Thread Number: 42076  /  Tag: 50s/60s/70s Vacuum Cleaners
replacement wheels for Kirby 505
[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# 443660   7/7/2021 at 09:00 (995 days old) by gmkubancsek (GREENWOOD)        

gmkubancsek's profile picture
What modern plastic would be a suitable replacement for Bakelite? If I wanted to have custom-machined replacement wheels made for a Kirby 505 vacuum, what might be a good material> Delrin, Nylon 6/6, or ABS?

All suggestions and thoughts welcome. This is more for aesthetic purposes than durability.

I do have an original Bakelite wheel to get dimensions to use.

Thanks, Gary K.


  View Full Size
Post# 443674 , Reply# 1   7/7/2021 at 19:09 (995 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
If

lesinutah's profile picture
You haven't noticed it's vulcanized rubber that came on the 505. I have noticed quite a few 3D printed black wheels on a few 505's.

Post# 443683 , Reply# 2   7/7/2021 at 22:05 (995 days old) by MadMan (Chicago, IL, USA)        

madman's profile picture
Delrin is very machineable, and my machinist has tons of it so that's what I used to make the wheels for my Cadillac. Unfortunately, I haven't finished them yet, they need to be flame-polished. Turns out Delrin does not like being polished by regular means.

Post# 443701 , Reply# 3   7/8/2021 at 07:46 (994 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)        
505 wheels

vacmadman's profile picture
Gary,

If you keep an eye out you can normally find these vulcanized rubber wheels on eBay from time to time. I just got another set there. The right parts are worth waiting for, and still can be found.

Jim


Post# 443713 , Reply# 4   7/8/2021 at 16:25 (994 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Like MadMan suggested - if you can find a rubber machining shop that can do custom orders - you can get new wheels made easily. It's only a last resort if you get super desperate as it can be costly. Worth the price when no other option can be found.

I am not sure if it would work - and it would probably not look right - but as a long term temporary fix I wonder if you cut apart the assembly from caster wheels you could get those rubber wheels to fit?

The wheel in your pic does not look too bad, you might be able to get away with reviving it with tire wax/tire restoration products and making it soft again.


  View Full Size
Post# 443714 , Reply# 5   7/8/2021 at 17:38 (994 days old) by OhioVacuums (Ohio)        
Sugru

Your wheel does not look that bad. I had worse and just molded black sugru on them.
Sometimes I put a bolt through the wheel and put it on my drill press..then I can
sand the sugru smooth.
I'll look to see if I have some wheels for you..I have a 505 that I'm not using or
displaying


Post# 443715 , Reply# 6   7/8/2021 at 17:56 (994 days old) by Hoover300 (Kentucky)        

hoover300's profile picture
There is a big crack on the inside of the lip of the wheel. You could just paint tan or red ones black with an automotive paint, I know ChicagoMike does that. They look really good.

Post# 443724 , Reply# 7   7/9/2021 at 03:12 (993 days old) by huskyvacs (Gnaw Bone, Indiana)        

huskyvacs's profile picture
Plastic wheels don't roll the same as rubber. Also the crack is only superficial, with some repair and TLC, the wheel can be cleaned up. I have a Kirby with these wheels where an entire chunk is gone.

Post# 443796 , Reply# 8   7/12/2021 at 10:11 (990 days old) by gmkubancsek (GREENWOOD)        
black delrin

gmkubancsek's profile picture
I used black delrin for new wheels. The 505 will be added to my collection and see little or limited use. I realize it is not 100% original, but they turned out very well. I appreciate all the commentary, thank you.

  View Full Size
Post# 443798 , Reply# 9   7/12/2021 at 12:57 (990 days old) by VacMadMan (Pueblo Co.)        
Nice job

vacmadman's profile picture
Gary,

I think it looks great! It would be hard to tell it's not original.

Jim


Post# 443807 , Reply# 10   7/12/2021 at 17:20 (990 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
The

lesinutah's profile picture
3d printed ones look very similar. I want a 3d printer for parts that you can't find. What I want and me actually getting doesn't always happen.
I take my black wheels off as I have cracked a few.
When I traded Thomas the 1c I painted cr1 wheels black for him. I plan to paint a few so I have ones for use and original for display.


Post# 443808 , Reply# 11   7/12/2021 at 21:20 (990 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)        
LesinUtah

kirbyclassiciii's profile picture
Les,

I feel the exact same way when it comes to all the 9-to-5 working man's vacuum cleaners, including the Janitronic, Super Sweep and Super-Vac 180, and the Kirby COMVAC 1300 and 1600.

~Ben


Post# 443810 , Reply# 12   7/12/2021 at 23:07 (990 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)        
Ya

lesinutah's profile picture
I used my janitronic super sweep last night and I nicked the paint in 2 spots. I love the vacuum and plan to use it quite a bit. I guess I'm going to ask the person from ebay to find out what brand of green paint. I'm going to order SEM paint this week for the trim and paint a handle white.
I apologize if I went on a tangent.
The black wheels can be found.
I had a former coworker 3d print a wheel. I have him take a black wheels and he made me a white mach up. It was more like a hockey puck. It wasn't as heavy as a puck but it could shatter glass quite easily.
Madman do the machine shops you speak of have the ability to make green wheels?



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