how did you learn?

Growing up, my Dad was the one that taught me the basic ideas of taking things apart and putting them back, my Grandpa also taught me some things, between the two they are also the reason I understand wiring and circuits too. My dad was always the type that when something broke or quit working, he would fix it rather than having other people do it, and I loved helping out, which ended up helping me a lot I think. I;ve also always been more mechanically inclined as well, not everyone has it come as naturally to them, to many its something you have to learn, my boss is a good example of this.

Keep being patient, make sure you have a set of really good screw drivers (this is the best way to prevent stripping the heads off), also take kirbykid63's advice and get the impact driver, they are worth every penny when it comes to stuck screws, and they aren't all that pricey either. And always ask questions when you're stuck, the only reason others know the answer is because we learned it form someone else, or the hard way ourselves. I can only speak for myself in saying that over the 10 years of working in a vacuum store (and the many that I fixed at home before I was old enough to have a real job) I've learned more than you could imagine, yet I still regularly have to ask questions of other people on various things. Also remember that not all of my repairs go right, mistakes happen, and already weak parts can break when you take them apart. Naturally the projects you see here have come out right, but I know each person on here has and will have things go wrong.

Another good source of information and repair tips is to go to a convention, there are usually a couple repair clinics, and you can always bring something thats got you completely frustrated for advice and help. Also, see if you can find a friendly vac shop in your area, one where you can always feel comfortable asking questions, watching, and learning. Most seem to enjoy the idea that someone younger not only cares about this all, but actually enjoys this stuff. Of course there will be some that won't give you the time of day, but go around and talk to them and see. If you can find one, esp. an older guy this done this a long time, you will have found yourself a gold mine of knowledge.


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Post# 307110 11/22/2014 at 23:10 (3,441 days old) by vacuumssuck213 ()
Checkrate/Likes I'm going to vent a little here. today I broke another vac. I Always end up breaking something on a vac when I attempt a repair on Kirby's its stripping screw heads recently on my hoover I broke hood parts trying to get a lens out I removed. does every one do there homework before hand already mechanically inclined or is there a trail and error graveyard out there somewhere? I feel so foolish that only belt changes lube jobs and port cleanings are the only thing's I haven't messed up

Post# 307122 , Reply# 1 11/23/2014 at 07:24 (3,441 days old) by kirbykid63 (Wilmington Delaware)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Talk to people who know* I have learned alot by speaking with people who have experiance,also you tube is a good place for info. Richard new2youvacuums.

Post# 307123 , Reply# 2 11/23/2014 at 07:29 (3,441 days old) by kirbykid63 (Wilmington Delaware)
Checkrate/Likes *For kirby's* For working on vacuums I recommend purchasing a impact screw driver and service manual and bearing puller. "Kirby needs" on ebay sell lots of tools and service manuals. Richard new2youvacuums

Post# 307125 , Reply# 3 11/23/2014 at 08:58 (3,441 days old) by gsheen (Cape Town South Africa)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Ask Questions Never be afraid or embarrased to ask a question. It could save you a fortune. I have been in the vac repair, sales, design , Business for 20 years now and I still ask questions. Use Google to research too. Be patiant , wheneever I have broken something its because i have been to hasty to get it appart. Sit back think carefully and go from their. If you start to get frustrated have go make a nice cup of coffee or if like me its 3 am , go to bed, fresh eyes see things that tired eyes dont. That all said, You only learn from trying and making errors and learning from them

Post# 307126 , Reply# 4 11/23/2014 at 09:34 (3,441 days old) by turbomaster1984 (Ripley, Derbyshire)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Top tip to avoid stripping screw heads. If its a X head screw (Philips) then its almost always worth not using a Philips head screwdriver to get it out if the screw looks like it could be jammed due to paint, gunk, schmutz being trapped under it. Use a very tight fitting flathead screwdriver that actually sits in the X and gives you power to turn it. ALWAYS TIGHTEN the screw slighty as this helps break the gunk seal and aids easier unscrewing. Lefty Loosy Tighty Righty. Never but never try to remove a 'tamper proof' screw with a normal screwdriver. Sets of screwdrivers to remove these screws are cheap enough to buy from hardware stores and pay dividends in the long run. Take the time to locate one that fits well and snug before trying to unscrew.

Post# 307129 , Reply# 5 11/23/2014 at 10:01 (3,441 days old) by ultralux88 (Denver, Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Growing up, my Dad was the one that taught me the basic ideas of taking things apart and putting them back, my Grandpa also taught me some things, between the two they are also the reason I understand wiring and circuits too. My dad was always the type that when something broke or quit working, he would fix it rather than having other people do it, and I loved helping out, which ended up helping me a lot I think. I;ve also always been more mechanically inclined as well, not everyone has it come as naturally to them, to many its something you have to learn, my boss is a good example of this. Keep being patient, make sure you have a set of really good screw drivers (this is the best way to prevent stripping the heads off), also take kirbykid63's advice and get the impact driver, they are worth every penny when it comes to stuck screws, and they aren't all that pricey either. And always ask questions when you're stuck, the only reason others know the answer is because we learned it form someone else, or the hard way ourselves. I can only speak for myself in saying that over the 10 years of working in a vacuum store (and the many that I fixed at home before I was old enough to have a real job) I've learned more than you could imagine, yet I still regularly have to ask questions of other people on various things. Also remember that not all of my repairs go right, mistakes happen, and already weak parts can break when you take them apart. Naturally the projects you see here have come out right, but I know each person on here has and will have things go wrong. Another good source of information and repair tips is to go to a convention, there are usually a couple repair clinics, and you can always bring something thats got you completely frustrated for advice and help. Also, see if you can find a friendly vac shop in your area, one where you can always feel comfortable asking questions, watching, and learning. Most seem to enjoy the idea that someone younger not only cares about this all, but actually enjoys this stuff. Of course there will be some that won't give you the time of day, but go around and talk to them and see. If you can find one, esp. an older guy this done this a long time, you will have found yourself a gold mine of knowledge.

Post# 307133 , Reply# 6 11/23/2014 at 10:16 (3,441 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 4 *Don't beat yourself up.* (We can do that for you). Honestly, never be afraid. WE ALL learn. WE've ALL made errors. Just be careful, ask, ask, ask, look things up, and try. Just try carefully on things that might appear easy. Among all of us, SOMEBODY can help you do, find, fix, clean, paint, anything.

Post# 307144 , Reply# 7 11/23/2014 at 11:18 (3,441 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Oh yes we have all had a break or two when tearing apart machines we havenn't worked on before. It is all part of the normal learning curve. W-40 and other lubricants can be your best friend.

Post# 307158 , Reply# 8 11/23/2014 at 13:35 (3,441 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)
Checkrate/Likes There is a wealth of repair and How-To videos on Youtube especially for Kirby.

Post# 307170 , Reply# 9 11/23/2014 at 16:09 (3,440 days old) by parwaz786 ( )
Checkrate/Likes *"Righty tighty, lefty loosy"* My DT teacher told us that years ago :)

Post# 307190 , Reply# 10 11/23/2014 at 21:53 (3,440 days old) by tolivac (Greenville,NC)
Checkrate/Likes A word or two on impact tools.Do not use them to tighten fasteners until you are used to the machine.An impact tool can do wholesale damage if not Carefully used to how the device works.When you first start using an impact driver use it to loosen fasteners first.Then get used to the machine.Start with the lowest torque settings and work up.If the machine doesn't have a torque adjustment,do not use it on small things like appliances or vacuums.This could save you a lot damage!

Post# 307196 , Reply# 11 11/23/2014 at 22:29 (3,440 days old) by Kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *I started fixing Vacuums* At the age of 5 pulled my neighbors 1060 Hoover Convertible out of the trash and figured out it needed a switch replaced it and sold it back to her for $25.00 then I would pick convertibles and Eurekas out of trash and sold them after I repaired and cleaned them to like new condition. I bought my first car at 18 a 1985 Brand New right off the showroom floor Cadillac Eldorado Barritz all from vacuum sales . I also watched my grandfather and Father and can fix everything around the house and my cars . I can do electrical plumbing construction of all types all appliance repairs and machine repairs including small and large engine repairs . I never have to hire anyone because I prefer to do my own repairs the only thing I didn't do was replace my roof or installed my inground pool . Some people are born mechanical and some are not as I have learned from this site that not all collectors can repair vacuums at first I didn't undestand how you can collect vacuums and not know how to even change a belt but I learned they just take their machines to a vacuum shop and have a professional do their service or try to attempt it themselves . Dan