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Y'all may recall that back in July 2014 I found a very strange Kirby. (If you don't remember this, then you can search the Vintage Forum for the thread title "Okay kids, get the smelling salts and fainting couch handy.")
The Kirby is labeled on the serial number plate as a Model 560; however, it has a much longer than normal rug nozzle -- it is 18 inches long, like the nozzles on the Kirby Super-Sweep and Janitronic commercial vacuum cleaners.
The rug nozzle is permanently attached to the fan case, again, as is the case with all the commercial Kirby machines. It cannot be removed to attach a hose or other accessories. Also, there is no belt lifter -- it has a cap over the belt access opening.
I have dubbed it the "Super Janitronic 560."
This Kirby has baffled everyone who has seen it! NO NONE seems to know its origins or purpose. Who made it? When?? Why??? Was this a one-specimen prototype or were there more made????
It has all the trim, bag, cord, wheels, etc. that would be original to a Kirby 560 (except for the belt lifter). The ONE thing missing was the 18-inch-long brush roll. Well, "WHO KNEW" finding it would prove to be a search that practically paralleled the quest for the Holy Grail!
I looked and looked and LOOKED for an 18-inch-long brush roll, but just kept running into dead ends. Then in December I got an email from my friend and fellow collector Mike Pupek who said he had found an 18" brush roll but it needed some work. He offered to repair it and send it to me as a Christmas present!
Here's what he wrote about it:
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The design of all Kirby brush roll inner shafts is the use of hollow tubing. I believe the shaft is manufactured from bronze/copper material.
I found one 18-inch brush roll that has good bristles but the inner shaft and one sleeve bearing are worn out.
I checked the outside diameter of the bronze/copper tube of the 18" Kirby brush roll shaft and ordered a section of 0.25" rigid, copper tubing from the Grainger Industrial Supply which I used to repair the brush roll. Kirby uses a snap ring/washer, to hold the bearings inside the wood core. I removed the worn bearings and installed a new set.
I checked the brush roll and it turns easily. If you hear any noise when you install the brush, remove the brush and add some heavy bearing grease.
Happy Vacuuming! Please send me a video of the machine humming at “TRIPLE CUSHIONED VIBRATION”!
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I was going to wait to send out any photos or videos until I had fully reconditioned the machine and machine-buffed out the housing. but I just haven't had time to do so. Today I went at it with Mother's Mag Polish just to make it presentable. I installed a new rug plate gasket (made from two Kirby Classic gaskets), a new soft gray belt, and the new brush roll.
I powered the machine up and ... well, what can I say ... the video link below will show you how sweetly this Kirby sings!
I've also attached a few photos of it.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyGFYcy3fMQ
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Y'all may recall that back in July 2014 I found a very strange Kirby. (If you don't remember this, then you can search the Vintage Forum for the thread title "Okay kids, get the smelling salts and fainting couch handy.")
The Kirby is labeled on the serial number plate as a Model 560; however, it has a much longer than normal rug nozzle -- it is 18 inches long, like the nozzles on the Kirby Super-Sweep and Janitronic commercial vacuum cleaners.
The rug nozzle is permanently attached to the fan case, again, as is the case with all the commercial Kirby machines. It cannot be removed to attach a hose or other accessories. Also, there is no belt lifter -- it has a cap over the belt access opening.
I have dubbed it the "Super Janitronic 560."
This Kirby has baffled everyone who has seen it! NO NONE seems to know its origins or purpose. Who made it? When?? Why??? Was this a one-specimen prototype or were there more made????
It has all the trim, bag, cord, wheels, etc. that would be original to a Kirby 560 (except for the belt lifter). The ONE thing missing was the 18-inch-long brush roll. Well, "WHO KNEW" finding it would prove to be a search that practically paralleled the quest for the Holy Grail!
I looked and looked and LOOKED for an 18-inch-long brush roll, but just kept running into dead ends. Then in December I got an email from my friend and fellow collector Mike Pupek who said he had found an 18" brush roll but it needed some work. He offered to repair it and send it to me as a Christmas present!
Here's what he wrote about it:
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The design of all Kirby brush roll inner shafts is the use of hollow tubing. I believe the shaft is manufactured from bronze/copper material.
I found one 18-inch brush roll that has good bristles but the inner shaft and one sleeve bearing are worn out.
I checked the outside diameter of the bronze/copper tube of the 18" Kirby brush roll shaft and ordered a section of 0.25" rigid, copper tubing from the Grainger Industrial Supply which I used to repair the brush roll. Kirby uses a snap ring/washer, to hold the bearings inside the wood core. I removed the worn bearings and installed a new set.
I checked the brush roll and it turns easily. If you hear any noise when you install the brush, remove the brush and add some heavy bearing grease.
Happy Vacuuming! Please send me a video of the machine humming at “TRIPLE CUSHIONED VIBRATION”!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I was going to wait to send out any photos or videos until I had fully reconditioned the machine and machine-buffed out the housing. but I just haven't had time to do so. Today I went at it with Mother's Mag Polish just to make it presentable. I installed a new rug plate gasket (made from two Kirby Classic gaskets), a new soft gray belt, and the new brush roll.
I powered the machine up and ... well, what can I say ... the video link below will show you how sweetly this Kirby sings!
I've also attached a few photos of it.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyGFYcy3fMQ
