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 !!!

 

[hygiene903]

Nice find and amazing work on the adapter! And I agree, ALL the older Kirbys maneuver much better than the newer power drive models! And the attachments do pop up on ebay from time to time, so be patient and keep your eyes open.
Jeff

 

[kenc184]

A few of my HEPA converted kirbys. I don't like dump bags.

 

[human]

A few of my HEPA converted kirbys. I don't like dump bags.

View attachment 169919

I've done a few of those conversions myself. The first was a Heritage 1HD that had a dump bag. I upgraded it using a Heritage II mini em-tor and fill tube assembly with a zippered Heritage bag, courtesy of a kind and generous fellow Vacuumland member. A couple of years later, I did a Classic III with a Legend II bag assembly and the Classic III bag topper. The last one I did was a Heritage '84 (1HD) that was set up for filter bags, but after I washed the outer bag, I couldn't get the original em-tor and fill tube assembly back on it, so I used a spare Heritage II assembly I had on hand. At least I was able to keep the original orange bag on it. I'd love to put the original em-tor and fill tube back on it, if I could figure out how.