tecnopolis
Well-known member
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A washer as BOL as it gets...
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tecnopolis
Well-known member
Here's an oddity. This is the first time I have seen a relatively modern washer platform (GE Filter-Flo) as a BOL SEMI-Automatic?
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Gordon:
"Sandy - The 1965 Kenmore BOL, if it was a 29-inch machine, was most likely a 400 series, is that right?"
It was a 29-inch machine, but I could not for the life of me tell you what the model number was. I was embarrassed by the machines, for all that they were a brand-new matched set, because at that time Mom was still in her "BOL's all you need" mode (she would later become the Queen of TOL, not that she took care of TOL stuff any better than she had BOL stuff). Everyone else we knew had much fancier machines; my paternal grandmother had a new set of Kenmore 800's, and her next-door neighbor had a set of keyboard Lady K's. My second cousin's wife had a 1962 or '63 set of turquoise Lady K's (gorgeous, but unreliable as hell), and my mom's sister had GE's that weren't fancy, but still nicer than our set.
Mom used them for nine years, until they moved from the house I grew up in, and then sold them on. I do not recall any breakdowns, which given Mom's "work it 'til it drops" philosophy, was pretty good.
"Sandy - The 1965 Kenmore BOL, if it was a 29-inch machine, was most likely a 400 series, is that right?"
It was a 29-inch machine, but I could not for the life of me tell you what the model number was. I was embarrassed by the machines, for all that they were a brand-new matched set, because at that time Mom was still in her "BOL's all you need" mode (she would later become the Queen of TOL, not that she took care of TOL stuff any better than she had BOL stuff). Everyone else we knew had much fancier machines; my paternal grandmother had a new set of Kenmore 800's, and her next-door neighbor had a set of keyboard Lady K's. My second cousin's wife had a 1962 or '63 set of turquoise Lady K's (gorgeous, but unreliable as hell), and my mom's sister had GE's that weren't fancy, but still nicer than our set.
Mom used them for nine years, until they moved from the house I grew up in, and then sold them on. I do not recall any breakdowns, which given Mom's "work it 'til it drops" philosophy, was pretty good.
Here is a Pic of my nearly unused BD KM BOL
I know Gordon will like this. These are rare and even more rare unused. I had an insanely good bit of luck finding this. Alot like my All original KM Ltd from 1986. I am humbled by having this good fortune 2x in one years time.
WK78
I know Gordon will like this. These are rare and even more rare unused. I had an insanely good bit of luck finding this. Alot like my All original KM Ltd from 1986. I am humbled by having this good fortune 2x in one years time.
WK78
danemodsandy
Well-known member
Gordon:
Thanks for the info about Robert's "Memories of Estate Sale Saturdays" thread, because the very first pic in that thread is it. The machine we had was indeed a Kenmore 400. Looking at it now, it doesn't look nearly so stripped-down as it appeared to me at the time; the control panel is nicely designed and it does have variable water temp.
Just remember, it was competing with lighted-console machines, which were a whole 'nother level of glamour.
Thanks for the info about Robert's "Memories of Estate Sale Saturdays" thread, because the very first pic in that thread is it. The machine we had was indeed a Kenmore 400. Looking at it now, it doesn't look nearly so stripped-down as it appeared to me at the time; the control panel is nicely designed and it does have variable water temp.
Just remember, it was competing with lighted-console machines, which were a whole 'nother level of glamour.
Wow, the NEW Kenmore has a BLANK INNER-LID! (With just the Caution label on it!)
Wonder if the older model at least has instructions or if it's just as plain as a Maytag inner-lid?
Maybe we should start on an Inner-Lid thread to show if our washers have instructions & how comprehensive or limited they might be...!
-- Dave
Wonder if the older model at least has instructions or if it's just as plain as a Maytag inner-lid?
Maybe we should start on an Inner-Lid thread to show if our washers have instructions & how comprehensive or limited they might be...!
-- Dave
Dave -
Back when Kenmore/Whirlpool had a choice of either a painted enamel top and lid, or porcelain, only the porcelain lids got instructions under them. Even then, a few porcelain lids, including our 1961 Kenmore 70, did not have instructions. The painted lids were rust prone in most areas except the dry climates out west. When a nice one comes along today, it is great to find and appreciate.
In 1983 when WP began powder coating lids and tops, they quickly stopped making enameled versions. The powder coated lids usually always had instructions of some sort, at least until fairly recently when they started increasing the use of adhesive labels which they can vary model for model.
Gordon
Back when Kenmore/Whirlpool had a choice of either a painted enamel top and lid, or porcelain, only the porcelain lids got instructions under them. Even then, a few porcelain lids, including our 1961 Kenmore 70, did not have instructions. The painted lids were rust prone in most areas except the dry climates out west. When a nice one comes along today, it is great to find and appreciate.
In 1983 when WP began powder coating lids and tops, they quickly stopped making enameled versions. The powder coated lids usually always had instructions of some sort, at least until fairly recently when they started increasing the use of adhesive labels which they can vary model for model.
Gordon
Seems like this would be an ideally good washer for a Barber Shop/Beauty Parlor/Hair Salon, along w/ a One-Knob/One-Temp dryer!
-- Dave
-- Dave
chaskelljr2
Well-known member
BOL Kenmore Washers......
The washer that is pictured at the top of the thread looks like a 1980's Direct-Drive version of my early childhood Kenmore that lasted from 1967-78.
Well, pictured below is the 1967 Belt-Drive version that I grew up with. Ours was paired with a 1975 Kenmore "All-American" Dryer in its later years. My washer is the last one that is pictured to the VERY right on the bottom.
Oh...... ours did not have any instructions under the lid either. Ours was blank white lid as well.
OKAY!!!!! Here it is!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
--Charles--
The washer that is pictured at the top of the thread looks like a 1980's Direct-Drive version of my early childhood Kenmore that lasted from 1967-78.
Well, pictured below is the 1967 Belt-Drive version that I grew up with. Ours was paired with a 1975 Kenmore "All-American" Dryer in its later years. My washer is the last one that is pictured to the VERY right on the bottom.
Oh...... ours did not have any instructions under the lid either. Ours was blank white lid as well.
OKAY!!!!! Here it is!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
--Charles--
Reply# 41
Can anyone tell me more about that filter-flo washer? What year was the picture taken? And where was it taken? Is the washer a portable? Is it manual, semi or fully automatic? Does it roll around? I've never seen a GE filter flo in that format. Or that such a adaption even existed.
Can anyone tell me more about that filter-flo washer? What year was the picture taken? And where was it taken? Is the washer a portable? Is it manual, semi or fully automatic? Does it roll around? I've never seen a GE filter flo in that format. Or that such a adaption even existed.
whirlpool dd
I've always been interested about the engineering and design of these machinese and have been looking for an archived press release on these or any other model, including this one.
I've always been interested about the engineering and design of these machinese and have been looking for an archived press release on these or any other model, including this one.
Our first washing machine was this kind of BOL
It was a compact 24" wide 1956 Whirlpool on casters that was in the kitchen of our Peter Cooper flat in a "Hi-Fi" crate (because washing machines and portable dishwashers were taboo in those apartments so businesses in the neighborhood accommodated customers who desired such appliances by disguising them for delivery). When supers or workers came to the apartments, those illegal machines were just rolled into a closet. It was there when I was born and it had a rubber hose that fit over the kitchen sink faucet and a drain hose that hooked over the sink. I guess that machine was the beginning of my appliance fascination. I loved that machine. It did everything that it needed to do.
And yes, GE had these models through the years but they weren't "Filter-Flos" and rarely if ever made it into brochures.
It was a compact 24" wide 1956 Whirlpool on casters that was in the kitchen of our Peter Cooper flat in a "Hi-Fi" crate (because washing machines and portable dishwashers were taboo in those apartments so businesses in the neighborhood accommodated customers who desired such appliances by disguising them for delivery). When supers or workers came to the apartments, those illegal machines were just rolled into a closet. It was there when I was born and it had a rubber hose that fit over the kitchen sink faucet and a drain hose that hooked over the sink. I guess that machine was the beginning of my appliance fascination. I loved that machine. It did everything that it needed to do.
And yes, GE had these models through the years but they weren't "Filter-Flos" and rarely if ever made it into brochures.
Can you elaborate on that? I see a filter pan and flume above the clothes guard. Does anyone have on of these in their collection? Where were they sold?
Sure
The GE in my post didn't have a filter flume or a filter pan, but GE had so many variations of BOL models that a customer might be persuaded to spend 10 dollars more for the filter-flo feature or a WASH TEMP control or both. I'm sure a major brands like Whirlpool/Kenmores were offered with the same options.
In NYC where I grew up, lots of people lived in apartments with limited space where washing machines were run off of and into a kitchen or bathroom sink. NY appliance stores like Grainger's and PC Richard sold/sekk extreme BOL's to customers who can't install them conventionally with dedicated water supply or a drainpipe. I'm sure there were lots of people in the burbs and rural areas who bought them as well.
AFAIK smaller brands like Maytag didn't but they did have stripped-down models that were used for coin laundries.
For what it's worth, I remember seeing a couple of Frigidaire WO-65's back then. It was kind of compact and didn't have bells and whistles.
The GE in my post didn't have a filter flume or a filter pan, but GE had so many variations of BOL models that a customer might be persuaded to spend 10 dollars more for the filter-flo feature or a WASH TEMP control or both. I'm sure a major brands like Whirlpool/Kenmores were offered with the same options.
In NYC where I grew up, lots of people lived in apartments with limited space where washing machines were run off of and into a kitchen or bathroom sink. NY appliance stores like Grainger's and PC Richard sold/sekk extreme BOL's to customers who can't install them conventionally with dedicated water supply or a drainpipe. I'm sure there were lots of people in the burbs and rural areas who bought them as well.
AFAIK smaller brands like Maytag didn't but they did have stripped-down models that were used for coin laundries.
For what it's worth, I remember seeing a couple of Frigidaire WO-65's back then. It was kind of compact and didn't have bells and whistles.
I was thinking about the washer in the picture I'm attaching. It appears that it doesn't have temperature or water level control but has a filter pan and flume outlet like a full size filter flo. I'm not even sure if the timer knob is automatic.
I understand that in apartments and condos wheeled portable machines are common, however I've never seen such an adaption in regards to a filter flo. I've seen WP BDs and DDs with a modified suspension and smaller inner/outer tubs taking advantage of the full size drive mechanism however never with a filter flo. I always assumed all of GE's space maker washers were of the Hitachi design- the one with the 4 point suspension, PSC motor and solenoid shifter.
This pic is just so patriotic to the filter flo nation. To realize that a top load design was so common and so mass produced that it was adapted into a portable version. To think that a portable washer is so beast it has a 20 pound counterweight in it and steal inner/outer tub.
Lucky apartment dwellers.
I understand that in apartments and condos wheeled portable machines are common, however I've never seen such an adaption in regards to a filter flo. I've seen WP BDs and DDs with a modified suspension and smaller inner/outer tubs taking advantage of the full size drive mechanism however never with a filter flo. I always assumed all of GE's space maker washers were of the Hitachi design- the one with the 4 point suspension, PSC motor and solenoid shifter.
This pic is just so patriotic to the filter flo nation. To realize that a top load design was so common and so mass produced that it was adapted into a portable version. To think that a portable washer is so beast it has a 20 pound counterweight in it and steal inner/outer tub.
Lucky apartment dwellers.
