constellation86
Well-known member
Here's a small article I found from August 1970
Nicholas
Nicholas
For all you Dial-a-Matic fans
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constellation86
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DAM that's heavy
I almost bought that same vacuum from the Police Athletic League thrift store today. Has a tomato red front panel and the dial is on the back panel with the cord wind holder integrated into it. I think I will buy it tomorrow. $14.99 w/o tax, around $16.00 with tax. If it's a 22 pound cleaner, it has to outweigh the later model power drive by a good 6 pounds. You could do some damage with this one. Mostly heavy gage American metal. Such a deal.
I almost bought that same vacuum from the Police Athletic League thrift store today. Has a tomato red front panel and the dial is on the back panel with the cord wind holder integrated into it. I think I will buy it tomorrow. $14.99 w/o tax, around $16.00 with tax. If it's a 22 pound cleaner, it has to outweigh the later model power drive by a good 6 pounds. You could do some damage with this one. Mostly heavy gage American metal. Such a deal.
Got that DAM vacuum cleaner
I went to the thrift store today and got my first Dial-a-Matic, $15.96 with tax. It is Model U6003, not the one in Consumer Reports. I haven't tried it out yet because I need to get the floor picked up. I am going to attempt a paint job with Krylon when circumstances permit. No news to Hoover fans, but apparently Dial-a-Matic has nothing to do with height adjustment like I thought. Also, is there a cap that goes over the screw that holds the handle on? And is there a cap over the hose hole? How old is this thing? Questions, questions. Thank God it's power driven, it's a hernia waiting to happen.
I went to the thrift store today and got my first Dial-a-Matic, $15.96 with tax. It is Model U6003, not the one in Consumer Reports. I haven't tried it out yet because I need to get the floor picked up. I am going to attempt a paint job with Krylon when circumstances permit. No news to Hoover fans, but apparently Dial-a-Matic has nothing to do with height adjustment like I thought. Also, is there a cap that goes over the screw that holds the handle on? And is there a cap over the hose hole? How old is this thing? Questions, questions. Thank God it's power driven, it's a hernia waiting to happen.
DAM
The term dial a matic had to do with the suction adjustment knob ie. dial the amount of suction you need for either carpets or above the floor cleaning. No, there is no cap that goes over the hose port. When the dial is set to carpet cleaning, there is a valve that closes off the port. I'm not sure of the exact age but the DAM were out in the mid 60s to early 70s <br
Gary
The term dial a matic had to do with the suction adjustment knob ie. dial the amount of suction you need for either carpets or above the floor cleaning. No, there is no cap that goes over the hose port. When the dial is set to carpet cleaning, there is a valve that closes off the port. I'm not sure of the exact age but the DAM were out in the mid 60s to early 70s <br
Gary
Dial-A-Matic
The Dial-A-Matic had a long run. It began in 1963 and ran until 1980. The Concept 1 was its replacement. I've always found the non-power drive models easier to use. I think my favorite is the original salmon-colored model 1100.
The Dial-A-Matic had a long run. It began in 1963 and ran until 1980. The Concept 1 was its replacement. I've always found the non-power drive models easier to use. I think my favorite is the original salmon-colored model 1100.
answers
Country Guy and Ohio Tuec, thanks for the feedback. With what you say, could model U6003 be a late'70s model? Would any period appropriate Hoover hose work on it? Thanks again. Al
Country Guy and Ohio Tuec, thanks for the feedback. With what you say, could model U6003 be a late'70s model? Would any period appropriate Hoover hose work on it? Thanks again. Al
Dial-A-Matic tools
Any Dial-A-Matic (or PortaPower) hose will work. Later hoses had a tool caddy at the end, where the hose plugs into the back of the machine. I know opinions may differ, but I have always felt the Dial-A-Matic was one of Hoover's best works. I would choose a Dial-A-Matic over a Convertible any day of the week. And yes, the U6003 would be a late '70's model. Earlier Dial-A-Matics used 11XX numbers.
Any Dial-A-Matic (or PortaPower) hose will work. Later hoses had a tool caddy at the end, where the hose plugs into the back of the machine. I know opinions may differ, but I have always felt the Dial-A-Matic was one of Hoover's best works. I would choose a Dial-A-Matic over a Convertible any day of the week. And yes, the U6003 would be a late '70's model. Earlier Dial-A-Matics used 11XX numbers.
DAM tools
Thanks Ohio Tuec for more info on my Hoover. Next time I find a PortaPower, I can grab it and have a hose for two first rate vacs. I think I would have to agree with you about the Dial-a-Matics partially because of the more substantial build and heft. I loved my Convertible, but the other looks like it could take a few more taps without causing repair jobs. I tried a premium Eureka hose on a little Eureka Wisk and it worked quite well. And two wands and a Vibra-Beat. Trippy.
Thanks Ohio Tuec for more info on my Hoover. Next time I find a PortaPower, I can grab it and have a hose for two first rate vacs. I think I would have to agree with you about the Dial-a-Matics partially because of the more substantial build and heft. I loved my Convertible, but the other looks like it could take a few more taps without causing repair jobs. I tried a premium Eureka hose on a little Eureka Wisk and it worked quite well. And two wands and a Vibra-Beat. Trippy.
myhooverco
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- Aug 25, 2006
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Your U6003 is from the mid 70's starting production in 1973. It was a promotional line of machines which means that many, many stores had it in their line of vacuum cleaners. The company made lots of this model. It would have used model U5901 tools that did have a tool caddy. This tool set came in taupe and white later on. The early sets used the aluminum end and the later sets used the plastic end. The tools would indeed interchange with the portapower since the Portapower used the DAM motor anyway! Hoover liked to share parts among its cleaners!!!
The DAM will get the deep down dirt. However, it has one big disadvantage to the Convertible. The DAM only uses side suction where as the Convertible uses center suction. The DAM did have more suction especially with the tools. My mom had a U5017 DAM when I was a kid. She hated it! It was used for about 10 years and then replaced by a used Hoover Convertible which now she dislikes. She seems to prefer the lighter weight Hoover "Elite" series.
Congrats on your DAM. It was one of Hoover's most innovative lines of vacuums ever.
--Tom
The DAM will get the deep down dirt. However, it has one big disadvantage to the Convertible. The DAM only uses side suction where as the Convertible uses center suction. The DAM did have more suction especially with the tools. My mom had a U5017 DAM when I was a kid. She hated it! It was used for about 10 years and then replaced by a used Hoover Convertible which now she dislikes. She seems to prefer the lighter weight Hoover "Elite" series.
Congrats on your DAM. It was one of Hoover's most innovative lines of vacuums ever.
--Tom
more DAM news
Thanks Tom for the additional interesting background about my new toy. I still haven't tried it out! Outside of the usual evidence of usage, it has scrape marks on the top edges on each side of the head. It looks to be fairly well cared for despite scars. The painted parts are off white instead of chalk white. I may try some cleaner-polish to see if I can at least diminish the scarring. The brush roller is very clean. My mother had a later Power-Drive for a while, I don't remember the model name, but it was in blues and cream. Shame that's gone. I think it got too heavy for her to move around when it wasn't turned on. Thanks for the info again, and how neat that you're from the home of Hoover! Later, Alan H.
Thanks Tom for the additional interesting background about my new toy. I still haven't tried it out! Outside of the usual evidence of usage, it has scrape marks on the top edges on each side of the head. It looks to be fairly well cared for despite scars. The painted parts are off white instead of chalk white. I may try some cleaner-polish to see if I can at least diminish the scarring. The brush roller is very clean. My mother had a later Power-Drive for a while, I don't remember the model name, but it was in blues and cream. Shame that's gone. I think it got too heavy for her to move around when it wasn't turned on. Thanks for the info again, and how neat that you're from the home of Hoover! Later, Alan H.
myhooverco
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You are welcome Alan...happy Hoovering to you!!! The DAM is a very respectable machine. It will serve you very well for years to come.
--Tom
--Tom
Sharing
Tom mentioned that Hoover liked to share parts with it's various products. I find that concept interesting and helpful in the respect that service technitions and consumers with basic skills could easily repair or replace parts and components. Many different manufacturers of every kind of household product, and of course, vehicles, have followed this plan for years. It turns out to be cost effective for the companies, and really helpful for people like us. I'm kicking myself for the things I let go that I could use now. Live and learn.
Tom mentioned that Hoover liked to share parts with it's various products. I find that concept interesting and helpful in the respect that service technitions and consumers with basic skills could easily repair or replace parts and components. Many different manufacturers of every kind of household product, and of course, vehicles, have followed this plan for years. It turns out to be cost effective for the companies, and really helpful for people like us. I'm kicking myself for the things I let go that I could use now. Live and learn.
