Thread Number: 32955
Taking Apart a Bendix Economat |
[Down to Last] |
Post# 496141   2/13/2011 at 09:07 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
So I have three rubber tub Bendix machines now. The one against the wall was my original one that I've had for over 10 years, it was found at an estate sale. The other two I found last year from a old appliance dealer/servicer in Fargo. The one in the foreground is an early mode and the middle is a Crosley version of the Economat.
My original machine worked ok for many years, but now its leaking so it needs to be fixed.
|
|
Post# 496144 , Reply# 1   2/13/2011 at 09:08 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496145 , Reply# 2   2/13/2011 at 09:10 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496146 , Reply# 3   2/13/2011 at 09:11 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496147 , Reply# 4   2/13/2011 at 09:13 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496148 , Reply# 5   2/13/2011 at 09:14 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496149 , Reply# 6   2/13/2011 at 09:15 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496150 , Reply# 7   2/13/2011 at 09:16 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496151 , Reply# 8   2/13/2011 at 09:18 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496152 , Reply# 9   2/13/2011 at 09:20 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496153 , Reply# 10   2/13/2011 at 09:21 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496155 , Reply# 11   2/13/2011 at 09:23 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The agitator just pulls right up and out and now its time to remove the bottom plate that holds the rubber tub down. The early models have these odd style bolts (I'm not sure of their name) they have no slot on top for a screwdriver and standard wrenches wont work with them. So my trusty Vice-Grip comes to the rescue. The other two machines have standard bolts that you can use a socket wrench to remove them. |
Post# 496156 , Reply# 12   2/13/2011 at 09:24 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496157 , Reply# 13   2/13/2011 at 09:24 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496158 , Reply# 14   2/13/2011 at 09:25 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496159 , Reply# 15   2/13/2011 at 09:26 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496160 , Reply# 16   2/13/2011 at 09:27 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496161 , Reply# 17   2/13/2011 at 09:29 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496162 , Reply# 18   2/13/2011 at 09:30 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496163 , Reply# 19   2/13/2011 at 09:32 (4,793 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Now its time to remove the pump. Again there was two pumps and this is the early version. I was surprised to see that Bendix had outsourced this pump to another company. Later on it appears they built their own. The pump not only has to remove the water, but also remove the air from the tub to make it collapse and extract water from the clothes. I can read part of the date stamp, but the year has worn off unfortunately. |
Post# 496164 , Reply# 20   2/13/2011 at 09:35 (4,792 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496165 , Reply# 21   2/13/2011 at 09:38 (4,792 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
With the parts machine done I now filled the other Bendix with water (the one that I've had for 10 years) to see where it was leaking from. Unforutnately it was from the rubber tub. In pulling out the tub I discovered that under the metal plate it has all sorts of detergent residue on it as well as at the bottom of the tub. I'm soaking them now in hot water and will scrub all of that off, hopefully that will make for a good seal again.
More to come when that task is completed. |
Post# 496169 , Reply# 22   2/13/2011 at 09:50 (4,792 days old) by macboy91si (Frankfort, KY)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
The idea of a vacuum bladder washer is neat. Thanks for the detailed shots of a neat, rare machine. How durable are these rubber tubs with normal use? I know they would be susceptible to puncture, but the actual rubber on the one you removed seemed in good shape. Does your tub read "Goodyear" around the rim? Thanks -Tim |
Post# 496173 , Reply# 23   2/13/2011 at 10:18 (4,792 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Neat to see you working on this washer, I was playing with ours last weekend, if you need any parts for these I have a box of used parts for these, sorry no good tubs. I had never seen the earlier water pump before I wonder what it looks like inside?. The later round pump was not a Bendix built pump either but rather a Gorman-Rupp pump almost the same one used in the 1956-1958 33" WP built KM & WP combos. |
Post# 496191 , Reply# 24   2/13/2011 at 11:04 (4,792 days old) by spin-it ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Robert: Loved the photos and the step by step chronicle of the breakdown. Relatively simple machine. For now it's the closest I will get, the search continues. Thanks, Kevin |
Post# 496192 , Reply# 25   2/13/2011 at 11:04 (4,792 days old) by supremewhirlpol ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Oh this is what I've been waiting for!!! Do you have any videos? Nice machines Robert!! |
Post# 496219 , Reply# 26   2/13/2011 at 12:47 (4,792 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Hi Robert, such a simple design, was fascinated seeing it in action (well listening to the sounds!!!) with you in 2001, always wondered how the insides would look, great show...
Just how thick is the rubber tub?? your first model seems to have a darker coloured tub and a more supple appearance, is this grey one thicker?? Happy fixing, Mike |
Post# 496224 , Reply# 27   2/13/2011 at 13:26 (4,792 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Very cool tear down Robert. I've always thought that Bendix copied Maytag's Model E transmission for these. They look similar, have a similar splined agitator shaft, and internally are quite alike. They must have been different enough that the boys in Newton didn't cry fowl.
Hopefully the tub is good from the parts machine that it can be used in the later Bendix. The Crosley though, that's where the money is! Those weird screws - they're Gulmite screws. Maytag used them for the same application, and I've also seen Bendix use them on the Duomatic door hinges. Ben BTW - thought you'd enjoy this sheet discussing the date stamp for the General rubber tubs. |
Post# 496251 , Reply# 28   2/13/2011 at 15:00 (4,792 days old) by jamman_98 (Columbia, SC)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I believe the odd valve is for letting excess air out of the top. If the clothes are being squeezed out there might be some excess air that needs to come out. To prevent the round top from losing it's seal on the tub, the valve would let off the pressure. Like a safety valve.
Just a thought
Joe jamman_98 |
Post# 496257 , Reply# 29   2/13/2011 at 15:30 (4,792 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496261 , Reply# 30   2/13/2011 at 15:51 (4,792 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496306 , Reply# 33   2/13/2011 at 20:49 (4,792 days old) by peteski50 (New York)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496307 , Reply# 34   2/13/2011 at 21:01 (4,792 days old) by washernoob ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Seeing that rubber tub is really cool! Never really could visualize what it looked like out of the tub. Im sure it will be like new when you finish it! Thanks for sharing the pictures! |
Post# 496326 , Reply# 35   2/13/2011 at 22:57 (4,792 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Just how thick is the rubber tub?? your first model seems to have a darker coloured tub and a more supple appearance, is this grey one thicker??
I believe the odd valve is for letting excess air out of the top. Joe that is a really good theory, makes sense to me. |
Post# 496327 , Reply# 36   2/13/2011 at 23:01 (4,792 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496330 , Reply# 37   2/13/2011 at 23:37 (4,792 days old) by A440 ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Great pictures of the breakdown Robert. Thanks for taking the time to post them. What an interesting machine! Brent |
Post# 496333 , Reply# 38   2/14/2011 at 00:02 (4,792 days old) by Spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496400 , Reply# 40   2/14/2011 at 11:23 (4,791 days old) by Spankomatic (Ukiah,CA)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|
Post# 496432 , Reply# 41   2/14/2011 at 14:07 (4,791 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I thought one of the pumps Bendix used in this machine was a Robbins-Meyers, thought I'd read that somewhere. Perhaps they used several until they got to the Gorman-Rupp - that Economat against the wall has the round-body pump like the WP combo.
|
Post# 496433 , Reply# 42   2/14/2011 at 14:07 (4,791 days old) by 3beltwesty ()   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Here is the page 1 of 2 of Patent 2,189,356 on the casting of the pump in reply #19 CLICK HERE TO GO TO 3beltwesty's LINK |
Post# 496479 , Reply# 43   2/14/2011 at 20:39 (4,791 days old) by turquoisedude (.)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
|