Thread Number: 65341  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Lady Kenmore Washing Machine of the 60-70ies
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Post# 879494   5/3/2016 at 14:54 (2,885 days old) by washran (Appleton Wisconsin)        

Good day! I just seen the pic of the day of a Lady Kenmore with the "piano Key" Controls. My Aunt had one of these when I was growing up and she would let me help with the wash ( I would sit and listen to the cycle... LOVED the sound of the machine going into spin when the wig-wag would make its sound to put it into "gear" ANYWAY How did the control work? i remember pulling out the knob, turn till it stopped, then push in. Does anyone have the repair manual for this or pics? I LOVE THIS SITE! Thanks




Post# 879696 , Reply# 1   5/5/2016 at 14:45 (2,883 days old) by washran (Appleton Wisconsin)        
Lady Kenmore Washer

Does anyone have a push button Lady K that controlled the timer to stop at the right spot on the dial?

Post# 879705 , Reply# 2   5/5/2016 at 16:22 (2,883 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture

 

 

Hi Randall, 

 

Sears had this feature on a number of their upper end models, both Lady K's, models just below the Lady from I believe 1963 thru 1974.   This includes and the washer/dryer combos too.

 

This timer interlock system is purely mechanical.  When you press one of the buttons, a rod connected to the timer assembly slides over towards it.   As you turn the timer, this spring loaded rod will fall into a corresponding groove within the timer mechanism, locking it in place.

 

I hope this helps.

Kevin

(this is a 1974 Lady Kenmore)


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Post# 879708 , Reply# 3   5/5/2016 at 16:53 (2,883 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        

lordkenmore's profile picture
I assume there also would have to be switches or something activated by the buttons to control water temperatures.



Post# 879712 , Reply# 4   5/5/2016 at 17:20 (2,883 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Randall,   Here's my '65 Lady K where the push buttons will determine where the timer will 'stop' for the correct cycle:

 

 


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Post# 879716 , Reply# 5   5/5/2016 at 17:55 (2,883 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

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John, I will have to open one up and sneak a peak to confirm, but there has got to be something either tied into the panel behind the "buttons" or in the timer.  I'm thinking it's part of the button panel.   As you know, these buttons also control water temp and agitation & spin speeds.


Post# 879767 , Reply# 6   5/6/2016 at 00:13 (2,883 days old) by delaneymeegan (Midwest)        

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There is a lot of metal behind the buttons.  And the panel itself is a solid piece of cast metal. The back panel is painted metal. Plus there is a ballast for the fluorescent light.  If you remove the control panel from the washer, you'll find it is HEAVY.   

 

Yes, there are a number of small, replaceable, lever switches screwed to the back side of the panel to control various components.


Post# 879784 , Reply# 7   5/6/2016 at 04:18 (2,883 days old) by toploadloyalist (San Luis Obispo, CA)        
"Delicate/Knitted Fabrics" and "Washable Woolens

For "piano keyboard" Kenmores with three speeds, the two above cycle buttons had slow agitation for the former (upper row) and extra slow agitation for the latter (lower row), both with alternating agitation and soaking. For those with only two speeds, how did those cycles differ, if at all? In 1971, the upper button was renamed "Knitted Fabrics", and was advertised as a whole new cycle. How was it different from the usual delicate cycle? I imagine the "Custom Care" button on "Washable Woolens" would seem redundant since that cycle already uses extra slow agitation.

Post# 879789 , Reply# 8   5/6/2016 at 06:43 (2,882 days old) by Combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Top of the line whirlpool and Kenmore pushbutton washers

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These mechanical stop lock systems replaced the all electrically activated machines that lady Kenmore used for three years starting in 1959.

The lady Kenmore top load washers from 1963 through 1975 had three basic cycles built into the timer a normal a delicate and a wash and wear permanent press cycle.

The timer itself shows chose most of the speeds temperatures etc. the pushbutton mechanism chose the washing time and there were a few additional switches which sometimes modified temperature or speeds.


Post# 879984 , Reply# 9   5/8/2016 at 13:27 (2,880 days old) by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA)        

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Definitely fun machines to use!

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Post# 915412 , Reply# 10   1/12/2017 at 20:21 (2,631 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        
My Lady K

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Rather than start a new thread i figure i could "high jack" this one since it was in reference to Lady Kenmores. This is a set i picked up last July from a post in the shoppers square forum. We trekked about 10hrs round trip from Blackstone MA to Syracuse NY to bring them home. Just thought i would share them here. Im still not sure how deep i want to go into them. They both run but not without some issues with both machines.

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Post# 915451 , Reply# 11   1/13/2017 at 05:02 (2,630 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Wow!

mrb627's profile picture
Pristine condition. I'm jealous!

Malcolm


Post# 915510 , Reply# 12   1/13/2017 at 14:17 (2,630 days old) by ken (NYS)        

ken's profile picture
Does the dryer also have a console light?

Post# 915513 , Reply# 13   1/13/2017 at 14:37 (2,630 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

Of course!

Post# 915597 , Reply# 14   1/14/2017 at 08:53 (2,629 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        

super32's profile picture
The dryer does have a console light. I am waiting for a new ballest to come in. Also need a bulb for the drum too.

Post# 915705 , Reply# 15   1/14/2017 at 20:44 (2,629 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        
I feel so sexy....lol

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They came back to life.........

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Post# 915730 , Reply# 16   1/15/2017 at 01:32 (2,629 days old) by arris (Rochester New York)        
Nice !!!

arris's profile picture
Great Looking machines !!!! what year are they ??? I have the same set,same color, mine are from 73. The agitator on mine is missing the emblem in the center though.....

Post# 915754 , Reply# 17   1/15/2017 at 08:45 (2,628 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        

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These are from 72'


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