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Thread Number: 78799
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Whirlpool compact |
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| Post# 1027851 3/24/2019 at 11:50 (1,858 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
This a a project that I finished a couple of weeks ago. I was browsing Craigslist and ran across this washer and matching dryer set and couldn’t pass them up. Ad read the dryer was $75 and the washer was free if you wanted it due to it leaked. The dryer was decent shape and I’ll put it in another post. The washer really wasn’t in terrible shape for its age but they had used it leaking water for a long time. Washer is a 1982 model. Some pictures with cabinet and tub removed .
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| Post# 1027852 , Reply# 1 3/24/2019 at 11:56 (1,858 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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The platform cleaned up pretty nice. I repaired the leak in the tub and installed a new tub seal. The drive system was in good shape so I didn’t go into that this time around. I did replace the belt while I had everything apart.
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| Post# 1027853 , Reply# 2 3/24/2019 at 11:59 (1,858 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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The hole in the tub that I repaired was close to one of the mounting holes.
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| Post# 1027854 , Reply# 3 3/24/2019 at 12:06 (1,858 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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I thought I had taken more pictures of the process but I guess not. Here are a few of it put back together. This little machine is cool and runs like a top. I purchased a stack kit and put these machines in the kitchen. I installed casters on the washer and made it portable to roll over to and connect to the kitchen sink.
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| Post# 1027857 , Reply# 4 3/24/2019 at 12:22 (1,858 days old) by maytag63 (South Berwick, Maine) | ||
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| Post# 1027860 , Reply# 5 3/24/2019 at 12:39 (1,858 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1027884 , Reply# 6 3/24/2019 at 16:58 (1,857 days old) by Yogitunes  (New Jersey) |
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| Post# 1027893 , Reply# 7 3/24/2019 at 18:39 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Yes I agree a water level switch would be handy. This is only the second belt drive compact that I have ever seen personally. Around 20 years ago I was offered a lady kenmore compact/portable set but I turned them down because I felt they wanted too much for them. If the same offer was in front of me today I would buy them without thinking about it.
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Post# 1027899 , Reply# 8 3/24/2019 at 19:01 (1,857 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Whirlpool Belt Drive Compact Washer 1972-86 These were fun machines as they solved the only real criticism anyone ever had with a WP BD washer " slow spin speed ". When these came out they spun at 929 RPMs, but they had trouble with the auxiliary wash-basket mounted bearing so they eliminated this extra bearing and reduced the spin speed to 860 RPMs which is what your machine should be doing.
Good save of this fun washer, I actually fixed a leaking center-post seal on a 86, 24" Thin-Twin two weeks ago in a customers home, there are not many of these left in service, and most died from outer tub leaks.
Too bad we don't live closer, I just threw away a brand new base pan for one of these washers and several stacking racks, we worked on hundreds of these washers over the years.
The little dryers are indestructible and work well. The 120 volt models actually dry pretty well with the washers fast spin speed.
It is easy to convert the dryer to 240 volts and we even have several gas ones still around the shop.
John | ||
| Post# 1027902 , Reply# 9 3/24/2019 at 19:30 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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I would think that the little gas portables heat very well. This electric one is not too bad with all new seals and as mentioned the 860rpm washer spin speed. It’s a shame you had to throw out those parts but I completely understand. I have a problem with trying to save everything. John you wouldn’t happen to have a timer dial for the washer, would you? A piece of mine is broken and I’m pretty sure I can fix it but if there was a good used one or even better a NOS that would be cool.
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Post# 1027903 , Reply# 10 3/24/2019 at 20:12 (1,857 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Whirlpool Belt Drive Compact Washer 1972-86 Hi Melvin, Yes I am pretty sure I have a timer dial for that washer, I will do some looking in the next day or so and let you know.
I have been going through 50 years of stuff in my basement the last few months trying to move it to the new location, but a lot is getting recycled.
The compact dryers had a 1400 watt element in the 120 volt models like yours, interestingly the early 120 volt models used the standard full sized 5,600 watt 240 volt elements which looked funny when you pulled it out of the heater box, but on 120 volts it would only put out 1400 watts, that 5,600 watt element used that way would easily last 1000+ years.
The 240 volt version used a 3,200 watt element, when WP switched the washer to the DD design with only a 640 RPM spin they went to a 3,600 watt element. The gas versions were always 10,600 BTUs which also worked very well.
John | ||
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Post# 1027905 , Reply# 11 3/24/2019 at 20:30 (1,857 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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| Post# 1027906 , Reply# 12 3/24/2019 at 20:44 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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| Post# 1027917 , Reply# 13 3/24/2019 at 22:15 (1,857 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
very cool!  | ||
| Post# 1027919 , Reply# 14 3/24/2019 at 22:39 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Thanks! I’m a sucker for automatics built before 1995 and every time I run across one I think I need to save it. Luckily for the space in the shop, machines built before ‘95 aren’t popping up in this area like they used to. But I have plenty of cool projects that I may get to one day. Lol! I can’t believe direct drive Whirlpool machines aren’t made anymore and that the belt drives haven’t been produced in over thirty years. I still remember learning about the direct drives when they became popular and not realizing at the time just how great a design this was for the ease of the repair folks. Also that Maytag has been gone for 13 years now and the GE FF for 24. Sorry for the trip down memory lane. These are all still alive and some of them are well in my shop.
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Post# 1027920 , Reply# 15 3/24/2019 at 22:40 (1,857 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Had the "Convertible" version of WP "compact"
But since sold it on to another member: www.automaticwasher.org/c...
Great machines but needed the room so something had to go, and yes, mine arrived with a leaky tub seal as well. One visit form a not very happy repairman later, and it was back in service. Kept the matching harvest gold compact dryer (it came from a different source and predated arrival of WP washer), and have to agree it is a treasure. An eleven pound load either spun in the Lavamat at >1400 rpms, or chucked into spin dryer for several minutes will dry in about an hour for most things. Thick, thirsty and heavy things like bath towels may take longer. But one simply dries them until damp anyway then hang dry to finish. The larger and more powerful AEG Lavatherm condenser dryer will take nearly two hours or so to do the same load. But being fair one is vented and the other isn't.... | ||
| Post# 1027923 , Reply# 16 3/24/2019 at 23:04 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1027925 , Reply# 17 3/25/2019 at 00:06 (1,857 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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No Worries | ||
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Post# 1027944 , Reply# 18 3/25/2019 at 07:50 (1,857 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Whirlpool Belt Drive Compact Washer 1972-86 | ||
| Post# 1027947 , Reply# 19 3/25/2019 at 08:02 (1,857 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1027977 , Reply# 21 3/25/2019 at 15:25 (1,856 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK) |
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Whirlpool Compact
Congratulations Melvin on your find and restore, certainly came up a treat !!
We had these badged here as Servis TL Compact, which was bought in as a stop gap for people whose original Servus UK toploaders where on a service contract and still wanted a top loader as Servis UK had stopped production of UK toploading machines and concentrated on front loaders !!
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| Post# 1028010 , Reply# 22 3/25/2019 at 22:31 (1,856 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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They are cool little machines for sure. I also have an early whirlpool direct drive portable but never was impressed without the DA agitator and going down to low speed agitation after about 4 minutes into the cycle IIRC. Haven’t used it in many years but it still sits here. I think it would’ve been great with the DA agitator.
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Post# 1028029 , Reply# 24 3/26/2019 at 08:25 (1,856 days old) by gizmo (Victoria, Australia) |
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thanks Nathan. | ||
| Post# 1028038 , Reply# 25 3/26/2019 at 13:46 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
Water level screw
Greetings washer folk!
Indeed, it was owned by the ubiquitous little old lady, who, thank the force, did not die. She just wanted a large tubbed machine. Alas, this washer does not have a water level control, but over the years I’ve heard there’s a screw Atop the water level doohickey. However the screw in this machine looks to be part of the brass holder. So is it the case that some of these machines cannot be adjusted? Would love to get that water level down; it fills up to the sky and I’d Like a half tub—Thank you very much. Michael | ||
| Post# 1028048 , Reply# 26 3/26/2019 at 17:33 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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Excuse the fake news of 8 pix
Hello Melvin, how I wish I had your skill. So you were under there and what do you think the chances are of getting a lower water level. In the picture you’ll see a quarter inch wrench fits on that nut; even though the bracket’s there, I can still get the nut to move. Before I break anything what do you think I should do?
This machine has the two speeds and I tried to show the difference in the pics. I left the filter out just for a little water drama. Aren’t you amazed at how much lint it picks up | ||
| Post# 1028049 , Reply# 27 3/26/2019 at 17:45 (1,855 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Yes that is the water level adjustment screw. Personally I would not adjust it because if something happens to the switch during the process I’m sure water level switches are still out there for these machines, but they are probably not a common item. Then you wouldn’t be able to use your cool little washer.
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Post# 1028050 , Reply# 28 3/26/2019 at 17:45 (1,855 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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| Post# 1028051 , Reply# 29 3/26/2019 at 17:52 (1,855 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Yes these machines do catch a lot of lint. When I got mine I don’t believe the previous owner knew the filter was there because it was completely plugged up. Thanks for the compliment on the skill. I’ve tinkered with belt drive whirlpool/kenmore machines since I was around 8 years old. Never imagined there would be a club for folks who like old washers.
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| Post# 1028060 , Reply# 30 3/26/2019 at 19:58 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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John and Melvin, thank you both very much.
Melvin~ The older I get the more I'm convinced that with patience, hope, effort, and good will..... the universe will provide anything--even something as rare and unusual as washer friends.
John~ The nut is flush so if I go clockwise, I don't see any give. I have tried a few CWW turns, but the level remains sky high unless I tip the tub rightward, which then trips the switch to a water level maybe an inch or two below max fill. Am I reading you right?--you want me to turn clockwise. Is there a better tool than the quarter inch wrench? My ratchet sockets won't fit inside the gap. If you two were both here, with your collective dizzying skill, you could probably WILL the machine to fill low without even touching it :'D | ||
| Post# 1028066 , Reply# 31 3/26/2019 at 21:29 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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Oh my my
How much tighter shall I go? I love it. Can not improve upon the words of the great Emily Dickinson who famously said, “success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed, to comprehend a nectar requires sorest need,” and boy did I sorely need that.
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| Post# 1028070 , Reply# 32 3/26/2019 at 21:47 (1,855 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1028082 , Reply# 33 3/27/2019 at 06:32 (1,855 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Adjusted Water Level Yay Michael, I knew you could it, your machine has the less popular brand [ Robertshaw ] WLS, where you turn it CW to lower the WL, most WLSs are built by Controls Corporation and those are just the opposite you would turn CCW to lower the level.
Its funny in service training they always told us to NEVER adjust a WLS just replace them if they seem out of specification, but I have adjusted 1000s with no floods etc, LOL
John | ||
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Post# 1028087 , Reply# 34 3/27/2019 at 07:35 (1,855 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!) |
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Very impressive compact washer - 
Had a Lady Kenmore version for a while, fun machine to play with. Now lives at a friend's house but don't think it gets used much. I reused the relatively clean water a couple of times, almost enough to fill a smaller vintage washer for another load.
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| Post# 1028104 , Reply# 35 3/27/2019 at 10:16 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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Fascinating thread, Mel.
Glad you pointed that out John since clockwise seemed counter intuitive, LOL, and thanks for the instruction; 'twas my first time and I really thought the screw was for the holding bracket. Without your encouragement, I may have remained dumb and spooked, (laughs), so THANK YOU.
"Tests and Measurements" one of washer folk's favorite pastimes. Just did it the other day, Greg, draining into a Lady K, Conventional. At the ultra-high level mine was set at, am guessing maybe 11 gallons. Eager to get it next to the Unimatic, just to see if I can fill 'er up. {Side note on measurement: The Maytag 806 S on the Small water level just about fills a Unimatic tub which I learned playing suds-return games.} Pix in my phone; post when I go downstairs. | ||
| Post# 1028105 , Reply# 36 3/27/2019 at 10:18 (1,855 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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| Post# 1028129 , Reply# 37 3/27/2019 at 15:02 (1,854 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1028137 , Reply# 38 3/27/2019 at 16:23 (1,854 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey) |
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Post# 1028147 , Reply# 39 3/27/2019 at 20:47 (1,854 days old) by Washerlover (The Big Island, Hawai’i) |
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Post# 1028357 , Reply# 40 3/29/2019 at 23:43 (1,852 days old) by chetlaham (United States) |
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Adjusted water level | ||
| Post# 1028755 , Reply# 41 4/2/2019 at 13:17 (1,848 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY) | ||
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The elusive Surgomatic
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| Post# 1028785 , Reply# 42 4/2/2019 at 19:17 (1,848 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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| Post# 1028879 , Reply# 43 4/3/2019 at 20:42 (1,847 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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