Kirby Classic III Bag Conversion

[abobotek]

A Kirby Classic III found its way from a thrift shop to my home about 2 weeks ago. It had been converted to a bagged model using the blue bag, fill tube, and fill tube adapters from a Tradition.

Unfortunately this conversion only works with the Kirby Style 1 bags (with an oval collar) and has reduced airflow from the small diameter Tradition fill tube. So I bought used 60mm fill tube with a twist-lock adapter and set about designing an adapter that fits the Classic III's Sani-Emtor and a more modern 60mm fill tube.

Here's what I came up with - two pieces 3D printed in ABS which screw onto an unmodified Sani-Em-Tor. This design is basically an inverted funnel, so some heavy waste will still accumulate in the Em-Tor.

Airflow is significantly improved, and it's now compatible with modern Kirby bags while preserving the original Sani-Em-Tor appearance.

 

[abobotek]

A Kirby Classic III found its way from a thrift shop to my home about 2 weeks ago. It had been converted to a bagged model using the blue bag, fill tube, and fill tube adapters from a Tradition.

Unfortunately this conversion only works with the Kirby Style 1 bags (with an oval collar) and has reduced airflow from the small diameter Tradition fill tube. So I bought used 60mm fill tube with a twist-lock adapter and set about designing an adapter that fits the Classic III's Sani-Emtor and a more modern 60mm fill tube.

Here's what I came up with - two pieces 3D printed in ABS which screw onto an unmodified Sani-Em-Tor. This design is basically an inverted funnel, so some heavy waste will still accumulate in the Em-Tor.

Airflow is significantly improved, and it's now compatible with modern Kirby bags while preserving the original Sani-Em-Tor appearance.

Here's a photo of my thrift-find Kirby Classic III, now in service with a modern HEPA Kirby bag. It came with a red hose and a gray crevice tool, but no other accessories.

After greasing the motor bearings, upgrading the fill tube and bag adapters and replacing the badly stretched belt, it cleans very well and seems to maneuver better than the newer power-drive Kirbys.

 

[cheesewonton]

A Kirby Classic III found its way from a thrift shop to my home about 2 weeks ago. It had been converted to a bagged model using the blue bag, fill tube, and fill tube adapters from a Tradition.

Unfortunately this conversion only works with the Kirby Style 1 bags (with an oval collar) and has reduced airflow from the small diameter Tradition fill tube. So I bought used 60mm fill tube with a twist-lock adapter and set about designing an adapter that fits the Classic III's Sani-Emtor and a more modern 60mm fill tube.

Here's what I came up with - two pieces 3D printed in ABS which screw onto an unmodified Sani-Em-Tor. This design is basically an inverted funnel, so some heavy waste will still accumulate in the Em-Tor.

Airflow is significantly improved, and it's now compatible with modern Kirby bags while preserving the original Sani-Em-Tor appearance.

Awesome !!!