Kirby 519 loose Nozzle Question

[ajc31980]

HI


looking for some advice for my Kirby 519 nozzle and figured this would be the place to ask


 


The Nozzle doesn't seem to hook on as tightly as it should.  It's actually been this way for a long time. if I mess around with it or sort of shim it up with cardboard or part of a Zip tie. I can usually get it to at least make good seal on the fan case but the bottom nozzle hooks usually come loose and I have to fix it again.. The Gasket could probably use replacement but thinking maybe the hooks are worn out on the nozzle.  is there a way to fix or tighten up these hooks ? or should I start looking for a replacement nozzle ?


I did try using the Nozzle from my DS50 and it does hook on tightly as it should . but of course the safety switches are different and the 519 won't run with ds50 nozzle. Ive attached some Pics and the last two pics are with the ds50 nozzle to show the difference.


 


 If I do have to find a replacement Nozzle, what models where compatible ?


 


Just a little  background on this machine.... it originally belonged to my grandmother. It has an insane amount of running hours on it! so much that the motor was rebuilt in the early 1980's at a local vac shop/ Kirby dealer.( new armature and bearings/ newer style front bearing plate) long story short, it was run several times a day, every day from  1965 till roughly 1992. and yes she bought it second hand in 1965 because she couldn't afford the latest model.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Is the top latch closing as it should? I assume so since your D50 one worked.

If this is the correct type of nozzle for use with that model, it is possible the casting is worn out from years of use.
I had this issue with my 505 (which uses no gasket) and I had remade the slots using JB Weld.
See posts 16-22 of this thread for more details. Post 22 has final pictures of the fix.
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34158

This could be a possibility to try on yours before getting another nozzle.

 

[ajc31980]

Texas

Hey thanks for your ideas with JB weld.

I asked my grandmother about the nozzle and she said that it is the original Nozzle and that only things replaced on the machine was the bag in the 70’s a the armature bearings and fan sometime in the 80s. And also the wheels at some point. ( dang there isn’t much original left on this one )
The top latch is working correctly as far I can tell when trying the DS50 nozzle.
I actually skimmed through that thread you posted a while back, but missed the part where you fixed the nozzle with JB Weld.
But did try out the idea with the hepa bags on my CR1. Great idea!
I’ll definitely give the JB weld idea a try on the 519. I would rather salvage the original nozzle than replace it. Especially since there isn’t much original left on this machine.

Thanks
AJ

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Glad this helped. I like to try to keep as much originality as possible with old stuff.

Some hints:
Use a round file (smaller than or same diameter as attachment bar) to lightly shape and clear out metal burrs from the slots. Mine was the exact diameter.
Use a small wire brush to clean the slots.
Finish up cleaning with some isop alcohol and a toothbrush or acid brush.
When dry, apply thick coatings of JBW to slots.
Let dry for days inside (humidity and cold can affect cure).
I found and used a screwdriver with the exact diameter of the attachment bar to
make it easier to get the initial shape.
Very slowly and carefully file out the JBW in the slots with round file above to fit attachment bar.
This last step will be very time consuming as you do not want to remove too much JBW.
Lastly do not make the fit too tight as doing so can cause the JBW to crack.

Best of luck to ya!

 

[ajc31980]

Texas

Wow ! Thank you so much for all of those detailed tips ! I’m definitely going to give it try in the near future. I will definitely post how things go .
Thanks !
AJ

 

[huskyvacs]

I'm not an expert on Kirby's metallurgy skills, but I do believe those hook notches are worn out. She must have used it with the attachments a great deal to do that.

It also looks like it's been intentionally filed out in a hexagonal shape on purpose - maybe she had trouble getting the nozzle off and the vac shop made it easier for her to remove it? (at the expense of making it floppy)

 

[ajc31980]

Huskyvacs

Hi
I noticed the hex like marks as well. Really wasn’t sure what to make it f it.
From what she told me, she never had the hose or any other attachments for it. The vacuum was actually a trade-in at the local Kirby dealer. He was friends with my grandparents and sold it to her dirt cheap haha.
I did ask if the nozzle was always loose. And she told me that it became loose over the years and then didn’t pick up as well any more. That’s when she finally decided to replace it. ( she replaced it with a self-propelled Hoover in the 90s that definitely did not last as long as this Kirby did )
I do know with the amount the machine was used she use to change the belt fairly often. I actually can remember hearing the belt snap and being sucked up into the fan back when I was a kid. lol. She had a tendency of running the belts till there was absolutely no life left in them. One of the belts actually broke the metal fan blade.

 

[lesinutah]

If

A belt came off it could of broke off pieces of the nozzle.
If she was changing the belt alot it means she wasn't using the belt lifter right or something that would lead to this haooening.

 

[ajc31980]

less

HI


the loose Nozzle is something that occurred over decades of use. Im not sure how a worn out belt would widen the gaps in the hooks.  I could definitely see a belt breaking other parts though... as it did break the metal fan once.


   I had said this machine had heavy use... like way more than the average home owner.  Run three times a day, the entire house..( 60's Ranch style home.) I would say that she obsessed over keeping her carpets clean back in the day.   long story short. farm house with a bunch of kids and three dogs plus my grandfather worked shifts at the steel  mill. so lots and lots of dirt to vacuum.


 My family has mostly owned Kirbys going back as far as my great, great grandmother.  we are all kinda brainwashed on how change do the basics like belts and brush rolls from  young ages lol.  so I doubt she wasn't using the belt lifter correctly. plus my grandparents where friends with the local Kirby guy back then as well.  Id say she had to change the belt every 2 months.  Just every so often one would snap and get sucked up in the fan.   Im sure she had to take nozzle off to clean brush roll fairly often too.


 


AJ

 

[texaskirbyguy]

The nozzle hook wear occurs over years of heavy use.
The attachment bar is steel. The nozzle is softer aluminum and will dent and deform easier.
As the gaps between the hooks and bars widen, the constant impacts get greater as the machine is pushed and pulled.
The wider the gaps, the harder the hits.

I have a couple 5xx models here that have some hook wear also, but not as bad as my 505 had.

It is possible that some of these earlier nozzles may have used a softer aluminum.
I have not seen this issue yet with later model Kirbys.

 

[ajc31980]

Texas

Softer metal does make sense. I have my mom’s old heritage 1 that also had fairly heavy use and the Nozzle still fits nice and tight.

 

[lesinutah]

If

You can't put the belt on right and your constantly taking off and putting on the nozzle to change the belt don't u think that would wear the pieces?
If u change your belt often you either move the belt lifter while the brush roll is spinning from the machine going on.
Going through belts means she was doing something wrong to keep going through belts. If used properly belts can lasts years.

 

[captchar]

you could, now I don't recommend this, but you can just bypass the nozzle safety switch allowing the 500 series to use any nozzle up to the the legend 2, I had to bypass my 519's nozzle switch as it was completely dead

 

[ajc31980]

CaptChar

Hi


 fun idea and I was tempted to do that a wile back when the safety switch broke on my classic III and just wire it for the lower speed. but it just didn't seem to be the right thing to do.  like I'd never be dumb enough put my finger in the fan wile its running.  but what happens when the time come to pass the machine on to some one els ?  It is tempting  just try out different nozzles tough. I could have a whole line of Frankenkirbys! lol


 


AJ

 

[huskyvacs]

There's a Kirby nozzle on eBay right now that's been stripped of its parts (just the metal nozzle) that fits models 505-514, not sure if it will work on the 519.

 

[ajc31980]

Huskyvacs

Hi
Thanks I did see that listing . Also came across another one that was just listed as a 1950’s model nozzle. It looked identical to the one for the 519 only the bumper trim had been changed to tan. It was only $14 so I decided to order it just in case I’m not as successful with repairing mine as Texas was with his . I’m definitely going to give the JB Weld idea try though. I intend on tackling it this weekend. (Fingers crossed ) .

AJ

 

[captchar]

there is a 519 listing of the accessories tools and powerhead out of Florida I see, any nozzle from 515-519 should work on it, the 509 I have is different as its not a flat sealing powerhead, it uses a beveled edge to seal it

 

[ajc31980]

update

Hi.


     I got little side tracked and never posted how the nozzle repair went.   The JB weld did the trick ! its not perfect but the nozzle does fit the fan case nice and snug and has enough suction to lift the rug, something it didn't really have before.  Big thanks to Texas Kirby guy for the Idea ! .  


 


the 519 also has a new set of wheels ! thanks to a co-worker of mine. they are 3-D Printed in Black. my options where Black, white, or orange lol.  so went for the basic black look.   he made these as favor to me for free out what materials he had on hand.