bendixmark
Well-known member
Found this nice 65 lady kenmore at Grays Aplliance last weekend.
1965 Lady Kenmore Dryer
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bendixmark
Well-known member
drum
Drum is in nice condition.
Drum is in nice condition.
applianceguy47
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2012
- Messages
- 590
Nice Find.
I found the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">top</span> to the matching washer during "big junk" week, in our neighborhood- 1980.
The washer has a whole line of those fragile buttons, that aren't as wide as they are on the dryer.
If I remember right, the buttons on the washer are lettered to coordinate with letters on the timer dial.
That console is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">HEAVY</span>, solid metal, unlike the LK washers 10-12 years later.
That was my first washer find, though it was just a part of it.
I found the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">top</span> to the matching washer during "big junk" week, in our neighborhood- 1980.
The washer has a whole line of those fragile buttons, that aren't as wide as they are on the dryer.
If I remember right, the buttons on the washer are lettered to coordinate with letters on the timer dial.
That console is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">HEAVY</span>, solid metal, unlike the LK washers 10-12 years later.
That was my first washer find, though it was just a part of it.
kenmoreguy89
Well-known member
How nice! Congrats!!!!
bendixmark
Well-known member
Fan bearing
Oiling the blower bearing.These are not the greatest performing dryers but they are alot of fun to work on.
Oiling the blower bearing.These are not the greatest performing dryers but they are alot of fun to work on.
bendixmark
Well-known member
Plate
Replacing the front plate back on the little tits.
Replacing the front plate back on the little tits.
The Wide Door vs. the smaller door
Since we are discussing Kenmore Dryers from back in the day: What was the first year of the full width door? The fancier models featured this on both LK and Whirlpool Dryers. Also, was "Soft Heat" really an electronic sensor. My mom had a 1966 Lady Kenmore gas Soft Heat Dryer with the wide width door. But the control was simple. You had your choice of a heat timer up to 90 minutes or air dry up to 30 minutes. What was the deal with Soft Heat when you still had to guess the time to set on the timer dial? However this dryer lived for 42 years. It needed a new ignite mechanism in the early 1980's. Finally, it stopped tumbling. The heat/gas flame came on but the belts finally wore out and there were no replacements so this dryer went off to appliance laundry heaven.
Since we are discussing Kenmore Dryers from back in the day: What was the first year of the full width door? The fancier models featured this on both LK and Whirlpool Dryers. Also, was "Soft Heat" really an electronic sensor. My mom had a 1966 Lady Kenmore gas Soft Heat Dryer with the wide width door. But the control was simple. You had your choice of a heat timer up to 90 minutes or air dry up to 30 minutes. What was the deal with Soft Heat when you still had to guess the time to set on the timer dial? However this dryer lived for 42 years. It needed a new ignite mechanism in the early 1980's. Finally, it stopped tumbling. The heat/gas flame came on but the belts finally wore out and there were no replacements so this dryer went off to appliance laundry heaven.
First Full Width KM Dryer Doors
Came out on TOL models in 1961.
Soft heat was a dual heating element on electric dryers and on gas dryers it was a variable orifice in the gas burner assembly that turned down the flame size as the clothing load heated up and became dryer, it worked just like when you are cooking on the range top and turn down the heat input as the kettle of food gets up to temperature, only on the dryer it is completely automatic.
A 1966 LKM dryer had ONLY electronic settings on the control dial, no time dry or air dry settings were available, your Mom would have had a model slightly below the LKM.
Came out on TOL models in 1961.
Soft heat was a dual heating element on electric dryers and on gas dryers it was a variable orifice in the gas burner assembly that turned down the flame size as the clothing load heated up and became dryer, it worked just like when you are cooking on the range top and turn down the heat input as the kettle of food gets up to temperature, only on the dryer it is completely automatic.
A 1966 LKM dryer had ONLY electronic settings on the control dial, no time dry or air dry settings were available, your Mom would have had a model slightly below the LKM.
danemodsandy
Well-known member
I Always Wondered....
....How Lady Kenmore owners felt about Sears' habit of turning one year's LK into the next year's 800. They did that a couple of times. This '65 LK became the basis for the next year's 800, which my grandmother had.
It must have rankled when you set your sights on an LK, scrimped, saved, signed your life away - and then the next year, they re-styled the LK and turned your dream machine into a lower series. Plus - at least for a while there - newly-introduced LK's were usually substantially nicer than the preceding model.
This has nothing to do with laundry appliances, but the father of a friend purchased a '54 Chevy Bel Air brand new - only a few weeks before the intro of the completely redesigned, and much more glamorous, '55s. He is still grousing about it - the difference between what he got and what he could have had was pretty dramatic.
....How Lady Kenmore owners felt about Sears' habit of turning one year's LK into the next year's 800. They did that a couple of times. This '65 LK became the basis for the next year's 800, which my grandmother had.
It must have rankled when you set your sights on an LK, scrimped, saved, signed your life away - and then the next year, they re-styled the LK and turned your dream machine into a lower series. Plus - at least for a while there - newly-introduced LK's were usually substantially nicer than the preceding model.
This has nothing to do with laundry appliances, but the father of a friend purchased a '54 Chevy Bel Air brand new - only a few weeks before the intro of the completely redesigned, and much more glamorous, '55s. He is still grousing about it - the difference between what he got and what he could have had was pretty dramatic.
"A 1966 LKM dryer had ONLY electronic settings on the co
The LK Dryer my mom had and we used for 42 years till it's retirement in '08 had
"Soft Heat" in large letters on the control panel. It had the full width door, was gas and the only real fancy touch was there was a little door you could close over the start button and timer dial with the two choices heat or air only. The dryer drum was illuminated and this light also illuminated the push button and the dial. But it WAS SOFT HEAT. I tried finding pictures with no luck.
The LK Dryer my mom had and we used for 42 years till it's retirement in '08 had
"Soft Heat" in large letters on the control panel. It had the full width door, was gas and the only real fancy touch was there was a little door you could close over the start button and timer dial with the two choices heat or air only. The dryer drum was illuminated and this light also illuminated the push button and the dial. But it WAS SOFT HEAT. I tried finding pictures with no luck.
Sandy -
In regard to your question about how consumers felt about the Lady K turning into an '800, I suspect that we are overwhelmingly the only group of folks who would really put much thought into it. Surely a few consumers might, but I'd say most of them bought their machines, and did not pay attention to what was available again until they had to buy the next machine, years later. Overall I think we as a group know far more about our machines, new or vintage, than the average consumer, and we care far more about them in various ways as well. We probably know more about them than many sales people, current and vintage.
In the case of the Lady K turned Kenmore 800, I only know of one of those situations, and that one didn't happen overnight or when the original Lady was close to new. The 1966 Lady did lend nearly all its design DNA to the 1970 and 1971 Kenmore 800 lines, but not before also spawning three late 1960s Kenmore 900s. In the case of the 800s, these machines were not three speed, and they lacked the Roto-Flex agitator -- these were significant feature of the Lady. If a buyer of a 1966 LK noticed the 1970 models, they probably did not know the series as the machine doesn't mention it anywhere visually, and after four years, the person most likely figured that change is inevitable. Heck, the way that Kenmore revised their consoles so frequently back then, an astute buyer was probably surprised to recognize the similarity after so long.
What might be a more likely question is what did the consumer think, after getting a Lady Kenmore at some point, of the new model when it debuted? I still don't think many consumers paid that much attention, but those who did most likely expected changes and improvements to be made. The example of the car that changed weeks after purchase is a great story and very common, even today, but is a story about someone who didn't do his research. It happens each time a model is re-designed. America's fascination with the automobile though, which does indeed involve a lot of emotion, does not extend to the same degree to appliances. We very much are a niche group in that arena.
As to the 1965 Lady K and next year's 800, the 1965 Kenmore 800 has the same basic console as that year's Lady K. It is not that the 65 Lady got recycled into the '66 800, rather both the 1965 800 and the 1965 Lady K 900 were based on the same console architecture from the beginning. The '65 800 seems to have remained in production much longer than the Lady however (I know they were stil being made in 1968). This console sharing happened with the 1964 Lady K and the 1964 800 as well.
Gordon
In regard to your question about how consumers felt about the Lady K turning into an '800, I suspect that we are overwhelmingly the only group of folks who would really put much thought into it. Surely a few consumers might, but I'd say most of them bought their machines, and did not pay attention to what was available again until they had to buy the next machine, years later. Overall I think we as a group know far more about our machines, new or vintage, than the average consumer, and we care far more about them in various ways as well. We probably know more about them than many sales people, current and vintage.
In the case of the Lady K turned Kenmore 800, I only know of one of those situations, and that one didn't happen overnight or when the original Lady was close to new. The 1966 Lady did lend nearly all its design DNA to the 1970 and 1971 Kenmore 800 lines, but not before also spawning three late 1960s Kenmore 900s. In the case of the 800s, these machines were not three speed, and they lacked the Roto-Flex agitator -- these were significant feature of the Lady. If a buyer of a 1966 LK noticed the 1970 models, they probably did not know the series as the machine doesn't mention it anywhere visually, and after four years, the person most likely figured that change is inevitable. Heck, the way that Kenmore revised their consoles so frequently back then, an astute buyer was probably surprised to recognize the similarity after so long.
What might be a more likely question is what did the consumer think, after getting a Lady Kenmore at some point, of the new model when it debuted? I still don't think many consumers paid that much attention, but those who did most likely expected changes and improvements to be made. The example of the car that changed weeks after purchase is a great story and very common, even today, but is a story about someone who didn't do his research. It happens each time a model is re-designed. America's fascination with the automobile though, which does indeed involve a lot of emotion, does not extend to the same degree to appliances. We very much are a niche group in that arena.
As to the 1965 Lady K and next year's 800, the 1965 Kenmore 800 has the same basic console as that year's Lady K. It is not that the 65 Lady got recycled into the '66 800, rather both the 1965 800 and the 1965 Lady K 900 were based on the same console architecture from the beginning. The '65 800 seems to have remained in production much longer than the Lady however (I know they were stil being made in 1968). This console sharing happened with the 1964 Lady K and the 1964 800 as well.
Gordon
I have one too!
I've been trying to find out just how old mine is, and you you've helped me figure it out, thank you. Unfortunately, the old gal just died on me. It was left in the apartment I rent by the previous (deceased) tenant, an elderly woman who most likely had it since it was new. After a year and a half with a household of 4 women (teenagers and mom), it didn't stand a chance. I'm wondering what to do with it now, it seems a shame to just scrap it...there is just no air moving anymore, as if the blower/fan just conked out. Anybody interested in this baby for parts before I send it off? I have pics, but they are taking forever to load from my phone, for some reason tonight. Will send along to anyone interested, though! I live in Western Massachusetts...getting new dryer delivered tomorrow, so if interested, ask quickly!
PS: I think it's really cool that there are groups who get into reconditioning these old beasts! Save room at the landfill!
I've been trying to find out just how old mine is, and you you've helped me figure it out, thank you. Unfortunately, the old gal just died on me. It was left in the apartment I rent by the previous (deceased) tenant, an elderly woman who most likely had it since it was new. After a year and a half with a household of 4 women (teenagers and mom), it didn't stand a chance. I'm wondering what to do with it now, it seems a shame to just scrap it...there is just no air moving anymore, as if the blower/fan just conked out. Anybody interested in this baby for parts before I send it off? I have pics, but they are taking forever to load from my phone, for some reason tonight. Will send along to anyone interested, though! I live in Western Massachusetts...getting new dryer delivered tomorrow, so if interested, ask quickly!
PS: I think it's really cool that there are groups who get into reconditioning these old beasts! Save room at the landfill!
Charly's dryer
These maschines have belt-drive blowers, though the next year the direct drive blower design debuted, which is still in production today.
It very well could be that the belt simply broke to the blower. This belt is still widely available, at least it was plentiful on ebay last I looked, and my parts house had them a year or two ago.
I have heard of the blower seizing, but if this was sudden and without drama/noise, it may just be a belt.
Someone in the Northeast may want this!!
Gordon
These maschines have belt-drive blowers, though the next year the direct drive blower design debuted, which is still in production today.
It very well could be that the belt simply broke to the blower. This belt is still widely available, at least it was plentiful on ebay last I looked, and my parts house had them a year or two ago.
I have heard of the blower seizing, but if this was sudden and without drama/noise, it may just be a belt.
Someone in the Northeast may want this!!
Gordon
charly - if that dryer happens to be turquoise, I'd be very interested! I have a 65 Lady Kenmore washer pining for its mate... LOL
I live in Canada, just at the Vermont/Quebec border, so it would a cinch for me to get to western Massachussetts.
Please feel free to send me an email!
I live in Canada, just at the Vermont/Quebec border, so it would a cinch for me to get to western Massachussetts.
Please feel free to send me an email!
No, not turquoise. If it was, I think I would put more effort into repairing it! Right now though, it is scheduled to be picked up for scrap, most likely today. Just thought I would offer it up on here to see if there were any takers before doing so. My main priority right now is getting it out of my kitchen (plus the scrapper will also take my washing machine that's been in the garage for over a year now).
recyclewasher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2012
- Messages
- 133
if it's still there.
Hi Charly,
I sent you a pm
Hi Charly,
I sent you a pm
bendixmark
Well-known member
control panel
Look at all the interesting doodads this has.
Look at all the interesting doodads this has.
mgmachine04
New member
My LK 800 soft heat still drying.
It was a broken dryer in 1973 when my parents got it for free. I think this was made in 1965. Three things I found needed replacing, rear brass drum bearing, timer and conversion from propane to natural gas. Later on the blower bearing ceased. I changed the felts a few times. Once a year I clean out the brass bearing and lubricate it. I use clear tape instead of the plastic bolt cover at the back of the drum,keeps the dirt out and easier to inspect it with a flashlight.
It was a broken dryer in 1973 when my parents got it for free. I think this was made in 1965. Three things I found needed replacing, rear brass drum bearing, timer and conversion from propane to natural gas. Later on the blower bearing ceased. I changed the felts a few times. Once a year I clean out the brass bearing and lubricate it. I use clear tape instead of the plastic bolt cover at the back of the drum,keeps the dirt out and easier to inspect it with a flashlight.
