Two Eurekas and a Kirby, with Photos!

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The drive wheels were stripped of the tread when I got it at Goodwill. I had to cannibalize a Eureka Precision for the wheels. The power-drive is sooo smooth and the machine is much quieter and more lightweight than a Hoover Concept.

The Eureka was 99 cents and the Precision (RIP) was 4.99. Did i pay too much??

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Some people go out or socialise, I take pictures of vacuums. I must be some kinda vacuum nut or something. A friend once commented that the Eureka used "fag" bags!

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I like cloth bag vacuums. I like commercial vacuums. I have never seen a Eureka quite like this one. I wonder when these were sold?

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This machine was obviously never used commercially. I changed out the Quick-Kleen fan chamber just for fun, but the fan was in such good condition that i left it as-is. I'm surprised to see an older Eureka (whens the last time Eureka used that hood shape!?) with a Quick-Kleen fan chamber.

Notice the agitator... uh.. i mean Disturbulator with "lifetime lubricated ball bearings" and "over 20,000 beats per minute"! Hoover could never boast as much!

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A side view...

HELP!!! The motor sounds SLIGHTLY dry but i cant get the spindle and fan off to save my life!! Kirby gurus, i need your help!!

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The Glamour Pose. The 70s and 80s Kirbys are kinda hideous, but these are kinda nice.

I paid 11.99 at Goodwill. Soo much $$ for just a Kirby (lol)...

**Tonight's program was brought to you by *Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish. Perfect for all metals. There's NO shine like Mother's!*

Thanks for watching!

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Fabulous finds!

I've immensely enjoyed hitting my "refresh" button over the past 20 minutes or so... watching the story unfold before my very eyes!

Some of those Eurekas were indeed absolutely wonderful, powerful vacuum cleaners... I've been on a Eureka kick as of late, myself... after I completed my Eureka project last weekend!

Awesome that you found that Kirby at Goodwill. There's so little that's worth finding at Goodwill these days. Although I picked up a 1999 Self Propelled Windtunnel the other day for $20. Just needs a good cleaning and some new belts.

Thanks for sharing!

~Fred

PS - I'd offer Kirby dismantling advice, but I've never actually had the motor of a Kirby apart... sorry!
 
That is one gorgeous Sani-VII, and I like the commercial Eureka too. I noticed that the rear wheels are outset so must not be all that old? Really nice finds and the prices were certainly right!
 
Getting the Fan off the Kirby...

Sometimes when I can't seem to get a fan off a Kirby like that, I use an ice pick. On the armature shaft inside the motor, there is a little hole in it. It's just about the size of an ice pick. You can see it through the hole in the motor housing(with the back cover off, of course). Stick the ice pick through that hole and then try turning the fan the correct way to get it off. If that doesn't work you may have to try to get a hold of the armature shaft with pliers or something like that. I've had many Kirby's apart like the one you have and I don't think I ever couldn't get the fan off. Hope this helps and congrats on your new finds.

Chad
 
Kirby Fan

I worked for a Kirby dealer when I was 14 back in '79 doing all the repairs,Usually the fan was already broken,so the first thing I would do is hit it sharply with a hammer in the right direction and that usually worked,if it didn't the fan is broken by now,so on the older machines you could break off a piece of the fan to get to the screws behind it that hold the front plate on,so you can pull the Armature out so you can get a grip on it,we had a special tool to hold the armature, while it was in the machine,but you risked damaging the armature,the fans were cheap to replace. Mark
 
Very nice machines,I have a Sanitronic but it was missing the bag and emptor and the handle was bent,so I gave it a makeover,still needs buffing.

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David

i love your presentation brought to us by Mother's Mag Wheel Polish. I too have been on a Eureka kick lately . I have two uprights to get to work on once i find the time. I liked that Eureka used that rounded hood style clear into the 80's. I wish another retro design would come out with that hood style.

Great finds! I see nothing wrong with cannibalizing one vacuum to help complete another. I do this with cheap Bissels and Dirt Devils. Buy them for a few bucks, cut their cords off and throw the rest in the trash LOL! They do have nice cords!

Marty
 

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