Thread Number: 2739
More Kirbys...and I know you're probably getting sick by now!
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Post# 30173   1/24/2008 at 18:05 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

The last two Kirbys I shall be buying for a while...I'm all Kirby-ed out, I'm sure you guys are reaching your limit, too!

First off, the Tradition. Was described in the listing as 'not sucking'...and here's why - the emptor and fan-outlet were PACKED SOLID with this:


Post# 30174 , Reply# 1   1/24/2008 at 18:09 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Having dug all that out...

...and given it a polish, it turned out quite nicely:

Post# 30175 , Reply# 2   1/24/2008 at 18:10 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Before and After:

...

Post# 30176 , Reply# 3   1/24/2008 at 18:13 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Extras!

It also came with this very nice set of boxed tools and accessories. Looks like almost everything's there! What are the 'Rug Renovator Rug Protector Pads' for, by the way??

Post# 30177 , Reply# 4   1/24/2008 at 18:14 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
And finally:

The Diamond Edition. Almost new, barely a mark on it! Came with everything!

Post# 30178 , Reply# 5   1/24/2008 at 18:14 (5,907 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Rug Renovator Pads

compactelectra's profile picture
Were used to put under furniture legs after shampooing to keep from discoloring the carpet.

Fred


Post# 30179 , Reply# 6   1/24/2008 at 18:16 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Close-up:

...

Post# 30180 , Reply# 7   1/24/2008 at 18:22 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
OK, I lied...

...there was also this Oreck XL. I've always been curious about them, and this one was a steal!

My impressions: very light, VERY loud, good at picking up surface dirt and bringing up the pile. But then, you already knew that! It would make a nice second cleaner, for when you just want something to grab quickly before you have guests round. I wouldn't have it as a main cleaner, and I wouldn't spend £400 on a new one!


Post# 30183 , Reply# 8   1/24/2008 at 18:55 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Group shot!

...

Post# 30187 , Reply# 9   1/24/2008 at 19:56 (5,907 days old) by clarkecombi ()        
Nice Machines

Those are nice machines, are you gonna post vids of them on youtube?

Post# 30191 , Reply# 10   1/24/2008 at 20:05 (5,907 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Thanks! :)

I already have videos of the G4 and G5 on YouTube (perhaps you've seen those?), and I'll try and do videos of the others tomorrow, since it looks like I'll have a free house!

My YouTube channel:


CLICK HERE TO GO TO vintagehoover's LINK


Post# 30211 , Reply# 11   1/25/2008 at 00:50 (5,907 days old) by badata ()        
I'm all Kirby-ed out, I'm sure you guys are reaching

NEVER am I all Kirby'ed out!!! I don't think I could reach a limit witht the Kirby line. nice job on the tradition!! Kirby's are fantastic machines!!! if they don't "suck" its because someone abused them!!! thanks for sharing!!!

michael


Post# 30218 , Reply# 12   1/25/2008 at 07:08 (5,906 days old) by swiveltop (Galveston, TX)        
Nice Kirbys

That Tradition sure brings back memories, I worked at a Kirby Dealer when I was 14 from '79 to '82 doing all the repairs, I remember the Classic 3 and Traditions brand new out of the box. Mark

Post# 30222 , Reply# 13   1/25/2008 at 08:28 (5,906 days old) by thunderhexed (Edmond, OK)        
Tradition

thunderhexed's profile picture
The Tradition has always been one of my favorite models. I bought one last summer from a guy here at work for $35.00. I already had a box of attachments - except the hose :( and when I got it, it was in pretty rough shape cosmetically. I spent a couple of hours cleaning it up and polishing it and it looks almost like new. I think it needs a new fan though cuz it makes a very loud "throaty" sound when it's on. I had another Tradition previously and it was the quietest Kirby I had ever owned. As far as the one I have now, I need to get another cloth bag for it eventually as the one I have now is faded and looks like it has water stains on it. I have the cloth shake out bag for it too but prefer the paper bag system. Congrats on your finds!

Post# 30228 , Reply# 14   1/25/2008 at 10:31 (5,906 days old) by badata ()        
nice

Hey Jack,
This is Jeff using Michael's computer, I have an Ultimate G Diamond and absolutely love it! Its one of three that I use for daily drivers.(the other two are my Miele Champagne and a Sanitaire blue S634)
I look forward to seeing your videos on youtube!


Post# 30237 , Reply# 15   1/25/2008 at 13:09 (5,906 days old) by petek (Ontario)        

Were all the attachments in that cardboard case? Both of mine came with blue plastic cases, sort of shaped like a tool box with carry handle.

Post# 30259 , Reply# 16   1/25/2008 at 21:29 (5,906 days old) by louvac (A)        

Hey Guys!
My favorite Kirby is the Tradition! Maybe because it's blue? I don't know and much less do I care...I just love it! Many Kirby gurus consider the Tradition, Kirby's worst model because of the smaller diameter fill tube which supposedly reduced airflow. I never found my Tradition to be compromised regardless. I am still looking for one of the earliest models which had the speed switch located in the headlight visor. All tools including the hose had an aluminum spike with engaged the safety switch above and inside. Kirby later on changed the design during the run of the machine and re-positioned the speed control switch on the bottom. The visor on the earlier models had a blue slide switch lock which locked the visor down into position. I have five Traditions and only two of them are exactly the same. Kirby also made some models without the suction control bleeder on the rug nozzle. It's simply smooth across the top.



Post# 30282 , Reply# 17   1/26/2008 at 12:01 (5,905 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)        
Tradition

sleepdoc's profile picture
I'm usually more objective than this, but my feeling about the Tradition is that a machine that beautiful cannot possibly be the "worst ever." John gave me a beautifully restored Tradition for my birthday, which I chose to keep in its original conformation, rather than adapt it to use the G-series bags. It cleans just fine, although I would be interested in seeing if there's a difference between it and other models, maybe in a cleaning contest-like test.

Post# 30283 , Reply# 18   1/26/2008 at 12:06 (5,905 days old) by sleepdoc (St. Louis, MO)        
Kirby cleaning

sleepdoc's profile picture
Someone posted a thread here several months ago describing having cleaned a new carpeted house exclusively with a Kirby Legend II for quite a while - over 15 years, I think. Then, recently, they replaced the carpet, which revealed a dust-free floor underneath. That's a functional testimonial! I have been using my Kirby a lot since reading that. Also, the Legend II is a very handsome machine.

Post# 30289 , Reply# 19   1/26/2008 at 13:33 (5,905 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Legend II

Ugh! I'll say the Legend II is a handsome machine!!

I would love to find one complete with all of the tools. Definitely one of the prettiest machines that Kirby ever made.

~Fred



Post# 30290 , Reply# 20   1/26/2008 at 14:08 (5,905 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Tradition

I haven't yet got round to doing those videos I promised of the new cleaners. Turns out the house wasn't free on Friday after all, so they'll have to wait until next week sometime. I plan to demonstrate all the tools, and maybe even the shampooer - depends how ambitious I'm feeling!

Jeff - I've seen the YouTube vid of your Ultimate Diamond - I commented on it the other day. They're great cleaners - the stiffer bristles really beat the carpet, they sound like thunder in use! You can feel the vibration when the cleaner's at arm's length.

Pete - I know what you mean about the blue tool carrier, I've seen them on eBay. Mine just came with this cardboard carrier, it's got little compartments printed with diagrams of what tool goes in each (see pics below!). It has a plastic handle-strap at the top, and shuts with a metal popper.

Louis - my Tradition doesn't seem to have any speed switch at all, and no safety switch; you can run it with nothing attached - this made cleaning the belt pulley easier!

Here's the tool case:


Post# 30291 , Reply# 21   1/26/2008 at 14:11 (5,905 days old) by vintagehoover ()        
Inside the tool carrier:

Looks like the upholstery nozzle's got lost over the years. I forgot to put the long extention tube in for the picture.

Post# 30295 , Reply# 22   1/26/2008 at 15:39 (5,905 days old) by petek (Ontario)        

If I find another blue plastic carrier I'll grab it and put aside.



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