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Thread Number: 35121
Bendix bolt-down |
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Post# 525402 6/18/2011 at 15:40 (4,695 days old) by paulg  (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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I just bought a Bendix bolt-down front loader. Late 1940's. I'll be picking it up next week as it is still bolted down and connected! I think the owner was still using it. Not sure tho. No other working washer in the house and EVERYTHING was old. Great cosmetic shape.
QUESTION: I know I must bolt it down to use it - but must I bolt it to the cement basement foundation? Can I use cinder-block? What tricks do you have? I'm sure it is a gravity drain. i'm lucky as the unfinished basement has drains for the shower and toilet in the floor which will never be used. But I hate laying cement over those drains Any modern ideas to affix this thing? All comments welcome as always. | ||
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| Post# 525409 , Reply# 2 6/18/2011 at 16:36 (4,695 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD) | ||
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I also just remembered when i built a stand out of angle iron to raise my little 24"splendide combomatic 2 feet up off the cement basement floor,i drilled 4 holes in the cement floor with a "hammer drill"and masonry bit then used lead anchors with lag screws to secure the angle iron stand to the floor. | ||
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Post# 525495 , Reply# 3 6/19/2011 at 07:46 (4,694 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Big thanks | ||
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Post# 525586 , Reply# 4 6/19/2011 at 12:54 (4,694 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Here it is | ||
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Post# 525655 , Reply# 5 6/19/2011 at 19:33 (4,694 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
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Older then late 40's ! | ||
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Post# 525658 , Reply# 6 6/19/2011 at 19:38 (4,694 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
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Service manual. | ||
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Post# 525661 , Reply# 7 6/19/2011 at 20:01 (4,694 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Thanks again | ||
| Post# 525706 , Reply# 8 6/20/2011 at 01:30 (4,693 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA) | ||
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Post# 525729 , Reply# 9 6/20/2011 at 07:02 (4,693 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Mercy me. | ||
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Post# 525731 , Reply# 10 6/20/2011 at 07:12 (4,693 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Paul that is a sweet find! It is one of the first Bendix Deluxe bolt downs. John E has an earlier model that is not the deluxe. To get to the service manuals goto > the home page > The Library> then hit vintage service manuals, its about the 4th one down. Once its unbolted, they aren't heavy about 150-170 pounds. Just be sure to tape the drop down door shut before you move it, you don't want the glass breaking when you go to move it. Let us know ASAP if it had the galvanized tub or the porcelain tub, that will help determine how old she is.
For bolting down on mine I'm going to have a welder build a cage that can be bolted to the floor and then bolt the machine to that,I saw that at John's house the one time he let me in. Also Jeff suggested a large steel tank that you fill with water and bolt it to that, that way you can drain and move in the future when you need space for 22 machines!
Yes, if you ever want sell it contact Jeff or myself we'd love it forever. Happy washing in it and crank out the video camera!
Jon
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| Post# 525963 , Reply# 11 6/21/2011 at 00:44 (4,692 days old) by alr2903 (TN) | ||
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It sure does have the door hinged at the bottom, just as Jetcone posted. Its absolutely amazing that the USA could build something that would last over 65 years. Todays things are so poorly made. alr2903 | ||
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Post# 526195 , Reply# 12 6/22/2011 at 08:15 (4,691 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Paul I think thats earlier | ||
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Post# 526323 , Reply# 13 6/22/2011 at 19:35 (4,691 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Saturday morn
Looks like I'll be pulling me a washin' machine come Saturday morn.
I'll keep y'all apprised of its condition once I get it back here. Yes, the door opens downward. Don't remember if the drum is porcelain or galv. But now I need a truck. I'll fasten the door shut to ensure it gets back here in one piece. I do have a BENDIX TV in working order. The washer will have a friend. | ||
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Post# 526539 , Reply# 14 6/23/2011 at 17:53 (4,690 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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AC cordset or hard-wired | ||
| Post# 526544 , Reply# 15 6/23/2011 at 19:12 (4,690 days old) by bendixmark (Winchester Mass) | ||
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Bendix start up Make sure the pump and pumpvalve and solenoid are not seized up before you try to run that machine or you can do damage also pour some hot water into the tub and let it sit first so you dont damage the pump seal. | ||
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Post# 526553 , Reply# 16 6/23/2011 at 19:50 (4,690 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Will do. | ||
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Post# 526713 , Reply# 18 6/24/2011 at 18:01 (4,689 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Very good point | ||
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Post# 526717 , Reply# 19 6/24/2011 at 18:15 (4,689 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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It was weird
The house was made in the 50's. But in the house the kitchen range was a gas 1920's unit on legs.. The refrigerator was a mid-50's GE. But in the basement was a pristine 1920's or 30's Frigidaire - on legs. Didn't know if it worked.
Everything in the house was old. Old radios and TVs. I bought an approx 1960 Emerson TV with the box in near-perfect shape. The family and friends were there. They said the owner was a VERY fastidious woman who kept everything... in pristine order. You can tell. The house smelled clean. When I asked why they had such an old washer that pre-dated the house I was given this explanation. Apparently the Mother-in-Law came to live with them in the 50's and brought along her stuff which included the washer. They installed it. Perhaps that explains the 20's range and Frig in a mid-50's house. It was indeed a time-capsule. Who knows, maybe tomorrow some leftover stuff will still be there. | ||
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Post# 526861 , Reply# 20 6/25/2011 at 15:21 (4,688 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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It is home | ||
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Post# 526862 , Reply# 21 6/25/2011 at 15:23 (4,688 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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PIX | ||
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Post# 526863 , Reply# 22 6/25/2011 at 15:24 (4,688 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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PIX | ||
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Post# 526866 , Reply# 23 6/25/2011 at 15:32 (4,688 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Please advise
Extrication of unit went well. Door was taped shut. That worked well.
Opened unit up looking for dead mice and such. It was clean. There is a strange electrical part just past the outlet of the water solenoids. What is that? I can see how people love these units, they are built to last 1000 years. And there is an AC socket on the rear? What the heck? Does it use a ROASTER cord?? LOL. Regarding wiring - the wiring is certainly old but insulation is intact. Do you rewire? Or just insulate a little better around the existing, intact insulation? Or do you use these units just as showpieces? If I were to restore it, I would have to add ground straps - no problem there. Just wondering what y'all do. The removable leveler legs were damaged. Fortunately they unscrew. Replacements available? Thanks a lot for your advice thus far. Am looking forward to your comments about the unit at this point. | ||
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Post# 526867 , Reply# 24 6/25/2011 at 15:34 (4,688 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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The drum is porcelain | ||
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Post# 526895 , Reply# 25 6/25/2011 at 18:56 (4,688 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Paul that is in georgeous shape WOW! Jeff has my books right now, he can look up that mystery part for you. OOO JEFFF????
What a pristine unit there. It has the original cast iron transmission, sometime in 39 -40 they switched to what was called the G unit which was invented by Green and was an easier transmission to assemble on the line than the cast iron one, saved them time and money. So its pre 1939 I'd say for sure but not 1938-7 since it has the porcelain drum.
I would just tape the areas on the wiring that look dicey, that wiring was high quality copper in its day.
Great pics! Jon
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| Post# 526909 , Reply# 26 6/25/2011 at 21:35 (4,687 days old) by tlee618 () | ||
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Oh Paul, that is one beautiful machine!!! Congratulations on a GREAT find!! | ||
| Post# 526913 , Reply# 27 6/25/2011 at 22:20 (4,687 days old) by cornutt (Huntsville, AL USA) | ||
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The weird looking thing on the water line... Could that be a ground connection? Was this machine grounded using the cold water hose with the ground conductor in it? | ||
| Post# 526917 , Reply# 28 6/25/2011 at 23:09 (4,687 days old) by perc-o-prince (Southboro, Mass) | ||
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What a gorgeous machine!! What a lucky find. Enjoy it in good health! Rich | ||
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Post# 526962 , Reply# 29 6/26/2011 at 07:57 (4,687 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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9 lbs clothes | ||
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Post# 527032 , Reply# 30 6/26/2011 at 14:15 (4,687 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
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Mystery part,
The part with the 2 wires attached to the water valve outlet, is a thermostat. It cycles the cold solinoid off and on to controll the temp. of the warm water setting. The washer uses only hot water for the wash and first rinse, for washing with saop. The rinses are warm. If you select wool/silk/colors it will use warm for the whole cycle. Jeff
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Post# 527037 , Reply# 31 6/26/2011 at 14:35 (4,687 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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 yay! What a gorgeous Bendix! Those early drop-down doors are so cute. 9 pounds of dry clothes will stuff the drum pretty tightly and was likely part of the reason behind the low ratings for performance but even smaller loads didn't fare well with the slow spins. Regardless, it's a great bit of washer history and you'll have fun playing with it.
Bendix did offer a dryer after WWII, it was a fascinating design that re-used some of the heated air recirculated back into the airflow stream thorough the heater and drum. A portion of the moist air was expelled into the room through the front of the dryer through a screen cage. They made the floors, walls and windows sweat like a bath house and weren't very popular. | ||
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Post# 527047 , Reply# 32 6/26/2011 at 15:36 (4,687 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Thank you! | ||
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Post# 527048 , Reply# 33 6/26/2011 at 15:38 (4,687 days old) by paulg (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Jeff | ||
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Post# 527061 , Reply# 34 6/26/2011 at 16:35 (4,687 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
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Profile pic, | ||
| Post# 527089 , Reply# 36 6/26/2011 at 19:56 (4,687 days old) by Travis () | ||
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Isn't that a male plug for a detachable cord, like a small appliance might have? | ||
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Post# 527090 , Reply# 37 6/26/2011 at 20:06 (4,687 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
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Power cord, | ||
| Post# 527166 , Reply# 38 6/27/2011 at 10:35 (4,686 days old) by A440 () | ||
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What a great find! It looks mint! You are going to have so much fun with this one! | ||
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Post# 527211 , Reply# 39 6/27/2011 at 13:32 (4,686 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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So Jeff | ||
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Post# 527983 , Reply# 41 7/1/2011 at 04:12 (4,682 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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Bendix | ||
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Post# 527991 , Reply# 42 7/1/2011 at 07:19 (4,682 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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BENDIX BOLTDOWNS Why they didn't sell better after WW2.
By the early 1950s when millions of Americans were looking for thier first automatic washer, the BDB was well known to most buyers. And because it had to be bolted down, had small capacity, had greater potential for leaks [ at least in many buyers minds ] and did a relativity poor job of cleaning and spinning out water. So most people went with the better performing TL AWs. It is really to bad that it worked out this way as many of the later 1950s Bendixes worked much better. But it certainly wasn't the first or last time that the better product didn't prevail in the market place. | ||
| Post# 528150 , Reply# 43 7/1/2011 at 20:51 (4,682 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA) | ||
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Wow, so clean looking inside, even the belt looks good. There are machines out there that are much newer that are really scuzzy, amazing. I have washed clothes in these and they are okay -- mine had a prewash cycle, I think, which was worth using. | ||
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Post# 528400 , Reply# 45 7/3/2011 at 08:43 (4,680 days old) by PAULG (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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How to test?
Yet another question:
I would like to fire it up just to check and see if the motor and transmission are working. I would just hate to mount the thing and find out the motor is toast. Is this possible without mounting it to the floor? Of course I would NOT put anything in it except for some water to avoid pump damage (as advised earlier). However if I were to run it unbolted without a load, will it do cartwheels in the garage? Or will it run out the door into traffic with me chasing after it - apron flailing in the wind? OR... Is the liklihood of motor and transmission troubles so remote that I shouldn't even think of it? | ||
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Post# 528401 , Reply# 46 7/3/2011 at 08:46 (4,680 days old) by PAULG (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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The belt | ||
| Post# 528424 , Reply# 47 7/3/2011 at 11:13 (4,680 days old) by cfz2882 (Belle Fourche,SD) | ||
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no need for bolt down to run without a load.Belt is likely just "flat spotted"from sitting in one position for years,but if it does not recover with some usage should be easy to get a replacement. good luck with the initial run!! | ||
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Post# 528467 , Reply# 48 7/3/2011 at 13:41 (4,680 days old) by PAULG (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Thanks again | ||
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Post# 528497 , Reply# 50 7/3/2011 at 16:52 (4,680 days old) by PAULG (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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Thanks much for the info!
Thanks Jerry for clarifying the recommended method for first test. I really appreciate the detail.
One thing I forgot to do is to check all the solenoids to make sure they are not stuck. I did check the rearmost solenoid and it was sluggish to return but not seized. However i will make sure they are in good repair before testing. Hot water it is! And I will let it sit a bit. Thank you all for the great info. I just cannot wait to power it up - but I will tread carefully as it always pays to do it right the first time. It took about 70 years to get to my hands - a long journey - and I don't intend to screw it up now!! | ||
| Post# 528890 , Reply# 51 7/5/2011 at 17:38 (4,678 days old) by golittlesport (California) | ||
Vintage ad on Ebay | ||
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Post# 528891 , Reply# 52 7/5/2011 at 17:47 (4,678 days old) by PAULG (My sweet home... Chicago) |
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That's it! | ||
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