A Frigidaire Unimatic Only A Fool Would Love

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swestoyz

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Sep 27, 2004
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Hey Gang -

Earlier this weekend I posted some teaser videos of the '56 Unimatic in operation. Mostly the intent of the teasers were to test editing capabilities in iMovie, as well as uploading qualities on YouTube. I'm not really happy with either and have decided that I'll need to upgrade if I want the editing capabilities I'd like + content restrictions on TY are a pain (Final Cut Express + HD camera, here I come!).

Lately I've been remembering the fact that I have a right brain and felt a video was the best way to exercise it.

Also, I finally found some time to get the pump seal issue corrected this past week, and was able to shoot some film this afternoon and edit this evening before dinner.

Some of the differences between this video and previous ones I've created were lighting changes and different camera techniques. I used a tripod resting on some boxes and a step ladder to get the height I needed. I already see where filming during the day time caused issues of my shadow on the washer lid as well as the spin vibrations resonating through the camera due to the step stool legs rubbing against the washer base - otherwise, I'm happy with the results.

If you cannot hear audio, please let me know. I'll need to publish a new version without the soundtrack I included. I'll post photos of the transmission rebuild tomorrow.

The weekend at the Spa was a total blast! A huge thanks goes out to Greg, Robert, and Nate for a enjoyable weekend, even though it happened back in 2008....

Enjoy!

<object width=425 height=344><param name=movie value=></param><param name=allowFullScreen value=true></param><param name=allowscriptaccess value=always></param><embed src= type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowscriptaccess=always allowfullscreen=true width=425 height=344>

 
Hats off!

For your restoration! What a great job, that machine is almost silent!

I have a soft spot for the 1956 Unimatic. When I just had gotten internet in 1997 I searched for older American washers. The first picture I found was a picture of a 1956 Frigidaire set in pink that was donated by the owners to a museum in Kansas. I thought those machines were pretty cool!
 
YAY!! Another Frigidaire "back on the road" Congratulations!!

Beautiful machine Ben! The 1956 is a great looking machine.
 
Thanks again guys - I appreciate the feedback on the video. We can only improve if we first try a change.

This is the first time that YT has come out and said they noticed I used someone's music after the initial upload, but then asked if it was okay to include ads. Normally I pick oddball material or non-copyright stuff - but I felt that Melody Gardot's song fit the mood perfectly.

I'll include a few a photos of the machine that haven't been posted before - mostly the pump repair and after. The original thread from when the machine came home in 2008 is linked below.

First up - the ONLY screw on the entire machine that gave me a fit. It was graciously given a name, but I cannot repeat it on the forum. Here we have the pump plate pending removal once the $%^&* screw head was removed. Even a liberal amount of heat wouldn't budge it.


swestoyz++3-15-2010-19-32-34.jpg
 
Pump impeller with new seal

"So Greg, do the little holes go up, or down? The book doesn't say anything about that..."

My first attempt of getting the seal to work failed. The second attempt included adding a bead of RTV under the seal, inside the impeller. Thanks for the tip Greg!

swestoyz++3-15-2010-19-35-26.jpg
 
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