1952 Bendix Dryer -- Need Help

[decodriveboy]

Hey guys, earlier this summer I got a 1952 (I believe) Bendix dryer, supposedly it's the mate to the washer that squeezed the clothes instead of spinning (feel free to correct me if I got it wrong!)

Anyhow tonight I tried to get it going but ran into two main problems:

1--The modern foil exhaust tube is way too large in width for the opening on this model. Can a smaller one be bought anywhere?

2--The electrical prongs would not fit. The modern prongs are two straight and one V-shape. This plug had 3 straight prongs, which were also too close together for the modern outlet.

What can I do?

 

[decodriveboy]

Photo

view 1

 

[brisnat81]

can you take a picture of the plug please?

I would be interested to see what it looks like.
Thanks

Nathan

 

[northwesty]

I think a big hardware store would have both the correct tubing and you could replace the dryer cord too.

 

[gansky1]

I used mine with 3" vent tubing and a 3" to 4" reducer at the wall vent. That dryer has a very powerful blower but the heavy steel fan housing sends most of the noise outside - it's a trip to hear, the machine is louder outside than in!

The cord on your dryer is typically used on ranges, as Brian said, you can get an actual dryer cord that has the center blade at a 90 degree angle to match your outlet.

Best of luck - it sure is in nice condition!

 

[tomturbomatic]

How the opening got wider over the years

Several early dryers used 3 inch venting. In an early Consumer Report or Consumer Research issue I read that there was a great deal of anxiety about where the make up air would enter the house when the dryer was running. They were talking about window panes bursting, doors being sucked open and walls cracking; this when houses were much less air tight than today. 3 inch vents, then, would discharge less air than 4 inch vents. Other dryers like Hamiltons, were, by their design, lower air flow dryers so 3 inch vents proved very adequate. My house had both size vent openings in the back wall of the basement. The first owners probably had a Hamilton gas dryer. We used one hole through the brick and block construction to put an outlet for the central vac under the deck for vacuuming the car. For that section, with the narrow workspace between the drywall on the inside and the outside wall, we used a few feet of blue swimming pool vacuum hose to connect the outdoor outlet to the same size PVC pipe used in rest of the system.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Deco yes the two parts you talk about are easily available at Home Depot or your local hardware store. Early dryers had 3" vents, then they switched to 4" vents. 3" vent tubing is still used in bathroom exhuast fans and similar type of fans so its easy to find. Someone installed an electric range plug on the dryer it sounds like, but it's a very easy switch to pop a dryer cord on.

 

[decodriveboy]

Thanks for the responses guys

now, how do I change the cord?

I've never undertaken such a task before and don't want to create a fire hazard, or worse!

 

[Unimatic1140]

now, how do I change the cord?

Hi Deco, (btw what is your real first name?) when I get home tonight I will take a picture and give you complete instructions. It's very easy.

 

[decodriveboy]

Thanks Robert

My name is Patrick

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Patrick, as promised here are five photos to show you how to install the new dryer cord. Please let us know if you have any questions...

 

[Unimatic1140]

Be sure that the dryer is unplugged first! I would trip the circut breaker as well if you have easy access to it.

 

[Unimatic1140]

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[Unimatic1140]

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[Unimatic1140]

Once you have installed the cord, plug the dryer in, turn the dial to on, then switch the circuit breaker (from you utility room house breaker box) on and see if the dryer starts properly.

 

[decodriveboy]

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! As myself and many others on here can attest, you are the best Robert!