Thread Number: 2579
Restored 1956 Whirlpool dryer
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Post# 72603   7/6/2005 at 22:24 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Here are some pictures of the 56 Whirlpool Imperial dryer I got from Kenny (Goatfarmer) Both before and after pictures.

This was the inside before.





Post# 72604 , Reply# 1   7/6/2005 at 22:26 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
inside after

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And it only took about 15 minutes! LOL!

Post# 72605 , Reply# 2   7/6/2005 at 22:31 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
it looked like this

rickr's profile picture
Only cabinet shot I have,but it was not pretty!

Post# 72606 , Reply# 3   7/6/2005 at 22:33 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Rebuilt and repainted

rickr's profile picture
And it still sat in the garage,for a couple weeks,until we could move it to the basement

Post# 72607 , Reply# 4   7/6/2005 at 22:35 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
another

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garage shot

Post# 72609 , Reply# 5   7/6/2005 at 22:43 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Then we moved it downstairs!

rickr's profile picture
Poof! and it is down there...

Don't know why these photos have the black dots all over the top light. Must be the 35 mm film??


Post# 72610 , Reply# 6   7/6/2005 at 22:44 (6,840 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Another beautiful restoration.

Way to go, Rick!


Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 72611 , Reply# 7   7/6/2005 at 22:44 (6,840 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Very beautiful machine!! You did a great job making her look pretty again!

Post# 72613 , Reply# 8   7/6/2005 at 22:46 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
They were just made for each other..

rickr's profile picture
They have to sit like this,instead of side by side for now. Need to figure out a better plan for all this later.

Post# 72614 , Reply# 9   7/6/2005 at 22:48 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Top light on

rickr's profile picture
I am not happy with the way these pictures turned out,however it will have to do for now. I changed film type,and will try again another time.

Post# 72615 , Reply# 10   7/6/2005 at 22:50 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Dryer drum

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It has to light of course..

Post# 72617 , Reply# 11   7/6/2005 at 22:54 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
dryer console close up

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I have to paint the RCA logo background white,and have my machinist friend make a small part for the timer knob yet.

Post# 72618 , Reply# 12   7/6/2005 at 22:55 (6,840 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
Yay!

Post# 72619 , Reply# 13   7/6/2005 at 22:55 (6,840 days old) by bpetersxx (laf in on the banks of the Wabash River)        

bpetersxx's profile picture
Flexible aluminum dryer vent does wonders for venting out dryers

I have it on both of the vintage dryers and makes it easy to shape and bend around corners

Menards has it and the local Maytag dealer uses it esp in cramped
spaces


Post# 72620 , Reply# 14   7/6/2005 at 22:56 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Washer console

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for comparison

Post# 72621 , Reply# 15   7/6/2005 at 22:58 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Better look at the dryer console

rickr's profile picture
Looks better outside!

Post# 72622 , Reply# 16   7/6/2005 at 22:59 (6,840 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
What does the Fabric Guide selector do on the dryer?

Post# 72623 , Reply# 17   7/6/2005 at 23:01 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
NOS Surgilator

rickr's profile picture
BTW I found a new old stock bakelite Surgilator a few weeks ago,here it is!

Post# 72625 , Reply# 18   7/6/2005 at 23:12 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        
Dryer controls

rickr's profile picture
The drying temp is VERY fast on the HOT setting. I overdryed a load of towels the first load on that setting. They were full of static and TOO dry. They were only in for 50 minutes. They next time I did towels I set it for 15 minutes and the load was dry on the HOT setting! Very fast!

I used the MED. setting for other stuff,except for some bright colored tee shirts and shirts with graphics. I used the WARM setting on those.

The dryer is built like a tank! Very heavy like a tank also! The door pops opens to the right,when you push the lighted "W" logo on the front of the dryer.


Post# 72626 , Reply# 19   7/6/2005 at 23:16 (6,840 days old) by rocky2 (Northwest Indiana)        

Beautiful Job Rick!

Post# 72627 , Reply# 20   7/6/2005 at 23:18 (6,840 days old) by rickr (.)        

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Special thanks to Kenny! YAY!! I NEVER thought that the matching 56 WP Imperial dryer to my 56 WP Imperial washer would be right here in Indiana. It is a great example of what can happen with this fantastic network of friends we have here!

Rick


Post# 72628 , Reply# 21   7/6/2005 at 23:33 (6,840 days old) by westytoploader ()        
WOOHOO!!

That '56 looks FANTASTIC lit up in your basement, and that is the "most identical" pair I have seen!! You can certainly turn machines originally in sad shape into something spectacular...great job!! Can't wait to see how the pink 'Tags look when they're done!

Post# 72633 , Reply# 22   7/7/2005 at 00:54 (6,840 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Rick, I like the new agitator much better. On the dryer, what's the right side sliding lever for, can't quite make it out. Of course the left side one is for the temps. Bob

Post# 72634 , Reply# 23   7/7/2005 at 01:06 (6,840 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
The right-side switch is labeled "Fabric Guide" with selections that look to be "Normal" and Delicate." Don't know what it does, awaiting clarification. It apparently isn't temperature control, as that's the other switch on the left.  :-)

Post# 72635 , Reply# 24   7/7/2005 at 01:10 (6,840 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Interesting...I wonder if the Normal/Delicate switch changes the tumble speed, or pauses with no tumbling and/or heat?

Post# 72638 , Reply# 25   7/7/2005 at 02:08 (6,840 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
Normal/Delicate switch

Looking at the mechanism, it's obvious the way the pulleys and belts are arranged that there's no way to change the tumble speed, BUT, there IS some kind of mechanism attached to the blower pulley. Willing to bet the blower has two speeds.

Post# 72639 , Reply# 26   7/7/2005 at 02:25 (6,840 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Whirlpool dryer

peteski50's profile picture
Wow Rick,
This actually makes some real nice pair. Between the looks styling and quality you did some Great job. Best of Luck.
Peter


Post# 72643 , Reply# 27   7/7/2005 at 05:48 (6,840 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Great Job

mayken4now's profile picture
Rick:

Really is a beautiful set. Very well done job on the dryer!

Steve


Post# 72649 , Reply# 28   7/7/2005 at 07:28 (6,839 days old) by agiflow ()        
Beautiful pair

Rick, congratulations on such a fantastic job.What a beautiful pair they are.

One thing i noticed with this style WP washer/dryer is that the back of the control panels have an overhang, like many other companies used for i guess hose clearances. Never saw that on other WP machines after.

Pat


Post# 72652 , Reply# 29   7/7/2005 at 07:39 (6,839 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)        

Rick that is a wonderful restoration. Those are a GREAT pair for any collection and represent all that I so admire of the '50's washers and dryers.

Post# 72655 , Reply# 30   7/7/2005 at 07:59 (6,839 days old) by jerry (Santa Maria, CA)        
FABRIC SELECTOR

When it is set on delicate it works the heater on 110 volts.I worked on one years ago and thats how it was set up . Jerry


Post# 72657 , Reply# 31   7/7/2005 at 08:00 (6,839 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Great lookin set Rick - I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun!

Ben


Post# 72660 , Reply# 32   7/7/2005 at 08:22 (6,839 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Beautiful set Rick - excellent job on the dryer restore! I'll be they take your breath away every time you walk in the room!

The mechanism/switch on the blower is a heat relay switch, the heater will not energize unless the blower is running at full speed.


Post# 72663 , Reply# 33   7/7/2005 at 08:31 (6,839 days old) by golittlesport (California)        

golittlesport's profile picture
Beautiful set of twins

Post# 72664 , Reply# 34   7/7/2005 at 08:35 (6,839 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
Whirlpool Washer and Dryer

chachp's profile picture
Those are beautiful machines. They are the exact machines my Mom had when I was little. I remember them well. They were built up on some kind of platform in the basement, but I don't remember why. Anyway, the light on the washer developed some kind of short in it so when the washer would spin the light might flicker on and off. One day, the washer was spinning and a little off balance so it was wobbling a bit. The light was flickering on and off and the buzzer that notified you of the final spin was buzzing looudly. I was like 4 years old and thought the washer was a monster coming after me. I ran to the other side of the basement and locked myself in my Dad's workshop. My Mom was scared to death because of all the tools so she called my Dad at work. He had to hop the train and come home from the city (New York) to unlock the door and let me out.

I guess I was always getting in some kind of trouble when I was small. We had a Youngstown top load dishwasher at the time and my Dad had to put a shutoff switch high in one of the kitchen cabinets because I was always trying to play with it. My Mom was afraid I was going to fall in the thing and burn myself because it got so hot inside.


Post# 72666 , Reply# 35   7/7/2005 at 08:37 (6,839 days old) by veg-o-matic (Baltimore, Hon!)        

veg-o-matic's profile picture
Yow! Nice job, Rick!

The best feature has to be the lighted buttons to open the door/lid. I mean, how cool is that?

veg


Post# 72668 , Reply# 36   7/7/2005 at 08:46 (6,839 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Hi Rick, wow they are just Beautiful, you must be very proud! Great pictures, and how fun is it find a brand new-old-stock original bakelite black surgilator!

Post# 72677 , Reply# 37   7/7/2005 at 09:51 (6,839 days old) by tlee618 ()        

Another beautiful restoration Rick!! They make such a beautiful pair. You should be very proud!! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Terry

Post# 72683 , Reply# 38   7/7/2005 at 11:06 (6,839 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Thank you for the nice comments about the 56 Whirlpool Imperial set. I am sure glad to have them! They are my favorites.

So when the delicate mode is selected, the heat element is on 110. Thank you for that information Jerry. I wondered how that worked. It sure has a wide choice of drying selections. No wonder it looks like a jukebox! LOL!

Thank you,
Rick


Post# 72696 , Reply# 39   7/7/2005 at 13:28 (6,839 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
Rick, I'm alsmost blinded by the beauty of that set. Congratulations on the restauration and on the purchase of the agitator.

Post# 72743 , Reply# 40   7/7/2005 at 21:24 (6,839 days old) by drmitch ()        

Gorgeous Whirlpool`s, Rick! Love all the lights!

Post# 72744 , Reply# 41   7/7/2005 at 21:28 (6,839 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
That is a lovely set. Not to mention being THE WASHER my grandparents had that got me hooked.

Post# 72828 , Reply# 42   7/8/2005 at 16:30 (6,838 days old) by Goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Great job on the resto,Rick! I wouldn't have said that's the same dryer! Fabulous set.
Also thank you for the kind words.The only thing I contributed to was being in the right place at the right time. Otherwise that dryer may have become next years Toyota,or similar.
Yes,we do have a great group here,and I'm glad to be part of it.

kennyGF


Post# 72847 , Reply# 43   7/8/2005 at 18:21 (6,838 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)        
wonderous Whirlpool

Gorgeous,you do excellent work Sir!

Post# 72852 , Reply# 44   7/8/2005 at 20:19 (6,838 days old) by rickr (.)        
I beg to differ...

rickr's profile picture
Hi Kenny! "Just being in the right place at the right time" is a HUGE contribution!! You seem to be in that "place" quite often I might add.... LOL!!

Thanks again for the kind comments about the Whirlpools. I will post some better photos some other time.

Thank you Mr. Clean Jeans,but please don't call me "sir". You can call me Rick instead. Whenever I am called "sir" I usually have to pay $$$. (:


Post# 72871 , Reply# 45   7/9/2005 at 05:00 (6,838 days old) by Goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)        

goatfarmer's profile picture
Rick,my wife says I can "sniff" out old appliances,Simplicity tractors,and good junk in general. Maybe she's right.....

kennyGF


Post# 73061 , Reply# 46   7/11/2005 at 06:13 (6,836 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
delicate settiing

So this implies that the Delicate Fabric setting is even cooler than the Warm setting on the drying temp side. One would've though they just would've added another button to the drying temp selector rahter than another separate control, unless they were striving to match the washer controls button for button

Post# 73066 , Reply# 47   7/11/2005 at 07:28 (6,835 days old) by retromom ()        
Beautiful!

Rick:

As always, you have done an impeccable job of restoration! You do her proud! :-D

Venus


Post# 73117 , Reply# 48   7/11/2005 at 13:21 (6,835 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
I'm figuring that the left-side control is specifically for the operating temperature -- three bi-metal thermostats for three target temperatures. The right-side control sets whether the heating element runs at 220 volts or 110 volts, which determines the temperature of the input air -- hot or moderate. One wouldn't want a blast of very hot air hitting delicate, lacy items. Hot Drying Temperature with Delicate Fabric would still reach the same target temp, just take longer to get there and would be gentler on the fabric.


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