Royal Metal Vacuums - New, Used, or Decades Old Used?

[ornery]

Speed Sensor Wire Break

The winding was broken at one of the leads on the green LED. A little micro surgery got it back in order.

On the one hand, that's over $20.00 worth of messing around to get it working this way. On the other hand, it saved me that $20.00, plus the job is done. I have no idea how long it would take to have that shipped in. I'm still waiting for a simple order I placed Sat 12/7/2013 from Vacland...

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

The stiffener-equipped double bristle roll makes that so-called "buzzing" sound on machines of this amperage, and that is actually normal and indicates no problems.

~Ben

 

[ornery]

Can't Live With The Noise

Thanks Loads Ben,

I thought I'd narrowed it down to the thin casting resonating near the Rite-Hite port area. I'm in search of dampening pads found under your stainless steel sinks to reduce noise. I'll glue them in place inside the bell housing. Are you saying it's the brush inserts rattling in their channels? If so, I'll glue them in place! Already tried wrapping duct tape around the hex end caps to snug them up, but it didn't help. Either way, that noise is going away by hook or by crook. I'll keep you posted on what gets the job done.

Thanks Again,
John

http://www.gibraltarbrands.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=21&idcategory=10

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

The sound I think you're referring to is found on these Royals:


(Royal 4000S)


(Royal 1030)

In both cases, that's just the revolving brush beating down on the carpet.

~Ben

 

[thermokid]

Royal 4008

I have one of those and a Dark Blue model similar to the 4008.. Those are the two noisest contraptions I have ever seen in a Royal....

 

[ornery]

Not Just The Beater Action Sound

Good Morning,

Thanks for taking the trouble to add those videos. I just made a couple of my own this morning. Won't be able to embed mine, but I'll link to it, in the next post. Unfortunately the sound does not convey the actual sound I'm struggling with. The brush stiffener does add a "thumping" sound, which I'm OK with. In the video it sounds like a router. The irritating "buzzing" isn't heard in the video. At least not at the volume I've been listening to it. Sounds like something loose. The Rite-Hite cover would be the most likely culprit, but that isn't it.

In other words, there's a secondary tinny ratting, that just has to go. At the moment, I'm gluing an old belt to the bottom of the bell housing. Hoping to affect the resonance of it. It's actually a very thin casting. No wonder they're so light!

 

[ornery]

Back To The Drawing Board

Well, that was a waste of time. Had no effect on the noise, so I scraped it off before the glue cured. Guess I learned a little in the process. I can rebuild a roller in a couple minutes... with my eyes closed! Eliminated that as a possible cause. Really doubt gluing the roller brushes in will help.

I also find if I don't put the brushes too low, I can avoid the noise altogether. But, there are still times when a rug sucks in deeper, and it does the rattle for a split second or two. No pun intended, but it sucks. Whenever I hear it, I feel like something needs tightened up or adjusted.

I uploaded the video, only because I promised I would. Nothing you all haven't heard before...

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

Thank you. Like I had commented on the video, you could very well buy another Royal like the 880 that you've traded for this 4008.

~Ben

 

[ornery]

Can I Have It All... At Any Price?

Hey Ben,

That was you? Should have known. I replied to that comment. Basically, I wouldn't be content with the 880. Wondering if an old Kirby model 560 would fill the bill? Do those even use disposable bags? And, if not a Kirby, what? It's a shame, this model in my hands is so close!

Well anyway, thanks again for the input.

John

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

No Kirby had officially used disposable bags until the Tradition, introduced in July 1979. Any disposable bag systems on Kirbys older than this will be aftermarket setups.

The best Kirby to own that has a disposable bag system would be the Heritage 1HD (1981-1984). However, the Generation 3 (1990-1993) was the first Kirby to use a self-propelled transmission called "Tech Drive" which reduces 90% of the effort required to push the vacuum (but don't use this feature when polishing hard flooring). For allergy containment, use the "Micron Magic" disposable bags... they work on all Kirby disposable bag systems going back to the Heritage II (you can also use the MM bags on the Heritage I if you swap out the top adapter for the one used on the Heritage II).

~Ben

 

[ornery]

That Settles It

Once again Ben, you are a fountain of high vacuum knowledge. A Kirby isn't going to suit this household. I ended the Royal auction. I'm keeping it for sure, and I'll keep experimenting. If that elusive 90's model comes along with all the bells & whistles, I'll buy it, then sell this one.

Thanks so much for sharing your wealth of information. It's helped me a LOT!

John

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

If you're interested in any late '80s/early '90s Royals, you would want one of the following, all of which have the "Au-Toe-Matic" height adjuster and top-of-the-line (TOL):
Model 992/993 (1988-1990) - dark blue trim, 6 amp motor, 6-blade impeller fan
Model 9000 (1988-1990) - burgundy/mauve trim, 6 amp motor, 6-blade impeller fan
Model 9005/9089 (1989-1990) - burgundy bag "Classic Edition 1989," 6 amp motor, 6-blade impeller fan
Model 994/995/996 (1990-1995) - like 992/993 but with 7 amp motor and 9-blade impeller fan
Model 9700 (1990-1995) - like 9000/9005/9089 but with 7 amp motor and 9-blade impeller fan

These will be somewhat loud (definitely louder than the 880 you once had), but not quite as loud as the 4008 you have already.

~Ben

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John (ornery),

Here is an eBay auction for a dark-blue Royal from 1988 (model 992 or 993) you might like: it has a toe-touch height adjuster and was top-of-the-line in its day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROYAL-UPRIGHT-VACUUM-/111240724253?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item19e676bf1d

Warning: Seller says the front cover is missing, but I can clearly see one.

~Ben

 

[ornery]

Been Looking And Inquiring

Ben,

I contacted Vacstar a couple times. They have more than one vacuum listed. The details for that particular one is: "Correct amps 6. Model. 992. Serial. 388a002143"

Based on your ROYAL METAL UPRIGHT PRODUCTION LIST, which is my Bible, that would have a 6 blade fan.

I contacted one member from here, last night, about selling his Model 886/F. Got a reply already. Replied, "Sorry I'm pretty fond of it and it does a great job."

Contacted another fellow this morning, who also happens to be a member here, about the same model. His handle has Kirby in it, so maybe he'll be willing to part with it. I keep finding these units doing a search on Bing, and they always seem to lead back to posts on this site. Big surprise, eh?

This is such a shame. The one I have, has it all. I can even tolerate the normal high decibels. I made that choice before I even purchased it, but I didn't bargain for the "rattling" noise. Still don't understand why I can't track it down. I'll redouble my efforts today.

Thanks once again for the well thought suggestions, and model details.

 

[ornery]

Tracking Down The Rattle

One son is here for Christmas from Boston. Younger son usually sleeps in late, but got up relatively early this morning. As soon as I knew they were awake, I started screwing with the vacuum. Pulled the plate, nozzle plug, chamber and bag off. Tapped it all over listening for rattling. I can hear something inside the motor housing. Also, the handle latch wiggles quite a bit, and the rubber bumper surrounding the bell housing seems to vibrate significantly. It's only held by two rivets at the very ends.

Ran it against the carpet with the roller beating the carpet. No rattle. Added one piece at a time till it was all assembled... no rattle, except for the rubber bumper occasionally vibrating against the bell housing. The boys must think I'm crazy. I shut it off as soon as they came in the kitchen.

If it turns out to be that rubber, I'm going to kick myself. I thought sure I'd eliminated that already. I'm almost positive I did! But, at this point it seems rattle free. I also observed that with the bag off, the scream from the motor is intolerable. The bag muffles a LOT of the noise. So, as soon as the boys are done with breakfast, I'm going to have at it again. It would be awesome if this is over. Every minute it runs without rattling is a minute toward its having a permanent home here.

 

[ornery]

May Be Base Plate After All

It was rattling with base plate off, but more with it on. I ended up shaping the front curve around the lip on the front of the bell housing. Literally formed it to the lip. That not only insures the plate is tight, but it captures the flimsy center of the housing to keep it from resonating. So far so good. Hoping it won't work loose. If it does, I may glue in a rubber or cork gasket. That's probably the better way to go anyway.

 

[ornery]

Base Plate Modification

Found a base plate on Amazon, that looks like it has felt on the bottom. Looks like mine is going to have felt too!

http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Upright-Cleaner-Bottom-Inches/dp/B008MM6138

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

Would you still be interested in the 992 that vacstars has?

~Ben

 

[ornery]

Tweaked 4008

Hey Ben,

I took that one off my list when I contacted them on the 13th. 6 blade fan was the deal breaker. I guess if I stumbled onto an 1990 or later 886 with the 9 blade fan, 6 or 7 amp motor, toe height adjust (infinitely variable would be awesome), Adjust-O-Rite nozzle plug, quick release hook and two conductor cord, I'd probably buy it.

As it is, the 4008 is 95% dialed in. Only once every few minutes does it buzz or rattle for an instant. I can live with that if it stays this way. Tightly wrapping the base plate and adding the felt has worked wonders.

Thank you so much for the valuable input and past research. I'm sure it's helped many more people than me, and I REALLY appreciate it.

Have A Merry Christmas!

John

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

John,

Merry Christmas to you, too!

You'd be looking for an 886F... it was dark blue in color like the 885, 992/993, 994-996, 2025/2028 and 2075/2078.

~Ben