Thrift Kirby

[lesinutah]

I'll keep it short because I typed in the story of acquiring it was hard to follow.
I found a 560 and removed brush roll and all the hair off it. I also shook the bag out and dumped in the garbage can.
It has 2 really small splitting on the cord. The bearings are dry but the motor is strong. It's all original in excellent condition.
It was marked $35 I talked them down to $25 and it's worth every penny.

 

[myvacsrock]

That’s absolutely stunning! Imagine that thing all polished out to a factory shine!

 

[lesinutah]

Thank you

For the kind words. I'll probably going to start and finish it Friday when I get back home. I'll post pics when it's done.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

LesinUtah

Les,

Awesome thrift store find!

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Thanks

It's the nicest original vacuum I've ever bought.
I will be taking out the grey plastic fan and putting in a 11 blade metal fan from a 562 parts machine. I have to pack the bearings too.
The polish job will be fairly easy as there's no real issues.
The bag I have shook out. I'm going to lightly blow it out with my ship vac. IL then vacuum the fabric ensuring it's clean. I don't dare use water on the bag it's so nice.

 

[hygiene903]

Congrats!

Nice find Les! I know it will be beautiful once you get it all polished!
Jeff

 

[rivstg1]

super find ! I'm envious of that bag! I got that same model for $5 but no bag!!! congrats

 

[vacmadman]

very nice

Les,

That's a great find, for a great price, well done!

Jim

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Les,

I'll be looking forward to seeing your resto job!

 

[lesinutah]

The start

Of the refurbishment happened today. I took the bag and vacuum it outside and in until it was dust free. I took the entire vacuum apart cleaned every piece of the machine. The emtor doesn't have any stains or dirt. I cleaned the sole plate and the gasket was still intact in great shape. The motor skills brand new and still has black factory paint on armature fan. The motor is dated 3/60. The coil looks brand new as well it's dated February of 1960. The bearing plate looks brand new. I popped the wearing and wax washer off the bearing plate. I cleaned, greased and reinstalled the bearing. I did the same to the lower bearing. I took carbon brush plastic housing and got old carbon build up off it.
The trim, wheels every piece got cleaned thoroughly.
I reassembled it didn't hook up electrical until I get it polished and it will be good as new. It's raining today and I have 2 days off tomorrow is yard work. I hope next weekend I'll polish it and fire her up. I will say just the cleaning makes the vacuum look alot better.

 

[lesinutah]

Pics

I missed.
Pic 1 armature with date and voltage stamp.
Pic 2 Is the field stamp.
Pic 3 the motor with greased and repacked bearings and basically a flawless bearing plate. Look at the armature fan. It is painted black and looks brand new.
Pic 4 the vacuum after deep clean.
Pic 5 the string of entire.
Pic 6 Bottom tray moved to the side. You don't see any dirt or buildup in the entor. The bag has a small place it was sticker with white thread.
Pic 7 look8ng at the front. If you notice the fan is metal instead of the grey fan I thought it had.
Pic 8 side shot
Pic 9 the right side with entire off.
Pic 10 everything installed with a better view of vacuum.
Pic 11 emtor on with polish not wiped off yet.

 

[fantomfan57]

Les,

I found a 561, just picked it up, have still not inspected it. I had hoped to find one after reading your post.

After breakfast Monday, I will begin my inspection. Happy for us both!

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

The 560 and 561 are identical I believe. The fact it has an original bag being almost 60 years old says something about yours and I hope yours is in great shape.

 

[whiteley03]

So cool!