A GE Like None Other

[Unimatic1140]

Here we go, the videos are now ready. To say that this was a real treat for me to see the very first GE Automatic Washer from 1947 in action was the understatement of the year and now I get to share the experience with the entire world.

This GE is so very different from the Filter-Flo style GE's that we all remember, its breathtakingly different at times.

Anyway, the files are HUGE, but I wanted the quality to be good enough for people to watch it in full screen mode if they wish, (my appologies to people on dial-up modem, these will take a long time for you to download).

Introducing the GE with more Bitchcraft, oops I mean Witchcraft

Loading the Washer and Start Fill and Adding the Detergent

The Wash Cycle

The Suds Kill and First Spin

Brake and Rinse Fill

The Rinse Cycle

1140rpm GE Spin-Dry

Manually Draining the Rinse Water

 

[pulsator]

WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH ROBERT!!!!!! That GE is truly an AWESOME machine!!!!! I can't wait to see it in person!!!!! YAY!!!!!!

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Yeah, I think slapped would be the right word... for sure.

Hehehe

Great show!

 

[hoover1060]

wow, love the videos Robert, and the sounds that machine makes are insteresting...
What is that motor that seems to be laboring so?
Are there two motors?

 

[westytoploader]

Robert, FANTASTIC videos, thanks for sharing!!! What a great machine...from the "morph" into spin that was quicker than I thought, to the fast but long agitation strokes, GE really had it right the first time around! Not to mention the ExtrAction basket in porcelain! Even though I love the Filter-Flos, it's a shame they felt like they had to change their design in order to lower the price; seems like a well-made machine. I'm surprised at how whisper-quiet the main drive unit is during agitation...the pump and water noise seems to drown it out almost!

I LOVE the whine of the electric pumps and how they speed up and slow down during the whole cycle. Sounds a LOT like the plastic GE machines, especially that "ooo-WAAHHH-ooo-WAAHHH-ooo" when starting up...ours used to do that!

--Austin

 

[timborow]

Thanks

Those are great videos. Thanks for taking the time to share them. I never knew how "high-tech" GE machines were in 1947. Way far ahead of their time. That machine is much better than any you could buy today. Tim

 

[compwhiz128]

ZOMG WOW!

 

[lavamat_jon]

Wow! Once again you have excelled in restoring a beautiful vintage washer. I love everything about it - the acceleration to spin actually reminds me of the noise the Corkscrew rollercoaster at Alton Towers makes on the lift hill! I love the suds kill cycle; I suppose in ways it is quite similar to the cooling on permanent press cycles? The sound of the agitation is very soothing... great rollover too - but do tell us, how did Jon's dress turn out?

Take care, and once again well done! It has inspired me to get going with renovating my old AEG, and have yet another vintage (if only early 1980s) washer up and running - and of course, I will also make videos! But we never run out of laundry here, so Jetcone won't get away that easily .

All the best, happy washing!

Jon

 

[agiflow]

Excellent wash videos Robert. It really is something how advanced this first offering from GE was. What a cool washer.

 

[westytoploader]

And I see Mr. Jetcone hasn't been catching up on his wash! Are we getting "Bendix boredom"? That negligee could definitely benefit from some gentle tumbling action...;-)

*ducks and runs*

 

[mayken4now]

I would have never belived it. Thanks for being Sharon!(sharing)

Steve

 

[compwhiz128]

Now that I have the energy to comment.

That was cool! Especially the noise that the motor makes when it speeds up.

 

[fnelson487]

Well Robert

Fabulous entertainment as usual. Your mechanical skills amaze me but me thinks you should think about film making as well. Absolutely total fun. Thanks!!!!

 

[bobbyd32l]

Incredible, just incredible! Great work once again Robert!!!!! Lovin' the new GE!!!!!

 

[jetcone]

You;re ALL Gonna be

SLAAPPPED!!!

But VERY NICE Machine though!
How does it only allow the water in from the top of the activator and not underneath it???

And the acitivator seemed in the video to jump around alot when going into spin, is it freed up when spin starts??

I want my dress back,mister!

jetcone

 

[gansky1]

slapped is right!

Strange taste in clothes, Jon, I sort of understand the nightie, but that striped shirt?? You should know how dangerous horizontal stripes can be...

Fab videos, again! This washer is amazing - the sounds are incredible. You gotta love a washer that filters ALL the water that enters the tub!

 

[appnut]

Robert, thank you. I haven't felt htis close to my gamma in decades.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Thanks everyone, I’m glad you enjoyed the videos.

What is that motor that seems to be laboring so?
Jeff what you are hearing is the electric drain pump. The machine has three motors total, two are electric pumps and one is deep inside the large drive unit.

the "morph" into spin that was quicker than I thought
Austin, when I first started using the machine the “Morph” to spin was much greater, as the drive unit got broken in the oil bellows probably has become less stiff and is rising faster to shift the mechanism from wash to spin faster.

I suppose in ways it is quite similar to the cooling on permanent press cycles?
Jon you could say that, but most of the “cool-down” water is used to flush the suds in the outer tub down the drain and doesn’t get back up to the clothes in the wash basket.

How does it only allow the water in from the top of the activator and not underneath it???
Jon I have to take a picture, but the basket hub has a special channel that guides the water through a tube in the center of the agitator down the hub and out the bottom of the wash basket. I’ll take a picture when I have the washer back together.

I want my dress back,mister!
Actually that was your nighty gown dear. After all you clothes were dried I zapped them back to Boston where they put themselves in your dresser drawers. I used my Putaway-o-Matic spell.

Everyone, to get a good idea of what it sounds like in spin, listen to the Final Spin Dry video. The drain pump isn't running during the Dry cycle to save the rinse water for the next wash, so you can really hear how quiet it is.

 

[roto204]

Fabulous!!!

Robert, thank you so much for another stunning set of videos. And I daresay, your Samanthaesque powers are becoming stunning. The plastic-to-Pyrex measuring cup switch-out was fantastic enough, but now the power to transport laundry? Breathtaking. Now all of our tube-socks lay cowering in our chest-of-drawers... :-D

Jon, I love that negligee. I'm sure it's very comfy on sultry Cape Cod evenings...but I agree with Greg--the shirt needs to go.

--Nate