1953 Bendix automatic home washer

[ricky5050]

Hello, you may remember a Bendix Washer was posted by a new house holder in middlesbrough, well i spoke to him , agreed to go and see him as it was only 45 mins form me. Well Ive bought it and its now in my garage awaiting some TLC.

 

I may be asking for some information, please enjoy the pictures so far!

 

Richard

 

 

[ricky5050]

the house

The house was built in 1927 and owned by the same family until recently, the original owners daughter must have got it some time in the 1950s, and modernised a few things, cream tiled fireplaces, lights and a shiny new Bendix! It was fitted in a built in cupboard and a bit of a bugger to get out. It was still connected to water (turned ON!) and has a gravity drain. I havent tried it yet but after looking at it i think it may be ok.

 

The house is gorgeous , big rooms big box square bay windows on upper and lower levels. a double garage with sliding wooden doors and its never been touched since the 50s, even some of the light bulbs are ancient (Boots the chemist brand!!).

 

 

 

[cleanteamofny]

Nice machine!
Can you give us a close up on the timer?
Thanks!

 

[ricky5050]

what a housewifes dream!

Here it is in my garage! next to my last purchase, what a dream these duo must have been in the 50s!

 

[ricky5050]

the hoses

i managed to un plumb the pipes and bring home the orginal taps, i had to cut the hoses but they are very perished any way but modern ones can be added to the fittings

 

 

[ricky5050]

the back

i dont think its seen the light of day for 50yrs

 

[ricky5050]

the back

after i managed to remove it from its built in cupboard

 

[ricky5050]

pump and filter access with drop down front

All looks good

 

[ricky5050]

water rationer and temp control

a simple switch for hot or warm ( no heater so relies on incoming water temp) and water rationer simply raises or lowers a switch mechanism in the float chamber.

 

[ricky5050]

timer

Timer turns ok but knob looks a little melted.

 

[ricky5050]

badge

.

 

[ricky5050]

the top removed

no suspension here just bolt it down and hope it dont shake too much!!

 

[ricky5050]

water jets

inlet jets from water valves

 

 

[ricky5050]

serial number

on kick plate

 

[ricky5050]

the lid

the lid is enamel with a wiring diagram underneath

 

[ricky5050]

rear shot

drum etc

 

[ricky5050]

motor etc

two speed motor, i pretty sure the gear box needs oil and not sure if the spin solenoid shifter actually shifts anything as its all a bit sticky.

 

[ricky5050]

inlet valve

dated 1953

 

[ricky5050]

condition

its a wee bit rusty and a someones been at it with gloss paint and its very dirty as was a lot of the house (nicotine i think) but as the casing seems to easily remove i may get it shot blasted primed and resprayed professionally.... eventually!!

 

What should i look out for from anyone who has brought one of these to life?

 

many thanks

 

Richard

 

[keymatic3203]

Great work Ricky

Not the easiest collection. I can see from the photo with the access panel down, it does have a pump, the pump is directly driven off the back of the motor, this runs the whole time, the solinoid then opens the drain valve to empty the drum.

I can see the restoration jobs are lining up, I think you'll be sorting your bendix sooner than I will get to mine.

And great you were able to get the taps to go with it.

All the best

Mathew

 

[ricky5050]

Hi Mathew

Hi i thought it must be gravity drain as the pipe was connected only a few inches off the floor, i assumed the solenoid was only to open and close rather than pump, i know my LT is the same but has a pump that recirculates the whole time until it opens.

 

Richard

 

[ricky5050]

Hi Mathew

Hi i thought it must be gravity drain as the pipe was connected only a few inches off the floor, i assumed the solenoid was only to open and close rather than pump, i know my LT is the same but has a pump that recirculates the whole time until it opens.

 

Richard

 

[lancethecook]

Well done Richard...

I hope you get it up and running, it is certainly a great looking machine.
Glad you saved it.
Look forward to some more photos as work progresses.
Would loved to have seen the rest of the house.
Lance

 

[ricky5050]

hello Lance

thank you i will keep you informed, as well as looking out for a servis super heat i didnt know you wanted one, sorry but i would like to keep mine as it was my first machine!

 

the house was lovely two large downstairs rooms one with a box square window, one with a bay, both with fireplace, small kitchen, pantry and scullery, outside loo etc!

 

garden full of old rose plants and all wood painted a light old green.

 

there were some nice old lamp shades small glass types but i had my eye on some centre lights, ive asked the owner if i can buy them too!

 

Richard

 

[jetcone]

Ricky

Nice find there! Before I turned anything on I would make sure that

the drum and pulley turn by hand,

that the motor and pump and tranny also turn by hand so that nothing is seized before you put power to it.

Then I'd connect a jumper cable from the frame to ground before powering it up. That way if there are any major shorts they go to ground and not you!

And you can do this w/o installing a belt, I would its what I do with my Bendii when the come in.

Once you power it up I'd check the continuity from the cabinet to ground, the motor frame to ground to eliminate all possible shorts if any.

 

If it wasn't abused it should come back to life gracefully. What two nice machines you have there, I am certain you are making me and Mike jealous!!

 

 

 

Then I'd put hot water down into the pump and let it sit before really running it.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Wow, that machine is super cool!
I hope you can restore it and put it in operation real soon.
Is the paint still good or the yellowing become permanent?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations

How do you plan to bolt it down? Do you have a cement floor into which you can drill where you want to install it or will you be mixing up some cement and pouring a pedestal for it?

 

[ricky5050]

Hi thanks

The drum and motor turn fine the drum bearings seem a little louder than they should but there isn't any free play in the drum. The paint is poor and has been daubed in beige gloss paint.
And as for a cement base I'll have to see it may just sit in a safe place for a while. Ideally I'd love a double garage to make a showroom, oh and an old stone cottage with room for a pony. So I just need 3/4 million !!

Till then I better do some tidying and re arranging

Thanks for the interest

Richard

 

[jetcone]

Yes what I want is a large

semi circular glass conservatory out the side of the house, like Mortitia and Gomez had, with glass ceilings and potted plants between matching pairs of washers and dryers. And I could sit there in the sun having morning coffee while the machines run.

 

[thelaundrylab]

Awesome...

Hi Richard, many congrats on finding this machine. We look forward on the updates and the workings on this beauty.

Hass