1940's Bendix washer parts-info

[thomas96]

Hi, I recently bought a Bendix model B deluxe washing machine with a serial number 767BC936 JA47 with some research I've found that this is a postwar model, probably 1947. Would anyone be able to tell me when the deluxe model with the cycle selector dial and temp selector first appeared on the top of the cabinate together as a "single" looking unit?
I need the door seal and the black plastic (bakelite?) dial indicator that is located above the dial if anyone has any parts to spare.

 

[Unimatic1140]

I have one of the last pre-war models, it has a date stamp of Dec '41 on it. The Deluxe model was always available as far as I know in varying styles.

http://automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/00ShowCollectionGETD.cgi?photoshow=01@Its%20a%20Pre-War%20Bendix%20Deluxe%[email protected]&dir=/COLLECTIONS/_1942Bendix

 

[thomas96]

Thanks for the reply

Your machine must look like mine, the only diffrence is probably the filler tube, where yours fills from around the mid point of the drum, mine fills from the top. Do you use yours? I plan to use mine occasionally if I can find the parts I need, would you know where I might be able to find a door seal and/or the black plastic indicator for the dial, or any other parts?

 

[thomas96]

your machine looks like mine

Sorry, posted my reply then looked at the link you included! They both are really in great shape, I hope mine works and looks half as good apart as that one of yours! In the picture the machine on the left looks much taller, is it just sitting on top of something?

 

[woodbodger]

Tempus fugit

Gentlemen you take me back to my youth: I regularly repaired these in the 60s 70s, not that they required much beyond flushing the gearbox and re oiling. Was once called out to a customer who had “lost” her machine. It had been bolted down to a plinth in the cellar which turned out to be a cap over the old well. I believe the machine is still down there.

 

[slowspin66]

Prevalence .....

The Bendix machines are my all time favourites ..... there seems to be so few of these machines about in the UK ....woodbodger did you work for Bendix ???
I recently restored a gas fired semi automatic machine but carnt find any info about this machine .......would love to find out how many of these machines were about ?? Did you work on any of these machines in your past?? Many thanks Darren

 

[vacbear58]

Bendix GAS HEATED FL Washer

This is a semi-automatic unit. But, just to be clear - you know how we Brits like a heater in our washers to raise the temperature of the wash water - the heater in this WASHING machine is GAS fired, not electric.

We did have a few wringer machines, twin tubs and quite a few wash boilers which heated with gas but as far as I know, this is the only front loader. As this machine was manufactured under licence in the UK I can only imagine that the design and specification originated in the USA. Has anyone in the US come across such a machine?

Al

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thank you sharing sharing your beautiful Bendix

Darren, That is a unique machine. I have never seen a Bendix washer with a gas burner. Could you please show us the burner's placement in the machine and the related exhaust duct work? How long does it take to  heat a load of laundry to around 160F? I don't see any marks on the thermometer to indicate temperature.  Does it have to tumble all the while it is heating or is the heating phase of the tumbling more intermittent?

 

Do any of our other UK members know if  there were other washers heated with gas in the UK or maybe elsewhere in the world?

 

[slowspin66]

Gas burner

The burner sits directly under the enamelled tub . There is no flue.... there are vents on the side of the machine . In addition inside there’s a series of heat deflectors to keep the heat away from
The wiring .... the burner is a large U shape iron affair !!! .

 

[tomturbomatic]

WOW! Thank you. I guess it is match lit each time since I do not see anything that looks like a pilot or really, even a valve.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Bendix

A warm welcome Malcolm (Woodbodger) to Automatic Washer, youll have lots to catch up on and we would love to hear your repair stories from your worklife. As you can see there are many Bendix washing machines lovingly restored by our UK members with the help of our US friends with spare parts, knowledge and repair expertise. Perhaps you can tell us any hints and tips as well.

Darren Oh you`ve done a grand job on all your restorations especially with the gas bolt down which must be the rarest of them all, now get that gas pipe connected and lit ha ha.."Boom" Oh .The size of the horeshoe burner is huge, but suppose the gas is adjusted until it just slow burns rather than a bunsen burner jet effect ?

 

[chestermikeuk]

Gas Bendix and beyond

Hi Tom, we had many gas heated washing machines here but not washer dryers as far as I know. In the 50`s there were many wringer washers which "Washes with Electric & Boils By Gas" was the marketing slogan.

Also in the 60`s we had twintubs by Servis and Hoover (French model) that used a heat exchanger box unit under the tub to heat by gas, Servis even offered it by special order up to the 70`s as well.

Probably best to do a seperate "Gas heated washers thread for information. The first one I saw was my Aunts cream coloured Servis Supertwin with ServisAire gas burner, it was connected to the gas mains by a lug and twist connector with a lever that clamped down locking the connector in and turning the gas on. then you slid out a fine pipe like a gas cooker lighter , lit it then slid it back inside to light the main burner.

Heres a video I did for Darren early this year before covid lockdown!!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Washes with Electric, Boils By gas"

Heres a few pics, I`ll do a seperate thread to do them justice etc. You can see the vents at the top of the cabinet to diffuse the fumes !!

 

[supertwin59]

I had no idea..

...that servis had combined gas and electricity. I can now see why they would call it the superheat.

 

[vacbear58]

Gas heated

Found a French advert for another gas heated Bendix