|
Thread Number: 24192
Royal Model 131 Restored |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 270615 3/7/2014 at 19:25 (3,701 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
Finally got the newly acquired Model 131 up and running. Basically just replaced the front motor bearing, and added an F&G bag attachment. Oh, and polished the hell out of it! Took no sandpaper to anything but the nozzle.
No pictures yet, but I did upload a video... CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK 
| ||
| Post# 270620 , Reply# 1 3/7/2014 at 19:48 (3,701 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California) | ||
Came out great. | ||
| Post# 270631 , Reply# 2 3/7/2014 at 21:22 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Why Preserve The Shine?
If it gets dull, it's a good excuse to pull it apart and buff it!
Seriously, once it has the final polish, it gets a sort of hard skin. Takes longer for the elements to oxidize it. I guess the molecules get burnished on the surface. Makes it more impervious to scratches too. And, buffing and polishing is easy. It's the sanding that takes time, and sweat. You could slow down oxidation by keeping it in an air conditioned environment. Only way to really stop oxidizing would be a clear coat, which would have to be preserved itself. I really don't know what to do with it now. I was going to gift it to my in-laws, because my mother-in-law's mom, "Had one just like it!" Turns out the one her mother owned was a Kirby. In the process of fixing it up, I grew attached to it. It doesn't perform as well as our 9700, but basically, it's just a little slower. It has its own advantages with the lighter weight, and quieter motor. Kind of pleasant to use, even if it takes longer. Not as hectic I guess. It's a mighty 2.8 amps with a perfect 6 blade fan. Cord was replaced in the 60's I believe. Balance is original. I don't know, maybe I'll list it at a high price and enjoy it a while. Might end up keeping it, as well as the 9700. But, that would make me a collector, wouldn't it? | ||
| Post# 270708 , Reply# 3 3/8/2014 at 11:42 (3,700 days old) by Anachronism () | ||
|
Aluminum oxidizes instantly when exposed to air, hence the need for a helium environment when welding. The oxide is EXTREMELY hard, making phenomenal abrasive grit and durable wear surfaces. | ||
| Post# 270712 , Reply# 4 3/8/2014 at 11:52 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Listed On Ebay
Got some pictures and another video, with a little better focus. It goes live for sale on Ebay at 2:00PM EST. The price would indicate I'm in no big hurry to let it go :)
Sorry Robert, I forgot to mention Ebay is where I got it in the first place. When I stumbled across it, my MIL mentioned her mother owned one just like it. So, I figured I'd bid and see what happens. After I won, I found out the vacuum her mother owned was a Kirby. Sheesh. Anyway, I came to like it quite a bit. If I never sell it, I won't be sorry. Here's the new video of it running: CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK 
| ||
| Post# 270714 , Reply# 5 3/8/2014 at 11:58 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Pictures... | ||
| Post# 270716 , Reply# 6 3/8/2014 at 12:02 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Pictures... | ||
| Post# 270722 , Reply# 7 3/8/2014 at 12:18 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Royal Model 131 Images
The power cord leading to the headlight was a grey color, and certainly seemed original. I used a piece of the power cord to replace it. The actual power cord that came on it looks like it was replaced in the 60's or so. I believe the original color was black, like the cord coming to the motor from the switch. It also looked original and in bad shape. I replaced that 2 foot length with a 2 conductor 14 gage cord from a more recent Royal hand vacuum.
I'd like to replace the entire power cord, but not sure if it should be made more functional with a similar plug to the one on it now, or new old stock plug from the 50's. Either way, that's another $20.00 or more investment. 
| ||
| Post# 270725 , Reply# 8 3/8/2014 at 12:27 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Royal Model 131 Images | ||
| Post# 270744 , Reply# 9 3/8/2014 at 15:55 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
F&G Bag Conversion | ||
Post# 270770 , Reply# 10 3/8/2014 at 18:36 (3,700 days old) by KirbyClassicIII  (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 270781 , Reply# 11 3/8/2014 at 19:40 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Ben Help!
I don't know what to do? I've got a price for this old guy on Ebay, that is pretty steep, but I think I'd still feel a loss if I sold it, even for that full price. I can't afford to pass up that cash, but I'll never get my hands on another one like it. I could honestly see using it regularly. Maybe, if I sell the 9700, I could keep the 131. I'm sure I could replace the 9700 later, if I need to.
Oh well. Want a chuckle while I kick this around? Take a look at how it shipped in... 
| ||
|
Post# 270782 , Reply# 12 3/8/2014 at 19:43 (3,700 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 270783 , Reply# 13 3/8/2014 at 19:44 (3,700 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California) | ||
|
Great pics... | ||
| Post# 270785 , Reply# 14 3/8/2014 at 20:15 (3,700 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Ended That Auction!
If that thing sells while I'm trying to decide, I may regret it forever. I ended it. I'll put the 9700 up instead.
The 9700 gets the job done quicker, it has the toe adjust, and quick cord release... but the 131 is just so much more pleasant! This one will probably be listed tomorrow, but I have some money in it, so it won't be cheap... 
| ||
| Post# 270786 , Reply# 15 3/8/2014 at 20:29 (3,699 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
2-in Dia 22-1/2-Degree PVC Street Elbow Fitting
Yeah Robert, just a couple PVC fittings. Seems so simple now that it's done, but it took some experimenting to get to that point.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK 
| ||
| Post# 270796 , Reply# 16 3/8/2014 at 22:02 (3,699 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California) | ||
|
Keep them both.
.
Make your money back by finding a Miele, Dyson etc. at a thrift store, Craigslist or garage sale and sell it on Ebay. Do a search on Ebay and see what sells for good money. Find one of these vacs at a thrift store price, work your fix up magic and make the money back that way. I found a NIB Filter Queen on Craigs and sold it. That transaction supported dozens of subsequent thrift store/Craigslist/auction buys. | ||
| Post# 270815 , Reply# 17 3/9/2014 at 01:52 (3,699 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH) | ||
John, | ||
| Post# 270838 , Reply# 18 3/9/2014 at 11:43 (3,699 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
9700 On Ebay Soon
Thanks loads Jeff. That old feller is a pleasure to work on.
The 9700 goes on Ebay at 2:00PM EST. Asking a fair "Buy It Now" price for it, IMO. By the time Ebay gets their cut, I might make $30.00 on it. I'm sure it will sell eventually. Then, I can buy the new cord and plug for the 131. I think I'll get that new old stock plug I've had my eye on. I'll put a nice, long, pliable, black two conductor cord on it. That should match the original pretty close. CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK on eBay 
| ||
| Post# 270843 , Reply# 19 3/9/2014 at 12:08 (3,699 days old) by stricklybojack (Southern California) | ||
|
This post has been removed by the member who posted it. | ||
| Post# 270849 , Reply# 20 3/9/2014 at 12:17 (3,699 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
Ebay Preview Video
The Ebay auction doesn't start for about 40 minutes, but here is a video I shot for the auction, and will be linked in the description.
Yep, the Dyson DC41 is the victim again. Figure I might as well use it while I have it here. Worked real hard on this video. Had to shoot it two or three times, and still screwed up. Just not used to shooting video with my DSLR. CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK 
| ||
| Post# 270904 , Reply# 21 3/9/2014 at 17:30 (3,699 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
About That Power Cord
I want to pull the trigger on an order for the power cord for the 131. I'm looking at a fair price for a Kirby Part no # 192082 ,192079. Ben, Jeff, or anybody else, do you know how flexible these power cords are, compared to the 20 year old Royals? I LOVE those cords, they're perfect for a vacuum. I know the ribbing on it wouldn't match the 131 vintage, but that's a good price for a cord if it's nice and pliable, plus the plug has the gripper to attach it.
Thanks, John CLICK HERE TO GO TO ornery's LINK on eBay 
| ||
|
Post# 270912 , Reply# 22 3/9/2014 at 17:52 (3,699 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon) |
||
|
| ||
| Post# 271772 , Reply# 23 3/14/2014 at 05:00 (3,694 days old) by ornery (Northeast Ohio) | ||
|
It's A Hybrid Now
Good call Ben. She's sporting a black Kirby cord now, and it's just what I hoped it would be. 30' of nice supple cable. Exactly like the Royal cords I'm used to, and just the right diameter. Too bad it has the "ribs", but they probably contribute to the high flexibility. Doubt I'll ever put a period correct plug on it. It's too handy having the clip on the end.
| ||
| Post# 271776 , Reply# 24 3/14/2014 at 05:46 (3,694 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif) | ||
I know which one I'd keep... | ||
| Post# 271777 , Reply# 25 3/14/2014 at 05:52 (3,694 days old) by Bee-Vac (Pomona, Calif) | ||
|
Let's see... | ||
| Forum Index: | 
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
