Thread Number: 37052
What suggestions do you have to get this old girl going again? |
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Post# 551143   10/21/2011 at 23:12 (4,563 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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I very recently discovered a friend in my car club has an interest in old appliances and owns this old Easy Spindrier!
He bought it 8 years ago and doesn't know it's history prior, so it's safe to assume it's been sitting unused for at least 8 years, but probably a lot longer.
He's thinking it would really be fun to use, but also is very cautious about even plugging it in.
What would you suggest he inspect and / or what type of maintenance should he do prior to plugging this baby in and pressing that ON button? Also, is there anything he should be aware of if he's going to be using it? Durability, etc?
Thanks much! Kevin
A few pix to follow....
PS... he is coming over to check out my collection for the first time tomorrow and I KNOW he's going to be blown away.... ;-) |
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Post# 551144 , Reply# 1   10/21/2011 at 23:14 (4,563 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 551145 , Reply# 2   10/21/2011 at 23:15 (4,563 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 551146 , Reply# 3   10/21/2011 at 23:16 (4,563 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)   |   | |
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Post# 551166 , Reply# 5   10/22/2011 at 01:00 (4,563 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 551172 , Reply# 6   10/22/2011 at 01:35 (4,563 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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If you have looked at a number of these machines, this one is VERY handsome. The tub porcelains typically hold up well--not counting mineral deposits which can be removed--but the center panel is only painted and rusts if not well cared for.
This machine is from the early 50s. To give the parts a fighting chance--especially the pump--put several gallons of hot water in both tubs before turning it on and let it sit for several hours. See also the cautions above. The mineral deposits can be removed with vinegar soak and light scrubbing (don't use abrasives). From the manual, find the 'off' position for the clutch handles. Let the motor run ~10 minutes (assuming it will run) in idle to exercise parts before engaging. If you'd sat still for 10 years, you wouldn't be exactly jumping out of your seat, would you? Many hold the Spindrier in high regard. It was very well built and very effective. |
Post# 551219 , Reply# 8   10/22/2011 at 08:07 (4,562 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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Post# 551697 , Reply# 10   10/24/2011 at 22:46 (4,560 days old) by bradross (New Westminster, BC., Canada)   |   | |
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Hello Pete...that's quite a collectible you have there! I love the early models with the 3 chrome bands around the tubs - adds to the retro look! I really want to add an Easy to my collection, but next to impossible to find in Canada. Will probably have to haul one up from Washington or Oregon if I find one there.
Perhaps you'll even do a video when you get yours up and running (?) I'm sure all the Easy fans here would love to see it in action! Best regards...Brad |
Post# 551775 , Reply# 11   10/25/2011 at 10:52 (4,559 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Bradross, Tomturbo, and I have been searching for confirmation of this model for over a year. Brad posted an ad for this machine which claimed to have water enter through the spinner the way Jerry (Easyspindry) remembers his Aunt's machine.
Would greatly appreciate your shedding some light. Your Easy is beautiful. This post was last edited 10/25/2011 at 13:06 |
Post# 552101 , Reply# 13   10/26/2011 at 18:42 (4,558 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Guess we're back to square one on this elusive bottom squirter.
The newer models like mine do not have these ports and plugs that your machine has, so I'm not going to tell you things I don't know about. Someone else may be familiar with your earlier model. Jon Charles Jetcone has the fauceted model of your machine. He might know what to do. I'm sure someone here can advise you. |
Post# 552105 , Reply# 14   10/26/2011 at 18:54 (4,558 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I have found an envelope containing all of the literature for my mom's Easy that was purchased in 1949. The owner's manual has a date of 1-49 on the back and on the front has an image of a happy homemaker standing behind the machine by her kitchen sink. The washer looks identical to Pete's, but was replaced in the mid-50's by a Norge automatic and is long gone.
In addition, there are two quick reference cards, one for washing, rinsing, drying and care & cleaning, and one with three steps for packing the spinner.
There's also a large instruction sheet for packing the filter, and promotional material for the Easy Automatic Ironer.
I'm having trouble with my scanner but can try taking pictures on macro setting if any of the washer-related material would be helpful. |
Post# 552133 , Reply# 15   10/26/2011 at 22:09 (4,558 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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"The drain hose is either hooked to the wash tub to recycle soapy water from the spindrier, or hooked to the sink for various modes of rinsing / draining."
======================================================= That's what grandma's had. And IINM, a ball valve on the sink end, you closed the valve to fill the spinner. Bottom front center had a handle, opened the washtub to drain. Not positive exactly what year it was or where it stood in the model line at the time. But it replaced her Thor wringer between 1949 and 1953. (Big help, right?) Did have a single fill faucet and you turned on the water at the sink not on the machine. Seems they never left the design alone very long. Who knows how many models were on sale in any one model year? Anyhow, love to see the photo of the model we KNOW is 1949. |
Post# 552362 , Reply# 17   10/28/2011 at 01:34 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I did the best I could with camera set for macro.
Here's the cover of the owner's manual, and I was clearly mistaken when I advised the washer pictured on the cover is identical to Pete's. It's not, since Pete's has a hinged spin basket cover which I presume is an indicator of a later model.
After reading through the operating instructions and imagining the drudgery, I can see how a fully automatic washer became the infinitely preferable way for the average midcentury homemaker and mom to do her laundry and don't blame mine a bit for abandoning her Easy, but must admit I'm kind of fascinated and curious to see one of these Easy machines in operation.
This post was last edited 10/28/2011 at 02:26 |
Post# 552363 , Reply# 18   10/28/2011 at 01:36 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552364 , Reply# 19   10/28/2011 at 01:37 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552365 , Reply# 20   10/28/2011 at 01:39 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552366 , Reply# 21   10/28/2011 at 01:41 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552367 , Reply# 22   10/28/2011 at 01:42 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552368 , Reply# 23   10/28/2011 at 01:44 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552369 , Reply# 24   10/28/2011 at 01:45 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552370 , Reply# 25   10/28/2011 at 01:49 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552371 , Reply# 26   10/28/2011 at 01:49 (4,557 days old) by mixfinder ()   |   | |
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Guess we're back to square one on this elusive bottom squirter.
Excuse me Mikey but shouldn't that be in the Dirty Laundry section? |
Post# 552372 , Reply# 27   10/28/2011 at 01:51 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552373 , Reply# 28   10/28/2011 at 01:54 (4,557 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 552381 , Reply# 29   10/28/2011 at 05:21 (4,557 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Twin tub washer/extractors made a nice step-up if you will from using a wringer washer (or worse doing the lot by hand), but it still involved Madame or whomever was doing the wash to stand around, handle hot, wet and often soapy laundry and all the other "joys" that made washday so wonderful. OTHO automatic washing machines allowed one to set, forget and get on with other things.
Where semi-automatics excel is in water,water and time resources. The ability to reuse wash and or rinse water would be a blessing to those whose supplies of hot water were limited for any reason. |
Post# 552425 , Reply# 30   10/28/2011 at 11:24 (4,556 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Kelly, you definitely need a spanking ;->
Ralph those are great scans, and here's a vid of my first Easy, half way through the movie, showing the spray rinse up close and very personal since I put my arm down along the cone. I was younger then and crazy (er). Forgive the Maytag and Whirlpool interruptions. CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK |
Post# 552453 , Reply# 31   10/28/2011 at 15:34 (4,556 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Interesting clip. I do like that spinner clutch system. It gets up to speed almost instantly. I'd like to see the whole process documented sometime.
I'm guessing your machine is a later model than my mom's or Pete's, but it doesn't have the hinged spinner lid so I'm not so sure. I didn't realize there were so many gaps in the history of Easy models. |
Post# 552454 , Reply# 32   10/28/2011 at 15:39 (4,556 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Post# 552458 , Reply# 33   10/28/2011 at 15:55 (4,556 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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shows the true shape of the spray rinse cone, much wider at the buttom, while my photo and video fail to capture its true width. Always wanted people to see it, so thank you, Ralph , because that it one of the secrets of the great rinsing this machine is capable of. This is an example of the "Precision Engineering" Easy claimed to achieve.
This post was last edited 10/28/2011 at 17:16 |
Post# 552482 , Reply# 34   10/28/2011 at 18:20 (4,556 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I'm glad my documents have provided some help. It's interesting because I just discovered them within the past couple of weeks after thinking the whole stash of product literature my dad had saved was long gone. As other topics appear on the various forums here, I'll provide applicable literature if I have it. |
Post# 552502 , Reply# 35   10/28/2011 at 21:32 (4,556 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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Post# 552647 , Reply# 37   10/29/2011 at 14:46 (4,555 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Pete, yeah, when I watched the clip of the 60's Easy without the hinged lid it occurred to me that yours is likely an earlier model than 1949. Thanks for confirming.
I guess the spigots were added for a more refined look in a kitchen environment.
I still don't get what part of the spin rinse is "automatic" as they claim, since these machines don't do anything without literal hands-on participation by the operator. It seems like a stretch to use the term "automatic" but I suppose the gimmickry sold machines for them, and the system does appear to have advantages over a wringer. |
Post# 552653 , Reply# 38   10/29/2011 at 15:09 (4,555 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Post# 552715 , Reply# 39   10/29/2011 at 19:48 (4,555 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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Post# 552718 , Reply# 40   10/29/2011 at 20:33 (4,555 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)   |   | |
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Model 1~BOL no faucets, no spray cone in spinner, wash drain valve only, spinner drain always on
Model 2~ a fill faucet and a drain hose (some models have a valve on the hose to allow holding water in the spinner, and some have a spray cone in the spinner). Much variety here and in Model 3.
Model 3~two faucets, fill, drain/suds, inlet filter, no drain control for the spinner but a valve on the drain faucet to hold water in the spinner (WE'VE JUST SEEN THIS) and when I figure out which thread, I'll link it. Spray cone in the spinner
Model 4~TOL two faucets, inlet filter, valves and controls for both washtub and spinner, Spiralator filter. Spray cone in the spinner.
The looks of the timer evolved over the years, and most machines had them, even BOL's in some years, but the timer does NOT shut the machine off in any model of any year.
After you get used to these you can figure out the features by looking at the controls. Ralph's scanned model does not have a valve for the spinner drain. During those years when broomstick controls were used for agitation and spin, some machines controlled the spinner drain valve right from the stick, CLOSED OPEN SPIN. Other models had two handles below the broom sticks, one for each drain valve. If you see a machine with a vertical slider control under the timer that is the wash tub drain valve control.
Some time in the late 50's all controls morphed into levers on a clock face with 3 or 4 levers depending. The non TOL's had no lever for the spinner drain. Stayed on all the time, but then again some of these came with the same faucet valve seen on the old machines so you could hold water in the spinner.
Some day, we'll have this down to a science they way we do for the Frigidiares, Whirlpools, Kenmores, and Maytags. What continues to surprise is the astonishing variety of models that keep popping up, almost like Kenmores. We simply haven't seen them all. "There out there!" as Mulder would say to Sculley.
Hope this helps, Arbi. |
Post# 552729 , Reply# 41   10/29/2011 at 22:24 (4,555 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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Thanks Mickey, it helps. This would be "Easy" if there were one model per year.
So Grandma's was a 2. Valve on drain hose. Fill faucet (only). No spray cone, but did have disc cover with center hole. U-handle opened washtub drain. Timer, unknown but I think not. Knew it didn't do anything but ring. None of that 'explains' why we're so fascinated with 60yo machinery, but here we are. |
Post# 552732 , Reply# 42   10/29/2011 at 23:09 (4,555 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I think we're here because we're "ologists" of a yet to be determined/designated title. I'll bet the membership at large might have a suggestion or fifty . . .
I think the Easy pictured in the "Look Behind" thread (37161 here in Imperial) has the more multi-functional clock plate scheme that MickeyD described just above, or a precursor. This post was last edited 10/30/2011 at 00:24 |
Post# 552734 , Reply# 43   10/29/2011 at 23:49 (4,555 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))   |   | |
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Post# 552736 , Reply# 44   10/30/2011 at 00:49 (4,555 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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For the better part of the 60's, my mom worked at The Emporium, an old Bay Area department store chain that around 15 or 20 years ago got swallowed up by -- wait for it -- Macy*s.
I clearly remember one afternoon/evening she came home from work and shared with my dad that a representative had been in the store demonstrating a Hoover (I'm pretty sure) twin tub machine. She had stopped by to take a look and quickly dismissed the machine, advising the rep, "Oh, that's like my old Easy," apparently not at all interested in taking a step backward from her fully automatic machine. I understood the system she was describing but it sounded strange and primitive.
By the time I was old enough to remember, the Easy had been replaced by a Norge automatic. The literature I posted above has revealed to me after almost 45 years the "old Easy" that she spoke of. |
Post# 555259 , Reply# 46   11/8/2011 at 21:55 (4,545 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 555262 , Reply# 47   11/8/2011 at 22:30 (4,545 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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@L: Good point and I understand now that Easy's strategically placed "automatic" claim referred specifically to the spin-rinsing and drying of all pieces at once. I agree it's "automatic" within the context of the spin-rinser-drier's function but would hazard a guess that it was systems such as this that spawned use of the term "fully automatic washer." |
Post# 555308 , Reply# 48   11/9/2011 at 05:30 (4,545 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Am sure they did!
Remember twin tubs both the Easy and Hoover were probably some housewives first step from a wringer washer if not theirs then what they usually grew up with. Notice how in all Easy SpinDrier ads they harp on about how the spin dryer is better than using a wringer/mangle (extracts more water & soap, does not leave hard creases to be ironed out, etc...) |