Thread Number: 31732
/ Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
To keep the Kirby Heritage II or go with a Kirby Sanitronic 80? |
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Post# 350363 , Reply# 3   4/15/2016 at 12:35 (2,930 days old) by kenkart ()   |   | |
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Its lighter, much easier to use,and I think it cleans better, and you don't have to buy bags,I don't like the wide head Kirbys, in a small house they are a nightmare. |
Post# 350370 , Reply# 5   4/15/2016 at 14:20 (2,930 days old) by Jeho87 (Barry's bay )   |   | |
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I will admit it as much I believe the Kirby is a Phenomenal Machine beyond most vacuums today. But I wanted to admit that I have exercised with my Kirby like lifting weights as I vacuum and believe its another great way to use it. [ wanted to share it]:-) |
Post# 350373 , Reply# 6   4/15/2016 at 14:38 (2,930 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)   |   | |
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Depending on the condition of the D-80. If the D-80 is in good shape I would grab the green machine. If the 80 was needing repairs, I would opt for the Heritage II, and wait for something better to come along.
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Post# 350378 , Reply# 7   4/15/2016 at 15:09 (2,930 days old) by constellation86 (Roy, UT)   |   | |
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You could use the bag from the Heritage on the Sanitronic 80 To keep the disposable convenience and filtration with the smaller head of the older vacuum. I have done this myself with good results. Nicholas |
Post# 350383 , Reply# 8   4/15/2016 at 15:35 (2,930 days old) by Jeho87 (Barry's bay )   |   | |
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Well, I saw a Kirby Sanitronic 80 in close to new condition and seems its brand new in the box and never been used on Kijiji in Windsor Ontario for $ 400.00, which is really rare what I know to get the machine close to brand new. |
Post# 350384 , Reply# 9   4/15/2016 at 15:44 (2,930 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)   |   | |
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Post# 350390 , Reply# 10   4/15/2016 at 18:51 (2,929 days old) by CharlesKirby66 (Manteca, CA)   |   | |
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I have owned a couple D80s and currently own one Heritage II with another coming in about a week. I must admit, of the vintage "pre-Generation" Kirby systems, the Heritage II holds a special place to me. Its motor is more powerful than the DS80 motor, and is quieter than anything earlier than the Kirby Classic. Plus, it still had the cool vintage features, such as the curved extension wand, shoulder strap, etc.
The DS80 is easier to drive over carpet, however, and the smaller nozzle is a nice benefit for smaller homes/cramped quarters. But, the Heritage II isn't that bad to drive over carpet either, just not as light and easy as the DS80.
That being said, I sold one of my DS80s and gave the other one to my bestie, who LOVES it. I still own a DS50, which is my favorite vintage Kirby model, and to me it didn't make sense to keep both models since only the DS50 was "special" to me.
If I were in your situation, I would probably trick out the Heritage II, since you already have it and can work on collecting ALL the available attachments. It might make "more sense" to your parents, too... tricking out an already existing system versus getting an older machine. I would keep the bag systems on the machines that they were designed for, to keep in the integrity of the motor.
I might also continue sharing your interest with your parents, not to the point of driving them crazy, but to the point that they understand your interest in history, mechanics, functionality, and cleaning. You might share that while the typical person doesn't "need" more than one pair of shoes (or any, it could be argued), we still find tens or dozens of shoes in the typical woman's closet. Likewise, although one does not need movies or music, we still find many CDs, phonograph records, cassette tapes, and video cassettes in the average man's possession. The point of this comparison is not to "point fingers", but instead to usher in a sense of understanding and common ground.
Have you ever refurbished your Heritage II? Maybe if they saw you "fix it up" by refurbishing and collecting the accessories, they will be impressed with your hobby and stop seeing the "unusual" aspect of it.
Finally, you can gently and lovingly remind your parents that in this world, it is "normal" to fight, argue, be ignorant, be lazy, and be entitled. Being "unusual" by collecting and fixing vintage vacuums, by comparison, is something you don't mind being.
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Post# 350452 , Reply# 11   4/16/2016 at 17:30 (2,929 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 350454 , Reply# 12   4/16/2016 at 18:31 (2,928 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)   |   | |
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John,
Some Heritages, Heritage IIs, Heritage II Legends and Legend IIs also had 13" nozzles (see first two pictures), but they are quite rare. Also quite rare for the Heritage II through Legend II would be the "reusable bag system" (see picture #3) which uses the old-style Sani Emtor bottom, and is desirable for those who prefer the old way of cleaning the bag--shaking it out. ~Ben This post was last edited 04/17/2016 at 00:18 |
Post# 350498 , Reply# 14   4/17/2016 at 12:16 (2,928 days old) by sptyks (Skowhegan, Maine)   |   | |
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John, Kirby's are made to last up to 50 years and more. I have a Dual Sanitronic 50 made in 1965. That makes it 51 years old now and it still runs like new. Yes, it has been rebuilt but that's what Kirby's are designed for, to be rebuilt not replaced like those plastic vacs you find in Walmart, which you just throw away when they break down.
There are many repairs you can make on your Heritage II yourself. There are many video's on Youtube that show you how to do your own repairs. Most parts are still available the Heritage II.
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Post# 350500 , Reply# 15   4/17/2016 at 13:18 (2,928 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)   |   | |
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The fact that Kirby vacuum cleaners--all of them--are designed to be rebuilt is what lends credence to the idea of their longevity. Since just about all of the moving parts can be easily replaced, the machine can keep running almost indefinitely. It's much like a Mercedes Benz or Volvo, whose reputation for durability is based on a factory recommended maintenance schedule intended to rebuild the vehicle's mechanical systems over time--before catastrophic failures occur. To be sure, Kirbys are by no means indestructible--prolonged abuse and neglect will kill one--so It often becomes a question of how much effort and money one wants to put into bringing a Kirby back from the dead. At some point, it may become more practical to use its parts to keep other machines going.
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