WriteNow@)<8/ZZZ  8gZZZ  5 'ZZZ  HH@R(,, `Pd '?@DHLPTX\kATV}/q80xP|0~~$4 ~HHH@0~$4 ~HHH@0~$4 ~HHH@0@~$4 ~HHH@PP$ PP$ v ZZZ  ZZZ Things That Work! Kathleen Jarschke-Schultze Pg-  |:v$4y|0GenevaK Helvetica+rI Helvetica ObliquePA 88 oCأ)TBD4+inas>O~D2RvG/-Pەd08@dh8@d5d-@ixۙ@@RPZZZ Sandersons Rebuilt Kirbys tested by Kathleen Jarschke-Schultze Sandersons Rebuilt Kirby vacuum cleaners have a classy style that only hints at the efficiency of this timeless piece of equipment. These 1940s vintage vacuums were being scrapped for their aluminum bodies; Bill and Katcha Sanderson use their remote site to refurbish these well-made vacuums for sale. A look into the attachment kit tool cabinet and you know you have a workhorse of Clydesdale proportions. I have been using my Kirby for a year and a half under consistently rigorous conditions. In this case familiarity breeds content.  Shipping and Packaging J Most models are shipped UPS as mine was. It arrived packaged neatly in a cardboard box padded with wadded newspaper. There was a little assembly required. Instructions were provided so no problem was encountered attaching the various parts together. Home Power Centrals was delivered in hand to the HP booth at SEER 92.  Size Wise  While the model I own is a 3 amp Kirby 3 amp, Home Powers model is rated at 4 amps. Side by side they look like the same model. There are slight differences, mostly the newer replaced parts on the 4 amp model. Where the 3 amp model has a spot that rubs on couch edges when you vacuum close on the right hand side, the 4 amp vacuum has a replacement bag where that problem has been solved by using a wider plastic lip at the bottom of the bag. The overall size of the two machines are the same. Both models weigh the same, 16.5 pounds. Attachments are interchangeable. Ү Performance  For comparison I hauled out my Hoover PortaPower (I still use it to vacuum the car). This vacuum is so weak that I cant use the extension tube on it. It is much like working with a short handled hoe. The Kirbys, however, have a foot actuated control for adjusting the height of the vacuum head so you can fine tune the vacuum to the surface you are cleaning. In side by side tests the Kirbys picked up dirt three times faster than the Hoover did. I put 1/8 cup of dry dirt, for each vacuum, onto a woven wool oriental rug. Both Kirbys picked up the dirt and small pebbles completely in three swipes. The Hoover took longer (nine swipes); it did not pick up as much in a swipe and had trouble with the small pebbles. I thought the 4 amp model pushed and maneuvered easier than my 3 amp model. This could be a factor of age or just that Home Powers machines parts are cleaner since it just came from the Sandersons shop. Vl Power Consumption  I compared the power consumption of the 3 amp Kirby, the 4 amp Kirby, and my old Hoover PortaPower rated at 7.4 amps. The Hoover, the most inefficient of the three, gobbled up more power than dirt. A Fluke 87 meter was used for the testing. The chart below shows the results. 1CHART HERE  Attachments  The attachment kit for the Kirby is packaged tidily in a tool cabinet that hangs by two straps. The front opens up so you can hang the box on a chair and easily reach your preferred tool for whatever cleaning job you are doing. The basic attachments are a long extension tube, crevice tool, utility brush nozzle, shoulder strap, curved extension tool, duster brush, blower coupler, massage cup, suction coupler, crystalator (for moth removal), lifter grip, flexible hose, duster, and buffer pad. When you need to carry the vacuum, the long handle on the vacuum comes off, the bag folds over and snap rings to the body. Then you can attach the shoulder strap to the body and carry it easily while using any of the attachments. ͟This list of optional attachments is dazzling. The Spray and Suds-O-Gun atomizes any liquid you would care to spray. It also shampoos furniture and rugs. The power polisher works on linoleum, cement, tile, or hardwood floors. Other attachments are the Handi-Butler, a sheeting buffing wheel for polishing sporting equipment and household metals, and a flannel buffing wheel for polishing precious metal jewelry, silver and chromium table and hollow-ware. Theres a grinding wheel for sharpening knives or other edged tools, and a wire brush wheel for cleaning dirt, rust, and scale from pans, tools, and sporting equipment. Finally, there is a lambswool polishing pad for polishing waxed surfaces on wood, metal or leather...automobiles, shoes, suitcases and furniture. If you can obtain this attachment, go for it. This attachment is the most versatile but also the rarest to find complete. k1 Idiosyncrasies  I have had to perform some routine maintenance on my Kirby. The frequency you have to remove and clean your roller bar is directly related to how many people in your family have long hair. If anyone flosses their teeth in the living room make sure they keep track of the floss. Any string-like objects will wrap themselves around the roller bar and eventually keep it from turning freely. I first became aware of this when the motor changed pitch and a burnt hair smell filled the room I was vacuuming. Since I am the one with long hair I do regular roller checks now so it has not been a problem since. #*The plaid bag of the vacuum has a zipper in the side. It opens a deep pocket that goes nowhere. Before emptying the dirt you need to unzip the pocket, reach your hand in there and feel around for the plastic bar attached to the bottom of the pocket. Grasp firmly and use this bar to scrape the insides of the bag in downward strokes to get as much dirt out of the bag as possible. I am always surprised at the amount of dirt I can accumulate in the bag. Both Kirbys have the Sani-emtor. This plastic tray collects dirt and can be easily unlatched to empty and dispose of the dirt. This means no throw away vacuum bags. There is an option that includes converting the pocket-dump bag over to a cloth bag which uses standard disposable paper bags for people who want that emptying method. * Conclusion  After more than a year of use I am still enamored of my rebuilt Kirby. I have had several people tell me that after reading my comments a year and a half ago they either got Kirbys or the replacements parts from the Sandersons and are now happily vacuuming with an efficient working machine. The 3 amp model is $175.00 and the 4 amp model is $150.00. The original tool sets are hard to come by, so they are offered (used/serviceable) as available for an additional $25. The cost for a new replacement set of genuine Kirby tools is $75. Katcha and Bill are developing a home repair kit so that the cost of shipping your vacuum for repair would be saved.  Access  Author: Kathleen Jarschke-Schultze lives with a vacuum, not in one, c/o Home Power, POB 520, Ashland, OR 97520 916-475-3401 Sandersons Rebuilt Vacuums, 20295 Panoche Rd., Paicines, CA 95043 408-628-3362 Γ *dz5-` 3` `VP`%@B`@j#`# @@"M@P@F`x@e@`|@L`\<4~'j3 dTA NHHdRdAd@zVUZ @zVUZ $$$c *ZZ Sandersons Rebuilt Kirbys tested by Kathleen Jarschke-Schultze Sandersons Rebuilt Kirby vacuum cleaners have a classy style that only hints at the efficiency of this timeless piece of equipment. These 1940s vintage vacuums were being scrapped for their aluminum bodies; Bill and Katcha Sanderson use their remote site to refurbish these well-made vacuums for sale. A look into the attachment kit tool cabinet and you know you have a workhorse of Clydesdale proportions. I have been using my Kirby for a year and a half under consistently rigorous conditions. 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