Thread Number: 17072
3 Kirby Restorations 		[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 182761   5/27/2012 at 16:52 (4,351 days old) by dickiec ()        

Recently, I was made redundant after 17 Years with the same employer. When I left a few months ago I decided to take a few months to myself to travel and concentrate on my hobbies, one of which is restorations.

I usually restore Radios and Record players, but having a deep love and appreciation for vacuums since I was a child, I decided to turn my hand to a new thing.

I first decided to restore some Kirby's and picked my 2 favourite models the Tradition and Heritage II. I then set about finding some cheap examples on eBay which were in need of some TLC. I actually ended up with 3 as I found a Legend II that was in pretty poor shape and couldn't bare the thought of it rotting away so it ended up with a new home too. These 3 together complete with all their tools etc cost me no more that £50.

I then set about systematically stripping each one down and making a note of any new parts needed. Quite a few new parts were required but once sourced these cost no more than £100. In fact, for the Legend II, I ended up buying a whole new Motor Body as it was cheaper than the parts.. LOL

I then started on each one replacing the parts and cleaning all the metal back to its former glory. Rather stupidly, I did this by hand which was a momentous task as the Tradition in particular was Very very badly corroded..

I am pleased to say that I have now finished all 3 and I am extremely pleased with the results. Each one is now nice and shiny once more and is working as good as the day its came out of the Ohio Factory.

I have attached an image of the 3 lovely shiny Kirby's together in their new loving home where they will be used and regularly maintained and polished..

Please let me know what you think.... Dickie.. :o)



Post# 182769 , Reply# 1   5/27/2012 at 17:13 (4,351 days old) by jmurray01 (Scotland)        

jmurray01's profile picture
Whoa, beautiful...

I'm sure David (twocvbloke) in particular will enjoy seeing those pictures as he is a big Kirby fan.

Post# 182813 , Reply# 2   5/27/2012 at 20:12 (4,351 days old) by Blackheart (North Dakota)        
Nice work!

 blackheart's profile picture
Love the looks of a nicely polished Kirby nice work on them!

Post# 182815 , Reply# 3   5/27/2012 at 20:19 (4,351 days old) by vacumaniac ()        

Very nice work indeed!!!

Post# 182816 , Reply# 4   5/27/2012 at 20:55 (4,351 days old) by IL-Kirby-Fan ()        
Great Job!

 Those Kirbys look very nice. I am glad that you restored them, I hate when people let Kirbys deteriorate. It seems like such a sin!

Post# 182819 , Reply# 5   5/27/2012 at 21:44 (4,351 days old) by mieles7 (TX)        

mieles7's profile picture
Those look like they could be passed off for new in box! Great job!

Post# 182840 , Reply# 6   5/28/2012 at 05:02 (4,350 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
Nice..

 kirbymodel2c's profile picture
Hi Dickie, You have done a good job there. So when you going to get the rest of the models;o)

James:o)

Post# 182845 , Reply# 7   5/28/2012 at 05:40 (4,350 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield & London)        
Great work there

 vacbear58's profile picture
Dickie, and welcome aboard

I see you have a convertable/DAM in your collection too, any chance of a picture or two of that as well please.

Also, there are many members here would would appreciate seeing your redio & record player restorations if you would care to make a thread of them in the Off-Topic section

Al

Post# 182862 , Reply# 8   5/28/2012 at 09:57 (4,350 days old) by jakesvacs ()        

I just love kirbys,my first one was a g4 and I have grown to love them more and more. I just picked up a fantasic condition tradition and a heritage,the heritage even has the cloth filltube!
I also have a classic 3 on the way which im very excited about getting, aswell as I have loads of kirby storys of my grandad being a salesman and so to tell.

Post# 182895 , Reply# 9   5/28/2012 at 13:01 (4,350 days old) by kirbybag (topeka ks )        
very nice kirby

 kirbybag's profile picture
very nice work they look brand new very nice looking kirby's

Post# 182918 , Reply# 10   5/28/2012 at 14:41 (4,350 days old) by dickiec ()        

Thank you everyone for your comments so far..

They do all look very shiny now but the only one of the three that would pass as brand new is the Heritage II..

I am going to be putting some videos up on YouTube at some point in the next week of these beauties in action..

Also Al (vacbear58) I will try to locate the pics of my radios and record players and put them on here for all to see.. Also I will try to snap a pic of my Convertible/DAM. Unfortunately, it's still wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic following my house move last year but I will try and get one done..

Cheers all... Dickie. :o)

Post# 183047 , Reply# 11   5/29/2012 at 09:27 (4,349 days old) by dickiec ()        

I did a silly little video cos I was bored..

Dickie :o)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO dickiec's LINK
Post# 183082 , Reply# 12   5/29/2012 at 13:09 (4,349 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield & London)        
No, not silly

 vacbear58's profile picture
But a great deal of fun - nice one!

Al

Post# 183219 , Reply# 13   5/29/2012 at 22:25 (4,349 days old) by JHGVac ()        

Nice video.  What did you do the editing with?

 

Joe
Post# 183234 , Reply# 14   5/29/2012 at 23:54 (4,348 days old) by BriGuy (Wichita, Kansas)        

briguy's profile picture
What a nice lineup. I really love the Tradition. The blue is quite stunning I think.

Post# 183292 , Reply# 15   5/30/2012 at 15:55 (4,348 days old) by dickiec ()        

@JHGVac

I used iMovie on the IPad... It gives you preformatted templates to do a video in he style of movie trailers..

First time I'd used it too.. It's not too bad

Post# 183473 , Reply# 16   5/31/2012 at 22:53 (4,347 days old) by vacu-finder ()        

Very nice Kirby's It's great to see a fine display of old American Engineering in its Metal Glory..!


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      


Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members Click Here To Sign Up.



                     

automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
 Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals 		Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy