A bittersweet weekend of vintage appliances and friends.

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support AutomaticWasher.org:

I do love the stove... I need to find one of the same era for parts though... Mainly the Thermizer (deep well) has some issues... However everything else works fine! I also need to find that vintage hood vent... that's a modern 30" hood vent in a 36" opening over a 40" stove... the math just doesn't work! I can't wait to get the westinghouse working for the complete look.
 
Next goal: the vent hood and the fridge.

The stove is a 1949 Frigidaire that I recently pulled out of a basement in Alexandria, VA. There was a post about it, but here it is in its new home. The only issues are with the Thermizer (deep well). It is a ceramic plate with a nichrome (spelling) wire element in the grooves. The ceramic plate is cracked, but it can't be used anyway because the Thermizer pot is also missing.

The wire coming down from the cabinet is the power cord for the vent hood, which is plugged in behind the fridge. Relocating that is on the list too.

9-26-2008-22-11-32--Volvoguy87.jpg
 
Thanks so much for sharing those fun pictures with us. Looks like you guys had a great time. I too love to use a wringer machine at times. Yay for mini meets!!!
 
I thought Dave was going to add more...

We had a great weekend, we went to several restaurants, all of which have been open since before 1960. Great places, indeed. We also met whirlaway (Bobby)... He has an awesome home. I look forward to getting to know him better. I'm glad we finally got to meet each others (stupid schedules!)

On appliance news, I found a part stove on craigslist. The guy is sending all the parts he can take off to me for my stove (woo!) Now I just need a parts fridge (or a complete one) for the westinghouse... If anyone sees one on the cheeper side, even if it's just shelves and a drawer, let me know!

P.S. Anyone interested in the late 50's kenmore gas range? I am running out of room!
 
Great pictures and great time. Thanks.

The Frigidaire stove is only a few years older than one I grew up with. As I remember, to preheat the oven, turn the dial all the way around to "BROIL" and then turn it back to the temp you desire. This causes the broiler unit as well as the bottom unit to heat, getting to the desired temp quickly. The next time the heat comes on, it will be only from the bottom unit.

Jerry Gay
 
More.

We did indeed meet Bobby (Whirlaway). His home is beautiful and he has excellent taste in appliances both large and small. He had the honor of being the first person I have ever met in person from AW.org (Will and I met in college long before we knew of AW.org).

I experienced a few firsts at Whirlaway's house:
I saw my first Kenmore Frog Eyes.
I saw my first Bendix Bolt Down (way smaller than I imagined).
I saw my first solid tub automatic.
I saw my first pre-Convertable Hoovers.
I saw my first GE Kidney Oscillator fan.
I saw my first Twin Tub washer (Easy).
And quite a few more. He also has excellent taste in cars.

Sadly, we did not think to take any pictures while at Whirlaway's and we did not do any laundry. Will and I both really appreciated his kindness and generosity in sharing his time and collection with us novices. I hope to do it again.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend,
Dave
 
Out of my mind laughing and loving how you guys are "fe

The closest analogy for me is feeding a dog. You hold the nice big chunk of steak gristle up to his mouth and let him take it. That's what you do with clothing as you "feed the wringer"--that's the conventional term. The gap is so minute between the rollers, especially on a well-endowed Tag like yours, that it's rather difficult to get your pinkie caught in there.

The fly swatter is a riot.

In time, you'll be able to talk on the phone, make coffee, wring, and pee all at the same time ;'D Thank you for inviting us to your fun and happy party.

Keep your eyes peeled for an open-head wringer; you'll feel more safe and secure. Norge, Kemore, and Whilrpool all made them, not too, too hard to come by. See below.

Which one of you is the 4th or 5th grade teacher? I have something wonderful to share with you.

9-28-2008-13-44-21--mickeyd.jpg
 
funny you should mention that

As of friday, I was a fifth grade teacher.... as of monday, I'll be a second grade teacher...

There are not enough kids in the 5th grade, so my class has been dissolved and am being relocated to the second grade at the same school. I'm not wild about the idea and am in a slight panic about it. But I taught k for a year and if I can survive k and 5, I can survive 2. The sad irony is that this is 3 different grade levels in 3 different years. It's getting really old!
 
Hey Dan,

Thanks! A-1 Appliance is quick, I ordered the part!

I may be interested in the blower fan. It's a busy week here (thanks to the 2nd grade), but I'll check and see the condition of mine and let you know next weekend. Thanks again!

P.S. I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to talk in a while. How's the Pontiac?
 
You're not quite out of the woods yet. I've ordered parts from A-1 only to receive an email that they're no longer available. Not trying to disappoint you, just an incident that I have ran into with them on several occasions.

The blower fans usually don't go bad, although I have heard they can get noisy if the machine has been ridden hard or had a lot of use. They were used in MANY dryers from 1975 to the 90's, if not later. I believe they can be oiled with turbine oil. Not quite sure though since all of my experience has been with the Halo of Heat units, where the blower fan can and should be oiled.

Progress has been slow on the Pontiac (thanks for asking). The transmission rebuild is finished. I finally found an old guy in Reno, Nv who's in his 70's to carry out the job. Nobody under the age of 50 has the knowhow or tools to rebuild those old 4 speed automatics. Next step is the suspension.
 
questions...

They all got lost in the thread, but several questions were posed that still remain a mystery. Some can be answered, some can't, but I thought I'd make them more concise. Dave and I want to know!

1) When was my old Whirlpool dryer made?
2) Where could I find the gooseneck (part 0A4908) for my wringer? A-1 couldn't get it.
3) Has anyone seen any locking casters for a wringer?
4) Any one seen a parts fridge or my matching chair? If not, keep an eye out!
5) Will my plumbing ever work properly?

I'll keep you posted on my parts stove. If anyone has some accessories for the period Frigidaire ranges that they aren't using, I may be interested... I'll let you know after my package arrives.

Thanks fellas!
 
Plumbing.

If you eat lots of fiber and drink cranberry juice, that ought to clear up any clogged pipes you may have. Beyond that, you'll need a girlfriend, and I can't help you there because I'm looking for one of my own!

Sorry Will, it was just too easy,
Dave
 
Trust me guys - life is much simpler without the g/f. No drama, and you can bring as machines machines home as you want. "Great taste, less filling". uh huh.

BTW - glad you guys had a great weekend!

Ben
 
Will and Dave ... the fly swatter is a "hoot"! You guys have got to find a stick to use. The end of an old broom handle works really well. I found a nice 1" round dowel at the lumber yard and after years of using it, it's smooth and comfortable in the hand and doesn't go through the wringer rollers. :-)

Aren't those old Maytag conventionals the tops? They make it through floods and tornadoes and keep on washing; quality products made in the USA!!

Glad to see you found the right bolt at the hardware store. Those safety food pedals were a pain, weren't they? They worked really well, however, for wringing large items like blankets and rugs. You could just raise your foot and the rollers would stop so you could readjust the load.

You'll have to watch eBay or go to garage sales to see if you can pick up a parts machine to get the gooseneck. You can't order those any more; same with the casters.

Until you find a gooseneck, you could cut a piece of hose 3-5' long and attach to the end of the drain hose. You can then hang the hose in the sink when you use the pump.

Love the stoves; those are beauties!!
 
Back
Top