Thread Number: 63019  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Chocolate Woo woo
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Post# 855987   12/10/2015 at 11:00 (3,031 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        

Saw these posted on local CL Saturday, picked up Tuesday. Connected and set in place yesterday - have run 10 loads - amazingly quiet, smooth sounding. Kenmore of this era, was far superior to anything made today IMHO.

Just hearing the "woo woo" sound again is fabulous.

Will try later to post additional pics, washer tub and dryer drum appear to be low usage.

Model number indicates 110.6807610C10 for dryer - what would age be?


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Post# 856004 , Reply# 1   12/10/2015 at 11:57 (3,031 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
110.68

akronman's profile picture
means 1968 model year-

Congrats, nice stuff


Post# 856005 , Reply# 2   12/10/2015 at 12:03 (3,031 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
Very nice. Enjoy them.

How do you like the performance of the Soft Heat dryer?


Post# 856006 , Reply# 3   12/10/2015 at 12:08 (3,031 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Wow, nice looking set John!  I spied an identical set in a basement of a local house that was in the middle being sold.  I left my name and number last fall and I've been holding my breath ever since.  It's a shame I never heard back!

 

Ben


Post# 856009 , Reply# 4   12/10/2015 at 12:37 (3,031 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Thanks All

@ akronman - Thought I remembered in Kenmore history the first 2 digits after 110. indicating year, appreciate the accurate info.

@ Ken - the dryer is gas, drys fantastic - and quick. Especially like the anti wrinkle feature at end of auto cycle. Also, the Auto dry feature is amazingly on point. And what a loud buzzer.

@ Ben - I know that feeling all too well - wishing you success in finding the units you want.

The agitator of this washer is unlike any other I've seen, with roll-over action that's thorough even with a large load as I discovered yesterday. If my memory is correct there's no base for the agitator, you can see the white tub beneath each blades with like 5 or 6 paddles. Washes perfectly. Will try to post more pics later.

A Happy Camper,
John


Post# 856010 , Reply# 5   12/10/2015 at 12:48 (3,031 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)        
Oooh!

roto204's profile picture
A Roto-Flex! Cool agitator! Congratulations on your lovely finds!

Post# 856011 , Reply# 6   12/10/2015 at 13:01 (3,031 days old) by Gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Congrats, John. Kenmore had a very rich, deep brown. Very nice looking set.

I
The Roto-Flex is one of my favorite KM agitators. Always clean clothes.


Post# 856014 , Reply# 7   12/10/2015 at 13:50 (3,031 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Roto Flex

@ Greg & Nate - Thanks for the info and kind words.

Was the Roto Flex in production long? While I've got several Kenmores, most later models were DA, and Roto Swirl(?). This is my first of this type and it really moves clothes and water. Super cool.

Are parts still available for these machines? Just thinking it might be good to have some on hand, as I'd like to keep these running for a long time.

Thanks
John


Post# 856018 , Reply# 8   12/10/2015 at 14:39 (3,031 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona )        
OH WOW!!!

hippiedoll's profile picture
oldskool/john:
what a beautiful chocolatey shaded coppertone set of YUMMY goodness you found yourself there!!! oh i LOVE it!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! they are BEAUTIFUL!!!

i can't wait to see your additional pictures!!! and i would love to see a video of the turnover of this type of agitator in action!!! and if it's not too much to ask for, i would love to see closer pictures of the control panels too.

again, CONGRATULATIONS on such a BEAUTIFUL set of 1968 coppertone kenmores!!!
:o)


Post# 856058 , Reply# 9   12/10/2015 at 20:04 (3,031 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Congratulations, John! That is a beautiful set---and it has a super-cool Roto-Flex to boot. I grew up with a 1960 Kenmore; the woo-woo is as comforting as a mother's heartbeat.

Post# 856066 , Reply# 10   12/10/2015 at 20:28 (3,031 days old) by washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i)        

washerlover's profile picture
John, what a delicious looking set! Reminds me of my '64 coppertone set I lost in the recent wildfire. Am on the hunt and hope to find something as sweet as your new treasures!

Post# 856069 , Reply# 11   12/10/2015 at 21:25 (3,031 days old) by LaVidaBoem ()        
Absolutely Beautimous!!>>OldSkool

Just like all the others, couldn't agree more, The pinnacle of Whirlpool/Kenmore.

 

My favorite of all agitators, the Roto-Flex. Allowed a few more garments, and had the best wash action in my opinion.

 

A little background on the marketing behind these sets; as Sears employees were trained in the finer details of this machine, and knew how to sell them.

 

Whirlpool/Kenmore had no trouble  selling millions of these combos...and what was the clincher?

 

The Sears Credit Card.

 

They would allow almost anyone to have a chance to own the "in products" on a budget.

With Sears @ an 18% annual interest rate since the  mid-sixties, if you chose to pay over time and minimal payments, the final price was exactly double what started out as the selling price, regardless of full retail or "on sale".

 

For those customers that had any ammunition as to why one of the competitors were better (Maytag, Frigidaire, even an identical Whirlpool)...A crafty Sears Salesman could easily sway the customer.

 

Whirlpool had very good statistics as to why, with a faster spin speed on the Maytag & Frigidaire, a good Kenmore set was more economical to run.

 

With their neutral drain, and clutch engagement for spin, they proved that any slight amount of greater moisture in the final load was more than offset by the lower power consumption of the pair in total than the competition.

 

IE, with the no load of the drain, gradual spin up of the drum without pulling the motor down into higher amperage draw, and their more economical and efficient dryer designs, it was statistics that customers loved.

Even with an astute customer reminding Sears that "...A Maytag is made to last 30 years...",

A Sears employee would banter back,
"Yes, and a Kenmore is Made to Last 50 years!"

 

Add in the "When you need Anything, Sears is Here to Service what we Sell";

and the selling snowballed into a "no-brainer" for the customer, with just a "sign and drive" kind of deal.

 

Then, the product did what it promised...it delivered.

 

Ah, those were the good old days...

 

For What's it Worth,

LaVidaBoem

 

 

Post Script:

Two of the most important decisions that started the downward spiral of Sears was the abandonment of the in house credit card to Citibank,

and the bidding of appliance building, and awarding to LowGrade with later washers/dryers.


Post# 856076 , Reply# 12   12/10/2015 at 22:48 (3,031 days old) by arris (Rochester New York)        
NICE !!!

arris's profile picture
What a great looking set !!!! nothing nicer looking that a well kept coppertone set !!!! Love that color !!!!

Post# 856084 , Reply# 13   12/11/2015 at 00:40 (3,031 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Some pics

Thanks everyone! I feel the Kenmore love.

@ Christina - got the control panel pics; working on a video. Keep your fingers crossed - I'm not the most media savy - lol.

@ Eugene - agreed - nothing like the "woo woo" sound - brought back a flood of childhood memories.

@ Todd - good things come to those who wait - I believe your replacement collection will be greater than the former. Hold on!

@ Russ - Wow! Your perspective of Sears former days is on point in every regard. Couldn't agree more. Sears was a force to be reckoned with that influenced the lives and homes of so many.

@ Jim - Coppertone rules when done right! While my pics aren't the best (cell phone camera), the contrast of the coppertone/white/gold of washer interior is so cool IMO.

So much appreciation to all!
John


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 4         View Full Size
Post# 856099 , Reply# 14   12/11/2015 at 05:15 (3,030 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Friends of my parents had this exact set, down to the color. 


Post# 856125 , Reply# 15   12/11/2015 at 08:58 (3,030 days old) by mamapinky (blairsville pa)        

Oldskool, that set is BEAUTIFUL. I also would love to see a video of this in action. Enjoy...Cheryl

Post# 856130 , Reply# 16   12/11/2015 at 09:29 (3,030 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
One of my aunts had a comparable model (in white) but with a Super Rotoswirl agitator.


Post# 856135 , Reply# 17   12/11/2015 at 10:44 (3,030 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
I was about to chime in somewhere along the lines of 1966 - 68......

was house sitting for a lady who had these.....well, that exact dryer, but the washer was a keyboard version, with the detergent dispenser mounted to the right....in cocoa as well

that agitator always impressed me with not having a skirt.....never understood why the dual action didn't have that base of 6 vanes....although I found it best to wash half loads with a Kenmore for scrubbing....


I remember the Ads for Sears.....Kenmore, in 9 out 10 homes in America!


Post# 856139 , Reply# 18   12/11/2015 at 11:52 (3,030 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Good grief that set is CLEAN!  The dryer looks as though it was never used.


Post# 856162 , Reply# 19   12/11/2015 at 15:54 (3,030 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona )        
thanks for posting the pictures...

hippiedoll's profile picture
OH WOWZERS! They look brand new. Definitely a set to be proud of! They would make me smile while I was using them, for sure!
:o)


Post# 856164 , Reply# 20   12/11/2015 at 16:00 (3,030 days old) by bajaespuma (Connecticut)        
Aferim!

bajaespuma's profile picture

I couldn't agree more about coppertone; done well it's beautiful, done wrong it's just wrong. Nice clean machines. That dryer dial looks like it's not meant to be turned by hand; is there another control?


Post# 856180 , Reply# 21   12/11/2015 at 18:43 (3,030 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
I've never had hands-on with that dryer but I believe the outer ring, center knob, and markings of the dial are turned as a one-piece assembly with the red index mark being stationary beneath.


Post# 856212 , Reply# 22   12/11/2015 at 21:33 (3,030 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Much Appreciation...

...for all the kind words from everyone!

@ Appnut - Interesting - my parents also had friends with the exact set, but in white. It's amazing how our memories retain the details of our various machines from 40+ years ago and sometimes I can't remember what I did yesterday. LOL

@ Cheryl - I'm working on a video. Trying to get a buddy to show me how.

@ Dadoes - The Roto Swirel seemed to be utilized more than the Roto Flex, not sure what Sears thinking was?

@ Martin - Yes, the 6 vane would be fantastic on a Dual Action. Man that would really move a load.

@ Ben - Right, it's like they came almost unused. Incredibly clean. The owner also has a Kenmore Electric Stove and Frig in same color. The oven has never been used. The previous homeowner used it to store grocery bags.

@ Christina - Welcomed! Glad you enjoyed.

@ Ken - The timer knob is turned by hand. The only other controls are slide levers. One for heat or no heat, the other is for the cycle buzzer - which is LOUD!

Today I ordered some parts for both machines, just to have on hand. Figured it would be good to replace the belts, dryer idler and drum rollers. I was surprised at how many parts are still available for both.

When I can figure out how to download a video clip, I've got a couple brief clips of the washer in action.

Planning to search some old threads to figure out how to disable the lid switch on the washer. It would be nice to watch everything.

Thanks everyone!


Post# 856213 , Reply# 23   12/11/2015 at 21:33 (3,030 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

I've used the dryer (Steve 1/18) and it's just as Glenn described.


Post# 856228 , Reply# 24   12/11/2015 at 22:48 (3,030 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        
FABULOUS FIND !

delaneymeegan's profile picture

.


Post# 856235 , Reply# 25   12/12/2015 at 00:11 (3,030 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        

I had that washer years ago but it had the rotoswirl and had the minute breakdown on the the dial as well as the lettering. I don't remember the gold accents on the dials either.


Post# 856256 , Reply# 26   12/12/2015 at 07:19 (3,029 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Awesome looking set. Good luck with these.

Post# 856262 , Reply# 27   12/12/2015 at 07:47 (3,029 days old) by barcoboy (Canada)        

barcoboy's profile picture
I agree with Yogitunes regarding the agitator not having a skirt. Were there ever any problems with broken or bent vanes on it because of that?

Post# 856275 , Reply# 28   12/12/2015 at 10:51 (3,029 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
I know many like this style of agitator best for 1960s Kenmore machines.

But I'm wondering if broken fins or clothing being damaged from being stuck under a fin is something that frequently happens?

The few washers with this style of agitator I have seen seem to have scratches on the lower part of their tub below the fins.


Post# 856278 , Reply# 29   12/12/2015 at 11:02 (3,029 days old) by LaVidaBoem ()        
Yes, and no, and Yes...

Yes,  many agree that it was best...

No, Never saw a broke fin,

Yes, was only a clothes catcher for those who didn't know how to wash; ie, overloading and a bra strap, delicate undies, etc could get caught...

 

And once again, that was what ended a great idea (Roto-Flex)...the uninformed voter...I mean the uninformed user :_)

 

Hope this Helps,

LaVidaBoem


Post# 856305 , Reply# 30   12/12/2015 at 15:18 (3,029 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
where is the lid switch on one of these?......would this have the mercury switch?

theres always a way to by-pass, many without cutting wires......

let us know, and we'll help out....


Post# 856332 , Reply# 31   12/12/2015 at 18:31 (3,029 days old) by LaVidaBoem ()        
The lid switch...

Yes indeed, these have the mercury switch on right hinge.

It is held just overcenter until you raise the lid, allowing the mercury to drop away from the contacts.

 

LaVidaBoem

 

Post Script:

To bypass, just raise the entire lid of the machine; then, you have access to the switch, you don't have to wire anything if you choose, you can tape it in a position to allow contact without disabling the setup. It snaps in a bracket on the hinge.


Post# 856377 , Reply# 32   12/12/2015 at 23:31 (3,029 days old) by sears9000 (Pensacola, Florida.)        
I know that washer anywhere.

Yes indeed, the 1968 800 model alphabet washer. That's the machine I grew up with, and learned how to do my own laundry. Only ours was avocado, instead of copper, and we didn't have the matching dryer. That's a beautiful set you have there, my hat is off to you in purchasing them. I can hear that woo woo sound right now, because that's a sound you don't forget. I wish todays machines made that sound, but that's another story. As far as the Roto-Flex agitator, I wasn't a big fan of it because it was known to snag buttons off of shirts when the machine would agitate, while filling during the Permanent Press cycle. To remedy this, we would use the HI water setting on that cycle, and that usually worked better. I kept ours going for twenty years until the timer burned out, and I couldn't find another one, what a shame. Oh heads up, beware of the off balance buzzer on that machine! The one we had, had a "prison" buzzer in it, and you could hear it a mile away! I hope you have many good years with that set, and enjoy them.

Post# 856412 , Reply# 33   12/13/2015 at 09:37 (3,028 days old) by appnut (TX)        
OOB buzzer

appnut's profile picture

That was standard for all Sears washers with OOB buzzer.  You couldn't avoid it.


Post# 856614 , Reply# 34   12/14/2015 at 19:56 (3,027 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Input From All...

...is appreciated.

@ LaVidaBoem - Thanks for the advice on the lid switch. Will be disabling the switch soon.

@ sears 9000 - Oh yeah! Found out about the "prison" buzzer this weekend. LOL

Thus far, nothing's been caught under the Roto-flex fins. Will be mindful of loading properly.

Everyone's encouragement means so much.

Thanks
John


Post# 856649 , Reply# 35   12/14/2015 at 23:22 (3,027 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

My next door neighbors had the 1966 models of these which had a black Rotoswirl. Never got to see the washer in action though.


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