Electrolux vs. DAM

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something else just occured to me. is it possible to take one of the double-brush commercial Convertible agitators and put it in a Dial A Matic? has anyone tried this?
 
Brushrolls!

You can take the double-row brushroll used on the PowerMax/PowerDrive machines from the mid-90's, and swap the endcap that has the 'nipple' on it. That will fit in a powerdrive Dial A Matic. It REALLY works well on modern plush carpeting, it eats the dirt and grooms the nap of the carpet--and deletes the track marks left by the powerdrive assembly, that you normally see (at least on my carpet).

The 4-brush brushroll for the Convertible won't work in a non-powerdrive DAM; it has a groove for the belt, and as a result is too wide. It may work on a powerdrive DAM... by putting a belt pulley on one end, and using the longer agitator shaft. (The powerdrive DAM's used the same brushroll as a Celebrity Powerhead--that had the groove for the belt--the shell was the same as that of the Convertible).

Hmm. I'll have to play around with that.. Good Ideas. :)

~Fred
 
Brushrolls, Brushrolls...

Hoover always got the most out of some parts!
A Convertible brush roll body(2-brush/2-beater bar)will fit in a DAM powerdrive and the first generation Celebrity power nozzle, with the swapping of the ends and such.
The Celebrity and DAM p/d agitators are interchangable as they are.
With the swapping of 1 end plate you can put a Concept One Quadreflex agitator or the Elite style PowerDrive agitator in the DAM p/d as Fred described above. They work well, the only problem is drag on the motor/belt from all that extra bristle.
I don't know that a 4 brush Convertible agitator will work in the DAM, mainly because of the belt end. The DAM's belt pulley end may not work in the 4 brush.
I suppose you could try a Concept One and and see how that goes!
 
Wow, thanks for all the info, guys!

I'm thinking I want a self-propelled DAM. I remember messing with the button on the handle of one when we were in an appliance store buying an air conditioner.

Anyone have a "rainbow shot" to show the available colors?

veg
 
Discontinued bags

And here's why...

"Hello? I need a bag for my DAM vacuum. "
"We ain't go no more bags for your DAM vacuum, now leave me alone.
 
Thanks Fred...I had no idea about the DAM bags still being around!!!

About a year ago, I read *somewhere* (maybe it was on one of the Yahoo vacuum groups) that Hoover was no longer going to produce the Type D bags, but I'm relieved that it isn't true!! Although even if it was, I have enough bags in my "hoard" to last a while, and there is eBay...

Couldn't remember who made that remark, but whoever that was needs to get their facts straight :)

--Austin
 
if misused...

Here is an example of a Dam that was not used properly. The carrying handle was more than just for convenience it was to protect the machine. I do however think that the Dam had some design flaws and am not sure why they chose not to redesign the machine or improve it. The major improvements came with the introduction of the second model 1110 and with the advent of the powerdrive feature in 1969. It was basically a good idea and a good vacuum if you used it correctly something that the average American user is clueless about. My mother's Dam from 1977 is still in my collection. The only problem it ever had was the handle breaking. It was repaired with a metal neck brace that looked like something from a Frankenstein movie. I restored it, replacing the entire body structure in part thanks to Jeff Parker. That machine has thousands of hours on it, but my mom was very good about changing the belt and bag. Nonetheless it still broke. It was definitely a weak point but it also was used for over 10 years and longer after the handle fix. Here in North Canton, you never see a Concept for sale. They are still used...ocassionally you will find a Dam but they are not as prized as the Concept. However, the Dam wins the award for the most innovative vacuum from the Hoover lineup.
 
I blame all of you!

I went to Homo Depot and checked out the vacuum cleaners. I was acutally comparing the engineering! I pinched myself to get out without buying one.

Then I went on to washers an DW-ers and stoves just to re-establish my sense of balance.

Sign me~
Starting to get enamored by things that suck.
 
a rainbow of colors...

Here are my Dams. They go from the 1100 on the left to the last of them the U5015 from the later 70's. My mom's green Dam is the third one from the right. I have all of the American standard non powerdrive Dams. I do have the first Dam with powerdrive and the second Dam with powerdrive AND a headlight. I do not have a passion for the powerdrive units and also have limited space. I hung them on the wall flat to save room. I disconnected the handle spring on the bottom. These machines all run and are complete. My personal favorite is the first green unit from 1969 compliments of Jeff Parker. Again a unique design and a very strong well made versatile motor. Hoover spent thousands if not millions bringing this machine to market. They really should not have given up on it so quickly. And worse yet they should not have sold the patent to Panasonic. I guess if they didn't do that then we would not have the Concept, which is one of their best carpet cleaning uprights by the way! I just thought you all might enjoy the rainbow. I hope Jeff posts his pics of Dams...he has some models that I don't! Thanks to everyone for this thread!

--Tom
 
WOW!

Tom,

That is amazing! I love the way you have them displayed!! Too clever! Do you have to disconnect the spring in order to get them to hold that pose?

~Fred
 
I hope Jeff posts his pics of Dams...he has some models that

I do??? Which ones?
That looks like all the standard ones to me, plus the first powerdrive...
OH ok...
Pics to come...
 
How does

The Dynamatic differ from the Dial a Matic?

We had two Dynamatic machines, was it just a branding thing towards the end of the life of these machines?

Ours were Orange and Brown.

One of them had the autoheight the other was identical but had manual height adjustment.
 
Hi Tom,

BEAUTIFUL collection of DAM's and Constellations!!! Love the way you displayed them!

Where was the height adjustment located on the non-power-drive Dial-A-Matics before switching to the later, front-mounted "T-shift"? Or was it "self-leveling" like the Power Drive version?

--Austin
 
Hi Nathan,

I believe the Dynamatic was the name given to the DAM for Australia. And in the UK, wasn't the DAM called the Convertible, while the "true" Convertible was the Senior (opposite the Junior)?
 
Yes, the spring had to be unscrewed...and easy task. This way the base will stay flat against the wall and not pop out.

The early standard Dams had no carpet selector as they were self adjusting. Later in the decade (1969) they came out with the 1130, 1140, and 1151 (with the headlight) that could be manually adjusted to carpet height changes. This is the same year that the Convertible series introduced their 4 position height adjusters. The Dam had 3 positions versus the Convertible.

--Tom
 
Okay, Tom, that is one of the damn prettiest displays of vacs I've ever seen!

I'm really liking the light blue one, the darker blue one with the daisies, and that burnt orange number with the treble clef thingie on it.

I'm only seeing two power drives. Oddly, they're the plainest of the bunch.

Thanks for the pics. While I haven't seen a DAM up-close and personal in years, I'm thinking that when I do, it'll replace the Electrolux.

veg

P.S. I wasted some time at work today reading the old owner's manuals at the Hoover site. Don't tell.
 
I recently got a self propelled Dial-a-Matic from an estate sale for $5.00. Was able to get the type D bags from the local vacuum repair shop (got the last package) and he said they could order more. I enjoy the self-propulsion, have never seen a vacuum cleaner that had it before.
 

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