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Thread Number: 76687
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
1955 Frigidaire washer free in Pleasant Hill near San Francisco |
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Post# 1005485 8/30/2018 at 09:57 (2,059 days old) by rapidry1000  (San Francisco) |
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On Craigslist San Francisco under Free is a 1955 Frigidaire washer being offered for free. It looks like it's Sherwood Green and waiting for someone to pick up the washer. | ||
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Post# 1005486 , Reply# 1 8/30/2018 at 10:08 (2,059 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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Post# 1005588 , Reply# 2 8/31/2018 at 09:48 (2,058 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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It’s Only a Two-Hour Drive Away! | ||
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Post# 1005589 , Reply# 3 8/31/2018 at 09:50 (2,058 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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...just read the postings in Shoppers Square | ||
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Post# 1005591 , Reply# 4 8/31/2018 at 10:33 (2,058 days old) by Frigidaireguy (Wiston-Salem, NC) |
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Todd: I had an E-Mail from the seller this morning and she told me that she had been offered $500 for it. I asked for a pic of the interior. I'm not going to give her $500 for it because who knows what condition mechanically it is in. We will see. Bob | ||
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Post# 1005598 , Reply# 5 8/31/2018 at 12:48 (2,058 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 1005599 , Reply# 6 8/31/2018 at 12:51 (2,058 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land) |
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Or it could have been some troll trying to drive the price up, or give the seller a inflated sense of value??? This post was last edited 08/31/2018 at 13:40 | ||
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Post# 1005604 , Reply# 7 8/31/2018 at 13:35 (2,058 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Too Good to be True...
I have seen these types of posts come and go over the years. The vintage 50s Maytag that appeared this week — I have emailed the owner and heard nothing. Then this Frigidaire...am wondering if they are even real? Seems like when these machines appear, they soon disappear with no word from anyone.
Hopefully someone will get a decent deal and if these machines really do exist, can be saved. | ||
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Post# 1005611 , Reply# 8 8/31/2018 at 15:56 (2,058 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Sometimes people email sellers, with no intention of buying whatever the seller is selling, telling them what a rare and expensive machine the seller has, and that their grandma had a similar machine, and it was just so wonderful, and how they hope it goes to a good home, etc.... Instead of just leaving the ad alone... | ||
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Post# 1005618 , Reply# 9 8/31/2018 at 16:43 (2,058 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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This is why one does not include pictures 
And or even descriptions often when finding things and posting in Shopper's Square.
Besides fact within a hour or so of posting everything on this site is slurped up by Google bots, you have the "girls who just watch". These people rarely actively participate in group but scan about looking for things and make their move. That and or ruin things for others by dropping sellers a line informing them of what a rare and or unique item they have. Oh and that their price (in so many words) is far to low.... | ||
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Post# 1005627 , Reply# 10 8/31/2018 at 17:25 (2,058 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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| Post# 1005971 , Reply# 12 9/3/2018 at 19:17 (2,055 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
Realvanman:
CONGRATULATIONS on getting the CROWN bus.
I'm not familiar with the names of busses, but for some reason, I do like the old busses, the rounded single-headlight school-busses and the double-headlight city-busses. I googled old busses and in the pictures, I guess the city bus is a 1966? I would love to have one of these busses but... If it's hard enough to have enough space for appliances, I can't imagine accommodating busses! 8o0 | ||
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Post# 1005986 , Reply# 14 9/3/2018 at 21:30 (2,055 days old) by rapidry1000 (San Francisco) |
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I just checked and the ad is still up. The ad was updated 5 days ago, Seems this woman is clearing the estate of items she's trying to get rid of and getting greedy. | ||
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Post# 1008653 , Reply# 16 9/26/2018 at 09:40 (2,032 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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I Got the Same Reply | ||
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Post# 1008800 , Reply# 17 9/27/2018 at 22:38 (2,031 days old) by lotsosudz (Sacramento, CA) |
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It's like Storage wars | ||
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Post# 1008896 , Reply# 18 9/28/2018 at 15:27 (2,030 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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The Frigidaire is Real!
Well, I have been communicating with the owner of this machine and here’s a picture of the matching dryer. She also sent a pic of the stove she talked about...looks like it was a Frigidaire kitchen! She says it was her father’s place and he never threw anything away so there’s lots of stuff around — including the dryer door if I’m willing to search for it on the property.
Anyway, she is saying I can take whatever I want for free (or make a donation). I think the washer & dryer could be a fun, loooong-term restoration project, although I’m sure parts are more scarce than hen’s teeth now! I am planning to take the washer and dryer in the next couple of weeks so will keep everyone posted. | ||
| Post# 1008898 , Reply# 19 9/28/2018 at 15:36 (2,030 days old) by ken (NYS) | ||
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| Post# 1008899 , Reply# 20 9/28/2018 at 15:38 (2,030 days old) by Rberryiii3 (Palm Springs, California) | ||
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Frigidaire Frigidaire I saw a picture of the inside not pretty , Half full of water that’s been there for 20 years ...Or longer LOL | ||
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Post# 1008951 , Reply# 21 9/29/2018 at 08:45 (2,029 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Neat Find But unfortunately like the nearly 20 appliances that several of us drug all the way back to the east coast from Aberdeen SD none ever got restored and have been recycled.
Functional parts are not so much the problem as is just rusted out cabinets, porclean cabinets that badly chipped and dented. Usually on ovens that have been sitting outside for decades the insulation has held so much moisture near the hinge area that the oven doors just break off if you try to open them.
These are fun to look at but there are much more deserving appliances that need restoring.
John L. | ||
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Post# 1009032 , Reply# 22 9/29/2018 at 21:32 (2,029 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Post# 1009174 , Reply# 23 9/30/2018 at 14:56 (2,028 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Couple of weeks? | ||
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Post# 1009782 , Reply# 24 10/5/2018 at 17:17 (2,023 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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So, apparently the person who was going to pay $500 for this fell through. Now the owner is coming back to me saying it’s mine for free or a “donation.” Although the cabinet doesn’t appear to be in terrible shape, I’m worried about the innards being rusted solid, etc. Would love to hear from anyone if I should go (a little) out of my way to save it. If I do, and it’s worthy of restoration, I won’t get around to it for months or even years. And if anyone thinks it might be worthy of parting out, I’ll get it just for that and send parts for free on this site to those who need them.
Thoughts? | ||
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Post# 1009785 , Reply# 25 10/5/2018 at 17:23 (2,023 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Totally worth it!
From what I saw of the original photos, the porcelain finish looked to be in pretty good shape on the washer - front, top, lid. The control panel was in really nice shape, both dials are present with good lettering, etc.
A good scrubbing and there is a chance it would look great. Hopefully that mark along the front edge of the top panel is dirt and not a chip. Even if the tub and Unimatic mechanism are completely shot, I'd say this is worthy of a donor tub and transmission. Cross member is a possible weak spot too if it sat outside in a yard for an extended amount of time (decades). Ben | ||
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Post# 1010706 , Reply# 26 10/13/2018 at 22:05 (2,015 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Well, here it is...
So my husband and I enjoyed a lovely day in the Bay Area today, and made arrangements to pick this up. Don’t have high hopes, but cosmetically, doesn’t look too bad. Have not unloaded it yet or cleaned it up but wanted to post anyway. My husband John wanted to park it outside and I said I just couldn’t do that since it had been sitting in the elements for who knows how long and deserved to be indoors! So it is in our garage for now, to be moved to the separate pool house/garage/laundry tomorrow.
The machine comes from what was once a lovely mid-century modern home (built 1954) on 1/2 acre in major primo-real estate in the East Bay region of the Bay Area. The home is a tear-down but we could see how lovely it once must have been, along with an originally-equipped Frigidaire kitchen! A cursory look: the control dials on the washer are frozen (am sure rusted solid), yet the tub moves smoothly and freely in both directions. All the hoses are in need of replacing so this will definitely be a long-term project if I can even bring this thing back to life. Stay tuned..! | ||
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Post# 1010717 , Reply# 27 10/14/2018 at 01:44 (2,014 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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Post# 1010850 , Reply# 28 10/14/2018 at 23:37 (2,013 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis) |
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Post# 1010862 , Reply# 29 10/15/2018 at 06:35 (2,013 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD) |
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Congratulations! Now you can get Pulsators and rings from our Master Molder in Atlanta! | ||
| Post# 1010866 , Reply# 30 10/15/2018 at 08:06 (2,013 days old) by sfh074 ( ) | ||
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Since we are talking Unimatics .... Here is what I pulled out of the pressure chamber this morning for Bob's '56. Bud - Atlanta
View Full Size
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| Post# 1010868 , Reply# 31 10/15/2018 at 08:11 (2,013 days old) by sfh074 ( ) | ||
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And here's what ... Todd's newly acquired '55 could/should look like. And Todd, please hurry up and get rid of the eye-bolt that is holding the agitator column in place! Was I the only person who caught that? lol Bud - Atlanta | ||
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Post# 1010869 , Reply# 32 10/15/2018 at 08:14 (2,013 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Eye bolt
Ah - the eye bolt was used up through '56. Looks perfectly fine! :)
Todd - this is a great save. The temp switch is actually pretty genius. Rather than use a very custom temp switch to integrate the lid switch (like the '56), they used the same toggle style switch and within the dial there are two reliefs molded to activate the toggle as it is turned in either direction. If it is frozen in place let's hope that it needs a little help to slide off the lid switch shaft. The timer may need some more TLC within the escapement, but i hope the timer box survived the outdoors. And while the tub is pretty dirty there is a good chance it will clean up. Give Bar Keepers a try. Keep us posted! Ben | ||
| Post# 1010870 , Reply# 33 10/15/2018 at 08:20 (2,013 days old) by sfh074 ( ) | ||
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OMG! I had no idea. Thanks Ben for clarifying that. But why an eye-bolt? That's just odd to me. Sorry, and yes I'm a rookie with anything before '58. Although I make a mean 1/2 cup agitator cap for anything '52-57. | ||
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Post# 1010873 , Reply# 34 10/15/2018 at 08:28 (2,013 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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I suspect they used the eye bolt as it is easier to get a grip on from the higher point within the column, rather than use a long extension/socket, and you can use a simple slip joint pliers to loosen or tighten.
It was one less tool (long extension) the techs needed to have on hand when the washer was introduced. | ||
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Post# 1010906 , Reply# 35 10/15/2018 at 16:15 (2,013 days old) by joelippard (Hickory) |
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Post# 1010945 , Reply# 36 10/15/2018 at 21:50 (2,013 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Well, although I haven’t had much time to play with this machine, I did loosen up the temp switch and it works fine now...a toggle switch, yet?! The control dial/timer appears to be frozen. Am afraid to manhandle it and not sure whether to take it apart or hope someone out there in automaticwasher.org-land has an extra one kicking around.
I have only had early 70’s Frigidaire washers before — does this ‘54-‘55 model have a bellows like the newer models with which I am familiar? Worried about that but again was encouraged that the tub does hold water without leaking and am hoping that is a good sign. Also that the tub moves freely, am hoping that’s a positive as well. Bud, am hoping you can work wonders for my machine’s pulsator barring any unforeseen circumstances. I am committed to bringing this machine back to life, even if it takes mine! Thanks for the supportive posts! | ||
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Post# 1010947 , Reply# 37 10/15/2018 at 22:25 (2,013 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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1955 WV-65
I don't remember if the timer dial knob has a set screw on it, either way it is threaded on to the timer shaft. Verify if a set screw is present; afterwards you should be able to remove the dial by twisting counter clockwise. The dial should then slide off the shaft, and the screws holding the timer in in place may even be visible without removing the escutcheon. It's been a long while since I've worked on a '55 and my memory is a bit fuzzy.
The next step would be to remove the timer and then the three screws holding the escapement to the timer body. If you're able to move the shaft with the escapement removed, you're in a good spot. I may have a spare timer in the parts stash if the timer body is truly shot, or some parts to get things going again. Escapements/motors are much easier to come by. Your '55 Frigidiare has the earlier D-hole water bellows (all Unimatics/Multimatic/Rollermatic through 1969), but does share the same oils bellow as the 1-18 brethren. It is a good sign that the tub is able to spin in both directions by hand. How clean do things look underneath? Ben | ||
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Post# 1011072 , Reply# 38 10/16/2018 at 11:54 (2,012 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Hi Ben,
Thanks for the response. You are correct about how to remove the control dial knob. I did that, sprayed some WD-40 inside, and tried to turn the knob again the next day but to no avail. This poor machine was left to the elements outside for who-knows-how long (albeit in the lovely mild Mediterranean climate of the SF Bay Area), but the guy who owned it took the back cover off the control panel and the main cabinet so it was truly exposed to the elements. Things look fairly clean underneath, except leveling legs rusted and long gone, motor coils still shiny copper, all the hoses are shot, but I can easily cobble together appropriate hose replacements. And the ungrounded electrical cord is really scary, but easy to replace! | ||
| Post# 1011082 , Reply# 39 10/16/2018 at 14:33 (2,012 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
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GREAT SAVE | ||
| Post# 1011180 , Reply# 40 10/17/2018 at 16:58 (2,011 days old) by pumper (SE Wisconsin) | ||
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| Post# 1011183 , Reply# 41 10/17/2018 at 17:12 (2,011 days old) by Rberryiii3 (Palm Springs, California) | ||
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Frigidaire Frigidaire I’m glad you got it it’ll have a good home in Lake County Rob | ||
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Post# 1012781 , Reply# 42 10/31/2018 at 15:59 (1,997 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers) |
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Nice find Todd!
That’s a stellar color. Once you have the timer free of knobs or out of the machine I’d get some “Tufoil” and start dropping it down the shaft both ends of the timer box. Let it soak for days a drop a day , keep trying to turn the shaft but dont force at all. In a week or more you may free it up again and the timer can be disassembled and cleaned and should work.
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Post# 1012829 , Reply# 43 10/31/2018 at 22:16 (1,997 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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