Thread Number: 3217
Kirby Omega Questions... 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 35737   3/25/2008 at 01:03 (5,876 days old) by mattl ()        

I just picked up a Kirby Omega, $25. It's in pretty good condition, wondering about the brushes.

I'm redoing a house and had 260 yards of carpet put in, needless to say there is a lot of fiber coming out of the carpet. Got fed up buying paper bags, couldn't even do one room with out it filling up. I opened the seam and emptied and taped it up but that only works for so long. Anyway on my way to Home Depot I pass a little Kirby shop that advertised used machines for $25, that's 3 or 4 packs of paper bags so I picked one up.

The brushes are kind of worn, look to be about 1/4" plus in length. the guy wanted $28 for a new roller so I passed. In reading here I see there is an updated 4 brush roller available, can you point me to a good source? What about cost, it really is a short term use item so I don't want to dump too much into it.

Funny thing, it's identical to brown and dark gold one my Aunt had in the early 70's. It seems everyone in the family had a Kirby at one point but we all moved on. Growing up we had a tanish pink Sanatronic from the early 60's with all the fittings. Replaced that about 1970 with a Dial-a-Matic that lasted for decades, and still gets occasional use. The Kirby died when the bar the head connects to the body on broke off.

Also, in doing a quick Google search I saw mention of a dual speed omega, was that a special version, or is there a speed switch somewhere I've missed?

Post# 35762 , Reply# 1   3/25/2008 at 08:42 (5,875 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
Hi:

The Omega (and all of the other newer machines) has a speed control switch on the front of the machine which is activated by the parts that are attached. The normal rug head runs it at the regular speed while attaching the hose runs it at high speed for increased suction. It also acts as a safety switch as the machine will not run without parts attached.

Post# 36908 , Reply# 2   4/2/2008 at 01:27 (5,868 days old) by mattl ()        

Got an issue, not sure about what is causing it. I cleaned the machine up, washed the bag and adjusted the brush roller( don't need a new one yet...) and it's looking good.

However the unit cuts out at random times and i discovered it's because the brush unit is loose. I have no idea why it doesn't fit snugly to the motor housing but if I bump it the right way the unit shuts down until I take it off and reposition it. It does move around a bit even when the clip is rotated all the way. Weird. Any suggestions?

Post# 36971 , Reply# 3   4/2/2008 at 13:58 (5,867 days old) by louvac (A)        

Yes,Matt!

Check to see if the gasket on the outer fan housing is there. I had a Heritage a few weeks back that the nozzle was wobbly and I didn't notice it for weeks. Then I looked closer and realized it was gone. So, I replaced it and it is good as new and now the nozzle fits snug against the housing like it is supposed to!

If you need a gasket, let me know.

Louis

Post# 37219 , Reply# 4   4/5/2008 at 00:26 (5,865 days old) by mattl ()        
You pegged it!

 I took a look today and you are correct, it is missing the gasket. Can you point me toward a good source?

Post# 37226 , Reply# 5   4/5/2008 at 09:17 (5,864 days old) by louvac (A)        

Matt...

Shoot me an email (check my profile for the address) with your home address and I will be glad to send you a gasket via snail mail. In the meantime, go to a local hardware store or one of the larger "home stores" and see if you can find gasket adhesive by 3M or an equivalent. It's usually clear and is on the stringy nature. It works well and dries quickly. If you can't find it at a home store, you may want to try an automotive store.

Louis

Post# 37443 , Reply# 6   4/8/2008 at 00:32 (5,862 days old) by mattl ()        
Thanks for the kind offer!

 Thanks for the offer. I was using the Kirby Sat. night giving the house a once over before some relatives stopped by on Sun. and it got to be very annoying, all the random stops. Struggled through, bag is 90% full of carpet fiber.


Anyway called my local vac fixit shop today and they had one. Initially the guy couldn't recall if it was a square or round gasket, but he guessed correctly on the square and it fit fine. Only charged me $1! I'll have to get some adhesive at some point but it seems to have a decent friction fit at the moment.

As an aside, it's funny how sense memory takes over. It's easily been 30 years since I used a Kirby but I find I'm automatically pushing it forward with my right foot just as it did for years with the Sanatronic we had when I was a kid and the Omega my aunt had when I was a little older and redoing her house. Funny.

Thanks again for the offer, there sure are a lot of friendly people here and over at AW!

Post# 37446 , Reply# 7   4/8/2008 at 08:52 (5,861 days old) by louvac (A)        

Matt....
....you're welcome....

Show us some pics!

Louis


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