Shortly after I came across a circa 2006 Sanitaire System_Pro upright, fate landed me a Sanitronic 7, cast aside on the curb on trash day (what a shame). It runs well from what I could tell but of course will need to be polished and shined up, that is after I thoroughly clean and disinfect it. I've restored five Kirby machines of varying ages (oldest a DS50 and the newest an Avalir) and I've been able to separate the fancase with relative ease. However, on this S7, it does not want to separate. I've tried running a razor blade around the fancase to no avail. Tried tapping on it with a rubber mallet -- nope. Borrowed my wife's hairdryer to heat up whatever adhesive, if any -- nada. I don't want to stress the aluminum by being forceful with a screwdriver.
I will say that this machine looks like it was serviced through the years by a Kirby dealer (as evidenced by the sticker on the handle, and a sticker of a different Kirby dealer on the emptor). A peek through the motor casing (after the outer shell has come off) reveals what looks like a brand new (or at least newer) bearing plate, so I'm guessing it had been serviced recently. Since I found this on the curb, I have no history of the life of this Kirby.
What do vacuum shops typically use to seal fancases? How do I separate the fancase without causing damage?
I will say that this machine looks like it was serviced through the years by a Kirby dealer (as evidenced by the sticker on the handle, and a sticker of a different Kirby dealer on the emptor). A peek through the motor casing (after the outer shell has come off) reveals what looks like a brand new (or at least newer) bearing plate, so I'm guessing it had been serviced recently. Since I found this on the curb, I have no history of the life of this Kirby.
What do vacuum shops typically use to seal fancases? How do I separate the fancase without causing damage?