Thread Number: 38995
A frog comes home: 110.533565.8261
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Post# 578192   2/25/2012 at 17:11 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        

Brought this pretty lady home today in a snow storm today. The seller said she agitates and spins just fine! I am going to bring her into the house tonight let her warm up a bit, give her a bath and then maybe some juice in the morning and see what we got!






Post# 578193 , Reply# 1   2/25/2012 at 17:13 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
another pic

Close up!

Post# 578194 , Reply# 2   2/25/2012 at 17:14 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
another pic

Interior $

Post# 578195 , Reply# 3   2/25/2012 at 17:16 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
another pic

Frog's eye .... Note she's a sudsy!

Post# 578197 , Reply# 4   2/25/2012 at 17:17 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
last pic

The push button's

Post# 578198 , Reply# 5   2/25/2012 at 17:18 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
another pic

Frog's Eye: Note she's a sudsy!

Post# 578215 , Reply# 6   2/25/2012 at 18:17 (4,414 days old) by d-jones (Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Area))        
Excellent find!

d-jones's profile picture
I like the look of these old Kenmore frog eyes. Is the paint on the lid and body supposed to be a different shade than the top? It looks kind of nice that way.

Post# 578216 , Reply# 7   2/25/2012 at 18:17 (4,414 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
That must be a 1953 model. Very cool! I just love the 1950's and early 1960's Kenmores and Whirlpools. Congratulations!

Post# 578224 , Reply# 8   2/25/2012 at 18:53 (4,414 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
I always loved the older machines that were labeled on the dial Damp Dry instead of just spin. And a real Roto Swirl with the big K on top. Thats a real good find!

Post# 578228 , Reply# 9   2/25/2012 at 19:05 (4,414 days old) by wireman (Lansing, MI)        

wireman's profile picture
Congrats! Looks to be in decent shape. Where were you lucky enough to find it?

Post# 578229 , Reply# 10   2/25/2012 at 19:14 (4,414 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Interesting to see a Kenmore with a back-opening lid---and a wide, large lid at that. I've always been a fan of those fatty / preggers Roto-Swirl agitators, too. Our 1960 Model 80 had one. A great find! Congratulations, and hope we get to see some video of it in action when you get a chance.

Post# 578232 , Reply# 11   2/25/2012 at 19:22 (4,414 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
Ugh, that is such a beautiful find Scott, congratulations!

The reason for the differences in the color on top is the top area is porcelain and the lid and cabinet are baked enamel painted.

The lid opens back on all Kenmores until 1956 when they introduced the left opening lid on the TOL model. In '57 they used the new lid design on all models all the way into the 21st century when it changed again.


Post# 578234 , Reply# 12   2/25/2012 at 19:27 (4,414 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
Great looking Kenmore!! Hope it runs well

Post# 578240 , Reply# 13   2/25/2012 at 19:47 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Thanks all. I am excited!

Yes ... she is from 1953!

I just happened to find this gal on CL in Battle Creek (Home of Cereal products). I'm not a big fan of CL ...so to find something there was a big surprise for me! Bought it from a really nice guy.

I gave her a quick Windex bath tonight ... which took off a lot of the surface grime. I'll probably do a bit more around the controls with a q-tip and some
light soft scrub. I have some CLR for the hard water spots.

I'm quite happy with her ... Love the 50's design stuff for sure!



Post# 578241 , Reply# 14   2/25/2012 at 19:47 (4,414 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
TOL 1953 KENMORE SUDS-SAVER WASHER

combo52's profile picture

WOW Scott that is a cool find, I am in the process of restoring a 1954 TOL KM pair, the biggest difference is the 54s have colored push=buttons that light up. This is an interesting dual water pump washer and like all WP built automatics up to and including this washer it still uses a float to control the water fill level. Yours was probably the first model to give a 2nd lower water level by means of a dual water level switch. Give me a call when you fire it up if you get a chance, John.


Post# 578251 , Reply# 15   2/25/2012 at 20:59 (4,414 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
YAY Scott!!!

revvinkevin's profile picture


Wow Scott, great find CONGRATS! I hope it functions just the way it's supposed to!

Can't wait to see it cleaned up and washing something!

Kevin


Post# 578254 , Reply# 16   2/25/2012 at 21:05 (4,414 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
I Love that machine.

toploader55's profile picture
That is one of my Favorite Kenmores. Love the Fat RotoSwirl.

Best of Luck with that beauty.


Post# 578256 , Reply# 17   2/25/2012 at 21:14 (4,414 days old) by Northwesty (Renton, WA)        

Gosh it has been a long time since one of those popped up. Hope it fires up without too much work. Congratulations on such a great find. Hope the matching dryer shows up too they make such a nice pair.

Post# 578260 , Reply# 18   2/25/2012 at 22:05 (4,414 days old) by oldskool (Kansas City, MO)        
Similar Dryer

There was a gas dryer that was available locally, thread #37868, perhaps not a match, but close. After looking at the picture, if you like, I can track down the owner, to see if he still has the dryer. It had been listed several times on CL but wasn't selling. A possibility.
John


Post# 578336 , Reply# 19   2/26/2012 at 08:52 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Morning results so far:

Here is a picture of the frog in my kitchen ... she is cleaning up nicely! The eye is very bright and clean The porcelain top is also pretty pristine. There are a few scratches to the cabinet ... but no dents that I have noticed.

The first run with power was very positive ... no sparks, flames or smoke. She seems to agitate just fine. The timer advances and lights up!! I did not try the timer full cycle though. I also did not get the damp dry /spin to engage ... I'll be calling Gordon or John later =). I put maybe 1/2 gallon of water in the tub ... and so far no leaks onto the kitchen floor.

Fingers crossed! I'm going to let her stand for awhile this morning and do some other chores.

scott







Post# 578339 , Reply# 20   2/26/2012 at 08:54 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
another pic

She has a pretty sparkle in that blue eye!

Post# 578376 , Reply# 21   2/26/2012 at 09:29 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Maybe spoke a little too soon ...

I guess frogs always pee when you pick them up right?

Ho hum ...there was some piddle on the floor ... I popped off the back access and it looks like one of the drain hoses has a tiny rotted spot that is dripping and maybe the pump gasket has a little leak too ... though not bad for 59 years old =).


Post# 578398 , Reply# 22   2/26/2012 at 10:03 (4,414 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Wow.

toploader55's profile picture
She cleaned up real purdy.

Hey, I'm 56 and I leak a little too !!! LOL.

I'm sure any issues will be minor as we all know..."They don't make 'em like that anymore.


Post# 578401 , Reply# 23   2/26/2012 at 10:52 (4,414 days old) by golittlesport (California)        
Excellent!

golittlesport's profile picture
Congrats! Very nice score! That is probably my favorite classic Kenmore model. I remember seeing many of those in my childhood. That is the only model I ever saw a rubber gasket in the D-shaped tub opening, and it looks like yours is still intact from the photos. Sure cleaned up nicely.

Post# 578420 , Reply# 24   2/26/2012 at 13:07 (4,414 days old) by whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)        
Nice!!!!

I use a 1955 frog-eye as my everyday machine and dryer,its a Cycla-Fabric and a high speed dryer.My grandmother had the 54 model that the buttons lit up in different colors one of the first machines I remember,Good Luck Bobby

Post# 578434 , Reply# 25   2/26/2012 at 14:08 (4,414 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture

As a kid, I went with my family to a flea market & benefit auction.  There was a set of these there and I spent the whole time playing and exploring them and ignored everything else.  I thought the frog-eye design was so beautiful!  Congrats on a great find!


Post# 578461 , Reply# 26   2/26/2012 at 15:49 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Popped the top!

With some phone support and assistance from John/combo52 and Gordon/Kenmoreguy64 (thanks guys), I pulled the top off and did some cleaning today. I got the tub reset into place and aligned properly ... Cleaned out the tub and agitator too. Just waiting for a little water to drip out of the leaky areas (hoses and one gasket)... and I'll let her dry out for awhile ... then maybe another electrical test and see if she does a spin cycle. Stay tuned!

Post# 578465 , Reply# 27   2/26/2012 at 15:55 (4,414 days old) by in2itdood ()        
b4 pic after some very initial cleaning

This was after about 1/2 hour of cleaning: I had wiped off the years and years of dried soap scum and stuff (ew) to reveal a nice encrusted layer of scale and build up. I few applications of cleaner and some soft scrubbing with an old tooth brush worked magic!


Note the putty knife (on the right) holding up the top ... hehe


Post# 578466 , Reply# 28   2/26/2012 at 15:58 (4,413 days old) by in2itdood ()        
The Agitator all cleaned and ready to go

She is in really good shape!


Post# 578470 , Reply# 29   2/26/2012 at 16:08 (4,413 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Where I started today

Hmm.. Maybe I should have put these pictures in order? Sorry about that.

This is what the tub looked like when I first started today ... pretty nasty.
Note the brown slime on the right ... all gone now! I sprayed Windex and Fanststic in the tub to start (bubbles on the agitator). Note the Agitator is off center...all fixed now!



Post# 578474 , Reply# 30   2/26/2012 at 16:18 (4,413 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Hey you guys!

Thanks for the messages and replies!

A couple of you mentioned that you have Frog's as well ... Please post some pics if you can ... Love to see them!

Ribbit!

scott


Post# 578504 , Reply# 31   2/26/2012 at 17:44 (4,413 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Got my fingers crossed

mickeyd's profile picture

that the Suds, indeed, return. Love it. Also the way the wash countdown goes to zero, and how when young and impatient watching a similar dial: "When does the the rinse start? It's almost at the end of the RINSE, and it's just filling. What going on here? The dot at the end where it locks on to fill. Always so cool.


Post# 578512 , Reply# 32   2/26/2012 at 18:20 (4,413 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Kenmore

peteski50's profile picture
I Love the machine - I wish they stayed with back open lids, can't beat the style!
Peter



Post# 578513 , Reply# 33   2/26/2012 at 18:20 (4,413 days old) by aldspinboy (Philadelphia, Pa)        

aldspinboy's profile picture

Congratulations THAT is one Beautiful Kenmore washer !

I hope everything works out for you.

Oooh man and a TUB light you should be the envy in your town.

Greg that was a great story I had simular experences lol.

Scott nice washer !

There's nothing like the big K crowned cap on the Roto-swirl.

 

Darren k


Post# 578544 , Reply# 34   2/26/2012 at 20:47 (4,413 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture
Beautiful washer!

Post# 578557 , Reply# 35   2/26/2012 at 22:31 (4,413 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

You know, I'll admit I've never been much for Kenmore machines, but this one I really like. As soon as I saw it, I said to myself, "That must be from the early 50's!" .. and I was pretty much right.

I really like the timer dial on this one. Congratulations on your find, I'm glad to hear that it's in very good shape.


Post# 578781 , Reply# 36   2/27/2012 at 18:55 (4,412 days old) by mistereric (New Jersey (Taylor Ham))        

mistereric's profile picture
Wow! Thats a handsome machine. I LOVE the blue eye!

Post# 578886 , Reply# 37   2/28/2012 at 00:13 (4,412 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

That's coming along very nicely. Hope you get it in tip-top shape without too much trouble.

Post# 578889 , Reply# 38   2/28/2012 at 00:33 (4,412 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

redcarpetdrew's profile picture
This is a set of lightly used Frog Eyes near me. He wants a pretty penny for them but I might just have to do it...

RCD


Post# 578931 , Reply# 39   2/28/2012 at 06:19 (4,412 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Timer Control

mrb627's profile picture
So I gotta ask...

Do you pull the timer dial, turn to the right to set and then push in to start?

Or, does the timer knob pop out by its own at the end of the cycle?

Malcolm


Post# 578948 , Reply# 40   2/28/2012 at 07:31 (4,412 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Push Pull Timer control

combo52's profile picture

On my 1954 set the timer does pop out as it hits the end of the final spin and then you turn the dial to the desired suds return or wash time and push it in to start the machine.


Post# 579037 , Reply# 41   2/28/2012 at 13:40 (4,412 days old) by moparguy (Virginia)        

That is one beautiful frog! Great find and you have done wonders to it!

Post# 579114 , Reply# 42   2/28/2012 at 18:35 (4,411 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
"I guess frogs always pee when you pick them up right?&#

mickeyd's profile picture

Too funny. I just hope you don't get any warts.Laughing

 

Any luck with the suds?


Post# 579126 , Reply# 43   2/28/2012 at 19:44 (4,411 days old) by in2itdood ()        
General Update!

Hi Guys ...

Thanks for all the kind words and encourgement. She is fun to explore and work on for sure! I did do another electrical test ... and now she does not want to cooperate at all ... no spin or agitation. Stubborn old Gal! John and Gordon have been ever helpful with some suggestions that I'll be checking out over the next couple of days ... so stay tuned!

I have a little final cleaning to do too ... then maybe I'll wax and buff the cabinet and see if we can make her a little more presentable this weekend if time allows.

Thanks scott


Post# 579674 , Reply# 44   3/1/2012 at 19:51 (4,409 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Looking up her skirt ...

Overall, pretty good looking mechanicals. I'll be tinkering more this wekend when I have time.

Hope to get her going again .. or we may have to do a motor rebuild and/or swap sometime soon =).

Thanks to Gordon and John for all of the phone support the past several days.

scott


Post# 579694 , Reply# 45   3/1/2012 at 20:33 (4,409 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
that is a great motor

jetcone's profile picture
you have one with a cast iron end bell. Id work hard to save that one!
nice machine, I miss mine, it is a 1955, gotta go collect it sometime soon.


Jet


Post# 579750 , Reply# 46   3/2/2012 at 07:13 (4,409 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
1953 Frog Eye washer

combo52's profile picture

Scott thanks for posting the bottom view picture, it brings back memories, WP-KM only used that suds-return pump about one or two years. Old cast iron Packard motor, yes do save it even if you put something in temporally to make the washer run again. I do have several of these laying around, so when you visit sometime we can probably fix yours.


Post# 579760 , Reply# 47   3/2/2012 at 08:33 (4,409 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Scott, thats a nice Kenmore.  Yours has the basket that has 4 rows of holes in the bottom, its been posted that they are rare, (But maybe usual for this vintage)?  Best of luck with your new Frog eye.  Combo52,  was packard the common motor source during these years?  thanks alr


Post# 579763 , Reply# 48   3/2/2012 at 08:45 (4,409 days old) by rickr (.)        
Packard motors

rickr's profile picture
I think a lot of these early WP/KM were equipted with the Packard motors. This is the rebuilt "guts" of my 56 Kenmore before the reinstall. I know the row of four holes in the bottom of the spin basket was standard in the early models.

As I have said before, I LOVE the early WP/KM machines. The rounded corners on the cabinets, the nice trim on the consoles (on the 53 model gold trim) The light up controls. These are simply beautiful machines!


Post# 579782 , Reply# 49   3/2/2012 at 10:10 (4,409 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Common motor for warly WP washers

combo52's profile picture

Air, yes Packard was very common, they also used a lot of GE motors which had cast aluminum end bells, the 1950 WP set I am rebuilding has the GE motor.


Post# 579797 , Reply# 50   3/2/2012 at 11:54 (4,409 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Motor

Hey Guys,

Yes, I will keep the orginal motor for sure.
John ..Please ... If you can set aside a good temporary replacement motor for me to use that would be all kinds of awesome. Hope to make it out there before the end or March or Early April.

Keep the good pictures and advice coming!.

scott


Post# 579829 , Reply# 51   3/2/2012 at 13:35 (4,409 days old) by Whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)        
Dead Motor!

It may be just the starting capacitor on the motor.My Washer and dryer have packard motors.I replaced mine and it works just fine and great take-off too.Its like turning on an old radio that sat for a long tiwork the first time and then suddenly start humming from dried out caps,or when they get warm they open up.Good luck, Bobby

Post# 579844 , Reply# 52   3/2/2012 at 16:03 (4,408 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

Hey Scott, CONGRATS again on getting this machine! It sure is looking good! Can't wait to see video of it working!

Kevin


Post# 579929 , Reply# 53   3/2/2012 at 22:23 (4,408 days old) by d-jones (Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Area))        

d-jones's profile picture
If it comes down to the motor I'd have it repaired rather than replaced. The build quality of older electric motors can be very hard to find these days.

Post# 580199 , Reply# 54   3/4/2012 at 06:34 (4,407 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Ribbit

I replaced the bulbs last night on the frog ... and she does light up nicely!
The ozone light works too (sorry no picture of that one). Looks like I will probably have to put in a TEMPORARY motor to get her up and running. The orginal Packard motor will be rebuilt and put back in when I do a full restoration =).


Post# 580221 , Reply# 55   3/4/2012 at 09:04 (4,407 days old) by cornutt (Huntsville, AL USA)        
Dual pump suds setup

How did that work? The machine doesn't appear to have the standard Whirlpool suds valve.

Post# 580249 , Reply# 56   3/4/2012 at 11:25 (4,407 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
TOL 1953 KENMORE SUDS-SAVER WASHER

combo52's profile picture

This washer does have the same two-way that all WP built TL suds-saver washers used for over 50 years. The bottom view picture does not show the SS valve, it would be in the top left corner attached to the corrugated hose. The washer has two water pumps one will pump the water out and the other pumps the other direction to return the water for a 2nd or 3rd use.


Post# 580314 , Reply# 57   3/4/2012 at 16:53 (4,406 days old) by rickr (.)        

rickr's profile picture
Looks great all lit up like that Scott!

Post# 580327 , Reply# 58   3/4/2012 at 18:07 (4,406 days old) by in2itdood ()        
SS Valve Picture

Per Combo52/Johns description here is a snap... sorry it is sideways!


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