I have a Kirby Vacuuette, a G4 car-vac, a 1949 Kirby model 509, a 1957 Kirby model 516, a 1967 Kirby dual sanitronic 80, a 1984 Kirby heritage, and a 2023 Kirby Avalir 2.
What are your dream machines yet to be found?
A Kirby model 505, or older, and a Hoover constellation vacuum.
What are your earliest and favorite vacuum memories?
Vacuuming my parents house with a Kirby when I was about 5, using the vacuette on the stairs, and the hand-held "car-vac" to clean up small messes.
What is the history of vacuum you have owned?
I worked as a repair-woman in a vacuum cleaner store for 7 years right out of high school while I was attending college. I was trained on working on all Kirby vacuums, from the vintage 1940's Kirbys to the current Kirby machines. At that time, I became infatuated with the vintage models and started my collection.
Have you ever worked on, repaired and/or restored any vacuum cleaners?
Yes, most of the vintage models I own I have buffed the metal and restored myself, using all original parts. When I worked as a repair-woman, I would refurbish Kirbys to make them look like new for resale at the store. I would also do everyday repairs and services on Kirbys and non-Kirby vacuums that customers would bring in. I know how to repair Kirby motors (armatures, fields, carbon brushes, etc), Kirby transmissions, Kirby handle slides, Kirby headlights, to basic repairs like belts, cords, brushes, fill tubes on Kirbys. I can do very basic repairs (like belts) on non-kirbys, but my knowledge is more limited when it comes to non-kirby vacuums.
