Thread Number: 33809
Speed Queen Wringer Washer
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Post# 508157   3/30/2011 at 08:29 (4,748 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI)        

jim's profile picture
I am giving away my Speed Queen Wringer Washer. If even for parts, the motor (a GE) is practically new - machine was never used by the original owner, she bought it as a backup for when her Maytag Wringer died but then she died before the Maytag and it got transferred to her neighbor who kept it in her basement and didn't use it, then she died and her daughter sold it to me about 3 years ago - I've used it a few times and it works well but I must first tell you that it started to leak the last time I used it. I have the original bill of sale and the user manual. I'm sure the leak was from the hose leading from the drain to the pump. An easy fix for someone so inclinded. But free is free and you can come and get it - anyone?




Post# 508171 , Reply# 1   3/30/2011 at 10:13 (4,747 days old) by wringersteve ()        
Jim,

I'd love to have it if Hudson weren't so far away from Indianapolis. Does yours have a stainless or porcelain tub?

Post# 509047 , Reply# 2   4/3/2011 at 16:50 (4,743 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI)        
Lady Kenmore Aquablue appears from Milwaukee area

jim's profile picture
Well men, (and women), I spent the whole day this past Friday driving to West Allis (just west of Milwaukee). It took 4.75 hours in snow, sleet and rain. A bit of a mess, but I've posted some shots of this really beautiful wringer from 1979 in my photos. Chrome plated wringer head parts - almost as much as a 1979 Lincoln or Cadillac - the chrome just drips off - the drain hose is stiff but still intact. The pump works perfectly and the agitator has a nubby rubber top doubling as a collar scrubber. No real dents or major dings - I've scrubbed out most of what was just surface paint mars. Cleaned up the castors and oiled them. Vacuumed underneath the skirt all of the spider webs and their resplendant cacoons of who knows what kind of spider treats for later. It has a two speed motor, a solid transmission as well as a three pronged plug and its own circut breaker. It works just great except for the wringer - it releases too easily and the top roller will stop when you put something on the thick side through it. Anyone have any ideas as to how to solve that?

But it replaces the Speed Queen - which Wringersteve has asked me to hold for someone who he may know who's closer and could take it off my hands. Gratis boys and girls.


Post# 509054 , Reply# 3   4/3/2011 at 17:15 (4,743 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
LKM WRINGER WASHER

combo52's profile picture

Congratulations Jim on your recent find of the LKM wringer washer, this was about the best performing and safest wringer washer ever made. But the last any WP KM wringer washers were made was 1971 so its a little older than you thought.


Post# 509062 , Reply# 4   4/3/2011 at 18:05 (4,743 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Jim

mickeyd's profile picture

On the left hand side of all that chrome is latch lever. Make sure you have pulled it forward to set the wringer. Then press the release bar and set it again.

 

Also the super safety wringer which these models have are hyper-sensitive, and will stop if the "brain in the wringer" senses any pull or tug. I thought mine was broken the way it kept stopping until Walt gave me the booklet explaining this advanced wringer.


You'll get used to it after practicing and knowing what's going on. Use a gentle touch like you're feeding a baby, and keep heavy items lifted as you wring so that there is no downward pull on the rollers.

 

 

Am always amazed at the fact that the conventional pumps are so much stronger and faster than their automatic counterparts--it was a wonderful surprize.

 

What a great find. Congrats.


Post# 509393 , Reply# 5   4/5/2011 at 08:51 (4,742 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI)        
Combo52 & Mickeyd - LKM Wringer

jim's profile picture
Hi guys,

Well, I was assuming 1979 was the year it was made from some of the numbers in the serial/model number. That's why I called the 800 number for Sears - well you can guess who answered - that's it! Manila. So after a very unproductive conversation with this nice girl who had never even heard of wringer washers, I decided to try on line for a parts booklet or list or even a manual but to no avail. Any thoughts on where to start looking? I would like to maybe find a list of model numbers/serial numbers with a reference to the year and month even that it was made as well as the repair manual if it's still around. More out of curiosity than anything else.

Thank you Mickey for the advice on how to "set" the wringer. I thought I had it seated properly but maybe not. I'll try it again tonight when I get home from work. Mickey, can you maybe share the instruction booklet with me? I have had the wringer head on the floor upside down, and have lithium greased every part that looked like it needed some plate type lube. I was pretty careful to mask the spray with a rag just to be neat. There are some square shaped covers with seals on either end of the wringer rollers' axels that look like grease cups but I didn't get into them as I didn't hear any noises or grindings coming out of those areas when I was using the washer. I think they're probably OK for now.

I'd also like to replace the drain hose as it is really stiff and old feeling. I'm afraid it'll just break off someday if it gets banged when moving it. I doubt if I could get an original part but any standard solid rubber drain hose would work. The top has that aluminium hook that also has a chrome plated collar so I'd probably have to modify any newer hose I put on anyway because of it. The collar has a hanging latch on it's side that hooks into another chromed piece attached to the side of the wringer drive shaft cover. This is just for non-use storage I guess. There's also a hole in the side of the tub that allows the aluminium hook to hang inside the washer and circulate/filter if you want to use the machine with the lid on. I like to watch these things work, so I leave the lid off when I'm using it. Also the plastic hook underneath the lid that is used to hang the lid onto the side of the tub is broken off. Don't know if I'd ever be able to find that part. It's rivited on the lid too so it's not easily removable.

And you're right Mickey about the pump being way more effective than pumps on automatics. When you shift the lever to turn it on, the water just gusshes out with a very great force - and since I have a well and live out in the country, this pump actually provides better water pressure than the water in my house! Not that I don't like both types of machines - I do. I am a product of the 20th century when these oldies were phased out and automatics came down the pike.

Just step back a minute and think about the light years we as a country and by extension, as a world, have come. At the turn of the 20th century our grandparents (as young children and then later as young adults) saw the advent of automobiles, mass electricity distribution in most major cities and some rural areas, the beginning of mass marketing of electric light bulbls, toasters and irons and Lord knows what other devices. By 1920 the magic of radio was moving ahead like a steam locomotive, electrical refrigeration was coming along too and by 1928, GE comes out with the Monitor refrigerator. A true major leap in technology for the home and enabled all of those who could afford such new luxuries, to eat much better and fresher foods. Lets not forget that right here in Minneapolis (pretty near where I live), the refrigerated train car was invented and later this same technology was transferred to over the road long distance trucks too (by an engineer who happened to be a black man I might add) and enabled the distribution of fresh meats, vegetables and fruits in such massive quantities as never had been seen before in mankind's history. Can you all see why I really love refrigerators too? Enough of my soapbox preaching!

As an infant, my parents had an old wringer but replaced it in 1951 with a Westinghouse front loader. I was 2 1/2 about at that time and do remember snatches of the wringer being used by my grandmother (who at that time lived with us in the same house). As a young child I just loved to lean up against the Westy as it went into spin mode to feel that great vibrating motion all through your body. Yeah, yeah, I know it was an early sign. And you know Mickey, this "new" LKM wringer is the same aquablue color as the picture of that automatic washer you have in your profile I think!

Underneath the chrome plated contours of the laundry guides on the wringer head, there is a bit of surface rust but since none of this comes in contact with the clothes, I guess it doesn't matter too much. The wringer head is way more mechanically complicated that the other Kenmore Visa-A-Matic I had. I did really like the beefyness of that machine and my experience with it is why I decided to drive to Milwaukee to get this one. Plus it's a two speed motor and turquoise to boot!

My partner (Joe is his name - a blonde - blue eyed Bohunk from up north) was beside himself with frustration when he got home and saw me working on it. My trip to Milwaukee was a secret! He asked what I was going to do with the Speed Queen (well, he referred to her as "that other wringer THING"). I just calmly told him I was going to donate it to whomever wanted it. He just shook his head and in his good natured way told me, "No More Washers!". I just smiled to myself knowing that there will always be another washer! It's like the quest for the holy grail it seems.


Post# 509447 , Reply# 6   4/5/2011 at 11:41 (4,741 days old) by westingman123 ()        
"No more washers"

Famous last words of partners around the country. LOL

Post# 509476 , Reply# 7   4/5/2011 at 14:16 (4,741 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
Drain Hose

3/4 inch rubber hose from PepBoys, auto heater hose.......

metal hook available at Lowes.........

2 new clamps, and your good to go......


Post# 509501 , Reply# 8   4/5/2011 at 16:20 (4,741 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Jim, what a story!

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Had no idea LK Visimatics came in turquoise. You'll have to show us. Give me a day or two to locate the manual. Don't have a scanner, but we'll think of something. A Turquoise Visimatic--unbelievableSurprised


Post# 509506 , Reply# 9   4/5/2011 at 16:54 (4,741 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Page 2 of the manual, "TRIPLE SAFE VISI-MATIC,

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To release roll pressure:

 

Pull clothing back in any of the directions shown from either side. A backward or downward pull, as indicated, ot the use of the Release Bars, will release roll pressure, stop roll movement, and return Directional control to the neutral" in other words, AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS THE WRINGER OFF, pretty much instantly.

 

I have a 65 with the filter mounted to the side of the tub. Your model number will contain the year; it's the first two numbers following the 110. This will be interesting. I have never known which filter came first, but I think your Visi is older.

 

In the booklet the Triple Safe wringer and the standard Visi-matic wringer look identical. The only way to tell is by the shut off when you pull on whatever item is going thru.

 

"To set pressure: Pull Reset Lever around toward you until pull force decreases suddenly and lever comes to a positive stop."

(It's a little like the lawn mower pull only shorter.)


Post# 509509 , Reply# 10   4/5/2011 at 17:10 (4,741 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        

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I misread. When you said you like to leave the lid off, I thought you had a lid-mounted filter, but re-reading I see you have the circular opening in the side of the tub for the side-mounted tub filter. My mistake.

 

You said you posted some shots in your photos. Somewhat slow,Laughing I can't find them; please advise.




This post was last edited 04/05/2011 at 18:25
Post# 510823 , Reply# 11   4/11/2011 at 12:37 (4,735 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI)        
mickeyd - pictures

jim's profile picture
Hi Mickey,

Well, I posted them in my photos but I'm not sure if anyone can see them. I can't seem to find pictures of anyone else's photos in their profiles either. I'll shoot you one via regular e-mail.


Post# 510826 , Reply# 12   4/11/2011 at 12:53 (4,735 days old) by KenmoreGuy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

kenmoreguy64's profile picture
Jim -

That machine is absolutely beautiful!

If you will list your model and serial number here, we should be able to decode it and give you a build-week and year for the machine.

Sears still has parts lists available online that you can print. Just go to SearsPartsDirect.com and enter your model number. I checked for a few 1967 wringers and they were there, 100 series all the way to LK. No parts are available other than hardware items generally, but you'll be able to see and print the scans of actual parts lists.

Good luck!

Gordon


Post# 510846 , Reply# 13   4/11/2011 at 14:38 (4,735 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )        
Jim,

polkanut's profile picture

I'm "turquoise" with envy in Wausau!  Keep your doors & windows locked, or it may just end up in my basement. lol  Can you give us a pic of the interior?  It looks like it just came off the showroom floor. Great score!!! 


Post# 510884 , Reply# 14   4/11/2011 at 18:29 (4,735 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Oh my my, finally a machine to match the turquoise marbeling

mickeyd's profile picture

 


Really beautiful, and except for the stunning color, looks identical to mine. Your model number should begin 110.65, in the rear, just to the right of wringer column. It's on sideways and is hard to read.

 

Can't tell ya how much I love your machine, Jim--it's pure mint (wintergreen) !

 

THANK YOUSurprised




This post was last edited 04/11/2011 at 18:47
Post# 513373 , Reply# 15   4/24/2011 at 08:14 (4,723 days old) by jim (Hudson, WI)        

jim's profile picture
That Speed Queen is still up for grabs guys.

Post# 771001 , Reply# 16   7/15/2014 at 06:29 (3,545 days old) by GPEVAS (Parma Heights Ohio )        
SPEED QUEEN?

gpevas's profile picture
Is that Speed Queen still for sale? Any photo of it? Thanks G
ary



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