|
Thread Number: 34171
/ Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Kirby classic 111 |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 370282 4/8/2017 at 11:52 (2,567 days old) by Toddk13 (Milwaukee, WI) | ||
|
There are two classic 111 models near me. $30 with tools. What's good and bad about them. | ||
| Post# 370288 , Reply# 1 4/8/2017 at 12:19 (2,567 days old) by dysonman1 (the county) | ||
Kirby Classic 3 vacuums are well made, but heavy. They tend to tip on the backstroke toward the bag side. The cloth bag leaks fine dust and is very messy to empty. The original 2 row brush roll was meant for shag carpets, a new 4 row brush as well as belt would be needed for modern carpets. The suction, for an upright, is very good. For $30 you really can't go wrong if this is your first Kirby.
| ||
| Post# 370302 , Reply# 2 4/8/2017 at 13:51 (2,567 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
 Todd,
I bought a Classic III a while back and I am enjoying using it very much. It is a beautifully designed machine. It cleans very well with the new style brushroll and I find it's no messier to empty than a modern bagless vacuum. I have uploaded some photos of my fully restored Classic III. This post was last edited 04/08/2017 at 14:38 | ||
| Post# 370319 , Reply# 5 4/8/2017 at 20:13 (2,567 days old) by texaskirbyguy (Plano, TX) | ||
|
BTW Yes, you can use a Handi Butler on this as well. I see sets on ebay all the time, even red ones to match the Classic III! | ||
| Post# 370323 , Reply# 8 4/8/2017 at 23:51 (2,567 days old) by jeschbac (Texas) | ||
|
Not so fast Older handi-butler units before the Omega probably won't trigger the Classic III safety switch. Best to double check before mixing and matching models. | ||
| Post# 370371 , Reply# 9 4/9/2017 at 14:55 (2,566 days old) by kenkart () | ||
|
KEEP THE ORIGINAL Brushroll, it will beat the carpet much better than the newer one. | ||
Post# 370382 , Reply# 10 4/9/2017 at 15:36 (2,566 days old) by KirbyClassicIII  (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
kenkart | ||
|
Post# 370403 , Reply# 14 4/9/2017 at 23:04 (2,566 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
Toddk13
Todd,
Brush roll bristle adjustment is by two screws, one at each end of the roll. Brush bristles should protrude to at least 1/16" outside the rug plate openings. For belts, Kirby makes two - dependent on brush roll bearing construction: Use the old style 159056 belt if the brush roll you have installed has the non-removable end caps. Use the new style 301291 belt if the brush roll has ball bearings and removable end caps. ~Ben | ||
|
Post# 370591 , Reply# 17 4/12/2017 at 20:36 (2,563 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
Toddk13 | ||
|
Post# 370660 , Reply# 23 4/13/2017 at 21:26 (2,562 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs) |
||
I Agree Rob
Old is not bad. I have had a Classic III since I bought it new in Chicago around 1977(?) Sent it back to Cleveland around the mid 90's for a complete rebuild. It is still one of my favorite vacuums. It is the only vacuum in my collection that has always been out and ready for use.
Used it today. It is windy season in Palm Springs and that fine dust gets into everything. You can see in the picture that it was stored back in Chicago next to the Sentria. A good vacuum but I still like the Classic III better and the Sentria is now in its box in the garage. When they rebuilt the CIII they put on the paper bag unit and it now uses HEPA bags. One of the pictures shows many of my Kirbys including a Tradition. That Tradition was found a few years ago new in the box and it will be going on EBay soon. If anyone is interested, let me know. | ||
| Post# 370713 , Reply# 24 4/14/2017 at 16:06 (2,561 days old) by Toddk13 (Milwaukee, WI) | ||
|
Oh happy tools Classic III tools w/jigsaw $22.20 EBay. All the rest $50 local guy - Heriage kits, heritage bag with emptor and paper bag,nice condition classic III bag, turbo sander, classic tools that I was missing, and the hoover suitcase vacuum that I just couldn't leave there. | ||
|
Post# 370760 , Reply# 25 4/15/2017 at 00:04 (2,561 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
Toddk13 | ||
|
Post# 370839 , Reply# 27 4/16/2017 at 19:27 (2,559 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
Toddk13
Todd,
All this modified Classic III needs is to reuse the bag top from the original Classic III bag. Here's my 1977 Classic III with the Legend II bag system! ~Ben
View Full Size
| ||
| Post# 370862 , Reply# 29 4/17/2017 at 11:16 (2,558 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
|
Todd,
Yes the new brush adjustment is 1/8 inch protrusion past the rugplate.
Also, your Classic III will clean much better if you install the new 4 row Ball Bearing brushroll. I made this modification to my own Classic III and noticed the beating action is much better which means it cleans my carpet even better than my 2012 Sentria.
| ||
| Post# 370877 , Reply# 30 4/17/2017 at 12:53 (2,558 days old) by toddk13 (Milwaukee, WI) | ||
|
It beats as it sweeps...oops wrong vacuum Can someone help me with what the updated ball bearing brush part number would be? Is this the same as would be used on the G models? | ||
|
Post# 370878 , Reply# 31 4/17/2017 at 13:20 (2,558 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
Toddk13
Todd,
Kirby currently only sells part number 152584 (formerly 156288) for all models Heritage to Legend II, which will also fit models Classic 1CR to Tradition. This has the magnet on the white cap end, which is only effective on the 16" wide nozzles for Heritage II and Legend II machines made since March 1986. Kirby did sell essentially the same brush roll without the magnet for these same machines, part number 152581 (formerly 156281), but that had been discontinued for about five years now. ~Ben | ||
| Post# 370891 , Reply# 32 4/17/2017 at 16:37 (2,558 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine) | ||
|
Todd,
Here is the link to the new 4 row ball bearing brushroll that will fit your Classic III. This is NOT the same brushroll that the G series Kirby's use.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirby-4-Row-Brus...
| ||
| Post# 370912 , Reply# 33 4/17/2017 at 22:17 (2,558 days old) by Toddk13 (Milwaukee, WI) | ||
|
Thanks. Ordered it. That brushroll cost 50% more than the Tradition I picked up. I'm sure it'll work well. | ||
| Forum Index: | 
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}