Kirby Tradition HEPA Conversion

[vac_whisperer]

Well, you alll know how I just got a Trad, right? Well, the paper bags that it has don't offer the greatest filtration. And Im an asthmatic and have allergies so that isn't helping. I was thinking. What if I took off the tops of the fill tubes from the Trad and a G4 of G5, and switched them around so it ca ntake the HEPA filtering bags? I would love to do this, but I don't want to damage a good vacuum. So could any of you tell me how to do this?

Thanks!

VW

 

[eurekastar]

I've attached a photo of what I did.  Hope this clear!  1) Remove the fill-tube collar from a Heritage; 2) Drill holes in the Tradition Em-Tor so that they match the location of the screw holes on the fill-tube collar.  Then you should just be able to screw the collar into place.  I also put a bead of silicone caulk around the edge to try and make it a little more air tight.  This set up will allow you to use the early G Series fill tube and bag adapter.  You can then use the HEPA bags on your Tradition! 

 

[eurekastar]

Here's a photo with a HEPA bag.   I installed an F-Style bag adapter, but you can certainly use the older style too.   Sorry for the size of the photos.  I just got a new MacBook Pro a couple of weeks ago, and I don't think iPhoto will let you re-size photographs.  Guess I'm going to need to buy an upgrade to do that!

 

[vac_whisperer]

Umm, what if I dont have a Heretage...?

VW

 

[eurekastar]

You can buy a Heritage fill-tube collar from a007kirbyman.  They're probably $10 or $15.

 

[blackheart]

I didn't drill any holes in mine i just used a loctite glue it seemed to have a good hold on it. Would anyone know where you can find tradition emptors i already checked with the shop up here

 

[eurekastar]

@ Blackheart

I've been lucky enough to find things like Tradition Em-Tors at vacuum shops.  I've found a couple of shops that have old cast-offs in back rooms.  I wonder too if you hit a Kirby Distributor at just the right time that you can find what you need.  They take them in trade, so timing may be everything! 

 

[djtaylor]

You can buy a Heritage II mini emtor assy. and just switch over the bag and trim parts. I have done that on some of my Kirbys. A mini emtor should be around $40 on ebay. That way you don't have to drill or glue anything. I am not very good with cutting and gluing.
Justin

 

[blackheart]

Thanks djtaylor, it never crossed my mind to check the distributor. Eh even though the mini emptor probably has less drag on it it just doesn't look quite right, to me at least, on an old model.