HELP! Question for Kirby Sentria Owners

[buffster]

I recently purchased a new in box Kirby Sentria off eBay. Quite a good deal. I also purchased a 50 ft. cord, which arrived today. I was about to install it, however, it appears that 1) the small screws used to attach the cord require a special screw driver and/or 2) they stripped the screw heads when attaching the regular cord at the factory (which surprises me). I will call Kirby tomorrow to see if they have a solution, but in the meantime thought I would put it out there to see if you had any ideas. Thanks heaps for your thoughts.

Mike

 

[twocvbloke]

For Kirbys after the G5 (and earlier factory rebuilt models with had the screws replaced), you need Torx (6-point star-shaped) head screwdrivers, sizes T15, T20 and T25...

 

[buffster]

Kirby Torque Screwdriver


Thanks David. Much appreciated. I did a little more research and discovered that I need the torque screwdriver. Now, to find them. As you can tell, I'm not exactly mechanical. lol.

 

[danemodsandy]

Mike:

A Torx pocket-size folding driver is available in most hardware or home improvement stores. They have different size bits that fold out from the handle like the blades of a pocketknife. Usually under $10.

Whatever you do, do NOT use a Torx bit in your electric drill. Those things will strip Torx heads very easily, and if your hand slips, you could mar your new Sentria.

When you use the pocket driver, push DOWN as well as turning; that will make the "clutching" feature of a Torx head grip the driver and ensure the least chance of slipping.

Here's what a Torx pocket driver looks like:

 

[buffster]

Thanks for the suggestion Sandy


That is almost identical to what I ordered last night. And, it was about $9, so I feel good that I'm on the right track. I even checked to make sure it had all the right bit sizes.

 

[danemodsandy]

Mike:

Glad to see that you were able to research the correct tool. If you were able to research all that, you are WAY more mechanically inclined than you gave yourself credit for in your original post!

When it comes time to use the driver tool, don't be too startled if the screw doesn't want to move easily. Assembly of products is often done with power tools (by experienced people who don't often let their hand slip; this is not recommended for most of us), so that screw may be in there good and tight. If pushing down on the driver tool doesn't persuade the screw to begin moving, try a little WD-40 and an overnight wait. Wipe the screw head clean of WD-40 before trying again.

 

[twocvbloke]

"try a little WD-40"

But, that's a water dispersant (it only contains a tiny amount of oil which disappears in no time, just leaving a sticky mess), you need to use a penetrating release fluid like PlusGas (or similar) which is designed to free up stuck screw & bolts... :&#92

Anyway, my Torx drivers are three separate screwdrivers, I did think about getting one of them little foldaway jobbies, but the fella I used to buy tools off before moving had those three going cheap, so I got them for my G5, and they've been used for many other things as those three sizes seem to be the most common on big things like appliances and furniture...

I also have some Torx bits to use in a cordless screwdriver or my T-handle driver for them stuck screws, but I keep losing the damned kit (they're part of a security screw bit set) so never know where they are when I need them!!!

 

[buffster]

Update


Thanks for all the great advice guys (and the generous compliment Sandy). Great news. The pocket torx screwdriver tool arrived today and I changed the cords in about 5 minutes. I learned a little and now have a set of torx screwdrivers in my toolbox. I also found a nice demonstration video on YouTube of how to change the cords.

 

[danemodsandy]

David:

WD-40 may be differently formulated on your side of the pond, but over here, it's a penetrant, and works well for light duty such as I proposed to Mike. On a vintage vacuum with a stuck fastener, there are others I might recommend, such as PB Blaster or Free All or Marvel Mystery Oil. I mentioned WD-40 also because there is a can of it somewhere in almost every American home; Mike probably wouldn't have had to purchase any for the project.