Current Production Royal Metal Question

[kubvan1]

From a quick search of this board, I get the distinct impression that the newest Metal Royal (Commercial and Everlast) vacuums are made in China.
Does this mean the entire thing is produced in China, or is it still assembled in the USA?
I got a chance to take a quick look at a brand new Everlast, and I have to say the quality of casting and assembly looks just about the same as ever, and quite good.

That said, I take it the new motors are quite loud and durability is yet to be determined.

I wish they could still make them here in the USA, but I hope they can maintain quality with Chinese production.

Wish they would go back to a motor with externally accessible brushes, but my 1999 1040Z has the newer style drop in motor which has stood up to years of heavy service and still runs very well.

Cheers,
Doug Eisemann

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Made in China : (

I had my own store a few years back when TTi purchased them and all machines were to be made in China metal and plastic. They were tooing up the Chinese factories when I closed my store. It`s a shame there are very few Vacuums made in the US anymore, at least my favorite( Kirby ) is still made here .

 

[powertank]

The new Royals maintain very high quality casting- they are still made very well. The motors are very loud and (IMO) overpowered but they will last just fine if they aren't seriously abused.

 

[powertank]

My boss told me that they moved to China mostly because the American tooling was getting worn out, and it cost less to create new tooling in China than replace the American tooling. Too bad. We would get our parts a lot faster if Royal was still USA made.

 

[kubvan1]

Many thanks for the comments. I was afraid it would be too good to be true that the new Royals were made in the USA.
I was not able to check the manufacturer's label on that new Everlast to see where it was actually built.

Still, that vacuum inspired me to look into collecting a few vacs, as I was in awe that a modern company would still be making such a traditional, well built machine in the days of throwaway plastic consumer goods.

Sorry to think of the Royal and Hoover employees that were most likely laid off, but TTI could have just as easily allowed the metal Royals to die off as the tooling wore out. At least they invested in new tooling, so hopefully we will see these modern classics be produced for some years to come.

Cheers!
Doug E.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Pre-1995 is Always Better IMHO...

I would not buy any Royal all-metal upright made after September 1995. I prefer those that used the 350W, 400W, 3.0A, 4.5A, 5.4A, 6.0A and 7.0A (non-drop-in) motors.

~Ben

 

[kubvan1]

So 1995 is when they changed over to drop in Motor?

I agree, sadly no more external brush caps or oilable bearings. My 1040Z is a 1999, so I am stuck with a drop in motor, but it does the job, and still looks classy, so I can't complain too much.

Like I said, despite the shortcomings of the current Royals, at least they are still being made.

Regards,
Doug

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

The pre-1995 equivalent of the 1040Z was the 663Z/7630Z (1988-1990) and the 673Z/7730Z (1990-1995). That's what I would get.

~Ben

 

[kubvan1]

Thanks Ben, I'll keep my eyes open for one of those to keep the 1040 company. I bet the old motors, if well taken care of, are more durable overall, but the 1040Z seems to run cool and smoothly.
Who knows about the current crop however...

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I Like the Adjust-O-Rite Models

However I prefer Royals with the Adjust-O-Rite height indicator gauge rather than those with a standard belt cover (what yours has). So in essence the models I'd really want to find are: 606, 662Z, 672Z, 682Z, 692Z, 7620Z, 7720Z, 7820Z and 7920Z. Again, models 662Z, 682Z, 7620Z and 7820Z were made from 1987-1990 and models 672Z, 692Z, 7720Z and 7920Z were made from 1990-1995. Model 606 dates from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi...

Hi. I'm not up to speed with royal vacs but dose anyone have pictures of the 1987-1990 and the 1990-1995 series so I can compare what each looked like??

James)

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

James- to start with, I can say the 1987-1990 models had 6 amp motors and 6-blade impeller fans while the 1990-1995 models had 7 amp motors and 9-blade impeller fans.

 

[kubvan1]

I assume somewhere in 1995 they phased out the motor housing with external brush access as they started using drop in motors.
Did all motors up until 1995 allow for external bearing lubrication as well?

Regards
Doug