Thread Number: 15587
Blackstone 350 Rebuilding
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Post# 261916   1/27/2008 at 15:25 (5,905 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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I'm currently rebuilding a Blackstone model 350 for a lucky member, and took some photos yesterday. I'm not doing a complete restoration, just putting together a working machine, so I can move it out of the store. First step was removing the transmission from a 250, and putting it into a 350 cabinet.





Post# 261917 , Reply# 1   1/27/2008 at 15:27 (5,905 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Close-up picture of 350 cabinet, minus the front panel, knobs, and stainless steel top.


Post# 261918 , Reply# 2   1/27/2008 at 15:32 (5,905 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Groan!

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Picture of the transmission removed from the 250, ready to drop into (figurately speaking, of course) the 350 cabinet. This sucker is just about at the limit of what I can lift and carefully drop down. Not much to reconnect the transmission once into the cabinet--only the three nuts to bolt it in place (not that it has anywhere to go to); the cable connecting to the water valve; the linkage to the control knob; and the electrical connection. Next step will be sliding the outer tub into the cabinet and connecting the hoses.


Post# 261965 , Reply# 3   1/27/2008 at 22:21 (5,905 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Very interesting Fred, thanks for sharing this adventure with us. I will look forward to more pictures as you continue with the restoration.

Post# 261967 , Reply# 4   1/27/2008 at 22:34 (5,905 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Thanks for posting Fred! Wow - every time I see a Blackstone I think of one word - beefy. So totally built to out live us all.

Ben


Post# 261994 , Reply# 5   1/28/2008 at 08:00 (5,904 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        
Looks like a heavy load...

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And this was a "lightweight" compared with the earlier Blackstone mechanisms!

It's great to see the pictures of this out of the cabinet - was there something not working about the original in the 350?


Post# 262041 , Reply# 6   1/28/2008 at 14:48 (5,904 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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The transmission that was in the 350 did not work because apparently the mechanical timer inside the transmission was not advancing. Another 350 had a broken connecting rod inside the transmission. The quickest fix was to swap the transmissions, and save the rebuildings for a later date, when I have more time.


Post# 262042 , Reply# 7   1/28/2008 at 15:06 (5,904 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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I had two 250s and two 350s in the store, only one of which had a working transmission. One of the 350 transmission had a broken connecting rod; the other had a mechanical timer that was not advancing. Easier to swap the transmissions and save the transmission repair for some other time.


Post# 262937 , Reply# 8   2/2/2008 at 14:54 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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13 more pictures to follow, showing the rebuilding that I did this afternoon. First, is the replacement outer tub in the cabinet. Rubber boot will go on the bottom.


Post# 262939 , Reply# 9   2/2/2008 at 14:56 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Then I can connect the drain to the pump. Lint strainer on the bottom of the tub slides out like a drawer. When replaced, make sure it is a tight fit.


Post# 262940 , Reply# 10   2/2/2008 at 14:57 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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This is the tub support disk that is to be removed from another Blackstone.


Post# 262942 , Reply# 11   2/2/2008 at 14:59 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Rubber boot installed at the bottom of the outer tub. (Hope it doesn't leak!)


Post# 262943 , Reply# 12   2/2/2008 at 15:02 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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This picture is named "Feet_on_Disk" because that's exactly what it is. The disk has to be seated as far down as possible, and the best way to do it is to stand on the disk while you tighten the set screw. Try doing this in a plastic tub Whirlpool.


Post# 262944 , Reply# 13   2/2/2008 at 15:04 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Spline on top of agitator shaft, into which the inner tub sits. Outer shaft is for spinning, inner shaft is for agitation.


Post# 262945 , Reply# 14   2/2/2008 at 15:06 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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View of the bottom of the stainless steel inner tub. Well, the bottom is actually cast iron. Die cast bottom of post sits on disk; when tub gets lifted up, water gravity drains through the holes in the bottom, before spinning removes rest of water.


Post# 262946 , Reply# 15   2/2/2008 at 15:07 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Outside of stainless steel tub. Washboard design allows water to crawl up and over the top edge when spinning, while clothes are not pressed tightly against surface.


Post# 262947 , Reply# 16   2/2/2008 at 15:11 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Close up view of tub center post that fits into spline.


Post# 262948 , Reply# 17   2/2/2008 at 15:13 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Inside view of tub after set into machine. This is the second-most strenuous part of the job, since the tub weighs 70 lbs. Best done with two people, but I didn't have anyone around to help. In other words, make sure what you do prior to this step is right, or else you will be lifting the tub out again. Still a nice shiny washing surface after 50 years.

Post# 262949 , Reply# 18   2/2/2008 at 15:16 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Close up view of brass water valve and water deflector. There is an extension piece on the outer tub to collect water drippings from here, but I wrap something around this opening to help guide the water and prevent it from spilling inside the cabinet. The brass pipe is bent for proper adjustment.


Post# 262950 , Reply# 19   2/2/2008 at 15:17 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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The spider, which moves the agitator. Originally made of metal, later nylon.


Post# 262952 , Reply# 20   2/2/2008 at 15:19 (5,899 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Last but not least for today, the agitator placed into the tub. During agitation, the center shaft drops down and the spider engages the agitator. Hopefully. There will be a stainless cap that presses on top of the agitator.


Post# 262956 , Reply# 21   2/2/2008 at 15:45 (5,899 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

Hi Fred. Thank you for posting such interesting pictures.


Ross


Post# 262986 , Reply# 22   2/2/2008 at 20:26 (5,899 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Great pictures, Fred! These are such interesting machines.

Post# 262995 , Reply# 23   2/2/2008 at 22:19 (5,899 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Great pictures Fred, thanks so much for sharing them. I loved the one where you are standing in the tub!!

Post# 262997 , Reply# 24   2/2/2008 at 22:32 (5,899 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Never seen one of these work in person

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and always amazed by them. Love how the tub looks so futurisitc. Learn so much when people do this. Do some of the Blackstone models rinse automtaically in hot, and do they really drain from both the bottom and the top? So you have a store, huh?

Like Terry, love the one where we can see your boots right inside the tub.


Post# 262998 , Reply# 25   2/2/2008 at 22:55 (5,899 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Wow - now we are really getting intimate with a Blackstone! It is amazing the 'over-engineering' that went into this machine. The splined shaft for the tub looks like it should be a part in a GM Turbo-Hydromatic 400 - that well built.

The boot shot - what a great picture!

This machine will be stunning when it is finished - thanks for sharing!

Ben


Post# 263031 , Reply# 26   2/3/2008 at 05:22 (5,899 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

I don't know that I'm that impressed with how well built, or rebuilt these things are. I know two of the three machines Mark (Lightedcontrols) bought and had shipped are already out of service after just a few loads.

One thing I do admire with the Blackstone's is how well that old agitator with those little fins is able to create such good roll-over.Very impressive action!


Post# 263044 , Reply# 27   2/3/2008 at 10:10 (5,898 days old) by rogera608s (Tucson,AZ)        

Fred,
Your pictures are great. I never cease to be fascinated by this machine. I still remember the day we brought my 350 home and plugged it in....it sprung to life and has been washing ever since. I can only imagine how complex the gearcase must be inside.
The person who gets this washer will be lucky indeed.
Roger


Post# 263080 , Reply# 28   2/3/2008 at 15:39 (5,898 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Thanks for all the interesting comments about these pictures. I'm posting them also so I can look at the progress for myself.

The Blackstone 350 has infinite water temperature control--you can set any water temperature at any time during the cycle by rotating the knob on the front. The water first drains through the holes in the bottom of the tub before spinning starts; once it starts to spin, water climbs up the wall of the tub and over the top.

I am clearing out our family TV and appliance business. My father started fixing radios in 1938. We lived behind the store, so I was always involved in the sales, service, and delivery of everything. Times change, and now I have to sell the building.

I wish I had more time to fully restore these Blackstones, but I need to have the building empty, in case it sells. I'm just trying to put together a few working machines. They may last forever, or they may not. Besides, I know most everyone here likes to take things apart and put them back together, so I leave that to you. I'm keeping the washer and dryer that my mother used. Whenever I have spare time, I will probably thoroughly fix them. I do have a good supply of parts, along with the service manuals, and I am not throwing away any Blackstone stuff.

Here is a picture of the store building that I am trying to sell, unsuccessfully.


Post# 263173 , Reply# 29   2/4/2008 at 02:51 (5,898 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Blackstone

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Great to see a full restoration, so solid a machine and fantastic to see the works and all...that agi looks like its meant to be in a commercial machine.I cant believe its the one machine I missed seeing in action at Gregs last year!!!

I like the concept of the tub vanes being able to drive the water up and out, for better extraction.Sorry to hear you are needing to sell your store, its most certainly true that times are a changing!!!, Mike


Post# 264224 , Reply# 30   2/10/2008 at 12:31 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
6 More Pictures

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Rebuilding is complete, ready to be shipped out. There is a problem with the clutch plate slipping, a problem that I don't have time to fix. A complete restoration does take a long time, but at least I got this machine all put together and able to go through a cycle. The heavy inner tub spins slowly. The clutch plate is on the center post of the transmission, below the belt-driven pulley, somewhat visible in the earlier picture showing the transmission.


Post# 264225 , Reply# 31   2/10/2008 at 12:33 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Close up view of the front panel, showing water temperature knob, and stainless steel top.


Post# 264226 , Reply# 32   2/10/2008 at 12:35 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Just in case you didn't know that it was a Blackstone. Better view of the stainless top, inner tub, and agitator cap.



Post# 264227 , Reply# 33   2/10/2008 at 12:37 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Original advertising flyer for the 350. Note the optional red "Petticoat" that could be placed on top of the agitator, in order to have a gentler agitation.


Post# 264228 , Reply# 34   2/10/2008 at 12:39 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Your Blackstone Washer Is Only This Wide

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So says the yardstick, pointing to the 26" mark.


Post# 264229 , Reply# 35   2/10/2008 at 12:40 (5,891 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Finally, a display sign for the wall.


Post# 264577 , Reply# 36   2/12/2008 at 07:40 (5,889 days old) by hilovane (Columbus OH)        

Any possibility of a legible pic of that advertising flyer?
-thanx!


Post# 264584 , Reply# 37   2/12/2008 at 08:10 (5,889 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Great signage, Fred! Are you going to use them as artwork in your house? They would be great in the kitchen - stairwells - so many places!

Post# 264672 , Reply# 38   2/12/2008 at 17:22 (5,889 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Maybe I should have used this curtain as a backdrop....or is it overkill?

Post# 264673 , Reply# 39   2/12/2008 at 17:24 (5,889 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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Here's the advertising flyer that I scanned in.


Post# 264674 , Reply# 40   2/12/2008 at 17:25 (5,889 days old) by blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

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The 350 inside the flyer.

Post# 264692 , Reply# 41   2/12/2008 at 19:13 (5,889 days old) by hilovane (Columbus OH)        

Thanx for the pic; very interesting stuff. I remember my grandmother had a Blackstone 150 when I was a li'l kid. Occasionally, she'd "save" a load of laundry for me, so I could watch it (at the time, my family lived in an apartment, and didn't have our own washing machine). I can vaguely rememeber that hollow sound of teh flume sparying the water into the empty tub; my grandmother adding her "witches' brew" of additives. And then watching her load it up as the agitator sucked everything down deep into the tub. I also rememeber that if it had an unbalanced load, it would vibrate and "walk." It scared me sh**less the first time I saw that. I mean, hell; I was...how old? I must've been all of seven, or thereabouts. Anyway, she replaced it with a Norge, and I remember roughly when she got it; about a month or so later, JFK was shot.


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