Pics from the '07 Clean show. There was a "museum" area and the Dexter company brought these for the display...
57 Philco/Dexter
- Thread starter peterh770
- Start date
Help Support :
Money
Another money
Washer controls
Washer interior
Dryer control
Dryer interior
So there is something left in Fairfield!
Thanks for posting Peter. A few phone calls now need to be made..... ;-)
Ben
Thanks for posting Peter. A few phone calls now need to be made..... ;-)
Ben
Too cool!
They should have plugged them in so the lights would sparkle on that chrome!
Steve (gyrafoam) has a Dexter, I can't remember if it's this model though.
Any other interesting sights at the Clean Show?
They should have plugged them in so the lights would sparkle on that chrome!
Steve (gyrafoam) has a Dexter, I can't remember if it's this model though.
Any other interesting sights at the Clean Show?
northwesty
Well-known member
Those are pretty neat, what year are those? 57? Wonder what the story is behind them.
Hi everyone, I have called the factory a few times to get info. about my Twin-Dex, Dexter double tub wringer machine. The secretary/phone answering person doesn't seem to be very helpful or willing to let you talk with someone who may be.
The old foundry is either gone or is run down, left in great disrepair. Good luck in getting information there.
It would be great to know though if anyone manages to speak with someone who may be helpful. Gary
The old foundry is either gone or is run down, left in great disrepair. Good luck in getting information there.
It would be great to know though if anyone manages to speak with someone who may be helpful. Gary
Many times those working the front lines, including secretaries and phone operators are young people, often not even born during the "heyday" of a particular brand's appliance. As such they take their marching orders from the top, and won't put through calls or give information other than towing the company line.
Wearever and some other small appliance makers are the exception. They sent along directions and copy of the original owner's manual for my vintage "Ovenette". There was a small fee, but time and paper do cost money, so wasn't bothered.
L.
Wearever and some other small appliance makers are the exception. They sent along directions and copy of the original owner's manual for my vintage "Ovenette". There was a small fee, but time and paper do cost money, so wasn't bothered.
L.
toploader55
Well-known member
Beautiful Machines.
However, I have seen the name Dexter on the boards now and then, but I never heard of them.The Dexter Co.,we're they a mid west company ? I never heard of them on the East Coast.
However, I have seen the name Dexter on the boards now and then, but I never heard of them.The Dexter Co.,we're they a mid west company ? I never heard of them on the East Coast.
My washer is exactly like that one------
the badge reads: Philco Division
Dexter Corporation
Fairfield, Iowa
Model#W-255 Serial#4157
A kool machine, the tub is deeper than you would think for a machine of this vintage and it could hold a pretty good sized load.
The agitator is very SQ like, but the vanes at the bottom are not as tall, so it does not have as vigorous action as an SQ of this vintage.
The water inlet is in the 5 o'clock position when looking inside the machine. It is divided to cause the water to spray in two directions to each side. Makes for a very effective spray rinse, which is Hot water, and begins immediately as the machine starts the first spin and lasts about two minutes.
Speaking of spin------both Philco and Dexter made much about the gentle way these machines begin the spin cycles-----no doubt a jab at Frigidaire and other machines that would end up with full tubs of water even if there was a small load----thus causing the machine to unbalance and shut off----or go for a walk, when they began to spin.
The clutch in mine is worn-out. Robert provided me with instructions on how to use GE clutch parts to get it back up and running properly. However, the spin on these machines started very, very slowly in order not to cause the load to unbalance. Since mine has a worn clutch it is interesting to see that it take it approx. 5 min. to get up to full speed!
That is barely enough time to completely clear the tub of the wash water on the first spin, and it only spins for about 6 minutes on the final spin anyway!
Of course, these machines had no tub brake at all, and it took a long time for them to coast to a stop.
The agitator skirt on mine is quite pock-marked from corrosion-----some unknown chemical was spilled and left to "work" on the metal for years. Robert was kind enough to send me a Philco agitator that was like new. One would think that since this machine appeared to be identical to the Philco machines, that they would have quite a bit of commonality-----but the Philco agitator was too tall to fit into my Dexter, even though they looked identical in shape!
Go figya!
When at Jimmy's a few weekends ago, he had graciously set aside a Philco pair he had found, that were restorable, or at least were parts donors, and he offered them to me. A wonderful and kind gesture on his part to say the least!
Unfortunately, I had not driven my trusty old pick-up truck, so had no way to transport them home. More importantly, the issue of the agitator stuck in my mind and I kept wondering just how many more parts might not be compatible.
In any event, it is kool to have saved the machine I have as it was on the way to make beer cans if I did not come to the rescue. As I recall Lawrence "PulltoStart" tipped me off about it and it belonged to the mother of a prominent attorney over in a BHam suburb. I knew I was going to get it before I even got there, and was pleasantly surprised to find the machine in almost factory new appearance. So it appears as new and shiney as the one Peter has posted here for our viewing pleasure.
It would be nice to find the matching dryer some day!
the badge reads: Philco Division
Dexter Corporation
Fairfield, Iowa
Model#W-255 Serial#4157
A kool machine, the tub is deeper than you would think for a machine of this vintage and it could hold a pretty good sized load.
The agitator is very SQ like, but the vanes at the bottom are not as tall, so it does not have as vigorous action as an SQ of this vintage.
The water inlet is in the 5 o'clock position when looking inside the machine. It is divided to cause the water to spray in two directions to each side. Makes for a very effective spray rinse, which is Hot water, and begins immediately as the machine starts the first spin and lasts about two minutes.
Speaking of spin------both Philco and Dexter made much about the gentle way these machines begin the spin cycles-----no doubt a jab at Frigidaire and other machines that would end up with full tubs of water even if there was a small load----thus causing the machine to unbalance and shut off----or go for a walk, when they began to spin.
The clutch in mine is worn-out. Robert provided me with instructions on how to use GE clutch parts to get it back up and running properly. However, the spin on these machines started very, very slowly in order not to cause the load to unbalance. Since mine has a worn clutch it is interesting to see that it take it approx. 5 min. to get up to full speed!
That is barely enough time to completely clear the tub of the wash water on the first spin, and it only spins for about 6 minutes on the final spin anyway!
Of course, these machines had no tub brake at all, and it took a long time for them to coast to a stop.
The agitator skirt on mine is quite pock-marked from corrosion-----some unknown chemical was spilled and left to "work" on the metal for years. Robert was kind enough to send me a Philco agitator that was like new. One would think that since this machine appeared to be identical to the Philco machines, that they would have quite a bit of commonality-----but the Philco agitator was too tall to fit into my Dexter, even though they looked identical in shape!
Go figya!
When at Jimmy's a few weekends ago, he had graciously set aside a Philco pair he had found, that were restorable, or at least were parts donors, and he offered them to me. A wonderful and kind gesture on his part to say the least!
Unfortunately, I had not driven my trusty old pick-up truck, so had no way to transport them home. More importantly, the issue of the agitator stuck in my mind and I kept wondering just how many more parts might not be compatible.
In any event, it is kool to have saved the machine I have as it was on the way to make beer cans if I did not come to the rescue. As I recall Lawrence "PulltoStart" tipped me off about it and it belonged to the mother of a prominent attorney over in a BHam suburb. I knew I was going to get it before I even got there, and was pleasantly surprised to find the machine in almost factory new appearance. So it appears as new and shiney as the one Peter has posted here for our viewing pleasure.
It would be nice to find the matching dryer some day!
oldwasherguy
Well-known member
dexter
I have been trying to find info on my dexter dixie queen wringer washer,and have never been able to find anything. I found it in an antique store in wilson N.C. It is badged Dixie Queen on the front but says Dexter company on that little serial no. thingy on the back.
I have been trying to find info on my dexter dixie queen wringer washer,and have never been able to find anything. I found it in an antique store in wilson N.C. It is badged Dixie Queen on the front but says Dexter company on that little serial no. thingy on the back.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Those are so beautiful
Interesting that the agitator is identical to the one in Dex's wringer line.
Wish I could find Dexter info too.
Interesting that the agitator is identical to the one in Dex's wringer line.
Wish I could find Dexter info too.
It looks like the Dexter folks used the exact same agitator in their automatics as they did in their Twin Dex wringer washers. Mine look exactly the same. Love these pictures. Gary
geoffdelp
Well-known member
Those are just beautiful machines!! Thank you Peter for sharing those photos.
Wouldn't it be great to have a set like that? WOW ... there was some lucky homemaker in the 1950's who owned those. I wonder how long she used them before they were retired?
Steve ... hope you get your machine running again; it looks like it's a lot of fun to use! Does it wash well? Is the turnover good?
If anyone has pictures of their Dexter twin-tubs (in action would be great); please post ... those are really neat looking, too. They also sound very effective in cleaning.
Wouldn't it be great to have a set like that? WOW ... there was some lucky homemaker in the 1950's who owned those. I wonder how long she used them before they were retired?
Steve ... hope you get your machine running again; it looks like it's a lot of fun to use! Does it wash well? Is the turnover good?
If anyone has pictures of their Dexter twin-tubs (in action would be great); please post ... those are really neat looking, too. They also sound very effective in cleaning.
