Early, Kirby 508

[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

 

[electrolux137]

Well, I wasn't talking about the Classic III but the 508 ... two completely different animals with completely different motor sound & volume.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

I got a 508, it's not fully original but I'm working on getting it all original

 

[KirbyCollector01]

So far the priginal parts on it are the six blade fan, the red belt lifter with Jim Kirby's real signature engraved on it, the grey nozzle trim, the metal part of the hand grip, the grey emptor tray, the black cord isn't an original one from the 40s and is brand new but I still call it original because it's black like the original. The parts it has that's not original at the moment is the bag, the headlight trim, the wheels, the rubber sleeve on the hand grip, the sani emptor is a 1950s replacement as it has a sweet aire which first appeared on the 510 I believe. I am ok with that emptor. I have a tan 70s replacement hose for it that I use on it. That is what I have to say. Happy vacuuming

 

[watsonw]

Early, Kirby 508.

If only they still made them like that now; they would probably sell far better over here in the UK!!!

A truly beautiful machine, l had the chance to try one (a 240 volt UK version) and it was most impressive.

Cheers, Walter, UK.

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Watsonw

Was it 240 volts? Or a 120v plugged in a transformer?

 

[cb123]

KirbyCollector, you really got yourself a great machine there!

 

[KirbyCollector01]

cb123

Thank you

I have been working on finding original parts for it. Soon it will be all original

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Speaking of that, anyone know how and or where I could get original 508 parts?

 

[KirbyCollector01]

Three Years after my first reply, my 508 is now original!!

Here it is with my 519 (also all original)

 

[kirbyklekter]

So happy for you!

They look fantastic and congratulations on finding all the parts needed!