norgeway
Well-known member
Got these today at an auction, anyone interested, if not im going to use them!
68 Kenmore set!!!
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norgeway
Well-known member
matching dryer
inside looks almost new, will post more pics later.
inside looks almost new, will post more pics later.
norgeway
Well-known member
roto flex
I believe thats what this is called.
I believe thats what this is called.
Hans, that is what I consider one of the two most flexible Kenmore models ever offered. Friends of my parents had this set. The 2nd verson I'm thinking of (and Gordon correct me if I'm wrong and confused), but I seem to remember a neighbor who had a model with a speed selector knob like the one above, but it wasn't alphabet washing like above. It had 5 black pushbuttons for the 5 w/r temp combinations. I thought these were the only WP produced products to offer speed selections independent of the cycles. I had no knowledge WP offered the mark 12 with the independent wash & spin speed butons until I saw one around summer 1974 or 1975. another name for roto-flex was the spankelator, spank your laundry clean. I love Soft heat dryers. Although I've only used them for average laundry, I'm not sur just how gentle and delicate they were for real sheer, delicate fabrics requiring low heat drying.
NEAT Machines!
Hans -
These may be the machines you've been looking for. Something "a little different" kind of thing. Very cool!
Bob -
I won't correct you on that. I am still discovering models from the 60s that I was unaware of. This machine, at least I think, is already the second in a family of similar looking and funtioning models, the first having blue hues on the panel and knobs vs. the gold. The only machine that comes to my mind (surely there are others?) with a separate selectable speed switch is the alternate 1966 Lady K. One 66 Lady is the one many of us are familiar with - having the first of the piano key set-ups. The other had a timer and three separate knobs where the piano keys would be. This model had automatic temperature controls and separately selectable wash and spin speeds. The catalog billed it as the most flexible washer in the world. That was a phenominally expensive model too - something like 40-bucks more than the standard Lady, and it did not have the flushed detergent dispenser. At nearly 300 dollars in 1966/67, that was a pricey beast!
I am nowhere near as familiar with the less-common 60s models as I am 70s and 80s, so I am sure there are others with speed switches, but they were rare regardless.
Gordon
Hans -
These may be the machines you've been looking for. Something "a little different" kind of thing. Very cool!
Bob -
I won't correct you on that. I am still discovering models from the 60s that I was unaware of. This machine, at least I think, is already the second in a family of similar looking and funtioning models, the first having blue hues on the panel and knobs vs. the gold. The only machine that comes to my mind (surely there are others?) with a separate selectable speed switch is the alternate 1966 Lady K. One 66 Lady is the one many of us are familiar with - having the first of the piano key set-ups. The other had a timer and three separate knobs where the piano keys would be. This model had automatic temperature controls and separately selectable wash and spin speeds. The catalog billed it as the most flexible washer in the world. That was a phenominally expensive model too - something like 40-bucks more than the standard Lady, and it did not have the flushed detergent dispenser. At nearly 300 dollars in 1966/67, that was a pricey beast!
I am nowhere near as familiar with the less-common 60s models as I am 70s and 80s, so I am sure there are others with speed switches, but they were rare regardless.
Gordon
dynaflow
Well-known member
if only
they were aqua!!!!!
they were aqua!!!!!
peterh770
Well-known member
I believe thats what this is called.
Spankalator!
Beautiful set!
Spankalator!
Beautiful set!
washernoob
Well-known member
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That is!
That is a beautiful set indeed. Someone will enjoy them for sure!
Does that agitator have no base to it? Strange. Never seen one like that!
That is a beautiful set indeed. Someone will enjoy them for sure!
Does that agitator have no base to it? Strange. Never seen one like that!
One of my aunts had a machine very much like this ... same console, but with Super Roto-Swirl instead of Roto-Flex.
Glenn, my mom's friend who had this washer, theirs was actually equipped with a black bakelite rotoswirl with scrubber cap.
There apparently was several versions of it. My aunt's had a gold poly Super Rotoswirl with scrubber cap. Exact same console --
fluorescent
alphabet A thru H
infinite water level
temp Auto/Cold Wash/Cold Rinse
rotary speed Auto/Slo-Slo/ExSlo-Slo
timed bleach & softener
IIRC, Normal cycle dropped to slow agitate at the 4 min mark (coincided with bleach dispense). I think for one increment, back to full speed for the final 2 mins. Or am I remembering that wrong?
Ah, if only my parents had opted for that pair instead of the cursed '68 Signature pair they ended up with.
Speaking of which, someone here has been a very naughty boy and brought a Warge home recently. I'm still reeling from the news. Perhaps scary pictures will be forthcoming. 'Tis the season!
Speaking of which, someone here has been a very naughty boy and brought a Warge home recently. I'm still reeling from the news. Perhaps scary pictures will be forthcoming. 'Tis the season!
Ralph I think you're the only one wqith a bad experience with a Warge!!!
Glenn, I thihnk you may be remembering incorrectly. I do not know of any Kenmore that shifted from Normal to Gentle agitation speed on normal or Perm Press/ W'n'W cycle after 19670 or 1961. Every Kenmore I used from 1962 on did not do theat shift, only Whirlpools.
Glenn, I thihnk you may be remembering incorrectly. I do not know of any Kenmore that shifted from Normal to Gentle agitation speed on normal or Perm Press/ W'n'W cycle after 19670 or 1961. Every Kenmore I used from 1962 on did not do theat shift, only Whirlpools.
Naughty?
Why is it naughty to shop at Wards?
All the cool kids are doing it!
Sears is for squares!
(Photo from Pleasant Family Shopping)
Why is it naughty to shop at Wards?
All the cool kids are doing it! Sears is for squares!
(Photo from Pleasant Family Shopping)
70series
Well-known member
My next door neighbors had the 1966 set like this. That is the set that had the Super Rotoswirl as opposed to the Flex agitator.
Appnut: The only Kenmore model from this era that I recall having the 5 black wash/rinse temp knobs was the 1965 Model 800, except I am fairly sure that did not have a seperate speed selector.
Congrats on finding this great set, and if nobody speaks up for them, enjoy.
Appnut: The only Kenmore model from this era that I recall having the 5 black wash/rinse temp knobs was the 1965 Model 800, except I am fairly sure that did not have a seperate speed selector.
Congrats on finding this great set, and if nobody speaks up for them, enjoy.
norgeway
Well-known member
WHEN!!
I get them cleaned up I will post more pics!
I get them cleaned up I will post more pics!
That wringer looks so familiar.
Control panel was damaged during the move.
View attachment cleanteamofny++10-10-2010-18-38-6.jpg
Control panel was damaged during the move.
View attachment cleanteamofny++10-10-2010-18-38-6.jpg
sears9000
Well-known member
I learned how to do laundry with this particular model.
As I've mentioned in the past, my parents had this model in alvacado, but not the matching dryer. It was an easy machine to learn, just properly load your clothes, add bleach,fabric softner if desired, select the proper letter for your speed, and water temp, and push the timer in, and there you are. The cycles were the following.
A. Cottons Linens White.
B. Cottons Linens Colored.
C. Permanent Press White.
D. Permanent Press Colored.
E. Delecate Fabrics.
F. Washable Woolens.
G. Pre Wash Or Rinse.
H. Spin only.
Yes the agitation would change to slow during A, and B, cycles when the bleach would be added in, then change back to normal for the last 2 minutes of the wash time. On C, and D, it would change to slow agitation during the cool down, it would even drain on slow, then would agitate while filling up with cold water about 2 or 3 times before the final drain which would be normal.
The Kenmore direct drive I bought in 2000 changes agitation speed during the normal cycle. They sure don't make them like they used to, that old alphabet machine ran until 1993.
When you have time, would you please make a video of the machine going through either A,or B cycle ? Thank You, and have a nice day.
As I've mentioned in the past, my parents had this model in alvacado, but not the matching dryer. It was an easy machine to learn, just properly load your clothes, add bleach,fabric softner if desired, select the proper letter for your speed, and water temp, and push the timer in, and there you are. The cycles were the following.
A. Cottons Linens White.
B. Cottons Linens Colored.
C. Permanent Press White.
D. Permanent Press Colored.
E. Delecate Fabrics.
F. Washable Woolens.
G. Pre Wash Or Rinse.
H. Spin only.
Yes the agitation would change to slow during A, and B, cycles when the bleach would be added in, then change back to normal for the last 2 minutes of the wash time. On C, and D, it would change to slow agitation during the cool down, it would even drain on slow, then would agitate while filling up with cold water about 2 or 3 times before the final drain which would be normal.
The Kenmore direct drive I bought in 2000 changes agitation speed during the normal cycle. They sure don't make them like they used to, that old alphabet machine ran until 1993.
When you have time, would you please make a video of the machine going through either A,or B cycle ? Thank You, and have a nice day.
Bleach at 4/gentle/back to normal at 2
Jim, well I'll be darn. I can still learn someting new after all these years. I had no idea. Like I said above, never knew a Kenmo would do that shifting down & up on normal cycles for bleach. Yes the Lady Kenmore/Alphabet washing guide was hjow I learned to set proper wsah/rinse temps and wash/spin speed guidelines. Did you eve use the speed control knob to modify anything other than the auto setting? On the cold water lever option, was your parents just auto and cold water wash or was it auto, cold rinse (but kept hot or warm wash water temps selected by letter), and a 3rd setting for all cold water wash/rinse? Some models had auto or all cold water washing and some had the addition where it was cold rinse but letter-temperature set wash temps.
Jim, well I'll be darn. I can still learn someting new after all these years. I had no idea. Like I said above, never knew a Kenmo would do that shifting down & up on normal cycles for bleach. Yes the Lady Kenmore/Alphabet washing guide was hjow I learned to set proper wsah/rinse temps and wash/spin speed guidelines. Did you eve use the speed control knob to modify anything other than the auto setting? On the cold water lever option, was your parents just auto and cold water wash or was it auto, cold rinse (but kept hot or warm wash water temps selected by letter), and a 3rd setting for all cold water wash/rinse? Some models had auto or all cold water washing and some had the addition where it was cold rinse but letter-temperature set wash temps.
sears9000
Well-known member
On ours,the water selector had these options.
Right - AUTO (Wash,and Rinse temps set by the letter.)
Middle - COLD WASH,COLD RINSE (All letters.)
Left - COLD RINSE (Wash temp set by letter,all rinses cold.)
We always used the cold rinse setting,because it did better on cold rinse. The Kenmore I have today, you don't have a choice, all rinses are cold, which is fine for us. As far as the speed selector, it was only used if you wanted X-SLOW agitation.
The only thing I didn't care for, was the roto-flex agitator, due to that it was known to pull buttons off on lower water levels. I fixed that, years before it died, I changed the agitator to a roto-swirl, which to me was one of the best ever made.
Later.
Right - AUTO (Wash,and Rinse temps set by the letter.)
Middle - COLD WASH,COLD RINSE (All letters.)
Left - COLD RINSE (Wash temp set by letter,all rinses cold.)
We always used the cold rinse setting,because it did better on cold rinse. The Kenmore I have today, you don't have a choice, all rinses are cold, which is fine for us. As far as the speed selector, it was only used if you wanted X-SLOW agitation.
The only thing I didn't care for, was the roto-flex agitator, due to that it was known to pull buttons off on lower water levels. I fixed that, years before it died, I changed the agitator to a roto-swirl, which to me was one of the best ever made.
Later.
SEARs9000, Great explanation, my aunt who lived in the same house as us had this model, and did the same as you they took out the Roto Flex and put in Roto swirl, she got mad because when zippers hit the bottom of the white porcelan tub they scratched the porcelan tub beneath the Roto Flex fins. She was constantly taking the Roto-Flex off and cleaning the white with a little comet and a sponge. Another thing that sticks out in my mind when se doing the C ao D Perma-press wash she felt if she was washing with cold water why would she have to cool down 2 times so she bypassed this once the timer got there.
aunt bypassing cool down on cold washes
Now Bill, that's a perfect example of when I ight use the speed control knob. Set for cold water wash, set the speed control knob at normal wash and slow spin, and set the cycle on letter B, same 10 minute wash as on Perm Press, but no cooldown to have to babysit/bypass.
Now Bill, that's a perfect example of when I ight use the speed control knob. Set for cold water wash, set the speed control knob at normal wash and slow spin, and set the cycle on letter B, same 10 minute wash as on Perm Press, but no cooldown to have to babysit/bypass.
Bob,
The speed control knobs on my aunts machine were center for auto which gave you your regular speeds for normal wash and spin speed, Permanant press Normal wash slow speed and Delicate which was Slo wash and spin. If you turned the knob to the right once it gave you slow wash slow spin and if you turned to the left of the AUTO setting you had the third speed Ex Slow wash Slow spin. The machine only had 3 settings on the speed control. iIt wa a 3 speed machine. that is the reason she would bypass the cooldown and go to the final drain before the spin. She also washed with High water level all the time. Another weird thing was and I picked up this habit is the only time the lid on the washer was closed was when it was doing a load of clothes otherwise the lid stayed open. This makes sense to me today as it made everything dry out and no rust anywhere. I will say when this maching died it looked like showroom condition. She and my mom also got into purchasing the Sears Maintenance agreements for about 14 years then decided to drop it. In those days the tech would be called in to do a tuneup, check belt grease snubber etc. once a year. That Machine never had any parts replaced and she probably could have bought a couple of washers if you totaled up the maintenance agreement for Washer, Dryer, and Dishwasher. If I only knew then what I know know both her washer and dryer and my moms would still be around. You cant beat the old Belt Driven Machines.
The speed control knobs on my aunts machine were center for auto which gave you your regular speeds for normal wash and spin speed, Permanant press Normal wash slow speed and Delicate which was Slo wash and spin. If you turned the knob to the right once it gave you slow wash slow spin and if you turned to the left of the AUTO setting you had the third speed Ex Slow wash Slow spin. The machine only had 3 settings on the speed control. iIt wa a 3 speed machine. that is the reason she would bypass the cooldown and go to the final drain before the spin. She also washed with High water level all the time. Another weird thing was and I picked up this habit is the only time the lid on the washer was closed was when it was doing a load of clothes otherwise the lid stayed open. This makes sense to me today as it made everything dry out and no rust anywhere. I will say when this maching died it looked like showroom condition. She and my mom also got into purchasing the Sears Maintenance agreements for about 14 years then decided to drop it. In those days the tech would be called in to do a tuneup, check belt grease snubber etc. once a year. That Machine never had any parts replaced and she probably could have bought a couple of washers if you totaled up the maintenance agreement for Washer, Dryer, and Dishwasher. If I only knew then what I know know both her washer and dryer and my moms would still be around. You cant beat the old Belt Driven Machines.
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Hans it must be Kenmore 68 month i just got this pair two weeks ago good looking pair love them.
I will post mine soon.
Are you keeping them ?
Darren k.
I will post mine soon.
Are you keeping them ?
Darren k.
sears9000
Well-known member
Here's 3 more interesting facts about the 68 800 alphabe
A. This model was also available with a suds savor feature. Ours didn't have that feature because we never had a laundry sink/tub to hold the water.
B. On our non suds model, if you carefully set the timer just after the off before the A,or B cycle, with the water level on high, then push the timer in, the machine would agitate while the water was filling the basket up to about halfway.
C. The H cycle was really a hidden 2nd rinse. When the A, B, or G cycle would end, just slowly turn the timer past the off, and the water would start filling, and it would do an actual rinse for you.
Maybe yours might do the same. Have a nice day.
A. This model was also available with a suds savor feature. Ours didn't have that feature because we never had a laundry sink/tub to hold the water.
B. On our non suds model, if you carefully set the timer just after the off before the A,or B cycle, with the water level on high, then push the timer in, the machine would agitate while the water was filling the basket up to about halfway.
C. The H cycle was really a hidden 2nd rinse. When the A, B, or G cycle would end, just slowly turn the timer past the off, and the water would start filling, and it would do an actual rinse for you.
Maybe yours might do the same. Have a nice day.
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