rivstg1
Well-known member
very cool that you got the attachments and hose! I"m envious!
Kirby Factory Rebuild
- Thread starter dandagreer
- Start date
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Hmm
The hose is not from 513. It's a 505 or earlier hose.
The 505 looks like yours
The 508 is either grey or tan colored cloth kind of follows color scheme of bag and belt lifter.
The 508-512 is grey colored but not sure if it's cloth or not
513 I believe is grey rubber matching grey wheels.
Mike's 513 and 519 bags are better than Kirby's bags. I'm not a huge fan as they fade easily. Having a new vacuum with a new non faxed bag and painted wheels. It will look better than rolling off assembly line.
It will also have a new strong motor, coil and bearings. You may have your eye on a 505 but this will turn heads just the same.
Les
The hose is not from 513. It's a 505 or earlier hose.
The 505 looks like yours
The 508 is either grey or tan colored cloth kind of follows color scheme of bag and belt lifter.
The 508-512 is grey colored but not sure if it's cloth or not
513 I believe is grey rubber matching grey wheels.
Mike's 513 and 519 bags are better than Kirby's bags. I'm not a huge fan as they fade easily. Having a new vacuum with a new non faxed bag and painted wheels. It will look better than rolling off assembly line.
It will also have a new strong motor, coil and bearings. You may have your eye on a 505 but this will turn heads just the same.
Les
dandagreer
Well-known member
@Les
The Kirby in the pic is a 505 that was rebuilt by Kirby in 1971. I intend to send that one back (instead of the 513-15 I was thinking of earlier) so they can rebuild it a SECOND time, 49 years later, then I will un-tan it and try to make it look as original a 505 as I can. I'm really excited to get it off to Kirby!
The Kirby in the pic is a 505 that was rebuilt by Kirby in 1971. I intend to send that one back (instead of the 513-15 I was thinking of earlier) so they can rebuild it a SECOND time, 49 years later, then I will un-tan it and try to make it look as original a 505 as I can. I'm really excited to get it off to Kirby!
huskyvacs
Well-known member
I like having things original too, so I always hated OEM or "Vacuum Store Dave" rebuilds, as it bugs me about the mismatched parts. I'd rather put my own time and labor into learning to repair and recondition that I can oversee and know is tip-top than mailing it off.
I have a 1980's rebuilt Kirby 500 series and they trashed the model tag and all the parts are that ugly peachy mauve color and it looks terrible. I'd love to find a original 500 series someday.
I know it's for liability protection that they have to change the color on purpose so people don't start a racket of "original new old stock" rebuilds, but it still sucks.
I have a 1980's rebuilt Kirby 500 series and they trashed the model tag and all the parts are that ugly peachy mauve color and it looks terrible. I'd love to find a original 500 series someday.
I know it's for liability protection that they have to change the color on purpose so people don't start a racket of "original new old stock" rebuilds, but it still sucks.
huskyvacs
Wow... never knew that about their rebuild policy and the changing over of trim pieces!
~Ben
Wow... never knew that about their rebuild policy and the changing over of trim pieces!
~Ben
Nice
The 505 I got rebuilt from the Plano Texas store look identical except it had the 505 belt lifter. If you send 505 and trim it yourself your going to have your holy Grail vac.
The 505 bag was duvetyne. I've read people question duvetyne durability. Duvetyne was used for black out curtains at movie theatres. It's very thick material. It's also 3 times as much as other fabrics.
Mike's 4c 505 bag is same material as the bag I sold you of his. If you have the money get his bag. The shape is hard to get unless you have a 505 bag. The screen print is 13-17 inches 4-5 inches wide. I prices it out. I made bags but not screen print.
Long winded speech basically buy Mike's bag it's spot on.
I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done because you do great trim work.
Les
The 505 I got rebuilt from the Plano Texas store look identical except it had the 505 belt lifter. If you send 505 and trim it yourself your going to have your holy Grail vac.
The 505 bag was duvetyne. I've read people question duvetyne durability. Duvetyne was used for black out curtains at movie theatres. It's very thick material. It's also 3 times as much as other fabrics.
Mike's 4c 505 bag is same material as the bag I sold you of his. If you have the money get his bag. The shape is hard to get unless you have a 505 bag. The screen print is 13-17 inches 4-5 inches wide. I prices it out. I made bags but not screen print.
Long winded speech basically buy Mike's bag it's spot on.
I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's done because you do great trim work.
Les
dandagreer
Well-known member
Letter From Kirby
I got the official letter today from Kirby outlining the cost for my 505 rebuild. The paper says 513, because originally, that was what I was going to send in. I called them today and gave them my credit card number instead of mailing this form back in.
The letter had a dot-matrix printed return label enclosed to send the envelope back. It's funny to me how, through this whole process, everything has been old-school--phone calls, physical letters in the mail--no emails or online forms here!
The Kirby rep I spoke with in the rebuild department said, "You're going to be so pleased. It will look like new!" Indeed. I'm excited!
I managed to find a 505 nozzle with belt lifter on eBay. So, once I get my 505 back from Kirby, I can swap out the belt lifter.
They've had my unit for exactly one week, so their turn around time, considering everything was done by snail-mail, has been pretty good. We'll see how long it takes to get my machine back now.
I got the official letter today from Kirby outlining the cost for my 505 rebuild. The paper says 513, because originally, that was what I was going to send in. I called them today and gave them my credit card number instead of mailing this form back in.
The letter had a dot-matrix printed return label enclosed to send the envelope back. It's funny to me how, through this whole process, everything has been old-school--phone calls, physical letters in the mail--no emails or online forms here!
The Kirby rep I spoke with in the rebuild department said, "You're going to be so pleased. It will look like new!" Indeed. I'm excited!
I managed to find a 505 nozzle with belt lifter on eBay. So, once I get my 505 back from Kirby, I can swap out the belt lifter.
They've had my unit for exactly one week, so their turn around time, considering everything was done by snail-mail, has been pretty good. We'll see how long it takes to get my machine back now.
huskyvacs
Well-known member
One thing about Kirby rebuilds is their polishing skills are on point. Do not put it in the sunlight or you will go blind! I wish I could get a job at their refurb center, then I could learn to polish up my own! I already have a bench grinder/buffer combo and the compound sticks, just need the skill.
I hope you took lots of pics BEFORE!!!
I've seen their work. It is amazing, although not my favorite vac. Were you ever there at Kirby? I was . It was VERY interesting.
I've seen their work. It is amazing, although not my favorite vac. Were you ever there at Kirby? I was . It was VERY interesting.
dandagreer
Well-known member
@huskyvacs Yes! That’s really the main reason why I wanted to send this one back to Kirby. Their polishing skills are second to none! And I agree; I have a bench grinder, wheel, and sticks too, but mine never seems to come out as good. I think it’s because they start by sandblasting the castings.
@gottahaveahoove Absolutely! I’ll post them below. I’ve always wanted to visit the Kirby factory. I even applied for a job there once. But, I’ve never visited.
@kirbyg6 Yes sir! I’m really excited to see it come back all shiny. Then I get to make it cosmetically look like it should from 1945!
@gottahaveahoove Absolutely! I’ll post them below. I’ve always wanted to visit the Kirby factory. I even applied for a job there once. But, I’ve never visited.
@kirbyg6 Yes sir! I’m really excited to see it come back all shiny. Then I get to make it cosmetically look like it should from 1945!
Polish
It takes a 11 or 14 inch high speed buffing wheel. It's not really a skill you can acquire. You can polish as nice but not in the same manner. I have a 9 inch buffing wheel my tradition nozzle and body where connected but nozzle wasn't hooked on.
The nozzle flung against the house took a chunk of stucco off. The housing flung I'm guessing 50 feet across the yard like a bullet.
If they use an 11 inch under control. It would be using a hose with flow of a fire hydrant.
There polish is unmatched.
Get some sunglasses because it's going to be bright.
Nice score on the belt lifter.
Les
It takes a 11 or 14 inch high speed buffing wheel. It's not really a skill you can acquire. You can polish as nice but not in the same manner. I have a 9 inch buffing wheel my tradition nozzle and body where connected but nozzle wasn't hooked on.
The nozzle flung against the house took a chunk of stucco off. The housing flung I'm guessing 50 feet across the yard like a bullet.
If they use an 11 inch under control. It would be using a hose with flow of a fire hydrant.
There polish is unmatched.
Get some sunglasses because it's going to be bright.
Nice score on the belt lifter.
Les
dandagreer
Well-known member
She's all finished
She came back from the Kirby factory on Saturday, and I've had a fun time making her look like an original 505 from 1945. All told, I'd say the whole process of sending back to Kirby and getting it back in about 5 weeks went pretty smoothly. A little expensive, but considering what they did, I'm pleased.
She came back from the Kirby factory on Saturday, and I've had a fun time making her look like an original 505 from 1945. All told, I'd say the whole process of sending back to Kirby and getting it back in about 5 weeks went pretty smoothly. A little expensive, but considering what they did, I'm pleased.
human
Well-known member
Simply stunning...
'Nuff said.
'Nuff said.
texaskirbyguy
Well-known member
WOW!
Stunning work, by Kirby and from you!
Do you have pictures of how it looked direct from Kirby? I suspect different trim and bag colors. Would be helpful for others see what it would look like from the factory.
She is good for another century!
Stunning work, by Kirby and from you!
Do you have pictures of how it looked direct from Kirby? I suspect different trim and bag colors. Would be helpful for others see what it would look like from the factory.
She is good for another century!
madman
Well-known member
Looks pretty sharp. Was the trim originally black, or is that just what they happened to chang it to?
Change
The 505 handle and headlight trim is 3 piece black and a little inlay design on the sides of the grips.
Nine of mine shine like that. I imagine they put a 4 amp motor. They probably put amodel fan. I'd ask if you changed it back but I'm guessing no.
Les
The 505 handle and headlight trim is 3 piece black and a little inlay design on the sides of the grips.
Nine of mine shine like that. I imagine they put a 4 amp motor. They probably put amodel fan. I'd ask if you changed it back but I'm guessing no.
Les
Beautiful
Congrats!!!
Congrats!!!
rivstg1
Well-known member
Les
so you've got nine of your Kirby's that shine like that? dang, you've improved your polishing skills!! show them off!
David, looks superb, I've got a nice one but I now envy yours!!!! h congrats!
so you've got nine of your Kirby's that shine like that? dang, you've improved your polishing skills!! show them off!
David, looks superb, I've got a nice one but I now envy yours!!!! h congrats!
