Thread Number: 10972
Curious Craigslist Kenmore 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 198904   3/21/2007 at 22:33 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Well here is that old BOL Kenmore washer and the Frigidaire dryer. It is a curious "Hydro-Swirl" kinda semi-automatic - reminds me of the old Hotpoint in that you have to turn off the water yourself. These machines are in pretty good shape, the old man who owned them was the type who kept every receipt and maintenance record. Nobody seemed to want them so I went and got them.




Post# 198906 , Reply# 1   3/21/2007 at 22:40 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Well, I hope nobody is too attached to the old machine as I plan to part it out in order to service any possible breakdowns in the other Kenmores I own. I'm glad it is in good shape as the parts are hopefully good too. Not sure just how compatable they are though as these are newer than I thought. It is a little annoying to have to stand there and manually turn the water off - even the 47 Bendix takes care of that.

Post# 198908 , Reply# 2   3/21/2007 at 22:45 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Here is the old Frigidaire. Somebody please take this off my hands as I will have to send it to the crusher soon. I can store it for some time if needed. The cord has been cut off so I don't know if it works or not.

Post# 198909 , Reply# 3   3/21/2007 at 22:47 (6,237 days old) by scott55405 ()        

I believe, in addition to operating the water manually, you have to reset the timer between the wash, rinse and spin, hence the "semi automatic" moniker. Still, it's a neat machine and both are in nice condition. I don't think anyone has the Frigidaire version of the Hamilton dryer either.

Automatic washers were so expensive in relation to people's income at that time that I think several manufacturers offered this as a less expensive, easier than a wringer but not quite automatic alternative.

I wonder if there are substantial differences in the inner workings of the semi automatic, vs. automatic, Kenmores of that day.

Post# 198910 , Reply# 4   3/21/2007 at 22:51 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Inside the Frig.

Post# 198912 , Reply# 5   3/21/2007 at 22:55 (6,237 days old) by bobbins (Victoria, BC, Canada)        

Inside pictures of the washer? You should make a video of the washer!

These are Gems!!

Post# 198913 , Reply# 6   3/21/2007 at 22:57 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Here is the instruction manual that the old man had kept. Toooo bad he didn't spring for that TOL '57! Cost is written on front $99.50. Also says clutch bearing and gears replaced.

Post# 198914 , Reply# 7   3/21/2007 at 23:00 (6,237 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Wow, very cool, and in awesome shape! Those Kenmore semi-automatics are quite rare...if I were to make a suggestion, I'd say hang onto it, if for no other reason than the condition. Some of the parts may not be compatible, and the motor is probably only 1 speed.

Besides, a machine that involves some user intervention is quite fun after a while! ;-)

Post# 198916 , Reply# 8   3/21/2007 at 23:06 (6,237 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Oh man, don't part it! It's too kewl intact!

Post# 198917 , Reply# 9   3/21/2007 at 23:09 (6,237 days old) by decodriveboy (FL, US)        

Someone save the dryer! Please no crusher! If only you were closer I'd take it.

Post# 198918 , Reply# 10   3/21/2007 at 23:10 (6,237 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Reading the Yahoo archives from around 2000 or so, wasn't one of these Hydro-Swirl machines one of the machines that one poster on there lied about finding?

Post# 198919 , Reply# 11   3/21/2007 at 23:10 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        

It looks like the Hydro-Swirl but this machine is a little different as it does have a water hookup in the back. Cold water only! The dial is a little more complicated too with more fabric settings. I think this instruction manual is from 56 actually so there might be one year difference or something. Actually now I notice that the "Cycla-Fabric" model for 1956 was the one-eyed frog or target looking one, so this must be 1954 I'm guessing.

Post# 198921 , Reply# 12   3/21/2007 at 23:16 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        
Filling

Well with the water off it made clunk and clang noises so with the water hooked up here it goes.

Am enjoying reading about the Delux Cycla-fabric model that was recently restored by Rick_r and that Dick_s has. That truely is "the world's most automatic washer", etc.

Post# 198922 , Reply# 13   3/21/2007 at 23:20 (6,237 days old) by bobbins (Victoria, BC, Canada)        

Be curious to see your collection sometime!! I planning to be in Seattle next month for a course at Greenriver..

Bob

Post# 198924 , Reply# 14   3/21/2007 at 23:30 (6,237 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)        
Washing away Yay!

 Well actually it agitates just fine in wash but doesn't agitage in rinse-fill and it doesn't seem to spin, so it is not %100. Pump works fine though.

Checked the suds-return and it works. The Suds on my other Kenmore is broken and has been disabled. Had not ever witnessed one before - pretty interesting. Hopefully the part is compatable.

So, you don't think the motor is compatible with the other machines? Hmmm. I do know the 51's are a little different in some ways but the same in others - I have the parts list stuff. Y'know I am totally tapped out room-wise for additional machines and as much as I like this one it was imminently going to the Krusher. Those poor 51's are going to see some heavy use here soon and I have got to be able to keep them going. I really don't enjoy the idea of it but I have had to do it to a few cars -- gotta keep the heros going.

Post# 198927 , Reply# 15   3/22/2007 at 00:01 (6,237 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        
It would be different

 Semi-Auto machines were very common over here for years.

The big difference was lack of timer, Filling mechanism, and suds diverter valve. Is it a mechanical spring type of timer rather than an electric one?

The whirlpools here, have a 3 position switch, with wash, drain, spin, each of which activates a solenoid on the wig wag. The mechanical timer controls the lenth of the wash/rinse times.

The reversing motor types usually had three buttons, wash, off spin, and the idea was that you had to go through off to change directions.

I've got a Simpson Fluid drive I'm parting out at the moment, it did away with the wash/spin solenoids and had a mechanical linkage that operated the cam bars instead.

Other than the gearbox and pump, I dont think you'll find much is compatible with an automatic. It probably wont have a suds diverter valve, as that would've occured manually, and the motor will be only single speed. The different fabric types it lists are to provide an indication of wash time, rather than a special cycle.

These machines were common overhere but rare as hens teeth in the US.

Wouldnt that Dryer match Roberts 1948 Fridgidaire?

Post# 198949 , Reply# 16   3/22/2007 at 08:10 (6,237 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

I have contacted Brian about the dryer and asked if he will hold it for a couple of weeks while I arrange transportation. Is there anyone who is interested in it and ready to transport it? If so, please let me know. It is not that I have to have it, but we do need to save it.
Tom

Post# 198950 , Reply# 17   3/22/2007 at 08:24 (6,237 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
These are pretty darn cool. If it is meant to be for parts to keep the herd up and going, there is nothing wrong with that. Interesting thing about the Frigidaire vs. the Hamilton is that the door swings the opposite direction - to the left on a Hamilton, and to the right on the Frigidaire.

Cool stuff!!

Ben

Post# 198967 , Reply# 18   3/22/2007 at 10:40 (6,237 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Ben, the other difference between the Frigidaire and the Hamilton is that the window is at the bottom of the opening in the Frigidaire and at the top in the Hamilton. It is strange watching the tumbling in the Frigidaire because the window position shows the items landing and starting back up rather than reaching the top and starting to fall. A friend's family had a model that was a little bit newer than this one because it had a dial for temperature selection.
Tom

Post# 199052 , Reply# 19   3/22/2007 at 20:15 (6,236 days old) by dick_s. ()        
My two cents worth

 Brian, I have to agree with Austin-I just can't see pieces of history like that sent to the crusher! I had no idea that's what you planned to do after stipping the washer. Now I could see this being done to a say BOL 70s something Kenmore that you stripped for certain parts but not a 50s' washer. The cabinet looks to be in great shape.

I sure wish I live closer to you. PLEASE someone out there, please don't let this machine go to the crusher!

Dick S.



Post# 199121 , Reply# 20   3/23/2007 at 10:03 (6,236 days old) by tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)        

Brian has informed me that the dryer is a 115 volt model. I am not going to try to acquire it. I hope that someone will be able to save it.
Tom


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