I'm such a vac addict...

[human]

So I met some friends for dinner this evening, and on my way home, I decided to walk around at a nearby Goodwill. When I got to the back of the store, I spotted a cluster of about a half-dozen vacuum cleaners, mostly plasticrap that they couldn't pay me to take, but among them was a dusty Kirby Legend II. Lately, Goodwill has been jacking up their prices beyond reason, so I was extremely surprised to see that it was tagged at a mere $10. Despite the layer of dirt, it's actually in pretty decent shape, although it needs a light bulb, and probably a belt. The only sort of weird thing is the cord on it is a brown one for a Classic, but even though the female end is not quite the right shape, it fits in the socket and works. When I plugged it in at the store and fired it up, and the motor ran smoothly. I think I have a black coed for a Heritage in my barn. I may swap that onto it whenever I get around to cleaning it up.

There was a time, not that long ago, that I would have grabbed that sucker and headed for the checkout, giddy with excitement and looking over my shoulder for security because 1t was a such a steal. Tonight, it was different. I really struggled with whether to buy it or not, but in the end, I gave in. A Kirby for the price of a burger and fries, I rationalized. Sure, I didn't need it, but And what the heck, I could always sell it or part it out to make a profit. Sadly, the machine is probably worth more as a collection of parts than it is as a whole unit, not that I would want to do that. But still, I have been pretty adamant about not buying any more vacuums, and was successful in that for more than a year. Walking slowly up to the checkout, I felt like an alcoholic, falling off the wagon, knowing I shouldn't, but at the same not feeling like I was fully in control of my actions. A very, very odd feeling, to be sure.

 

[electrolux137]

"We admitted we were powerless over vacuum cleaners and our lives had become unmanageable."

This is the first step in recovery.

 

[lesinutah]

I

Don't think there is a 1st step.

 

[thevacomaticiec]

Good job realizing everything about it .
I feel this way for looking on ebay or Facebook market place. But some yime you just have to treat your self what the heck 10 bucks !!.

You seem in control of it all to me so enjoy that new toy.

 

[huskyvacs]

I think of it as rescuing vacuums that would otherwise continue to be abused and smashed up then thrown in the trash wastelessly by people that dont know what a belt is or how to empty the bins.

I still look for vacuums IRL and use eBay to supplement the vacuums I can't find IRL, and it's satisfying washing and repairing them. Ones I don't particularly care for I will sell on. I like to have my collection be a mix of industrial, residential, and the unique, weird, and unusual, plus anything I can save from their doom whatever it may be. It has sprouted up an electric mix of stuff that is for sure. I feel the most strongly for Kirby and I will always have them as "home base". I just brought an Avalir parts unit for $50 again when I already have one still not repaired because they are just such good vacuums and they cost so much money it sucks to see them treated like crap.

I never seen it as being a problem even though 40% of my basement is vacuums all over the floor waiting to be repaired. Maybe you have some inner guilt about it? Or a fear of becoming someone on some hoarder TV show staged for entertainment value? Just have to look at it differently on a different perspective and I think you will be OK.

 

[kirbyklekter]

you did good Edgar,

a year is a respectable amount of time to go without a purchase. Don't be so hard on yourself. I wouldn't pass up a Kirby either and I'm capped off at 51.Especially a legend II, though geez. Who knows, the motor could have fewer hours on it and you could do a little switcheroo with one you have now.Donating it to your church for them to resell at a function is yet another option. I wouldn't trip on it too much,you did the right thing.

 

[dysonman1]

2023 is the year I throw stuff away. Tired of hanging on to machines "for some collector" when no one has any interest in it. We are only two months into 2023 and I have already sent over 50 machines to the crusher.

 

[rugsucker]

"2023 is the year I throw stuff away."

It WILL happen here also!I have started sorting Singer,Sears & Compact to see which may be complete as well as best and worst.They will be offered to collectors,a few will be kept and the rest GO.

 

[human]

Yeah, I'm just feeling generally overwhelmed by life right now. Stuff at work and in other areas. The nice part about that machine, aside from the pittance I paid for it, is that unless there is some hidden problem that I haven't yet found, I don't think I'll need to spend anything on it, over and above the initial $10. I've got headlight bulbs on hand and it doesn't need a belt. It was just off the motor shaft, but otherwise intact. I guess someone took the floor nozzle off and didn't know how to put it back together properly. Whatever, it's fixed now. After looking at the Heritage cord I have on hand, I've decided I'll be better off sticking with the brown Classic cord, as long as it stays jammed securely into the socket. No need spending another $25 or $30 on a new cord to go on a $10 vacuum, if I don't have to.

Overall, the machine looks to have been well cared for over its life, with no visible signs of wanton abuse, including no sign of it having ever been exposed to vacuum cleaner killing carpet fresh powder. The white Amodel fan is in good shape and it even has a new Generation 3 bag in it. There is an undated sticker on it from where it was taken in for service at some point, and I have to wonder if that's when it got the Classic cord. The shop may have offered that one from of a donor machine for little or no money, as an alternative to buying a new replacement cord. I could see myself choosing the same option.

So anyway, here are a few photos of it in its thrift store-fresh glory. I think it'll clean up nicely, whenever I get around to doing that. I've just got too much going on to mess with it right now. I still sort of feel like I need to go to a vacuholics anonymous meeting and pick up a white chip, though.

 

[repairman]

I just rebuilt and sold one of those on eBay a few months ago. Very nice machine.

You also appear to have the current style fan (instead of the grey one that always shatters) and the black brushroll that uses ball bearings instead of sleeve ones.

 

[felix1stv]

Kenmore

im still looking for that "kencart kenmore

 

[human]

Yeah, by all indications, this machine has been well looked after. I haven't dug in that deeply yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that it had received a new set of carbon brushes on its service visit. It may not have had a full factory rebuild, but it's definitely had most of its highlights hit. If I had to break my vacuum moratorium, this was a good one on which to break it. All it really needs is a good cleaning, polishing, and for the bag to be laundered.

 

[justjunque]

Edgar,

You almost got me to "go there" myself.
My vacuum collection has already outgrown my available space. So, I'm cut off. And, I've never picked up a Kirby of any kind. I don't have anything against them, I've just never felt like I had to have one.
Then, right after reading of your latest acquisition, I spotted one on the local Craigslist.
About a half an hour from me, in the town where I grew up:
Free Kirby G4. I don't know how desirable that model is, but it's free. The description says it works good, and has "all the attachments", although no attachments are pictured. It also comes with some spare bags.
For a moment, I was tempted. But, I did resist.

Barry

 

[human]

Glad you resisted temptation...

Then again, everyone perhaps ought to have at least one Kirby in their stable. I think I have about a dozen. Oops! make that a baker's dozen with the latest one. Do they have a tendency to multiply, or is it just me? I've got a G3, but not a G4. I think the two are pretty much the same, except for the color scheme (graphite with purple accents, as opposed to the G3's off-white with red), and maybe a few minor refinements. I would have been tempted by a freebie as well. Glad you were able to hold strong.

 

[justjunque]

Will I continue to hold strong though, or will I keep going back to the Craigslist ad and tempting myself until I finally crack?
Only time will tell.

 

[human]

So I gave the Legend II a wipe-down with a couple of Tub-O-Towels wipes and was surprised to be able to raise a tiny bit of a shine with some brisk rubbing. Just imagine what a little Mother's will do. And while I was at it, I checked the headlight bulb and discovered, to my surprise, that the filament was intact; in fact, it looked brand new. The brass base was still shiny. The socket, on the other hand, looked like it had some oxidation on the contacts, so I scraped them with a screwdriver before I put the bulb back in, then fired it up and found that the headlight works just fine. School's closed next week for spring break, so I may decide to take a nice afternoon and try to polish it up and launder the outer bag. That's all it really needs, just a good cleaning and it's ready to go. Amazing since it looked somewhat forlorn in the store.

 

[justjunque]

Hey, Edgar.
I think I'm weakening. I called about the G4.
Weather and health permitting, I may go look at it tomorrow.
Just out of curiosity; are all G4s self propelled?

 

[human]

Barry,

Yes, the G4 is self-propelled, as are all Kirbys from the G3 to the Avalir. The last non-self-propelled Kirby was the Legend II.

We're saving you a seat at the Vacuholics Anonymous meeting...

 

[justjunque]

Thanks, Edgar.
That's already more than I ever knew about Kirbys!
And, yes..."My name is Barry. And, among other things, I'm a vacaholic".