Old Royal Vacuum. Trying to find value.

[dirtwiz]

I have this Royal Vacuum and am trying to find a value for it. I don't have the skills or knowledge to restore this but I am planning on listing it on ebay to get it in the hands of someone who can restore it or enjoy it. Any idea what this may be worth? I'm struggling to get decent pictures but it appears everything is on this machine with no parts missing. It does not run but makes a hum like the motor is stuck but getting power to it. I wiped it off with a wet cloth to get the dust off of it, all wheels look and roll perfectly....even the rear wheel with the spring works, but otherwise it is ready for someone in the know to work their magic on it. Please guess a value. The Royal tag says 1905 patent.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I acquired a pa geier royal vacuum. Mine is 1927-1933. It looks like yours. The nozzle on the front twists off like it's a giant attachment. The back side on mine has a wooden agitation brush. It was nailed on the nozzle. Restoring isn't easy. I'd say your issue is power supply. It's vague but it's either switch shorting out, shorted out wire.
The value is not great. The vintage market is not to strong. If it was a Kirby that would be different. If I were to guess $50-$200 value when done. It's intriguing because it's a straight suction machine with no brush roll.

 

[davevac]

Royal

I have that same machine..mine was free but I would think it's only a
$ 50 value at the most since it does not run and shipping costs are very
high. I would pay $50 for it if I saw it at an antique mall (no shipping)
It's cool and would clean up very well.

 

[oreck_xl]

Somewhere here on VacuumLand I read that Royal was the last to offer a straight suction upright up until about 1953 or '54.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Oreck_XL

Hershel,

You're referring to the Electro-Hygiene model 230, which from 1953-55 was known as the 2-230 (the original 230 replaced the model 94 after the end of World War II). Until it was replaced by the 285 (same as the Royal 801) in late 1955, all Electro-Hygiene uprights were straight-suction because the designers had no idea of how best to incorporate a chemical chamber somewhere on the nozzle with the revolving brush. In the end, there was a separate chemical chamber accessory which was mounted onto the nozzle's attachment port in place of the Adjust-O-Rite.

Following the 2-230's replacement with the 285, there was one more straight-suction cleaner from Royal available: the model 311, which was sold to commercial markets. It replaced the model 130 in 1945, and was sold through about 1985.

~Ben

 

[dysonman1]

dirtwiz

You have a Royal Standard. 1915 - 1922 or so. Mine runs and purrs like a kitten.
The reason it 'buzzes' is because the armature is not moving within the bearings. Both bearings are sleeve bearings and NEED OIL before using the machine. Oil both bearings with four or five drops of 3 in 1 oil. Allow to sit for ten minutes or so. Remove the nozzle from the front of the machine, and reach in to turn the fan by hand. This might take a few minutes of turning before the armature is free 'enough' to power ON the machine. Running (with oiled bearings) for a few minutes will heat up the bearings enough to allow the oil to fully penetrate.

 

[dirtwiz]

Thanks dysonman1

Thanks Dysonman....I tried the oil trick and it is now running. It only runs for about 20 seconds though and then slowly comes to a stop. I will let the oil sink in for a few days and try it again. I appreciate all the info I have received from you guys. I don't have the skills to refurb this machine so will probably attempt to sell it on eBay before too long. The value may not be much but it would be a great addition to an era specific home or maybe a vacuum store for display. Thanks again !!