Thread Number: 19382
Something I think is incredibly rare...
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Post# 214724   1/19/2013 at 00:15 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        

So, I have just picked up a... Kirby Commercial. It looks like a Heritage, but the power head is non removable and there is a hole cut in the front of it to access the belt. The bagger is enormous and uses a clamp to hold the top shut instead of a zipper or an emptor like others of the time would. There is a foot activated handle release and the power switch is a rocker switch on this weird little pedistal up at the top of the handle. On top of all this, it's not polished aluminum, it's painted with what can only assume is a very tough gray enamel. This is one of the strangest Kirby's I've ever seen. Does anyone have any advice, input, comments, or questions on this? I get the feeling this is not something we get the opportunity to see or talk about a lot. I'll have pictures a little later.

Post# 214725 , Reply# 1   1/19/2013 at 00:34 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
Aparently, it's called a ComVac



Post# 214726 , Reply# 2   1/19/2013 at 00:36 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Nose



Post# 214727 , Reply# 3   1/19/2013 at 00:37 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Handle Release



Post# 214728 , Reply# 4   1/19/2013 at 00:39 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Power Switch



Post# 214729 , Reply# 5   1/19/2013 at 00:40 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Bagger



Post# 214731 , Reply# 6   1/19/2013 at 00:42 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
With the Hood Up



Post# 214732 , Reply# 7   1/19/2013 at 00:43 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Height Adjuster



Post# 214733 , Reply# 8   1/19/2013 at 00:44 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Bagger Connection



Post# 214734 , Reply# 9   1/19/2013 at 00:46 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
Instead of a push pin, there is a bolt and nut



Post# 214735 , Reply# 10   1/19/2013 at 00:48 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
Just look at the size, and shape, of that bagger



Post# 214736 , Reply# 11   1/19/2013 at 00:50 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Brushroll

BTW, The cat did not come with the ComVac...

Post# 214737 , Reply# 12   1/19/2013 at 00:52 (4,086 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
The Label



Post# 214750 , Reply# 13   1/19/2013 at 05:37 (4,086 days old) by dysondestijl (east midlands, UK)        

Wow, that's gonna need some cleaning up!

Post# 214751 , Reply# 14   1/19/2013 at 05:42 (4,086 days old) by raycarter (Taylor, Michigan)        

The L-shaped structure on which the power switch is located is actually a cord storage hook. There was also another Kirby Comvac model, the 1300, which was finished in the same color scheme as the Kirby Heritage 1HD, but with the 13" carpet nozzle (also non-removable), and the same style of motor housing as the Sanitronic series of the 1960s.

Post# 214753 , Reply# 15   1/19/2013 at 06:30 (4,086 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        

That Kirby 1600 Comvac has seen a LOT of use!!The bag on it can be used as a dump bag-or with paper bags-offhand forget the type# have a pack at home for my 1600 Comvac.Its a very nice commercial vacuum-too bad they aren't built anymore.

Post# 214772 , Reply# 16   1/19/2013 at 09:29 (4,085 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
You think it's rare?--

--You'r right!Never seen in person or detailed pics of bag,switch,etc.Thanks.Nice tan L.A lux tank and good upright such as this(when restored)would clean any home.

Post# 214782 , Reply# 17   1/19/2013 at 10:39 (4,085 days old) by dysondestijl (east midlands, UK)        

In reply#4 is that the cord cut off? Also I'm guessing there should be something over the belt view thing?

Post# 214797 , Reply# 18   1/19/2013 at 12:19 (4,085 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Wow,

super-sweeper's profile picture
A vacuum forever ever on my "To-get" List...Especially the model 1600!
Do take good care of her,And look me up if you ever decide to sell!

-Alex.


Post# 214799 , Reply# 19   1/19/2013 at 12:40 (4,085 days old) by bvac6 (Fort Wayne, Indiana)        
comvac

bvac6's profile picture
Wow that has been around the block! Cool machine though, I have the supervac 180. The label on it says ye olfe sqeeper shop, that's not far from me here in the fort.


Post# 214800 , Reply# 20   1/19/2013 at 12:46 (4,085 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Indeed

compactelectra's profile picture

A rare bird.  I was lucky enough to find a ComVac 1300 brand new up in Wisconsin.  Here are a few pictures.  Definitely a Kirby product using the dies from the 500 series with update bag and wheels.


Post# 214801 , Reply# 21   1/19/2013 at 12:47 (4,085 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Yours Looks

compactelectra's profile picture

Well used.  A side shot.


Post# 214802 , Reply# 22   1/19/2013 at 12:48 (4,085 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Other Side

compactelectra's profile picture

No emptor.


Post# 214803 , Reply# 23   1/19/2013 at 12:50 (4,085 days old) by compactelectra (Palm Springs)        
Close Up

compactelectra's profile picture

Front shot.  Obviously not a successful product for Kirby from the time of the Heritage.  Non-removable front nozzle and F&G paper bag setup.


Post# 214874 , Reply# 24   1/19/2013 at 21:38 (4,085 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        

bvac: That's because I, too, am in Fort Wayne! I pulled it out of a secret honey hole where I like to venture when I'm looking for something interesting.
Yes, the cord is cut off JOY! and there is supposed to be something holding the bagger together at the top. I grabbed a generic steel one while I was at the shop(this particular place asked me not to say where I got it). I'll tell you what, she needs a ton of work, but I couldn't pass it up, so gosh darn rare. I'm honestly starting to regret it because space is a premium for me and I'll be leaving the country, permanently, soon so I have to figure out what to do with it, and fast. It sure is an interesting piece, though, almost as interesting as that Heritage-G Prototype I had a couple years ago.


Post# 214907 , Reply# 25   1/20/2013 at 04:20 (4,085 days old) by uksausage (eastbourne east sussex UK)        
Wow

That is such a cool looking machine. Where are you moving to is there no way of taking the vacuums with you

Post# 214911 , Reply# 26   1/20/2013 at 08:30 (4,084 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
So...

kirbymodel2c's profile picture
Hi Sean, So what did you do in the end with your Heritage-G Prototype?
Last I remember was you had a vac shop clean/polish it up and they was interested in displaying it.

James:o)


Post# 214931 , Reply# 27   1/20/2013 at 12:04 (4,084 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        


The Heritage-G is on Display at that vac shop. The owner has really taken a fancy to it and has offered me a substantial trade for it including all of the following: a kirby sentria, a filter queen majestic, a rainbow e4, and a riccar radiance. I'm tempted, but again, moving out of the country soon (Australia, BTW) and wouldn't be able to take it with me, at least not reasonably. I checked and it would run me about $250 each to ship my Kirbys down there, so at this point I'm just looking to get them somewhere where they'll be enjoyed and taken care of. Most are spoken for or at least have some interest including my 513, the heritage-g, my DS50 and DS80 and my beautiful (my personal favorite) Tradition. I'm just torn over this ComVac now. She needs a heavy resto by someone with time and determination.

Post# 214935 , Reply# 28   1/20/2013 at 12:18 (4,084 days old) by kirbymodel2c (Nottingham, England)        
Well...

kirbymodel2c's profile picture
Well Sean if you ever sell the Heritage-G Prototype I'm sure there's loads of use collectors who would love to give it a good loving home;o)

James:o)


Post# 214953 , Reply# 29   1/20/2013 at 13:54 (4,084 days old) by dysondestijl (east midlands, UK)        

Well it's a shame you have to leave your baby's behind lol Sean! Also have you hooked the comvac up to the mains to see if it runs yet?

Post# 214961 , Reply# 30   1/20/2013 at 14:42 (4,084 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        
Sean,

super-sweeper's profile picture
It'll have a happy home here,Please do let me know what your plans are.

-Alex.


Post# 215367 , Reply# 31   1/22/2013 at 20:15 (4,082 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        


Well, I haven't hooked up a cord yet so I do not know if it runs. Honestly, I haven't had a lot of time to do anything with it. I was able to find a bag clip off of something or other to hold that bagger closed but other than that, I haven't had time to even really clean it up, much less replace that cord. From my experience with Kirby's, though, I totally believe the motor to work as I've never ever seen a Kirby that didn't work, and I've personally owned hundreds and I've never had a new one. You know, I just shipped out a Simplicity Synergy and a Sanitaire Precision and I just finished listing a Rainbow E2 and now I have nothing to do but watch a movie and drink some wine. Maybe I'll go through the ComVac tonight.

Post# 215373 , Reply# 32   1/22/2013 at 20:49 (4,082 days old) by rainbowjoel (Dexter NM)        
I have a question.

Why Kirby make commercial vacs the head nozzle not removable?

Post# 215410 , Reply# 33   1/23/2013 at 00:02 (4,082 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)        
Non removable floor head

Think Kirby did this on their commercial vacuums for durability,ease of use,and reliable-no safety switch for the floor head.The Kirby Comvacs weren't designed to be used with tools-and note no Mini or Sani Emptor.The Comvacs were designed to just clean floors and carpets,nothing else,and do it well.

Post# 215412 , Reply# 34   1/23/2013 at 00:06 (4,082 days old) by rainbowjoel (Dexter NM)        
thanks tolivac

that makes sense. :D

Post# 215541 , Reply# 35   1/23/2013 at 23:03 (4,081 days old) by kirbyvertibles (Independence, KS)        

kirbyvertibles's profile picture
I have that same model and love it. It's very heavy but very cool!!
I bought mine from a Kirby dealer in Oklahoma about 10 years ago. It was a trade in and I got her for $15.00 but sadly it's missing the belt cap.


Post# 216571 , Reply# 36   1/29/2013 at 01:21 (4,076 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California)        
What's the story with this one?

stricklybojack's profile picture
I have seen these pop up from time to time. like right now on Ebay, see link.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO stricklybojack's LINK on eBay


Post# 216608 , Reply# 37   1/29/2013 at 09:46 (4,075 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)        
red/white/blue

This would date this and some other vacs to the Bicentenial of 1976.As seller states there was also a green version.

Post# 216841 , Reply# 38   1/30/2013 at 13:43 (4,074 days old) by kirbytradition7 (Denver (Aurora), CO, USA)        
I'm originally from Fort Wayne, too!

kirbytradition7's profile picture
Hi lunchboxsean!

I'm originally from Fort Wayne, too! I've since moved around a lot (London, England 2004-2007, then San Francisco 2007-2012, and now Calgary, Canada since Sept. 2012).

My mom had a Kirby Tradition for about 20 years (from when she bought it new through 1998).

You mentioned you have a Tradition? If so, what shape is it in? Does it come by itself, or does it have the tools with it? I would love to have it if you need to leave it behind.

kirbytradition7



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