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??
The Eureka was 99 cents and the Precision (RIP) was 4.99. Did i pay too much??
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!
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!
The Glamour Pose. The 70s and 80s Kirbys are kinda hideous, but these are kinda nice.
I paid 11.99 at Goodwill. Soo much $$ for just a Kirby (lol)...
**Tonight's program was brought to you by *Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish. Perfect for all metals. There's NO shine like Mother's!*
Thanks for watching!
I paid 11.99 at Goodwill. Soo much $$ 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!
hoovercelebrity
New member
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!
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!
vac-o-matic
Well-known member
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!
kc_kirby
Well-known member
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
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
swiveltop
Well-known member
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
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
swiveltop
Well-known member
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.
swiveltop
Well-known member
The wide Heritage Two wheels make it real balanced
swiveltop
Well-known member
And here is my Heritage Two with the optional small head,my favorite,I have the original bag but I like the Heritage bag better. Mark
eluxomarty
New member
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
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
Some finds!!
Nice set of cleaners for this group of pics, especially the killer Eureka in the first two.
Nice set of cleaners for this group of pics, especially the killer Eureka in the first two.
Oh geeze...lucky lucky you, 3 fab finds in one go, like a vac lottery win. I still haven't figured out the drive wheels on my Eureka SP, they don't have little nubbys but each wheel has a coinciding "flat" spot. The "flat" spot looks to be what gives it that little push where it otherwise might just be spinning its wheels. On a hard surface though it's not so smooth LOL
electrolux77
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2007
- Messages
- 14
how many amps is the eureka commercial?
normvac
Well-known member
Look at the fan to see if there is a hole in the front of the
stem (where the belt would go) you can put liquid wrench in it
and tilt the vacuum so that the liquid runs down, toward the armature shaft. So that it will soak the thread and help the fan release from the armature shaft, while you hold
the ice pick in the Armature shaft on, the commutor end (behind the bearing plate) to keep it from turning!
Norm
stem (where the belt would go) you can put liquid wrench in it
and tilt the vacuum so that the liquid runs down, toward the armature shaft. So that it will soak the thread and help the fan release from the armature shaft, while you hold
the ice pick in the Armature shaft on, the commutor end (behind the bearing plate) to keep it from turning!
Norm
thanks everyone for the comments, glad you enjoyed it.
i can boast about these cleaners, but the truth is it took me dozens of visits to thrift stores to find them. it takes me about ten or more visits to a thrift store to find a gem like the yellow Eureka or the Kirby. its not easy. in addition, the Kirby as you see it here is not the way i found it. it had some weird later-style bag on it and it took a couple hours worth of hand polishing to make it look this good.
the commercial Eureka is 6.5 amps. it has outrageous power, perhaps too much. IMO the 6.5 and 7 amp Eurekas have too much suction. i got it (on eBay) for looks!
thanks for all the Kirby help, guys. this machine has really grown on me. i was surprised by the good airflow of this machine, and how quiet it runs. i will lay off trying to service the bearings for now, since they have quieted down since i first used it. the last thing i wanna do is break the fan and im not sure i want a plastic fan in it.
i can boast about these cleaners, but the truth is it took me dozens of visits to thrift stores to find them. it takes me about ten or more visits to a thrift store to find a gem like the yellow Eureka or the Kirby. its not easy. in addition, the Kirby as you see it here is not the way i found it. it had some weird later-style bag on it and it took a couple hours worth of hand polishing to make it look this good.
the commercial Eureka is 6.5 amps. it has outrageous power, perhaps too much. IMO the 6.5 and 7 amp Eurekas have too much suction. i got it (on eBay) for looks!
thanks for all the Kirby help, guys. this machine has really grown on me. i was surprised by the good airflow of this machine, and how quiet it runs. i will lay off trying to service the bearings for now, since they have quieted down since i first used it. the last thing i wanna do is break the fan and im not sure i want a plastic fan in it.
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
VERY NICE KIRBY
Brett Sometimes if it has not been used for a while the bearings just need to work in. If it is working fine and sounding fine LEAVE IT ALONE. Nothing wrong with a metal fan. Just be care ful of what you vacuum. Take care Doug
Brett Sometimes if it has not been used for a while the bearings just need to work in. If it is working fine and sounding fine LEAVE IT ALONE. Nothing wrong with a metal fan. Just be care ful of what you vacuum. Take care Doug
ericaustin
Well-known member
WOW is all I can say!
human
Well-known member
Resurrecting an almost 20-year-old thread...
I'm guessing perhaps that Eureka Commercial might be a forerunner of the blue Professional series Sanitaires, or it could simply be a rebadged Sanitaire, sold through a different channel under the Eureka brand.
I'm guessing perhaps that Eureka Commercial might be a forerunner of the blue Professional series Sanitaires, or it could simply be a rebadged Sanitaire, sold through a different channel under the Eureka brand.
