Regina Model 50 - Restoration in progress

[huskyvacs]

Oreck_XL

I think it was the subpar quality of their entire range of vacuums/shampooers that caused their downfall and low survivability. I think mostly all of them were prone to motors dying within just a few years of purchase whether from just overheating or dirt and grit infiltration into the motor workings. I believe it, I only have 2 Regina vacuums (bagless stick vac and a hand vac) and both have really loud rough sounding motors. I have had a searched saved for "Regina Housekeeper" on eBay for the past 4 years and not a single one has shown up.

 

[rugsucker]

"--searched---4 years--"

huskyvacs,
You would find at least 2 here.An early pink HK with optional box of attachments and later HKPlus.(Pink is near new.These should have been in the toy dept!)And much,much,much MORE.Might be time to call me,look at a map and fill the gas tank!
Jimmy
423-268-4841

 

[bob_smith]

With my schedule, I finally found the time and chance to cobble together a satisfactory bag. I used corset fabric, and a 1 ½” rubber PVC connector to attach it to the old bag collar. One flaw in the original bag’s hardware is that the support ring for the open end is spring steel, making it difficult and messy to shake out as it wants to stay shut. Makes you appreciate the Kirby emptor that much more, haha.

There are definitely improvements to be made in a second version of the bag, more capacity, better layout, and a potential logo, but I plan to tackle other projects for now. She’s been great fun to work on, and I’ll take pride in having the only “brown trim” model 50 that I’ve seen thus far.

I am pleased to report that it is an excellent cleaner, far exceeding my initial expectations. Despite only having a brush strip to scrub the pile, it’s anything but inadequate. The narrow nozzle and 400 watt motor grant it incredible suction, and it had no problem collecting considerable amounts of dirt and hair. Not saying it can entirely outperform a brush roller vacuum, but in my eyes its more than capable of holding its own in a race.

Regarding other posts in this thread, it’s certainly a fascinating twist of fate to go from high end music boxes to vacuums. You do have to give them props for surviving the transition to such a different product line, especially with how records and radio ate up their market share basically overnight.
Makes me wonder if that rough transition was responsible for the questionable quality of their products as the years passed, working on a shaky budget without the accumulated in-house design experience of other better-established firms. The model 39, 50, 59, etc. all seem to be outsourced commercial models where Westinghouse pulled the weight, a stark contrast to the plastic screamers that eventually did them in.

As for the straight suction royals, its interesting to see they were sold as late as the 70’s, and it makes sense they’d try to squeeze out what money they could from the last of the existing tooling. In my eyes, if all you had was smooth floors there was still a place for them to sell, and it shows in their persistence for so many years.

 

[human]

Reginas in my family...

@Bob_Smith—Very nice job on the Regina vacuum. I look forward to seeing the bag you create to finish it off.

I have a vague memory of a Regina floor scrubber sitting in our laundry room when I was a little kid. I don't recall ever seeing it in use. My parents must have sold it at one of the yard sales we had when I was in elementary school.

The Regina that's still in the family is an 1880s vintage music box that came from my dad's mother's family. It's in Mom's living room now and I believe it's destined to eventually go to my sister as I got the 1910 vintage Victrola.