Kirby 512

[thunderhexed]

So I scored the first Kirby for me to own that is one of the old toggle switch models. A 512 to be exact. I went to the vac store with mom yesterday to pick up some shampoo for her bissell pro-heat and the owner (Frank) and his wife were wondering of I still had my collection, so I was telling him about sending my D80 back for a factory rebuild. He asked if I had one of the old toggle switch models and I said No. He wheels out a dusty old 512 and asked if I would be interested in it. He fired it up, ran beautifuly the light still even works and it has a metal fan in it still. No funny noises. So I gave him $35.00 for it. so I get it home last night and decided to do a "quicky" spa treatment. Overall it's a great little machine. Cord in great shape, trim decent for the most part. Naturally the bag is bojack, but in decent shape. I think he said a little old lady from a nearby church brought it in and just told him he could have it. It had "Sunnylane" written across the base of the floor nozzle in black marker - which was pretty easy to rub off with a bit of mothers. Sunnylane is the name of a street in the area and the name of one of the larger churches on that same street. The ONLY issue I see with the vac so far is the emptor. The bottom plate does not seal firmly and the lever is majorly loose. In fact, you can see a definate gap between the emptor trap door and the bottom of the emptor. Any ideas on how to fix or where I could just get a decent, used replacement emptor? This is the first kirby that is this old for me to own so any tidbits and tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Cory - OKC.

 

[kirbyotronic]

Sani-Emptor gasket:



http://cgi.ebay.com/Square-Emptor-T...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0b94945d

 

[thunderhexed]

gasket

i actually think its going to take more than a new gasket for a seal. it a pretty large gap. I almost think the wire brackets that the door swings out on are bent out of shape and the lever is pretty much useless - it has alot of play in it and pretty much just spins freely.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

Hi mr C, why don't u gust bend them back again? )


james

 

[thunderhexed]

tried that

didn't seem to work... i had all kinds of tools out last night trying to remedy the problem but nothing seemed to work.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

umm

Take a pic so we can see the kirby and the emptor and its door/tray. )

 

[a007kirbyman]

EmTor tray & Cory...

Congrats on acquiring the Kirby 512, Cory.

I am with James on the wire frame being 're-bent' properly!?!?!?

I don't remember the last time doing so didn't take care of the problem, along with possibly replacing the gasket (as Alex memtioned above), depending on it's condition.

Good luck with it.

hagd all

Bill

 

[thunderhexed]

got the big guns out..

so, i made another attempt last night in trying to fix the emptor.. i got out the vice grips.. and voila! We are back in business!!!! Thanks for the information guys! The machine is now useable (even though it will only be for funsies.. )

Thanks again!

Cory