dream vac in the thrift

[hexamoron]

So on a whim I decided to go back to the thrift store yesterday while on a mall trip, only doing a quick skim over the tech section when I found one of my dream machines, a royal 501 "prince" handvac. Minus some dust it was really well kept considering its age (which I'm not exactly sure of but I know it's around 30 years old more or less).

Glad to include it in my 'collection' (kirby for scale).

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Isn't it great

When something like that happens??

 

[human]

Those are great little handhelds, certainly my favorite. They're very robustly built, far superior to the plastic Dirt Devil variants. I believe your 501 is closer to 40 years old than 30. I'm thinking 1986-ish. I have one just like that and one that's a couple of years newer that has a plastic-covered metal guard in front of the switch. I've also got a much earlier one with a red and gray bag. Speaking of bags, somebody needs to start reproducing the disposable paper inner bags. My supply of them is growing increasingly finite.

 

[mjhoshaw]

Great for you!

I bought the same model last summer, to clean the cushions of our screened porch furniture of cat hair. Tape and manual "one-way" brushes failed. My E'lux Sidekick does the job but what a hassle dragging the whole setup out there. The 501 does a fantastic job on the cushions, as well as on our carpeted basement stairwell.


 


Cheers,


 


Joel


 

 

[suckolux]

I have the same little prince,sweet running little guy! Edgar, I purchased the paper bags and I don't care for the reduced airflow. Sorry I know I almost always agree with you.

 

[captchar]

my local thrift store lately has had a kirby or electrolux there, its where I got my dirt devil handvac 301, these stores are treasure troves for old vacuums

 

[human]

It's been several years since I've seen an Electrolux in a thrift shop around here, and I think I've bought most of the ones I've seen over the years. The last one I saw was my Epic 3500SR that I snagged for a whopping $3. And I don't remember the last time I saw a metal Royal of any sort.

G-series Kirbys, however, show up every few months, but are usually pretty beaten down and nasty. It's very rare that I see a Heritage/Legend or older machine, but it does happen, and that's when my vacuholism rears it's ugly head.