Thread Number: 18488
Introducing Myself
[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# 203187   10/9/2012 at 09:28 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        

Hi Vacuumland! My name is Kevin Atchley, I'm 21 years old, and I live in a small town called Arab, Alabama. I am a CIS major in college. I have been fascinated by vacuums since I was three years old. Kirby's are my thing, and I have photos of my current collection in my photo album. I have had tons of cheap-o vacuums through the years, but over the past year I have started seriously collecting and restoring Kirby's. I have learned so many new skills through this hobby! I just wanted to say hello to everyone, and I hope to continue learning more with the help of this forum.

Again, check out my collection photos, and I hope to make some new friends!

-Kevin Atchley
alkirbyguy


Post# 203189 , Reply# 1   10/9/2012 at 09:38 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
Link to collection

Link to collection photos

CLICK HERE TO GO TO alkirbyguy's LINK


Post# 203192 , Reply# 2   10/9/2012 at 10:16 (4,188 days old) by s31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)        
Kevin

s31463221's profile picture
Welcome to VacuumLand! I looked at your collection, and you have some BEAUTIFUL machines! I love that Sentria, and that was the SCORE of the century!!! I'm sure you'll fit right in here, you will find some of the most knowlegable, friendliest folk on this site!

Steve
s31463221


Post# 203194 , Reply# 3   10/9/2012 at 10:32 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
Steve s31463221

Thanks so much Steve! I put ALOT of work into them. Most of them looked like they were used to vacuum the lawn! The DS50 actually had mud in it.

Have a great day!
Kevin


Post# 203199 , Reply# 4   10/9/2012 at 11:49 (4,188 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Kevin!

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
Welcome to The VCCC. You've found the place to learn, teach, share, etc. You'll make great friends here. So, relax and indulge your passion for vacuums. And, THANKS for filling out the profile!
John Long, Membership Coordinator.... (entirely HOOVER in my house)


Post# 203200 , Reply# 5   10/9/2012 at 12:03 (4,188 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Your "Non-Kirby" ...

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
... is a Royal 886 or 887. The patch on the front of the bag is worn off. Could you kindly please give me its serial #? Example: J87B009141.

Thank you,



Benjamin "Ben" Edge (KirbyClassicIII)


Post# 203201 , Reply# 6   10/9/2012 at 12:24 (4,188 days old) by papasvacs (Lauderdale Lakes, FL)        
Kevin........

papasvacs's profile picture

Welcome to the group.

You are among the nicest, kindest, most knowledgeable people on earth!

Enjoy!

 

Greg F.


Post# 203202 , Reply# 7   10/9/2012 at 12:25 (4,188 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
Hi

kirbymodel2c's profile picture
Hi Kevin, Welcome to the group. I'm sure you will fit in well here. There's lots of us on here that love Kirby's:o)
You have a great collection and I'm sure your will grow even bigger in no time at all. You've done a great job of polishing up your Kirby's. It's always nice to see Kirby's nice,clean and polished:o)

If you would like to look at some of my Kirby's on my website as I'm a massive Kirby fan...

www.mrvacuumcleaner.co.uk/page4.h...

James:o)



Post# 203208 , Reply# 8   10/9/2012 at 12:59 (4,188 days old) by kenmore81 (Warwick, RI)        

kenmore81's profile picture

 Welcome Kevin , nice to have you, nice Kirby's too!

Kenny


Post# 203226 , Reply# 9   10/9/2012 at 13:59 (4,188 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture

Hey Kevin!  Welcome to Vacuumland!  Great to see another Kirby enthusiast! 

 

Bill


Post# 203255 , Reply# 10   10/9/2012 at 15:57 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
Thanks Everyone!

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! So good to see that this isn't a dead forum like so many I have been a member of before. From what I have read so far scrounging around the forum is that everyone is helpful, knowledgeable, and respectful.

To KirbyClassicIII: the logo came off when I laundered the bag :-( I was very upset about it! I knew it was a Royal All-Metal Upright. I just looked closer and the model number is 887. Could you tell me what year it is? The serial number is E87A002003.

Thanks!
Kev


Post# 203266 , Reply# 11   10/9/2012 at 16:49 (4,188 days old) by Durango159 (State College, PA)        
Welcome Aboard!

durango159's profile picture
Hi Kevin, Welcome to the forum. You'll find all types on here. Some love only Hoover, some love only Kirby, myself I'm a power head canister guy!! I see your current collection doesn't list any, but have you owned any canister vacuums over the years? Do you like any other brands besides Kirby?

Overall everyone on here works to help each other out. We laugh, joke and get serious about our vacuum experiences, stories and knowledge at the same time!!

I'm a just turned 30 year old in PA, so 21 isn't that far of a jump!


Post# 203267 , Reply# 12   10/9/2012 at 16:54 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
Durango159

My childhood vacuum was a red and white FairFax canister. We sold it for pennies on the dollar before I started collecting. What a mistake that was! It had the shampooer and everything! My grandmother had a Kenmore canister when I was little. I would like to find a Rainbow or a nice vintage Lux. I've just had Kirby's thrust at me the past few months so they have taken priority. I like all vintage vacs though!

Post# 203276 , Reply# 13   10/9/2012 at 18:13 (4,188 days old) by hooverboy81 (Myrtle Place)        
Kevin

hooverboy81's profile picture
Welcome! Love your DS50!

Post# 203278 , Reply# 14   10/9/2012 at 18:53 (4,188 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
Kevin

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
You have a 1987 model. The date code on the nameplate you found indicates it was built in May 1987.

The model # also suggests this machine originally came with attachments, too (they were blue in color to match the machine's trim). Model 886 was similar but did not have the attachment set included.

~Ben


Post# 203279 , Reply# 15   10/9/2012 at 19:01 (4,188 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
The Royal

Aww I wish I had the attachments! I got the Royal when I went to pick up the Kirby DS50. When I got there, he had it sitting beside the Kirby and he asked if I was interested buying it too. He wanted $25 for the Kirby, and when I asked how much he wanted for both, he said $30! So home with me it went!

Post# 203322 , Reply# 16   10/9/2012 at 22:41 (4,188 days old) by mieles7 (TX)        

mieles7's profile picture
That Classic III looks great. I've been using Mother's Mag Polish on mine, but your Kirby looks brand new!

Post# 203343 , Reply# 17   10/10/2012 at 02:45 (4,188 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

WOW!!!Another Kirby Guy-I love Kirbys,too,they were my "childhood" vacuum when I was born in 1951-Welcome to the club,Kevin!!Very nice and well maintained Kirby collection.Usually if you like Kirbys,you will like Royal metals,too.I like both and own both.I am on the lookout for a Kirby 511 in good shape with tools,but haven't found one.My Mom recalls when she and my Dad bought it from a DTD salesman when I was a baby.

Post# 203344 , Reply# 18   10/10/2012 at 02:48 (4,188 days old) by davidomholt ()        
Welcome,

welcome, too. Myself am total Kirby person. Nice to know i'm not the only one.


Post# 203350 , Reply# 19   10/10/2012 at 04:48 (4,188 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
Welcome Kevin! Very nice collection, and looks well maintained. I too am a Kirby guy. I was a Kirby salesman from 1981-88,,got in on the last of the Traditions, and quit just before the Legend 2 came out.
Its nice to see machines like yours that are kept in buffed up condition.

My daily driver is a 1973 Factory Rebuilt Kirby Classic Omega, with a 4 row brush roll, and a Heritage 2 Mini Emptor and bag, with a G series bag adaptor so that i can use the G series Hepa Bags. Its a cleaning beast!

I have owned practically every Kirby from the DS50 on at one time or another.
Either sold, or gave away (to friends and family) all the other Kirbys.
Now all i have is the Classic Omega, DS50, and a Heritage 2 Legend, like yours.

Im also a huge Electrolux and Filter Queen fan, and certain other cannister with PN machines. I also have Central Vac in the house.
Wish i had room for a large collection, but i have every machine i want, so no complaints here.
Again, welcome to the club!


Post# 203352 , Reply# 20   10/10/2012 at 07:46 (4,187 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)        
Welcome!

bvac6's profile picture
Welcome, you'll love it here!

Post# 203355 , Reply# 21   10/10/2012 at 08:57 (4,187 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
mieles7

I've tried multiple off the shelf polishes and they just didn't get that Kirby shine we all love. The only way I have found to get that shine is with a high speed buffing wheel using a cleaning compound followed by a high gloss compound. It is a lot of work... I'm always drenched in sweat when I'm done... but the results are excellent.

Post# 203666 , Reply# 22   10/13/2012 at 22:32 (4,184 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)        
Welcome Kevin!!

hygiene903's profile picture
Those are some nice Kirbys you have there, and a nice Royal too! Although I have more Hoovers, Royals, and Electro-Hygienes in my collection than anything else, I do love Kirbys too, and have 7 of them. My oldest is a 512, and newest (and most complete) is a Classic III with the Heritage II bag conversion. I also have a 517, 2 D-50's, a D-80, and a Classic. It's a tossup between the D-50 and the Classic III as to which one is my favorite. Here's a pic of my Classic III. Again, welcome!
Jeff


Post# 203741 , Reply# 23   10/14/2012 at 15:53 (4,183 days old) by Houston ()        
Kirby 511 in excellent condition

Hello everyone, I am glad to see that people appreciate quality. I have a Kirby 511 that is in excellent condition with original attachments and original box for the attachments. I am about to put it on eBay or craigslist in Houston, but wanted to see if someone would be interested in it that would appreciate it. Thanks

Post# 203742 , Reply# 24   10/14/2012 at 16:01 (4,183 days old) by kirbykid (Horseheads,New York 14845)        

i want it. please post more pictures

Post# 203745 , Reply# 25   10/14/2012 at 16:16 (4,183 days old) by luxlover (Halifax NS Canada)        
Welcome :)

What a beautiful collection you have! and kirbys are great vacuums for sure :) i dont own one sadly... but ive used one a few times :)

Post# 203881 , Reply# 26   10/15/2012 at 20:18 (4,182 days old) by adambomb (Undisclosed )        
Hey

Awesome Kirbys and I love your room!!!!

Post# 204217 , Reply# 27   10/19/2012 at 15:45 (4,178 days old) by s31463221 (Frenchburg, KY)        
Kevin

s31463221's profile picture
They say good things come to those who wait....I didn't quite get the deal you did, but I came across a Sentria in great shape with all of the attachments for $50 on Craigslist today! I called the guy, he still has it and I told him to consider it sold! I'll post pics of it on Sunday or Monday after I pick it up! Hope you're still enjoying the site!

Post# 206198 , Reply# 28   11/8/2012 at 15:47 (4,158 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
Welcome Kevin

caligula's profile picture
I just looked at your pictures and they are fantastic!

A lot of us started out as kids. I was only 2 0r 3 when I saw an Electrolux eject the dust bag. The magazine ad for this was the vacuum of the day last week. To a young boy, this was very funny and it began a lifelong interest in vacuum cleaners.

My main interest is the non electric pumpers of the late 1800's. The oldest vacuum is called the Whirlwind, it was invented by Ives W. Mc'Gaffy who lived in Chicago. It was patented on June 8, 1869, and manufactured by the American Carpet Cleaning Company of Boston. There are only a few of these, most were lost in the great Chicago fire of 1871! I have one, and it is a wonderful addition to my collection.

I favor the early Kirby, and Electrolux models that date back to the 1920's and 30's. I was also a training manager for Kirby from 1975 - 1985.

My interest is mostly history, and I know a lot about the lives of James B. Kirby, and Axle L. Wenner-Gren who started Electrolux in 1910.

As I said you have a great collection, but I have some advice. Change the way you have the cords. I see that they are in a figure 8 pattern, that is very bad for the cords. Also, when you wind the cord, keep it loose otherwise there is a lot of stress on the wires inside.

Feel free to contact me if you want to learn the history of the club, early machines or various brands.

Glad you are with us.

Alex Taber
co-founder of the VCCC.


Post# 206207 , Reply# 29   11/8/2012 at 17:04 (4,158 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)        
To look at my collection:

caligula's profile picture
Hi Kevin:

If you want to look at some of my vacuum cleaners, click on Alex Taber's collection in California. These are but a few of my machines! Over the next few weeks I will post pictures of how my display rooms have changed over the years, as well as my non electric machines, and early electric's.

My username is in tribute to my pet cat Caligula. The name really means 'little boots.' He was a cream colored cat with gold fur on his paws. In the early days of our club, he was our mascot, and he lived to a month short of 20 years.

My main interest in starting this club was to help collectors learn about vacuum cleaners. My strongest desire is to dig history about vacuum cleaners, inventors, and researching patents.

Alex T.


Post# 206208 , Reply# 30   11/8/2012 at 17:23 (4,158 days old) by sanitaire (anchorage, alaska)        

great collection. I have quite a few kirbys also. I also have a thing for commerical vacuums. goes along with me being a janitor. I use the mothers mag polish and they shine.....

Post# 206227 , Reply# 31   11/8/2012 at 20:42 (4,158 days old) by alkirbyguy ()        
to Caligula

Thank you for the kind words and compliments. A word on my cord wrapping though... they are not wrapped nearly as tight as they appear. I just wrap them very carefully. All of my Kirby's except the Kirby Sentria are mainly for display purposes so the cords are rarely even removed from the cord hooks. I like the figure 8 style as the cord never tangles when you use the quick release. Tangling, in my opinion, causes much more damage. This is also how Kirby shows the cord wrapped in their demo videos, so it's kind of a nostalgic thing for me.

Just my two cents worth on why I wrap them like that. Again... thanks for the compliments.

Kevin
alkirbyguy


Post# 206301 , Reply# 32   11/9/2012 at 16:20 (4,157 days old) by uksausage (eastbourne east sussex UK)        
hi

hi kevin welocome to the group your kirbys look amazing i have a couple myself
hope you enjoy it here my experiance is that everyone on here is really cool and friendly and always willing to give advice when you need it
david x


Post# 207405 , Reply# 33   11/22/2012 at 05:49 (4,144 days old) by thermokid (Casper, Wyoming)        
Welcome Kevin!

from another Kirby fan. Kirby's are my all time favorite. I have all other brands as well but I have A Kirby Model 512 and one of every model since then.(sometimes up to six of some models) I really have to get busy and weed out some of my vacuums.I use a 1960 Model 560 Kirby as my daily use vacuum. I love that one the most I have had it since two months after our next door neighbor bought it new and decided she didn't like it, so she gave it to me. And I have been using it ever since then off and on.. It is still all original except for new belts, brushrolls, and light bulbs over the years.So welcome to the club you will find a lot of nice people here and a lot of valuable information.... Dan


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