Thread Number: 37926  /  Tag: Pre-1950 Vacuum Cleaners
Kirby 509 is 70 years old this year
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 404278   1/19/2019 at 14:04 (1,894 days old) by toastermike (Milwaukie Oregon)        

toastermike's profile picture
RESTORED 70 YEAR OLD KIRBY
5 years ago I found this 1949 Kirby model 509 at the local Goodwill outlet store for about $5.00, looking it's age, but with red trim and an aftermarket cloth bag. I began restoring it by dismantling it, removing the heavy scratches, and sending the aluminum housing out for professional polishing. I ordered new rubber trim and painted the pieces with auto interior paint to it's original gray color. The red bag was replaced with a replacement from Kirby that was black cloth and unmarked. One thing nice about old Kirby's is that most new parts are still available today. Two years later I found a donor Kirby and was able replace the motor, the wooden brush roll with the original metal, and the plastic wheels with the original and very scarce hard rubber wheels.(Most of them have rotted) Finally I found a new gray cloth bag that is an accurate reproduction of the original bag with it's graphics. Today it looks and runs like a brand new Kirby 409, and now it is 70 years old! Still a work in progress, I have found some of the attachments and hose, along with their boxes at an estate sale.


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 6         View Full Size
Post# 404296 , Reply# 1   1/19/2019 at 17:41 (1,894 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
toastermike

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Mike,

Very good progress on and happy 70th to your 509!

~Ben


Post# 404310 , Reply# 2   1/20/2019 at 02:45 (1,894 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Hey

lesinutah's profile picture
Give me a month. I have all original 509 bag is only thing I'm missing.
I got it wiped down bles out inlets sprayed wd 40 I turned it on it runs like it's out of the box. The body is clean.
Very nice rest.
Les


Post# 406113 , Reply# 3   2/28/2019 at 20:59 (1,854 days old) by sean (Rome, NY)        

sean's profile picture
ToasterMike,
Your 509 looks great. May I ask; Where did you find a reproduction bag with graphics? All I have found are plain black bags. Thanks.
-Sean


Post# 406116 , Reply# 4   2/28/2019 at 21:48 (1,854 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
Excellent work. Real good looker!

Post# 406131 , Reply# 5   3/1/2019 at 09:00 (1,854 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)        

suckolux's profile picture
Pretty thing, like the smaller size Kirby, easy to handle.They just got it right


Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy