Thread Number: 65833
/ Tag: Vintage Dryers
New find - Hamilton Automatic Clothes Dryer |
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Post# 883737   6/6/2016 at 22:54 (2,889 days old) by mardieinmi (Greenville, MI)   |   | |
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Found this at an estate sale. It was still in use.
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Post# 883764 , Reply# 3   6/7/2016 at 07:28 (2,889 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Post# 883765 , Reply# 4   6/7/2016 at 07:52 (2,889 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)   |   | |
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Post# 883770 , Reply# 5   6/7/2016 at 08:17 (2,889 days old) by Frigidaireguy (Wiston-Salem, NC)   |   | |
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We had a 1949 Frigidaire dryer built by Hamilton when I was a kid. It just had the timer switch - No heat control. Bob |
Post# 884020 , Reply# 6   6/8/2016 at 19:00 (2,888 days old) by bendixmark (Winchester Mass)   |   | |
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When I was very young the nice lady across the street had that dryer and she let me come over and watch it.Love it so much fun. |
Post# 884080 , Reply# 7   6/9/2016 at 00:28 (2,887 days old) by mardieinmi (Greenville, MI)   |   | |
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It is electric. Looks like it is dual voltage |
Post# 884108 , Reply# 9   6/9/2016 at 06:25 (2,887 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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While Hamilton certainly pioneered Gas Dryers they made electric ones all along, we have seen and had many Hamilton electric dryers including one that was built before WW-2, [ the oldest home dryer I had ever seen ].
There is generally not much speed difference between gas and electric dryers of the same design except for the few makers that made extra high BTU or high wattage models that could really speed things up.
Early gas dryers were overwhelmingly electric ignition designs, We have this style Hamilton Dryer in gas with electric ignition at the museum. All MT GDs were electric ignition till the HOH design came out, also nearly all WP-KM, Norge, Easy, Blackstone and ABC-Kelvnator gas dryers were electric ignition, it really wasn't till the mid 50s on that some makers started making gas dryers with constant burning pilot at the urging of gas companies so they could sell more gas once they convinced reluctant housewives to buy a dryer. That way once the dryer was in the home they were guaranteed constant gas sales even if she still hung the clothing outside, LOL.
WP-KM gas dryers were nearly all electric ignition from the start through the present, only a few cheap low end models ever had constant burning pilot lights. MT was the last holdout in converting to electric ignition, MT didn't convert till 1976 when California banned the sale of dryers and gas ranges with constant burning pilot lights, it would be interesting to figure out the billions of cubic feet of gas California saved Californians and Americans overall with this simple regulation, this is a great example of the Government working for the general good of all people.
John L.
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Post# 884172 , Reply# 10   6/9/2016 at 11:32 (2,887 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)   |   | |
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Post# 887620 , Reply# 11   6/30/2016 at 23:21 (2,865 days old) by mardieinmi (Greenville, MI)   |   | |
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I've decided to sell the Hamilton. I have no idea what they are worth. So, just make me an offer. |
Post# 887664 , Reply# 13   7/1/2016 at 08:19 (2,865 days old) by Volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)   |   | |
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I would love this dryer, but I'm just so busy right now I don't know when I'd be able to get it. (I'd also like to get the new floor put in my laundry room before adding more appliances to it) I'd say to keep me in mind if nobody else steps forward and I can be a backup buyer and figure something out if necessary.
I hope someone gets this dryer who can take good care of it and enjoy it! Hamiltons are lovely. Dave |
Post# 887667 , Reply# 14   7/1/2016 at 08:33 (2,865 days old) by mopar65 (Almont MI)   |   | |
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Post# 888274 , Reply# 15   7/5/2016 at 15:35 (2,861 days old) by mardieinmi (Greenville, MI)   |   | |
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I know very little about these. I know they're rare, but that's about it. So, even if you're not interested in purchasing it, what do you think a good price would be? |
Post# 888290 , Reply# 16   7/5/2016 at 17:14 (2,861 days old) by Travis ()   |   | |
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I paid $40 for one about eight years ago |
Post# 888303 , Reply# 17   7/5/2016 at 19:49 (2,861 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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I only paid $12.50 since the last day of an estate sale was half-off, original price was $25. Keep in mind, it's of value to very few folks, really just collectors/hobbyists, who else wants a 60 year old dryer they'll never find repair parts for.
Ask $75 and be willing to come down a bit, maybe around $50, there's just not a huge market for it, but yes it's a great historical machine for someone's collection. It's just not for your neighbor or brother who simply wants to dry clothes daily. My Hamilton needed de-linting and oil/lube/grease, then also had a motor centrifugal switch problem that required care rebuilding of that switch. Other than that, HIGH heat is pretty high( probably since wringer wet clothes back then need LOTS of firepower to dry in an hour) but MED to MED/LO does a great job. I only use mine in winter since it exhausts right into the basement, these were not very easy to vent outdoors. I love my Hamilton but would never think of it as a daily driver. |