Windtunnel.

So I’ve been online but nothing yet.. but Congratulations on those gorgeous vacuums!

 

[broomvac]

"I also would pay just about anything for one of these in the Blue Royal color as well."

You and me both! I've been on the hunt for a blue "Pro Series" Broom Vac for ages! Those are so much harder to come by. I believe any of the "Pro Series" vacuums were not sold in retail stores; they could only be had at a vacuum dealer (or through the mail, perhaps? IDK.). Even more rare than the "Pro Series" Broom Vac, I think, is the Broom Vac Plus! This is a red one, but it has a double row brush, (I believe) a 3.5 amp motor, and extra reinforcement behind the "gripper" handle like the blue "Pro Series" one has. The Broom Vac Plus has a black sticker on top instead of the usual silver one. The only one I've come across is the one in the video below.

I have, however, come upon several other oddball Dirt Devils, though. I found a maroon "Pro Series" Can Vac as well as a "Signature Series" hand vac. I'd swap them both for a blue Broom Vac if I could!

It's cool that you had a Dirt Devil Roommate. Those are exceedingly hard to find. I've never seen one in person. How did it perform?

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK6sDG7g0uc

 

[broomvac]

The one in the video is not mine, BTW. Sorry if I caused any confusion.