Royal 501

[karl]

I recently bought a Royal 501 hand vacuum and started to take it apart. It needs a new fan and also feels like it needs new bearings. This model has no oiling ports. Where can I get a new fan for it? It's the plastic fan. And while I have it apart I plan on putting new brushes in.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

This would use a metal fan, part no. 1-502004-000. You'd have to obtain one from another Royal 501.

New carbon brushes would be part no. 1-150224-000.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 2/2/2019-10:15]

 

[karl]

Thank you for the response, I took it apart and cleaned it up and greased it up good, sounds much better, brushes are in good shape. The fan is a plastic one, I need to fine a new one.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

It was probably an aftermarket fan, because the 501 fan was never plastic.

~Ben

 

[karl]

I just bought a metal fan for my 501 off ebay.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

Awesome!

~Ben

 

[karl]

Thank you all for your help.

 

[vacman1961]

Ben, as a former Royal dealer the last of the 501's came with a black plastic fan, I think I might have some in a box somewhere from when I closed my store.

 

[karl]

I'll buy some if you find some

 

[human]

vacman1961's post made me curious so I checked my very late production 501 (same light blue color scheme as Karl's but with a guard in front of the power switch, which places it at the very end of the model's run) and it does indeed have a black plastic fan. I also have an earlier one with a gray and red color scheme that appears to have a metal fan. I have no idea whether the plastic fans came in with the blue color scheme or were a running change sometime thereafter.

 

[karl]

Can I put a metal fan on mine if it originally came with a plastic fan?

 

[madman]

As long as it fits.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I have metal fan and it fits and black or grey fan. I emailed you.
Les

 

[karl]

I got the metal fan for my 501 last night, I'll try to put it on tonight after work. I hope the metal fan fits right.

 

[karl]

The metal fan is a little different. The center hole is smaller than the plastic one but I think a can drill it out just a little bit to make it work.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I'm pretty sure your not suppose to drill it out. My metal and plastic both fit. Hope it works.
Les

 

[karl]

The fan wont screw on enough for the belt shaft to screw on also. When the fan stops screwing there is no threads for the belt shaft showing.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

If you have Plummers tape try that a couple wraps. I had to to get my 245 to fit. I don't know why I thought of it but it works. If not it's like $2.50.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

Here is an exploded parts breakdown for the 501.

The fan, I've read, comes off clockwise; to screw it back on, it must be done in reverse.

And you will want to measure the shaft hole size of the metal fan and the plastic fan.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 2/7/2019-22:02]

 

[karl]

Look at the picture, the center hole on the plastic fan is just a little bit bigger, that allows it to screw on the shaft farther, that allows the thread's to come through the center hole, then allowing the shaft to screw on

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

The fan in my 1982 501 is definitely a metal fan.

~Ben

 

[karl]

What am I doing wrong then??

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

I still believe the plastic fan that came with your machine when you got it was probably a hack job by the person that last owned it.

~Ben

 

[karl]

Do you a picture of a plastic fan?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

I went back and checked all the replies to this subject (by vacman1961 and human) and it appears you are correct that the plastic fan was used (but on the very last machines).

But... your 501 also does not have the guard by the motor switch, so that is why I still think yours has had the metal fan before. If you could please give me the serial number from yours (provided it is still legible), that would help me further.

~Ben

 

[karl]

[No message]

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Karl

Karl,

Your 501 was built in September 1987.

I would have to guess at this point that the plastic fan also uses a different motor shaft than the one that was for the metal fan.

Therefore, if you need the proper motor shaft to go with the metal fan, it would be part no. 1-501261-000.

~Ben

 

[karl]

This what the fan shaft looks like

 

[lesinutah]

Issue

So the metal fan doesn't go down far enough on the shaft to tighten? I have never drilled a fan. It may be okay if it's slightly drilled out. I may get no he should never do that but do maybe a 16th of an inch out. Put old fan on to make sure grooves are still usable. You can per say drill out center but risk losing threading. I'd say to hell with it either put plastic fan back on or make metal one work. It's not recommended you may not get metal one to work but if you want metal one to work shave small very small pieces of checking threading with old plastic one. There is even worse advise put metal one on heat it up torque it on but you would have to make sure armature shaft doesn't twist or it could be bad. So if you want metal fan slightly cut out middle section. You should keep threads and it would work. I know everyone will say don't but slow and steady it should work. I know people don't agree don't roast me. He has a metal fan either it works or it doesn't. If it doesn't you seen I have armature and fan. If it doesn't work if you cover shipping I'll send you metal one with bearing plate and fan. I have about 8 royal hand vacs. Motor and fan are parts I only needed switch for 1930s or older hand vac. I have 3 1940s royal electro hygiene ones I had 4 80s-90s ones. I had one for sale in supermarket plack with red and black bag. I gave it to my father because hand vacuums are handy. I get most at thrift store ranging from $3-$8. I have a Kirby vacuette a Douglas busy bee but royals seem to out do Kirby ones. Idk so try that don't roast me it's iffy if it works but you already have the fan it doesn't fit so worst case scenario metal one won't work. Try what I said it should work as long as drilling out is slow not slamming it in chunking metal pieces flying everywhere.
Les