MIB Day at the Estate Sales

[jdinstl]

Handi-Butler installed on the Dual Sanitronic 50

Here's a pic of a number of the Handi-Butler goodies, as well as the Handi-Butler grinder/sharpener installed. It appears that I have the plastic safety guard upside down. However, this is to cover the grinding wheel when using the knife sharpening stone, as is instructed on the plastic guard. I use these safety devices because I'm a total klutz and would probably grind off my elbow otherwise. Turn it 180 degrees, and the grinding wheel is exposed.

I included the Flexi-Shaft from my Classic in this pic to point out the Swedish Massage attachment. Note the silver disk-like object below the wire brush wheel -- that's actually an offset weight that threads onto the Flexi-Shaft stem. Once installed, the cap is snapped onto the Flexi-Shaft, as shown in the bottom of the picture, and it's ready for use.

They thought of everything, even the little white disks to put under the legs of your furniture when shampooing! How cool is that? I had set up the machine for shampoo operation, hence the tank on the exhaust and the head for the shampooer at the left of the picture. The Kirby Tripoli Compound and Rouge packages are nestled next to it. One buffing wheel is flannel, the other spiral-sewn.

I love the keyless chuck, shown under the lambswool pad on the Flexi-Shaft at the right. I inserted a buffing head I had from a cheap Dremel knock-off tool, and went to work on my Classic. It caused years of sleeze to surrender a beautiful shine in no time. The Sanitronic's motor never strained or changed pitch.

If you ask me, there should have been rioting in the streets when Kirby quit making the Handi-Butler.

As you know, I get a total kick out of this vacuum -- I'm 41 years old. I think I'm going to make provisions in my Will to be buried with this baby! I swear they built it to last into eternity anyway!

Cheers,

John

 

[fnelson487]

Kirby Handi-Butler

John - That flexible shaft and Swedish Massage unit are from a later Kirby, the Classic or Omega. They did switch the colors around however, depending on what they had left over. The machine pictured is a Dual 50 and would have come with tan attachments. Not that it makes any difference. As much as I love Kirby's, I don't think I have ever used the Handi-Butler. My Classic III even has a jigsaw that goes on the end of the flexible shaft. Besides the regular attachments, one of my favorites (and most effective IMHO) is the floor polisher. That thing works like a charm. You can also use it to fluff the carpet nap.

My college roommate knew how nuts I was about Kirbys and when we were ready to head into Chicago for some weekend fun at bars, he would say "Skip the car, let's just put the helicopter attachment on the Kirby and fly there!"

Fred

 

[jdinstl]

You got it Fred!

Yup, the shafts are both from later models. I should have brought that up, thanks for pointing it out. Come to think of it, the shaft on the bottom of the pic is from an Omega -- it has a touch of a wine color in it. Not to worry though, an Omega is en route...and a G3. I'm sniffing at a Dual Sanitronic 80 as well, wish me luck. Gotta have a green one!

I have friends who run from the room screaming when I talk about Kirby's. I seem to be hoarding them as fast as I can. I've read about the jigsaw, and would love to see pics of that! A drill is spoken of as well, but I don't know if that was a different device, or you just inserted bits into the chuck.

I mourn the loss of the days when manufacturers sought novel ideas to make their product more appealing and inviting to the consumer as well as outperform the competition. Fast forward to today where all energies are intensly focused on production at the cheapest cost, marketed at the highest price.

Cheers,

John

 

[petek]

They are a hoot arent they. I got so frustrated with all the attachments I just put them away. I can't imagine someone like my mom getting any further than learning how to attach the hose let alone any polishers, shampooers etc.

 

[jdinstl]

But Pete!

That's all part of the fun!

I bought a shampoo system from a lady on eBay. She's a Sanitronic fan as well. When I offered to provide a good home for her Sanitronic if she ever decided to put it up for adoption, I received the following in response:

I won't part with my Sanitronic - not even if my kids were starving.

 

[polkanut]

That name is familiar...

My wife inherited an 8x8, and a 9x9 square baking dishes by Glasbake from her Mom. They have Currier & Ives outdoor scenes on the sides. She received them from one of our local furniture stores as a premium in the mid-'60's. They are dishwasher & microwave safe. We use them all the time, and just love them. Wouldn't trade 'em for the world. Great keepsake too.

 

[gansky1]

WOW! I had no idea how this thing worked, talk about handy! A couple of questions though...

Will any Handi-Butler fit any Kirby vac (older style)?

When using the wheel on the vac (not with the extended shaft which I love BTW!) will the vacuum still pull in the dust and mess from the task you are performing?

I must have one now.

Oooohhhh Eeeeeeeeeeeeeebaaaaaay.....come to mommy...

 

[tolivac]

I also have a couple of Handi-Butlers. Very nice devices-The Flex shaft then converts your Kirby into a Dremel tool!!-A word about the use of the grinding wheel on the shaft though-they show the "bench grinder" wheel being used on the flex shaft-DON'T DO IT-if the wheel breaks you would get showered by the fragments.The guard protects you in case the wheel breaks.On the flex shaft there is no guard for the main wheel.Fragments from a broken bench grind wheel can have the energy of a .22 cal bullet!!I have seen them embedded into a concrete block wall in a high school shop behind their grinder!It was lucky the kid using the grinder wasn't hurt or killed when the wheel fragmented from improper use in his part.You can use the Burrs and small grind wheels(like those for a Dremel tool) on the Kirby Flex Shaft.In one of the Handi-Butler kits I have-came from a Classic-it even has a small jigsaw you can use on the shaft-can be used with standard universal tang blades.You can then use your Kirby as a Scrollsaw!!the one I have wasn't used-came from the Kirby folks as a trade in.Nowadays the Handi-butler has been replaced with the Turbo-Tool sander-polisher massager.

 

[fnelson487]

Fitting Handi Butlers

I am not sure of which Handi-Butlers will fit which machines. The one speed units will not fit the two speed (D80 and later) and they switched things around on the two-speed models. Greg - Let me know what machine you have and we'll see if we can fix you up. I have a basement full of these things!

Fred

 

[jdinstl]

Greg, it depends...

...which is why I called out the caution on the tabs, which kick in the switch for the motor. I assure you, if you go eBaying for these, you're going to have to ask the seller to post a pic of the backside, or provide an accurate description of its location on the back of the unit. And don't you DARE snipe me! Hehe...just kidding!

Good question about it picking up any residue from the operation, I'll have to check that one out.

Meanwhile, below is a scan of the page from my Omega manual about covering the Handi-Butler and toys...er, attachments. Greg, this puppy will have your washers buffed to showroom shine in no time

Cheers!

John

 

[tolivac]

Speaking of the odbball vac attachments-does anyone have any of the "Polish-aire" and the similar air powered tools for polishing floors-these were used on electroluxes and early Compacts.I was looking for some of those.No luck in finding any in this area.Does anyone know when Kirby stopped providing the Handi-butler attacments-I am not clear as to when they discontinued them.I do know that the "Turbo-Tools" were used with the "G" series machines. also with a Heritage vac I got from a neighbor-it had an air powered hair clipper with it.The hair shears were turbo power from the airflow of the Kirby-a vent on them picked up the hair clippings-a Kirby version of a FlowBee?

 

[air-waycharlie]

Handi-Butlers, Shag Rug rakes, Miracle Heads and the Like!

Robert and other interested parties,

You have all pointed out wonderful differences with the tools/attachments that helped make Kiby famous/fabulous. I am letting it be known here, for the first time, that I have the one and only attachment that makes mounds and mounds of fries and cold slaw for family and friends. And it easily attaches to your vacuum cleaner! Maybe someday I'll put it on ebay.

Kirby did have in addition to the Handi-Butler, the Miracle Head Polisher, (no smart ass comments folks!), Handi-Waxer, Power Polisher, Flexible Shaft, (needed for the Handi-Butler), Rug Renovator and Shag King attachment. Just makes you want to be a housewife when you hear all those fabulous add ons.

Most, I repeat, MOST, Handi-Butlers will fit all Kirby's but there may be small differences between the small head models and the later large head models. I have a least one extra if someone feels they can't live without one.

Kirby, according to my sources, (and I could very well be wrong and do not confuse with the Weather Girls singing it's Raining Men), stopped making the Handi-Butler due to two major reasons. One was lack of use by the owners and second was injury due to use of the owners. Go figure. So, for art sake, if you have one keep it and if you don't have one you probably should try to find one to make your vintage Kirby complete.

 

[tolivac]

I can see why some users would hurt themselves with the Handi-Butler-Grinding wheels can be VERY dangerous if misused.And yes the HB I have appear to have been unused.there would be diffrences in the small head and large head Kirbys-all of the Large Nozzle ones had the two speed motor.Attachments for older single speed motors(pre Dual Sanitronic) would not have their switch tabs positioned right to run the machine.also the hook lugs on the front may not fit either.I don't know what motor speed the later Handi-butlers ran from.I would know overspeeding that grinder wheel would cause a nasty wheel explosion.Centrifical force would tear it apart. All grinding wheels are marked with the max speed on their labels.I have some of the Miricle Head floor polishers-you can then convert your Kirby to a floor machine-polish and wax floors.And the polisher is truely dustless-the Kirby vacuum and bag filter system collects the wax "dust" from polishing.Many commercial floor machines (propane and electric) have a vacuum dust collecting filter setup on them to meet new safety standards.The wax and felt dust are considered a hazard.The commercial machines use felt wheels or pads for polishing.

 

[kenmore1978]

Polish-Aire

"Speaking of the odbball vac attachments-does anyone have any of the "Polish-aire" and the similar air powered tools for polishing floors-these were used on electroluxes and early Compacts."

Is the attachment that has three pads on a rotating disc?

 

[tolivac]

Yes- The attachment itself was powered by the airflow from the vacuum.No electric motors.They were used in the days before motorized powernozzles-and electric wire equipped hoses.Their air powered mtors almost allowed you to use them on any vacuum-as long as the attachment could fit the hose or wands.surprized the idea hasn't been revived.The pads allowed you to polish, scrub hard floors.

 

[kenmore1978]

Polish-aire

Well, I have ne, and probalby will never use it, so it's yours if you want it.

 

[tolivac]

Jaune: Yes I would be interested-well have to make up arrangements on it.I would be more than willing to pay for packing and shipping.I live in Greenville,NC -27858.

 

[Washinsheen]

mugs

I am so envious over those mugs!!! They're wonderful!!

David