Handvac time

VacuumLand – Vintage & Modern Vacuum Enthusiasts

Help Support VacuumLand:

The paper bag/blower kit

I bought one of the kits to use paper dirt bags inside the cloth bag. The exhaust then comes through a round port on the converter and in to the paper bag. Removing the two bags you could use the dirt devil as a hand held blower. I think in later models this feature was built in. I know they moved the hose inlet port from the front of the motor where you access the belt, to the top of the nozzle.

They didn't move the opening where you could access the belt and hook the hose,sorry, they changed the diameter of the hose to a narrower size that fits on top of the nozzle with a narrower hose opening.

By mid nineties they had gone from one speed 2 amp motor to two speeds and a 3 amp motor. The early models came in three colors, red, red, and red.
 
Had a black one

I had one that had a black plastic body with a black with red printing bag. I was never a big fan of these. Found they were difficult to use because of their boxy bulky size making it less useful for getting the floorboard of a car clean. Also they don’t get close the the edges very well leaving dirt on the stairs near the riser and sides so easier to use something like the Electrolux sidekick where I can tilt it easier to get the edges or pull it off and use the hose end for the tight spots. I guess it depends on what your needs are primarily for something like this. I often thought I would get a little Lux handheld to see if it’s a better machine than the dirt devil but due to its bulk as well, just thought it would be a waste since I already have a sidekick which gets everything these can do and also get into tighter spaces more easily. I also had a red one of these...both are gone now as one my niece said burned up on her When she was cleaning the carband I think I sold the other at a garage sale since I didn’t need two. I kept the one that had the integrated attachments but my niece threw it away after I provided it to her for the house she rents from me to clean the carpeted stairs. Things I give her seem to mysteriously disappear...I think she takes stuff to the pawn shop to get money. One of the two vacuum cleaners I got her is gone too. It was a recent model Hoover rewind upright with cordwinder. I haven’t asked her what happened to it...I’m sure I’ll get some story or she may have given it to her sister who recently moved into an apartment and in that case, that’s ok.

Jon
 
I guess....

I forgot to push the 'POST' button yesterday after previewing my post....lol.

I agree with Jon, they are a novelty, not to be confused with the cleaning power of the Electrolux Sidekick for like carpeted stairs.

I have a black one that was 12 volts with the checkered bag. It was a pretty good car vac, although the accessory hose set up had serious suction loss. I did put that plastic adapter on so I could blow up air mattresses. But I missed the memo they took paper bags too. Turning the bag inside out and shaking/hitting it had to be done inside a trash can outside or away from the car. I remember one time I didn't calculate the wind flow force and direction....it blew that junk back into the car.

I bought a red 120 volt model like the one pictured above. Compared to the 12 volt black one, it was the easy winner.....but still not a serious vac and they were never priced to be serious vacs...the Dirt Devils. I don't know anything about the older, metal Royals.

I still have them both, but haven't seen them since the new house move 4yrs ago. The red one came in it's original box.

Kevin
 
I was trying.....

to remember this setup;my black 12 volt Dirt Devil had this adapter that fit on the bottom where the roller brush is...I don't remember the purpose? But it also had a hose end with a clip on it that clipped into the port(with the rubber plug), to get suction.



Kevin
 
Regardless of which hose setup

I think the clip on was the worst for suction. I bought it for the brush roll cleaning on stairs. Dark green carpets and a Golden Retriever made for a lot of vacuuming! I remember having to stop before I was done to cut a lot of fur that was wrapped around the roller, the ends and the belt pulley. For 20.00 though it was money well spent.It was also good for de-furring the comforter on my bed!
 
When....

you put your palm over the hose end, yes, the suction was pathetic but in auto short nap carpeting it seemed to work somehow. Beats dragging over a shop vac or your house tank.....lol.

They're saying on YouTube that the black, 12 volt Dirt Devils are rare. I find that hard to believe.

Kevin
 
Back
Top