New owner of a Kirby Model 519 Vacuum Cleaner - HELP!

[xonicole2012]

So for the last couple years I've been obsessed with everything vintage! Recently a friend of mine gave me his Kirby Mo. 519 Vacuum cleaner that's been sitting in a closet and hasn't been used for quite some time (I'm talking years - his apartment is all tile). Anyways! I haven't gotten a chance to plug it in and see if it works, but Im sure it works just fine. My friend is usually good at finding appliances in great shape despite their age. Either way, I've never owned a vacuum cleaner that used a dirt bag instead of dirt compartment, so please bare with me if you find my questions silly. I've checked over and over again for a manual for this particular model but have yet to find one.

First - On the Mo. 519, do those require disposable bags that are placed inside the attached bag? If yes, what kind of bag (brand, type, size?) and where can I usually find them.

If not, then I'm assuming the bag already on the machine is detachable, and if that's the case how do I detache the bag to empty it when its full?

Anything you can tell me would really help and especially if you know where I can find a manual for my Kirby. Thank you

 

[sonnyndad]

If the 519 has the original bag, or an early replacement, it does not require additional bags. But, It might have been modernized to work with Eureka FG bags. If that's the case, it will have a zipper going down the back. You can detach a shake-out bag by firmly gripping the bag at the bottom where the spring is, and twisting over the lip on the emptor. Ask me any Kirby question, and I will be happy to answer.

 

[cb123]

If it looks like this, follow the instructions. Congratulations on your 519!

 

[super-sweeper]

Kirby bags,

The 519 is likely 1959, Kirby did such a thing with their model numbers. The bag should have a metal latch on the 'Sani-Emptor', the metal thing that attaches the bag to the machine. Turning this lever will allow you to then slide the plastic cover on the bottom out and dump the contents of the bag (you can choose to take the bag and emptor off the machine and dump it over a trash can the dusty, dirty way, or do the sanitary Kirby way by wheeling the machine over some newspaper and dump). The bag may also have a SMALL  zipper on the back of the bag, open this and cram your hand into , and scrape the inside of the bag. This allows the crud (which Kirbys dig PLENTY out of carpeting!) To get off the bag and into the tray.


 


Pictures would help your cause here!

 

[cb123]

Presto! your wish has been answered.

 

[bikerray]

Kirby manuals are pretty much the same through the late '50s. There is a couple of 517 manuals on ebay right now which would be pretty much the same as the 519.

The only difference between a 517, 518 and 519 is the fact that they changed the carbon brush holders on the 519 to a different style. Something you wouldn't see from the outside anyway.

 

[super-sweeper]

it has?

I think that plaid fabric the housewife is wearing in the lower left manual photo would make for a lovely Kirby bag fabric! I might just have to break out the sewing machine!