air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Kirby's
John,
Great collection! Thanks for the pics!
John,
Great collection! Thanks for the pics!
Back from the SPA!
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OMG, Tolivac! I can't believe you said that!
Tolivac said: Its a vacuum cleaner!!Not magic.
How DARE you speak such blasphemy two posts away from my beautiful "cleaning systems."
I am going to demand Robert delete your account, and bar you from the site! Then I'm going to plug your name in 12 times on Kirby's website stating you anxiously wish to see a demo!
Hehe! Just kidding, of course!
Seriously -- As I see it right now, there's no one perfect vacuum. Different strokes, different folks, different naps, different carpets. Wall to wall versus area rugs versus hardwood, versus laminate flooring. Dense deep pile, loose close pile -- this material, that material, Berber versus builders grade, short hair pet versus long hair pet, versus soft coat versus wiry coat. Lightweight vac versus 2-ton-12-amp. Blind cleaning attachements, or drapery tools.
What sold me on Kirby's? It's the first vac I ever buffed up to a shine like that. I had a blast working on that Sanitronic! It could have very well been a Royal, an Electrolux, or some other brand. It just happened to be a Kirby. And I can't remember what prompted me to buy that Sanitronic!
*shrug* Truly, that's it in my book. Personally, I like the Dysons...I just think they're cool Would I buy one? Not right now -- love my Kirby's too much. And do you know how many more I can get off eBay for the price of a Dyson? And I still don't have a Sanitronic-80! But that's just me. I like new gadgetry. I also like housework. Combine the two, it's heaven on earth for me!
Just my opinion, mind you. Your mileage may vary.
Cheers!
John
Tolivac said: Its a vacuum cleaner!!Not magic.
How DARE you speak such blasphemy two posts away from my beautiful "cleaning systems."
I am going to demand Robert delete your account, and bar you from the site! Then I'm going to plug your name in 12 times on Kirby's website stating you anxiously wish to see a demo!
Hehe! Just kidding, of course!
Seriously -- As I see it right now, there's no one perfect vacuum. Different strokes, different folks, different naps, different carpets. Wall to wall versus area rugs versus hardwood, versus laminate flooring. Dense deep pile, loose close pile -- this material, that material, Berber versus builders grade, short hair pet versus long hair pet, versus soft coat versus wiry coat. Lightweight vac versus 2-ton-12-amp. Blind cleaning attachements, or drapery tools.
What sold me on Kirby's? It's the first vac I ever buffed up to a shine like that. I had a blast working on that Sanitronic! It could have very well been a Royal, an Electrolux, or some other brand. It just happened to be a Kirby. And I can't remember what prompted me to buy that Sanitronic!
*shrug* Truly, that's it in my book. Personally, I like the Dysons...I just think they're cool Would I buy one? Not right now -- love my Kirby's too much. And do you know how many more I can get off eBay for the price of a Dyson? And I still don't have a Sanitronic-80! But that's just me. I like new gadgetry. I also like housework. Combine the two, it's heaven on earth for me!
Just my opinion, mind you. Your mileage may vary.
Cheers!
John
Jdinstl: Love your selection of Kirby's Kirbys are my favorites in the vacuum world.Actually ENJOY Kirby Demos---Have the demo training materials from the Kirby dealer that went out of business in my area. Too bad-she was a very good one.she REALLY beleived in them.guess business here was not enough for her-don't blame her.In trying to sell TriStars-second favorite--It is difficult.I can agree with you-there is no perfect vacuum cleaner.The rules of physics are in effect there.Also in some of the Demos I have done with TriStars-newer homes and home remodels are GOING AWAY from W-W carpeting.that hurts Kirby.They are perfect for such homes-as mine--it has 30year old carpets that my vac friends always find some dirt in.and yes I have dirt meters for Kirby,Filter Queen and Tri-Star.Use them now and then for fun.Of course-the bagless machines have their own built in "dirt Meter" the dust bin.When I use my Kirbys-any of them-they collect more dirt than the Dysons.I feel so much for the "Bin- Vs-Bag"In those homes with the "mixed" floors Canisters may be the best choice.I am wondering what type of vac Kirby will introduce--Will they stick with their tried and true traditional uprights-or make a change to reflect the new trends in flooring?I did get a Dyson "Ball" from BB and got a Dyson DC07 from the former Kirby person.-It was traded in for a Kirby.
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Sanitronic VII?
John,
In your group shot, is that a Sanitronic VII in the back towards the right, in front of the Dual 50? Neat vacuum and the first of the tan series.
I do like the colors Kirby used! The browns, tans, grays, green and blue and reds are wonderful. Line them up running with their headlights on and it looks like a Christmas tree.
John,
In your group shot, is that a Sanitronic VII in the back towards the right, in front of the Dual 50? Neat vacuum and the first of the tan series.
I do like the colors Kirby used! The browns, tans, grays, green and blue and reds are wonderful. Line them up running with their headlights on and it looks like a Christmas tree.
Good point of the Kirby colors-they are using more "Bland" colors today. Like the Browns,Greens,blues they used to use-and red. The G5 Burgundy is one of my favorites.The Diamond G is a Grey color.
*blush* Awwww...shucks folks...
...I'm proud of the kids too! I chidede Chris (christfr) in email today -- he calls his appliances kids, and now I'm calling my Kirby's my kids...I'm accusing him of brainwashing me. Would you believe he doctored my pic and sent it back with text balloons over the machines -- making rude comments at me! Harrumph! He'll wake up to a pic of the Swedish Massager with his name on it when he checks his mail. How dare he! LOL! By the way, he's the one who nudged me into small household appliances, being as I don't have space for but one washer and dryer. So it's all his fault.
Charlie, that is indeed a Sanitronic VII -- he arrived today matter of fact! Sniped that puppy 10 seconds from auction close on eBay and don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Well..I do feel a bit guilty, I'll admit.
The seller wrote it up as "sounds sluggish, cracked fan housing, cracked belt lifter badge." (Had he kept writing, he probably wouldn't have listed it, instead shot it at dawn or something.) The motor sounds like a Sanitronic, that distinctive growl, and seems fine -- sucks bits of styrofoam into the nozzle from 2" away like the DS50 does. I have a fan housing from a donor machine, and will sniffing around for a new badge for the belt lifter. He's going to get some serious time under the buffing pads. He's rough and needs care. But the DS50 was in similar shape. I've provided the link to the eBay page, if you're interested.
The seller and I joked back and forth during the transaction. I chided him for his mistreatment of the elderly, scoffing his suggestion of this dear old vac being a donor machine! All Sales Final? Darn tootin' this one is! He just needs some TLC, a vigorous massage with the buffer, some grease to cure the rheumatism, and his bold and brave heart will beat again! It was a really fun, not to mention hilarious transaction. He even included 3 gifts! Three attachments for a Sanitronic 80! (I hope that's a good omen!)
Right now, the Omega, in portable mode behind the Classic and the Legend II is my buffing machine -- and is doing well at that job so far. The reason they're lined up here as if going out to recess is that I'm rearranging the work room to be more practical. I thought I'd grab this snapshot in the meantime.
I love this hobby. I'm a computer programmer by trade, I beat on keyboards all day in a large boring, bureaucratic company where hundreds strive daily to achieve mediocrity. (Well, not now, I'm on LOA -- save that drama for some other time.)
But I love working with my hands, getting dirty, and watching these vacs begin to smile as the tarnish and dirt surrender to a shine, and the scratches fade away. It's productive, rewarding, and good therapy. All your positive comments and support is like icing on the cake!
Thanks!
John
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4399025759&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
...I'm proud of the kids too! I chidede Chris (christfr) in email today -- he calls his appliances kids, and now I'm calling my Kirby's my kids...I'm accusing him of brainwashing me. Would you believe he doctored my pic and sent it back with text balloons over the machines -- making rude comments at me! Harrumph! He'll wake up to a pic of the Swedish Massager with his name on it when he checks his mail. How dare he! LOL! By the way, he's the one who nudged me into small household appliances, being as I don't have space for but one washer and dryer. So it's all his fault.
Charlie, that is indeed a Sanitronic VII -- he arrived today matter of fact! Sniped that puppy 10 seconds from auction close on eBay and don't feel the least bit guilty about it. Well..I do feel a bit guilty, I'll admit.
The seller wrote it up as "sounds sluggish, cracked fan housing, cracked belt lifter badge." (Had he kept writing, he probably wouldn't have listed it, instead shot it at dawn or something.) The motor sounds like a Sanitronic, that distinctive growl, and seems fine -- sucks bits of styrofoam into the nozzle from 2" away like the DS50 does. I have a fan housing from a donor machine, and will sniffing around for a new badge for the belt lifter. He's going to get some serious time under the buffing pads. He's rough and needs care. But the DS50 was in similar shape. I've provided the link to the eBay page, if you're interested.
The seller and I joked back and forth during the transaction. I chided him for his mistreatment of the elderly, scoffing his suggestion of this dear old vac being a donor machine! All Sales Final? Darn tootin' this one is! He just needs some TLC, a vigorous massage with the buffer, some grease to cure the rheumatism, and his bold and brave heart will beat again! It was a really fun, not to mention hilarious transaction. He even included 3 gifts! Three attachments for a Sanitronic 80! (I hope that's a good omen!)
Right now, the Omega, in portable mode behind the Classic and the Legend II is my buffing machine -- and is doing well at that job so far. The reason they're lined up here as if going out to recess is that I'm rearranging the work room to be more practical. I thought I'd grab this snapshot in the meantime.
I love this hobby. I'm a computer programmer by trade, I beat on keyboards all day in a large boring, bureaucratic company where hundreds strive daily to achieve mediocrity. (Well, not now, I'm on LOA -- save that drama for some other time.)
But I love working with my hands, getting dirty, and watching these vacs begin to smile as the tarnish and dirt surrender to a shine, and the scratches fade away. It's productive, rewarding, and good therapy. All your positive comments and support is like icing on the cake!
Thanks!
John
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4399025759&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shining them up is fun. I was out getting groceries this afternoon and scooted down the deterent aisle right to the household cleaners looking for something else to try and to get some steel wool pads as mentioned in the other thread.. I saw some paste type cleaner called Miracle Clean'r something but was short on money and forgot my debit card.. There was only one small tub of it so I hope it's there when I go back next time cause I've never seen that one before and it could turn out to be the cats' patooty
Jeff's method with steel wool and polish is a winner.
I tried Jeff's combo of steel wool and MAAS Metal Polish on the nozzle of the Omega -- it really cut through the crud! Thanks for sharing that, Jeff!
Are you ready for something goofy? I took some steel wool, a couple of washers, a nut and bolt, along with a hard plastic cap I had laying around -- tried to make an attachment. Kicked on the power, and the centrifugal force caused the pad to come apart bit by bit. Dumb idea. What was I thinking?
Like you, now no trip to the store is complete until I've thoroughly checked out the abrasives and polishes. I wonder if there's something like a softer version of a Scotch-Brite pad? Hmmm....also, I've heard of cornstarch pastes being used for polishing -- may have to do some experimentation with that to determine if it's more or less abrasive than our metal polish pastes.
Keep me posted on your findings, would you? Of course, I'll do the same for you. We will Krack the Kode of the Kromelike Kirby's! We will not be beaten!
Buffed to death, maybe, but not beaten!
John
I tried Jeff's combo of steel wool and MAAS Metal Polish on the nozzle of the Omega -- it really cut through the crud! Thanks for sharing that, Jeff!
Are you ready for something goofy? I took some steel wool, a couple of washers, a nut and bolt, along with a hard plastic cap I had laying around -- tried to make an attachment. Kicked on the power, and the centrifugal force caused the pad to come apart bit by bit. Dumb idea. What was I thinking?
Like you, now no trip to the store is complete until I've thoroughly checked out the abrasives and polishes. I wonder if there's something like a softer version of a Scotch-Brite pad? Hmmm....also, I've heard of cornstarch pastes being used for polishing -- may have to do some experimentation with that to determine if it's more or less abrasive than our metal polish pastes.
Keep me posted on your findings, would you? Of course, I'll do the same for you. We will Krack the Kode of the Kromelike Kirby's! We will not be beaten!
Buffed to death, maybe, but not beaten!John
Rex, I wonder about Kirby
And their units being feasible for mixed floored homes -- not to mention their marketing methods. Hey, wouldn't it be cool if they came out with a cannister?!?! I'm imagining some TechDrive powerd pull along tank with a 10 pound powerhead.
I'm suprised they carried on this long with the in-home demonstration concept, given two-income households.
I ordered a Kirby parts catalog from Buckeye. Hoover, Eureka, etc., all available as PDF files for download.
But not Kirby. Oh no! You get a message about Kirby's aversion to internet sales. So you have to call, and they send a hardcopy! Really, c'mon Kirby -- for parts at least, can't you give even just a little bit?
About those dirt meters...every time I've seen those on eBay, they generate a number of bids, fighting right down to the end of the auction! What's the attraction?
By the way, I agree, the deep burgundy of the G5 color is just awesome! Oddly, though, I find myself rather liking the light color of the G3 -- maybe that's just being proud of my kid!
John
And their units being feasible for mixed floored homes -- not to mention their marketing methods. Hey, wouldn't it be cool if they came out with a cannister?!?! I'm imagining some TechDrive powerd pull along tank with a 10 pound powerhead.
I'm suprised they carried on this long with the in-home demonstration concept, given two-income households.
I ordered a Kirby parts catalog from Buckeye. Hoover, Eureka, etc., all available as PDF files for download.
But not Kirby. Oh no! You get a message about Kirby's aversion to internet sales. So you have to call, and they send a hardcopy! Really, c'mon Kirby -- for parts at least, can't you give even just a little bit?
About those dirt meters...every time I've seen those on eBay, they generate a number of bids, fighting right down to the end of the auction! What's the attraction?
By the way, I agree, the deep burgundy of the G5 color is just awesome! Oddly, though, I find myself rather liking the light color of the G3 -- maybe that's just being proud of my kid!
John
John , your jury rigged brillo pad might work on a variable speed drill or dremel?
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Sanitronic VII
John,
I did look at the ebay link you provided and the seller of that Kirby is a very good friend of mine and a former Board Member of the VCCC. His name is Chuck and he is a great guy with a wonderful vacuum store in PA. He hosted one of the best mini-meets we ever had about 2 years ago at his store and home.
His store is really interesting in that he has a good mix of pristine vintage vacs and new models too. It is a converted older home on the main street of his town. He sells Air-Way and Bosch among other name brands.
I'm glad you got it from him. I've been telling him about this site for weeks but I don't think he has checked it out yet.
HESCO has a great Kirby catalogue too if you need additional information and believe it or not, at one time, in the late 70's, I think, Kirby did have a canister. I only saw a picture of it in a VCCC newsletter and never saw it in person. I don't think it was very successful and few were made making them like hen's teeth today.
And, keep us posted on Kracking the Kode of the Kromelike Kirby's!!
Charlie
John,
I did look at the ebay link you provided and the seller of that Kirby is a very good friend of mine and a former Board Member of the VCCC. His name is Chuck and he is a great guy with a wonderful vacuum store in PA. He hosted one of the best mini-meets we ever had about 2 years ago at his store and home.
His store is really interesting in that he has a good mix of pristine vintage vacs and new models too. It is a converted older home on the main street of his town. He sells Air-Way and Bosch among other name brands.
I'm glad you got it from him. I've been telling him about this site for weeks but I don't think he has checked it out yet.
HESCO has a great Kirby catalogue too if you need additional information and believe it or not, at one time, in the late 70's, I think, Kirby did have a canister. I only saw a picture of it in a VCCC newsletter and never saw it in person. I don't think it was very successful and few were made making them like hen's teeth today.
And, keep us posted on Kracking the Kode of the Kromelike Kirby's!!
Charlie
Hi Charlie, that is something that I never heard of before that Kirby had a canister. Makes sense though and I have wondered why they haven't all these years. Do you remember what it looked like? I just wonder if anyone out there in the VCCC might have an old copy of that newsletter. Yes John, you couldn't have gotten your Kirby from a better place! Chuck is really a great guy!! Terry
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
I can't find the pic.......
Terry,
I looked through my newsletters and I can find that ad for the Kirby canister. Some other member has got to have it. Some of my newsletters gave their lives as donors when I was doing the newsletters. I had to cut them up for various parts and it may have been one of those.
Fred, Jeff, Hans, Roger, and whoever else is a VCCC member, can you check your newsletters. It would have been from 3-5 years ago during the Richard Klein years.
Terry, hopefully it can be found, photographed and posted here.
Terry,
I looked through my newsletters and I can find that ad for the Kirby canister. Some other member has got to have it. Some of my newsletters gave their lives as donors when I was doing the newsletters. I had to cut them up for various parts and it may have been one of those.
Fred, Jeff, Hans, Roger, and whoever else is a VCCC member, can you check your newsletters. It would have been from 3-5 years ago during the Richard Klein years.
Terry, hopefully it can be found, photographed and posted here.
Didn't Kirby make a canister type vac many years ago? I remember seeing a commercial looking canister (similar in style to a Filter Queen - motor on top) and I think someone told me it was a commercial line with maybe a different name but was made by Kirby...
Just goes to show, you should buy everything you see!
Just goes to show, you should buy everything you see!
air-waycharlie
Well-known member
Commercial Kirby
Greg,
The canister Kirby was called a Scott and Fetzer. I have forgotton what it looked like but it did have a power nozzle and it could have been used in commercial application. Maybe somebody out there knows. I know somebody in the VCCC would know so I may have to wake up that website to see if anybody can enlighten us.
Greg,
The canister Kirby was called a Scott and Fetzer. I have forgotton what it looked like but it did have a power nozzle and it could have been used in commercial application. Maybe somebody out there knows. I know somebody in the VCCC would know so I may have to wake up that website to see if anybody can enlighten us.
A Kirby Kanister?
Why do I have this vision of a box of tools including dusting brushes, crevice tools, shoulder straps, and hernia belts?
John
P.S. Greg - "Buy everything you see!" Sage advice! I myself, have long followed a spiritual regimen of Inner Peace Through Acquisition.
Why do I have this vision of a box of tools including dusting brushes, crevice tools, shoulder straps, and hernia belts?
John
P.S. Greg - "Buy everything you see!" Sage advice! I myself, have long followed a spiritual regimen of Inner Peace Through Acquisition.
If they were to design a new canister I would like to see it in chrome with very little plastic. The shape I envision would be similar to the uprights motor housing with the handle,bag and brush roll assembly removed, about the size of a filter queen, sort of tear drop shaped..aerodynamic. Hatchback design for the bag. Not sure where to put the accesorries,,having them all on the outside ruins the look
Inner Peace Through Aquisition!
I love it! It reminds me of a quote I've heard Tomturbomatic use...something about finding real meaningful, lasting relationships in THINGS rather than people! Perhaps he'll post it for us.
I love it! It reminds me of a quote I've heard Tomturbomatic use...something about finding real meaningful, lasting relationships in THINGS rather than people! Perhaps he'll post it for us.
