Kirby 505 FB Marketplace find...

[lesinutah]

Fyi

I have that link. He goes by electrolux 137 in case you weren't aware.
Great link.
Les

 

[ubergreenguru]

WOW! That is an absolutely *SPECTACULAR FIND*, especially with it being in damn-near immaculate condition!

I'm glad that beautiful Vintage Kirby 505 has found a good home here with one of our VacuumLand members where it can be loved, cared for, and maintained - as a beautiful machine of that caliber should be!

 

[vacmadman]

Correction

I need to correct myself, after going to the Kirby web sight and looking at the early Kirby manuals, It turns out Kirby did not always update the "parts list" pictures after all. The 508 through the 515 used the same picture in the parts list.

Just another reason why it is so difficult, if not impossible to figure out what came on each model originally. Also Kirby did make some changes during production, like on the 515. Kirby also would at times use parts that were left over from the previous production year.

I wish the Kirby company would put out a comprehensive book on the Kirby vacuum history. The "Kirby vacuum Bible" if they could. Based on what I have seen I'm not convinced they themselves would be able to pull that off...sadly I think many aspects of the Kirby vacuum history may have been lost forever.

 

[hmc1981]

Spa day!

Well, it’s had its “spa day”

We did the best we could. Didn’t want to remove the bag because we were unsure if the spring is in good enough shape for that, but it was vacuumed out very well. I’m going to try to post a video, let’s see if it actually posts...

It’s really a great machine, much better that I expected and much better than many newer ones I’ve restored. Just trying to figure out what to do honestly. We already have a perfect 505, and a C, it’s nice to have two (a Mr. and a Mrs.) just thinking of possible options. Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

 

[hmc1981]

Video...

Turns out I cannot post a video. Oh well. If anyone is interested, email me.

 

[vacmadman]

wonderful

Chris,

You did a wonderful job, what a amazing find. Did you look at the armature to see when it was built? I love the pictures you posted and it's very rare to find a Original 505 with it's original parts to that 505. Again congratulations that is a 505 to be proud of.

Jim

 

[johnnyb59c]

!

i saw the video- it was awesome. sounds very powerful and airflow sounds very nice

 

[caligula]

Kirby history.

In the Kirby timeline in reply #18, it states that the first two models are unknown. They are 'The Domestic Cyclone,' a non-electric, using water to catch the dust. It was Jim Kirby's first vacuum cleaner, and he improved it in 1907, calling it 'The Domestic Cyclone Electric.' He followed that in 1910 with what he called 'The Broomstick.' I hope this clears up any questions.

Alex Taber.

 

[caligula]

Let me clarify one point. Jim Kirby quickly understood the concept of water to catch the dust was a bad idea and improved it by switching to an electric motor and a cloth bag. He did NOT go with water and electricity! Both were diferent designs.

 

[johnnyb59c]

interesting

i'd like to see pics of them