What model Kirby is this? 505 - 115?
- Thread starter kennis
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Looks to be. . . that red bag with the 513/515-style Kirby logo/stripes is quite a gem even if it is bojack.
~Ben
~Ben
bikerray
Well-known member
1. It looks like a 505 motor and nozzle
2. there is no model 115 for the handle it would be 505 through 515
3. I'd like to see a picture of the emptor side, if it has an emptor the bag could be an early 50's Kirby replacement bag for the 505. If there is no emptor and this is a conversion bag to use an F&G bag it's an aftermarket bag.
4. I'd like to see a better picture of the top of the bag as well.
5. Is the emptor small and thin with a small opening for the bag to fit on?
6. what does the bottom of the nozzle look like?
I have a Kirby C from 1936 that has a similar open top bag that came from Kirby in the mid 50's as a replacement for the older style bag. It was a gray that has faded to a salmon pink color.
2. there is no model 115 for the handle it would be 505 through 515
3. I'd like to see a picture of the emptor side, if it has an emptor the bag could be an early 50's Kirby replacement bag for the 505. If there is no emptor and this is a conversion bag to use an F&G bag it's an aftermarket bag.
4. I'd like to see a better picture of the top of the bag as well.
5. Is the emptor small and thin with a small opening for the bag to fit on?
6. what does the bottom of the nozzle look like?
I have a Kirby C from 1936 that has a similar open top bag that came from Kirby in the mid 50's as a replacement for the older style bag. It was a gray that has faded to a salmon pink color.
d-jones
New member
Isn't the model number there on the data plate below the motor? That's where it should be. The 505 is my favorite of all the Kirby's. I can't really say why, it just is. I wonder how hard it would be to track down the parts needed to make this one look original?
d-jones: I didn't even think of looking on the bottom! It's definitely a 505! It also specifies it's a 110 volt.
Bikerray: I can try to get some more photos for you soon, though I'm not sure what an emptor is - can you clarify? Is it something you hook the internal bag to, or the cloth bag?
Bikerray: I can try to get some more photos for you soon, though I'm not sure what an emptor is - can you clarify? Is it something you hook the internal bag to, or the cloth bag?
bikerray
Well-known member
Ok, so we know it's a 505 from the serial plate.
So the rest of the questions don't matter any more.
The emptor is that little metal box at the bottom of the bag. The bottom of the emptor opens up to dump the garbage out of the bag.
So the rest of the questions don't matter any more.
The emptor is that little metal box at the bottom of the bag. The bottom of the emptor opens up to dump the garbage out of the bag.
I'm not finding a metal box - I do see where the paper bag is connected, it's got a thin plastic ring holding it in place (where I've seen newer vacuums having a cardboard) to a short hose of sorts that continues to the visible bit you see in my picture. I can't find anything matching your description of an emptor, though.
Attached is a picture of the other side (including a nasty rip!), in case that gives you more info.
Attached is a picture of the other side (including a nasty rip!), in case that gives you more info.
We have another Oregonian on board!
~Ben
~Ben
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Kennis:
That bag is not original, Kirby didn't use paper bags till 1979. That's most likely a Royal bag with a Kirby logo.
The Sani-em-tor was a box with a drop tray to remove the dust/dirt. This fit on the exhaust port, and the cloth bag was attached to that.
Shown here are several Kirby machines so you can see the mechinism.
That bag is not original, Kirby didn't use paper bags till 1979. That's most likely a Royal bag with a Kirby logo.
The Sani-em-tor was a box with a drop tray to remove the dust/dirt. This fit on the exhaust port, and the cloth bag was attached to that.
Shown here are several Kirby machines so you can see the mechinism.
bikerray
Well-known member
the emptor would look like this
toastermike
Well-known member
Kennis
The Sani-em-tor rotates and locks on the fan case the same way your bag does. You can get a new black cloth bag and hanger made by Kirby for the early 500 series models. I recently restored a 509 and used one (pictured below). I believe the emtors might be interchangable on the 505-515 Kirby's. Someone correct me if that's not true. If you decide to change it I might have an emptor you can have. It's nice to see another local! I live near Ben in Milwaukie and work in Hillsboro. I find most of vacuums that I restore or use as parts donors at the Goodwill Outlet stores in Milwaukie and Hillsboro.
Mike
The Sani-em-tor rotates and locks on the fan case the same way your bag does. You can get a new black cloth bag and hanger made by Kirby for the early 500 series models. I recently restored a 509 and used one (pictured below). I believe the emtors might be interchangable on the 505-515 Kirby's. Someone correct me if that's not true. If you decide to change it I might have an emptor you can have. It's nice to see another local! I live near Ben in Milwaukie and work in Hillsboro. I find most of vacuums that I restore or use as parts donors at the Goodwill Outlet stores in Milwaukie and Hillsboro.
Mike
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
VERY? VERY NICE
Is that a rebuild from the Kirby factory? Very nice Job Doug
Is that a rebuild from the Kirby factory? Very nice Job Doug
toastermike
Well-known member
Thank you!
No it is not a factory rebiuld. When I found this 509 at the Goodwil outlet store it had the usual red trim and an ugly tan bojack bag and the motor growled a little. I did the prepwork of sanding the rough deep scratches. A friend who restores Kirby's sent out the large metal pieces for professional machine polishing, and he polished the smaller pieces and worked on the motor to quiet it down. I ordered new black wheels, the black bag and new soft trim that only comes in tan. Inspired by one of the other members work I painted the trim the orginal gray color with commercial automotive interior paint that is very durable. Recently I found a parts donor that gave it a fresh motor and perfect belt lifter and the 509 looks and operates like a new vacuum! Since I completed the 509 I did the same thing with a D80. I have always been a been a big Royal fan, but with the ease of dismantling and the availability of so many parts for even realy old models, Kirby's are fun and rewarding to restore!
Mike
No it is not a factory rebiuld. When I found this 509 at the Goodwil outlet store it had the usual red trim and an ugly tan bojack bag and the motor growled a little. I did the prepwork of sanding the rough deep scratches. A friend who restores Kirby's sent out the large metal pieces for professional machine polishing, and he polished the smaller pieces and worked on the motor to quiet it down. I ordered new black wheels, the black bag and new soft trim that only comes in tan. Inspired by one of the other members work I painted the trim the orginal gray color with commercial automotive interior paint that is very durable. Recently I found a parts donor that gave it a fresh motor and perfect belt lifter and the 509 looks and operates like a new vacuum! Since I completed the 509 I did the same thing with a D80. I have always been a been a big Royal fan, but with the ease of dismantling and the availability of so many parts for even realy old models, Kirby's are fun and rewarding to restore!
Mike
caligula
Well-known member
Hi Kennis:
Since I didn't sign that post you didn't know that 'Caligula' was the cat pictured resting in my lap. He was also the mascott for the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club. As for me, the name is Alex Taber, and I'm the man who founded the V.C.C.C. back in 1983.
I'm also a former training manager for Kirby, working mostly in the western suburbs of Illinois, but also spent time on assignment in San Diego in September-December 1979.
I have three interests in vacuum cleaners, 1. Electrolux, 2. Kirby, and 3. the non-electric machines from 1869-1920. If you need Kirby history, contact me at [email protected] and I'll share patent info, and other Kirby material.
Since I didn't sign that post you didn't know that 'Caligula' was the cat pictured resting in my lap. He was also the mascott for the Vacuum Cleaner Collector's Club. As for me, the name is Alex Taber, and I'm the man who founded the V.C.C.C. back in 1983.
I'm also a former training manager for Kirby, working mostly in the western suburbs of Illinois, but also spent time on assignment in San Diego in September-December 1979.
I have three interests in vacuum cleaners, 1. Electrolux, 2. Kirby, and 3. the non-electric machines from 1869-1920. If you need Kirby history, contact me at [email protected] and I'll share patent info, and other Kirby material.
