Not necessarily thrift, but a great bargain anyway...

[Jay2TheRescue]

Hey everyone.  I stopped by my local Big Lots last night to pick up some bread and cereal and when I walked in they had these fantastic shag rugs up front tossed into a shopping cart and marked down on clearance.  I got a large shag rug in the colors as my bedroom for $25!  This also gives me an excuse to use the Shag King attachment for my Kirby Vacuum cleaner!  The shag rug will be a welcome addition to my retro design...

-Jay

[Good Buddy]

This also gives me an excuse to use the Shag King attachment for my Kirby Vacuum cleaner!

What are the best and most desirable Kirby attachments? And what are the best quality Kirby models to be found at thrifts?

(Jay as a wealth of info on many thriftable subjects)

[Jay2TheRescue]

Oh the questions!

Question #1.  The most desireable attachments are the most off the wall ones.  The founder of Kirby fancied himself an inventor and anything he can think of that could be attached, or driven by the machine was put to market.  He called it the "Kirby home sanitation system"  You could vacuum your rugs, fumigate the closet, polish your silver, paint the walls, and sanitize your countertops with one machine!

I am partial to the Handi-Butler myself.  (It is a grinder/polisher attachment that is driven straight off the motor shaft).  Great for polishing up those thrifted finds!  Another odd attachment is the Turbo Sander.  It is a random orbital sander driven by the suction of the vacuum.  The Shag King is a large plastic rake that attaches to the front of the machine that rakes the rug as you vacuum. 

Another attachment that is odd is the "Chrystalator" which is fitted to the intake of the machine and the hose is fitted to the exhaust.  The Chrystalator is then filled with moth flakes then you place the crevice tool on the end of the hose.  Wedge the end of the crevice tool under your closet door, and turn on machine.  After an hour your closet is fumigated.

I also must not overlook the Suds-O-Gun.  It is a handheld device that can either shoot out a wonderful foam for cleaning hard floors or upholstered furniture.  The Suds-O-Gun can also be configured as a paint sprayer.  I have not even come close to mentioning all the attachments, but those are some of the most notable.

Question #2:  The best models to find thrifting.  Personally I like the Heritage II, Heritage II/Legend (both have black, red, and grey trim), and the Legend II (burghandy trim).  They were made in the 1980's.  All 3 of these models are essentially the same machine, just different trim colors,  and all can be upgraded to HEPA filtration by simply buying the HEPA filter bags.  They are simple, durable machines that have an overabundence of power.  Without going too far off topic here a friend of mine from the Kirby forums did a side by side scientific test of the Dyson vac vs a Heritage II model Kirby.  It is true what Dyson says, that their machine does not loose suction as it fills up, but the Heritage II had more suction than the Dyson, even with a full bag.  Since there are so many attachments I will have several price points to look for.  Machine only:  $10-$15.  Machine with hose and hose tools:  $20-$25.  Machine with hose, tools, and carpet shampooer attachment:  $25-$40.  Machine with hose, tools, carpet shampooer attachment, and Handi-Butler:  $40-60.  Of course it is more desireable to have a nice shiny machine.  They are made of cast aluminum and can turn a dull grey, but a machine with a mirror finish is worth more.

The more adventureous may want a Kirby G-Series machine that was made from the early 90's through last year.  They are nice machines that came stock with HEPA filtration and "Tech-Drive" (Power drive for the non-Kirbyites).  If you are not inclined to tinker a bit I would not mess with a G series as most often the power drive is out of adjustment by the time they end up in thrift stores.  Its not complicated to adjust, but don't be suprised if it has a mind of its own when you plug it in.  The first time I bought a G series machine the transmission was stuck in reverse and the machine ran over my foot when I turned it on.  If you have problems with the transmission on a G series machine you can put it in neutral, but the G's are kind of hard to push without a properly functioning transmission.

There is only 1 model that I would say should be avoided.  It is the Tradition model.  It can be identified by blue trim and a blue plaid bag.  This model was supposed to be the beginning of a new era for Kirby and had some changes that were not good.  It was the first model with a paper bag option.  The problem was that the fill tube was undersized, and was not very strong.  As the bag filled with dust the weight of the bag would crush the fill tube restricting it further.  It also had problems because they revised the safety switch, and customers had problems with machines that would not turn on because of this.  Kirby retrofitted machines that customers had problems with (Which was most), but you may encounter one with the original safety switch configuration which was problematic.  The Tradition can be made into a fine machine but it involves taking the fill tube and bag mount assembly from a Heritage II model and installing it onto the Tradition.  The safety switch would also need to be relocated if it wasn't already done beforehand.


I'm sure I've created more questions than I've answered so I'll stop for now and let those questions come in.

-Jay

This also gives me an excuse to use the Shag King attachment for my Kirby Vacuum cleaner!

What are the best and most desirable Kirby attachments? And what are the best quality Kirby models to be found at thrifts?

(Jay as a wealth of info on many thriftable subjects)

[Jay2TheRescue]

Oh, and by the way, sorry GB.  If I remember correctly you have a Tradition, don't you?  Next time I'm down I might be able to upgrade the fill tube and bag mount for you.  Till' then don't let the bag get too full.

-Jay

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Jay, at the Yale Museum of Art in New Haven (which has free admittance, BTW and is a wonderful place to wander on a rainy autumn afternoon), there's a mid-century room, which has two vacuums on display...examples of fine American design.  I remember my friend saying to me:  "I used to vacuum with that every Saturday--my parents had that design!"  Those vacuums were aero-dynamically designed pieces of art, but if you were a petite girl, they were mighty heavy to lug around the colonial or split level, I can tell you that!

I wonder if they were Eurekas or Kirbys...any ideas? The designs looked so art deco!

SeSo

[Jay2TheRescue]

Jay, at the Yale Museum of Art in New Haven (which has free admittance, BTW and is a wonderful place to wander on a rainy autumn afternoon), there's a mid-century room, which has two vacuums on display...examples of fine American design.  I remember my friend saying to me:  "I used to vacuum with that every Saturday--my parents had that design!"  Those vacuums were aero-dynamically designed pieces of art, but if you were a petite girl, they were mighty heavy to lug around the colonial or split level, I can tell you that!

I wonder if they were Eurekas or Kirbys...any ideas? The designs looked so art deco!

SeSo

Hard to say.  I tried to look up the display online and if its the one I think it is, the exhibit has been removed.  I found the following under "Past displays"

Livable Modernism: Interior Decorating and Design During the Great Depression
October 5, 2004–June 5, 2005, third floor
Livable Modernism celebrates the Yale University Art Gallery’s collection of American modernist design from the 1930s. The exhibition features examples of furniture, tablewares, and accessories sold for the living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms of American middle-class homes during the Great Depression. American designers in these years experimented with modern materials, such as chromium and tubular steel, and streamlined, efficient forms, while aiming to satisfy consumers’ desire for comfort and familiarity.

A related symposium, "American Modernist Design, 1920–1940: New Perspectives," takes place on October 29–30. Conference program and registration information are available as a downloadable PDF.

Exhibition and publication organized by Kristina Wilson, Assistant Professor of Art History, Clark University, and former Marcia Brady Curatorial Fellow, American Decorative Arts, and supported by the Friends of American Arts at Yale and an endowment made possible by a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.


-Jay

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Thanks for the research!

Those vaccums were definitely works of art!

[Good Buddy]

Oh, and by the way, sorry GB.  If I remember correctly you have a Tradition, don't you?  Next time I'm down I might be able to upgrade the fill tube and bag mount for you.  Till' then don't let the bag get too full.

Dude!, You don't have to do that.

I'm sure Cookie and I'll find a few dozen more Kirby's in thrifts.
I do appreciate the advice and I'll be looking hard for the Handi-Butler and other attachments. I also heard the carpet shampooer was a good and useful find.

Please submit a buyers guide to buying thrifted Kirby Vacuums to Cookie..

[Jay2TheRescue]

Just be sure that you buy the right one.  All the Handi-Butlers look alike, but they are designed specifically for each model.  Even I can't tell the difference.  If I find one cheap I buy it, take it home, and try it on different machines till I find the one it fits.  Each Handi-Butler will fit a range of models built on the same platform spanning generally 10 - 15 years.  For example, a Handi-BUtler for your Tradition would not fit my Heritage II as they were made only 3 years apart, but were different series.  One fitting my Heritage II would also fit my Legend II although they were made almost 10 years apart, but were the same series.

The Kirby carpet shampoo system is the only one that is approved by some carpet manufacturers.  Kirby uses a dry foam to clean the carpet, instead of a hot water solution.  Kirby is the only company that provides a dry foam process for residential use.

-Jay

Oh, and by the way, sorry GB.  If I remember correctly you have a Tradition, don't you?  Next time I'm down I might be able to upgrade the fill tube and bag mount for you.  Till' then don't let the bag get too full.

Dude!, You don't have to do that.

I'm sure Cookie and I'll find a few dozen more Kirby's in thrifts.
I do appreciate the advice and I'll be looking hard for the Handi-Butler and other attachments. I also heard the carpet shampooer was a good and useful find.

Please submit a buyers guide to buying thrifted Kirby Vacuums to Cookie..

[Big Daddy Audio]

I've thrifted a number of vacuums over the last 5+ years -

Kirby G4 - all it needed was the brush roller belt reinstalled.  $34.99 - 20% at 16th St Goodwill - Still have it, still use it, but not that much because the bags for this are stupid expensive.

Fairfax Vacuum (I forget the medel number , but it was the chrome dome that looked like R2D2) - worked fine, but the power head needed a new belt - Eureka's worked correctly - also had to find the filter sheets.   Bought it for $7.99 on a 50% off Saturday at Fountain Hills Goodwill - used it for 2 years - Sold it for $40.00 at a garage sale.  I'll probably be upbraided for selling it so cheap or something, but I got my money back.  I wasn't really impressed with the Fairfax.

Royal Prince all-metal (type H bags) hand held vacuum.  My mom had one of these.  It was $4.00 at a Goodwill, but I forget which one.  Had to hunt the bags down.  Found some NOS bags at an independent vac shop in Sun City.  I then found a package of bags at the Sun City Goodwill for $.99

I've thrifted two Electrolux Canisters (they are my favorites).  One is a model Super J ($3.99, and came with a hose and power head) and the other was a newer "advantage Series" or something like that (too lazy to go look) $8.00, with a kicking power head - it really lifts and cleans the carpet fibers.  The $8.00 does the best job.  The wife and I also have the one we first got as an engagement gift - a Marquise Series or something like that (Still too lazy) - Got that in 1988.

I see Kirby doo-dads all the time, but don't score them as I don't buy into the whole "one machine to do it all" philosophy.  I always wind up thinking of the "Chef of the Future"...

"Can it core a apple?"
"Yes, it can core a apple"

Just give me a few special tools (power heads for rugs and carpets, crevice tools, floor brushes and small round brushes and I'm all set.

Most of the time, however, I just see crappy vacuums:  Hoovers, Eurekas, Bissells,  really abused Fantoms, etc.  I don't think I've ever seen an Oreck or a Dyson.  I'd probably buy one to try it out.

That is all. 

[Mattie]

"Can it core a apple?"
"Yes, it can core a apple"

 
My all-time favorite episode from my all-time favorite show!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've thrifted a number of vacuums over the last 5+ years -

Kirby G4 - all it needed was the brush roller belt reinstalled.  $34.99 - 20% at 16th St Goodwill - Still have it, still use it, but not that much because the bags for this are stupid expensive.
Fairfax Vacuum (I forget the medel number , but it was the chrome dome that looked like R2D2) - worked fine, but the power head needed a new belt - Eureka's worked correctly - also had to find the filter sheets.   Bought it for $7.99 on a 50% off Saturday at Fountain Hills Goodwill - used it for 2 years - Sold it for $40.00 at a garage sale.  I'll probably be upbraided for selling it so cheap or something, but I got my money back.  I wasn't really impressed with the Fairfax.

Royal Prince all-metal (type H bags) hand held vacuum.  My mom had one of these.  It was $4.00 at a Goodwill, but I forget which one.  Had to hunt the bags down.  Found some NOS bags at an independent vac shop in Sun City.  I then found a package of bags at the Sun City Goodwill for $.99

I've thrifted two Electrolux Canisters (they are my favorites).  One is a model Super J ($3.99, and came with a hose and power head) and the other was a newer "advantage Series" or something like that (too lazy to go look) $8.00, with a kicking power head - it really lifts and cleans the carpet fibers.  The $8.00 does the best job.  The wife and I also have the one we first got as an engagement gift - a Marquise Series or something like that (Still too lazy) - Got that in 1988.

I see Kirby doo-dads all the time, but don't score them as I don't buy into the whole "one machine to do it all" philosophy.  I always wind up thinking of the "Chef of the Future"...

"Can it core a apple?"
"Yes, it can core a apple"

Just give me a few special tools (power heads for rugs and carpets, crevice tools, floor brushes and small round brushes and I'm all set.

Most of the time, however, I just see crappy vacuums:  Hoovers, Eurekas, Bissells,  really abused Fantoms, etc.  I don't think I've ever seen an Oreck or a Dyson.  I'd probably buy one to try it out.

That is all. 

I find the bags are reasonable if you buy the 9 pack.  Also one thing to consider is that the Kirby bag holds about 3 times as much as a bag for a regular machine, so they don't need changing as often.  Under normal household use Kirby recommends checking the bag every 3 months.  Regular vacs need new bags at least monthly.

My local Vac shop sells the 9 pack of genuine Kirby HEPA bags for $19.95.  They also sell them on the internet here:  http://www.govacuum.com/kir217.html  Also right now you can get 10% off of Kirby supplies on orders of $30 or more with the coupon code "KIRBY10".  I find that the Kirby bags are some of the cheapest around.

-Jay