I posted a question a while back about my F&P Wringer washer. Thanks to those who answered. I now think the broken part is called a drive wheel or drive coupler.
I took the washer apart some more this weekend, removed the motor and the metal core of the broken coupler.
There is a better picture of the part here twitpic.com/5jrmdk... If anyone knows of where or how I might find a replacement that would be useful. Especially interested if any US machines of the same era used the same design.
To answer previous questions.
There is no drive belt. The central 'hoover' electric motor connects directly out of on end to the linkages that run the agitator and the mangle. There is a rubber sleeve providing some flexion in the linkage. The drive wheel goes on the other end of the motor and presses onto the water pump when you turn a control wheel outside that releases a spring and rod system to angle the pump in and out of contact with the wheel.
If anyone is interested I'll post more pics somewhere.
the linked article mentions a 1950s F&P wringer washer handed in during a recycling day in NZ. They mention it was an English machine.
I wonder if the machine you have is a UK Hotpoint design?
F&P top load automatics prior to the Gentle Annie model were a UK Hotpoint design for sure. So it would be no surprise if the wringers were too.
You might be able to substitute it for a similar part from something else - perhaps a pulley with a rubber tyre on it. Wilkins Servis washing machines from the 1960s had a very similar setup, but the pulley and tyre were smaller, and mounted on the pump shaft, not the motor shaft.
Have you tried asking F&P head office? I get the impression F&P isn't your average cut-throat appliance company, there is a pretty good chance that they have some old parts sitting quietly in a corner somewhere.
I did a google search on "F&P wringer" and it seems a few have been sold on trademe.co.nz, so that would be a place to watch for a spare parts machine.
Against advice from members here, I bought a F&P set several years ago and am very favorably impressed with the machnes. The washer has the center post agitator and the dryer is a top-load. (best dryer I ever had)
When I needed to replace my dishwasher, again against advice of members here, I got the F&P drawers and am very pleased with them.
I'd love to see a picture of your F&P wringer washer.
I believe that talking to someone at the F&P company would be a good place to start looking for the drive wheel you need. They seem to be very interested in their product.
Which shows a General Electric washer that looks almost identical.
I had previously called F&P. They didn't appear to want to get involved and gave me the number of the person who originally sold and renovated the washer for me. That person is currently not available so thats why I've started asking here.
My next step is to try filling in the drive wheel with epoxy.
As a washer it works well. Although using a wringer takes some getting used to and a few broken buttons along the way.
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