Thread Number: 21640
What ever happened to the 1966 Frigidaire Custom Imperials??
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Post# 340745   4/7/2009 at 20:20 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Remember these?? I thought about scrapping them last year....

Worn out,rusted,dented,noisey, and scratched.





Post# 340746 , Reply# 1   4/7/2009 at 20:23 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
Bottom brace...

rickr's profile picture
The side of the cabinet was even rusted away.

The pump and tub had leaked for so many years.

I was able to retrofit the brace from a 1961.


Post# 340747 , Reply# 2   4/7/2009 at 20:23 (5,469 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Why do I imagine

that you brought them back to roaring, pumping, gleaming, not-too-noisy LIFE?



Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 340748 , Reply# 3   4/7/2009 at 20:26 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
No, their in China, becoming a Kia! lol!! (ok, Korea)


Took them to be sand blasted, then to the body shop


Post# 340749 , Reply# 4   4/7/2009 at 20:37 (5,469 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Rick----are you ready for the rest of that stuff to ship? Call me.

Post# 340750 , Reply# 5   4/7/2009 at 20:38 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
With the help from lots of people...

rickr's profile picture
Including Mark (Saltysam), Gregm, my painter friend, and my lil' friend Budder, we got them back togther and running again.

Special thanks to Mark! Without the parts he sent me, these would be a KIA by now. Agitate roller, and the "Jetcone" I could not find, and Mark was kind enough to send them to me. Thanks again Mark!

Budder likes to work on stuff with me, and this was his first dryer. he did good!


Post# 340751 , Reply# 6   4/7/2009 at 20:40 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
back together, and installed...

rickr's profile picture
YAY!

Post# 340752 , Reply# 7   4/7/2009 at 20:42 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
WHOOPS!

Post# 340753 , Reply# 8   4/7/2009 at 20:45 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Another...

Post# 340754 , Reply# 9   4/7/2009 at 20:47 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
oh yeah...

Post# 340756 , Reply# 10   4/7/2009 at 20:49 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Money shot

Post# 340757 , Reply# 11   4/7/2009 at 20:52 (5,469 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

Oh my! The colors! Wow! The inspiration! The education!

Can you upload some photos of the entire cabinets? How about the insides? Thanks!

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 340758 , Reply# 12   4/7/2009 at 20:53 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
It's awwl good in da hood...Weed' put sum twenny-fozz on um if we could... <:

Post# 340759 , Reply# 13   4/7/2009 at 20:56 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
.

Post# 340760 , Reply# 14   4/7/2009 at 20:57 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
lit up

Post# 340761 , Reply# 15   4/7/2009 at 20:59 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
.

Post# 340762 , Reply# 16   4/7/2009 at 21:01 (5,469 days old) by gadgetgary (Bristol,CT)        
GASP~!!!!!

gadgetgary's profile picture
Absolutely GAWGEOUS

Post# 340763 , Reply# 17   4/7/2009 at 21:01 (5,469 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

Nevermind :D

Post# 340764 , Reply# 18   4/7/2009 at 21:01 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Dryer money shot

Post# 340766 , Reply# 19   4/7/2009 at 21:05 (5,469 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        

joelippard's profile picture
Those are real beauties Rick, thanks for letting us see them. Put up some pics of the restore process if you have them... Thanks man!

Post# 340768 , Reply# 20   4/7/2009 at 21:08 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Thanks guys! I have a couple pixs of the mech, out of the cabinet. Shows how I fixed the leaking tub. I will try to find it within a few days.

Steve, I will call you soon. LOVE you! XO XO



Post# 340770 , Reply# 21   4/7/2009 at 21:10 (5,469 days old) by saltysam ()        
OMG!

Rick! Those are absolutely FANTASTIC! I love the color combination! AWESOME ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!
and your welcome, I'm glad I was able to help out with the parts. It would have been a criminal offense if these were to have been turned into a kia. lol

One request though........if you ever decide to part with them let me know!
Mark


Post# 340771 , Reply# 22   4/7/2009 at 21:12 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
Oh, videos...

rickr's profile picture
Here are the videos for these machines.

I do not know why the camera makes the cabinet look as if it is shaking with the tub on spin. The camera got "fooled" somehow. YaY Digital???? lol!!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO rickr's LINK


Post# 340772 , Reply# 23   4/7/2009 at 21:13 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Post# 340773 , Reply# 24   4/7/2009 at 21:14 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Post# 340776 , Reply# 25   4/7/2009 at 21:17 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Final spin, with Rapid-Dry 1000 RPM spin.

This machine starts out on low speed spin, then shifts to MED speed spin, then finally changes to HIGH speed Rapid-Dry 1000 spin. It's a long video, but it's worth the time.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO rickr's LINK


Post# 340779 , Reply# 26   4/7/2009 at 21:21 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        
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rickr's profile picture
Not rusty, not leaky, not scratched, not worn out. But they are STILL NOISY!!! LOL!! (they all do that...) Gotta love a Roller-Tragic... <:

CLICK HERE TO GO TO rickr's LINK


Post# 340782 , Reply# 27   4/7/2009 at 21:26 (5,469 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Mark, if I ever want to sell these, you would be the first to know. Grandmas "Jetcone" lives again. Did you notice the wide green rubber band just below the cap? <: Thanks again!

Post# 340784 , Reply# 28   4/7/2009 at 21:38 (5,469 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Oh My!

joelippard's profile picture
Finally I get to see what the 1010 Rapidry looks like! That is so incredible, damn near Unimatic speed. A truly formidable machine.

Post# 340785 , Reply# 29   4/7/2009 at 21:46 (5,469 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        
Absolutely Marvelous ! I give them a 10!

Rick, I tried to leave you comments on YouTube, but as usual they never show up.

What an awesome change! I just love the color, now that's what I call a labor of love! Great videos, the spin video is kinda funny, I wonder why that happened.



Post# 340786 , Reply# 30   4/7/2009 at 21:48 (5,469 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
I'm really stunned that you didn't keep them coppertone ;-) It would have blended well with any rust that had crept through.

Finally - pics of the finished set! Yay for parts from the group! Quintessential sound of the Rollermatic pulsating away - love it. So glad you save this set, and kept them in their Roller form!

Thanks for sharing -

Ben


Post# 340788 , Reply# 31   4/7/2009 at 21:56 (5,469 days old) by vintagekenmore (Spokane, Washington)        

why cant these ever show up here in Texas, bar none the best machines made, they wash and rinse so thoroughly that any chance for scum build up on the clothes is totally gone. May I find one for my daily driver soon

Post# 340789 , Reply# 32   4/7/2009 at 22:15 (5,469 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Rick all I can say is OMG!!!!! They are breathtaking!!! What a prized pair you have there.

Post# 340791 , Reply# 33   4/7/2009 at 22:17 (5,469 days old) by bethann (Indianapolis)        

You always do such a wonderful job My Dear!

Their beautiful!

Where's the Kenmore's? I've been gone awhile!


Post# 340792 , Reply# 34   4/7/2009 at 22:19 (5,469 days old) by dadoes (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
I do not know why the camera makes the cabinet look as if it is shaking with the tub on spin.
The camera is attempting to compensate for what it perceives as random motion by trying to digitally hold the "subject" still in center of the frame. Turn OFF the Digital Image Stabilization option (or whatever it's called on your camera).


Post# 340793 , Reply# 35   4/7/2009 at 22:22 (5,469 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Rick, you know I wasn't too thrilled when I heard you wanted to change the color. You redeemed yourself with the turqoise selection, my all-time favorite Frigidaire color.

Uhh, I THINK the tub brake needs adjusting, lol.


Post# 340814 , Reply# 36   4/7/2009 at 23:45 (5,469 days old) by soberleaf ()        
stunning machines

and an absolutely awesome set of videos!!!

you should be very proud of that restoration, and those frigidaires are extremely lucky to have you as their owner!


Post# 340820 , Reply# 37   4/8/2009 at 00:01 (5,469 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Rick looks like the spin "steps up" in 2 stages, is that correct? What a nice feature, for perma press? or was it to remove some of the fear factor? I can see why the earlier unimatics would sometimes frighten folks. I did not realize the indentions in the tub kicked up such a frothe, until this vid. Thanks for the great video's. Budder is a nice young man, does he have the washer gene? arthur

Post# 340822 , Reply# 38   4/8/2009 at 00:05 (5,469 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

sorry i missed post #340776.

Post# 340824 , Reply# 39   4/8/2009 at 00:20 (5,469 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

WOW.... Rick!!! You guys did a fantastic job on those... that color is just AWESOME and AMAZING on them!!!! Great videos too!!! THANKS for sharing this with all of us!!!

Kevin


Post# 340837 , Reply# 40   4/8/2009 at 02:39 (5,469 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Beautiful,Just Beautiful

toploader55's profile picture
Outstanding Job Rick. Congratulations and Enjoy. Eddie

Post# 340846 , Reply# 41   4/8/2009 at 03:37 (5,469 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Wow...

chestermikeuk's profile picture
What a transformation, well done Rick, wonderful colour, just shows what can be done with determination and hard graft....enjoy, Mike

p.s. how many coats does it take to achieve that finish??


Post# 340856 , Reply# 42   4/8/2009 at 04:38 (5,468 days old) by kenmore81 ()        
WOW...

Thats awsome, I really liked the brown but I love the terqoise.
Kenny


Post# 340864 , Reply# 43   4/8/2009 at 06:20 (5,468 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
WOW IS RIGHT .... AWESOME JOB

Post# 340868 , Reply# 44   4/8/2009 at 07:13 (5,468 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Total makeover success

turquoisedude's profile picture
What an amazing restoration, Rick! Excellent choice of colour BTW... lol
Seriously, you did an awesome job there - congratulations and may you enjoy the 'live water action' for many many years!!!


Post# 340871 , Reply# 45   4/8/2009 at 07:25 (5,468 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
OMG Rick STUNNING!

jetcone's profile picture
I do like these machines, I have had quite a few pass through my shop over the years. But what did you paint them with and how many coats?? That finish is superb!

Jon


Post# 340876 , Reply# 46   4/8/2009 at 08:05 (5,468 days old) by easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)        
You're FANTASTIC

In more ways than one.

Jerry Gay


Post# 340912 , Reply# 47   4/8/2009 at 11:13 (5,468 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. I appriciate them all! Again, this restoration could not have been, if it were not for the other club members and friends helping me out. That is what makes this site so special!

The paint is automotive paint, and pretty tough stuff. Whatever coats/process goes on a car, goes on my washers. My good friend is the painter at a car dealership body shop. He does great work, and paints all my appliances for me. I just have to strip them down to nothing, and have them "blasted" if he wants them blasted first.

The tub brake does not work on this machine, but I do not care about that. It sort of adds to the charm.... <:

Thank you for the information on the camera Glenn. I did not know about the setting. Will check that out.



Post# 340940 , Reply# 48   4/8/2009 at 14:09 (5,468 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Yay for another restauration. Rick, you do such wonderful jobs on your washers. I love the color combination, great choice!

What are the lower spin speeds on this machine?

Louis


Post# 340982 , Reply# 49   4/8/2009 at 16:07 (5,468 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Your paint guy is a god! Just beautiful Rick!

Post# 340998 , Reply# 50   4/8/2009 at 16:58 (5,468 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Another great job, Rick! Those Maytags that are on the way will be jealous.....

kennyGF


Post# 341001 , Reply# 51   4/8/2009 at 17:07 (5,468 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Rick

pdub's profile picture
Your machines turned out beautiful. I commend you for not scrapping them.

When you said they were not in good shape I had no idea there was that much rust underneath.

So glad you were able to get club members and friends to help you.

Patrick


Post# 341014 , Reply# 52   4/8/2009 at 18:44 (5,468 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Rick, I'm curious

joelippard's profile picture
I notice that in the spin that the tub picks up very quickly as the motor changes the speeds, more like a Unimatic picking up, instead of the typical Rollermatic. How does it differ from the standard Rollermatic? other than the obvious high speed roller and two speed motor


Post# 341053 , Reply# 53   4/8/2009 at 21:59 (5,468 days old) by rocky2 (Northwest Indiana)        
As usual

Another fantastic restoration Rick. Thanks for the update. Loved the videos. By the way, if those frigidaires start squeezing out that Kenmore or the whirlpools, I'll be glad to give them a home LOL...



Post# 341055 , Reply# 54   4/8/2009 at 22:14 (5,468 days old) by eddy1210 (Burnaby BC Canada)        

eddy1210's profile picture
Unbelievably gorgeous pair! Love the Youtube vids too.

Post# 341058 , Reply# 55   4/8/2009 at 22:24 (5,468 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Thank you for the comments guys! Like all classic appliances, these were alot of work, but worth the extra effort. You can't just go somewhere and buy these old washers already done, and thats what makes these old appliances so fun and unique to have.


Anyone know the 3 spin speeds for a Rollermatic Rapid-Dry?

I know the high speed is like 1010 rpm, but what are the first and second speeds? Anyone know?

And is a regular (non-Rapid-Dry) Rollermatic top speed the same as the Med. speed on a Rapid-Dry Rollermatic?


Post# 341064 , Reply# 56   4/8/2009 at 22:51 (5,468 days old) by a440 ()        

Fantastic Job!
I have only seen one other Rapid-Dry run and Steve Bisso owned it!
I also think that Steve Riley had one but I never saw it run.
You GUYS did a great job in the restore!
Thanks for the videos!
I love the progression spin at the end!
Brent


Post# 341071 , Reply# 57   4/8/2009 at 23:32 (5,468 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

golittlesport's profile picture
Thanks for the videos, Rick. You did another awesome job!

Post# 341097 , Reply# 58   4/9/2009 at 03:39 (5,468 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Rick, I may be getting fuzzy in my memory, but I thought I rememberred these having 4 spin speeds. Look on the cycle chart under the lid and look at the spin speed column. I just vaguely remember there being 4 spin speeds. One speed for delicates, another one for the sturdy w'n'w (which had a hot wash and normal wash agitation); another w'n'w type button that had a warm wash with a gentle agitation. I just seem to remember thinking as an 11 y/o kid how fascinating it was that those 3 cycles had specified different spin speeds--something like slow, med., med. hiogh ( or normal) and the Rapid 1010 dry for cottons. I believe the spin speeds were somethig like 350, a speed range in the 500 rpms, low 700 rpms, and 1010 rpms. The Rapid Dry Brent is referring to above, the durable press speed option was gentle wash and high speed spin of about 500 rpm range, but maybe 700 too. It was referred to as normal I believe.

Post# 341112 , Reply# 59   4/9/2009 at 06:29 (5,467 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Here are the Answers

joelippard's profile picture
Hey guys, I just remembered that I had a printed copy of this post. It will answer all questions about the mechanism and the spin speeds.

Post# 259999-1/15/2008-11:12 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)


Post# 341123 , Reply# 60   4/9/2009 at 07:16 (5,467 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Wow, I wasn't too far off in my recollection!!

Post# 341208 , Reply# 61   4/9/2009 at 15:04 (5,467 days old) by saltysam ()        
Here's a question

Anyone know why GM Frigidaire kept the Roller-Matic mechanism for the 1-18 models but changed it to a belt driven design?

Post# 341211 , Reply# 62   4/9/2009 at 15:12 (5,467 days old) by saltysam ()        
Here's a question

Anyone know why GM Frigidaire kept the Roller-Matic mechanism for the 1-18 models but changed it to a belt driven design?

Post# 341229 , Reply# 63   4/9/2009 at 16:23 (5,467 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
Anyone know why GM Frigidaire kept the Roller-Matic mechanis

joelippard's profile picture
I'm not for certain but I have been told it was due to the significatly larger tub in the 1-18, and that it was an "improvement" although I'm not sure how.

Post# 341248 , Reply# 64   4/9/2009 at 18:19 (5,467 days old) by rickr (.)        
Rollermatic

rickr's profile picture
If found the pixs of my Rollermatic out of the cabinet.

There was ONE hole in the outer tub. The rest of the tub is solid as a rock! Go figure.... The pump leaked also. I fixed the leaking tub with silicon, rubber washers, and stainless steel hardware. Should be good for life. I had less luck with the pump. Bought a pump kit for $80.00. that included the seal. gaskets, and pot metal housing. Put it all back together, and found the pump still leaked... Found a very small crack in the bakelite pump cover, and gave up on the factory pump system. My restored Rollermatic has a used dishwasher pump installed now that runs anytime the mech. motor is running. It works just fine, keeping the outer tub empty. <:

I have to say, that these are a real bitch to work on. If it were not such a pretty machine, with the chrome strips on it, and the "automotive" styling. This machine would be a new KIA.

This machine also had to have the spin roller unit replaced, because the bearing was shot,the motor cap,(which took two wired in "series" to get the right value) both oil, and water bellows replaced, and the "Jetcone" , because the hardware was seized and it would NOT come off of the shaft. I worked on that part for hours trying everything to get it apart, and the machinist at work ended up breaking the Jetcone to get it off the shaft. This is NOT a great design to work on. These may have lasted and lasted, but when something goes wrong, it is very hard to work on, and almost impossible to find parts. Still, these are beautiful machines, and I am very glad I saved it.




Post# 341249 , Reply# 65   4/9/2009 at 18:23 (5,467 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
I should have said the AGITATE roller was replaced. That is the part with the agitate arm connected to it, and the black counterweight on top. That was one of the parts that I got from Mark.

Post# 341347 , Reply# 66   4/10/2009 at 09:11 (5,466 days old) by everythingold (Grand Rapids, Michigan)        

everythingold's profile picture
Fantastic work. I love restore pics and turquoise. matt

Post# 341373 , Reply# 67   4/10/2009 at 12:09 (5,466 days old) by saltysam ()        
The tub brake does not work on this machine

Hey Rick, I took another look at the high speed spin video (for the hundredth time lol) and you might be mistaken about the tub brake not working. From that speed it would take forever and a day for the tub to come to a complete stop, and yours does slow down fairly quick. It may not be braking at full capacity but I think it is working somewhat. With a little adjustment it could work to full stopping power.
Mark



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