Comprehensive List of Rug Nozzle Compatibility For First Gen Kirby

[westieterrier]

Hello Forum,

I have a 1951 Kirby 511 that came with a late-50s Handi Butler from the original owner that is not compatible because of the position of the safety switch tab. I’m having the darndest time trying to find a list of parts compatibility between the earlier Kirby models (2C through Sanitronic). Can someone steer me in the right direction to a compatibility list of what parts are interchangeable between these models? Particularly the rug nozzle/Handi Butler attachments, though I’d love to have an even more comprehensive list. Thanks so much!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

westieterrier

Patrick,

From one Portlander to another... I read that models 3C to 515 share some of the same parts. I believe the nozzle castings for models 3C to 515 will interchange, however, I am not 100 percent confident on this until we see a parts price list ca. 1941 or 1946 covering models C to 4C for absolute proof.

From what I know, your Handi-Butler came with the Classic 1CR (sold from 1970-73) due to its package design, and the only other two models that this H-B will fit on would be the Dual Sanitronic 50 and 80, as those also have the two-button safety switch (134365). Thus, the Handi-Butler you want would be for models 509 to 515 (the Handi-Butler first appeared on model 509); in fact, each Handi-Butler did have a unique model number (in your case, you want the 2511).

The attachment kit I see is from a 518, and most of the attachments will work with your 511, except for the suction and blower couplings.

Here's the compatibility list:
C and 2C
3C, 4C and 505 to 515
516 to Sanitronic VII
Dual Sanitronic 50, 80 and Classic 1CR
Classic Omega 1CB to Tradition 3CB (although some Traditions had the top-mounted speed switch)
Heritage 1HD to Legend II
Generation 3 and G4
G5 to Avalir II

~Ben

 

[westieterrier]

Thanks Ben!

Hey Ben, you made my afternoon with this reply!! And from a fellow Portlander at that! This list is most helpful to me. So I bought my 511 Kirby from the son of the original owner in St. Johns and this is everything he had. I assumed it was all from the same year, but, man, I found out after trial and error that the cabinet and it's attachments are from around 1958 (Kirby 518) and that the Handi Butler does not at all fit. Why his great-grandmother (still alive) bought this and kept it for so many years I cannot imagine. I have her name and I might drop a note to say hello and learn more of the provenance of the machine.

After some searching, I located a nice Mark I on eBay and it fits and runs great. Too bad the beautiful drive bar cable doesn't work with the older HB unit, so I will now search for a Mark I cable, though it will probably be tan or gray. I do like the red quite a bit (maybe she did too!).

Both the suction and blower couplings, as you stated, don't fit. This puts me dead in the water on much of the Kirby's functionality, but after a post here a nice lad named Kieran respondent and is sending me these units and a proper portable handle as of the time of this writing. Man, this teenager in Kentucky REALLY knows his stuff (go Gen Z!), thought we'll see if everything fits as he said. I'm probably older than his parents!

Ben, I'm really psyched there's someone in my hometown that is an aficionado of these ancient machines. I'd greatly appreciate further corresponding with you and perhaps trading some parts. As you can see, I have some extras now. Dirt cheap too! My email is [email protected]. Hope to hear from you sometime, man. Thanks again so much! Patrick

 

[lesinutah]

Fix

There is a simple way to fix this issue. If you disconnect the safety switch at the power switch. You cap the wires and once you turn the machine on with the handi butler on it will turn on with the power on off the machine.
If you have a 2 speed I wouldn't recommend it. I don't like safety switches. I keep them on the machine and disconnect exactly like I mentioned. If you sale the machine or want the safety switch activated you simply reconnect.
I have a avalir hose with a ds80 to tradition coupler. Disconnecting the safety switch allows me to use the avalir hose on 516- sanitronic 7. The newer hose works alit better than older hoses. It makes it nice to not have a hose for each generation or platform.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

westieterrier

Patrick,

My grandparents were living in St. Johns at the time when I saw their Kirby Classic III, this being when I was six years old. They actually acquired it from some guy (presumably the original owner of the machine when new in 1977) while in Utah, when he could not pay off his debts. I told them to save that for me when they were finished with it. That time came in August of 1998, one month after my 17th birthday.

Getting back to discussion of your 511, the original bag on this machine was gray with the Kirby logo in cursive script (a la Jim Kirby's own handwriting), with red and silver stripes running down the front of the bag. The original Emtor bottom was gray plastic, as was the handle grip, both of which I think are still intact on your machine. The bag I see right now is an aftermarket replacement from the early 1990s made for the Classic and Classic Omega, and also has the Omega's exclusive bag topper.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 1/10/2021-18:41]

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

westieterrier

Patrick,

I sent you an e-mail now. Let me know if you receive it.

Thank you,



Ben (KirbyClassicIII)

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

westieterrier

Patrick,

I have not forgotten you. With the pandemic easing, I hope one day I can visit you. I still have all the e-mails you sent me.

Here's the latest addition to my vac collection, as of this January: a 1987 Royal 662Z Heavy Duty Commercial.

~Ben