Smart woman
I hope it rubbed off on you.
I hope it rubbed off on you.
A Dirty Old Kirby For The New Year
- Thread starter huskyvacs
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texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
I do not see this thread as 'complaining'.
I only see Husky pointing out all the bad or unusual things about this vac, but hey - I did the same thing after I got my 505. Resto here: http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27
Ya gotta point out the bad stuff before bringing it back to life and discussing the good stuff! I am sure Husky will be restoring this one too, so the good is yet to come. (hint, hint)
The polisher heads for these models can be had on ebay for as low as $10-15. I got one for my 505 just so I could have a spare belt lifter.
As for the Electrolux parts, the seller either had no clue if they went together or if he did, just dumped it all together to rid it all to a vacuum enthusiast. I got a bunch of oddball stuff with a junk unit I got.
I only see Husky pointing out all the bad or unusual things about this vac, but hey - I did the same thing after I got my 505. Resto here: http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158_27
Ya gotta point out the bad stuff before bringing it back to life and discussing the good stuff! I am sure Husky will be restoring this one too, so the good is yet to come. (hint, hint)
The polisher heads for these models can be had on ebay for as low as $10-15. I got one for my 505 just so I could have a spare belt lifter.
As for the Electrolux parts, the seller either had no clue if they went together or if he did, just dumped it all together to rid it all to a vacuum enthusiast. I got a bunch of oddball stuff with a junk unit I got.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
@ texaskirbyguy
Thank you for understanding. I hope I can too. The most experience I've had with the inside of a vacuum is a Eureka Optima and a Electrolux PN2 power nozzle. I think I have the polishing technique learned in my head so far, but not practiced it yet.
I do have a crappy Kirby 1CR with a bad motor and the housing looks like someone tried to polish it with a belt sander. I planned to use as a practice dummy vacuum since it isn't terribly valuable. Hopefully this summer, my workbench is all cluttered.
I have a Electrolux Model G so the parts won't go to waste.
Thank you for understanding. I hope I can too. The most experience I've had with the inside of a vacuum is a Eureka Optima and a Electrolux PN2 power nozzle. I think I have the polishing technique learned in my head so far, but not practiced it yet.
I do have a crappy Kirby 1CR with a bad motor and the housing looks like someone tried to polish it with a belt sander. I planned to use as a practice dummy vacuum since it isn't terribly valuable. Hopefully this summer, my workbench is all cluttered.
I have a Electrolux Model G so the parts won't go to waste.
Here's a quick tip...
Hey Huskyvac!
If you have an air compressor, take the machine outside and blast it with air--it will blow much of the crap off of it. Then, take quad-grade (0000) steel wool and use it dry to polish the bare metal first. Again, you will see a noticeable improvement and it will allow you to better see the condition of the machine. I use Blue Magic Metal Polishing Cream which you can find or have ordered thru your local True Value Hardware store. If you don't have an air compressor consider purchasing one as it will save time and effort with machine restoration. You can use it for a lot of other things, as well. Keep us posted. And, I don't see you complaining about anything so don't worry about it. I understand you perfectly!
Hey Huskyvac!
If you have an air compressor, take the machine outside and blast it with air--it will blow much of the crap off of it. Then, take quad-grade (0000) steel wool and use it dry to polish the bare metal first. Again, you will see a noticeable improvement and it will allow you to better see the condition of the machine. I use Blue Magic Metal Polishing Cream which you can find or have ordered thru your local True Value Hardware store. If you don't have an air compressor consider purchasing one as it will save time and effort with machine restoration. You can use it for a lot of other things, as well. Keep us posted. And, I don't see you complaining about anything so don't worry about it. I understand you perfectly!
huskyvacs
Well-known member
@ Louvac
I do have a air compressor, I don't know the size offhand but it's big enough to need wheels. I bought it for blowing out computers and other small appliances, so he should do the job.
Steel wool? Wouldn't that scratch the metal permanently? Also what about Mother's mag wheels polish? Any time I see someone polishing a Kirby on youtube or on here in my searching, they always have a tin of that.
I bought a cheap tattered Royal hand vacuum to use as a practice dummy for polishing technique too. I do not have a polishing machine, so I'd have to do it by hand (maybe it will cure my carpal tunnel). haha
I do have a air compressor, I don't know the size offhand but it's big enough to need wheels. I bought it for blowing out computers and other small appliances, so he should do the job.
Steel wool? Wouldn't that scratch the metal permanently? Also what about Mother's mag wheels polish? Any time I see someone polishing a Kirby on youtube or on here in my searching, they always have a tin of that.
I bought a cheap tattered Royal hand vacuum to use as a practice dummy for polishing technique too. I do not have a polishing machine, so I'd have to do it by hand (maybe it will cure my carpal tunnel). haha
texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
See reply 4 of this thread for some proven polishing techniques that I had learned as a beginner:
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34091_7
Also there are many other tips and tricks in that thread that may help with your resto.
I have done 4 vacs over the past year, so I now want to sit back and watch someone else restore theirs!
http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34091_7
Also there are many other tips and tricks in that thread that may help with your resto.
I have done 4 vacs over the past year, so I now want to sit back and watch someone else restore theirs!
If you polish with a buffing machine, I recommend doing it outside. Either way, wear a mask! The Polish flecks are really hard on your lungs. Enough exposure will cause what is known as "Black Lung" or "Coal Miners Lung." Ive seen it before, lots of folks in my dads family get it. Its nasty.
I use a Grizzley buffing machine, a gift from our own Owen Perkins. I am awful with using it, but the art f polishing will come with time. Its tucked away in the main shop at the Farm for the winter, among my other power tools that normally sit in my Garage. Their place is held by a snowblower at the moment.
I use a Grizzley buffing machine, a gift from our own Owen Perkins. I am awful with using it, but the art f polishing will come with time. Its tucked away in the main shop at the Farm for the winter, among my other power tools that normally sit in my Garage. Their place is held by a snowblower at the moment.
Well based on the speed switch it is a single speed 4 amp model. It is 50's to early 60's machine. Just before the Dual Sanitronic (2 speed 5 amp) You can attach a short metal piece on the Miracle head to trip the safety switch. It will take some careful measuring to do that. Easiest is to locate a miracle head from the 517 to early 60's Sanitronic model. That miracle head will work with that machine. Same exact set up until the Dual Sanitronic came out. Can be found on ebay and most any vacuum shop or Kirby repair shop.
phaeton
Well-known member
YouTube 7 part video by ChicagoMike
Hello All and huskyvacs,
This is a really good YouTube Video by a Vacuumland member. Type this or paste it in the YouTube search just as it is:
Part 1 of 7 How to Completely Take Apart Disassemble Kirby 509 1949 Vacuum Cleaner
It is really good and informative.
Your Kirby is newer but much of taking it apart is the same.
Thank you for looking,
Pete
Hello All and huskyvacs,
This is a really good YouTube Video by a Vacuumland member. Type this or paste it in the YouTube search just as it is:
Part 1 of 7 How to Completely Take Apart Disassemble Kirby 509 1949 Vacuum Cleaner
It is really good and informative.
Your Kirby is newer but much of taking it apart is the same.
Thank you for looking,
Pete
Husky Vac
You have 516 I think belt lifter. The Grey wheels started in 516. The nozzle is 516-sanitronic 7. Your handle 516-560 but it looks like 516. Bag is replacement sanatronic 50 bag. The emptor is 510-561. The speed switch is 516 to s7. If I were to guess wheels handle belt lifter nozzle everything points to 516. They put a sanitronic bag on it. But the majority of the identifiable pieces say 516 maybe 517(i think 516-519 are the same trim. I'd say 516 thats educated since most pieces look original to 516.
Les
You have 516 I think belt lifter. The Grey wheels started in 516. The nozzle is 516-sanitronic 7. Your handle 516-560 but it looks like 516. Bag is replacement sanatronic 50 bag. The emptor is 510-561. The speed switch is 516 to s7. If I were to guess wheels handle belt lifter nozzle everything points to 516. They put a sanitronic bag on it. But the majority of the identifiable pieces say 516 maybe 517(i think 516-519 are the same trim. I'd say 516 thats educated since most pieces look original to 516.
Les
huskyvacs
Well-known member
I was told on youtube that dust is drywall dust....ick. Anyone have experience on how to go about cleaning that out? Use another vacuum to do it? I presume it will need to be done outdoors, right? I hope it's not asbestos either.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
If that is drywall dust, I assume the seller's grandma had her house renovated and the contractors probably just stole her vacuum and used it to clean up their mess until it clogged or broke then put it in the basement where it sat for who knows when.
Husky Vac
Cleaning drywall is tricky. Blow out with shop vac first. If you have any left after that soak in warm water for a day and most will come off in water. I would then after pulling from water use shop vac again. This should work. Drywall is paper and has mud which is a mild gluing type compound.
Why in the heck would u clean up drywall with kirby. That's what shop vacs are for.
Cleaning drywall is tricky. Blow out with shop vac first. If you have any left after that soak in warm water for a day and most will come off in water. I would then after pulling from water use shop vac again. This should work. Drywall is paper and has mud which is a mild gluing type compound.
Why in the heck would u clean up drywall with kirby. That's what shop vacs are for.
madman
Well-known member
Doesn't look like drywall dust to me. Too gray. Drywall is white. Odds are slim that anyone vacuumed up asbestos dust anytime within the past 40 years (despite me doing so last year). If it has a sandy texture to it, it's probably some kind of masonry product - mortar or the like. Just suck it up with another vac. Alternatively, take it outside and blow it off with compressed air.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
Alright, thanks. I feel a bit better. It is a greyish-off-white in person. The camera flash messes with the luminescence of it. It will wait until summer or spring, too wet and cold to mess with it now.
