1990's Dirt Devil Hand Vac Tune Up and Demo - Model 103

A friend asked me if I could save either of these old Dirt Devil Hand Vacs. I was able to save one machine, using parts from both. Once it was working again, I did a demonstration of it, to show how it works.

[@chadrowland5234]

I want to tell you! You really have to take VERY good care of these babies. They don't make them anymore. I actually have one of these Dirt Devil handhelds, same model and everything, same vacuum. It was given to me by my real dad. He used it in his pop-up camper and when he sold it, he gave the handheld to me and I use it for my stairs, couch, computer chair, and my upholstery and I like it. I have a central vacuum system in my house and I actually love it but it's a pain to get out that long hose for upholstery so I use my Dirt Devil handheld hand-me-down for upholstery. Knock on wood, still works! 😊

[@Windows10andNoaa]

We used to have this vacuum and we called it the mama cleaner, when I was 3, that thing would scare the crap out of me and I would run up to my room before my dad started running it, this gives me memories of that time

[@deltaboy767]

The 80s Kenmore Powere mate JR were awesome as well, I remember ours mom used in the living room, and my 17 year old brother would use it to clean out the floor and mats in his 1971 TransAm.

[@13slot28]

I just bought one of these from a thrift store for $10 and it's perfect for stairs!

[@ricosnell4623]

I paid $1 for mine at goodwill an works great

[@GremLant]

Thanks for a great video. My wife picked one up for $2 at a local thrift store. I thought the beater brush was air powered and couldn’t figure why it wouldn’t work. Now I see it’s belt driven! Duh!!

[@acostin4004]

My favourite vacuum cleaner ever love them shame they don't make them anymore.

[@gregallsmagic]

My grandmother had one of these. I loved using it to vacuum off the couches and chairs.

[@TheGarlee]

I was given the same model of dirt devil the other week . It had the same issues with the cord splitting at the grommet where it enters the machine at the handle and the motor sounded like it needed the bearings greasing/ oiled . Stripped the motor down to regrease the bearings and solved the cable problem by boring through the grommet so that the cable passed right through to the terminal block for the wires . Our newly acquired Dirt Devil Handy work perfectly again and my wife loves it for cleaning the car . Great and interesting video from you . Being from the United Kingdom I have a great collection of Differing models of the Hoover Junior

[@KlasicRock]

I just picked up the exact same model from a local thrift. I'm going to clean mine up as well. Thanks for the video

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

😆 LOL!! The ultimate "Dirt 😈 Devil Test". I remember vacuuming the basement floor of my parents 🏠 house in 1987, at 4:00 am. Just the sound of the motor takes me back to then. The motor was surprisingly quiet, but this machine delivered some serious 👊 punch, as far as cleaning goes. The Dirt 😈 Devil was available for about $34.99 (varied by store), and I remember buying a couple of them in my time. My 🚶 stepmother"s Dirt 😈 Devil ✋ hand vac was the neatest thing, being the black Royal 500 model. It was irresistible to use, and I'd find my way, down to the basement, to 🔌 plug her Dirt 😈 Devil in, and start vacuuming the basement floor on several occasions(👍 yes, around 4:00 am). Dirt 😈 Devil is an Ohio-based company, and has been since somewhere around 1930(I need to ✔ check it out). Taking note around 1990, I noticed that there was a Royal Prince ( or close) ✋ hand vac. This was a silver aluminum version of the later plastic Dirt 😈 Devil, but I think they made both models through the years. I received my 🚶 stepmother's Royal 500 ✋ hand vac in 1994, for my own apartment. I also 👍 like Dirt 😈 Devil's 1980's ☝ upright vacuum. It's so easy to push it around the 🏠 house, and it used the identical belt that your ✋ hand vac uses. Got a used one for $5.00, or $10.00, for my Casa Grande, Arizona apartment in 2009. One word of ⚠ caution about changing belts, right after shutting off the vacuum. ✋ Wait for at least 10 minutes, to do so. The motor shaft gets freaking 🔥 HOT!! Also, perform the belt changing task with your vacuum unplugged, to avoid injury. Someone, or you, could accidentally turn it on. Your friend, Jeff.

[@coondogtheman]

I had the same issue with the bag wearing out. I used one of these in the early 90s to vacuum the stairs and my mom's car back in the day. These are great for cars. If I find one somewhere I am so getting it. Watching you clean the bags out reminds me of the TV show Monk when he vacuums and then vacuums the vacuum.

[@VacTech1]

Haha! Vacuums are the best tool for cleaning out other vacuums.

[@coolelectronics1759]

lol this comment made me laugh so hard!

[@edracz1224]

Totally agree on the quality of the cleaning ability of these. I have one somewhere around my place but can't find it. Need to make a better effort to find it because it does work great for stairs and cars.

[@coondogtheman]

@@edracz1224 Yeah now I use that swivel sweeper cleaner thing they had on TV about 10 years ago and I've had it so long the original battery died and I'm now running it off a custom made pack but it still works and cleans. Doesnt clean as good as the DD but it works. Fills up quick too.

[@tommynygaardjensen8398]

​@@VacTech1I just have a comment on the brush roll itself, is there an arrow that must point in the same direction as the arrow on the metal frame you screw on, I have a dirt devil myself

[@RJN0607]

My grandmother, God rest her, used to have a vacuum like that.

[@randomvids5883]

Great video every time I see one of these at a thrift store or a garage sale I grab it up! My favorite dirt devil ever made!

[@phelmersaid701]

You mentioned the Prince model was quieter, so now I hope to find one at a thrift store some day! They are available on Etsy & Ebay of course, but not as satisfying as finding one for a very low price. I have 4 or 5 of these red plastic Dirt Devils obtained free or for a few bucks but rarely use them because they are so loud.

[@rorywatson3317]

I bought it for $6.77 from the thrift store yesterday with attachment kit.

[@vivianhudacek1556]

Thanks so much! I have one I’d forgotten about, used it today, & was grossed out by the bag when I opened it! I got online & saw that some had a disposable bag that went inside, so as I was investigating, I came across your helpful demo. Guess I’ll just vacuum out the bag & wash it.

[@VacTech1]

Glad I could help! Thank you for watching!

[@Tall_Order]

I have 2 of these from thrift stores. Very common thrift find. They both work. I just can't ever find hoses for them anywhere. I try to connect hoses from other vacs but I think I'm missing a needed accessory to fit them in properly. I love 90s dirt devils. Just not as much as I love my 70s Kirby. The Kirby's weight and solid steel construction made me keep it around all this time. Very low maintenance and still works like new.

[@VacTech1]

If you keep an eye out, the tool sets are still pretty common. You can often find them new or hardly used, and I see them at thrift stores. They have a special hose end, with a locking clip that holds the hose to the machine.

[@sonjakeesee6977]

I am absolutely obsessed with little vacuums like this the little portable vacuum and I needed one for my basement because it gets dirty down here really quick and this is also where my art studio is so my neighbor who passed away recently his daughter gave me a bunch of his stuff because our families are really close yes he passed from Covid anyway got me one of these little vacuums I hope it works good I watched your video just to make sure I knew how to clean it the right way thank you for the vid

[@MsSexEness]

Love the demo👍🏾

[@Paula_Limberg]

Thank you! Helped when I didn't know what to do when my belt came out of position during a clean out on mine. I'm a beginner :)

[@VacTech1]

Glad I could help! These hand vacs take a Dirt Devil style 1 belt. If the belt is over a year old, replacing it will make a huge difference in how well it cleans. Thanks for watching!

[@vincentrobinette1507]

You for sure, want to pull the end caps off the brushroll, and service the bushings. If they get hot, they can actually get hot enough, to deform the plastic slots that the end caps fit into. To do that, I chuck the axle in a drill, douse the bushing with "Zoom Spout" oil, spin it, then, blot the oil out with paper towel, then repeat. Do that, until the oil no longer comes out dark. After that, re-assemble the brushroll, put it in the vac, and run it with the sole plate off. Touch the endcaps with your fingers, and make sure they aren't any more than luke warm after a minute or two of operation. You cannot replace those brushrolls, so, if there's bristles on the one out of the other vac, it's definitely worth salvaging, servicing, and keeping as a spare. These were the best hand vacs out there, and I don't know why they discontinued them! Another modification is to remove the rear bronze bushing in the back of the motor, and replace it with a 608Z ball bearing, exactly identical to the load end bearing. The shaft size is right, and the outer diameter is exactly the same. and all that's needed, is to use a Dremel tool, and grind out the bar that fits into the notch of the bronze bearing. I used to call this "Black Bombing", making the motor commercial duty. A good thing, since these motors are irreplaceable. the reduced friction of the ball bearing actually improves the performance noticeably, and reduces the temperature of the motor. It makes it much more able to handle the cantilever force caused by the tension of the belt.

[@queenielouweekly3160]

I saw one of these in Tim Gallagher's "Sweeping Changes", Rosie.

[@nonelost1]

I have a model 500, made in the US in 1991. I bought it at Goodwill years ago. It still works, though I think it could use a tuneup. Truth be told though, the great majority of my vacuums are trash picked. In eight years I have picked up about 50 or so of them, very few of them have I had to scrap. They are mostly Bissells, Dirt Devil‘s, Hoovers, Sharks, and Eurekas. As soon as I get a new phone to replace my five year old iPhone 6s, I will be making and releasing a video of my 4th vacuum competition, between my three shark navigators, NV 60, NV 22L, and UV 410.

[@coolelectronics1759]

also Im getting strong (The Brave Little Toaster) vibes when you are fixing it with the music in the background! I subbed just because I know this will help me get the most out of my royals! I referbed my first royal in spring of 2019 and it started having all kinds of problems recently. I couldn't bring my self to toss it just yet. My mom got me a machine I saw at a thrift store that was missing the rubber nose plug. I originally planned to use it as a donor for the bag motor and beater bar. It is almost mint! It worked fine just swapping the rubber piece from my old one and reataching the belt that came off! The switch on this one is kinda looser and somewhat recessed feeling than my old one. Its not as snappy as the old one. Is that normal for some of these machines?

[@terryrussel523]

Over the years I have collected 5 of these. Two with the bag attachment port and two without. Does anyone know if there are filter bags still made or that can adapt to these? Are the parts and cases all inter-changeable? The mess with just the cloth bag is not worth the mess and the coughing fits. My son is trying to design an adapter to hook the exhaust port it to a chunk of 3" hose but it's a bit problematic.

[@VacMaster2020]

Could you please do a video on your bench vac

[@whenagirlhasnoname2061]

i have the modle 172 , i was wondering if the unversal attatchment set would fit it just as well or if not can you help me find it

[@jessicamonday7966]

I love mine

[@IncogNito-gg6uh]

Thank you for your video. I have just changed the belt on mine which I think I bought in the early 80s. Another video mentioned lubricating the motor, but didn't demonstrate it. Are there lubrication points on the motor?

[@mattjones7621]

If I may answer that: there are no oil ports to add oil, but there are ball bearings in the motor. You can replace them when they go, or you can sometimes salvage them if you pry the seals off and repack them.

[@IncogNito-gg6uh]

@@mattjones7621 Thanks.

[@YknotLearnall]

I'm curious as to the comparison of the cloth bag by itself compared to the paper bags. Do they blow a lot of fine dust into the air? I have an even older model ( not dirt devil) and if I remember correctly it has a bag with-in the catch bag, a double layer catch bag if you will. I've seen others with a paper bag inside the cloth bag. Which I'm sure work the best at preventing dust from coming through. But I'm curious as to how just the bag alone you have on the ones you fixed compare... I remember starting one of those old uprights with the paper bag inside the cloth bag and it poofed dust on start up. lol But those are much bigger motors... or I would think they are. DO you see the same with those Dirt Devils?

[@VacTech1]

The optional paper bag definitely helps with filtration, for sure. I would prefer to use a paper bag with mine, but these early ones would require the optional paper bag adapter. The filtration on these is pretty poor, but tbh it wasn't out of the ordinary 30 years ago.

[@YknotLearnall]

Thank you @@VacTech1

[@jamesholman7486]

Your video was so fast I could not see how the bag comes off, Does it just pull straight off From the plastic ring? I just don't Want to pull on something and Break it.

[@MicklowFilms]

I just found one of these at a thrift store, these are great for cleaning stairs, couches, and cars. It's missing the front nozzle cap and it needs a new belt and brush roll. The problem is a lot of these parts have been discontinued and I don't know where to find them and I don't know what kind of bags to buy for this since Dirt Devil made several different revisions to this vacuum over the years. Please help.

[@VacTech1]

I don't have any spare parts, but these hand vacs are still very common on the used market. Very common at thrift stores. When you take the red bag off, if where the dirt blows into the bag looks like you can fit a paper bag (looks like a tube), then it takes a Dirt Devil type G paper bag. These take a Royal/Dirt Devil style 1 belt. Hope you're able to get yours running!

[@SilverPhoenix-PlazmaMoon]

I got the bags and belt only to discover the bags need an adapter which didnt come with my Dirt Devil 103 Thrift Shop Vac, ill post it also if i find it

[@iana6713]

I know they were made by Royal, but why do I look at these and think they remind me of a shrunken Kirby?! I would like one!

[@VacTech1]

Haha Classic Royals were very similar to Kirbys!

[@mattjones7621]

James B. Kirby had an impact on Royal, Premier, Apex and General Electric. That is most likely why they all look alike.

[@angelapatchett1948]

What did you do to wash the bag after u vacuumed it?

[@A19th]

My granny still got hers

[@coolelectronics1759]

can I use the blue 3-in-one oil in this machine

[@paulscrace1001]

Does the brush roll bar arrow face the same direction as the one on the front brush bar grill ?

[@VacTech1]

Yes it sure does!

[@recycleplease]

Where did you order the replacement belt?

[@blueribb99]

I have a model 103 (red bag) and a model 501 (blue bag). Both vacuums were being used without filters. Do I need to use a paper filter with either one? Amazon sells filters for both (type G & J).

[@VacTech1]

Paper bags are optional, but make taking care of it easier. They take type G bags. Early Dirt Devil hand vacs required an adapter to use a paper bag (they used to sell a conversion kit), but newer versions could take a paper bag without an adapter. I hope this helps!

[@JasonMontell2501]

Where did you get the new belt

[@Earthschoollessons]

I like your Dyson better than the dirt devil! Lol

[@pammettee4975]

Please ,Please what is this Models BELT Replacement Number- also mine ( old ) sayS IT IS “Model: 500 WC” ??

[@annenelson3637]

You had your hand over the reason I was watching your video 😫. I need to take the bag off and I hesitate to pull too hard on the bag tab (I don't think it's ever been taken off) in fear it will break. How do I take bag off?

[@VacTech1]

It removes with that pull tab, or you can gently work the entire black bag ring off (it just stays snugged-on by that black ring, and just pulls off). I just wouldn’t pull on it by the fabric bag itself, as that could tear if worn.

[@annenelson3637]

Many thanks.

[@1000BT]

these machines were made from 1980s to the early 90s

[@Ca31_Buff]

I’ve had and used a few of these in my life. I don’t really remember how loud these are?

[@VacTech1]

They're not quiet, but they do the job! Thanks for watching!

[@Ca31_Buff]

Vac Tech you’re welcome. I’m deaf so it won’t birthed me I hope 😂. I’ll get one, one century😂

[@VacTech1]

They're handy, and work well! If you keep looking, you'll find one!

[@Ca31_Buff]

Vac Tech I had an ultra- gave that to a friend hoping they would bring it back the next time we saw them- never saw them again My moms Ex passed way back in 2012 I think. He told my uncle to give it to me before he died My friend has one and they don’t use it. And it’s on my channel

[@VacTech1]

@@Ca31_Buff I'm sorry that happened. Hopefully you'll come across another soon! They're pretty common still.

[@coolelectronics1759]

I think you might of forgotten to oil the bearings! Its that metalic screeching you can hear Might be the motor-s bearings or coming from the brush roller

[@subarufan1237]

I have a Dirt Devil Series 500 just like these but black and yellow we’ve had it for years still works like a champ but gets little use any more the kids pulled the rubber plug out of the front we put duck tape over the hole works fine but never found the rubber piece

[@VacTech1]

You might be able to get that cap on ebay, or if you see another Dirt Devil at a flea market. Thanks for watching!

[@subarufan1237]

@@VacTech1 I’ve been on the hunt for cheap attachments for it as well as I mainly use it for cleaning our cars now but is still used in my household some, it was the best for our minivan we had

[@olopatadine1052]

Mine is so weak. How do I fix the suction?

[@timemachinefan]

@Vanny The Bunny Mine was too but I solved it by taking it apart (it's easy) and removing the motor and fan and cleaning out hair that was accumulated behind the fan, and it was impeding proper rotation of the plastic fan. I used common tweezers to pull out hair that was all wrapped around the spindle. It's very easy to do.... There's five screws holding the two red halves (the outer shell) together. You'll be surprised of how much junk is located around the fan. Once thoroughly cleaned I installed a new belt and the old vac is like new again. Surprising where the hair came from because I have no pets! Must be from me because I'm an old timer, hahaha....

[@pabloperez8891]

Adónde puedo conseguir el ventilador de la aspiradora manual

[@Will-tp1pd]

I had one of these with a metal body, i think it was made by Royal. Still said Dirt Devil though. It worked great until i got rid of it. Bought a black plastic dirt devil hand vac a couple years ago and it was nothing like the old one. Poor suction and kicked dirt everywhere

[@derellscott6695]

Do you know what style belts they use?

[@VacTech1]

Yes. These take a Dirt Devil style 1 belt.

[@derellscott6695]

Thanks

[@FrenchFryCheese04]

And Type G Bags too!

[@roryp4844]

doesn't this have a bag iside the cloth bag so that the dust is easier to throw away and thine whole vacuum stays cleaner? does it have a filter?

[@VacTech1]

Some models took paper bags, others didnt, but could be adapted to be used with disposable paper bags.

[@roryp4844]

@@VacTech1 thanks for responding. this model seems to take a g-style paper bag.Without one, the dust would escape through the cloth bag. (If the paper bag breaks, then there is dirt and dust falling inside on the cloth) I understand that the models that collect in a plastic portion/recepticle don't require a bag. I used your video to clean an old dirt devil ultra model, including, washing the cloth bag. Thank you.

[@Vacland]

I still have my black 500 version

[@brendap7696]

I have severe lung issues so I want to use a bag but I can't seem to find the bag number( I have the Dirt Devil 500 handheld) I know someone told me the bag G works but with that lip thing on it like that at the bottom it does not work. Can you please advise ? Thank you

[@VacTech1]

For older hand vacs, there was an adapter that you had to add, to be able to use the type G paper bags.

[@brendap7696]

@@VacTech1 is this adapter still available and if so where can I get one

[@VacTech1]

@@brendap7696 I looked and saw one on ebay, but it wasn't cheap. They haven't made them for several years.

[@brendap7696]

@@VacTech1 aw bummer. Thank you so much for researching it though.♥

[@bennysticky]

Do you still have the broken one

[@FrenchFryCheese04]

He probably took it apart

[@gingermullis2049]

How did you wash the cloth bag? Sink or machine? Any detergent?

[@VacTech1]

I gently hand washed it with a little detergent. Made sure it was rinsed thoroughly.

[@gingermullis2049]

@@VacTech1 thanks

[@timemachinefan]

@@gingermullis2049 Just washed mine two days ago and I used Dawn dish soap (a very generous amount of soap) and let the bag soak in the kitchen sink for an hour or so then squeezed the bag while submerged with both hands to thoroughly clean out the fine dust particles out of the bag. Then simply give it a couple rinses using the same squeezing action and the bag comes out like new. Dried quickly overnight too. The bag does not shrink at all from getting soaked neither. Once dry it's just like new. Just used my vac and I chuckled to myself... "Gee I'm gonna get the bag all dirty again", haha!

[@gingermullis2049]

@@timemachinefan, thanks!!

[@timemachinefan]

@@gingermullis2049 You're welcome Ginger!

[@jellyjordy1154]

Hey I was wondering, with my dirt devil hand vac whenever I push down too hard the brushroll stops. Even if I press it normally. What’s wrong with it. It’s a 1991 dirt devil hand vac model 103 wc

[@VacTech1]

It needs a new belt. The one on it is stretched out and shot. They stretch and wear out over time.

[@jellyjordy1154]

Makes sense. I got it from eBay. Since they called it the rubber thing, I have a feeling they didn’t replace it. Thanks

[@VacTech1]

Yep! It takes a Dirt Devil "Style 1" belt, which you can find online or local vac shops. A new belt will make all the difference!

[@jellyjordy1154]

Vac Tech I have a local vacuum shop. But it’s closed. I will go there to make sure it’s fixed. Maybe I will find another dual sanitronic

[@jellyjordy1154]

The belt says royal on it. I think it’s the original belt that’s been in there for 29 years

[@lindak1081]

Does the model 103 use a bag

[@SylvesterTheSupernatural]

It's your choice. You can make it a shakeout or a paper bag machine

[@VacMaster2020]

What is your bench Vac

[@VacTech1]

I use a Dyson CY23 with a custom extension hose on it.

[@VacMaster2020]

@@VacTech1 my bench vacuum is a Central Vacuum

[@VacTech1]

@@VacMaster2020 congrats! that sounds like the best option!

[@VacMaster2020]

@@VacTech1 how is your Dyson bench vac doing

[@VacTech1]

@@VacMaster2020 it works great! I wash the filter once a year or so. As a regular vac, the tools on the CY23 are awful. As a bench vac with 18ft of retrofitted hose, it's awesome.

[@myckarking7008]

Hi i have this nice vaccum but i clen and then i see sparks from motor and i shut it down pls tell me what can it be and how i can reparace it btw i have dirt devil handy 150 a it can got bag???

[@myckarking7008]

pls

[@stephensnider7730]

The brushes in your motor are probably worn out.

[@myckarking7008]

thx now i have other problem that the motor smels burned

[@TheLala44621]

They don't take a paper bag inside then?

[@VacTech1]

There’s an adapter that was available for these, to allow paper bag usage. Took type G Dirt Devil bags.

[@TheLala44621]

So can I use it without the adapter? Thanks

[@VacTech1]

@@TheLala44621 yes of course!

[@TheLala44621]

@@VacTech1 thank you!!!

[@garrettdodson6110]

It sure cleaned up nice but that was far from a tuneups. The motor bearings in he “good” sound terrible you can actually hear the screaming shrillness. Almsot like a high pitched whistle. Defisyely should have pens the vacuum up and blows out the motor with air compressor and cleans and repacked the bearings. At at the very least added a drop of penetrating oil to them to help soften up the old dried of grease. And polished the commutator. That would have been a real tuneup .

[@coolelectronics1759]

do I need to pop the machine completely apart to oil it? will the blue 3-in-1 oil be fine? its ment for electric motors just want to check to make sure I don't need something a little more heavyduty for this machine's motor

[@Andrea-dj6ix]

Put on a belt and

[@FrenchFryCheese04]

And?