1947 Thor Automatic Washer/Dishwasher in Portland, OR

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"It still worked when they quit using in the the late 50's. Now has a tiny rust hole in one part that has oil inside it. Nobody would use it now anyway so who cares ?"

Nobody would use it now anyway, oh, is that so? ***rolls eyes***

This is a fabulous find for someone, its an early version, probably one of the first Thors.
 
mike (dishwasher crazy)

you've got to have this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if you don't i will, try to anyway! i've never heard of a combo dishwasher, clothes washer! and i'd thought i'd seen it all!
 
I have agreed to buy it.

Ken: Thanks so much for finding and posting this Craigslist ad.

Robert: I will do my best to make it operational again. I may need your help. I agree, we need to document these sales from Craigslist and Ebay more often.

Pete: Thanks for the email heads-up.

I think this will be a nice addition to my Dishwasher collection.

The seller has agreed to continue to hold it for me for a couple more months while I secure funds to have the machine shipped from Washington state to Illinois. Then I'll create a new post to talk about the machine further.

Mike
 
What a rare find!

Pete, you or Mike are definitely good choices to rescue this one! Man, if I wasn't leaving for Egypt next week I would whining to hubby myself!!
I do hope someone can save this!! I got to see one once, years ago, being chucked out during the town's semi-annual large item pickup. Oh, how I have regretted not pitching a hissy to make my parents let me have it...
 
Yay Mike, but just to prevent any disappointments, just be advised that I do not see the dishwasher compartment in those pictures. It was a whole separated tub with sprayer and racks. I'm pretty sure it was sold separately when you bought a Thor.
 
and i'm glad you got it!

you have so many really old dishwashers, electric sinks etc. that it really belongs with you! i do hope it is all there. bet you'll call the guy to check!

you even have that double sink thing that turns into a dishwasher! an idea i had back in the 70's but oh well, snooze ya lose! need to see lots of pics of that one too!

maybe jim the trucker could pick up the dishwasher for you. i have his e mail and no. he is picking up my last rollermatic for me in new orleans next month. a friend from this site gave it to me! it is no. 6 for me! jim just delivered that top loader sears roto rack for me last month. only charged 150 bucks! he's very reasonable!

again, glad you got it!!!!
 
Paul: This means you will now have another reason to come back to Peoria someday!

Robert: When I spoke to the seller, I had the distinct impression that the Dishwasher tub was inside the cabinet, and the wash basket was sitting outside of the cabinet. I really should have asked - I'll have more opportunity to ask about it. He did say that that the wash basket would need to be shipped outside of the cabinet, so I hope I can assume that the dishwasher basket is inside.

Jed: I hope that Robert can shed some insight on your comment about whether this machine is automatic or manually operated.

Pete: You will have to be patient seeing photos - it will probably be a while before I can have the Thor shipped to Illinois. I'm anxious to be able to share more information as soon as I can. Thanks for your support and help to me.

Mike
 
Accordint To My Thor "GladIroner" Manual

Thor's spinner washer and dishwasher were not sold as one unit.

Though the dishwasher basket did fit inside the washing machine's tub (Thor advertised no part of the washing machine ever touched one's dishes), the process required two different baskets, and there is no mention they came as a set.
 
Thanks Launderess and Robert for the additional information about the Thor.

I've got to call the seller and get more information about the existance of the dishwasher component.

Mike
 
In the 4 pictures that are posted . . .

by Robert, the one in the lower left corner shows the clothes washer tub with agitator and the box of detergent. Then there are 2 flat round pieces.

An educated guess is that the lighter colored flat found piece is a heavy "table" that the clothes washer basket sits on inside the machine cabinet. It possibly has something to do with balancing when the tub spins.

The black round piece is a top that fits over the dishwasher tub when the dishwasher tub is in place inside the cabinet. There is a faucet in the left rear corner of the machine which can be turned left or right to get out of the way when the tubs are removed. This faucet fits into the small hole in the black round top which creates the entrance for the water to spray into the machine.

Once the dishwasher starts doing its thing, the round black top prevents the water in the dishwasher tub from being sprayed and splashed out of the tub and down the drain. The machine's regular white square top fits over the black round top.

I hope this is not too confusing.

I have seen and used one of these machines in the early 1950's and was fascinated by how it worked. The lady who owned it put in plates that had one day old dried fried egg on them, and they came out spotless.

Of course, there is no water heater. The dishwasher uses the hot water from the tap, so it needs to be HOT.

Go get that machine!!!! Save it by all means.

Ross in Tucson has a Thor with the clothes washer basket. It is a slightly newer model than the one we had when I was a child because the water faucet on his is screwed to the back of the machine cabinet and hooks over the edge of the top much like the curved part of a drain hose that fits down into the standpipe or tub.

Thanks, Robert, for posting the POD about the Thor. I have never seen this particular model. I think this is the first posting of a Thor ad since I have been in the club for the past 5 or 6 years. You're the best.

Jerry Gay
 
re: POD 9/19 Thor...vid on YouTube

this is one of my faves to watch...love the sounds it makes! just type in Thor Automagic and you can watch ChesterMikeUK's in action, I imagine he got a bit of a soaking when he switched it into spin, seems like a pretty good rpm for a spin too for not being a bolt-down design

 
Thor

I grew up with a Thor Automagic. We only had the washer tub.
I have a Thor but it is in the repair shop. Machine will not drain until the pump burps. The machine has already had extensive repairs and I look forward to getting it back.

Ross
 
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