Thread Number: 25250
Kirby 512 - What did I just buy? |
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Post# 283735 , Reply# 1   6/8/2014 at 20:49 (3,580 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
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First, welcome to the Forum! Second, you probably know by now that the Kirby you have is from 1952, making it a 62 year old vacuum. The fact that is still running is testament to its durability and reliability! Long after you've tossed your Bissel and Dyson in the trash, the Kirby will still be going. With a little bit of TLC, you'll have a good vacuum. One of the things that will greatly improve its cleaning performance is a new brushroll that's properly adjusted. Other than a new brushroll, I would certainly service the motor. That should put some new vroom into an old and very reliable vacuum! |
Post# 283736 , Reply# 2   6/8/2014 at 20:49 (3,580 days old) by firebirdman55 (Owensboro Kentucky)   |   | |
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Post# 283737 , Reply# 3   6/8/2014 at 21:19 (3,580 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)   |   | |
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You have a very old Kirby, the power switch assembly is that of a model 512 which dates back to 1952. The cord is not correct, at the machine end it should be rounded not flat, and the bag is wrong too it belongs to a 1960's model. I'd say you have a fan or motor problem, because a Kirby will suck the carpet right off the floor. Take it to a repair shop, and don't let them try to sell you a new one, this is a collectors item. From that picture, I see a lot of rust which tells me it's been left outside, or in a damp basement/garage, and the brush roll is rusted, and I don't see a drive belt.
The hose you posted in the pictures are not Kirby, nor are the metal wands, but the tool case, Handi-Butler and power polisher all match the early 1950's date, but as the tool case is open, these fit a 512. What you have is old, and valuable, get it to a repair shop, you have a great vacuum cleaner. Alex Taber. |
Post# 283739 , Reply# 4   6/8/2014 at 21:24 (3,580 days old) by caligula (Wallingford, Connecticut)   |   | |
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Post# 283750 , Reply# 6   6/8/2014 at 22:34 (3,580 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 283792 , Reply# 8   6/9/2014 at 08:31 (3,580 days old) by Anachronism ()   |   | |
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As the others have said, it's a KEEPER! As for old, we still use one from 1934- it was refurbished by Kirby around 1960, keeps up with any competitor at age 80. |
Post# 283851 , Reply# 13   6/9/2014 at 13:55 (3,579 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)   |   | |
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Welcome to the forum from another Eastern Massachusetts member (I live in Woburn).
Removing the bag from the emptor can be done with a flat blade screwdriver. You can wash it on gentle cycle and then let it hang to air dry.
Re-attaching the bag to the emptor I found to be a challenge. I used a pair of vice-grips to hold the bag on while I used a flat blade screwdriver to stretch the spring back over the emptor.
I have a Kirby Dual Sanitronic 50 made in 1965 and have it mostly restored to like-new condition except for the correct bag which I so far have been unable to find. Your 512 has a Dual Sanitronic bag on it. Should you ever decide to replace your bag with the correct one for your 512, I would be willing to purchase the one you have provided it is in good condition. I would even drive to your location to get it since we both live in Eastern Mass.
Feel free to contact me anytime if you need any help with your 512. My email address is in my profile.
Here are a couple of pics of my DS50: |