Accessories for my Kirby 515

[houstonc89]

Hello, my name is Houston and I am new to group. Please forgive me if there is a thread for this already, I looked and did not see any.

I have a Kirby 515 from 1955 I have owned since I was a young teenager. I recently decided to dig it out and breathe some new life in to it. Our Hoover died and I was SO SICK TO DEATH of dealing with cheap, flimsy plastic parts. I knew it would be a decent vacuum, but honestly expected it to be a little lack-luster when using attachments with the hose. After all, there has been quite a few technological advancements over the past 60 years! Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. This thing out performs any modern vacuum I have ever used and is surprisingly easy to disassemble and reassemble and replace parts. Now that I have a semi-restored, high-quality machine, I really want to track down the correct accessories for it.

I have a hose modified to fit and some Omega accessories, but they're not the right ones for my machine. I think the 515 was supposed to still have the cloth hose that fit over the little aluminum collar or cone you snap on the front of the vacuum, as opposed to the plastic coated hose with the collar permanently attached. (Please let me know if I am correct/incorrect on this) In addition to the hose, I would like an accessory set WITH its original box (red) and a handi-butler for the 515. I would also like to find any advertising materials or an owner's manual. I am not interested in pieces that will work with my machine, I only want accessories made for and that were sold new with my machine. The only accessory I have and do not need is the floor polisher.

If you have any of the accessories I have mentioned above, or have anything at all you think I would be interested in, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!
Houston

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Houston,

Here's the complete list of accessories that were available for your machine, from a 1965 Kirby parts list:

1880 - Emtor round rubber gasket (505/515)
2000S - Lifter grip, metal (505/515)
2001 - Lifter grip pad (505/515)
2002 - Lifter grip 'S' hook (505/560)
206056S - Floor duster pad complete (513/561)
2062 - Floor duster pad clip rivet (505/3CB)
2063 - Floor duster pad clip (513/3CB)
2083 - Floor duster pad felt strip (505/D80)
2084 - Floor duster pad felt rivet (505/3CB)
2100S - Suction coupler (505/515)
2120S - Blower coupler (505/515)
2141 - Massage cup (505/561)
2160 - Utility air nozzle (505/561)
2180S - Utility brush nozzle (505/561)
2181 - Utility brush strip (505/L2)
2182S - Duster brush complete (505/561)
220158 - Duster brush ring (505/L2)
2220S - Crystalator complete (505/561)
2221 - Crystalator cap, gray (505/561)
2222 - Crystalator cap wave washer (505/562)
223056 - Hose less couplings, red (505/561)
223256S - Hose locking nut assembly, red (505/561)
223356 - Hose tube swivel (505/1CR)
223456 - Hose locking nut ferrule (505/3CB)
223656S - Hose complete, red (505/561)
2240 - Straight extension tube, red (505/561)
2250 - Curved extension tube, red (505/561)
2260 - Crevice tool less brush tip, red (505/561)
2500S - Spray gun body, red (505/560)
2508 - Spray gun jar gasket (505/560)
2510 - Spray gun jar (505/D80)
2512S - Spray gun valve stem (505/560)
2520S - Suds 'O' Gun cap (509/560)
2522 - Suds 'O' Gun cap screen (509/560)

~Ben

 

[houstonc89]

Thank you Ben. This will be very helpful as I am evaluating what I have versus what I need.

 

[jeschbac]

515 Authentic Attachments/Parts

Houston, these items do come up from time to time on Ebay. Also, scan various regions on Craigslist. You will eventually get exactly what you want with a little patience. There is a guy in Wisconsin who is making model appropriate filter bags for the Kirby 500 series. I see his work listed on Ebay from time to time. These are superb machines, and with a bit of TLC will last another lifetime or two.

 

[ronni]

Welcome to Vacuumland, Houston. It's good to have you here. Your Model 515 appears to be in great shape, especially for being 60 years old this year. Good for you that you're putting in back in service.

I know that you want an original owner's manual for it, but for now I found a Model 514 one on the Kirby website (there is no Model 515 one likely because it was so similar to the Model 514). Anyway, this will get you by on the interim:

http://kirbywhq.powweb.com/manuals/514/index.html

Keep checking eBay or other online auctions.


Also, here is a list of the colors of the Model 515's parts and attachments:

TRIM/HANDGRIP/FOOT SWITCH: red
WHEELS: gray
ATTACHMENTS: gray
CORD: gray
HOSE: gray w/red and silver tracers
BAG: gray with red and silver printing featuring the logo (narrow cursive Kirby lettering in a circle)


In addition, I think you'll find this webpage quite interesting:

http://www.1377731.com/kirby515/

 

[houstonc89]

Thank you very much! I suspect you are correct about the owners manual. I have noticed most all documents I have read from Kirby do not specifically reference the 515, but rather lump it in a range. I just love it. I'd like to get an Omega with a disposable bag upgrade to use as my everyday, and really make this one a show piece, complete with all its accessories and every detail factory original.