Thread Number: 20759
Discontinued Kirby Specialty Tools |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 232417   5/12/2013 at 11:44 (3,973 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
What is it about these discontinued Kirby specialty tools? I mean, what was the reason for their being dropped (other than low sales)?
I know for example the original belt-driven Handi-Butler had been progressively de-emphasized when the Tradition came out in 1979, and it lost the jigsaw accessory (introduced with the prior Classic III 2CB) in mid-1980. The last model the original H-B was available for was the Heritage 1HD. Safety issues also played a part in the eventual discontinuation of the original H-B. During the time of the original Sentria, they briefly brought the H-B back, but it was hose powered. List of discontinued Kirby devices: 1. Handi Waxer (561 to Tradition 3CB) (wax pouches themselves may still be available) 2. Miracle Waxer (Classic 1CR, Classic Omega 1CB) (wax itself, and possibly the roller, is available) 3. Handi-Butler (original belt-driven model) (510 to Heritage 1HD) 4. Roll-O-Waxer (Dual Sanitronic 50 / 80) (wax itself is available) (superseded by Miracle Waxer when Classic 1CR was introduced) 5. Miracle Head and Rug Renovator (separate nozzle castings) (505 to Tradition 3CB) And, were any of these long-discontinued specialty tools really any good at the time they were sold? ~Ben |
Post# 232482 , Reply# 2   5/12/2013 at 20:39 (3,973 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
YES! I have used the Handi Butler on my Classic Omega many many times, especially for polishing and buffing boots and leathers. It really is a handy appliance. Have used the drill chuck a few times, and did use the Saber Saw once. It was kind of awkward to use, but did do the job.
Also discontinued now are the long strait and curved extension wands from the 500 series thru the Legend 2. The carpet/floor nozzle and swivel tube are also discontinued as are all the older style attachments. (Upholstry nozzle, crevice tool, ect. 500 series thru Legend 2 style) Also discontinued, or at least not part of the Factor Rebuilding Agreement and wont be reissued by the factory in the rebuilding process, is the Turbo Clipper, Floor Buffer Pad (older models,not sure about G series)the Crystalator,older style paint sprayer,and sudzer nozzle, cardboard attachment boxes, and the shoulder strap for the older models. All hose attachments sent in with the rebuilding are now sent back in the G series style in black. Also all hoses(sent back with Factory Rebuilds)are now sent back all black, as are the end coupling. The seperate coupling for intake and exhaust on the older 500 series is now discotinued, and are now in the one piece coupling to use on either end of the machine. |
Post# 232483 , Reply# 3   5/12/2013 at 20:51 (3,973 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Brian,
But I believe it is possible to fit the G-series black attachments onto the current 516-Tradition 3CB hose (#223666)? That way, we're not left without any attachments (wands, surface nozzle, etc.) besides the current iteration of the hose you're speaking of. Speaking of the #223666 hose w/ the universal coupler, the coupler is also available by itself (#211066). Also, you mentioned that Kirby had recently discontinued the older-style hose (#223662) and the separate motor and Emtor couplings (#2100 and #2120) for models 505-515. I wonder if the coupler to use on those is a version of the 516-3CB universal coupler, but to jibe with the safety switch on the 505 to 515? ~Ben This post was last edited 05/12/2013 at 21:16 |
Post# 232500 , Reply# 5   5/12/2013 at 23:53 (3,973 days old) by BrianKirbyClass (Eudora Kansas)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Ben, yes, of course the current G series tools can be used on the hose end of the older models, its just that the older style attachments are discontinued,,which i prefer the older style to the newer G series style, so i was disapointed to hear this.
I believe the hose that would come with a factory rebuilt 505-515 would come with a universal coupler,,but it would be in black, the same as the hose itself. They also did away with the metal hose ends,,they are now in the cone shape(just like the Legend 2) made of plastic and in black. Also meant to say the Shag King rake is also discontinued from the factory. |
Post# 232527 , Reply# 7   5/13/2013 at 09:36 (3,972 days old) by jfalberti (Visalia, CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
1    
the Handi Butler all the time, and just last week I bought a HB Mark II for my Sanitronic VII off eBay. I used to use the buffing wheels all the time, and while some people don't think the Handi Butler is powerful enough to polish a tarnished Kirby, I've found that as long as the metal isn't deeply scratched or badly pitted, then the Handi Butler does just fine. I currently have an all original Classic Omega that is in need of buffing, so I plan to take plenty of before, during and after pictures of the machine to show what the Butler can do, if any one is interested. I just need to get new belts for the Butler because the previous owner stored it with the belt lifter engaged, and it is stretched out and useless now. |
Post# 232531 , Reply# 8   5/13/2013 at 09:56 (3,972 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 234473 , Reply# 10   5/29/2013 at 14:45 (3,956 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 387117 , Reply# 11   3/3/2018 at 17:36 (2,217 days old) by Rowdy141 (United Kingdom)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I heard from a few sources that DOMESTIC Floor Waxes were phased-out (in the UK) because of the high number of accidents ending up in A&E. Too many people slipped on newly-waxed floors, and rugs on polished surfaces. We had a TV Safety-Campaign about this in the 1970's, then the paste waxes became difficult to find - replaced by liquid cleaner/waxes which dry fully in minutes with no need to buff the excess away.
We have the Internet now, so you'll find some somewhere, but shops generally will not stock paste floor waxes at all. These are however still available commercially for professionals with those big polishing machines, but even they have been largely replaced by liquids. I use my Kirby Floor Polishing Brush 5 minutes before the liquid dries fully. |