|
Thread Number: 67416
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
The Miracle of the Blackstone Hydractor |
[Down to Last] |  |
| Post# 901418 10/1/2016 at 19:39 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
So I don't know where to begin with this miracle, not on the Hudson, but actually in Lancaster. On August 8, Launderess created a thread about a very rare Blackstone washing machine made in 1953. Rare because it has an automatic timer and even more rare because it sported the infamous Hydractor, an agitator whose wonders we haven't yet seen and rumored to be in the possession of a few members but not in operation anywhere in the known cosmos. Unfortunately, I missed this thread in the Shoppers Forum which I check into from time to time and when I discovered it, the machine was gone, apparently very quickly and for a measly and unbelievably cheap 50 bucks .
I booted myself in the butt so many times that I hit my funnybone. Not only was this thing in near mint condition but it was right in my own backyard, Lancaster being two suburbs away, 20 minutes as the Suds fly. Utterly disappointed, I had to act to discharge the negative energy somehow. So I e-mailed the seller and told him the whole story about us, (Awrorg), the rarity of the machine, the lack of any extant footage of the Hydractor, and offered to pay him a fee if he would let me know who the buyer was and/or call the buyer and offer him a fee to let me come and take film footage of the Hydractor in motion. I poured my heart out about it all, not just to intimates, but to about 4 or 5 members at the convention and one amazing guy, Dave Smartdrive of California, told me that he had seen the Hydractor in action and it basically was like hurling buckets and not at all like we suspected as you can read about in the thread that Launderess linked about another Blackstone just like this one a couple years ago. Being unable to let this go I talked about it high and low, so much so that people would go running when they saw me coming and say oh no it's the horrid Hydractor man. RUUUUNNNNN. Almost three weeks later, I was still checking emails at the Holiday Inn Lobby's computer in Beltsville for the convention. Not a word back from the seller. Maybe he thought me a kook, a prankster, or a scam artist. Felt like a huge loser. Fast forward to yesterday: (Now, Wednesday)~ Still haven't heard anything in almost 2 months and luckily for me, my depends were on nice and tight or I would've crapped my pants when I opened my e-mail and here was the dude from Lancaster telling me his machine was available again! Are you fookin’ kidding me? Again, I about crapped my pants. I called and told him I’d t be right over. So Paul Francis and I took his giant Titanic-- whatever the hell big white monstrosity that all you vehicle people love--and we went over to get the machine for 75 bucks. Unbelievable. What a dramatic turnabout! Was it just a bad dream, Tinman? No, Dorothy, we're all still here. Regarding the performance of the hydra ~ it is shocking: it yanks it scrubs it hurls it turns it flings then swallows everything up into those mysterious hollow forms of the sideways buckets. Did anyone say cement mixer? Well Founder Chuck Diehl said paint mixer. Loading it up with the quickest stuff available, clean rags stored in a nearby dryer, I couldn’t give it enough to eat, finally adding two more old rag towels I lay on when going under washers. One rag, a sleeve from an old thick terry robe, had chances of dried mortar adhering, like large grey sequins that had survived many many washings; the Hydractor knocked ‘em loose. Big Smile. When I drained the Blackstone into the Speed Queen and tried the same load in her, she was overloaded, and the water level was just below the agitator cap, almost two inches above maximum. The Blackstone has a very large capacity and holds over 20 gallons of water which I have yet to measure precisely, but will. I have been studying this machine for a few days now, non-stop, missing afternoon bike rides — That Bad. While not the ultimate reason for being, nor the be-all and end-all of existence as we know it, the Blackstone Hydrcator sure is fun: thrilling and amazing, and so interesting. The movies I made are not uploading to Youtube (new phone needs reconfiguring), so I have to take care of that. But I can’t hold off any longer. Only you will appreciate this, so please enjoy the October Surprise. Looks like a submarine cutting through the Pacific. CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK 
| ||
|
| Post# 901419 , Reply# 1 10/1/2016 at 19:42 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 901420 , Reply# 2 10/1/2016 at 19:44 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 901421 , Reply# 3 10/1/2016 at 19:46 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 901422 , Reply# 4 10/1/2016 at 19:50 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 901423 , Reply# 5 10/1/2016 at 19:51 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Beautiful Manta at rest | ||
| Post# 901424 , Reply# 6 10/1/2016 at 19:52 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
| ||
| Post# 901425 , Reply# 7 10/1/2016 at 19:54 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
New girl in town | ||
| Post# 901427 , Reply# 8 10/1/2016 at 20:07 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Pristine tub | ||
| Post# 901429 , Reply# 9 10/1/2016 at 20:13 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
GIANT FIRST LOAD OF RAGS | ||
| Post# 901430 , Reply# 10 10/1/2016 at 20:14 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Where the mortar sequins were | ||
| Post# 901431 , Reply# 11 10/1/2016 at 20:18 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
The all metal blender like impeller | ||
| Post# 901432 , Reply# 12 10/1/2016 at 20:19 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
And today we had a rainbow | ||
| Post# 901434 , Reply# 13 10/1/2016 at 20:46 (2,762 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Link within a link
In case you have trouble, this is where John, Peter and Paul, Ted and Brad, Greg and I, are discussing the machine back in November of 2012.
It would be fun to hear what they have to say-- their predictions (in the case of Peter and John and yours truly)--about the Hydractor, in conjunction with the revealing movies that will be up soon. CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK | ||
Post# 901435 , Reply# 14 10/1/2016 at 20:50 (2,762 days old) by sambootoo  (Moody, AL) |
||
|
Congrats on finally getting this beauty! I too have always wanted to see one of these in action. Any chance of a video? I'm glad this washer found a good home with a deserving owner! Nice collection you have there and I always enjoy the pics of your deck and the beautiful view!! Sam | ||
| Post# 901438 , Reply# 15 10/1/2016 at 21:02 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Thanks, Sam
Yes, the videos are loading; the first one, 92%; the other, still in the queue. Must be a lot of traffic at Youtube tonight. I hit the publish button at 7 o'clock.
Really glad to have this machine, was so worth the agony, and I can't get enough of it. Delighted to show you the vids, so you can have satisfaction. | ||
| Post# 901440 , Reply# 16 10/1/2016 at 21:29 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Video 1
Thrashing off sequins at low water level, or how it probably happened.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK | ||
| Post# 901441 , Reply# 17 10/1/2016 at 21:41 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Video 2
Assorted towels, a few very big beach towels, all stiff , the way I like them, from line drying. How I love this washing machine. Oh dear good friend John. I don't think you've ever been wrong about a washer, until now ;'D, speaking of whom: it may have been the good luck brought by your brother Jeff and Cal who came through on Monday, just before the Miracle happened. What powers the Founders/Keepers have(as Cal's history terms them). Didn't know Cal was the author; thought it was Jeff. We had a marvelous time.
One more vid just started loading, and there will be another one tomorrow. CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK | ||
|
Post# 901453 , Reply# 18 10/2/2016 at 02:28 (2,761 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
How interesting the way things turn out.
Thought this machine was right up your street, but assumed you had abandoned us thus didn't see the advert. Silly me.
Original winning bidder surely was not local and probably couldn't get their act together on shipping/collection. So seller did the most sensible thing; cut bait and resold for only a tiny bit more to cover his loses. There is one question posted to the eBay page about shipping where the seller makes it clear he wouldn't and that the winning bidder would have to make their own arrangements. Don't think people realize how expensive shipping large appliances can be. Even with U-ship for short distances you rarely see offers for <$300 or so. Briefly considered going after unit oneself, but lack of spares and service information put one off the idea of putting such a machine to serious daily driver use. Actually came upon three Blackstone wringers in total around the same period, all with "Hydractors" and for various sums (but not very much money). Contrats! | ||
| Post# 901454 , Reply# 19 10/2/2016 at 02:46 (2,761 days old) by alr2903 (TN) | ||
|
Interesting machine. "Hydractor" was the actual "Blackstone" name for this design? Mike, Thanks for the pics and vids. Real nice to see your new thread. Arthur
Beautiful rainbow! | ||
| Post# 901459 , Reply# 20 10/2/2016 at 05:38 (2,761 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 901460 , Reply# 21 10/2/2016 at 05:53 (2,761 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
||
Blackstone | ||
|
Post# 901461 , Reply# 22 10/2/2016 at 06:06 (2,761 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
|
Yes, "Hydroactor" 3 in 1 Is What Blackstone
Called that agitator.
It wasn't offered long IIRC before Blackstone moved onto a more traditional type agitator. The idea was the thing "gently rubbed", flexed and finally provided suction to remove soil from laundry. CR from the 1950's didn't seem to like Blackstone wringer washers for some reason (would have to look it up), putting them under "not acceptable" or maybe barely so. www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/T... Looking at the adverts it is apparent Blackstone was trying really hard to go up against the big guns (Maytag, SQ and Kenmore) in the wringer washer field. Blackstone gave an insulated tub with just that between the two; while Maytag only offered that feature in their TOL wringer, and even then counted on the dead space between the aluminum inner and enamel outer tub. | ||
|
Post# 901463 , Reply# 23 10/2/2016 at 06:39 (2,761 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA) |
||
|
Thanks Mikey--- That's pretty interesting. It does manage to thrash those clothes around pretty good in spite of how unusual it looks. | ||
| Post# 901467 , Reply# 24 10/2/2016 at 07:36 (2,761 days old) by bellalaundry (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) | ||
What a Beautiful Washer! | ||
| Post# 901468 , Reply# 25 10/2/2016 at 07:40 (2,761 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan) | ||
|
It is art deco elegant It may have been styled by Raymond Lowey. It looks like the International Harvester cream separators he styled. | ||
| Post# 901483 , Reply# 26 10/2/2016 at 09:13 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Looks like | ||
| Post# 901485 , Reply# 27 10/2/2016 at 09:27 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Holy Crap | ||
| Post# 901487 , Reply# 28 10/2/2016 at 09:31 (2,761 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 901488 , Reply# 29 10/2/2016 at 10:00 (2,761 days old) by smartdrive (Lakewood, CA) |
||
|
I'm glad you found the Blackstone The videos are amazing. But it wasn't me who had seen one of these in real life. | ||
| Post# 901498 , Reply# 30 10/2/2016 at 11:55 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Video #3
All currents and hydro-physics resolved. For me, the turnover is most reminiscent of the Rotoflex, so far.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK | ||
| Post# 901502 , Reply# 31 10/2/2016 at 12:18 (2,761 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Launderess
Those links to past blackstone lore are fabulous. Such fun to read. How DO YOU find them. You were right on the money about the seller. He had to move the machine because he had recently closed on the house and had to have it empty. The buyer just couldn't get it together. One knows only too well what that's like.
Remember that link you threaded shortly ago, about Mrs. Martin's laundering methods. Well I'll be a son of a bee, that's exactly the brochure that comes with the Blackstone, with the first two pages specific to BLK, the rest, generic verbatim like the pamphlet. Such synchronicity. The hydrator has been around for decades. In '53, it was only available on the most expensive of Blackstone's 3 models. They still considered it their best performer. Perhaps they yielded to market pressure, abandoning it for the typical "regular" agitator. Or maybe, the collective opinion was that it was too aggressive. Whatever the case, it vanished, having been around since the 20's. Myself--I find it dazzling, and lacking dainties in my robing room, I have no fear. | ||
|
Post# 901504 , Reply# 33 10/2/2016 at 12:36 (2,761 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
|
"How DO YOU find them?"
I've told ya, was considering going after a Blackstone and as such did my "homework" first. *LOL*
Had no idea the "Hydractor" went back that far, live and learn. *LOL* It was out of concern for one's dainty things that hesitated on the various Blackstone wringer. That agitator just looks like it means business, whereas the Maytag seems more gentle. Shipping something large today is a crap shoot. Anyone that will specifically go to order (Craters and Freighters, etc...) is likely to charge large sums, and that is if they are in the area to begin. U-ship can be a waiting game as one attempts to find a *reasonable* shipper. Of course the best method would be to go and fetch the thing oneself.... Have read a good number of wringer washer manuals, and yes, most are pretty generic. After you get past the first few pages with details particular to specific make and model what else is there really? Not much besides standard "home economics" sort of advice on stain removal, laundry tips, types of soap/detergent, etc... Just watched the video and Blackstone's wash action seems more about taking hold of laundry and throwing it about than roll over. Wonder what that "Hydractor" would make of a heavy blanket or lace curtains. | ||
| Post# 901520 , Reply# 34 10/2/2016 at 14:15 (2,761 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts) | ||
 | ||
|
Post# 901523 , Reply# 35 10/2/2016 at 14:45 (2,761 days old) by peteski50 (New York) |
||
Blackstone Hydractor | ||
|
Post# 901528 , Reply# 36 10/2/2016 at 16:23 (2,761 days old) by jeff_adelphi (Adelphi, Maryland, USA) |
||
Mickeyd's place, Having just visited Mickey, I can tell you he lives in "washer heaven", not only is the setting with lake view, steps from a beach, and laundry on the deck all great, but he has a most interesting collection. I have not seen such a wide ranging collection of ringer washers, Easy spinners, and automatics before. It would take days to play with all his washers. It would be a great place for a wash-in! | ||
|
Post# 901538 , Reply# 37 10/2/2016 at 17:37 (2,761 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
|
I've seen that McClary Wringer Before | ||
| Post# 901603 , Reply# 38 10/3/2016 at 10:52 (2,760 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Jeff, I was shocked
when I saw this, thinking, when did you take a helicopter ride? Daft for a few seconds till I realized you took the shot from the balcony when we were up there. One of the nicest pics of the houseI've ever had. THANK YOU!!! And yes, Jeff, I guess a wash-in here is inevitable.
Yes. Launderess. tis the Canadian Easy from Florida.
View Full Size
| ||
| Post# 901606 , Reply# 39 10/3/2016 at 11:23 (2,760 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
One with suds
HI FRED
The Model Number is 330P. The manual says to turn the screw on the pump's oil cup a quarter turn every year, and to refill with cup grease as required. Pump was running fine but I gave it a turn anyway. Interesting how hands-on they expected the user to be, when they say to remove the 3 wing screws to check for lint or "foreign matter". The screws are impressively long. Everything works so well, including and most surprisingly, the timer. Only the wringer needs something. If not careful, a thick towel sometimes causes it to snap open. Adjusting the infinite chrome pressure selector from high to low--just like WP/KM's water leveler-- hasn't stopped the snapping. Doesn't always mess up on really thick stuff--I got the terry bathrobe thru without a hitch, but you never know. Do you know what makes a wringer snap open: springs too wet, springs need oil--What ? 
| ||
|
Post# 901610 , Reply# 40 10/3/2016 at 11:59 (2,760 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
|
Am not a wringer expert (yet) | ||
| Post# 901615 , Reply# 41 10/3/2016 at 12:54 (2,760 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Will wait for Cimberlee to get up to speed
One of my Maytag wringers does the exact same thing. So it's a generic thing common across all brands. The Norge, the Visi, the Lady K, the Speed Queen, and the Canadian Easy have all wrung without a hitch, so have never tinkered much with wringers, except to open up to peek and remove removables, but that's it--lots of stuff goin' on in there, a sophisticated engineering miracle, much evolved.
| ||
| Post# 901624 , Reply# 42 10/3/2016 at 13:56 (2,760 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts) | ||
|
Service info
I have an 8-page parts breakdown, and a 24-page parts price list. I also have 2 service bulletins for the 330P. The parts price list is for multiple models of Blackstone appliances, dated 1958.
Would it be better to scan everything and upload? Or I could copy and mail to you. Parts list for 330P notes that agitator is superseded by Plastic. Do you have the diecast agitator? | ||
| Post# 901627 , Reply# 43 10/3/2016 at 14:15 (2,760 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts) | ||
|
Model 330 Sell Sheet
Here's the front and back of a sell sheet for your wringer, which I had scanned in a few years ago.
| ||
| Post# 901628 , Reply# 44 10/3/2016 at 14:18 (2,760 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Appreciate you guys & gal immensely!
Mikey, missed you in DC. Wasn't the same without you. You would seriously and devotedly love the Hydractor.
Jim, please do enjoy the vids, couple a good close-up porns for ya. Wish I could have talked to you more in DC. Too many people, too little time. Be sure to check out Jeff's balcony shot, who had the same idea about a wash-in. Pete, we forgot to charge John for our slave labor in the junk corridor. What fun it was sprucing' up that room. HI Art, would have missed the rainbow had I not left for Verison to get Youtube set up. All good. Thank You. Guy, Thank you, I'll honor your compliment, with tons o' TLC. Steve & Steve, you're both named Steve, and you both remarked on the aggressive thrashing. Thinking of doing the rag load over to really show it off-- the capacity and the power. You're welcome Steve Gyrafoam. Eddie, Thanks, glad you're still around. Enjoy your season away from the kitchen. Looking forward to your winter washer work. Mike, my first thought was: old wooden butter churner. Dave, Thank You, I wonder who it was then, when we were standing around the testing station at the museum. Fred & Cimberlee, go farther up the thread. Love, love, love having Aworg Fouder Jeff as a new friend. 
| ||
| Post# 901636 , Reply# 45 10/3/2016 at 15:36 (2,760 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts) | ||
|
Service Bulletins from 1950
| ||
| Post# 901652 , Reply# 46 10/3/2016 at 18:44 (2,760 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Thanks, Fred ! | ||
| Post# 901672 , Reply# 47 10/3/2016 at 21:32 (2,759 days old) by Blackstone (Springfield, Massachusetts) | ||
|
It's been many years since I worked on a wringer, so I don't have any good suggestions for you. Probably one of those trial-and-error processes, after which you still might not be sure that you actually solved the problem.
I like the instructions for cleaning the rollers with carbon tetrachloride. Good luck finding any of that. I used to have a carbon tet fire extinguisher. It was never put to use, fortunately. | ||
|
Post# 901721 , Reply# 48 10/4/2016 at 08:58 (2,759 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
||
|
Am no expert
Each vintage appliances have their ways about them, in this instance it seems the Blackstone has a touchy wringer. I'd run it in for a while then see how things go. If the wringer begins to constantly pop open even for things it really shouldn't, then I'd worry.
Does the owner's manual speak to oiling/greasing any parts of the wringer? Maytag suggests oil (a drop or two every month or so (to the customers) or a bit of center seal grease (in service manual) to the bearings. | ||
| Post# 901757 , Reply# 49 10/4/2016 at 13:12 (2,759 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Here's the last wring
of 4 big beach towels, all wrung without a hitch. She must have sorted herself out, at least FOR NOW..... ;'D
Made a vid of such, but the publish button on the Youtube app is not working again. Thought Verizon fixed that on Saturday . It's always something! Thank you both, Fred and C. for the empathy. 
| ||
| Post# 901758 , Reply# 50 10/4/2016 at 13:29 (2,759 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Gave 'er a couple kisses
of touch up paint, starting to look brand new.
The cool thing about the faucet is that for kitchen use, there is no struggling with draining over wide counter frames in front of the sink the way there often is with a hose; that and the fact the faucet is flexible and you can pull it up and over any reasonable height. But you still can't "Trow duh hose on duh floor Myykeee!" as Mary Wydro used to tell me, to get all the water out of the pump, thus insuring its health and longevity. 
| ||
|
Post# 901767 , Reply# 51 10/4/2016 at 15:47 (2,759 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
||
 | ||
| Post# 901786 , Reply# 52 10/4/2016 at 18:40 (2,759 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Hey funny man!
Thanks, Paul. I got somethin' brewing that turned out pretty funny. Paul Francis & I filmed the wringing of towels at Sunset, and one towel started wrapping around the rolls which I did not expect. Hard to see, because we're in the dim of sunset, but the audio may make you-- and everyone else here-- chuckle. It's queueing now on Youtibe. The way it turned out is an unexpected and delightful surprise.
I hope you all like this. Goin' out on a limb showing it. Don't care. It'll be up as soon as Youtube quits smoking' the gange and gets back to work. | ||
|
Post# 901788 , Reply# 53 10/4/2016 at 19:40 (2,759 days old) by sambootoo (Moody, AL) |
||
|
All I can say is W O W!! That's so fascinating. Thanks for sharing and again, congratulations. Sam | ||
| Post# 901815 , Reply# 54 10/5/2016 at 00:15 (2,758 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
|
Sunset Wringing in the Blackstone 330P Hydractor
Thanks, Sam, hope you like this one as much.
OKAY PEOPLE; THIS IS IT, THE FINAL ACT. The wringer is fixed; it should have sprung open twice if still in the defective mode. I was tweaking because I thought it WOULD, a vexation to the spirit when it does. Do enjoy this. Thanks. Michael Mickey Mike CLICK HERE TO GO TO mickeyd's LINK | ||
| Forum Index: |
| Other Forums: |
|
|
|
|
|
Comes to the Rescue!
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}
;){kind=link}