Thread Number: 9519
Kirby Model 515 Rebuild
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Post# 104366   7/27/2010 at 08:39 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
I began working last night on my Model 515. While the engineering and design is basically the same as newer models, there are also some things that are VERY different. The motor shell is much more compact because the pre-516 models don't have a separate motor housing that then fits into a larger shell. The motor shell IS the motor housing, which makes servicing the motor a tad bit more complicated. I know many of you guys already know a lot of this stuff, but these are new discoveries for me! This is what 55 years of lint and carbon dust look like.

Post# 104367 , Reply# 1   7/27/2010 at 08:42 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
While the motor housing is coated with a lot of carbon dust, plain old dirt, and lint, the fan was as clean as a whistle. I'm guessing the fan was replaced at some point because it's too clean.

Post# 104368 , Reply# 2   7/27/2010 at 08:44 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
Along with the fan, the fan chamber is extremely clean too. So I'm sure the fan was replaced but the motor itself wasn't touched. I think these early models were cast in sand. Notice how rough the interior of the fan chamber is.

Post# 104369 , Reply# 3   7/27/2010 at 08:51 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
The motor has definitely seen a lot of use. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the commutator has a groove worn into it from many hours of use. I'm told that Kirby doesn't manufacture these motors anymore, so I'll make due with what I have since we won't be using this vacuum every day. The motor still had the old style bearings too and they were dry as a bone. The front bearing was a little difficult to remove. I had to clamp it in a vice and gently tap on the pulley end with a large punch pin. That did the trick!

Post# 104370 , Reply# 4   7/27/2010 at 08:56 (4,993 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
My secretary is a very crafty person, so I think I'll ask her if she'd like to tackle the logo restoration on the bag. I bought the fabric paint that David Watters recommended for the job.

Post# 104371 , Reply# 5   7/27/2010 at 08:58 (4,993 days old) by luxg ()        

Very interesting Bill, be sure and show us how it turns out!

Terry


Post# 104377 , Reply# 6   7/27/2010 at 11:22 (4,992 days old) by joe22 ()        

the metal fan is a thing of beauty

Post# 104378 , Reply# 7   7/27/2010 at 11:23 (4,992 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
The fan is a replacement due to it being clean-looking, but it is exactly the same fan as what Kirby installed originally.

I wonder if Charles Lester ever got to digging out his early 515 yet (black wheels).

~Ben


Post# 104571 , Reply# 8   7/28/2010 at 23:17 (4,991 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
All the castings are polished. And for obvious reasons, I took great care when polishing the headlight assembly. Castings can easily fly out of your hand. This could have impaled me! But I digress. Motor reassembled with new bearings and carbon brushes. Fan reinstalled. Foot switch assembly reinstalled. Safety switch/front wheel assembly reinstalled. Motor tested. IT RUNS!!!!!! Tomorrow, I'll rivet the bumper onto the nozzle and fully assemble everything because it is late tonight. More photos tomorrow!

Post# 104588 , Reply# 9   7/29/2010 at 03:03 (4,991 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Castings can easily fly out of your hand. This could have impaled me!


You're not kidding! Machine-polishing small metal parts is EMINENTLY DANGEROUS. That's why I peppered my machine polishing article with warnings all over the place.

I do hope you're wearing AT LEAST safety goggles and a dust mask when polishing; better you should wear one of those clear full-face masks.



Post# 104648 , Reply# 10   7/29/2010 at 17:30 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
The Red Raider Special Edition Kirby

eurekastar's profile picture
My apologies to all the Kirby purists in the VCCC, but I couldn't resist putting a black back on my Model 515. It's color scheme is now Matador Red and Black to honor my college alma mater, Texas Tech University. This bag is now the Kirby replacement bag for the 562 and later models (I think). The zipper on the scraper pocket was trimmed in white, so I took a red Sharpie and colored it red in order to continue the design theme!

Post# 104651 , Reply# 11   7/29/2010 at 17:33 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
This particular bag requires a bag topper. I was able to find one that's painted red. It should be here tomorrow.

Post# 104652 , Reply# 12   7/29/2010 at 17:33 (4,990 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Very lovely! I've never seen a black bag like that one -- did it come from Kirby in that color? I'd love to see side and rear shots of it if you feel like it...



Post# 104654 , Reply# 13   7/29/2010 at 17:35 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
When I got it a couple of weeks ago, it still had the Sweet Aire assembly in tact, along with the felt pad inserts. So I removed the pads and tied them up in a sock and tossed them in the washer. Now all I need is some Sweet Aire.

Post# 104655 , Reply# 14   7/29/2010 at 17:43 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
Here's a rear shot with the a view of the Matador Red zipper pocket. I just noticed that I forgot to put in the Sweet Aire plug too!

Post# 104656 , Reply# 15   7/29/2010 at 17:46 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
And here she is with her younger, more refined sister, Model 516. My Model 516 has a new kevlar fan and my Model 515 still has the 10 blade aluminum fan. There is a distinct difference in how they sound.

Post# 104659 , Reply# 16   7/29/2010 at 17:52 (4,990 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Wow! A brand new black bag on your 515? Awesome!

As you may know, Kirby had made two different 10-blade impeller fans: #1189, which has the long spacer, first debuted with the 515 and was also available as a replacement for part #1188, which was a 6-bladed impeller fan originally used on models 3C to 514.

The other one was #119056, which had the shorter spacer designed for models 516 to Tradition 3-CB.


Post# 104661 , Reply# 17   7/29/2010 at 18:30 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
This fan definitely has a long spacer. When I reinstalled it last night, I first thought I had mis-threaded it onto the shaft. So I spun it off and spun it back on. I decided then that it was correctly installed. As for the bag: I don't know if it is a genuine Kirby bag. All the replacements I've seen from Kirby have a tag that say "Kirby" or "Scott Fetzer". So I don't really know for sure.

Post# 104664 , Reply# 18   7/29/2010 at 18:38 (4,990 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
What You Really Want is a Gray Bag with V Stripes

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
@eurekastar
What you really want as a bag for the 515 is one that originally was from a 514 (it has stripes that go up from the bottom of the bag connecting to the top and bottom stems of the "K" and the bottom stem of the "y" in "Kirby"), for slight fabric-related changes were made to the bag that differentiated it from the original one used on the 513.

http://www.137.com/kirby/513_bag.jpg
(photo by Charles Lester)


Post# 104667 , Reply# 19   7/29/2010 at 19:15 (4,990 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
The Kirby Odorific bottle isn't designed to be used with the older Sweet-Aire plug. However, this product works just fine and provides a nice scent in the room!

Post# 104689 , Reply# 20   7/29/2010 at 21:30 (4,990 days old) by luxg ()        

Bill, you did an awesome job on the 515!! Thanks for sharing all of those great pictures with us.

Terry


Post# 104696 , Reply# 21   7/29/2010 at 22:39 (4,990 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
Amen, you sure did,,beautiful job. I like the black bag,,looks cool! I know what you mean about the sound of the metal fan vs the kevlar,,,there is a definate difference in sound. I have a Classic Omega that needs to be sent off for a Factory Rebuild, but i just hate to because the original fan is perfectly in tact, and the sound is amazing. Sounds just like a little jet engine. Just cleaned it up, put a new 4 row brush roll in it,new saftey switch, new belt, and a heritage 2 bag system doctored up to accept G series bags,,im in business!

Post# 104756 , Reply# 22   7/30/2010 at 16:53 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
Bag Top Photo

eurekastar's profile picture
The bag top is for the 562/D50 models. It was washed with soap and water, then a grease remover, sprayed with primer and two coats of a vinyl/plastic paint. Some day, my photography skills will get better!

Post# 104765 , Reply# 23   7/30/2010 at 17:56 (4,989 days old) by electrolux~137 ()        

Can you tell us where you found the black bag? I'd sure like to get a couple of them. Thx!


Post# 104786 , Reply# 24   7/30/2010 at 19:59 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
If You Tell Us

compactelectra's profile picture
Where you got the black bag, I'll volunteer to machine embroider a Kirby logo on them. Here's my Pfaff embroidering a Hoover logo on a polo shirt.

Post# 104787 , Reply# 25   7/30/2010 at 20:00 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
And

compactelectra's profile picture
A finished product - not on the shirts, but some playing around. The possibilities are endless. A new business opportunity?

Post# 104788 , Reply# 26   7/30/2010 at 20:04 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
All I Have To Do

compactelectra's profile picture
Is scan it in, digitize it and add the red thread or silver or???. Hmmmmm.

Post# 104790 , Reply# 27   7/30/2010 at 20:11 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
That would be very cool! I've seen the black bag in a couple of places, but here's where I get almost everything. This seller is extremely helpful with advice and is VERY prompt at shipping. His shipping charges are always fair and will issue a refund if things ship for less.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK on eBay


Post# 104791 , Reply# 28   7/30/2010 at 20:13 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

eurekastar's profile picture
I've purchased things on occasion from this seller too. She also ships very promptly.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO eurekastar's LINK on eBay


Post# 104794 , Reply# 29   7/30/2010 at 20:42 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Thanks

compactelectra's profile picture
I've ordered two. When I get them I will try out the embroidery and let you know how it turns out. I'll probably have to open the seam in the back to be able to embroider, but can seam it back up again. This opens all new possibilities for color combinations on these machines that would be fabulous. Here is my original 562. I have a almost brand-new 519 that I would like to try this out on. I'll send it up to Racine for a polishing and then a whole new outfit, cord and bag with the original red trim. Love it! If I can perfect the techique, you'll get payback Bill. I'll also play around with the trim on the bag. I may use the second bag for a pattern and experiment with different fabrics to mimic the original. What fun. I'll let you know when I am taking orders.

Post# 104795 , Reply# 30   7/30/2010 at 20:45 (4,989 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
BTW

compactelectra's profile picture
This is how the replacement bags are coming from Kirby. All the old machines being refurbished by them are with black trim. Not sure I like it, but the bags are fabulous.

Post# 104796 , Reply# 31   7/30/2010 at 20:47 (4,989 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        
Fred

eurekastar's profile picture
I look forward to seeing what you're going to do!

Post# 104803 , Reply# 32   7/30/2010 at 21:50 (4,989 days old) by briankirbyclass (Eudora Kansas)        

briankirbyclass's profile picture
I think the hoses and attachments comming back from the factory for rebuilds are all black now too. At least the last several ive sent in have come back this way. Havnt gotten a machine with a black bag yet. The last time i sent in my Tradition, it came back all blue except for the bag guard, hose and attachments,,were all black. Everything else was blue. This was 3 months ago.

I do know for certain that the long strait extension tube, curved tube, large floor nozzle, swivel coupler and crystalator are no longer avalible, and wont be replaced by the factory. Neither will they replace any shampoo systems,floor polishers,floor pads,Handy Butlers, hair clippers, turbo brush, turbo sander, or Handy Waxer's.
Also all cartons, boxes, attachment carriers,not replaced in the FR.
They are considered "Optional Equipment", and not part of the Factory Rebuild Agreement. - According to the last notice i got when i sent in a machine for rebuilding anyway.


Post# 104813 , Reply# 33   7/30/2010 at 22:40 (4,989 days old) by kirbyclassiciii (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Got to fix my last posting about the 513-515 bag...


(Photo: Charles R. Lester, aka electrolux~137)

@eurekastar
This is what the 515's original bag looked like, although there were only slight differences between the original 513 and subsequent 514-515 versions. I suspect the bag that was on it when you discovered it looked like a replacement (absence of stripes). In the 1960s and '70s, Kirby had the #190058 bag (models 518-561) as a replacement for all their 5XX series.

~Ben


Post# 104859 , Reply# 34   7/31/2010 at 14:19 (4,988 days old) by a007kirbyman (--->> Originally My Mom <<--- (now Wisconsin))        
eurekastar, black bag & parts...

a007kirbyman's profile picture
Again Bill, you've done a nice job on this restoration as well as the others.

Black Genuine Kirby replacement bag. The price of this zipper pocket bag (190073) thru me would be ONLY $21.62 plus (applicable shipping for your order). *[SEE OTHER thread.]

I am posting a link to a thread I posted on the Off-Topic forum, as it applies to both vintage & contemporary model Kirby vacuums.

In case the link does not work, here it is also:

www.vacuumland.org/TD/THREADS/SAN...

Cheers & have a great day all,

Bill


CLICK HERE TO GO TO a007kirbyman's LINK



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