'63 Frigidaire Imperial thread

[pdub]

David -

Glad you have that LK machine from Jon. That was a fun one to play with and has a real fast spin. So yes, you have officially begun a collection. CL and estate sales can be very addicting, too.

Hope you have a great Easter Sunday.

Patrick

 

[pdub]

Louis,

Voltage and those pesky large plugs! Always something to get in the way.

I suppose you could always move to the USA. I'll ready the guest quarters!

Patrick

 

[foraloysius]

Fortunately we don't have the pesky large plugs, those are exclusively for the British. We have the Schuko system.

I'll take the guest quarters and bring a ton of laundry!

 

[swestoyz]

What can I say - a washer after my own heart. Great job on the resto. The wonders of POR-15. It may be nasty, but it doesn't go anywhere!

Ben

 

[gansky1]

Ah, the multi-tragic belts...

This is just beautiful, Patrick!

I remember a SITCOM from years ago that had this set in the kitchen - I don't know the name of the show, but I loved it!

 

[pdub]

Greg -

Thanks for the compliment. I hope the belts last forever after all I've read and heard about having to replace them and then getting the adjustments just right.

So far, so good and I never overload this machine. It's been a real trooper after many years of sitting and I think happy to be loved, used, and appreciated!

Patrick

 

[gansky1]

She's happy now...

Just keep letting her think she's the only washer you truly love, bring thoughtful little gifts now and then and cover her with a blanket when you use another washer. I think perhaps they get jealous and act up.

A truly beautiful restore-job, you should be very proud!

 

[mixfinder]

63's Are the Queens of Patrick's Fleet

I love this set and I love Patrick. What can be better than seeing them both in person.
K

 

[mickeyd]

A Restoration Storybook.

I can't get over the meticulous restoration you did here; the transformation of the outer tub from a crusted lunar surface to a shiney tar pavement is amazing--dazzling, actually.

 

Always wondered how Frigidaire made the 4 minute fill look so much more voluminous and pretty in the models after the narrow, tea-kettle spout fill of the Unimatics. Your picture of the water inlet with the air gap tells the whole story. Hadn't seen it before. Thanks, Pat. It was so cool to finally see how they did it.

 

Way up there where you talk about the drain port leaving a little water, etc, I can only see a small hole, almost nipple-like. Is that the port or am I missing it? It's so small.

 

The NIB Energy Ring is still yours for the asking.

 

[pdub]

Kelly - Thank you as always. I knew you liked this set the first time you saw them. Looking forward to seeing you soon in Long Beach.

MickeyD - Thanks to you as well. I am sure when these tubs were initially designed in all their porcelain glory, no one expected them to become eaten away by rust starting with a minor imperfection. In a lot of ways the new plastic outer tubs are much better as you never need to worry about rust. Yes, the drain port is small, only about 1" in diameter but it does the trick and all water gets pumped away. I really like the water injector they used on these models. It is pretty cool to see it in action. I always thought the later rollermatics fill flume looked sloppy in comparison.

 

[badgerdx]

I really think this warrants a "machine in action vid"... Fantastic job restoring and documenting the process. I'll have to have you oversee my tuning up of the Crosley (it's making noises).

 

[alr2903]

Patrick your restoration is one fine piece of work.  They are beautiful.  Greg mentioned a washer siting in a TV show,  your machine or one very similar is in the first "Jaws" movie, at "Sheriff Brodie's house".  I wish you the best with your new set.  arthur

 

[turquoisedude]

Patrick, those machines are just gorgeous!  So happy to see that the tub was repairable and that you were able to save it. 

 

Funny thing about the agitator cap - the one on my 63 Deluxe has developed a bad habit of popping off during a wash cycle...

 

These really are stylish machines - congratulations on a job well done!!

 

[joelippard]

A quick way to tighten up those agitator caps... Save the large rubber band that comes on a bunch of celery, put the band around the top of the agitator without any twists in it then replace the agitator cap, snugs it right up. This works well provided you don't have a habit of removing the cap everytime to "dispense" the detergent thru the column. I always just dump mine into the load.

 

[pdub]

Greg - I love your 'cover with a blanket' story. Actually I tell my machines being worked on that they too can work as well as one of the running machines as long as they cooperate! So far it's working.

Bob - I am experimenting with video making. Once I figure out editing I will have to post one. Don't overload your Crosley, not sure how sturdy they were built.

"alr2903" - I will have to remember to watch Jaws next time it comes up on cable. Thanks for telling me about it. Funny, I bought the original "Freaky Friday" just so I could see the scene where they overload the '68 rapidry machine.

Paul - The agitator cap takes an act of congress to remove on mine. The plastic tabs are so hard they don't flex much. I just leave it in place now. About the tub, that POR is a life saver.

Joe - I was once told about the rubber band trick by an old repair man. It really quiets the rattle down if the cap is loose. You also don't need to keep the spring loaded bleach dispenser in place if you don't want to when using the rubber bands. Works well on the rollermatics and 1-18 agitators but the other styles would require a different solution.

 

[laundromat]

In as much as I loved the older 3 ring agitator washers,the BD models,pre 1970 were my least favorite. The Rapidry spin from the older Pulsamatics spoiled me.The red Affinities I have now spin 1100 rpms and are the closest I've had in newer,current models to come even close to the original Rapidry spin.

 

[spinmon]

We had a new '63 white Imperial.Very cool machine & you've done wonders with yours!
Great to see the pair as our dryer was a '60 tol Norge.
Also,what model Buick is that? You seem very sharp/methodical,good blessings to you.

 

[pdub]

William!

Thank you for the compliments. Yes, sometimes I may be a bit too methodical. I take my time.

Buick ??? Nope, it's a 1972 Ford Mustang. We'll let that mistake slide this time!

LOL

Patrick

 

[badgerdx]

Ironically, I associate those mag wheels with Buick, too. I had to go back and look at the pictures. I would have thought it was a 69 Buick GS if you didn't show the Mach 2 photos.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Twin Set

Hi Patrick, a great restoration and fab to see the inside pics, nothing better than seeing a rusty tub brought back to life!! I too kept looking for the "Drain Hole" was really surprised to see the size of it, does the pump actually suck the water out then?? and how long does it take to empty the drain tub??

I realised later that as its a solid tub it doesnt really matter how long it takes as long as theres space for the spun water...

Happy washing, Mike