Thread Number: 59523  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
finally finished the '61 Kenmore set
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Post# 821224   4/28/2015 at 00:12 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        

For about six years I've had this 61 Kenmore set waiting to be done. Paid $15 apiece for them. Amazing condition except for the center post, naturally. Had a new post pressed in and presto!

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Post# 821225 , Reply# 1   4/28/2015 at 00:18 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        
even the basket was nearly rust free

And the tub. Almost no rust to speak of!

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Post# 821227 , Reply# 2   4/28/2015 at 00:22 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        
my fix for the waterfall filter hose

Used JB Weld to glue on an adapter for 3/4 inch hose and used heater hose. Works great!

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Post# 821228 , Reply# 3   4/28/2015 at 00:25 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        



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Post# 821229 , Reply# 4   4/28/2015 at 00:26 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        
and the dryer



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Post# 821230 , Reply# 5   4/28/2015 at 00:30 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        

Unfortunately I couldn't afford to use all OEM parts. Used Hemline agitator shaft and Hemline basket drive. Hope they hold up. But I try to be easy on the old girls!

Post# 821231 , Reply# 6   4/28/2015 at 00:32 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        

Gemline. Damn spell check.

Post# 821232 , Reply# 7   4/28/2015 at 00:36 (3,257 days old) by ladyk (Tacoma)        

Changed the oil in the gearcase and added a little "Power Punch" as well. Quiet machine! I've never heard a Kenmore so quiet, especially during the neutral drain! I'm in heaven. Lol

Post# 821234 , Reply# 8   4/28/2015 at 00:44 (3,257 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Brun, you did a beautiful job.  Is the yellow color original or did you have them refinished in a different color.  One of my best friends in high school, his mom had essentially this same washer, but a year earlier.  Timer dial was different looking, but all the same multi-colored fabric choices. 


Post# 821248 , Reply# 9   4/28/2015 at 04:02 (3,257 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA)        
Fabric Cycle Panel

A childhood friend of mine had this particular model. His mother usually washed in "Delicate Fabrics" or "Washable Woolens" (last two on the panel). I'd like to see close-ups of the multi-colored fabric panel, dial, and lid instructions and cycle chart.

Post# 821252 , Reply# 10   4/28/2015 at 04:59 (3,257 days old) by kenmore58 (Rhode Island)        

kenmore58's profile picture
Nice set!

Post# 821258 , Reply# 11   4/28/2015 at 06:11 (3,257 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
61 Kenmores

combo52's profile picture

WOW you did a great job, congratulations Brun, that sunny yellow [ or what ever Sears called it ] is my favorite color of that time period, I wish my 59 LKM pair was yellow.

 

That orignal Center Post was really rusted, but the good thing is the porclean coating on the inner and outer tubs was better on machines of this age than later machines from the 70s and 80s. Whirlpool was only building washers and dryers with around a 15 year life span in mind when these machines were built so it is always cool to see some survivors restored, I am sure that even with Gemline parts you will  get many, many years use out of this beautiful pair.

 

Many years ago we had a 1960 KM 800 electric dryer with the Lint Storage system like your dryer has, IT WORKED GREAT, hope yours works well also.

 

John L.


Post# 821264 , Reply# 12   4/28/2015 at 07:20 (3,257 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Wow - great work there, the new centerposts always look so pretty!

Beautiful machines too - what a great set. The lint storage system does work great, like John says. Enjoy your new set!


Post# 821272 , Reply# 13   4/28/2015 at 08:42 (3,257 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
What oil did you use in the gear case and what is "Power Punch"?

Post# 821273 , Reply# 14   4/28/2015 at 08:52 (3,257 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Very, very nice!  Great job with the restoration and the effort to solve issues with solutions that are outside of the box.  Quite the set there!  You'll have to let us know how you like the dryer.  I have had a lint storage Kenmore for years but I've never used it.

 

Ben


Post# 821324 , Reply# 15   4/28/2015 at 16:57 (3,256 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture
Nice washer & dryer!

Post# 821361 , Reply# 16   4/28/2015 at 20:51 (3,256 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        
Nice.

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
love the repair/rebuild/retsore threads, thx.


Post# 821404 , Reply# 17   4/29/2015 at 05:33 (3,256 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture
Very handsome machines. It's striking how futuristic early 60s appliances were. Then they went back to plain old knobs. Like housewives weren't ready for laundry "like the astronauts use".

Post# 822795 , Reply# 18   5/10/2015 at 14:24 (3,244 days old) by bvf ()        
amazing

I love this color…the machines are beautiful….way cool and now you need to show them off…good luck to you..

Post# 822879 , Reply# 19   5/11/2015 at 02:16 (3,244 days old) by Gpevas (Parma Heights Ohio )        
Great Kenmore Washer!

gpevas's profile picture
Boy o boy that agitator scrubber top brings back memory's when I was a kid my Mom had a Lady Kenmore 1962 model 800 with the same agitator top. I wish I had that pair. Anyway I still have the plastic cup that fits over that scrubber. Enjoy it!!!

Post# 826097 , Reply# 20   6/1/2015 at 15:11 (3,222 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        
Wow!

jons1077's profile picture
Roadtrip time!!! Great work Brun!

Post# 826218 , Reply# 21   6/2/2015 at 10:51 (3,222 days old) by whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)        
Really Nice!

They look so late 70s,but nicer!!!!! Thats a beautiful center-post! Good for You!

Post# 826221 , Reply# 22   6/2/2015 at 11:32 (3,222 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles)        
One classy set of Ladies . . .

If these were mine I'd have to sneak into the laundry every night just to bask in the glow of those console lights!



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