Thread Number: 21409
Combolicious Dream: 1957 Bendix Duomatic!
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Post# 337323   3/24/2009 at 20:33 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I don't even know where to start.




Post# 337326 , Reply# 1   3/24/2009 at 20:39 (5,483 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
OMG, how fabulous Ben! What, just one little picture? You know we're all dying for more.

Post# 337328 , Reply# 2   3/24/2009 at 20:40 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
This story starts back on December 9th, 2008. I don't actually recall that evening, but I must of had Chinese. Like always after Chinese I cracked open the fortune for a good snack and found a surprising note. The fortune struck me so much that I took it to work with me the next day and put it in my Outlook calendar at work.

"Three months from today a good thing will happen to you"

Honestly I had been so busy with the house, work, and life, that when I got to work on 3/02 I I thought it was going to be a normal day. I opened my calendar and saw the fortune. I laughed and thought, sure.

Check my personal mail a few hours later and find an email from Mary. Mary's message was simple but clear. Her and her husband had recently bought a house and found this Duomatic washer/dryer in the basement, and wanted to know if I wanted it.

I asked for a photo and received one back almost immediately. It was as if the stars had aligned or the Earth shifted - 4 photos of my dream machine were in my mailbox!


Post# 337330 , Reply# 3   3/24/2009 at 20:44 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
For the past three weeks I have been working with Mary, her husband, and Bobbie over at You Crate to get this thing to Iowa. It was in Central NY State, on a farm up in the hills. Unfortunately they didn't have a solid driveway nor an easy exit for the Duomatic to leave their basement.

Thankfully they enlisted the help of their nephews. Honestly, I don't know how they got it out of the basement, but I'm sure to each my spinach tomorrow!


Post# 337331 , Reply# 4   3/24/2009 at 20:46 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Fast forward to today. I'm bracing for the best!

Post# 337332 , Reply# 5   3/24/2009 at 20:47 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

Post# 337334 , Reply# 6   3/24/2009 at 20:50 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Presenting the 1957 AVCO produced Bendix Duomatic.

Let this be a lesson to everyone that wants to ship a Duomatic via You Crate. Our washers are about 1 inch taller than the 40x40 crate. When it was loaded they had to cover the machine and strap the top down to keep it all together, causing the crate to rest on the panel.

Thus, when you travel 1300 miles like that, you're going to find breakage somewhere. So, if you want to ship one of these, please get the taller crate. You'll thank me later.

I'm not bitter, so let's move on!


Post# 337335 , Reply# 7   3/24/2009 at 20:51 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Even with the cracked panel, the rest of the machine is complete. The things that needed to be in good shape are - the door boot, the soap boot, all the panels are not rusted through.

Post# 337336 , Reply# 8   3/24/2009 at 20:53 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Avco model number tag. So, is the first part of the serial the date? If so, I'm not sure if it would read June 1st 1957, or January 6th, 1957.

Yes, that is right. 4.6Kw (thanks for noticing Cory!)


Post# 337338 , Reply# 9   3/24/2009 at 20:56 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Cool door!

Post# 337339 , Reply# 10   3/24/2009 at 20:57 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Bendix close up.

Post# 337340 , Reply# 11   3/24/2009 at 20:57 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Model tag on back of the machine.

Post# 337341 , Reply# 12   3/24/2009 at 20:58 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Back panel.

Post# 337342 , Reply# 13   3/24/2009 at 20:59 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Beautiful controls, back side.

Post# 337343 , Reply# 14   3/24/2009 at 20:59 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
wiring diagram.

Post# 337345 , Reply# 15   3/24/2009 at 21:01 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Yes, I was crazy enough to plug it in. Did not start the machine, but I wanted to turn the light on. Needed some feel good.

Post# 337346 , Reply# 16   3/24/2009 at 21:01 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
The rest of the photos are glam. No words necessary.

Post# 337347 , Reply# 17   3/24/2009 at 21:02 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Never realized my name was part of Bendix.

Post# 337348 , Reply# 18   3/24/2009 at 21:03 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337349 , Reply# 19   3/24/2009 at 21:04 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337350 , Reply# 20   3/24/2009 at 21:04 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337351 , Reply# 21   3/24/2009 at 21:05 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337352 , Reply# 22   3/24/2009 at 21:06 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337353 , Reply# 23   3/24/2009 at 21:07 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
decent boot.

Post# 337354 , Reply# 24   3/24/2009 at 21:08 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture


Post# 337355 , Reply# 25   3/24/2009 at 21:11 (5,483 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Woohoo! Congrats!

Post# 337357 , Reply# 26   3/24/2009 at 21:18 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Now for the unpretty pictures. Everything is there, but this machine has been in a limestone basement for decades now. I wish I had the time now to dive into it, but I don't. Will be a true winter project.

Motor and transmission


Post# 337358 , Reply# 27   3/24/2009 at 21:18 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
coin trap and pump

Post# 337359 , Reply# 28   3/24/2009 at 21:19 (5,483 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Bendix!

peteski50's profile picture
What a awsome awsome find
Best Of Luck with it.
Peter


Post# 337360 , Reply# 29   3/24/2009 at 21:20 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Blower motor. Not sure if the mice or the move killed the cooling fan.

Post# 337361 , Reply# 30   3/24/2009 at 21:20 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Water injector

Post# 337362 , Reply# 31   3/24/2009 at 21:20 (5,483 days old) by supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        
Wow!

supersuds's profile picture
A real dream machine, indeed! Doesn't Jetcone have one?

Boy, it is just a be-yeaut!


Post# 337363 , Reply# 32   3/24/2009 at 21:22 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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three temp water valve with aux valve for the injector

Post# 337364 , Reply# 33   3/24/2009 at 21:22 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Pump assembly. It will be quite sometime before this would even look half as good as one of John E's machines.

Post# 337365 , Reply# 34   3/24/2009 at 21:23 (5,483 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Wow, I'm speechless!!!!

Post# 337367 , Reply# 35   3/24/2009 at 21:25 (5,483 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
For now this machine will remain "OFF". But soon this will need some attention, just like the dozens of others in the basement. Once I get the house buttoned up on the inside this late spring, and painting on the exterior completed this summer - I'll have more time to dive into the toys in the basement.

Speaking of basement. I'm never hauling one of these down to a basement without a power-assisted cart, ever again. 2nd that Cory?

Ben


Post# 337369 , Reply# 36   3/24/2009 at 21:27 (5,483 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Its a beautiful machine Ben. I'm sorry about the panel, but machine is so wonderful and sooner or later another one might show somewhere in the upper midwest and you will be able swap out those parts. Besides the real fun about the machine is what goes on behind that incredible round glass! When you look up Front Loader in the Dictionary, a Bendix should be in the picture.

Post# 337374 , Reply# 37   3/24/2009 at 21:42 (5,483 days old) by tlee618 ()        

WOW Ben, I am going to start paying more attention to fortune cookies!! I am so happy for you. You do have your work cut out for you boy but there are many on here that will be of great help to you!! Sorry about the glass but I have a feeling at some point you will find another one. Congratulations again!!!

Post# 337375 , Reply# 38   3/24/2009 at 21:43 (5,483 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Congratulations Ben! That is great!
I know all about trying to move those megaliths, so I can sympathize with you!


Post# 337376 , Reply# 39   3/24/2009 at 21:44 (5,483 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
How Gorgeaus!

mayfan69's profile picture
Ben,

That's gorgeaus!!!
You see...all good things to those who wait!

Leon


Post# 337378 , Reply# 40   3/24/2009 at 21:44 (5,483 days old) by gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
57 Duomatic

Ben, Great pictures! Believe me you really have your work cut out for you.It is really a shame that the back panel was destroyed.You will find another one some day to complete a true restoration.That machine needs much inner work to get it running properly.I can see by looking at it that it surely will leak.the condenser base is very rusted.It is easy to fix when you take it apart.I did it 5 times.It is well worth the effort.It is a great machine!

Post# 337388 , Reply# 41   3/24/2009 at 22:47 (5,483 days old) by jetaction (Minneapolis)        
Wow!

jetaction's profile picture
Congrats Ben! I look forward to many more updates!

Post# 337389 , Reply# 42   3/24/2009 at 22:51 (5,483 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
WOW BEN!!!!!

revvinkevin's profile picture
That is just fantastic!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

All the best with it and I hope everything inside is in the best possible condition!

I look forward to future updates and photos of it working!

Kevin


Post# 337392 , Reply# 43   3/24/2009 at 23:01 (5,483 days old) by tuthill ()        
Awesome Ben just awesome

What a crazy machine! Good luck getting it up and running... I wouldn't even know where to start :/

This seems to be a good week for finds... especially Matt finding a WORKING '65 rollermatic!


Post# 337399 , Reply# 44   3/25/2009 at 00:00 (5,483 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
WOW!

ronhic's profile picture
Thats looks fantastic (3rd pic...blush)

...and the washer looks pretty damn fine too....


Post# 337401 , Reply# 45   3/25/2009 at 00:18 (5,483 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
This will shine up like a new penny! Congrats Ben, it was well worth the struggle to get it here.

Post# 337417 , Reply# 46   3/25/2009 at 06:47 (5,483 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        

*WOW* That is gorgeous. Congrats!

Post# 337423 , Reply# 47   3/25/2009 at 07:23 (5,483 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Wowee!

turquoisedude's profile picture
Geez, Ben, what a find! This is going to be one awesome machine! I am totally jealous that yours has a legible wiring diagram! LOL
All the best with this vintage combo beauty!!


Post# 337427 , Reply# 48   3/25/2009 at 07:40 (5,483 days old) by cadman (Cedar Falls, IA)        

cadman's profile picture
We were lucky to escape with our lives getting that thing to the basement!

While gathering his things, I could see the delivery driver sizing us up, then, in an almost disbelieving tone, and having fought the thing off the truck, asked "the two of you are going to haul _that_ downstairs??" Oye.

Thinking about it now, just WHERE is the weight in this Bendix?? Ben claims over 400lb, and the youcrate scale weight (including pallet) was in the 500lb range. Sheesh.

Cory



Post# 337431 , Reply# 49   3/25/2009 at 08:19 (5,483 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)        
Combo-atulations, Ben!!

WOW ... that is a beauty and when you get it up and running, it will be a dream come true; you and Cory will have the muscles to prove it, too!! :-)



Post# 337433 , Reply# 50   3/25/2009 at 08:27 (5,483 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
WOW!! Now thats not something you find every day....

Looks like you have a big job ahead of you Ben, but I know you will have that running like new when you are finished. Congrats!


Post# 337442 , Reply# 51   3/25/2009 at 09:04 (5,482 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Congratulations Ben(dix)!

jetcone's profile picture
Cory, Doctrine states 430 shipping pounds.
Greg is right this will shine up like a new penny!

If you need new door boots I have them at cost, email me.
But if these are good then as soon as you get inside the machine you should liberally coat them in Glycerine on both sides and let them sit and soak it in before they are stressed.

WONDERFUL FIND! A 1957 with black buttons!

Can't wait to see it close up!
New York has been the best source for these I got two of my 4 Duos from there!





Post# 337444 , Reply# 52   3/25/2009 at 09:05 (5,482 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
PS

jetcone's profile picture
Make Greg give you a box of the Purex Tabs I sent him as a welcome home gift for the virgin wash!



Post# 337450 , Reply# 53   3/25/2009 at 10:07 (5,482 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        

pdub's profile picture
Ben,

Congratulations on your wonderful find. I have always hung on to the good fortunes I have gotten out of fortune cookies myself. Sometimes they will surprise you - and what a surprise you received.

This machine is BEAUTIFUL. I know you'll get it restored and running with your talent. That crack in the glass is so minor that you really don't even see it in the photo's. And the fact that the boot is still good is amazing.

I look forward to your restoration.

Patrick


Post# 337451 , Reply# 54   3/25/2009 at 10:10 (5,482 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
I'm gonna have to take me a car trip

to Waterloo!!! You're a pro and I can see that Duo churning
out clean laundry by this time next year! Had you cast out
a "Bendix Wanted" net? How did Mary find you?


Post# 337467 , Reply# 55   3/25/2009 at 11:56 (5,482 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        
My Fortune Cookie Machine!

swestoyz's profile picture
Hey Guys - thanks for the kind words! I woke up still bummed about the panel, but I'll get over it.

John E - you are certainly right, this machine is in need of a complete tear down and rebuild. I'm not concerned with the amount of work needed - I was expecting worse actually. An appliance like this is special enough to take everything down, piece by piece, clean, refurbish, and rebuild. It will be a slow process, but I'm looking forward to it. As you said, there is always the chance that I'll run across an extra panel in my travels. I guess you never know.

Greg and I were discussing machines in our collections that are in different states of repair last night. Too bad I have many machines that need attention. I guess I'll have to make a list of who's naughy and nice and start from there! I wish I could get to them all at once, but I'll taken them on one at a time. This should hopefully be closer to the top of the list once I get the house buttoned up.

Mary found me by doing a Google search. Not sure how her radar honed in on me exactly, but I guess it was meant to be.

Jon Charles - Purex Tabs, eh? We'll see about that! :D

Ben



Post# 337562 , Reply# 56   3/25/2009 at 19:39 (5,482 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Nice machine, Ben, I can't imagine trying to muscle that one downstairs!

And all my fortune cookies ever say is "learn Chinese." Must be an omen....


Post# 337571 , Reply# 57   3/25/2009 at 21:12 (5,482 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        

That is an awesome machine! Best of of luck.

Jim


Post# 338369 , Reply# 58   3/28/2009 at 16:50 (5,479 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Ben(dix)

jetcone's profile picture
You have a very rare machine there! I have been doing some searching. That little "B" in the Crown on the door handle was the only year that symbol ever appeared! My 1955 machine has the steering wheel door handle.
My 1956 machines have the handle free door, the 1958 machines have the "P" for Philco. So 1957 was the only year they bore that "B".

I'm gonna digitize that symbol its a rare one!
Congrats again on a unique find!



Post# 338370 , Reply# 59   3/28/2009 at 16:51 (5,479 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Ben

jetcone's profile picture
Can you get a dead on shot of that B for me? And send it to me?
Thanks Jon


Post# 338371 , Reply# 60   3/28/2009 at 17:00 (5,479 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

Hi Ben. Congratulations on obtaining such a beautiful machine. I look forward to videos when you get it up and running.


Ross


Post# 338415 , Reply# 61   3/28/2009 at 20:12 (5,479 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Jon - you crack me up. A friend of mine has taken to calling me Ben(dix) as well, after she took a tour and saw the Megalith in the basement!

I love that this is one of the last Duomatics before the change over to Philco. I'll get some shots of both the handle and the control panel 'B' tomorrow, but for now - here is a teaser:


Post# 338455 , Reply# 62   3/28/2009 at 21:44 (5,479 days old) by eddy1210 (Burnaby BC Canada)        
nice catch, Ben

eddy1210's profile picture
It looks like the very same model my old neighbor has. Yours is in better shape. We got stuck after taking out the dryer timer motor which didn't work and it's still sitting in his garage. Good luck with yours!



Post# 338481 , Reply# 63   3/28/2009 at 22:34 (5,479 days old) by a440 ()        

Fantastic!
This will bring you loads of fun!
Brent


Post# 338509 , Reply# 64   3/29/2009 at 07:36 (5,479 days old) by saltysam ()        
Congratulations!

Wow Ben, what a fantastic find.........Congratulations!
Has anyone ever noticed that even the appliances from the 50's and 60's even seems to follow what the auto manufacturers were doing to the cars.....In the 50's everything was big, bold and had massive amounts of chrome, especially in the later 50's on in to the early 60's.
Then, everything started getting "streamlined" and less glitzy. Still very stylish but not as gaudy.........And now appliances are about as dull in style and quality as the automobiles.......IMO.......

Mark


Post# 338555 , Reply# 65   3/29/2009 at 11:47 (5,478 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
mark, I've noticed, and totally agree with you.

Post# 338569 , Reply# 66   3/29/2009 at 12:34 (5,478 days old) by jamman_98 (Columbia, SC)        
Congratulatons!

jamman_98's profile picture
Nice machine! btw who's the guy in the black tank top? very woofy. *g*

Joe
jamman_98


Post# 338652 , Reply# 67   3/29/2009 at 19:14 (5,478 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Ben

jetcone's profile picture
You tease!


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