Thread Number: 40076  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
Kirby Model 513 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 425402   5/13/2020 at 21:18 (1,441 days old) by Cburger08 (Ohio)        

I own my great grandmother's Kirby 513 and I love this machine. It works wonderfully except for the could of dust you get every time you use it. She bought it new in 1953 and used it literally every day until she reached 90 and just couldn't push it anymore. I even have the Handi Butler in the original box, and I don't think it was ever used, and the miracle head which might have been used once. The attachments are all still original except for the hose and they are still in the attachment box, but it looks a little worse for wear. She had it rebuilt every 10 years or so at a cost of $17.50. I boxed it up for her the last time she had it done in 2011 and it cost twice as much to ship than it did to have it rebuilt. I still use it from time to time just to keep the parts moving, it has great suction still, but with all the dust that leaks out of the bag it really isn't great for cleaning. It looks great for its age, but over the years they changed the color scheme. The last time it was done they slapped a black cord, emptor bottom, and bag on it. The trim and wheels are currently tan. I put the old tan bag back on it after I inherited it, but I would love to see it as it was new with the red bumpers and the grey wheels and bag. Is there any way to get the original trim and bags anymore other than watching for one to pop up online to get old parts from?

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Post# 425419 , Reply# 1   5/14/2020 at 00:32 (1,441 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
If you want to use it, I'd bet some folks here would be happy to tell you how to convert it to use disposable bags.

Post# 425421 , Reply# 2   5/14/2020 at 01:04 (1,441 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Yes

 lesinutah's profile picture
I know they would. Get out the lawnmower there's snakes in the grass.
Les

Post# 425561 , Reply# 3   5/16/2020 at 09:06 (1,439 days old) by Paul (USA)        

Check with Kirby Service Centers, that may have trade-ins or NIB parts stashed away. Longtime general vacuum cleaner centers also are a possibility. I've been to some back rooms and basements that have had such items.

Other considerations ...

1) second-hand stores
2) rummage sales
3) Craigslist & other online selling sites



Post# 425564 , Reply# 4   5/16/2020 at 14:45 (1,439 days old) by kirby519 (Wisconsin)        

Nice machine. Yes it would be nice if all the trim and bag were the original color scheme.

I just bought a model 511 from some one for $20.00. It came with the original cloth hose, straight wand and the suction and blower couplers and buffing head.

The bag has been replaced, sani emptor door replaced, cord replaced and I believe the belt lifter. Still has the grey nozzle and head light trim. Handle trim was replaced.

I had to laugh at the hose when I tried it out. No suction at all. You could feel air passing thru the end. So I hooked it up to the exhaust and discovered why. The hose leaks air all across it. Which is kind of what I had expected would happen.

Post# 425565 , Reply# 5   5/16/2020 at 15:17 (1,439 days old) by human (Pines of Carolina)        
Lovely machine...

 human's profile picture
That's cool, especially that it's been in your family for so long. Yeah, those dump bag models do belch a bunch of dust, not exactly HEPA, but it's part of their charm, I guess. I converted my Heritage 1HD to use Heritage II / G series bags. I was fortunate that the Heritage came both ways, so it was just a matter of substituting parts. For better or worse, it would be a little more complicated for machine since there was never a factory paper bag option, especially as you're looking to keep its appearance as original as possible.

Post# 425574 , Reply# 6   5/16/2020 at 22:48 (1,438 days old) by Cburger08 (Ohio)        
Bag

 I probably won't make any changes to the bag on this. Theres a sense of nostalgia shaking out the old bag style. I do have my eye out for a Classic III and that would be something I would likely change to fit the new HEPA bags. I've also considered retrofitting my old Tradition to fit the new bags, it still uses style 1s. I use that as my daily vacuum.

Post# 425595 , Reply# 7   5/17/2020 at 01:58 (1,438 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Bags

 lesinutah's profile picture
The top fill bags never had a bag collar. They are also thinner than the sanitronic bags that have the sani pocket and the plate bag topper and hanger.
Say fellow member put red dye on his bag like yours. It actually turned out good.
Les

Post# 425611 , Reply# 8   5/17/2020 at 11:21 (1,438 days old) by texaskirbyguy (Plano, TX)        

Very nice looking machine, even in non-original colors!

One way to keep it looking and operating like original, and NOT having the dust leakage, insert a modern HEPA bag into the original cloth bag.
See reply 18 of the below thread for details.
www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bi...

You would empty it the same way through the emtor and it will filter a lot better. I did this to all of my restored vacuums that are more for show than for regular use.
Just a thought...


Post# 425759 , Reply# 9   5/20/2020 at 13:54 (1,435 days old) by vacuser (milford,ohio)        
bag guard for 513

 vacuser's profile picture
i probably have a tan one for that.

Post# 425800 , Reply# 10   5/21/2020 at 09:16 (1,434 days old) by Paul (USA)        
Re: Reply #8 Link

 I'm impressed by your ingenuity, Rob. Thanks for sharing.

Post# 425903 , Reply# 11   5/23/2020 at 10:01 (1,432 days old) by kirbyvacuum (Long Island New York)        
Kirby vacuums in general

 Nice Kirby looks new very nice


Post# 425909 , Reply# 12   5/23/2020 at 11:21 (1,432 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I was given one of these from a friend.

 gottahaveahoove's profile picture
She has since passed. But, it was a kind gesture. A complete set of tools came with it.


Post# 425934 , Reply# 13   5/23/2020 at 18:29 (1,432 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Does the brush roll still have the 1" long (not 1-3/8" long as on model 514 from serial no. 482228) adjusting screws? These are to be retained if you buy a new brush roll for this machine in the future, be it single bristle (1525) or a double bristle (500505).

~Ben

Post# 426034 , Reply# 14   5/25/2020 at 19:45 (1,429 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ben

 lesinutah's profile picture
The screws on the 505 are the same size screws. Im not sure how many models had the same size screws. I'd guess through the 509.
They had a 505 motor housing on eBay. I bid twice in the last 10 seconds and lost. It was. $20.50 with 10 seconds left. I think it was $63 is what it went for. Im guessing my second bid didn't go through of $68.
Les


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