Vintage Royal Vacuum project

[mivintagevacs]

Were there any differences between the model H and model J? If so what were the differences? Thanks.

 

[royalsuper]

No, just small aesthetic differences in the color of the bag, the ROYAL logo written differently and the handle painted black and some small parts.sorry Ben I don't have high resolution photos

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thanks for that info Romain. Do you know what years the model J was offered? The ones in those photos look like they might be a bit earlier than mine with that bag graphic design vs the Royal Standard bag on the 1925 model year.

 

[royalsuper]

the J model dates from the spring of 1925, the ROYAL logo is written in large letters on the bag, in the fall of 1925 the K model appeared with the air outlet on the left the J model became the ROYAL standard and the K model becomes SUPER ROYAL for the end of year celebrations 1925
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/362783970712

 

[mivintagevacs]

So since mine was produced in 4-25 it would have had the Royal bag with larger lettering not the Royal standard graphic. This is great info since I’ll be working on the bag soon.

 

[royalsuper]

yes, at the beginning of the year 1925 the letters of the ROYAL logo were still attached ,and in the spring of the same year they changed the inscription on the bag and painted the handle in black ,many changes in ROYAL vacuum cleaners from 1925...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373945151508 here is the last advertisement for the model H at the beginning of the year 1925

 

[mivintagevacs]

Okay Romain, so now I’m thinking that the badge on my vacuum should indeed be identical to Tom’s model H badge. The image of the early 1925 model J appears to have the same badge as his with only two rows of text under the main Royal graphic. I am thinking I will adjust my badge design to match this version.

 

[royalsuper]

it is all the more complicated to know that there have been many vacuum cleaners that have been reconditioned either at the manufacturing plant or later at private dealers...the great depression of 1929 accentuated things !

 

[mivintagevacs]

Yes it is really difficult to say for sure which of those two badge designs would have been used as they seem to have been used almost interchangeably on the h and j models. It also looks like one of the 1926 versions of the Royal Standard was not polished. Even in that advertising photo you can see that it was a more dull finish than the others.

 

[mivintagevacs]

This badge does have a serial number that is really close to mine, where most badges I’ve seen of the other style have lower serial numbers. This badge says 342168. My housing says 341543.

 

[royalsuper]

the ROYAL standard of the 1926 exhibition is not polished and has a plate on the front of the nozzle like on super ROYAL !
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/552412773323946/

here is a very late super ROYAL it looks like a ROYAL purifier from 1929 it is equipped with the famous disinfection chamber

 

[mivintagevacs]

I just completed a test print of the badge. The ink will be transferred to the brass plate and all white areas will be etched away leaving recessed areas where paint can be applied.

 

[mivintagevacs]

I was able to get a good transfer to the brass plate and it’s close to being ready to etch using ferric chloride solution. I plan to do a little cleanup on some of the edges to crispen them up a bit. Anything covered in black ink will remain raised after etching.[this post was last edited: 3/12/2023-18:43]

 

[lesinutah]

Hmm

I think for around $20 you can get a laser etched metal. If you think of army dog tags very similar. I think this could be laser etched and yourself tape off and paint it yourself.
If you put a plastic spray sealer or something similar.

 

[mivintagevacs]

Hey Les, yes I’m sure it could be laser etched, but I think this method will yield results that are closer to what the original badge looked like. The ferric chloride etching method will allow me to control the depth of the etch based on length of time left in. I’m also really enjoying this process and like that I can control the quality and thickness of the brass plate being used.

 

[lesinutah]

Nice

If ou spend as much time polishing your vacuum as you do making this model plate it will be show stopper.

 

[mivintagevacs]

I’ve made some progress on the badge and really enjoyed the process. I still have some finish work to do but will share some in progress photos. It’s surprising how much fine detail is captured in the etching.these photos are close up and the badge only measures approx 3” wide. I still have to stamp the numbers in it from my fan housing, bend it to match the fan housing, cut it out and drill the holes. I’m happy with the result so far. It’s not perfect and has character which is what I was going for since it’s going on a 100 year old vacuum. [this post was last edited: 3/15/2023-20:33]

 

[mivintagevacs]

Here’s a few more photos of the badge in some better light. I might do a bit more wet sanding of the face of the lettering. I do like that the pitting gives it a bit of a patina look. I’m picking up my handle from the powder coat shop today and found a replacement wheel thanks to a fellow member.

 

[mivintagevacs]

I picked up the handle on my way home.

 

[hoover300]

Wow! Looking great so far!

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thanks I’m having a lot of fun with the project. It’s been great to be able to learn so much about the history from members on this forum!

 

[mivintagevacs]

Here we are after one more round of wet sanding. I think I’m ready to move on to stamping the serial number now.

 

[mivintagevacs]

My 2mm number stamp set arrived. I stamped my serial number into the plate and began trimming off the extra brass. I’m leaving the ends so that I can bend it to fit the fan housing. I also ordered some new cloth covered wire and plug.

 

[mivintagevacs]

Hi guys, I have an update to share on my 1925 Royal model J project. I have everything polished and nickel plated and ready to go back together. I have been quite busy lately so progress has been slow but I’m excited to begin reassembly! I still need to come up with a solution for the bag. Does anyone know what a good match for the material would be? I know it’s a long shot but if anyone out there has an early Royal bag or clamp that they would be willing to sell, I would love to buy one instead of making a reproduction. Thanks!

 

[dysonman1]

This is the tag on top of my model H. Hope it's a clear enough picture.

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thanks Tom, according to my research your model H was made earlier than my model J. The closest serial number machine that I could find to mine had the same design that I ended up reproducing. I still have to finish cutting out my plate and bending it to fit the housing.

 

[mivintagevacs]

Tom, what material would you say this original Royal Standard bag is made from? If it’s not too much trouble, would you be willing to take some rough measurements of the length and diameter of the top of the bag? Any details would be a huge help! Thank you![this post was last edited: 8/1/2023-20:03]

 

[mivintagevacs]

I finished the reproduction badge today. I made a form to bend the correct radius, drilled the holes and finished cutting out/ sanding the perimeter. I think this was the biggest hurdle of the project but I’m happy with how it came out. Time to clean up the motor and begin reassembly.

 

[hoover300]

That badge looks amazing. Excellent work!

 

[mivintagevacs]

Thank you! I really enjoyed the process and I think it closely resembles how the original nameplates were made. I also did not clear coat the brass, so that it will patina over time. I just gave it a light coat of mineral oil to protect it for now.

I will be cleaning the windings and armature today so that reassembly can begin. I found a good technique for addressing the commutator without using a lathe. More photos to come.