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Post# 172621   12/5/2006 at 20:11 (6,344 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        

I am expecting a 1952 automatic washer tomorrow. I'll let you guess what it is.

Here are some hints:

It is not a timed fill.

It is not a neutral drain.

It is a top loader.

It does not have a window in the lid (none of this make do).

I hate auctions because I don't have enough money to put down enough to scare off anyone else, and I hate disappointment. I also hesistate when members offer machines here because I just know that I won't be first to make an offer, or I don't know the person, and they may respond to a friend.

So, I have seen this machine at a local appliance dealer for a while. I always assumed it was only a display item. When it disappeared from the window, I inquired. I was told it might be available, and to call the owner. I thought long and hard about how much I would offer, and when I called, I was able to come to a deal fairly quickly.

So, it will join my limited collection tomorrow. I will post then with pictures, and more information.

Martin




Post# 172623 , Reply# 1   12/5/2006 at 20:13 (6,344 days old) by jasonl (Cookeville, TN)        
It's a

A Maytag AMP!

Post# 172682 , Reply# 2   12/5/2006 at 21:51 (6,343 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Martin, can't wait for the unveiling!!!

Post# 172845 , Reply# 3   12/6/2006 at 05:23 (6,343 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I'm with Jason-- a Maytag. Looking forward to pictures and congratulations on your acquisition.

Post# 172850 , Reply# 4   12/6/2006 at 06:40 (6,343 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I also agree with Jason - crossing my fingers anyway!

Post# 172889 , Reply# 5   12/6/2006 at 08:25 (6,343 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
A Frigidaire WO-65-2? Your dream machine?

Post# 172898 , Reply# 6   12/6/2006 at 08:39 (6,343 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
A Frigidaire WO-65-2? Your dream machine?
With a metered fill, I want one of those!

Post# 172902 , Reply# 7   12/6/2006 at 08:53 (6,343 days old) by westytoploader ()        

YAY! I'm going to say a Maytag AMP as well. If it is, you're going to LOVE it...

Post# 172906 , Reply# 8   12/6/2006 at 09:24 (6,343 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
NOT a timed fill - -

Maybe I should be searching for a monacle on ebay!

Post# 172916 , Reply# 9   12/6/2006 at 10:25 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
My clues were too specific

 Or you guys are too good.

It is not here yet. But I got this last week as part of the deal. I'll need it and your help.

On page 8 it lists the wattage:

Gyrate 200-300
Spin-First minute 590-650
Spin-Full speed 300-350

I'll bet that's a lot less than a Unimatic (Bulb dimmer). Probably good for many homes in the 1950's with primitive circuitry.

Post# 172988 , Reply# 10   12/6/2006 at 15:38 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
Here it is

 As you can see, it is in beautiful condition. The story is that it the original owner traded it in in 1982. Her son thought she needed a new machine. At that time, it still worked. Ever since then it remained at the Maytag dealer as a display item.

It has not been refinished. I plugged it in and no sound, nothing. I will check and see if the cord is any good, or maybe other things are wrong. The timer seems stiff. The waste hose has been cut off, so I'll probably replace it with an Ace hardware generic one.

Post# 172989 , Reply# 11   12/6/2006 at 15:39 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
Lid shot

 Here is the lid with the full sensor and off balance tab.

Post# 172990 , Reply# 12   12/6/2006 at 15:40 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
And the interior glam shot

 The interior is beautiful, I have not touched it.

Post# 172991 , Reply# 13   12/6/2006 at 15:42 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
And the back

 The back of these machines is continuous, you must take the entire cabinet off to service them. (lift it up)

Post# 172993 , Reply# 14   12/6/2006 at 15:43 (6,343 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)        

All I can say ... OMG!

Talk about mint!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Post# 172997 , Reply# 15   12/6/2006 at 15:49 (6,343 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

An early one in beautiful condition.
What a great find!

Post# 172999 , Reply# 16   12/6/2006 at 16:04 (6,343 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Wow - that machine looks just about perfect - what a great save. And the tub is almost new! You'll enjoy getting it back in shape ~

Ben

Post# 173003 , Reply# 17   12/6/2006 at 16:22 (6,343 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Hi Martin, congratulations!!!! It looks like its in mint condition. That is the very, very first Maytag Automatic and only a few people have that model in their collection. It's a 1949 model.

Post# 173005 , Reply# 18   12/6/2006 at 16:25 (6,343 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
ShowRoom Shine!!!

 chestermikeuk's profile picture
What a vintage find, looks straight out of the packing, looking forward to hearing about its first wash....

Cheers, Mike

Post# 173019 , Reply# 19   12/6/2006 at 16:40 (6,343 days old) by westyslantfront ()        

Congratulations Martin. It looks like a beautiful machine and I hope you get it up and running real soon. It sure is a beauty.


Ross

Post# 173037 , Reply# 20   12/6/2006 at 17:05 (6,343 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Congratulations Martin! You have something from a time warp it looks like.


Have fun with that one!

Post# 173040 , Reply# 21   12/6/2006 at 17:11 (6,343 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
That washer is in unbelievably good shape! It's gorgeous. Hope you get it up and running so we can see it in action.

So that's an unbalanced load shutoff tab on the inside of the lid. I had no idea. Boy, Maytag really demanded a lot of its lids back then, didn't they!

Post# 173066 , Reply# 22   12/6/2006 at 18:21 (6,343 days old) by exploder321 ()        

Its beautiful... What a machiene..

Post# 173098 , Reply# 23   12/6/2006 at 18:56 (6,343 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
We've got power

 I put the lid down and the front emblem lit up!! I can hear the water valves engage and I placed a sponge on the Gyratator Float, and I have agitation.


When I select Spin, I hear a klank, but still have agitation.

Thanks for all the comments. Jason wins the prize for first guess. Robert - I was told they thought it was a 1952, but if you say 1949, I love it!!

Post# 173110 , Reply# 24   12/6/2006 at 19:24 (6,343 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Martin, you can't have the lid up when ya go from wash to spin. If you do, you get exactly what's happening, agitation in addition to the clank

And CONGRATULATIONS!!

Post# 173114 , Reply# 25   12/6/2006 at 19:39 (6,343 days old) by brent-aucoin ()        

WOW!
What a find!
Congrats!
Brent

Post# 173141 , Reply# 26   12/6/2006 at 21:03 (6,342 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Good for you, Man: MARCH IS GETTING CLOOOOOSER

 mickeyd's profile picture
Can hardly wait to come home tomorrow and find our dream machine live on the Washerfolk TV network.

Post# 173142 , Reply# 27   12/6/2006 at 21:05 (6,342 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Duh me wrong thread Hello anyway

 mickeyd's profile picture
It's gorgeous

Post# 173154 , Reply# 28   12/6/2006 at 21:18 (6,342 days old) by frontaloadotmy (the cool gay realm)        
Pretty Cool Martin

 Is the store that you are talking about the one on
El Camino near Fulton ? I remember seeing that machine
there when I would go washing machine trolling back in the
80's and early 90's. For a long time it was a huge show
room, then they downsized and half of it became some completely other kind of retail venue, bummer!!! Right on that you snagged that!

Post# 173173 , Reply# 29   12/6/2006 at 22:02 (6,342 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
Lamco Maytag

 Darrel

Yes it is Lamco Maytag on El Camino here in Sacramento. They had it in the window for many years. When I saw that it wasn't there I decided to ask about it. Just being there at the right time.

I just tried advancing the timer while the lid was down and no spin yet, just ajatation (with the klunk). Probably needs the brake freed up. I don't know how far I'll have to tear it down to take that apart.

Of course, I want to make sure it will spin before I fill it with water, that is the only way it will drain. (Solid tub with liner)

Martin

Post# 173178 , Reply# 30   12/6/2006 at 22:09 (6,342 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        

mayken4now's profile picture
Martin:

Glad you got this machine. Very rare in that condition. Let us know when it is up and running.

Steve

Post# 173234 , Reply# 31   12/7/2006 at 01:27 (6,342 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Great machine, Martin! And a great story to go with it too, it's not too surprising that it was still running all those years, I'll bet you won't have to do much to get it functioning again.

Post# 173245 , Reply# 32   12/7/2006 at 03:35 (6,342 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Gorgeaus Maytag!

 mayfan69's profile picture
What a great looking Maytag!

Congrats!

Leon

Post# 173248 , Reply# 33   12/7/2006 at 05:24 (6,342 days old) by drmitch ()        

Incredible find ,Martin, It looks like the Maytag man just delivered it!

Post# 173252 , Reply# 34   12/7/2006 at 06:02 (6,342 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
awesome way cool....so good to see another baby has found a good home... youll love it

Post# 173256 , Reply# 35   12/7/2006 at 06:36 (6,342 days old) by gocartwasher ()        
WOW!!!!!!!!

 NO RUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,love to see older things like that in prime comdition!!!!!.charish it for a long time

Post# 173261 , Reply# 36   12/7/2006 at 07:05 (6,342 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Oy vey---torque spring issues?
Hope you will be able to get her up and running without too much hassle!

She sure is a pretty machine!

Post# 173273 , Reply# 37   12/7/2006 at 07:43 (6,342 days old) by seeitrun2006 (Commerce, GA)        
Gyratator Float

 What is a Gyratator Float? Is it the silver thing in the agitator? What does function does it serve?

Curious minds want to know!

Thanks!
David

Post# 173295 , Reply# 38   12/7/2006 at 09:18 (6,342 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
Tub fill control

 David,

With this machine, since under that perforated liner it is a solid tub, when it fills the Gyratator Float rises. Yes it is that silver thing in the center of the agitator (Gyratator). It is shaped like a long soda can, and is hollow, I believe it is chrome plated metal. As the float rises it hits the button in the center of the lid, which actuates a mercury switch. This starts the machine agitating, while it continues to fill until a second switch is activated (aprox. 10 seconds). This ensures a complete fill, and the water valve shuts off.

When the machine spins the water is thown through centrifugal force over and out of the tubs into a larger tub, which is pumped out in the case of an AMP (Automatic Maytag Pump). Models AM were also available which would drain into a floor drain if that is what you had.

The other interesting thing about this machine, is that I owned one before, many years ago (many) when I was in college in Berkeley. I moved into an apartment, and saw this washing machine in the back yard. I ran an extension cord to it and it seemed to work. After further testing, with a water hose conected, I moved it into the apartment. A friend helped me push it up the stairs. Later I made a hook-up for it in the bathroom.

A couple of years later, the building owner decided to tear this building down, and we were all evicted. I decided to move to San Francisco, and there was no place to hook-up a washer, so I just left it there. So part of the reason of enjoying this machine is the memories of using one for those years.

Since that time I have purchased two new Maytag washers, one in 1980 and one in 2000. So this is my 4th. Of course I had many other washers inbetween.

Martin

Post# 173298 , Reply# 39   12/7/2006 at 09:27 (6,342 days old) by seeitrun2006 (Commerce, GA)        
Gyratator Float

 Thanks Martin for the reply! Man I am learning new things about Maytags everyday!

My theory is "A day is not wasted if you can learn something new"

This community has been and continues to be a wealth of information.

David

Post# 173377 , Reply# 40   12/7/2006 at 13:23 (6,342 days old) by spats ()        

That washer is beautiful! Congrats on your score Martin :)

Post# 173454 , Reply# 41   12/7/2006 at 18:02 (6,342 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

golittlesport's profile picture
Great story and fabulous washer! Congratulations!

Post# 173553 , Reply# 42   12/7/2006 at 22:14 (6,341 days old) by pturo (Syracuse, New York)        

I think that this/your machine epitomizes Maytag design philosophy, and there are many design characteristics of this model that lived on in the line for many decades. It is shamelessly simple to understand, straigthforward, strudy, elegant and very smart. How many things or people can you say that about? Phil

Post# 173732 , Reply# 43   12/8/2006 at 12:36 (6,341 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
Nude shot

 Here it is with the cabinet removed. Two ball screws in the front which hold the kick plate, three screws on each side and the back. The wiring from the lid must be disconnected through a removeable plate on the back, then pull it up, this really takes two people, although the cabinet is pretty light.

Then I hooked up the lid through the access hole so I could run the machine. It does spin!! But not fast and with no real torque. So the brake is working, but either the pin which anchors the spin spring is broken, or the key is not engaging. I hope the pin is not broken (how likely is that?) because that requires the removal of the tubs, and disassembly of the lower gear housing. I have no gasket for that repair.

Post# 173797 , Reply# 44   12/8/2006 at 19:59 (6,341 days old) by pturo (Syracuse, New York)        

Not sure on the mechanics of this one, but is there a belt involved? Maytag used a slip belt(not gear toothed) instead of a clutch, but if the belts got worn and slippery, they did not spin well, but this is my recollection of the 60's and 70's Maytags. Is this machine direct drive? How are the conditon of the pulleys if there is in fact a belt? Usually no spin would indicate a huge mechanical transmission problem, but slow or partial wimpy spin would mean a belt issue or a motor to belt issue IMHO. Just trying to help and good luck!

Post# 173833 , Reply# 45   12/8/2006 at 20:53 (6,340 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Martin

 jetcone's profile picture
What a great vintage machine, the first of the line is always the hottest!! And that porcelain just gleams on the top.

Can't wait for the virgin wash pictures. I pulled a much later model of this machine out of the dump in Chatham. It took me 2 hours as the whole machine had been disassembled in pieces and having never seen one before I couldn't be sure I was picking them all up. But sure enough I did and got it running and now that machine has gone from me to Robert to Greg and now to Steve118 and is still running.
I like this transmission better than the later flat one. Your machine is a workhorse I have no doubts you'll get it up and running again.

Real washer history there!!

jon

Post# 173841 , Reply# 46   12/8/2006 at 21:10 (6,340 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Hi Martin, congratulations on that beautiful AMP! I have a much later model, the 101P from around '55, and love it. You'll have many happy washloads with this one, I'm sure.

Judging by the condition of the hoses, mine sat for around 40 or so years and needed a little help to get running and back into service again. The motor started right up, and with a new belt, it agitated fine, but I was suffering from the same no-spin situation that you seem to be experiencing right now. The solenoid would energize, but the tub wouldn't spin, and it would make an odd clickety-clacking noise. You will notice in the manual, in the detailed view of the spin tube assembly, a metal collar that contains the T-key. When the solenoid energizes, that collar is supposed to drop down immediately to engage the T-key with the torque spring and get the tub spinning. Unfortunately, what happened with mine was that due to time, the collar had become a little "sticky", and was hesitant to drop down, causing the clickety-clacking. (Note: The clickety-clacking was definitely not good for the T-key either; one of these days I plan on having another one made out of hardened steel at a machine shop for a spare.) When I pulled the solenoid in manually, allowing time for the collar to drop, and THEN put it into spin, it worked fine. I lubricated the collar numerous times, and finally it freed up again and the machine was able to function normally. If you have to turn the T-key around, you can hand-tighten the stop bolt (the little screw in the back of the spin tube assembly, opposite of the collar) with the collar up in order to access it.

Hope this helps. If you have to open the machine up further, Mark (lightedcontrols) is our resident AMP expert and will give you GREAT advice on what to do.

--Austin

Post# 173893 , Reply# 47   12/8/2006 at 22:49 (6,340 days old) by 48bencix (Sacramento CA)        
My first suds-cake

 Of course it works!! I inspected the collar, as Austin suggested, and sure enough it was real sticky. I sprayed WD-40 in the hole where you can remove the key. That and some manual application of the solenoid, and the collar was moving freely. After powering it up it went right into a good spin.

So, I put the cabinet back on, installed a new drain hose from Ace hardware, new supply hoses, and a ground wire. I left the original power cord on because it has "Maytag" stamped on the plug.

It still needs to be re-leveled and/or the lid switches adjusted, because it doesn't shut off the water when full, it starts to agitate, kind of an unintentional over-flow rinse/wash.

Next, I need to install a by-pass switch so I can watch it open, amazingly enough this is described in the manual as a demonstration switch panel!!

Thanks Austin for you help. It is amazing that a 57 year old machine needed only a little playing around to function.

Martin

Post# 173947 , Reply# 48   12/9/2006 at 00:07 (6,340 days old) by pturo (Syracuse, New York)        

So, basically, the agitator cap needs to reveal and rise itself with a proper er,vertical erection as a response to the water level in order for the darned thing to work?

Post# 174008 , Reply# 49   12/9/2006 at 04:01 (6,340 days old) by robbytuck ()        

Hi Guys
I don't often post but log into this wonderful site 3 or 4 times a day. That AMP brings back a wave of memories.

That is very definitely a 1949 Maytag AMP; the first automatic Maytag produced. My Dad surprised my Mom with this very same machine for their anniversary that year. I still remember the solid mechanical "clang" sound when it went into the spin!

My Dad bought it from "Paul's Appliances" on Pico Blvd in West Los Angeles. This was a small "Mom and Pop" business in an old store front building. He was an "authorized" Westinghouse Dealer. However, 90% of his business was repairs of all makes!
He had immigrated to the US from Austria in 1928 and still spoke with a thick accent.

He had 1 Westinghouse Slant front in the front window. But when you walked the front door, you were in the repair and service area!

He had done repairs for my Great-Grandmother, Great-Aunt and Grandmother ( Dad called them the "Generals') since 1930! When a new appliance was purchased, only Paul could do this. He could order any brand from the wholesaler; do a small retail markup and everyone was happy!

So when Mother told Dad that she would have nothing but a Maytag, and to avoid upsetting the "Generals", Dad went to Paul!

For the next 14 years, that machine averaged 12 to 15 loads a week; including my dad's ( a brick mason) concrete and sand coverd work clothes. During that time it only needed 1 repair!

My parents decided to build a new home in the San Fernando Valley in 1957. They sold the house in West LA and put all household goods into storage at Bekins while they built the new house. We moved in with the Grandparents for the 1 1/2 years it took to build the new house. Dad had close friends in all the trade fields so the house was built on the weekends!

When the machine came out of storage, Guess What? It started, filled and agitated. But when it was time for the familiar "solid mechanical clang sound" of the spin...nothing happend!

Paul was summoned, drove the 40 miles to the new house, brought an old Bendix Economat as a loaner, and took the AMP back to his shop for repairs! 3 weeks later, after daily calls from Mother asking about his progress, the Maytag came home and Mother gladly paid the $75.00 repair charge! Paul reminded her that he warned her about this, when he had done the pre-storage disconnect. Guess these old work-horses didn't like to be idle!

Finally, on a gray January day in 1963, Paul was summoned. He examined the now quiet and un-reponsive "patient". Quietly shaking his head, he explained to Mom that the AMP's tranmission had failed, her timer was questionable and he "had a feeling" about the motor.

Mom went into mourning! In an effort to make her feel better, my grandmother surprised Mom with a new Frigidaire Custom Delux as an early birthday gift. Grandmother, a died in the wool Westinghouse fan, had heard about Frigidaires at her bridge club. In her mind, all top loader were the same. But since the Frigidaire came from General Motors, the same company that built her new Cadillac, it had to be superior machine!

From the day in late January, 1963 when Paul delivered the Frigidaire, until her death in 1977, Mom hated that machine! Some how she felt it didn't clean well; to the point that she double washed Dad's work clothes! In reality, the real reason was because it didn't say "Maytag" on the panel.

Sorry for the long post, I just took a trip down memory lane.

Have a Great Time with your "new" old Maytag! She is a Beauty!


Best Regards

Bob Donham, Sioux Falls

Post# 174122 , Reply# 50   12/9/2006 at 16:06 (6,340 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
It's good to haer from ya Bob. I was wondering how y'all were doing just last week, hadn't seen one of your infrequent posts in a while. Bob


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