Dial A Matic

[kloveland]

The bag I pulled off of my Spirit was a genuine Hoover Bag and it had a rubber collar. The key is to have genuine Hoover bags. The cheap bags that I bought from Kmart just have a flimsy cardboard collar.

Eurekastar - I don't know if you are using genuine bags or not. By the way great deal on the Kirbys these small town vac shops really pay off.

Gottahaveahoover - Thanks for pointing out the similarities between Portable Slimline and Connie. I helped my dad tear down a trailer home awhile back and underneath the front porch sat a Connie but it was far gone. The metal shell dome was rusted through. I would like to find one along with a portable, I will check my source.

 

[jfalberti]

Check your e-mail Kenny

I sent you an electronic copy of a users guide for the Hoover Spirit. Hope it helps.

 

[kloveland]

Went back and picked the Dail-A-Matic today and worked on it this afternoon. It's fixed!!!!!

The two halves of the motor housing did not have a good seal, over time the gaskets had probably worn out. I used weather stripping to seal the motor compartment. Now the suction is fantastic, almost a 90 percent improvement. The weather stripping will not damage anything. In my opinion it is better than using glue or adhesives. It can be easily removed from the plastic.

This picture was taken before I applied the weather stripping to the motor halves.

 

[kloveland]

I need to clean it up a little more and use some goo gone to remove the residue from the masking tape on the handle. It will have a good home along with some of my other vintage electronics. Now I just need to make a pre-filter for it.

 

[sanimatic]

Wow Kenny, what a great ending to the story. You were obviously not going to rest until you were certain that this vac absolutely could not be redeemed. I have to admit I'm a little relieved. I grew up when this model was popular and though my family always had Convertibles, I was always intrigued by the DAM.

And after reading your initial thoughts on this, I have been looking for the Consumer Reports from my grandfather's collection that was very favorable about the DAM and was so enthusiastic that finally an upright could do a decent job at both carpet and above floor. I didn't find it yet, but still looking.

 

[joe22]

BRAVO ! ! !

 

[kloveland]

Hoover D Bags

I have to say the Dial A Matic has grown on me. I picked up another Wednesday it is one of the later models with the power drive in white and blue.

Does any know of a good source to buy D bags in QUANTITY??? Ace is a good place however I would like to have a supply of bags on hand. Thanks

 

[vintageroyal611]

Ebay is always good.

 

[gj3476]

Kloveland, I have the same with my DAM 1149 too, the suction very weak and I think it needs weatherstrip too. 2 things, what kind of weatherstrip did you use and did you wrap it where the large gasket is located? Thanks. P.S, love your DAM 1118!

 

[vac-o-matic]

OMG...

Kenny, I had no idea you've been around since 2010...how time flies! It's been a privilege to know you all these years!

 

[kirbyvertibles]

I agree Kenny,
It's been a pleasure. My how time flies

 

[beevac]

Suction on the Dial a Matic

I own a 1971 DIAL a Matic & it has good suction in the carpet setting it really fills up the bag during rug cleaning. However it has poor suction on the cleaning tools. According to the schematic that I have there are seals in the 'ductwork' on the inside of the dust compartment. These are no longer available but I have contemplated for several years now to get from Kirby the 3M sealant that they use to seal up the fan housing & should be reapplied every time you changeout the suction fan on a Kirby. I have repaired all makes of vacuums from 1971 to 2012 when they retired me. Do any of you have any input on this? Experienced this same symptom in your travels with the DAM ? Please reply if you do.