Kirby- Dual Sanitronic 80 vacuum cleaner

[lonna]

I can't find my last posting so here I go again, sorry. My mom recently passed away and she still had the vacuum cleaner us kids grew up with. It is the dual sanitronic 80 built in 1967-1970. I took it to the local kirby store where they said it was all original parts. I had them do a cleaning of the machine and put in new bearings so the motor wouldn't burn out. I believe it has all the attachements and is green.

First, does anyone know of this machines value?
Secondly, where would I advertise to sell this machine?

Please email me at [email protected] that way if I lose this forum I will still get your email.

Thank you

 

[petek]

They're worth whatever someone is willing to pay, usually not very much. Kirby vacs are regularly advertized in the classifieds here from $30 on up to maybe $200 for a fairly new one, certainly not anywhere near what they cost new. I've taken one to the flea market 4 times now, it's in excellent shape, can't get rid of it for $40. It elicits plenty of laughs and reminisces though.

 

[tolivac]

Why sell it-how'bout using it since you had your Kirby dealer fix it up?Its an excellent machine and would have many years of life left in it.It may look funny-but you could get a Heritage bag to fit it-and use modern "G" bags in it-including the newer "Filtrete" bags.That would improve its filtration.I would think it would have sentimental value.Your Dual 80 is much lighter to handle than the newer machines.

 

[lonna]

Good 'Ole Kirby

You're right, since I spent $80 on it already I should keep it. It has some sentimental value to it. It makes my second kirby (my mom bought me the other one) and my third cleaner total. Guess I could keep one on every floor in the house.

It's hard to believe the 80 is lighter then the newer models. The Kirby shop suggested updating the cleaner to the newer bags, etc. However, I don't want to do that. I'd rather keep it as original as possible. Maybe I'm old fashion and don't like changes, lol.

Thanks for your comments

 

[tolivac]

I have a couple of Kirby Dual 80 vacs-one came from the Filter Queen dealer-the other from a vac shop here that closed.the one from the FQ dealer was practically mint-the person who traded it in toward the Filter Queen hardly used the Kirby or took unusually good care of it. Also had all of the attachments.The Dual 80's were the last of the kirby "small nozzle" machines.I would love to see them go back to the small nozzle-lighter and easier to use.And it could use a smaller motor to do the same job.Combine it with the new Filtrete bags and it would be a real winner.The "G" series machines have a transmission(a VERY good one) that makes the machine easy to push-pull.But it makes the vac harder to "slepp" up or down stairs.Adds several pounds to the weight.And it makes it VERY heavy when used as a "hand vac"
Glad you are deciding to keep your Dual 80.It is a very fine vac.Also glad the Kirby dealer didn't try to sell you a new Kirby.(Diamond G model)And yes--Kirby buyers that purchase a new machine try to keep their old one as an "upstairs vac"Many Kirby salesmen will still give the buyer credit for the 50% off for prior Kirby owners.-even if the buyer keeps the old one.

 

[jdinstl]

Hmmmm....how ironic...

After having expressed in interest in the ole '80 on these boards, then watched conversations erupted where they literally flew over my head, I picked up 2 off of eBay, plus attachments and a NIB shampooer kit -- even the original bottles of shampoo were still in plastic.

I agree with Tolivac -- the Santitronic series are definetly my Kirby faves -- equivalent to the Chrysler Slant-6 in longevity and legend -- I'd love to see Kirby bring this puppy back as well.

Cheers,

John

 

[jdinstl]

By the way...

both my '80's $100, S/H incl.

$75 for vac, $25.00 S/H for one.

$50 for vac, $30 S/H for the other.

John

 

[tolivac]

Chrysler Slant 6

When you mentioned it-saw a VERY unusual use of this type motor-for a tree and limb chipper.The owner of it said he stalled it by throwing an 8in thick tree in it.Otherwise a very powerful motor-used in various industrial applications besides powering cars.I asked him what type of engine it used.He mentioned chrysler slant 6's were used as motors on many tree chippers.I had him use it to grind the limbs from my trees.
Back to Kirbys-The Dual 50 is my clear favorite-followed by the 80.The 50 has a "cooler" retro appearence.Like the all metal handlebar on the 50.I also wnat to see kirby go back to the METAL fans.With their new design-in metal would even be sturdier.Sadly-I have doubts that Kirby will return to the Dual 50-80 design.The Classic models introduced afterward-the floor nozzles are too wide.-But their "hammerhead Shark" like appearence is interesting.I have one with the speed switch stuck in the "high" position-with the wide nozzle it REALLY vacuums.The wide nozzle needs the higher speed.It was a trade in toward a TriStar.

 

[jdinstl]

Metal indeed...

...right behind you on the metal fan! Espicially with respect to a vacuum in Kirby's price range. I believe Greg/gansky1 spoke on another thread about the wands should be metal as well, with mechanical locking as, IIRC, "plastic has no place on a product of this price" -- and I not only concur heartily, but point directly to the fan for incusion in this same line of reason.

I'm on the mailing list of Lindsay Publications -- whose offerings are such publications as how to build your own wood gas generator, as well as another on how to melt scrap metal to make your own castings... The plastic Kirby fans remind me every time about about that particular book. If I had the place and resources to do the operation, purchase of that book would would immediately from the Wish List to active purchase and implementation, no doubt about it.

Strangly, I prefer the 80's fork over the 50, but the 50 is the Dual Sanitronic that stole my heart and solidified my bond to Kirby. I do think Kirby could use the Sanitronic format as a way to gain a loyal customer base at a price profitable to them, as well as capturing and holding a customer base desirous of more than retail offerings, yet not in a positition to jump the long distance in price to a current Kirby. Such an offering would have me as a new Kirby owner almost immediately.

Cheers!

John

 

[48bencix]

Here's my Dual Sanitronic 80

I purchased my Sanitronic at a thrift shop for $25.00, and it works great. I got it a couple of weeks ago and the suction is incredible. I think it has a replacement bag (it says made in Mexico, and lacks the Kirby logo in a circle).

Unlike other Sanitronics I have seen here it lacks the green handle. And the dual wheels make me think it may be somewhat of a hybrid.

You have to empty this type of bag, and/or the dirt cup at the bottom. From what I am seeing here, I suppose you could retrofit a disposable bag to these vacuums.

 

[tolivac]

jdinstl: I have mentioned the metal fan to Kirby distributors for a long time-but falls on deaf ears.I get the feeling Kirby is going thru some difficulties---2 dealers have closed in my area. Got the rebuilt Kirby stock from one-(G3,G4,G5)and the sales materials and dirt meters from another.I think the problems are a few-mixed floors in many new and remodeled homes-less W-W carpets. The Kirby was perfect for homes with W-W carpets.Its more difficult to sell the Kirby to the homes with mixed floors.A canister is easier for folks to use with those floors.I feel the Kirby is one of the best cleaners on the planet for carpets.But with less carpets in homes-it becomes difficult to sell.Its weight on new machines-they are heavier than the older Duals.The wider nozzle is a blessing and a hinderance-Its great for large areas of flooring-but bad for small areas.and the other factor is those misirable friction plastic tools.Everyone else is going to adjustable metal wands.And they are going to locking tools.Kirby is the main holdout on the friction fit tools.
48bencix:Very nice machine-sort of looks like a "complimation" of both a Dual 80 and Dual 50.Has the body of a Dual 50 and the floor nozzle of a Dual 80.Yes a disposable bag can be used with these-Like a Heritage outer bag-those would have the round opening so you could use them with any "G" bag-including the new Filtrete bags.Those have the best filtration,dirt capacity,and efficiency.In general-any Kirby bag for a Rear discharge machine should fit. The "G" machines used a "top" discharge-the fan discharge is on the top of the fan housing.The older ones the discharge was to the rear.

 

[48bencix]

dual 80

My Kirby has "Dual Sanitronic 80" on the metal label under the machine. I have all hardwood floors, except for the family room which is slab on grade, and vinyl tile. I ordered carpet for this room and hence need a good carpet vacuum. I will be using my 1990 Hoover Tempo canister for the hardwood. I want to look into the disposable bag routine, but am willing to use the Kirby for now and see how much dirt goes in the bag and in the dirt cup. There is a zipped compartment on the side which leads to a vinyl lined area, not connected to the area of the bag where the dirt is. I think you put your hand in there to scrape the dirt out (?).

Anyway, I say use the Kirby you have for your carpeted areas, what is wrong with having several vacuums?

 

[tolivac]

Yes:-The zippered pocket on the back of the Kirby "dump bag" is the "Sani-Scraper"You would use it by opening the zipper-and placing your hand in it-and use the end of it(has a small plastic scraper sewn in it) to scrape dust and dirt clinging to the inner walls of the bag-then it would fall into the "Sani-Emptor" the "dirt cup" at the base of the bag with the trap door you empty the dirt out of.To prevent odors and maximize efficiency-the dump bag should be emptied after each major use.
i too-have many many vacuums-collect them like some folks on here do.I rotate the use of mine so all of them have a chance to get at the dirt and dust in my 30+ yr old carpets.The dump bag and dump bin vacuums have built in "dirt meters" you can see how much you pick up-and --what?

 

[jdinstl]

yup....

Quote 48bencix: "Anyway, I say use the Kirby you have for your carpeted areas, what is wrong with having several vacuums?"

Words wise and sage -- why, these are decades-old appliances! You just never know when they are going to go kaput! So it's a good idea to have 1 or 20 extra laying around as backups, just in cae, dotcha know?

Several vacuums? Why that's just good planning!

John

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Post # 83578

jdin, I concurr!