1948 (?) Kenmore wringer washer - newest acquisition

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Brad, your wringer sounds more like a clock ticking than a washer. The pressure setting is very cool.Wringers with pufffed legs always remind me of a fat lady in a short dress.
 
Pump fixed

Well, my "hay wire" fix worked the second time around. Spread instant gasket maker (silicone)around the flywheel/pulley of the motor. The local vacuum repairman gave me - free of charge - a used vacuum belt that fit very tightly around the drive wheel of the pump. So when engaged, the two wheels make good contact and the pump works beautifully.

As a side note, I had to completely dismantle the pump and the drive shaft (connected to the impeller) was corroded and gunked up, so was very hard to turn. Probably that had a lot to do with wearing out the original rubber gasket on the flywheel. Scrubbed it good with an SOS pad and sprayed WD-40 on the shaft and shaft tube and now it turns easily.

Did a load again today to test out the pump. Attached are a couple of pics - this time taken in the kitchen (note to Keith "westingman123" !!!)

bradross++2-23-2013-14-13-35.jpg
 
"Let the girl out of the loo, though! *LOL*"

As funny as it was, I couldn't help remembering that during the decades of wringer washer operation, many people washed in either the loo-room ;-D or the kitchen, and that could have been a factor in the quiet operation design when the engineers were developing the machine. I've noticed that except for the higher torqued later Speed Queen, all of my wringers are really quiet.

Brad, I'm relieved that your pump fix + vac belt worked. Imagined you were working in the bathroom so you could easily gravity drain the 48 into the toilet.

Is there a chance for a vid of the draining operation? For me, pumps truly rock and roll. Sure it's the same for many here.
 
Congrats on Your New Kenmore

Brad, that is a beautiful Kenmore. It is no wonder so many ladies kept the "tried and true" machine for years. If I am lucky enough to come across one I plan to get it. arthur
 
(sheepish grin)

I must say she's lovely, even more so in the kitchen! You're a creative one, you are.

I most humbly beg to see a video, as well.

K
 
Thanks for the pics

Brings back memories of my mom washing in the kitchen with her wringer washer when I was a wee lad. That is really a beautiful machine you have there.
 
Pump in operation

For those that requested seeing a vid of the pump in operation, I've uploaded a short one to YouTube ... Also attached a pic showing the drive shaft/wheel of the pump. The wheel behind it is the silicone-coated flywheel of the motor on which the pump makes contact in order to operate.



bradross++3-1-2013-18-42-28.jpg
 
Nice Paint Job Brad!

That's the same paint I used, Appliance Enamel White, on my Maytag's wringer. I also used it on the lid and a few more places. I painted those 6 months ago and have been using my reconditioned E2LP as a daily driver for over 3 months now and the paints held up great. Good Choice!

It will be interesting to see how you like the Kenmore in relation to the Maytag(s). It seems that Maytag was the most popular wringer even though it's obvious that they cost more. From what I've been able to see, it looks like the Maytag's were the most popular wringers, followed by Speed Queen, then the Kenmore's and the rest.

Cheers! Larry
 
Maytag wringer washers were better engineered...

Larry, thanks for your comments. After having used both machines now, I can see why Maytags were the most popular - and the most expensive. They are the better engineered machines. The Kenmore (this example made by Whirlpool) is great in many ways - very quiet motor, efficient agitator, large tub. However, the biggest drawback I can see is the lack of a "sediment trap", a feature that Maytag actively promoted at the time. With the flat bottomed tub of the Kenmore, lint and sediment remains after the water has emptied, which requires rinsing and wiping it out. Whereas, with a Maytag, the sediment collects in the recessed area of the tub under the agitator, so when the water is emptied, it completely flushes out the tub. Much more efficient.

So, bottom line, I do prefer a Maytag. Having said that, the Kenmore is fun to use as well.

I shot another video yesterday, showing the wringer in operation. Have a look!

 
That has to be one of the coolest machines....quiet is an understatement.....congrats on the restoring of it Brad....love it.....

one question about wringers like this one, can an agitator from an automatic fit in one of these, take in consideration a drive block would maybe have to be changed....but just curious, for something like a rotoswirl, or straight 3 vane...maybe even a dual action...is this possible?....
 
Hi Brad,

Great video !! Thanks for making and posting. I really like the idea of the different tensions available on the wringer. I am certain I am not the only one who is envious but happy about your latest acquisition. I note that there is possible some yellow grease staining on the wringer post. I have found that a product here in the US called Re-solve-it takes that stain right off. It is non toxic and a bit similar to Goo Gone only better. Anyhow, hope you will enjoy your wringer washing each week now. You could was in one and rinse in the other :-). Happy wringing !!

Jim
 
Wringing in the Mirror

So cool and fun: you can see the clothes coming and going. And like the automatic, the high-medium-low lever actually has reset too. Very satisfying. Love the way it works, would be a source of unending fun, especially the way it overrides the main control.

One advantage to the KM is that the agitator always comes out trouble-free. If a Maytag gets stuck, good luck, (not yours which comes off as easily as the top of the butter dish).

Thanks for the classy vids.
 
straight out of the showroom

Brad, that's just breathtaking! Rustoleum, you say? That's just a pretty machine, and a work horse to boot.

I just want to fire up the Speed Queen now. In the middle of the night.

Thanks for posting!
 
Just Beautiful!!

Thanks Brad for posting the videos. What a beautiful machine. I assume that you can rotate the wringer head around, such as if you were using a rinse tub behind the machine? If you ever decide you are going to move her out of your collection please let me know :-)!
 
I remember when

which wasn't yesterday, my aunt had a gasoline powered wringer.
My grandmother's was the same and then had her's converted to an electric motor, that lasted decades.
Great find Brad, thanks for the memories, I hope you get lots of service from your new aquisition.
 

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