Thread Number: 30787
WOW!!!! LOOK WHAT'S NEW FOR 1957 IN 2010
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Post# 465129   9/23/2010 at 21:52 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        

Got this Machine from Kim Knochels. In Michigan. It is the machine that was on EBay that sat in a warehouse since 1957. It was still bolted to the pallet with the shipping brackets in place. Somehow It got lost in the system and was never used box of Dash, Calgon, and hoses still in cylinder.




Post# 465130 , Reply# 1   9/23/2010 at 21:53 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
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Post# 465158 , Reply# 27   9/23/2010 at 22:15 (4,935 days old) by rollermatic (cincinnati)        
it doesn't get better

rollermatic's profile picture
than that!!!!!

beautiful machine and great pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

love the fact that it is all so shiny and new all these years later!

that is automaticwasher.org at it's best!


Post# 465159 , Reply# 28   9/23/2010 at 22:15 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
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Post# 465161 , Reply# 29   9/23/2010 at 22:20 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
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As usual this machine didnt look like this when I got it completely took it apart and rebuilt it piece by piece. All wires had 53 years worth of dirt on them they all looked black everything had to be polished and re-greased/oiled. At least 100 hrs went into restoring this machine. The only difference with this machine was all the parts were unused which made it a little easier. Thanks to Kim Knochels I finally have my gas combo and it runs perfect.

Post# 465162 , Reply# 30   9/23/2010 at 22:20 (4,935 days old) by washernoob ()        
Holy buckets

Let me say this simply.


There are no words that can express the complete amazingness of this machine.


It is simply far to good, that I must be dreaming right now. ]


I can say that I have never seen a home appliance, even if brand new, look so incredible now.

Thats got to be the best looking old washing machine I have ever seen. A restoration couldn't make a machine look that good. Thats first rate pure originality.



Most excellent find. Congratulations on a FINE historic washing machine! Keep it forever! Dont overuse it, I would say, Try and keep it as perfect as possible! Its only got 1 life! And so far its life has been extremely good!


Again, what an awesome find.


Post# 465163 , Reply# 31   9/23/2010 at 22:21 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
THE BEFORE PICTURE

This is what it looked like when it was sold on Ebay.

Post# 465164 , Reply# 32   9/23/2010 at 22:23 (4,935 days old) by washernoob ()        
ooOOOooo

I see you did restore it in a way, to clean it up. But still its just incredible how it turned out.

Post# 465165 , Reply# 33   9/23/2010 at 22:24 (4,935 days old) by bobofhollywood ()        
best of show

True mint condition. Lucky lucky lucky. Congratulations man. Good on ya.

Post# 465167 , Reply# 34   9/23/2010 at 22:30 (4,935 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
John - thanks for posting. The gas version from Kim certainly was worth the effort. Looks beautiful, but for most 100 hours doesn't mean much until you put the sweat equity into it yourself.

This post is a gentle reminder that a certain Bendix combo is waiting for attention in the basement. If only the diffuser had not cracked in shipping........


Post# 465168 , Reply# 35   9/23/2010 at 22:33 (4,935 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Mint!

As always, the machines you restore are every bit as nice as new, and likely better than new in many ways. I can only imagine how fun the first load was - never used before. Was there any of the new-washer smell left?


(When Jon sees this he's gonna want one!)


Post# 465170 , Reply# 36   9/23/2010 at 22:37 (4,935 days old) by Maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
I am (nearly) speechless!

Oh, what a BEAUTY!


Thank you for sharing the process and the result.


Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 465171 , Reply# 37   9/23/2010 at 23:08 (4,935 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
New Washer Smell

Oddly, now that you mentioned it there is a new smell to the machine.Maybe from all the paint.All the secondary parts in the machine had to have surface rust removed and painted.Bendix did not use a primer on anything except the cabinet.Parts repainted-All timer brackets,inner cabinet,Back covers,Shocks,All springs,Burner Mount,Etc...Etc...The paint is better than factory now.And as always,There are many things I did to the machine to improve it.Many times areas where there is to be porcelain there is not and those areas need to be touched up.And I had the chance because I had the tub back off.Clutch system was totally cleaned polished and greased,Timer motors checked cleaned and re-oiled,Refelt and oil motor.you name it I did it. Not one inch untouched.Kim helped me take it apart.That made it a lot easier to deal with when we got home.Because I had to take it apart anyway.Kim is a Great guy! He has a wonderful place and lots of fun stuff to look at.We had a great time.We wish we could have stayed longer.Thanks again Kim.

Post# 465172 , Reply# 38   9/23/2010 at 23:14 (4,935 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD)        
Unreal!!

Just incredable!

Post# 465174 , Reply# 39   9/23/2010 at 23:24 (4,935 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
Wow great machine

Post# 465182 , Reply# 40   9/24/2010 at 00:16 (4,935 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Super neat and nice-a REAL appliance time capsule!

Post# 465183 , Reply# 41   9/24/2010 at 01:03 (4,935 days old) by A440 ()        
Wow!

I can't get over how wonderful your Bendix looks! I also love the fact that it is gas! Thank you for the inner shots! I just love the burner shot! I find that gas appliances from this period are so rare! Those you are able to find are just toast.
I am sure that you will have so much fun with this machine! It turned out awesome!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to post your pictures!
Made my night!
Brent


Post# 465184 , Reply# 42   9/24/2010 at 01:12 (4,935 days old) by A440 ()        
I keep looking at the pictures in Awe!

Just curious,
It is a standing pilot light?
Also it is rated at 19,000 BTU's. It seems like the BTU's would be higher with that huge cast iron burner.
How is it with the drying time?
Thanks again.
Brent


Post# 465186 , Reply# 43   9/24/2010 at 01:30 (4,935 days old) by A440 ()        
And Yet Another Question....

Just curious....
Does the burner flame slowly get less intense as the drum reaches it's target temperature? Or does the burner cycle on and off?
Sorry for all of the questions.
Brent


Post# 465188 , Reply# 44   9/24/2010 at 01:40 (4,935 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

rp2813's profile picture
Absolutely stunning.

I have never seen such a fabulously busy cycle selection command center than that! It looks like you could pull down all the tabs and prepare for takeoff!


Post# 465190 , Reply# 45   9/24/2010 at 01:51 (4,935 days old) by may63 (St. Paul MN)        
Excellent Work!

Congrats! You must be a proud papa!

Jim


Post# 465198 , Reply# 46   9/24/2010 at 03:02 (4,935 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
OMG! OMG! OMG!

ronhic's profile picture
.....What a truly STUNNING looking machine....



Post# 465200 , Reply# 47   9/24/2010 at 03:32 (4,935 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Absolutely beautiful! Another design classic. Congratulations!

Post# 465203 , Reply# 48   9/24/2010 at 04:00 (4,935 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Oh John

jetcone's profile picture
words failed me when I saw the blue flame on the burner! What a shot!!

Its absolutely georgeous from stem to stern, can't wait to see it in person!

How does the drying time compare to our electrics?? And do you see much lint on the filter at the end?

My 58 just threw its capacitor so I just installed a new one, and was humming about repainting the floor pan, after seeing this I am definitely hauling out the floor pan tomorrow and repainting.

What did you mean by polishing and greasing the clutch?? You mean inside the tranny? The tranny sits in oil.

Jon


Post# 465205 , Reply# 49   9/24/2010 at 04:01 (4,935 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
PS!

jetcone's profile picture
I love the Ed Sullivan draps behind the display!!!

Good on ya!


Post# 465206 , Reply# 50   9/24/2010 at 04:41 (4,935 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Bendix

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Great find and brilliant clean up, certainly a prize specimen..I hate to think what the combo weighs having just moved the normal Giro!!!

Does it use gas to heat the water or just for drying??

Does the exterior get any hotter than an electric combo??

Happy washing, Mike



Post# 465212 , Reply# 51   9/24/2010 at 06:31 (4,935 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
Aferim!

bajaespuma's profile picture
THAT is a museum-quality piece! Wonderfully photo-shopped pictures as well. That shot of the burner is sweet.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO bajaespuma's LINK


Post# 465215 , Reply# 52   9/24/2010 at 07:07 (4,935 days old) by vivalalavatrice ()        
Great!

FANTASMAGORICA!!!

Washer dryer machines have always been a myth for me!
Enjoy it!!

Diomede


Post# 465216 , Reply# 53   9/24/2010 at 07:31 (4,935 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
Congratulations

akronman's profile picture
And thanks for sharing

Post# 465218 , Reply# 54   9/24/2010 at 07:50 (4,935 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Guided Tour

mrb627's profile picture
I think we need to see a guided tour of how to properly load and start this machine.

Malcolm


Post# 465222 , Reply# 55   9/24/2010 at 08:02 (4,935 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
SPARKLING!

mayfan69's profile picture
How is that....gorgeaus!

Leon


Post# 465236 , Reply# 56   9/24/2010 at 09:47 (4,934 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)        

peterh770's profile picture
Congrats, John!

Post# 465239 , Reply# 57   9/24/2010 at 10:12 (4,934 days old) by tlee618 ()        

John, Totally awesome!! That machine just takes your breath away!! Thanks so much for sharing all of those great pictures.

Post# 465255 , Reply# 58   9/24/2010 at 11:04 (4,934 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Wow, that machine is absolutely stunning. You did a wonderful job on it - better than new.

Post# 465263 , Reply# 59   9/24/2010 at 11:44 (4,934 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
OMG John, that Duomatic is absolutely gorgeous, I can't wait to see it sometime!!! Congratulations, I can imagine how happy you are to have it.

Post# 465280 , Reply# 60   9/24/2010 at 12:56 (4,934 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
A MIRACLE, the dead brought back to life!

mickeyd's profile picture
if this does not qualify as an Automatic Washer miracle, what does???

With the drapes, I thought the first pics were actually taken in a showroom.

And to think you got the one with the most amazing control panel ever. Very "Lost in space" robot-like, Reply#8.

Had no idea about the giant lint filter. Looks really effective!

Deliriously happy.


Post# 465294 , Reply# 61   9/24/2010 at 14:04 (4,934 days old) by JeffG ()        

Incredible find. Have you been in touch with Bendix Appliances? I'd love to hear what they say, and if they have any interest in this machine. These may be the most expensive loads of laundry you've ever done.

EDIT: The '57 Duomatic is the machine featured on their history page:

www.bendixappliances.com/about/in...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO JeffG's LINK


Post# 465299 , Reply# 62   9/24/2010 at 14:29 (4,934 days old) by washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i)        

washerlover's profile picture
Absolutely gorgeous! I'm speechless!

Post# 465305 , Reply# 63   9/24/2010 at 14:45 (4,934 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)        

pulsator's profile picture
BEAUTIFUL!!!! What a FANTASTIC find! Congratulations and GREAT job on the restore!!!! WOW!!!!!!!

Post# 465314 , Reply# 64   9/24/2010 at 15:46 (4,934 days old) by JeffG ()        

Does anyone have specs for this machine, in regard to water and power usage per load? I'd love to see how it compares to today's front loaders. Also, how long are the default drying cycles?


Post# 465355 , Reply# 65   9/24/2010 at 19:24 (4,934 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
Guided Tour...

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
I'll second that if it's a guided (video) tour! Holy Cow! That is just awesome! Congrats!

RCD


Post# 465362 , Reply# 66   9/24/2010 at 20:24 (4,934 days old) by Gyromatic (St. Paul MN.)        
Questions Answered

Brent,Yes it has a standing pilot,And it is 18,000 BTU's,1 load of towels dryed in 35 min.Bone dry.The flame burns at a steady rate and cycles on and off. Jon,Drying time is much faster than the electric models.And there is plenty of lint in the lint filter.No more fuzz balls.The clutch I was talking about was the shutter clutch on the main pulley. Mike,It just uses gas for drying.The cabinet does not get as warm as the electric models.

Post# 465368 , Reply# 67   9/24/2010 at 21:04 (4,934 days old) by aussie-plugs (Melbourne, Australia)        
Absolutely fabulous!

Words fail me. That is such a brilliant piece of restoration work and a total delight to read about.

Congratulations on a job very, very well done!


Post# 465370 , Reply# 68   9/24/2010 at 21:17 (4,934 days old) by djmjlcst (Bloomington, Illinois)        
It's Absolutely Better Than New!

Wow John! I believe your restoration is better now then when it originally left the factory! Incredible! It's like traveling in a time machine! Love the layout of the controls AND the fact that there are no signs of fingerprints on the chrome! I agree with JeffG, you should contact Bendix just to see what they have to say! You'll have to let us know how well it washes and dries your clothes. I'm sure you won't even open that box of Dash or Calgon and keep them as prize possessions! You've truly found the holy grail here! - Mike L.

Post# 465372 , Reply# 69   9/24/2010 at 21:23 (4,934 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
I've Got Those Same Boxes Of Dash & Calgon!

launderess's profile picture
Though they most certianly didn't come in a machine so gorgeous as this Duomatic!

What a wonderful restoration job and am sure this unit will give hours, no scratch that, years of service!

Just goes to show how often the average person sees "NIB" or some such when it comes to vintage appliances, and thinks the thing can be simply be put into service at once. Gas, water and electrics are to be respected!

Did Bendix sell many of these units? At 19K BTU's this thing cranks out some heat. Is it because the final spin does not remove as much water as say a modern front loader?

Have heard of modern gas heated dishwashers for commercial settings, and not that one thinks about it even the same for washing machines, though mainly sold overseas. Would they make a comeback in the United States?

L.


Post# 465383 , Reply# 70   9/24/2010 at 22:11 (4,934 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
As far as I have seen

jetcone's profile picture
quite a few turn up and always in basements thank god, they are too heavy to move so people let them just sit there until nuts like us come along. So I would guess based on that, Avco Manufacturing sold a ton of these Combos from 1953 to the end 1958,then everything was switched to the tiny Philco machines and factories. Not the same machine.


This machine had the highest spin for a front load combo in its day, it was the penn-ultimate. At 525 rpms, and that big drum, it does take out a lot of water, but drying in 35 minutes is even by todays' standard, speed drying!

First developed here, These were fast powerful machines and they deserve a big place in american history they were so revolutionary for their day.


Post# 465388 , Reply# 71   9/24/2010 at 23:09 (4,934 days old) by A440 ()        

John,
Thanks for answering my question.
I agree with Jon, 35 minutes for a full load of towels is speed drying!
Will you leave the pilot burning or shut it down after each use?
I bet you will find tons of stuff this weekend to wash / dry just to use it!
Fantastic!
Brent


Post# 465440 , Reply# 72   9/25/2010 at 12:03 (4,933 days old) by westingman123 ()        
wow

That's just beautiful.

Post# 465444 , Reply# 73   9/25/2010 at 12:28 (4,933 days old) by maytag63 (South Berwick, Maine)        

maytag63's profile picture
All I can say is, WOW!

Post# 1189812 , Reply# 74   9/11/2023 at 18:14 (199 days old) by Slowspin66 (lincoln uk)        
This is amazing

slowspin66's profile picture
This machine is just the bees knees !!! What a privilege to have used it !!an absolute beauty . Thanks Darren

Post# 1189825 , Reply# 75   9/11/2023 at 19:50 (199 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
A new 1957 Bendix duo Matic

combo52's profile picture
Hi Darren, thanks for reviving this great thread, this is one thread that I loved seeing revived. This is such an incredible machine and an incredible restoration that John did.

I know you’re having a wonderful visit here in Minnesota. Hope the rest of your trip goes great.

John L


Post# 1189833 , Reply# 76   9/11/2023 at 22:23 (199 days old) by Slowspin66 (lincoln uk)        
It’s just amazing

slowspin66's profile picture
I’ve never seen such wonderful machines and such fabulous restorations… what an amazing standard ….
Always something to aim for ….


Post# 1189845 , Reply# 77   9/12/2023 at 07:46 (199 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
I'm really looking forward to meeting you tomorrow Darren and showing you my collection!!! John says you all are very interested in the Horton. I've been saving up some wash to run for you guys :-)



Post# 1189855 , Reply# 78   9/12/2023 at 11:43 (198 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Bendix Combos

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Afternoon Darren, great youve got to use the Big Berta Combos, am sure your having a fab time at Johns and then over to Roberts tomorrow , Have Fun !!


PS, Im just on my way to yours to set up your Bendix Gas Combo so it looks like this .


Have Fun With The Horton & Frigidaires as well , say Hi To John & Robert tomorrow !!


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