Kirby model 2C help needed

[vacuumheaven05]

Hello. If anyone out there can take a look at my other thread Christmas find Kirby Model 2C, you'll see how my Kirby 2c is in desperate need of important parts, most importantly a handle. If anyone can tell the Kirby Collector, Tom Stephine, that I need to talk to him about a potential opportunity to get an original 2C handle, I'd appreciate it. I'm very interested in this opportunity and need to get a response back about him posting the parts on eBay. The Sooner the better. I won't be able to use it until it gets a proper handle. Hey Tom are you ok, are you still interested and available. I really want to talk to you if you can get a chance, Please, Please help me.
Thanks Liam

 

[hoover300]

You can't use it with the replaced metal handle?

 

[vacuumheaven05]

note

I tried it with a newer replacement metal handle shaft, from a 505-515, but it does not fit into the original handle fork, which is all I have. I hope to get a proper wooden shaft with the angled top and wooden handle grip soon, for my 2C.
Liam

 

[hoover300]

It came with a newer handle fork too(found the sold listing), why not use it and keep the original fork aside until you get a handle pole?

 

[vacuumheaven05]

note

The newer handle was the one it came with but I had an original handle fork for the 2C. I tried to fit the fork with the newer handle but the tube didn't fit. Besides, the handle I have besides the original fork is not a proper handle. Tom Stepien has a potential sale for me, for an original 2C wooden handle shaft and top.
From Liam

 

[repairman]

Tom Stepian is a good guy to deal with. He sold me a bag for my D80 when it was the last part to complete my D80 restoration. Here's his email:

[email protected]

 

[hoover300]

Its not the original handle fork no, but it would fit and make it so you could use your machine. I hope your deal with Thom works out.

 

[electrolux137]

Uh-oh.......

 

[bikerray]

Just when you thought it was safe the thread spawns offspring.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

reply

Do any of you have an estimate of when Thomas the Kirby collector should return, Lesinutah said he was on vacation. I don't know how long he'll be on vacation and or when he will return for me.
From Liam

 

[vacuumheaven05]

note

Hello again, Does anyone have an idea where to find old vintage Kirby vacuum parts, as far as used vacuum cleaner repair, parts stores. I live in Frederick, MD. I want to know what vacuum cleaner stores, repair shops have vintage or antique vacuum cleaner parts, like for old Kirby's pre 1950's. Are there any Kirby service centers or shops that have spare parts for early Kirby's like my 2C. I want to know if there's anything in PA, West Virginia, Ohio or VA, that have spare parts to vintage, antique vacuum cleaners, Specifically early Kirby's like the C or 2C.
From Liam

 

[unimatic1140]

From VL moderator

Liam, please wait now for Thomas to respond to you when he gets back from vacation, you don't need to keep posting in here as everyone has seen what you are looking for.

Thank you.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

reply

I also have the original box of a full set of attachments for my Kirby 2C. Pictures will come soon.
From Liam

 

[bikerray]

when he will return for me.

Wow if that isn't self centered.

The man is on vacation.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

an apology

Sorry about that. I didn't mean to sound rude or be disrespectful and just hope everything is okay. I'm just worried that things may not work out as I had thought they would be. In the mean time I'll try to make myself a wooden handle from scratch. Lesinutah gave me specific instructions on what I'll need and what I'll need to do. But that's just a back up plan. In the meantime I'll wait until he returns. Hope everything is okay. I apologize for my attitude and the trouble I brought. God bless.
From sorry Liam

 

[huskyvacs]

He's just a kid guys and he's excited about his find, no need to be so harsh.

 

[luxlife]

He’s almost 18. Not quite a kid, but he is new here.

I guess it would have been kinder if someone had corrected him before he posted a second thread on the same topic and his incessant messages started coming in.

I’d like for him to know that restoration cannot be done very well under a time constraint. It takes as long as it takes to do a restoration well- and if certain parts aren’t available, then it takes even longer.

 

[huskyvacs]

Well, that is true. It took a few years to even find parts for some of my vacuums. If it's even possible to get excited by spare parts I have achieved that. lol

 

[vacuumheaven05]

reply

Thank you huskyvacs, I appreciate it. I have a 1923 GE upright vacuum that I restored a few weeks ago. All original and accurate looking. But after all that elbow grease and sweat, it took me more than half a year to fully repair, restore it and get all the replacement, original parts for it, like the cord, plug and connections and all wiring. I took me 7 to almost 8 months to fully resurect to its former glory. Antique vacuum restorations can take sometimes a long time, months to years to complete.
From Liam

 

[luxlife]

I’ve been working on an old Canadian Lux for about 5 years now. It’s always been an amazing long shot when I find a particularly piece, at curbside or on eBay. About 10 years ago when I had more time, I personally think that it’s best not to put all of your emotional energy into one machine. I used to keep multiple resto projects going at once as a way to keep my interest up. Nothing is more depressing than having one vintage vacuum that’s not running because it’s missing parts that are hard to find. I’m not one to get manic or start pining away over a singular vacuum.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

question

Does anyone have spare factory original Kirby 505 parts like the black headlight hood trim and black bumper. I'm interested into getting it for my Kirby 2C, it badly need it. It has a bumper, but it's from a Kirby 508 or even a 509-515 model, since it's gray, could always spray paint it black, to make it look accurate. If anyone has spare trim they are willing to give to me, trade or sell, please let me know some time soon.
Thanks Liam

 

[vacuumheaven05]

good news

Hi again. Some extremely good news happened for me personally. A blessing. well, I was able to get tom Stephine's email and we amazingly started to become distant friends. He said he had a spare Kirby 1C or 2C handle, a complete handle with the top angled piece and wooden grip. I was very successful in talking to him about selling the part on eBay, he did. I told him to sell it at a fair price of $60.00 and it worked out perfectly, I was able to buy it immediately. It's been over a week and I'm expecting it to arrive any day now. I'm very excited to see it and attach it to my Kirby 2C, when it arrives in the mail. Finally, I will be able to use it, vacuum with it, once it arrives. Once I get it, I will take pictures and or a video of myself using it for the first time and upload it here soon.
From Liam

 

[electrolux137]

Good news, Liam! I'm looking forward to photos & videos!

Here are some photos of a Model C and Model 505 that I used to have but sold a few years ago.

 

[lesinutah]

Charles

I have a 4c floor polisher in a box very similar to the one you have pictured. I believe the polisher just used the regular floor nozzle with a bigger belt mounting on the floor nozzle. Is this how the floor polisher was used?8

 

[vacuumheaven05]

side note

Quick question, does anyone have a spare factory original Kirby 508 headlight hood trim. They were identical to ones off of a 505 but colored gray instead of black. I can easily spray paint it black and do a very nice paint job. If you look at my other post, at my photos, you will notice that my 2C nozzle has a gray bumper, which is likely from a Kirby 508, because of the light gray color. I can also just spray paint that bumper black, to make it look accurate for my Kirby 2C.
From Liam

 

[lesinutah]

Do

You think maybe in 75 years what t appears grey was once black and the color is faded.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

kirby note

Quick question to anyone, What type of Bearing fits a Kirby 2C. Could a 505 bearing fit a 2C? And did they also have washers and spacers? Just curious. I recently polished my entire 2C. It looks beautiful, photos will come soon. However, when I put everything back together and tested it, The light turns on and motor runs but it runs very slow and doesn't have any airflow. I did replace the old headlight hood harness wiring with a new one since the old one was dry rotten. I don't know why my 2C motor runs so slow, it cant be the bearings since they spin freely without any bad play. Could it be something with the electrical like the field or could it be bad windings in the armature. It was working fine when I first tested it, before I took it apart for polishing. I don't know what the deal is with it. One more thing, The bearings in my 2C do not have any washers, are they suppose to have washers and spacers?
From Liam

 

[bikerray]

Front and rear bearing are New Departure 8008 which translates to an 87008 bearing.

 

[vacuumheaven05]

question

Is a 87008 Bearing the same as a 505 bearing and will a 505 bearing fit a 1C or 2C?
From Liam