Bendix Model G311 Washer

I have some very interesting history on the G-311. I have one too.

The first G model rolled out June 1 1948. The G was an advance for Bendix over the B & S models which looked the same but were the current 1948 Bolt down models.
The "G" stood for Gyramatic which meant the tub was suspended and its oscillations were damped.
This meant it was the first Bendix that just sat on the floor without bolting down. Now it could be installed on the first or second floor.
The original G ( LOOK OUT MEMBERS I WILL KICK A*** FOR THIS MODEL if it ever shows up) stood for Gyramatic and it looked like the bolt down models except for the recessed timer dial up front and on the top.

It's construction was very sturdy as it was a welded steel box/cage on which were hung the white cabinet panels. This made it very easy to service, as each panel could be removed.
The tub was suspended inside the steel box/cage on 4 springs and two shock absorbers which damped the motion in a vertical direction.
Now here is the interesting part: The cabinet was 29 3/4 inches wide to accomodate the swing of the shock absorbers and tub in spin.
Fast forward to 1949 and the G-311 is introduced.
This machine was quite different from the G. It had a unibody construction so the cabinet was one welded piece and there were access plates to get at the servicing. By changing the construction and dropping the box/cage design, Bendix was able to shave off 70 pounds from the original G!
But there is more to this model! The G 311 was unique in Bendix history and in Front history as well.

It came in two versions which is not generally known.

You see Bendix at the time was owned by Bendix Aviation and they had a slew of engineers designing everything. Long about 1947-8 an engineer designed the best damping system ever for a front loader. It consisted of vertical friction pads not shock absorbers. SO it was placed into the first G-311's to roll out in 1949.
What this did was allow Bendix to actually shrink the washer cabinet by 1 & 3/4 inches in width to 28 inches. The damping was that much superior to shock absorbers!
This made it a much more competitive product with the slim-butt Frigidaires and GE top loaders at 25 & 27 inches.

However this model was only made for 6 months.

In 1949 Bendix Home Appliances was sold off from the Aviation Division thus cutting off the appliance factory from any claim to the patents of Bendix Aviation.
So BHA had to rebuild the G-311 in mid stream in 1949 and they had to go back to a 29 3/4 cabinet when they put the shock absorbers back into the machine.
So there are two models of the G-311 floating around out there ,one is in a 28 inch cabinet with friction dampers and the other which was made , I think up to 1951 or 2, is 29 3/4 inches wide and has shock absorbers.
Chip I have the 28 inch model with the friction dampers, what is the width of your model?
Jon


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Post# 188776 2/5/2007 at 21:20 (6,286 days old) by thomaschip ()
Checkrate/Likes HI;I would appreciate any info on this model, Like did this one have a heater unit and did it have a maching dryer.

Post# 189828 , Reply# 1 2/9/2007 at 17:43 (6,282 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Hi Chip* I will go to Doctrine and see, I think I have material on this model. I'll get back in a few days. Bendix had dryers for this model but the early dryers did not match the washers, they were just Bendix dryers. The looked like Bendix products which worked with other Bendix products. They were "urban-harmonics" of the 1940s so they were very cool looking machines but they had a long way to go to practicality. It was around 1950-1953 they introduced a matching set washer and dryer which had the famous Steering Wheel doors on them. I hated those doors because you couldn't see inside!! Jet I am not sure of the year maybe some other member knows that.

Post# 189870 , Reply# 2 2/9/2007 at 21:12 (6,282 days old) by thomaschip ()
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix Dryer* Hi; and thanks for your reply, I think this model is from 1952 or so, It would be nice to find a matching dryer. or a Hamiliton model.

Post# 190028 , Reply# 3 2/10/2007 at 21:49 (6,281 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Chip I'm back from Doctrine* I have some very interesting history on the G-311. I have one too. The first G model rolled out June 1 1948. The G was an advance for Bendix over the B & S models which looked the same but were the current 1948 Bolt down models. The "G" stood for Gyramatic which meant the tub was suspended and its oscillations were damped. This meant it was the first Bendix that just sat on the floor without bolting down. Now it could be installed on the first or second floor. The original G ( LOOK OUT MEMBERS I WILL KICK A*** FOR THIS MODEL if it ever shows up) stood for Gyramatic and it looked like the bolt down models except for the recessed timer dial up front and on the top. It's construction was very sturdy as it was a welded steel box/cage on which were hung the white cabinet panels. This made it very easy to service, as each panel could be removed. The tub was suspended inside the steel box/cage on 4 springs and two shock absorbers which damped the motion in a vertical direction. Now here is the interesting part: The cabinet was 29 3/4 inches wide to accomodate the swing of the shock absorbers and tub in spin. Fast forward to 1949 and the G-311 is introduced. This machine was quite different from the G. It had a unibody construction so the cabinet was one welded piece and there were access plates to get at the servicing. By changing the construction and dropping the box/cage design, Bendix was able to shave off 70 pounds from the original G! But there is more to this model! The G 311 was unique in Bendix history and in Front history as well. It came in two versions which is not generally known. You see Bendix at the time was owned by Bendix Aviation and they had a slew of engineers designing everything. Long about 1947-8 an engineer designed the best damping system ever for a front loader. It consisted of vertical friction pads not shock absorbers. SO it was placed into the first G-311's to roll out in 1949. What this did was allow Bendix to actually shrink the washer cabinet by 1 & 3/4 inches in width to 28 inches. The damping was that much superior to shock absorbers! This made it a much more competitive product with the slim-butt Frigidaires and GE top loaders at 25 & 27 inches. However this model was only made for 6 months. In 1949 Bendix Home Appliances was sold off from the Aviation Division thus cutting off the appliance factory from any claim to the patents of Bendix Aviation. So BHA had to rebuild the G-311 in mid stream in 1949 and they had to go back to a 29 3/4 cabinet when they put the shock absorbers back into the machine. So there are two models of the G-311 floating around out there ,one is in a 28 inch cabinet with friction dampers and the other which was made , I think up to 1951 or 2, is 29 3/4 inches wide and has shock absorbers. Chip I have the 28 inch model with the friction dampers, what is the width of your model? Jon

Post# 190107 , Reply# 4 2/11/2007 at 00:43 (6,281 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Well, where are the pictures Jon??

Post# 190151 , Reply# 5 2/11/2007 at 07:39 (6,281 days old) by tlee618 ()
Checkrate/Likes Jon, thanks so much for the interesting history lesson. How about some pictures of your 28"model when you get a chance.

Post# 190177 , Reply# 6 2/11/2007 at 08:49 (6,281 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Okay Greg* let me scan those in and post them tch tch! Terry you can have pictures anytime!!

Post# 190178 , Reply# 7 2/11/2007 at 08:49 (6,281 days old) by northwesty (Renton, WA)
Checkrate/Likes I'd like to see a picture too.

Post# 190208 , Reply# 8 2/11/2007 at 11:15 (6,280 days old) by thomaschip ()
Checkrate/Likes 28". Does your's have a Heater. chip

Post# 190210 , Reply# 9 2/11/2007 at 11:18 (6,280 days old) by appnut (TX)
Checkrate/Likes *Jon and him being coy about posting pictures* I feel a big Texas size slap coming on Mister!!!!! You know how I feel about Bendix

Post# 190357 , Reply# 13 2/11/2007 at 21:51 (6,280 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Gyramatic Frame Under Skin* All from Doctrine: This is the koolest design, I had no idea this existed when I designed my dream F/L, until I read Doctrine. There is nothing new under the Sun.

Post# 190549 , Reply# 17 2/12/2007 at 15:57 (6,279 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes Jon--what a cool machine! The picture makes it a lot bigger (and more imposing) that it really is. The Gyramatic is on my "dream machine" list as well. One of these days I hope to find one...

Post# 190635 , Reply# 18 2/12/2007 at 21:17 (6,279 days old) by thomaschip ()
Checkrate/Likes YES; Thats a great looking Dryer, Wonder where they all went too.

Post# 190254 , Reply# 10 2/11/2007 at 16:14 (6,280 days old) by easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)
Checkrate/Likes *Bendix all the way!!!* Thanks heeps and gobs for the lesson about Bendix. I had no idea these models were made. I've used only the bolt-down models, the Economat, and the Duomatic. I, too, would love to see pictures of the machines you're describing. Thanks for sharing and for the lesson. Jerry Gay

Post# 190355 , Reply# 11 2/11/2007 at 21:47 (6,280 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Pictures from Doctrine* For all.. Gyramtic full frontal, the first one made

Post# 190356 , Reply# 12 2/11/2007 at 21:49 (6,280 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *From Doctrine* Gyramatic Dimensions, note the 29 3/4 inches and the use of Shock Absorbers. BTW CONGRATULATIONS Chip you have one of the rarest Bendix ever made!!

Post# 190499 , Reply# 14 2/12/2007 at 11:31 (6,279 days old) by thomaschip ()
Checkrate/Likes THANKS JON: Now If I could find a Dryer.

Post# 190538 , Reply# 15 2/12/2007 at 15:04 (6,279 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes This is a dryer from 1948 - the sides of the door look similar to the "G" washer line, but this was discontinued by 1951.

Post# 190539 , Reply# 16 2/12/2007 at 15:05 (6,279 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes This dryer is from 51-52'ish, perhaps this would be more of a match to your washer?

Post# 190694 , Reply# 19 2/13/2007 at 02:43 (6,279 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill Home of the RailwayTrials Merseyside,UK)
Checkrate/Likes *Model G* Very interesting to hear about the different styles & designs, I wouldnt have liked to have been a delivery man having to install these machines with all that weight...LOl Are there any other machines that use friction pads as opposed to shock absorbers, do any commercial machines..??? Looking forward to seeing the pics boys... Mike

Post# 190877 , Reply# 20 2/13/2007 at 21:32 (6,278 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Good Question Mike* To date I have not seen any other machine, here or in the EU that ever used this damping method. The 3 belt Westinghouse used friction pads but they were more like what was used in the GE FilterFlo than anything else. Here's an actual picture of them: This is the right one located behind the pump solenoid. These will be in my dream FL when I build it for sure!!

Post# 190878 , Reply# 21 2/13/2007 at 21:35 (6,278 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *And here is the left one* You can see it better here on the left where there is just the suds overflow hose in the way. It sits right where the shock absorbers sit and you can see it attaches to the tub just like a shock. Jet

Post# 190906 , Reply# 22 2/13/2007 at 23:18 (6,278 days old) by hydralique (Los Angeles)
Checkrate/Likes *Those friction pads* look just like small versions of the lever-arm shock absorbers used in the early days of cars . . . I wouldn't be surprised if the engineers who designed the Bendix were influenced by them. Very early lever-arm shocks used a variety of friction materials, including discs made of hard wood. Later on, lever-arm shocks were adapted to use hydralics but still looked very much like those Bendix units. Most car companies had abandoned them for tubular shocks by the 1950s, but some of the Brits (notably MG) continued them into the '70s. That is one beautiful and fascinating Bendix!

Post# 190985 , Reply# 23 2/14/2007 at 11:37 (6,277 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Hydralique Hi* Yes you are right on, actually the patent on these dampers cites the patents for dampers on Wooden Wagons from the 18 th century! They were first invented for horse drawn wagons and this patent cites three versions patented for wagons --Giddeeyap!!

Post# 190988 , Reply# 24 2/14/2007 at 11:42 (6,277 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *That first dryer is really cool that Greg posted* It is also built like a tank. IT would have weighed a ton as well, and if I remember Doctrine correctly that big chrome box on the right above the door was for air intake to the heater box.

Post# 191054 , Reply# 25 2/14/2007 at 16:40 (6,277 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes The thing on the right was the exhaust - that is a metal-mesh cage to catch the lint... This model "E" recirculated some of the air used in the machine for drying "this insures that each cubic foot of air used will pick up a maximum amount of moisture." The blower moves 120 cu. ft. of air per minute, exhausting only 55 cu. ft. per minute of warm, moist air into the room.

Post# 191089 , Reply# 26 2/14/2007 at 21:22 (6,277 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Did the metal mesh cage also catch the* asbestos as well?? Happy Valentines Day,ALL! I just got chocolate & a Valentine from my Goddaughter!!