NOS Kirby Attachments Dilemma : To Use or Not To Use?

[suckomatic]

Yes, newbie here.
I grew up with old Kirbies in the family.
I've always loved them and I finally just got one of my own, a 1977 Kirby Cassic III, just like my grandmother's.
The attachments & accessories I ordered from Ebay just came, rug shampooer, two Handi-Butlers with the grinder, wire wheel, sanding discs, even the jigsaw, and much more.
Surprisingly, none of it had ever been used, or even opened, in some cases.
It has all the cotton polishing wheels, wool buffer (woolish?), even the 5" sandpaper discs and 4 sticks of Kirby cutting compound & polishing compound, in original sealed plastic.
There's even a vintage bottle of Kirby shampoo suds.
Should I leave some of these things sealed for posterity (or investment purposes), or just bust it all open and use it?
Is this a rare find, or is this sort of time capsule phenomenon common among old Kirby attachments?

[this post was last edited: 9/25/2016-07:06]

 

[bnsd60m9200]

vintage vacuums are NOT investments (except to the owner) they generally DONT make any kind of money back unless they are over 60 years old and very uncommon. for a machine terribly common still, its not worth very much. i got an entire box (including the big box) of classic III attachments on ebay brand new for $29 several years ago. i use my NOS attachments, even rare ones. they were meant to be used, not collect dust in a box.

 

[human]

I concur...

Use and enjoy them!

I know this is kind of an 'apples & oranges' analogy, but I've spent the past four months cleaning stuff out of my parents' house as they prepare for their big move this week to a retirement community, downsizing from 4,300 sq. ft. to 1,400 sq. ft. The outbuilding behind my house is now stuffed with a large portion of his toy collection, including literally hundreds—maybe even upward of a thousand—scale, die cast car models that he has had for 15-20 years or more and never taken out of their boxes. I'm in the process of selling them on eBay and I'm lucky if I get what the retail price tag shows on the packages. I'm not terribly worried about it because every penny I bring in is pure profit to me, but the bottom line is what real enjoyment did he get out of them? Not a hell of a lot, if you ask me. He had the thrill of finding and acquiring them, but by the time he brought them home and stacked them with all the others, they may as well have not even existed. All he really had was the knowledge that they were there in the basement, collecting dust and taking up space. What's the point of doing that?

 

[dysonman1]

As others have said "you cannot take it with you". I USE my vintage cleaners, and I enjoy them, because when I'm dead - more than likely - they'll all be in a dumpster. All 800 some odd of them. So enjoy them now, while you can.

 

[chad]

Kind of depends. If it's something you'll use quite a bit, it would be silly not to use it, and have to buy a second one to actually use. We're also talking vacuum cleaners... Sure, there's a market, but not usually even close to "sticker price". It's more of a passion of what you like. Take the condom out of the wrapper and use it for its intended service, and not just ogle the purty neon colors of the wrapper.

 

[suckomatic]

Vacuum Land Has Spoken

Well there it is then.
I've always collected vintage & antique...whatevers, and usually any unopened 40+ year old find is an amusing treasure, best left unused.
What a RELIEF to find this is not the case with Kirbies!
I finally get to just tear something open with guilt-free abandon, popping pristine little vintage Kirby accessory cherries like so many bubbles. Heeee!
Thanks everybody!

 

[louvac]

I agree with Tom..!

Use and enjoy your machines! I say the same thing---when I am gone my machines are going to end up in the dumpster because my nieces and nephews are not going to want anything to do with them. And, yea, go ahead and put them on ebay brand new and in the box....you may get a million bucks for it(NOT)but you may also get a $1 for it too! My attitude over the years has changed and gone full circle. I am not worried about the next owner.... I am going to be the one who opens and uses every new vacuum cleaner found in an unopened box! I have paid a nice price for many of my nice machines in my collection and when I am old and tired, I am not going to simply give them away if I can't sell them--I'd rather totally destroy them personally. With the exception of a few, no one gave me them for free. Either I had to spend my hard-earned dollars to repair or restore them or break my head trying to locate parts and accessories. I have seen a lot of selfish behavior when it comes to collecting just about anything and I have learned that nothing is for free....there is always a price to pay. So the way I look at it...everyone wants their price....and therefore, I want mine, too!

Also, I have spent much effort to make a machine original...and sometimes I thought, for what? It doesn't necessarily increase the value or demand--it just creates "another one". I have seen for example, some Kirbys with aftermarket cloth bags that allow the machine to take on a whole new dimension and it's own character... and I have come to really like them! So go ahead, and restore that machine and as long as you do it tastefully, it will definitely have some value! I love Kirby D50's or Sanitronic VII done up in the Tradition colors! WOW! I love them!

So again, guys, go ahead and use your machines and keep up the good work!

 

[pr-21]

I use NOS vacuum parts if I have the machine it goes on, I few years ago, I bought a used, but in mint condition Eureka Ultra and the first thing I did was find a NOS outer bag for it and put it on. Recently, I found the rug plate NOS for it. I just got it not too long ago and the old one is still good, but I will put the new one on shortly and store the used one.

We can't take the vintage machines with us and what ever makes them more original and usable is great as far I am concerned. And I do use mine, I try to rotate using them as well as my brand new vacuums. Change the bags and belts as needed, etc.

PS, I also found nos bellows for it.

I agree with Tom on this as well.

PR-21
Bud

 

[louvac]

And the other saying is....

Use it or lose it!

This is so true. I have had motors seize slightly because of non-use, and I have had machines discolor regardless of non-use. Parts will become brittle over time, cloth bags will fray and will dry rot over time even if they were stored near sunlight, and motor oil, and yes I said motor oil, WILL even oxidize over time and will not adequately lubricate motor bearings. So go ahead and use the machines if you want them to remain in operable condition longer.