Does anyone have a picture of Keeler's self propelled converter?

[speedqueen]

I have scoured this site trying to find a picture of that kooky Keeler guy's Kirby or Bison self propelled system. He is the same guy who is now selling the useless Kirby "Bagless Conversion".

Does anyone have a picture or video of that self propelled mechanism?

**********
By the way, from what I read he made quite a splash-down when he tried to peddle his contraption here back in '09.

 

[speedqueen]

Nothing???

If you have pictures or knowledge it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, in advance,
-Richard Jolly

 

[dysonman1]

He used to advertise the contraption in the VDTA (vacuum dealer's trade association) magazine that came out each month, back in the late 1980's. I have some of those issues, buried, but I promise as soon as they come to light I'll make a copy of his picture.

He used a Classic III, and added a new motor shell, which had a Hoover Dial A Matic power drive module in it. He also modified the handle to accept the Dial A Matic handle grip and transmission drive cable. It was a horrible monstrosity. I've seen one in person. About 7 or 8 inches longer in the back than a standard Kirby, it was an overgrown abomination. Tremendously heavy. There was a vac dealer near me who bought one for resale. I don't think he ever sold it to anyone. He's been retired for two decades, so I don't know what ever happened to that overgrown, glorified sawmill he called a "Keeler".

A vac shop could buy the entire machine, or the 'conversion kit' from him. He also sold rebuilt Kirbys to the vac shops, ready for sale. Saw one of those too, he never used genuine Kirby parts, and the rebuild always looked sloppy and shadily done.

 

[kirbyvertibles]

Tom, I remember an old codger of a vacuum dealer in my town years ago talking about this and I guess he had seen it in person at one of the shows? anyhow I'm just curious if you ever crossed his path. His name is Paul Kennedy and he owned Kennedy's sweeper and sewing. I learned a lot from this man in the 90's before I took over being this areas vacuum guy.

 

[mchmike]

Here's one , it crisps as it burns as it explodes.

 

[reo580]

What's the deal with Keeler?

I'd be curious to see a Keeler Conversion. Especially the Classic 3 described above. I'm curious: when Keeler is brought up- people on this and other forums seem to have a negative slant towards him. I remember when he tired to advertise his bagless Kirby Kit back in 09-10. There was some hostility directed towards him. I'm not trying to point fingers or anything like that, I'm just trying to understand where it all comes from. I have to admit that a self propelled Classic 3 with a Hoover Concept handle conversion and trans hookup- that does take some ingenuity. My question is What's the issue with Keeler- I'm wondering if I had missed something in the past. I'm just curious that's all.

 

[dysonman1]

Hey Derek:
It wasn't so much the bagless contraption as it was his insistence that it was "better" than the bag. Many people pointed out that it was a Eureka Optima dust cup and filter, mounted on a Kirby hose connector. We realized it restricted air flow even clean and empty, was a filthy mess to clean out, the filter clogged almost immediately, and it was a detriment to the way a Kirby, with its tremendous airflow, was able to clean the rug. He just didn't understand that he was making it worse and not better. And he liked to argue his points, in a group with many Kirby enthusiasts, who understand the Kirby way better than he did.

 

[kirbysthebest]

I believe the flaming machine above is actually a Royal.  Judging from the skinny rear wheels and the cooling vents on the side of the motor. 


 


Keeler was just very polarizing.  The dislike fostered from his love of his inventions which no one else shared, and his expertise at not accepting he wasn't an expert even when proven wrong.


 

 

[speedqueen]

Improvements

Could be made to the maxima with a hose connector by increasing the size of the filter for better airflow and having a mesh screen divider midway in the dust cup to stop the large particles from surrounding and clogging the filter before it even saw any fine dust

 

[tolivac]

The picture shown is indeed a Royal that was being "burned"- The YouTube "Idiots" wanted to see what happned if the Royal was put in a tray of gas.Eventully the bag ignited as shown adn burned completely away.but the machine was completly undamaged and ran just fine.All it would need is a new bag!For a few moments they had a "Royal Blowtorch"!