Early, Kirby 508

[cb123]

This (1948) kirby 508, most thankfully did not fall victim to the rebuild program. The 508 was more in style with the 505 in design and use of materials. All the rubber was grey instead of black, and it also lacked a perfume port. The belt lefter is red and white, and embossed with James Kirby's signature - just like the 505 and all of the C series. These are the only ones which bore Kirby's actual signature, before the western look with the 509.

 

[cb123]

508

Pick#2

 

[cb123]

508

Pic#3

 

[cb123]

508

pick#4

 

[cb123]

508

Pick#5

 

[cb123]

508 Pick#6

The floor polisher belongs to a 512. I think the 508 floor polisher was a special order item at the time. All other attachments and hose are original to the unit.

 

[cb123]

505 to 508 Pamphlet (Pick#7)

This is the 505 to 508 floor polisher pamphlet. View is front side up.

 

[cb123]

Pick#8

This is the pamphlet's reverse.

 

[cb123]

Pick#9 hand grip

When I got the 508 its rubber hand grip resembled a piece of dried, cracked charcoal with many missing segments. I believe at the time they must have not used enough sulfur to vulcanize the rubber. So, I revitalized the rubber with a tub of windshield gasket repair - using my finger. (VERY MESSY) It took several coats, but well worth it.

 

[cb123]

Post your kirby photos

Please, post your favorite Kirby photos too. I would really like to see them.

 

[vinvac]

Awesome!

That was my mothers vacuum and I still have it. However it has been rebuilt three times.

That is how I remember the vacuum as a child..

Morgan

 

[vacuumman206]

515

I not long ago picked up a 515 that at a very quick glance I mistook for a sanitronic VII, along with 3 other kirbys and 3 royals for $100. I intended to resell all the machines to make a profit, but upon really liking one of the royals and seeing this Kirby was a 515 not a sanitronic, I couldn't help myself but to clean it up and keep it for myself (for now). The bag was rather dirty inside but came clean and polished up really nice and easily compared to all the Kirbys I've polished before. Unfortunately I'm sure it can be seen it doesn't have the proper cord. No biggie to me. Probably the only Kirby I've gotten so far that doesn't have bearings on their way out!

 

[vacuumman206]

more kirbys

I've also got my 2 ds50s, sanitronic VII and my G5(sold this one, kept the other), along with my 2 ds80s not pictured. My favorites are the non-pictured DS80 and the DS50 to the right. The 80 has been a project I bought from a friend in 4th grade for $4 that I have been restoring through the years. Only need the original bag for it to be restored to full glory. The 50 was my grandma's vac that aparently has quite the story to it. She passed away in 98' and it sat in a closet for 11 years before my grandpa wanted to me to sell it, but I persuaded him to just give it to me, for we all know my grandma would be proud of me taking such good care of it, because she loved her Kirby!

 

[cb123]

Vacuumman206

Bless your Grandmother's heart. I'm glad you got her D-50, it's right were it belongs. About the D-80 bag, I got a original replacement bag off ebay and it is really super nice. I just checked and there is one left for $32.90. If you decide to check it out on ebay; type in the search box ( Kirby D 80 ). The seller is Kirbyfans.

 

[vacuumman206]

cb123

Thanks. I have been watching for bags on Ebay, but money's tight so an original bag has to wait a while. At least it's the only thing left to originalize, and that satisfies me. When I got it, it had 2 omega and ds50 wheels, a red extension cord as the cord, a busted handle, and a bent armature I didn't know about till not long ago. And all that has been fixed.So it has come a long way.

 

[normvac]

vacuuman206

Nice meet you and love your well cared for Kirby's.
I wish I had my grandmothers 508.
Was wondering why it is that all your Kirby's are all the
way down to "0" on the carpet setting.
Accorging to the book, the carpet height adjustment should
be raised all the way to the top. For storage and after
each vacuuming. So the head comes off easier for other
attachments. Alwo making it's ready to adjust for new
cleaning jobs, as well as stress on brushes.
Just wondering.
Thanks for the pics
Norm

 

[vacuumman206]

reply: normvac

If you're talking about the classic, 515 and G5, they were on the lowest setting because I just used them on that thin carpet, and had not yet raised them for storage. If you look at my at home kirbys, I always keep the nozzle at the highest setting because I did here about how it relieves pressure on the brushes.

 

[cb123]

Vacuumman206

I do the same thing too.

 

[cb123]

Another Pic

If any one has a 508, please, post some pictures. Thanks

 

[hygiene903]

Nice 508, Calem!

And since you asked, here's a pic of my Kirby lineup. Left to right, we have a 512, 517, two D-50's, D-80, Classic, and Classic III.
Jeff

 

[cb123]

Thanks, Jeff

Looking good, looking really good, Jeff. You have a great line up there with some mighty fine machines to top. I guess it's true, Kirby's do make the day brighter. Great photo, thanks again, Calem

 

[hygiene903]

You're Welcome, glad you enjoyed them!
Jeff

 

[cb123]

Kirby 508

Canister mode with all original attachments.

 

[cb123]

This Kirby early 508 is fairly rare, and it fixed up pretty nice too! I must say it is one of my very favorite.

 

[vinvac]

I have my mom's 508. It has been rebuild several time. Still a great vacuum.

 

[tase]

I'd post my favourite Kirby if only it weren't disassembled currently..

 

[kenkart]

Re Kirby as a canister..

Most people think because the suction isnt very strong, that they dont do a good job, far from it, the airflow on the Kirby is great, and for dusting etc, its the airflow that counts, not sealed suction.

 

[electrolux137]

Or as Stan Kann used to say, "A vacuum cleaner only needs enough suction to get the dirt from the floor to the bag." The suction on the early Kirbys is hardly strong enough to "suck dry paint right off the wall" (where have I heard that before?!), but it's strong enough for dusting. And I love the sound of an early 500-series with the hose attached. It's downright musical!!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Charles,

The sound of my Classic III (or any 5 to 6 amp Kirby with a 2-speed motor), with the hose attached, however, is really powerful even to my ears... which was why I hadn't been significantly keen on them (as opposed to the metal Royals) between the ages of 9 and 29.

~Ben