Thread Number: 19439
America's Favorite Laundry Twins - SAVED!
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 312837   11/2/2008 at 22:24 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Woo - what a day!

A few weeks ago Estatesale Gary posted a link to an estate sale in a Chicago suburb that had a Westinghouse washer included in the sale. I shot the estate sale company a message asking if they would sell the set. She shot me back an offer that I couldn't refuse, and scheduled this Sunday to drive over to a town just east of Aurora, IL in I-88.

Boy, this was a washer from hell to get out of the basement. Certainly doesn't look pretty, but it is all there. It is an L-5 Laundromat (guessing 1950/1951), with Weigh-to-Save!

This house was unbelieveable. I've been through houses like this - just full of trash and junk, but each time I'm still amazed that people could live like this. The Estate Lady Leslie said the house was 10 times worse the weekend before during the sale. I had a hard time believing such a bold statement from the way the basement looked. Also the neighbors up the road helped out, along with my kid brother, and gave some history. Said the previous owner, Mary-Ellen and her husband built the house 45 years ago, but brought the Westinghouse set from their previous house. I really don't know how they got just the washer in the basement. I wish I would have taken a picture of the stairs, but I'm sure you've all been there before. Sharp 90 degree turn and no space there for an appliance truck. Yep, this was carried up by brute force.

Half way up the stairs, a call was put out by Estate Lady Leslie to push, with my foot still on the step. This equaled the Westinghouse to immediately crush my ankle. Besides the massive head injury from running into the garage door on the way out, all body parts are in tact!





Post# 312838 , Reply# 1   11/2/2008 at 22:25 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
My, what a nice boot you have! I couldn't believe that the original boot was in tact, and as soft as the day it was molded. I don't plan on using it, but will be nice to wear for a night on the town!

Take note - this is the only shot of the Weigh-to-Save scale in pristine condition. Details later.


Post# 312840 , Reply# 2   11/2/2008 at 22:29 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Also take note of the sweat dripping down my forehead. I did mention that this was carried up by brute force. Estate Lady Leslie found a pair of jumper cables. Ran the cables under the front legs, and pulled the machine up the stairs - with my 15 y/o brother, and a 50 something neighbor below. I certainly didn't want either to get hurt. Somebody in Appliance Heaven were looking out for us.

In the meantime, once it got up the stairs, the Laundromat fell on her side. I'm not sure why I'm smiling in this picture.


Post# 312842 , Reply# 3   11/2/2008 at 22:31 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        
And finally - back together at last!

swestoyz's profile picture
Fast forward to this evening...

And both machines are reunited for the first time in probably 4 decades. The dryer was stored out in the garage. I suspect that Mary-Ellen used the Laundromat as a second washer. On the main floor she had a half bath and laundry room, with ah 1967 Lady Kenmore dryer, and a mid 80's Maytag.



Post# 312843 , Reply# 4   11/2/2008 at 22:33 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
The second mistake of the afternoon was scratching the front of the dryer door - after it had survived for over 50 years in perfect condition. Tried to save a radio as well (pictures later) and an effort to rearrange the washer and dryer resulted in this permanent scar. Oh well, could be worse.

Post# 312844 , Reply# 5   11/2/2008 at 22:34 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
When was the last time you saw a 115v Westinghouse dryer? I was shocked when I saw the cord and wondered if it was gas! I now know why they have a 3 hour timer on this beast.

Post# 312845 , Reply# 6   11/2/2008 at 22:35 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Oh the washer. She'll need a ton of body work, and some small mechanicals as well.

Post# 312846 , Reply# 7   11/2/2008 at 22:35 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
L-5 model tag.

Post# 312848 , Reply# 8   11/2/2008 at 22:37 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Tub shot. Bob, I know you like these boots, so this one is for you.

Notice the broken scale. Still works fine, but a constant reminders to the lessons learned from the long day.


Post# 312849 , Reply# 9   11/2/2008 at 22:38 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Timer and water level controls. Love the color of the dial, and the font they used.

Post# 312850 , Reply# 10   11/2/2008 at 22:39 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Rear shots.

Last mistake made. there was a lint screen that fit over the vent hole. You can see the slots that it would slide into. I kept thinking about it before I left. The head injury must have done something, because it was left behind.

Also, the original service panel was behind the washer when found. Couldn't believe it!


Post# 312851 , Reply# 11   11/2/2008 at 22:42 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
While in the house, there were some other goodies too. The neighbors and Estate Lady Leslie were kind enough to donate for the efforts. I've never seen a 78 picture disc before - was found in the catalogs of records that I snagged. A model 30 Electrolux with attachments came home, some Saran Wrap from the 60's, Sunbean model 20 coffee maker (with a good gasket!), iron, milk bottle, telephone line testers, to make a few.

Post# 312852 , Reply# 12   11/2/2008 at 22:43 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I had to leave this radio behind. It was in beautiful shape, and was FM too. Looking at the logo I had a hunch it was a match to the Laundry Twins - at least model year wise.

Post# 312853 , Reply# 13   11/2/2008 at 22:43 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Westinghouse - FM.

Post# 312856 , Reply# 14   11/2/2008 at 22:45 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Before I finish this post - the one area of concern on the washer is the outer tub band. It has rusted through, and I'm not sure what I can use to replace it with. Should be a fun problem to fix.

Post# 312857 , Reply# 15   11/2/2008 at 22:46 (5,625 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Enjoy!

I'm sure I'll have more pictures tomorrow after I get a chance to wipe them down and take a closer look.

Ben


Post# 312859 , Reply# 16   11/2/2008 at 22:47 (5,625 days old) by tuthill ()        
Awesome

Nice score Ben! Good luck on getting them up and running.

Post# 312860 , Reply# 17   11/2/2008 at 23:16 (5,625 days old) by a440 ()        
Great Pictures Ben!

Man! You worked hard!
Also looks like a very fun estate sale!
The machine is dirty, but looks like it it is in very good shape. The tub looks great. The rust stains on the tub band don't look all that bad. Is there actually a hole?
Glad that you saved her, and also glad that you posted pictures.
Thanks for posting.
Brent


Post# 312862 , Reply# 18   11/2/2008 at 23:19 (5,625 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
Weigh To Save - Ben!!!!

Get it? Har Har Har. You're quite ingenious when it comes to
fixing those vintage machines ; I'm sure you will have no
trouble fixing the tub band. Amazing for the boot to
be so brand new. Back in the early 70's I had the dryer,
I remember being disappointed that the glass was not a
window. I thought I remember mine being convertible to 220 but that may be just another fig of my imagination.
It looks like you made a good haul , even though the FM
stayed behind. Can't wait to see the first wash vid(s)


Post# 312863 , Reply# 19   11/2/2008 at 23:22 (5,625 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
A 115 dryer! Can you imagine taking clothes that finished a blistering 475 rpm spin and putting them in there? Don't throw out your wringer washer!

Does the washer drum have three mini-baffles around the opening? I wonder if a machine shop could bend and weld some new metal for the tub-band? As long as it's held tightly together, there should be a solution not too far out of reach.

Every appliance transfer is a learning lesson, I burned a bridge with a friend with my 55 Kelvinator and most horribly, smashed a hollow-core door moving a Speed Queen out of a house for sale. Oops. Oh, and Robert dropped a Maytag washer out of my van once. (he's gonna slap me for that!)

Congrats on the new twins, they are a lot of fun.


Post# 312883 , Reply# 20   11/3/2008 at 03:16 (5,625 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Ben absolutely beautiful. congratulations and a great save. And thank you for the boot shot, the modern ones just don't compare. Bob

Post# 312885 , Reply# 21   11/3/2008 at 03:20 (5,625 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Laundramats

chestermikeuk's profile picture
well done Ben and helpers, another set saved for posterity!!!I thanks the stars we dont have basements over here like you do, I know you do find stuff thats kept there but...heck....all adds to the fun of collecting!!

What year where the first slant front models made??

Enjoy, Mike


Post# 312890 , Reply# 22   11/3/2008 at 06:07 (5,625 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
ah congrats.. love em.. that is the same set i have here and i know youll love em.

Post# 312965 , Reply# 23   11/3/2008 at 15:49 (5,624 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Way to go, Ben! Nice save!

Don't you love those rescues from down in the basement? The last roundtop GE 'fridge I picked up was down a flight of stairs, with a turn in the middle, and a low ceiling. It was me on the top, pulling on the handtruck, and trying to guide it, owner on the bottom pushing and lifting, and his BIL standing by, with "encouraging words" (BIL "You're hitting the ceiling....Me "NO SH#T"!)


Post# 312966 , Reply# 24   11/3/2008 at 15:51 (5,624 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
BTW, why couldn't you save the Hi-Fi?

Post# 312971 , Reply# 25   11/3/2008 at 16:07 (5,624 days old) by fredfred9633 ()        

?
do you know what year they are...o_0

god
what i would do for a pair like that
congrats!!!!

:)


Post# 313003 , Reply# 26   11/3/2008 at 20:52 (5,624 days old) by jetaction (Minneapolis)        
Great set Ben!

jetaction's profile picture
I hope all of the trouble spots are already found!

Post# 313005 , Reply# 27   11/3/2008 at 21:05 (5,624 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Update photos -

Hey Gang, took a moment this evening while doing some wash to clean up and inspect the Laundromat some more.

The cast iron weights have a casted date of 9-50, so I'm going to take a stab that the washer was built in late 1950.

You can barely make out the water injection system on the top of the outer tub. It is in pretty poor shape, but I think I have some ideas stewing about in my head that involve copper pipe. We'll see what happens when I retore the machine. That won't be anytime soon though.


Post# 313006 , Reply# 28   11/3/2008 at 21:07 (5,624 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I also took a look at the dryer this evening as well. Not in the greatest of mechanical shape. I'm not sure I a plan to save it or not, so in the mean time I 'borrowed' the top panel and the bottom inspection panel to make the washer esthetically pleasing until the Laundromat is stripped and painted.

Post# 313007 , Reply# 29   11/3/2008 at 21:08 (5,624 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Post clean-up picture.

Post# 313008 , Reply# 30   11/3/2008 at 21:10 (5,624 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Timer detail. The timer motor doesn't seem to work. Not sure at the moment if it is not getting 110v, or if it really is dead. I'll investigate at a later time.

Such a pretty timer dial!


Post# 313009 , Reply# 31   11/3/2008 at 21:17 (5,624 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Door close-up. Not quite desktop image material, but close.

Mechanically the machine seems to be in very good shape. The speed changer is working flawlessly (and is spinning the tub in this picture), which I am grateful for. It will need the usual's - hoses, pump, door seal; which are to be expected on any 58 year old Westinghouse. It appears that the tub band is a two piece job, with one side pretty rusted through. I might be able to repair it since it is just painted stamped steel.

Kenny - if the Tahoe was 1 inch wider in the wheel wells, I would have been able to arrange the set such that the radio would have sat by the back doors. The radio is up for grabs in the western Chicago area if someone is interested. Neighbors said it would be there for a few more weeks.

I have two other machines in front of this one to restore this winter - the 1953 Maytag 101P, and the 350 Blackstone. Once those are done I can shift efforts to the L-5.

Thanks for the kind comments guys - you all are the best!

Ben



Post# 313017 , Reply# 32   11/3/2008 at 21:58 (5,624 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Ben you really worked to get this set!! I am sure that you were more than ready for a beer when you got those out of that basement!! Amazing how much better they look after a little clean-up! Sounds like you have a busy winter ahead! Terry

Post# 313022 , Reply# 33   11/3/2008 at 22:04 (5,624 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
WOW!! That house looks like a mess! Great score Ben! Congrats!

Post# 313067 , Reply# 34   11/4/2008 at 12:13 (5,623 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        

polkanut's profile picture
So Ben, did the owner pass away or move to assisted living/nursing home?

Post# 313532 , Reply# 35   11/6/2008 at 19:22 (5,621 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        
312580 post

Ben, looks like the slant fronts had all the suspension in the top, with that large rear spring holding the mechanism, as well as the "leaf spring arrangement at the top. Roberts spacemates he recently posted. seemed to have car type shock absorbers at the bottom of the cabinet. my question did all the slant fronts have your suspension? and the flat front designs have a kind of "ground up suspension" thanks for the photo's Ben. alr2903

Post# 313545 , Reply# 36   11/6/2008 at 20:52 (5,621 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Ben

jetcone's profile picture
Nice pictures!!

We've all been there with difficult move outs! I have had a few in my desire to save a new treasure.

Isn't it fun though; the exhaustion/exhilaration when you finally see that machine sitting on your truck and its pointed home?

That looks like a good project machine for sure, if it has a good boot you're in business.

That tub clamp looks like the rust was generated from a leak around the door. Is there a hole in the outer tub? If not I'd leave it alone and clean the rust up and find the leak around the door. If the fill flume was leaking that would cause that rust pattern.

Note: Those machines had Cork gaskets that dried out without use and if you start using them again they will leak like a sieve for a month as they rehydrate and then they will seal up really good again work beautifully.

Otherwise a little and polish and you're there with Westinghouse clean!!

Enjoy! Jon







Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy