replacement wheels for Kirby 505

[gmkubancsek]

What modern plastic would be a suitable replacement for Bakelite? If I wanted to have custom-machined replacement wheels made for a Kirby 505 vacuum, what might be a good material> Delrin, Nylon 6/6, or ABS?

All suggestions and thoughts welcome. This is more for aesthetic purposes than durability.

I do have an original Bakelite wheel to get dimensions to use.

Thanks, Gary K.

 

[lesinutah]

If

You haven't noticed it's vulcanized rubber that came on the 505. I have noticed quite a few 3D printed black wheels on a few 505's.

 

[madman]

Delrin is very machineable, and my machinist has tons of it so that's what I used to make the wheels for my Cadillac. Unfortunately, I haven't finished them yet, they need to be flame-polished. Turns out Delrin does not like being polished by regular means.

 

[vacmadman]

505 wheels

Gary,

If you keep an eye out you can normally find these vulcanized rubber wheels on eBay from time to time. I just got another set there. The right parts are worth waiting for, and still can be found.

Jim

 

[huskyvacs]

Like MadMan suggested - if you can find a rubber machining shop that can do custom orders - you can get new wheels made easily. It's only a last resort if you get super desperate as it can be costly. Worth the price when no other option can be found.

I am not sure if it would work - and it would probably not look right - but as a long term temporary fix I wonder if you cut apart the assembly from caster wheels you could get those rubber wheels to fit?

The wheel in your pic does not look too bad, you might be able to get away with reviving it with tire wax/tire restoration products and making it soft again.

 

[ohiovacuums]

Sugru

Your wheel does not look that bad. I had worse and just molded black sugru on them.
Sometimes I put a bolt through the wheel and put it on my drill press..then I can
sand the sugru smooth.
I'll look to see if I have some wheels for you..I have a 505 that I'm not using or
displaying

 

[hoover300]

There is a big crack on the inside of the lip of the wheel. You could just paint tan or red ones black with an automotive paint, I know ChicagoMike does that. They look really good.

 

[huskyvacs]

Plastic wheels don't roll the same as rubber. Also the crack is only superficial, with some repair and TLC, the wheel can be cleaned up. I have a Kirby with these wheels where an entire chunk is gone.

 

[gmkubancsek]

black delrin

I used black delrin for new wheels. The 505 will be added to my collection and see little or limited use. I realize it is not 100% original, but they turned out very well. I appreciate all the commentary, thank you.

 

[vacmadman]

Nice job

Gary,

I think it looks great! It would be hard to tell it's not original.

Jim

 

[lesinutah]

The

3d printed ones look very similar. I want a 3d printer for parts that you can't find. What I want and me actually getting doesn't always happen.
I take my black wheels off as I have cracked a few.
When I traded Thomas the 1c I painted cr1 wheels black for him. I plan to paint a few so I have ones for use and original for display.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

LesinUtah

Les,

I feel the exact same way when it comes to all the 9-to-5 working man's vacuum cleaners, including the Janitronic, Super Sweep and Super-Vac 180, and the Kirby COMVAC 1300 and 1600.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ya

I used my janitronic super sweep last night and I nicked the paint in 2 spots. I love the vacuum and plan to use it quite a bit. I guess I'm going to ask the person from ebay to find out what brand of green paint. I'm going to order SEM paint this week for the trim and paint a handle white.
I apologize if I went on a tangent.
The black wheels can be found.
I had a former coworker 3d print a wheel. I have him take a black wheels and he made me a white mach up. It was more like a hockey puck. It wasn't as heavy as a puck but it could shatter glass quite easily.
Madman do the machine shops you speak of have the ability to make green wheels?