Kirby Sentria gift

[fantomfan57]

I was checking on the Local Craigslist, and noticed a Sentria for sale for $20. I saw that it was a month old, but contacted the guy. He did have it still and if I picked it up Saturday, instead of my offer to come get it Sunday, I could have it for free.
Inventory so far, Cord cut, fan destroyed, no base plate, no brush roll, missing one hubcap and no belt.
I have the base plate and belt.
Ordered the fan, brush roll, hubcap and cord.
I did the washing/disinfecting today, dismantled enough to remove the horribly trashed fan.
So now it is a matter of waiting for all the parts to come in.
I have not checked out the transmission yet, wish me luck.

I will look at the mini-emptor and bag in the morning.
Cosmetic work will be the last step.

 

[human]

Wow, that sounds like one abused machine but Kirbys are made tough and can take some abuse. Glad the guy gave it to you gratis. I'm sure it'll be a great machine when you're done refurbishing it.

 

[lesinutah]

Well

With all the new parts it should run great. Id check the carbon brushes while you have it open and the bearings behind the fan. The bearings always seem to be dry in the sentries I've worked on.
When you get it put together it will be a heck of a vacuum.

 

[huskyvacs]

He either found it on the curb and was trying to scam someone some money off a hunk of junk, or he had it, got pissed it wouldn't sell, and just destroyed it out of spite. People do that with cars too. If you won't buy it at their delusional price tag, or even attempt to make an offer on it, they will just smash it up and throw it out. It's stupid.

I've got a couple Kirbys that I got as just the base motor unit because I couldn't afford the entire vacuum at once (high demand models that are like $200+), so I have been buying each part I need a little at a time. I'll eventually get the entire vacuum assembled. lol

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks, Edgar, Les and huskyvacs....

I am, looking forward to it.
I will check the bearings and carbon brushes while apart.
I did talk to the guy, my impression was very positive. Very friendly. He offered that he got it to restore it, then for parts and never got around to doing anything with it.
BTW, the cord had been cut close to the base. I knew a shop owner who would do that before dumping it.

 

[human]

Cord...

Thankfully, Kirby cords are not permanently attached so replacing one is pretty painless--except to the wallet. Just unscrew the cord anchor, remove the cover where it attaches to the machine and unplug it. New cords can be had on eBay for $30 or so. Just make sure you get the correct cord for your model. There are at least three different anchor configurations for the various G series and newer models, not to mention cord colors.

 

[fantomfan57]

Thanks again, Edgar

So I thought I would take a picture of the fan from this unit. I wonder what did this. Now that smaller piece was fully broken off by me, the the tear was there.
There is even some hair/fun trapped in one of the blades....ugh! And that blueish/purple substance on the blades...what is that all about?

After I put the fan into the recycle, I used hand sanitizer.

I was going to take a picture of the work bench, but it is in such a state. I really need to hang up and put away tools this week.

 

[lesinutah]

A

Magic marker a whole magic marker or pen. It looks like ink on the fan.

 

[fantomfan57]

Hmmmm...

Les, I bet you are right! You would think with a headlight and lights on that you would be watching where you vacuum. Pen/marker could have been under something out of view.
I watched a commercial where a guy was pushing his vacuum with one hand but holding his cell phone in the other....looking at something on the phone....he sucked up a large soft dog toy which stops the brush roll.

The things people these days do while using their cell phones.

 

[human]

I can believe it...

Yeah, I once got a pristine Kirby G6 at Goodwill that had a AA battery wedged up inside the floor nozzle. It had immobilized the brush roll and the previous owners had continued to use it until the belt was about chewed through. Thankfully, the battery didn't hit the fan. It was yet another machine that just needed a bag and a belt and was ready to rock and roll.

 

[fantomfan57]

What, did I do wrong?

I know the motor worked before I started this replacement of the fan. Now it will not power on?!
During the process, one of the wires from the switch came loose, but I put it back.
I did replace the electrical wire and placed the nozzle on the from to engage the switch.
So what went wrong.
The brush roll comes today, THAT wouldn't be it, would it?

 

[fantomfan57]

oops....

When I tested it, I had not attached the bag. :]
Sounds, GREAT!
Now to check out the transmission. (Fingers crossed).

 

[fantomfan57]

Transmission....

Mild overhaul, now it runs smoothly.

Surprising how much I remembered from a couple of refurbs.

Now, I have to wait for the brush roll AND my bag tube takes F bags...which I do not have.

Thanks for reading this thread.

G.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

If you want Kirby bags in bulb VEVA type F HEPA bags I got 30 for $30 and there as good if not better than Kirby green writing HEPA bags.
I do like the sentries transmission as it's not as jerky or touchy.
If you find an avalir shampoo system for a good price I'd pick it up. I have a sentries and use the avalir shampoo system and it's much better than any made before it.

 

[fantomfan57]

Cycle complete,

I finally vacuumed with it and I am very pleased at the performance. Sounds good and the transmission is "like budda".

All is well.

{END TRANS}

 

[fantomfan57]

Voila!

Here is the finished Sentria II, my daily use vac. Also pictured are the Classic and Classic III I have stopped working on for now.

This vacuum is really doing a great job. I assembled a tool set using what I have on hand. Some stuff I forgot I had stored in a tub.

It is still, my gift.

Ta!

 

[thevacuumbarn]

Kirbys are like old cars: great project machines

I’ve always had a soft spot for Kirbys. Even once I realize that they aren’t the ultimate end all beat all vacuum cleaners, I have still found them to be satisfying to work on, and to be a good budget alternative to the cheap bagless machines sold in box stores. I recently restored a Kirby G3 that somebody had given me for free, attachments and all. One day as I was walking out of the local vacuum store, someone drove up wanting to drop off their G3 because they just didn’t need it anymore, and the manager of the store offered it to me because he knows I repair and sell vacuums. Needless to say, it’s needed quite a few parts, and probably still needs a few more, but it runs great, and it will probably be my daily driver until I get a Sebo.