Royal Blue Junior
Many thanks to all those who participated in our recent Farm Challenge. The winner was my great friend, Anna, from the Hoosier state of Indiana. The runner-up was M. Hazel from Play, stories and photos from the southern Saskatchewan prairie. If you’ve been reading comments to the third post in the challenge series you will have already discovered that the highly functional and somewhat unusual gadget is a 1928 Montgomery Ward’s Royal Blue Junior Cream Separator. The images below show a page from the original owner’s manual, the Royal Blue name plate, the fully assembled machine, and all of its component parts laid out on our kitchen table. We purchased two gallons of raw Jersey milk this morning at the Toy Cow Creamery and spun it down in less than five minutes. Joanna made a nice batch of Ricotta from the milk and she will process the cream into butter later in the week. Using a cream separator for the first time can be quite an experience. It is essentially a small centrifuge which spins at 8,000 – 10,000 RPM. The base is a very heavy-duty, oil-filled, gear box. To attain the proper rotational speed for this application the operator must turn the hand crank at 65 RPM. Milk flows via gravity to the bottom of the spinning separation chamber and because of its conical shape and ingenious design centrifugal forces drive milk and cream through a series of channels which empty milk into the lower spout (seen in the bottom left image below) and the less-dense cream into the upper spout. We recorded the process and I hope to post that movie file as soon as I can figure out how to do so. Thanks again everyone for all of your interest.
I ran across this post and the many requests for a copy of the manual for the Montgomery Ward Junior and/or Royal Blue manual cream separator. I was hoping that I might impose on you for a copy? I have a more modern hand cranked model (The “Slavic Beauty”), but recently purchased an MW Junior. I prefer the durability and craftsmanship of the older machines. Your consideration would be greatly appreciated.
A warm summer greetings to the folks at Pairadox Farm! I am researching my 5 buck Royal Blue Junior # 33-315 cream separator, recently purchased at a garage sale in Montana. Didn’t know what it was, but was drawn to it. I make artworks from old agricultural and mining relics. Currently utilizing old cultivator disks; http://www.diskontinued.com. The notched stainless shaft protruding from the top of my RBJ casting fails to spin as I turn the crank. Is it broken? I have most parts associated with this, and would like to assemble/troubleshoot its issue. Before I turn it into a bird bath pedestal supporting one of my hand-peened copper repousse disks. Either way, this gem has yuuuge potential. Would you please consider hooking me up with a copy of the much sought after manual? That would be awesome! I would rather restore to working order if possible, or even retain its functionality as it becomes high art. Your considerations (and curiosity?) are appreciated. The excellent photos on your site have helped a lot, the posts concerning this contraption are educational, and entertaining. Many thanks!
I am very interested in the “Royal Blue ” Junior No. 33 manual. Our museum has been given a unit and we are trying to make sure we have all of the components and any other information available about the unit. We would post your name and other information to give you due credit for your help and assistance.
Nick Albers
Clearwater Historical Society, Orofino, Idaho
I have a Royal blue & the manuals HM-31-A, HM-33-A etc.
I also have a 1950’s model 25HM-S3M-A & manuals etc.
They out preform the new electric cream separators at 2-3 times the speed, with better results. The parts etc. and function are nearly identical.
I am missing the cream screw, wrench, & bracket assy., to complete my royal blue set. If anyone has these items to dispose of let me know. But the best part is that other models parts works just fine with it. If you are lucky enough to find one of the oldies but goodies, enjoy it.
Could I please get a copy of the manual
do you still have a copy of the manual for the Montgomerywwards cream separator? The model we have is 74 nh-33-a…i have looked all over for one..if you do may i get s copy from you please?
thank you so very much
Have a Royal Blue #33 cream separator and many of the parts you show. Would greatly appreciate a copy of the owner’s manual so we can see if we have enough parts to make it work and how they go together. Thank you in advance.
I see that you have been asked no less than 5,000,000 for a copy of the manual for this item. Would you consider sending me a copy? I have been looking forever and I can’t find one anywhere. Mine is amazing and still works great. I just want to maintain it properly! Thank you for any help you may provide.
I just purchased this model at a yard sale. No manual. Could you please email me a copy of yours?
I would like a manual also. Thanks!
You should find it in your INBOX. D
I just sent them along. Let me know if they are of sufficient resolution. D
I just found your site and am delighted! I am so glad that so many people appreciate the ways and chores of our parents and grandparents. In prep for my parents estate sale I found a Royal Blue Junior No.33 all apart in a wooden box in my dad’s garage. I was thrilled because I too love old stuff! Thank you for your picture off all the parts. Mine is very close to complete and, as many others have requested, I would love a copy of the Manual to see if I can make it work. You are very kind to all of us who desire a Manual. I thank you in advance if your are able to send one to me. I may be looking for a couple of parts so will keep checking your site.
Hi Judy. I have sent the Manual to your gmail address. D
I have a royal blue 43 separator and was wondering if you have a manual you could email me. Thanks
I’ve just sent it to your icloud address … D
I have found this exact separator, it was in a box with a bunch of spare parts but according to your photo it’s complete! could I also get a copy of the manual? Or any advice on learning how to put it together?
I’ve sent the manual to your Yahoo account Tomi. See if it helps getting the thing put together. If you’ve got any questions – get back in touch. Glad to help when and if I can. D
Thank you again so much, I was able to clean it up and get it out together. Unfortunately my husband said it’s missing the neck ball joint and spring – so sad that such tiny parts will cause it to be un-usable, but it’s beautiful to look at!
So close yet so far. Any chance you could have a replacement part custom-made? Or look for another unit for its parts?
I have recently purchased a Royal Blue Junior #33 separator, and was wondering if you could share your copy of the owners manual with me. Thank you.
Done.
I have just purchased a royal blue separator … a floor model. I am wondering how to oil it? Could you possibly send me a copy of your manual to look for clues? Thanks, Heidi
Check your email Heidi … I just sent two message, one includes images of the manual. D
I would very much like a copy of the manual too, please! I found a very nice Royal Blue Jr. for sale, but have only a very basic working knowledge of it. It would help so much! Thank you for taking the time to scan it and share.
Sincerely, Michelle
I just found a 33-315 being thrown out yesterday, and as far as I can tell it is almost complete. The only things that I am missing are the “U” shaped bracket that goes in the top, the wrench and the manual. I see that you have scanned the manual Pairodox and was wondering if you would be kind enough to email it to me, as I don’t want to do anything to harm this. Also, if anybody could suggest where to find the “U” shaped bracket that would also be appreciated. If no one has any ideas on the bracket, a picture would do as I can make a fair amount of things. Thank you for your time, Kevin.
Hey there Kevin. The bracket you are missing controls the flow of milk from the reservoir into the separation chamber. I suppose you could fit a tethered plug down into the hole at the bottom of the reservoir. When you wanted milk flow you could simply pull the plug … but this wouldn’t give you a way to stop the flow during processing. I doubt very much that you’ll be able to find this value shutoff anywhere save finding another unit somewhere. The wrench is something you should be able to substitute. I will send the scanned manual to your email when I get a minute. If you’d like to me send a photo of the working end of the valve, let me know. D
Hi, I just purchased a Royal Blue Junior cream separator at a church yard sale, mostly as a collectible as I used to crank one of these as a boy of 9 or 10 years of age. Mine looks exactly like the one you have pictured, but, just as crossthecreek, I don’t have a manual. On the oil reservoir front plate it is marked 33-315, the model (?). It also, is mounted on a heavy stand that is made to stand on and bolt to the floor. The only number on the stand is 155. Would you please forward the scanned manual to me as you did for crossthecreek? Is mine a 1928 model? Also, do you have any idea as to the current collectible value of these? Just curious since I intend to keep mine. David
I’d be happy to do so … but give me a few days to get to it. I’m happy to know there are more of these machines around and that folks like you and I appreciate them. D
Did you get the scans Dave?
I have a Montgomery Ward table-top cream separator that I believe is complete but i cannot find a manual. Would it be possible to get a copy of the manual you have so that I could get a clue as to how to maintain it?
I had scanned the manual but cannot now find the files … if you can wait until the weekend I’ll rescan and sent along to your email … how’s that sound?
That would be great! Thank you so much. A
I too have one of these sturdy little machines and would love to know how to take better care of it. May I also have a copy of the owner’s manual? Thank you so much!
I have posted this via email … let me know when it arrives and whether you can download the attached images. D
Hi there! I’m wondering if you can shed some light on a recent purchase I made … I am now the proud owner of a Montgomery Ward cream separator model number HM-4607A 55X. It looks very similar to the Royal Blue Junior, but I have been unable so far to find any literature with this exact model number. I’m tickled pink that it seems complete (minus the wrench which my hubby can fabricate because he’s awesome like that) and I can’t wait to get it cleaned up and give it a whirl! I’d just really like to know what year(s) my model was manufactured and any info that might help my hunt for the owners manual. Love your page 🙂
Congratulations on your new acquisition. When I’m out in the barn later this evening I’ll check the model number on my machine. I do have the instruction manual and would be happy to scan it and send it along. I’ll let you know what I find out and get back to you @live.com … how’s that sound? D
I have sent the scanned manual to your email address … let me know if you get it AOK. D
Yes I did receive it. Thank you so much! I’ve sent a reply to your inbox along with some pics of my model just for fun.
I would love a manual, too.
I remember when we used this back when we were milking goats! We set it up for the first time in the old kitchen and it made a tremendous racket when it was being cranked. I have this distinct mental image of Mom feverishly pumping away at the crank, having to go up on her toes to get enough leverage, and the delicious warm goat milk cream streaming into the bucket. Happy childhood memories 🙂
Yup. Your Mom is still quite the crank(er)! [I’m gonna get in trouble for that one.]
Very cool 🙂 looks like the prototype for the centrifuge I use at work to spin down my DNA samples … but with a much tastier result!
Yup. By the way … your prize is ‘in the mail.’ Ha! D
This is fabulous! Love the original drawing that came with the instruction manual! Where did you find this vintage gem? How do you know if you’re cranking hard enough to reach the recommended 65 RPM? RPM seems like a term I recognize from records. Your pictures have a clean, crisp quality to them. Makes them easy to look at!
RPM, revolutions (rotations) per minute. There’s a little disc on the crank which clicks every rotation … you sort of watch the clock and count clicks! Easy .. that is, if you can do more than a single thing at one time. Thanks for the comment. D
I like the ad: “The Royal Blue Junior will make money for you” 🙂 If you would monetize your blog, e.g. by displaying ads for modern centrifuges, this would even come true in some sense.
I almost commented on that phrase, ” … will make money for you.” In using words of the current vernacular … yeah, right! D
Great fun! Loved following along. Beautiful photographs, as always.
Ha – you wouldn’t believe how many farm sites and ‘how to raise sheep’ sites I visited to try and catch a glimpse at something similar :>) At least I am fairly familiar now with sheep farming practices and know where to go to get a good deal on milking equipment – I was really stuck on that track.
You have a competitive advantage now, Maurice, due to your research – you will be the winner next time 🙂
Sorry to have driven you to distraction Maurice! So, you are now primed for any future challenges! D PS: You said that posting videos to YouTube and then linking to them was how you posted your movies. But, explain to me how you get that nifty little frame grab in the WordPress post … which magically plays in the WP environment rather than migrating to YouTube.com? Maybe I’ve got this all wrong.
Copy the YouTube URL and then paste it into a new line, all by itself in the editor. Make sure you are in the ‘kitchen sink’ view when doing this, not the text editor as it only works in kitchen sink view. It will not seem to work when you are in the editor (you will still just see the URL) but do a preview to verify – it will work there …. and I wasn’t that much driven to distraction. I love a good puzzle like the one you posted. Perhaps if it had been fishing equipment :>)
Got ya. D
Wait just one minute … I’ve got a file that’s just over 400MB … YouTube indicated this would take 90 minutes to load … what am I missing? Is there some way to compress this file?
Uploading to YouTube often takes a while. Youtube will compress it before making it available.
I love this post, its great seeing old equipment back in use. These old, pre-electric tools have such a clever designs, using natural science to create something new. It also sounds as though you will have some lovely things to eat from it.
Many thanks … appreciative reflection is always nice. D