Vintage Royal Vacuum project

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It seems like this is most likely the badge that came on my vac considering the numbers I’m seeing on these plates vs my serial number. This is a pretty good image to go off of. The only text I’m having trouble making out is the smaller text across the bottom. If anyone has an even clearer image of this tag I’d really appreciate it if you could post it here. Thanks to everyone for all of the help thus far!

mivintagevacs-2023021719022806319_1.jpg
 
Well I’m working on the graphics to reproduce this badge. I’ve been able to decipher all of the text from the badge except this patent date in the bottom corner. Any ideas? Jeff does your 1926 Royal have this badge design?

My wife has a graphic design background and is helping to reproduce the graphics.

I’m thinking about working with this company to produce the new badge. One of the examples shows 2 color on brass. Will be putting the graphic together to get a quote. Hopefully it’s not too pricey!

https://etched-metal.com/brass-copper-nameplates/
mivintagevacs-2023021816340508532_1.jpg
 
Ben,

I think that's right, but I'll have to go look at it to be sure. I do know it's blue and yellow on brass like that but not sure if the print is exactly the same, and I don't have a close-up of the plate downloaded on my computer or I would post it for you.
Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff, I don’t want to trouble you but if you have a chance to see if it’s the same badge it would be a huge help! If you can’t get a good photo, but can verify the text across the bottom of the plate that would provide the last bit of info that I need to reproduce the nameplate.

In an earlier post you discouraged disassembly of the motor. This was sold to me as not working and I was planning to fully disassemble and clean / inspect everything. Is there a reason you caution against a full disassembly? It looks pretty filthy inside. I removed the brushes and one is good, the other is very worn down.

The fan appears to be in good shape for 100 years old! Is the fan nut reverse thread like the newer Royals or is it standard thread due to the opposite rotation of the motor?
 
Ben , everything looks normal from the outside, if you plan to use your vacuum cleaner regularly, I advise you to dismantle the motor housing completely in order to check if the electric cables of the rotor and the stator are not bare and take the opportunity to clean the rotor and the copper connector, which is often very dirty.
I link you to a youtube video on the complete restoration of an antique vacuum cleaner.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRB8ULam1B8&ab_channel=restorationhouse
 
Thanks Romain, that’s a very nice restoration and really enjoyed watching their process. I don’t plan to use this one much but I think I will still take it apart and clean everything up. I’d really like to find the date on the armature as well.
 
Ben,

I'll have a look at the plate as soon as I can get to it, but if I take a picture of it, it will be a while before I can post it, as I still use a film camera and I would have to finish the roll, get it developed, and scan the print before I can post it. As for disassembly of the motor, if you're going to be working on it that's OK. I just don't recommend taking it apart just to see the date stamp on the armature. If I remember correctly, the nut on the fan will have a standard thread since the motor rotates in the opposite direction from the later models.
Jeff
 
Thanks Jeff, no worries and no rush. if you’re able to verify that it’s the same plate and write down the text that’s on the bottom left of the plate, that would work as well. I really appreciate the help from everyone here.
 
I'm working on removal of the fan so that I can disassemble the motor. It appears that the fan is threaded onto the motor shaft in addition to being held on by the nut. I was able to remove the fan nut successfully and it is standard thread. I don't want to damage anything and I am looking for a way to hold the motor shaft while unscrewing the fan off of the shaft. I don't see the access holes in the side of the motor that I've seen on the newer Royals. Is there a trick for holding the motor shaft while removing the fan? I have worked on a few old Emerson fans and there is an access hole to a spot on the shaft where a screwdriver can be used to hold the motor but I'm not seeing anything on this motor. Thanks
 
Iirc

There is an opening to the top of the armature. You might have to use something long go through the back of the motor housing like a pencil. This is to stop the armature fan from spinning. The fan is reverse threaded. If the nut comes off and the fan is still threaded on don't strip it going the wrong way.
 
This one is standard thread due to the reverse rotation of the motor. The nut came off counterclockwise and was fairly easy to remove. I’ll take another look through the back of the housing and see if I can locate the opening. Thanks
 
I was able to remove the fan. I did not see an opening in the top of the armature but I was able to very carefully use a large flathead screwdriver to hold one of the grooves on the side. One of the holes on the back of the housing allowed just enough clearance to do this. Luckily the fan was not too tight or stuck, just a little stiff.

mivintagevacs-2023022205533205254_1.jpg
 
One of the carbon brushes was really worn down to the spring. I think if I clean everything up and replace the worn brushes it might run. I’m going to finish disassembly and begin cleaning all of the parts, I’m really looking forward to seeing the aluminum parts polished up.
 
Okay

It looks like hoover and eurekas armature. I just assumed it did because my kirby vacuettte electric is a 1930 motor in a 1923 machine and ithas fan blades.
Be careful with the commuter I've chipped one before but I wasn't being careful.
 
Thanks Romain I’m very relieved! I was able to use a long screwdriver/punch through one of the holes in the back of the motor to gently tap the front plate out, as well as carefully prying through the front oil opening on top of the motor housing after first removing the oil fill tube. I was able to sneak a flathead between the opening in the housing and the oil fill and pry against the back of the plate. I was careful to work it from those two points gradually so that it came out straight and did not bind on the shaft. Also let some penetrating oil soak into the part gap ahead of time. I think my next steps will be finishing up disassembly, cleaning the electrical and getting the aluminum parts polished up. I’m thinking about hiring out the polishing work. Any suggestions? Thanks![this post was last edited: 2/23/2023-09:13]
 
Who on the forum has outsourced polishing work on an all metal upright like a Royal or Kirby? If so what should one expect to pay to shine up all of the pieces? Thanks
 
try to send them pictures of your motor housing and normally they have to give you an estimate! this is how it happens in France! the most expensive in the renickeling of small parts
 
The bearings felt really good, there was a bit of fore-aft play but almost no side to side play. I’m wondering if the rear bearing was replaced at some point because there is a groove in the back of the motor housing and it looks like it was cut into the original bearing for removal. The bearing in place does not have the groove carrying through. Unfortunately whoever did the repair got a little too excited with the grinder!
 
I noticed it looks like Sam only removed one of these during his restoration. It looks like one of mine is pushed in slightly more on one side than the other. There are two set screws that I removed that appear to retain them. The wiring is soldered to the inside of them so I’m thinking they are installed from the inside after the wiring is soldered onto them. I might try to remove them but not sure how easily they come out since Sam only removed one. I don’t want to risk damaging them or mushrooming them. Has anyone removed these?[this post was last edited: 2/25/2023-11:50]

mivintagevacs-2023022509104103835_1.jpg

mivintagevacs-2023022509104103835_2.jpg
 

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