Thread Number: 72898  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
POD 10/18/2017
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Post# 963160   10/18/2017 at 12:43 (2,375 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

Whirlpool made a very well built and conceived machine from the very beginning. Sears recognized that too and had them build Kenmore. Smart move on their part and it helped Whirlpool gain control of the entire appliance market today. They always made a good washing machine and the design in many ways was before it's time. They were the first and only machine that had a true perforated tub and outer tub and wisely neutral drained before going into spin. They made very fine machines that worked well and lasted longer than most other machines. This particular model and era had the pop up lid when you pushed the button on the front of the washer. I think the dryer did too. No wonder Whirlpool is the leader of the industry in the USA today.




Post# 963173 , Reply# 1   10/18/2017 at 14:20 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

This is a design I wish Whirlpool had stayed with. Before coming to this site originally in 2003 I had never known such machines existed . It makes me wonder if Maytag was influenced by WP for their own control panel design that came in 57? or 56? ...you Maytag folks know.

As you said brucelucenta, these were well built machines and I loved this control panel design. My second favorite from WP was the 1958 Imperial Mark 12 with the timeline control. A gorgeous machine I hope one day turns up NIB for a lover of WP/KM machines.

I remember reading a post on YouTube about Roberts 57 unused Lady Kenmore, that one poster said that you could rebuild an engine on the cabinet of these washers as they were seriously overbuilt. They certainly look like they were.

I just read the advertisement again. It says this washer unties knots. Was that a veiled jab at Frigidaire ? ;-)




This post was last edited 10/18/2017 at 16:19
Post# 963193 , Reply# 2   10/18/2017 at 16:30 (2,375 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
The Whirlpool Belt Drive washers were built really well, but they were difficult to service. If Whirlpool really wanted to, they could have kept the belt drive transmission they used for many years, they could have simply modified the Direct Drive washer so it would fit.

Post# 963198 , Reply# 3   10/18/2017 at 16:49 (2,375 days old) by Glhturbo2 (Reidsville, NC)        
I have

The matching dryer to this washer, does anyone have a washer? Would like to make them a set someday.

Post# 963201 , Reply# 4   10/18/2017 at 17:15 (2,375 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

I have the pair!  I need to get the dryer back into service this fall (ie - repair that non-lighted door pushbutton.  Can't have that now, can we??)


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Post# 963202 , Reply# 5   10/18/2017 at 17:24 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

turquoisedude,....are these machines as heavy as they look ? Or heavier? lol. But seriously though, did Inglis have a version of these in the fifties ? I vaguely remember someone saying they did but am not sure.

Post# 963203 , Reply# 6   10/18/2017 at 17:28 (2,375 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Oh, they're heavy alright...  I realized when I got them home back in fall of 2011 that I was alone to unload them from the truck I had rented (I had help loading them).  I still don't know how on earth I did it.... LOL 


Post# 963204 , Reply# 7   10/18/2017 at 17:38 (2,375 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Whirlpools

Are hard to work on, BUT they have to be worked on less than just about anything else,To my mind they are hard to beat, they wash better, rinse better, and are much less likely to get out of balance than just about anything else.

Post# 963207 , Reply# 8   10/18/2017 at 17:48 (2,375 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
"Oh, they're heavy alright... I realized when I got them home back in fall of 2011 that I was alone to unload them from the truck I had rented (I had help loading them). I still don't know how on earth I did it.... LOL "

Gravity Paul... Gravity... LOL And you were younger, stronger and prettier then : )

I am thinning still as I can't move these machines like I could 4 years ago.

Down to 3 washers, 3 dishwashers and 1 range : /


Post# 963208 , Reply# 9   10/18/2017 at 17:53 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

Speaking of washing performance to anyone who knows. How did WP rate overall in the fifties in CU ratings ? Were they near the top of the ratings ? Or were they usually middle of the pack ?

Post# 963222 , Reply# 10   10/18/2017 at 19:41 (2,375 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

Whirlmore & Kenpool were usually somewhere in the middle. They weighed a ton in comparison to the DD models. Would have been great if they were easier to service. Just changing a belt was a major ordeal! I always thought them excellent at washing, but only fair at spinning out. The wash was somewhat damp in comparison to most other machines. And yes, that thing about the untangling knots was a jab at Frigidaire! I could easily hate turquoisedude for having a set of these beauties!

Post# 963233 , Reply# 11   10/18/2017 at 20:47 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

Just remembering my family's first automatic washer which was a 63? Kenmore with black bakelite straight vane with three cycles, three water levels and I think 3 temps. It also had that cool slide out waterfall lint filter cartridge with the key latch. That was the first washer I ever saw and the one that started my fascination with these fun interesting contraptions..I remember being so young how that agitator to my young mind looked menacing. Those fins were HUGE ! Great washer! I also nearly bit my tongue off when I was about 2 trying to get an "aerial" view of that machine. Thanks be to God I didn't lose it .

There is really no washer I have ever not taken an interest in, but for me the WP/KM washers will always be my favorites overall. From the aerated spray fills to the rhythmic woo woo woo and the sloshing water to the neutral drain and the" breathing" sounds all make for the most interesting noises a mechanical device such as a washer can make! Almost symphonic.

They are such mechanical sounding machines that that alone I could sit and listen to all the way through. No other make of washer that I have ever heard sounds quite like them. They are not obnoxiously loud like the Norge we got after the Kenmore, and with a quiet pak they could be quiter than a Maytag.


Oh that current WHIRLPOOL would look into their own rich past and see what they USED to build and get inspired again.

Thanks brucelucenta,....one more thing I was thinking of. Didn't Whirlpool also offer all porcelain cabinets on their TOL models or was it just Kenmore ? We as Americans were certainly spoiled by all the appliance manufacturers we had in this country.





This post was last edited 10/18/2017 at 21:08
Post# 963234 , Reply# 12   10/18/2017 at 20:47 (2,375 days old) by johnrk (BP TX)        
1958 August CR

I started typing out a bunch of results from the 8/58 CR and then decided to try to just scan and post the results in jpeg. If you can't read this, please let me know and I'll type it out for you. I also have a 1950 CR with washer testing, but it's only of 5 semi-auto models and has no Whirlpools. The Bendix Economat--the 'squeezer', won that one. They said their that Bendix was going to come out with a fully auto Economat. This one, you had to manually go over after the wash and reset the timer for rinse.

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 5         View Full Size
Post# 963243 , Reply# 13   10/18/2017 at 21:26 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

Much obliged sir ! This stuff is always a fun read!

Post# 963251 , Reply# 14   10/18/2017 at 21:51 (2,375 days old) by Mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

Patrick, and don't forget the scrubber cap! That washer you described was my all time favorite, hands down. And I remember the Salvo tablets to use. Perfect combination. Perfect.

Post# 963256 , Reply# 15   10/18/2017 at 22:08 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

I think the roto swirls had the scrubber . A friend of mine parents had a 63 Lady Kenmore washer with the scrubber cap and the detergent cup that sat on top of the scrubber.
Our washer was lower in the line. A 600 series ? I still see that machine in my memory . The straight vanes didn't come with the scrubber I do not believe. I never saw a bakelight straight vane with one . Maybe they came as an option.?




Post# 963258 , Reply# 16   10/18/2017 at 22:17 (2,375 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

You are correct, I have never seen a straight vane agitator with a scrubber cap either. Those were on the roto swirl and other agitators with the upper part of the model line up.

Post# 963276 , Reply# 17   10/19/2017 at 00:05 (2,375 days old) by agiflow2 ()        

Johnrk...much..much appreciated. Many thanks. CU was certainly more in depth back in the day compared to now. These were when washers were still MAJOR appliances! Now they are just commodities.


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