Thread Number: 65191
/ Tag: Wringer Washers
Just purchased our first wringer washer - ABC Oscillator |
[Down to Last] |
|
Post# 878120 , Reply# 2   4/21/2016 at 18:42 (2,926 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
Search the Internet including eBay and Craigslist for information regarding Altorfer Bros. ABC washers. There is plenty of it out there including the same machine you purchased intact and working. Also check out Lee Maxwell's site "Oldewash" and or contact him directly. He is not only a collector of vintage laundry appliances but has restored plenty and written books about same.
As for worth restoring that is a question only you can answer. That ABC "oscillating" washer basically shook laundry clean much like placing water into a jug or jar, turning it sideways and moving it back and forth in a slightly curved rhythm. Effective? Probably but certainly streets less labour intensive than a washboard and beaters. If you have all the pieces for the wringer attachment, and the gears/transmission are in good order there is no reason why it should not work. However first thing to check is the condition of the wringer rolls. If they are shot (badly worn, flattened spots, cracked/peeling) then unless you can find replacements shouldn't bother restoring the washer. Well you could use such a thing to wash laundry then either use a hand powered mangle or something else like a spin dryer (or washing machine) to get the water out. Copper does not rust, which is why it was used so heavily for basins, pans, tubs, pots, etc... back in the days before stainless steel. However look inside the tub to see if it was lined with some material such as tin. If so and the lining has worn away and or is damaged it will need to be addressed. Otherwise further contact with water and or chemicals used in laundry can cause further harm. Re-tinning copper vessels is done all the time. It is expensive however and you may not have someone locally. If that is the case the tub will have to be packed up and shipped to someone who does that sort of work. If your machine looks like this one, it appears the tub is just unlined copper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-... ABC made a bunch of different models of washing machines. See: My guess is yours took a 1/4 HP motor, but again you would have to find out. If so you may be able find one used somewhere. |
Post# 878121 , Reply# 3   4/21/2016 at 18:46 (2,926 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
Checkrate/Likes
 
     
I'd restore and get to know the Kenmore conventional washing machine first before tackling the ABC version. Using a wringer washer is labor intensive and will require your learning a whole new skill set for safe and effective operation. Key word here is *SAFE*.
As mentioned already wringers/mangles in any form are dangerous. Motor driven versions more so because they are just that; with a hand powered device all one needs do is stop cranking. Mangles run with motors require either you know how to quickly stop the rollers and release, and or will do it themselves if the machine senses something isn't going properly. |