Thread Number: 58950  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
The Blackstone BA600 is back!
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Post# 815157   3/22/2015 at 16:19 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

What's this?  Space?  In the Ogden Laundry??  That's near enough to impossible....  What could possibly have created this??


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Post# 815161 , Reply# 1   3/22/2015 at 16:25 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Ah, the various bits and pieces of the Blackstone have finally been gathered and the washer has been completely put back together!  

 

I did some preliminary testing yesterday evening, connecting it to water for the very first time since I got it.  I was thrilled to find the water solenoids work properly (they needed a good cleaning) and the machine was still agitating and spinning normally. 

 

I did notice a leak however... I was very pleased to see it was due to a split in the original drain hose and not from my jury-rigged, improvised, and functional-but-not-pretty tub repair!   I did two partial cycle tests and discovered some interesting things about this machine.  I also observed some weirdness with the timer - it wanted to continue washing after a regular cycle had completed!  Fortunately a couple of tests seemed to resolve this.  I love those issues that solve themselves... LOL 

 

I gave the top and lid a good cleaning - they needed to presentable for the 'maiden wash'.   


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Post# 815162 , Reply# 2   3/22/2015 at 16:28 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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And since I was away in Boston at Jon's last week and Hubby knows better than to do laundry,  I had a nice pile of dirty clothes to choose from!

 

I loaded the machine as per the directions on the lid - loosely up to the tub guard (I took that to mean the top of the inner tub).  I used some of my usual powdered detergent for this load - I wanted suds... LOL 


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This post was last edited 03/22/2015 at 16:44
Post# 815163 , Reply# 3   3/22/2015 at 16:30 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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This surprised me - the fill stream is aimed right at the detergent dispenser.  I guess that was done to ensure it dissolved...  Anyway it made suds and I was happy!


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Post# 815164 , Reply# 4   3/22/2015 at 16:33 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

This is a timed-fill machine and I think I'll need to do some experimenting to determine exactly where to start the washer for a full load.  I did get a bit of overflow on this first test. 

 

The washer started up fine - no dimming lights, no neighbours called to complain I just knocked their power out, and best of all no comments like 'Are you sure it's ON?' from you-know-who. 

 

The machine actually runs smoothly, quietly and the turnover is pretty neat.  

 

But let's see how that 'lint filter' works.... 


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Post# 815165 , Reply# 5   3/22/2015 at 16:37 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

So, during testing yesterday I noticed two things that I had not really expected with this washer - a spray-rinse ('sudskill' in GE-speak) during the wash spin and...wait for it... a brief agitated overflow rinse!  I guess that was a 'must' with a solid-tub washer, even in a later model like this one.  

 

I did shoot some videos of this and bandwidth limits be damned, I should be posting them later this week.  


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Post# 815167 , Reply# 6   3/22/2015 at 16:41 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

The final spin ran smoothly and quietly.  I think I read in the 63 Blackstone manual that spin revved up to 800 rpm at normal speed.  Pretty impressive and the clothes were definitely well-spun at the end of the cycle.  I'll need to do some talking to the 57 Hotpoint come spring.... 

 

The resulting wash load was just fine!  No linty residue on the green shirt.  The naughty Blackstone did untie the drawstring on my surf shorts, though!!

 

And the lint filter?  Well... not a lot accumulated so I guess I'll need to test something to prove how well it does (or doesn't!) work.  I'll try a load of dog blankets later this week...  


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Post# 815169 , Reply# 7   3/22/2015 at 16:42 (3,294 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Uh-oh.... someone HAD to do a leak inspection...  

 

Fortunately there were no leaks.  And too bad what Hubby thinks,  Canyon seems to approve.... LOL 


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Post# 815187 , Reply# 8   3/22/2015 at 18:55 (3,294 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        


toploader55's profile picture
Extra Credit Paul.

Nicely Done. Can't wait to see the video.


Post# 815270 , Reply# 9   3/23/2015 at 05:41 (3,293 days old) by CHRISTFR (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
WAY COOL

Post# 815281 , Reply# 10   3/23/2015 at 07:20 (3,293 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture

That's such a cool washer, Paul!  I love that huge agitator, what a beast.

 

 

I wouldn't expect much from that lint filter, most of those "passive" filters didn't catch much and with the fill stream going into it, makes it more of a self-cleaning accessory :-)  The early agitator mounted Speed Queen filters like this were mostly a gimmick.


Post# 815292 , Reply# 11   3/23/2015 at 08:40 (3,293 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

swestoyz's profile picture

Wonderful work Paul!  I can only imagine how excited you were during the first wash.  What a great save AND restoration!

 

Ben


Post# 815296 , Reply# 12   3/23/2015 at 09:08 (3,293 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        
BA600

ovrphil's profile picture
Interesting machine. Of all the magazine ads I looked at in the 50's and 60's, I don't remember this washing machine brand.

It looks great, Paul. Is this a rare model? Do you have any other Blackstones and if your other half would allow it, would you take in another? Also, do you have the dryer or does anyone else have the matching dryer? I know -too many questions. That agitator looks like it takes up more room than on some other brands of washer, but maybe it's just the photo.


Phil


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ovrphil's LINK


Post# 815307 , Reply# 13   3/23/2015 at 10:01 (3,293 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Phil, I think this may indeed be a pretty rare model.  The outer tubs seemed to have been a weak point for these models - in a previous thread, Fred (blackstone) in MA had mentioned that they were often replaced completely.  Blackstone didn't seem to be a hugely popular brand; I'll guess that they concentrated on the east coast since the manufacturing plant was in Jamestown, NY.   I don't have any other Blackstone machines (so far... LOL) and you never know, the matching dryer may just surface one day!   I know there are a few of the older (50s) Blackstones out there among the collector community and I think there may be a set of the 70s version, badged as Hoover, out there somewhere.   

 

And that agitator is definitely huge! It makes for some good rollover, though!!


Post# 815334 , Reply# 14   3/23/2015 at 13:11 (3,293 days old) by ovrphil (N.Atlanta / Georgia )        
"America's Oldest Home Laundry Manufacturer"

ovrphil's profile picture
So old, they're gone …along with the people who used it (my aunts, uncles, some parents…ah, well their name won't darken our steps anymore. "Blackstone" - conjures a restful place in a cemetery. (sorry, my visuals are just folly).

Yes, I saw some other youtube videos of some collector's models -yours does look unique. Hoover bought up Blackstone and rebadged after their sunset? You need a manual to keep track of all this shuffling. lol.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO ovrphil's LINK


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Post# 815340 , Reply# 15   3/23/2015 at 13:45 (3,293 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        
Yuk yuk..

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
Ad Copy:

New but old thermocouple kit for Blackstone Dryer #1000-G p/n 10-1012

Who's ever heard of a Blackstone Dryer ?


Thank you, Red

Location cab3-1. 14.7oz. 6X6X6. 22315. $9.95


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Stricklybojack's LINK on eBay


Post# 815530 , Reply# 16   3/24/2015 at 09:38 (3,292 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
Why did I save this piece of aluminum?

blackstone's profile picture
I don't know.

Nice job on the restoration. If you ever want to upgrade to a stainless washtub, I might have the right one for you.



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Post# 815932 , Reply# 17   3/26/2015 at 15:05 (3,290 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

I recognize that aluminum panel now, Fred... LOL   I'll certainly be keeping that stainless tub in mind - of course I'd have to change the tag to read BA650!!  Question - do you have any 'decoding' information for Blackstone washer serial numbers?  I was hoping to get a date of manufacture for my 'new' BA600 - the serial number is 3319.

 

But more importantly - here's a short video of the washer in action!   It's not the actual 'Maiden Wash'; I reshot this one with better lighting (trust me, the lighting on the Maiden Wash video was even worse than this one... LOL)

 

Enjoy!

 







This post was last edited 03/26/2015 at 15:27

Post# 815974 , Reply# 18   3/26/2015 at 18:41 (3,290 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Nice Paul Nice !!!

toploader55's profile picture
That fill stream is kinda sorta like Jon's Easy or that what it reminds me of.

Great Sounds too. Love That !!! Kind of like the Roar of a KitchenAid 15 series.


Post# 816019 , Reply# 19   3/27/2015 at 00:25 (3,290 days old) by Supersuds (Knoxville, Tenn.)        

supersuds's profile picture
Yay, another Blackstone running!

It does sound a bit like a cement mixer full of broken glass, but it works!


Post# 816060 , Reply# 20   3/27/2015 at 10:24 (3,289 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        

blackstone's profile picture
Paul,

Let me scrounge around the old sales receipts from our store for the early 1960s; maybe I can find a serial number close to yours. Other than that, I have nothing specific about dates of manufacture.


Post# 816140 , Reply# 21   3/27/2015 at 19:43 (3,289 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        
Love that sound..

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
Why? Cause, well, this:







where that line came from was driving me nuts! Thanks for giving me an excuse to look it up..


Post# 816185 , Reply# 22   3/28/2015 at 00:17 (3,289 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture
I hope to see it washing clothes soon! Maybe next week?!

Post# 816230 , Reply# 23   3/28/2015 at 08:14 (3,288 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Eddie is

jetcone's profile picture

correct they stole the Easy Fill System directly !! 

 

Nice machine, and fully functional. Now I think we need to search for a pump bearing.

 

I like the porcelain tub, mine had a SS tub. And yes that agitator ( a direct Easy copy too BTW) does move the clothes for a Blackstone Clean !!


Post# 817270 , Reply# 24   4/3/2015 at 13:14 (3,282 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts)        
BA 600 Serial Number, Postcards

blackstone's profile picture
Paul,

Apparently, your BA600 is 1965 or 1966. Closest I could find is we bought a BA600 from the factory in September 1966, with a serial number 3564. Wholesale price was $144. We sold more of the 650s; the cost of those was $162.

Did I ever give you one of these postcards? If you email me your mailing address, I could send a few. Same goes for anyone else; I have a pile of these postcards. Of course, I would mail 'em inside an envelope.



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Post# 817276 , Reply# 25   4/3/2015 at 13:58 (3,282 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Thanks, Fred!  That makes sense to me - I reviewed the restoration photos I took of the washer and its components and noticed a date of 65-11 on the water valve so it's got to be a late '65 or early '66 model.  

 

I do indeed have some of those promotional postcards - you sent me home with quite a few promotional items when I picked up the Tappan microwave, thank you!!   I still think the woman in the photo is an early prototype of the Karen Walker character from Will & Grace... LOL  

 


Post# 817375 , Reply# 26   4/3/2015 at 21:54 (3,282 days old) by jeb (Mansfield Ohiio)        
Blackstone photo

I thing we had that same linoleum in our laundry room when I was growing up !


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