Thread Number: 44125
Bonnie Blackstone: Inside for the winter
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Post# 648595   12/23/2012 at 13:14 (4,132 days old) by in2itdood ()        

I had time and help moving Bonnie into the kitchen yesterday ... and I let her "warm up" for 24 hours ... before running her through a cycle. It took approx 39 minutes. I'm so impressed with her ... she runs like a charm. I can't wait to fiddle around and do more cleaning, scrubbing and restoration soon! I'll put more pics as time and progress allow. Her sister dryer (Bathilda) is safely tucked away in garage storage. They were my "laundry related" holiday gift this year.




Post# 648597 , Reply# 1   12/23/2012 at 13:15 (4,132 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Bathilda in storage

All tucked in for a long winter's nap!

Post# 648707 , Reply# 2   12/23/2012 at 23:33 (4,131 days old) by Supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        

supersuds's profile picture
I love this design! Once she gets cleaned up she'll be even more beautiful!

Post# 648708 , Reply# 3   12/23/2012 at 23:39 (4,131 days old) by SearsKid ()        
Wow!!

That is so neat! how does this wash? It looks like the Fridgedare Unimatic adj. (I would love to see one of thoes in person!) That is so neat!!!

Post# 648758 , Reply# 4   12/24/2012 at 06:43 (4,131 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Scott you

jetcone's profile picture

certainly are into it dude! You have definitely been bitten by the bug and your ability to find machines is stunning to say the least!

I was the first one in the club to lasso one of these many moons ago and for 20 years no one saw another, now they pop up like weeds! The more members we get hooked the more machines we find, its a beautiful thing.

 

Where did  you find these beauties?? And the money shot please, I think I see the petticoat option in that tub, for delicates??

 

jet


Post# 648777 , Reply# 5   12/24/2012 at 09:12 (4,131 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
350

blackstone's profile picture
Yes, Jon, there is a Petticoat on the agitator, for delicate agitation.

Scott, you need the shiny silver cover on the temperature knob. I should have one hanging around, if you want it.



Post# 648787 , Reply# 6   12/24/2012 at 09:47 (4,131 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Blackstone calendar for 2013

blackstone's profile picture
Well, not really 2013, but it still works. Looks like the printer got confused by demon characters, and misspelled Chestnut. Too late for a reprint!

Post# 648891 , Reply# 7   12/24/2012 at 22:07 (4,130 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Fred

jetcone's profile picture

neat calendar!!

 

 


Post# 649131 , Reply# 8   12/26/2012 at 11:28 (4,129 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Thanks Gentlemen!

Fellas ... appreciate the notes and accolades.

I bought this pair from Ted in MD ... we had been chatting about the set since about last February. Must say … they are one of my dream sets , and will probably have a place of honor in the kitchen at my new house. I am just so impressed with the design and uniqueness of the machines. The use of stainless steel is decades ahead of its time .. and the simple details are really cool. The agitator is about the only part of a Blackstone washer that I find to be a little archaic … seems almost like a medieval cast chunky part inside such a sleek modern design (the red delicate petticoat insert helps for sure). I just love the laundry pair. I’ll post more pictures soon (internet is down at home till Friday when my new modem arrives).

Fred … Ted did give me a few extra parts … so I’m pretty sure I have all new knobs covered .. I will let you know if I need one though! I know Johnny Combo52 has lots of BS parts .

Jon Charles … Ha! I’m coming up on my one year anniversary of joining the group .. and I think I now have 19 machines at home/ in storage … though some of them are headed out to other homes between now and after the Spring thaw. I now only have about 3 machines that are on the must have list. I’ll try to make New Year’s Day anniversary post and update my profile to include all of the machines.

One of my “muggle” friends asked me what I was going to do with all of the %^$&*&%^&*%$* washers … I just smiled and said “WASH” =).


Post# 649536 , Reply# 9   12/28/2012 at 13:13 (4,127 days old) by in2itdood ()        
mini update

Well … I hope to have some internet service back at the house today .. damn DSL modem died .. so just a quick post from work.
I did notice several service stamps on this machine … all for the Acme dealer in Springfield MA shown on the earlier Blackstone calendar post. The last service date stamp I saw was 1967.
I also spent a little time cleaning about a 12” square area on the side of the machine with a mixture of windex and soft scrub … the case seems to be cleaning up nicely with only a few areas of rust to address. Ha.. I also noticed the agitator still has some lint/ thread type residue on it … amazing! I am sure this machine was loved and used for many many years.


Post# 649543 , Reply# 10   12/28/2012 at 13:58 (4,126 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Aha!

blackstone's profile picture
So it is a Blackstone from our store.

Post# 649985 , Reply# 11   12/30/2012 at 17:49 (4,124 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Fred...yes it is

It is a really fun machine! It looks like there is a 1969 date stamp too. I'll post more when I get my Internet back ... On a borrowed iPad tonight.

Post# 649987 , Reply# 12   12/30/2012 at 17:50 (4,124 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Oh big smooch to Gordon and Graham

First one I hear from gets a prize ...LOL

Post# 650662 , Reply# 13   1/2/2013 at 18:16 (4,121 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Internet is back ... under the skirt pic!

here is a good under the skirt pic from the front ...

Post# 650663 , Reply# 14   1/2/2013 at 18:18 (4,121 days old) by in2itdood ()        
and a pic from the back

."rearview"

Post# 650668 , Reply# 15   1/2/2013 at 19:00 (4,121 days old) by in2itdood ()        
the service date stamps

close ups...

Post# 650771 , Reply# 16   1/3/2013 at 11:28 (4,121 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cool Blackstone 350 Washer

combo52's profile picture

Scott your machines are the ones out of Fred's parents home, I am sure they were the longest used BSs ever. Fred and or his dad kept these great machines running till his Mother no longer needed a washer, These are about 1958 machines, the date stamps must indicate when servicing was done on them, I am sure that Fred can provide more details, Good Luck with your NEW machines.

And Happy New Year, John.


Post# 650772 , Reply# 17   1/3/2013 at 11:45 (4,121 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Thanks Combo

Appreciate the info! the washer is sitting in the kichen keeping warm ... I'll work on cleaning her a bit more when I have some time.


Post# 650800 , Reply# 18   1/3/2013 at 15:48 (4,120 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Scott, regarding #13

mickeyd's profile picture
I'd know that pretty face anywhere!

The fill flume is so cool on these babies.

Mine is currently not spinning. If you make any discoveries, let me know. It's beyond my pay grade right now;'D


Post# 650830 , Reply# 19   1/3/2013 at 17:44 (4,120 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
John, you might be right….

blackstone's profile picture
…. that very well could be the same machine that we had in our kitchen for some 50 years! Well, at least the cabinet is original; my father and I must have rebuilt the insides a few times. Our 350 did not have the back panel on it. Sorry about the dirty side of the cabinet--it was right next to the stove.

I can remember as a kid leaning up against this cabinet as it was spinning, just to feel the vibration. Let me know if you find any fingerprints!

As an aside, does anyone remember Universal vacuum cleaners that sat in a metal base, which was on wheels? I used to roll around the kitchen in that. I should take a picture of this, now that I think of it.


Post# 650835 , Reply# 20   1/3/2013 at 18:17 (4,120 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Fun Times in the Kitchen

blackstone's profile picture
The Universal vacuum, and the metal base on wheels. The base is just the right size for a 5-year-old to use for rolling around the kitchen floor.


Post# 650836 , Reply# 21   1/3/2013 at 18:22 (4,120 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Totally cool!

Hey Fred ... come visit here anytime! LOL. I started to clean the sides ... they are scrubbing up just fine. I was in Indian Orchard a few months ago ... that has to be pretty close to you I would think! you are correct .. there is no lower access panel .. I have a 150 machine would they be the same?
Ha Mick ... love the comparison shots! hehe
scott


Post# 650853 , Reply# 22   1/3/2013 at 20:48 (4,120 days old) by westingman123 ()        
Oh!

Rick A. has that Universal in metallic red, I always thought it was beautiful.

Post# 650857 , Reply# 23   1/3/2013 at 21:14 (4,120 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Indian Orchard

blackstone's profile picture
is a part of Springfield; has its own post office; even some street names in common with rest of the city. If you're from here, you just know when someone is referring to the orchard.

Years ago, my brother lived in Royal Oak, so I visited parts of Michigan. I was especially impressed with Henry Ford Museum and Dearborn Village.


Post# 651052 , Reply# 24   1/4/2013 at 18:47 (4,119 days old) by in2itdood ()        
AGitator and Boot pics

kinda cool!

Ha Fred... note the lint!
Do you have any pictures of your parents kitchen with the machines in place?


Post# 651404 , Reply# 25   1/6/2013 at 11:47 (4,118 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Another AGI pic ..

she is a beauty ... started cleaning the sides a bit today ..

Post# 653167 , Reply# 26   1/13/2013 at 19:12 (4,110 days old) by in2itdood ()        
After a mini-bath

Bonnie got a good quick cleaning last night/this morning. She is currently in use in my kitchen as a mini island ... ha!

Post# 653187 , Reply# 27   1/13/2013 at 21:40 (4,110 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Kitchen Picture

blackstone's profile picture
I couldn't find a picture of the Blackstone in the kitchen. Best I could find is this picture, after the kitchen had been emptied out. The Blackstone sat in that spot for a good 50 years! Note the lack of a standing pipe for the drain. Gravity drain to a sink in the cellar.

Post# 653255 , Reply# 28   1/14/2013 at 11:21 (4,110 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Fred ....

Thanks for sharing the picture! Thats is really cool! So the dryer sat in a different area right? I think you said the wasger was next to the stove. I love the checkered floor ... may gve to do that in my new place. When was the washer/ dryer last used by your family? One of the best and most special things about this Blackstone set is the story behind it ... I really appreciate the details!

Post# 653315 , Reply# 29   1/14/2013 at 15:23 (4,109 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Scott...

blackstone's profile picture
The dryer was actually in our store, which was in front of our living quarters. A few of the members here might remember seeing the dryer when they were in our store. Washer was last used probably in 2006, although I might have run it through a cycle or two after that. Have you looked at my website, with pictures of the store?

CLICK HERE TO GO TO Blackstone's LINK


Post# 653347 , Reply# 30   1/14/2013 at 17:33 (4,109 days old) by westingman123 ()        

Loved the pictures, is there narrative somewhere? I'm really inept at computer stuff, so maybe I didn't click in the correct spot?

Post# 653372 , Reply# 31   1/14/2013 at 18:42 (4,109 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

blackstone's profile picture
Website is a work-in-progress, originally set up when I was selling the building. Once in a while, I'll add stuff to the website. Right now, it's just 2 pages of images and captions.


Post# 653392 , Reply# 32   1/14/2013 at 19:37 (4,109 days old) by in2itdood ()        
Very cool building!

Hi Fred ...Next time I drive through the area ... I should stop and try to meet you and see the place! keep the picture coming if you find more!

So the dryer was actually hooked up in the store? Did your dad use it for demos etc?



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