What to do with this Kirby Classic Omega 1-CB?

[laurita]

This Kirby Classic Omega 1-CB is in terrible shape. I can't keep it but don't want it to go to a landfill or be melted down. Is there someone who would want to take it and fix it up? What else could be done with it? I had hoped to sell it, but that was when it was in better shape. Happy to share more pictures. Located in Westchester County, NY.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Laurita,

You could try to sell it for parts, if all else fails. This way people can be able to get individual parts for their Classic Omegas when needed.

~Ben

 

[kenc184]

Just about every Kirby I've refurbed has been worse than that. Looks pretty good to me, other than missing a bag.

 

[laurita]

Laurita,

You could try to sell it for parts, if all else fails. This way people can be able to get individual parts for their Classic Omegas when needed.

~Ben

I like that idea, Ben. At this point, though, I'd need to pass it along to someone else who could do that. I'm moving and discovering or rediscovering lots of things that weren't mine but are now my responsibility to dispose of.

Might you or someone else here know of a vintage vacuum parts sales company, (or an individual) either in the NYC/Westchester County, NY area or even DC/Baltimore if necessary?

I'm happy to give it for FREE, but I can't pay to ship it anywhere.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I like that idea, Ben. At this point, though, I'd need to pass it along to someone else who could do that. I'm moving and discovering or rediscovering lots of things that weren't mine but are now my responsibility to dispose of.

Might you or someone else here know of a vintage vacuum parts sales company, (or an individual) either in the NYC/Westchester County, NY area or even DC/Baltimore if necessary?

I'm happy to give it for FREE, but I can't pay to ship it anywhere.

Laurita,

I can't speak for NY because I live in OR (97267 area).

But I do wish you the best of luck!

~Ben

 

[laurita]

Just about every Kirby I've refurbed has been worse than that. Looks pretty good to me, other than missing a bag.

Good to hear, thanks. I don't suppose you'd be interested in refurbishing this one (or know someone who would)? FREE to someone who can keep it out of a landfill.

 

[human]

Oh yeah, that thing would polish up nicely. If it were closer to me in N.C., I'd be happy to take it. I have no idea what it would cost to ship, certainly not cheap these days, but looking at eBay listings, the shipping charges on complete machines are all over the place, ranging from about $30 to more than $100.

 

[laurita]

Oh yeah, that thing would polish up nicely. If it were closer to me in N.C., I'd be happy to take it. I have no idea what it would cost to ship, certainly not cheap these days, but looking at eBay listings, the shipping charges on complete machines are all over the place, ranging from about $30 to more than $100.

I could get it closer to you. It's in NY, but I travel between NY and DC periodically.

 

[cheesewonton]

I once brought a Dial-A-Matic home with me on a business trip from Baltimore to California. I boxed it up nice and made handles on the outside of the box with fiber reinforced strapping tape, and brought on the flight as a checked bag ! It was under 50 pounds so good to go. Cost me $25 that way as opposed to what UPS or FedEx would have charged to ship the same box.

 

[kenc184]

Good to hear, thanks. I don't suppose you'd be interested in refurbishing this one (or know someone who would)? FREE to someone who can keep it out of a landfill.

Thanks for the offer, but no. I have two Omegas already.

 

[laurita]

Thanks for the ideas, folks. I appreciate your time.

L

 

[daveaust]

Put it on FB marketplace for free and someone might just come pick it up. GL.

 

[huskyvacs]

That Kirby is in fantastic shape, only missing the bag. I have Kirbys that are in A LOT worse shape than this. If you seen mine you would agree. You can sell it whole or sell it for its individual parts. Collectors poo-poo on the Omega series, people seem to be chasing after the Tradition right now, and the Classic III. I see more bids on those models than anything else. You can break own the handle into its individual parts to ship the vacuum in a smaller box. If this was up on eBay for like $5 with $25 shipping I'd jump on it. I have two or three 1-CB's/Omegas lol

 

[laurita]

Thanks for the feedback. Two questions for you and others who own these:

About how much do they weigh? This one is currently in storage in another state, so I can't check it myself.

Also, people here say this is in better condition than I had thought. But how does anyone know that without trying it? (I haven't tried it since the bag is gone.) Aren't the motor and suction more important than whether it's shiny? No disrespect intended! I want to understand. Is it that it wouldn't actually be used, just displayed?

Thank you.

 

[kirbyman65]

Thanks for the feedback. Two questions for you and others who own these:

About how much do they weigh? This one is currently in storage in another state, so I can't check it myself.

Also, people here say this is in better condition than I had thought. But how does anyone know that without trying it? (I haven't tried it since the bag is gone.) Aren't the motor and suction more important than whether it's shiny? No disrespect intended! I want to understand. Is it that it wouldn't actually be used, just displayed?

Thank you.

People are just referring to the cosmetic condition of the machine. These Kirby’s are built like tanks. So it most likely works fine. I use my vintage vacuums daily, and display them.

 

[laurita]

To be able to assume it works is amazing! I wouldn't even feel completely sure that a brand new vacuum would work. But I guess that's why these classics are treasures. No cheap plastic. No planned obsolescence. For the record, this Omega was probably last used in the 60s. I can't imagine there was anything wrong with it. (It would have been fixed and serviced.) But it was probably set aside for something more modern-looking or easier to bring up and down stairs.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

To be able to assume it works is amazing! I wouldn't even feel completely sure that a brand new vacuum would work. But I guess that's why these classics are treasures. No cheap plastic. No planned obsolescence. For the record, this Omega was probably last used in the 60s. I can't imagine there was anything wrong with it. (It would have been fixed and serviced.) But it was probably set aside for something more modern-looking or easier to bring up and down stairs.

The Classic Omega 1-CB was produced from 1973 to 1976, so it's likely it was last used in the '80s or '90s.

~Ben

 

[laurita]

Produced that late? Wow. I based my statement on the fact that I moved into the house with the owner of this in 1972, and I never once saw it in use -- never saw it at all until clearing out the house decades later. There's something I'm missing here. Thanks for the info/correction.

 

[huskyvacs]

Thanks for the feedback. Two questions for you and others who own these:

About how much do they weigh? This one is currently in storage in another state, so I can't check it myself.

Also, people here say this is in better condition than I had thought. But how does anyone know that without trying it? (I haven't tried it since the bag is gone.) Aren't the motor and suction more important than whether it's shiny? No disrespect intended! I want to understand. Is it that it wouldn't actually be used, just displayed?

Thank you.

Everything can be cleaned and polished, and they will genuinely always work after sitting 30,40,50 years, some fresh grease and oil does help too. New belt. People did not run these until the motor burned up, they ran them until the next time the Kirby man knocked on the door wanting them to buy the newest model, lol The aluminum can be buffed out with an electric polisher and come right back to new again, its very durable.

Most people got suckered into buying the vacuum by a salesman and they got forced to buy it, used it for a bit, hated it, threw it into a closet and never touched it again. Kirbies are a love or loathe relationship with most people.

The 1-CB is probably about 15 lbs? 20? The G series Kirbies weigh a lot more than prior models because of the power drive transmission.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Produced that late? Wow. I based my statement on the fact that I moved into the house with the owner of this in 1972, and I never once saw it in use -- never saw it at all until clearing out the house decades later. There's something I'm missing here. Thanks for the info/correction.

Laurita,

You're most welcome!

Back in '72, the Classic 1-CR was the current Kirby model being sold.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

For Laurita,

Here's some key differences between the Classic Omega 1-CB and the prior Classic 1-CR:
* The Classic Omega 1-CB has a dark rosewood brown trim; the Classic 1-CR has a "milk chocolate" brown trim
* The Classic Omega 1-CB has a closed headlight; the Classic 1-CR does not
* The Classic Omega 1-CB has a scuff plate around the foot switch; the Classic 1-CR does not
* The Classic Omega 1-CB has a double-insulated motor for improved safety. It is notable by the plastic bellhousing that you see if you take off the motor shell; most of these bellhousings are white (this design and color lasted all the way up to the Legend II), but on the early models they were black. Additionally, the original black bellhousing was notorious for posing a safety hazard since the type of plastic used for it was prone to melting whenever the cleaner was used for long periods of time.
* The Classic Omega 1-CB speed switch has a retractable arm that adjusts for either low (carpet) or high (hose) speeds; the Classic 1-CR has a two-button speed switch (same design as on the Dual Sanitronic 50 and 80)
* The Classic Omega 1-CB's hose had holes added to the metal tool end to reduce risk of getting stuck on a child.
* The very early Classic 1-CRs actually shared many motor and housing parts with the prior Dual Sanitronic 50/80.

~Ben