kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
505
Hi All Mine is the Kirby 505
Hi All Mine is the Kirby 505
What's your favorite vintage Kirby model?
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reo580
Well-known member
Favorite Kirby
Mine would have to be the Classic Omega, late model with the armored bag. Mine looked like it was ready for the scrap yard when I found it. It had the armored bag and a very healthy motor which is why I bought it. I'm glad I did because after I restored it; the more I use it the fonder I get of it. I think I run this almost everyday.
Mine would have to be the Classic Omega, late model with the armored bag. Mine looked like it was ready for the scrap yard when I found it. It had the armored bag and a very healthy motor which is why I bought it. I'm glad I did because after I restored it; the more I use it the fonder I get of it. I think I run this almost everyday.
suckolux
Well-known member
I had one I really loved, smaller nozzle I think tradition? Had light on the head to show if it was turning and paper bag inside. Wish I still had that.
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
Derek very nice job Doug
thunderhexed
Well-known member
Classic Omega
Out of all of my Kirbys, I find that I always go back to my Omega, I love the way it handles, how smoothly it glides across the carpet while still forming the tightest of seals,how well it grooms and pulls the nap up, the color combo, its beastly look. I always love emptying the bag after a vacuum just to see what I'm pulling up. It pulls even the finest of grit up from under the pad. I can tell it keeps my carpets clean as with each vacuum, the results that come out of the bag are becoming less and less and this in a new house with new carpet.
I recently took the bag off, beat the dust from it, turned it inside out and whisked it with a broom - cleaned all the seals - performs like a champ!
Out of all of my Kirbys, I find that I always go back to my Omega, I love the way it handles, how smoothly it glides across the carpet while still forming the tightest of seals,how well it grooms and pulls the nap up, the color combo, its beastly look. I always love emptying the bag after a vacuum just to see what I'm pulling up. It pulls even the finest of grit up from under the pad. I can tell it keeps my carpets clean as with each vacuum, the results that come out of the bag are becoming less and less and this in a new house with new carpet.
I recently took the bag off, beat the dust from it, turned it inside out and whisked it with a broom - cleaned all the seals - performs like a champ!
caligula
Well-known member
Favorite Kirby's.
For non-electric, it has to be the Vac-u-ette. For the electric's it has to be my 1-C circa 1935, and 2-C, that came out a few years later.
Alex Taber.
For non-electric, it has to be the Vac-u-ette. For the electric's it has to be my 1-C circa 1935, and 2-C, that came out a few years later.
Alex Taber.
2011hoover700
Well-known member
Question regarding my personal favorites,
would a 6 amp armature in a 6 amp field make a same motor system significantly more powerful than a 5.5 amp armature in a 6 amp field? I noticed my omega has a completely identical motor set up to my tradition but has much greater power.
Thanks for your input.
would a 6 amp armature in a 6 amp field make a same motor system significantly more powerful than a 5.5 amp armature in a 6 amp field? I noticed my omega has a completely identical motor set up to my tradition but has much greater power.
Thanks for your input.
My favourite vintage Kirby is the Heritage II. I've used them several times I just like how it feels like my Classic III, but has the bag system and the beautiful red and black color scheme.
Though, my favourite Kirby is my Sentria. I just love that machine.
Though, my favourite Kirby is my Sentria. I just love that machine.
My favorite vintage machine would be the 514. I love the plaid design on the attachment boxes, and the push-push switch. Mine has the original 6 blade fan, and wheels. I got it at Goodwill for $8.09, repacked the bearings and it is now one my nicest pre 516 machines. It was also made for Kirby's 40th Birthday. You'd better believe it's coming to Cleveland next year! (514 is third from left.)((Disreguard link, I have no idea how it got there.))
http://
http://
The Heritage/Legend line would indeed use the same armature (#114973) as the Classic Omega/III/Tradition, but not the same field.
The original field for the Heritage 1HD and Heritage II 2HD (the latter prior to March 1986) was part #103981, but Kirby discontinued that and says to use the 8-wire #103986 field as used on 1986 and later Heritage II models.
~Ben
The original field for the Heritage 1HD and Heritage II 2HD (the latter prior to March 1986) was part #103981, but Kirby discontinued that and says to use the 8-wire #103986 field as used on 1986 and later Heritage II models.
~Ben
Kirby-can't narrow it down to one-D50,511,Tradition,Classic series.
Elektrolux
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2014
- Messages
- 65
Favorite Kirby . . .
I like a lot of various models for different reasons but my favorite by far if I have to narrow it down to few is my Dual Sanitronic 50 (D50) for it's last of the olds style handle but 1st of the new dual speed motors. Pretty decent power for its time for a good 12+ yrs to go. My favorite feature has to be the back lit "Kirby" logo on light hood cover. This has to be the 1st and last time Kirby would do anything like that as far as just for style / looks. I like it for the time it was , had the most wide range of cool accessories and attachments out. The Handi Butler Mark III is still my favorite most used attachment today. I believe it's the 1st model we'd see the new tray style shampooer unit which would be compatible in style to the Heritage. I actually did my rugs with it . Just doesn't have a on off suds flow but once you get the hang of it old school, it's cool.
I do have a 1958 late run 518 which I like for its red accents but I have to narrow it down to a few.
My 2nd close runner up would be the 1963 Sanitronic VII as it was the 1st model given to me but I would not realize how cool it was for yrs later sitting in our garage in near mint (just tarnished) shape. I like the classic round logo in belt lifter w/ a bright starburst golden background that looks so much nicer then even the D50/80s.
3rd I'd pick my 1981 Heritage 1-HD w/ all it's coolest attachments, the last we'd have the Handi Butler, yet the 1st we'd get the Turbo Group of accessories including the hair clippers & orbital sander polisher, Kirby's answer to the Flobie or maybe it came 1st, I'm not sure. I like it fo it's neutral classic colors but w/ a bright Kirby redish orange bag and large winged, wrap around nozzle & the special edition classic 13" nozzle (the version I have) to use giving it the narrow handling of the D50 w/ the old style look.
My 3rd is the G4D for its new power & performance & neutral dark colors scheme. Not too modern but w/ just a mix of classic but new tech. But I later grew to like my new 2006 G10D Sentria for its all new look but w/ a classic touch of yesterday bringing back more bright polished metal work in handle and color accents. If it only had a redish orange bag to match would be awesome. I liked the return f the Handi Butler for 2006 run even if I don't use it as much but it's cool to have. It's now air powered opposed to motor driven. This I like as it would be the 1st Kirby I buy brand new on my own then learned to rebuild them & later traded in for the 2011 revision w/ all new bag & emptor deign as well as new "F" style bag top. it is essentially and early run Sentria II in the orange but I am working on getting the Sentria II as well for its same likeness but in a nice blue & vintage looking bag color trim. I like how the blue carries to the rest of the vacuum on the foot power switch and TechDrive "Drive" foot lever.
I actually really like the color scheme of the Ultimate G Diamond Edition and its low speed function. I don't have 1 yet but I am gonna convert my old Sentria into 1 as soon as I get the switch and circuit board assembly in.
Kristopher
Restoring the beauty of the vintage Kirby, one vacuum at a time
I like a lot of various models for different reasons but my favorite by far if I have to narrow it down to few is my Dual Sanitronic 50 (D50) for it's last of the olds style handle but 1st of the new dual speed motors. Pretty decent power for its time for a good 12+ yrs to go. My favorite feature has to be the back lit "Kirby" logo on light hood cover. This has to be the 1st and last time Kirby would do anything like that as far as just for style / looks. I like it for the time it was , had the most wide range of cool accessories and attachments out. The Handi Butler Mark III is still my favorite most used attachment today. I believe it's the 1st model we'd see the new tray style shampooer unit which would be compatible in style to the Heritage. I actually did my rugs with it . Just doesn't have a on off suds flow but once you get the hang of it old school, it's cool.
I do have a 1958 late run 518 which I like for its red accents but I have to narrow it down to a few.
My 2nd close runner up would be the 1963 Sanitronic VII as it was the 1st model given to me but I would not realize how cool it was for yrs later sitting in our garage in near mint (just tarnished) shape. I like the classic round logo in belt lifter w/ a bright starburst golden background that looks so much nicer then even the D50/80s.
3rd I'd pick my 1981 Heritage 1-HD w/ all it's coolest attachments, the last we'd have the Handi Butler, yet the 1st we'd get the Turbo Group of accessories including the hair clippers & orbital sander polisher, Kirby's answer to the Flobie or maybe it came 1st, I'm not sure. I like it fo it's neutral classic colors but w/ a bright Kirby redish orange bag and large winged, wrap around nozzle & the special edition classic 13" nozzle (the version I have) to use giving it the narrow handling of the D50 w/ the old style look.
My 3rd is the G4D for its new power & performance & neutral dark colors scheme. Not too modern but w/ just a mix of classic but new tech. But I later grew to like my new 2006 G10D Sentria for its all new look but w/ a classic touch of yesterday bringing back more bright polished metal work in handle and color accents. If it only had a redish orange bag to match would be awesome. I liked the return f the Handi Butler for 2006 run even if I don't use it as much but it's cool to have. It's now air powered opposed to motor driven. This I like as it would be the 1st Kirby I buy brand new on my own then learned to rebuild them & later traded in for the 2011 revision w/ all new bag & emptor deign as well as new "F" style bag top. it is essentially and early run Sentria II in the orange but I am working on getting the Sentria II as well for its same likeness but in a nice blue & vintage looking bag color trim. I like how the blue carries to the rest of the vacuum on the foot power switch and TechDrive "Drive" foot lever.
I actually really like the color scheme of the Ultimate G Diamond Edition and its low speed function. I don't have 1 yet but I am gonna convert my old Sentria into 1 as soon as I get the switch and circuit board assembly in.
Kristopher
Restoring the beauty of the vintage Kirby, one vacuum at a time
Elektrolux
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2014
- Messages
- 65
1981 Heritage 1-HD
Sookie helps with restoration & now rug cleaning.
Shown here; my 1981 Kirby Heritage 1-HD in carpet shampoo mode set up.
Sookie helps with restoration & now rug cleaning.
Shown here; my 1981 Kirby Heritage 1-HD in carpet shampoo mode set up.
Elektrolux
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2014
- Messages
- 65
Handi Butler 1-HD of 1981
This would mar the last we would see of the good 'ol motor driven Handi-Butler. By this time we saw new features come & go but 1 of the coolest had to be the portable hand saw. A tad to get used to at 1st but not too bad. May be dangerous if not careful which is why I can presume they got phased out quick.
I use my Mark III of my D50 most for its hand held cable style utilizing modern buffing pads & wheels on 1/2" to 5/8" hole plus it just looks cool w/ old style grinder wheel / knife sharpener but w/ newer style cable drive in rear opposed to old screw on to front design of Mark II's
This would mar the last we would see of the good 'ol motor driven Handi-Butler. By this time we saw new features come & go but 1 of the coolest had to be the portable hand saw. A tad to get used to at 1st but not too bad. May be dangerous if not careful which is why I can presume they got phased out quick.
I use my Mark III of my D50 most for its hand held cable style utilizing modern buffing pads & wheels on 1/2" to 5/8" hole plus it just looks cool w/ old style grinder wheel / knife sharpener but w/ newer style cable drive in rear opposed to old screw on to front design of Mark II's
Elektrolux
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2014
- Messages
- 65
Kirby Sanitronic System of 1962 model 562
My beautiful like new in box (almost, it was gently used but cared for) 1962 Kirby Sanitronic model 562.
1 of my 3 main favorites. The colors, the classic look and sound. nicer of the old belt lifters I had used. brightly polished aluminium w/ side lit plastic bezel w/ a bright starburst design
My beautiful like new in box (almost, it was gently used but cared for) 1962 Kirby Sanitronic model 562.
1 of my 3 main favorites. The colors, the classic look and sound. nicer of the old belt lifters I had used. brightly polished aluminium w/ side lit plastic bezel w/ a bright starburst design
cb123
Well-known member
These are just a few of my favorites.
vacuser
Well-known member
FAVORITE KIRBY
IT WOULD BE MY 518 FOLLOWED BY MY 2 HERITAGES.
IT WOULD BE MY 518 FOLLOWED BY MY 2 HERITAGES.
vacuser
Well-known member
FAVORITE KIRBYS
AND HERE'S MY 518.
AND HERE'S MY 518.
jade_angel
Well-known member
I believe my favorite would be the Legend II. It's a little on the modern side, but to me, it's the best of the modern and classic Kirby - classic look and feel with modern convenience.
