Just got this Kirby

[rowdy141]

Has anyone tried using their Kirby Handi-butler polishing attachment on their Kirby housing?

Easier with a second machine, but it may do the job on the Brushroll Head & Handle.
At least you'll learn which wheels/products give best results.

 

[scudo]

...."Has anyone tried using their Kirby Handi-butler polishing attachment on their Kirby housing?"........

I doubt if there is enough power for serious polishing, maybe for a quick clean up. I have a set of three mops + 3 polishes for electric drill and I reckon I need more power, My final polish I use autosol on the soft mop.

While I am posting I will be looking for the this piece or how best to repair, there is a `tab` broken off to enable the handle to be spring loaded. I was thinking a spot of weld and then file to size but I believe the actual part with the tab is aluminium which may make welding an issue. Other option maybe to make a `T` piece that fits in where the handle slots in and the down part of the `T` fits in to the slot to keep the spring loaded.....Any ideas?

 

[craig_1982]

Scudo, Excellent purchase and it's looking fantastic so far on the restoration work, As for the Handle Spring Yoke you're probably going have to purchase a new yoke, I've had plenty of these break in the past and I've tried to bodge them up myself but they always fail soon after with it being such a under loaded part, Also I would advise getting the spring winding tool because without that tool this job is very awkward and hard to do because you have to wind the spring bushing up and whilst under tension at the same time try to lock the yoke clip (bit thats broke off on yours) into the corresponding middle slot on the bushing to lock it, If you are pretty savvy you could fabricate your own tool,

Regards Craig.

 

[scudo]

Craig, I watched a video on utube showing `the easy way` to load the spring without a toll, seems simple but time will tell.
In the short term I will probably try and botch the tab repair until I can source the part.

Image of intended botch the blue part will be some sort of insert.

 

[scudo]

Video of how to load the tension spring, go to 4.50:

 

[craig_1982]

Yeah that's pretty much the same way I used to do it before I purchased the tool, he does though make it look very easy in that video by only adding a small amount of tension on it, Also I've found by anchoring the motor shell helps too so it's not moving about whilst you do this, I usually just screw it down to me worktop using the bottom screw hole. Your'e idea seems good even if you don't add the full tension on the spring it might just stop the handle flying back at you.

 

[rivstg1]

Absolutely

All my machines are polished by hand and old & newer Handi-Butler's. Mine look good, do want a dedicated buffer (3/4-1hp version). Look a my thread ( converting ds50 to HEPA)

 

[rowdy141]

That's the sort of help I'm offering. That's why I was asking.
I can send you that part. Message me, and I'll remove it from my 'parts' Kirby.
Welding, gluing, fabrication, may work in the short-term, but it will take quite a strain in use.
I'm in the UK, offering to post it to you for free. You could buy another machine, locally via Gumtree (that's how I acquired 5), but why do that? I have the part, jiffy-bag, and stamps.

 

[scudo]

......."That's the sort of help I'm offering. That's why I was asking.
I can send you that part. Message me, and I'll remove it from my 'parts' Kirby."....

I sent you an email Rowdy141

 

[rowdy141]

A tip that I'd like to share is for renovating the Blue Trim on the Tradition Brushroll Head.
You don't need to remove the trim, but most people tend to when polishing the Head.
Use a hot cloth or hairdryer to soften the trim before easing it over the rivets.
Warm soapy water, as usual, to remove dirt.
Scratch-Away, Mirror Glaze, or similar car-trim polish to remove years of tiny scratches where it was bashed into table legs.
Kiwi/Punch Blue liquid scuff polish. Scuff polishes have a higher proportion of pigment than regular waxes. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punch-Shoe-Shine-Liquid-Polish/dp/B0078EJHI2 (Kiwi discontinued the Blue liquid a couple of years ago). This gives the Trim a renewed, even colour, and shine.

 

[scudo]

Excellent tip, I just started polishing that part and wondered how to get the trim off, I was concerned either the rivet would break or I would not get the trim back on.
I did work around it but it was awkward so will now go back and get it off, it will make polishing so much easier.

Nice one!

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

If you don't want to remove the trim pull the trim off the front side of the nozzle pulling all trim off inside out sort of on back of the nozzle where two big rivets hold the trim on. If you do this you can pretty much do all polish and other work easier.
The reason I mention this is I've heard putting trim back on is a pain.
The handi Butler is farly descent tool. I'd recommend looking at the heritage turbo sander. You put sander on the end of your hose and it sucks up all the dust. If you go to Amazon you can get sandpaper from 60 grit to 2000 grit for $7.50. it's enough to do a few vacuums. When your done sanding you hook your hose to exhaust of the vacuum and it blows off any leftover dust.
The handi Butler buffing pads can be used. Either use compound that came with handi Butler or harbor freight,Wal-mart or Amazon has white green red and perhaps blue. You only need small amounts. They will cost the least $2.50 most $8.00.
That will give your vacuum a beautiful sign. I use the turbo sander myself and it works really well.
If you don't have a hose or want to buy the turbo sander you can get a good sander for $12 or cheaper. Just don't get orbital palm sander the holes on sander get caught on grooves ruining sandpaper quickly.
There are quite a few options. The tradition wide nozzle is one of the easiest Kirby's to sand.
If all else fails you can sand by hand or get a drywall sanding block or even a 2x4 to wrap sand paper around. I prefer the block because it sands evenly and fairly quick.
I hope this helps some.
Les