redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Nice dryer selling with it. Hey, Gordon, is the bol washer you once told me about?
RCD
RCD
A washer as BOL as it gets...
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redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
The console...
chaskelljr2
Well-known member
Looks like an 1980's version of my childhood 1967 BOL Washer. I wonder if this is a Belt-Drive or a Direct-Drive??
--Charles--
--Charles--
whirlcool
Well-known member
BOL machines have a certain charm to them, don't you think?
I don't think this washer even has a water temp control! Permanently warm wash/cold rinse?
I don't think this washer even has a water temp control! Permanently warm wash/cold rinse?
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Looks like hot-warm-cold depending on where you set the dial...
RCD
RCD
Andy - I probably did mention a machine like this at one time (thanks by the way!!). This model however is a direct drive. It appears to be a cosmetic clone of the BD version, but this is indeed a later 1980s DD. The size of the lid, the screws on the outside edges of the console, and the clear plastic skirt on the dial give it away.
Looks in nice shape --- these inexpensive models don't always get well care for. And for sure, this is as bol as it gets. This model would have the gray agitator (instead of the white --- gray was reserved for BOLs) and the blue tub, although the blue tub appeared some years and not in others. There are three wash temp choices. 1970s versions of this machine in BD quise often had only two temps, hot and warm, and a mid 1990s version, with the puke brown control panel, had only warm wash - no temp choices at all.
Gordon
Looks in nice shape --- these inexpensive models don't always get well care for. And for sure, this is as bol as it gets. This model would have the gray agitator (instead of the white --- gray was reserved for BOLs) and the blue tub, although the blue tub appeared some years and not in others. There are three wash temp choices. 1970s versions of this machine in BD quise often had only two temps, hot and warm, and a mid 1990s version, with the puke brown control panel, had only warm wash - no temp choices at all.
Gordon
This model was also seen in the stores under the Capri badge. There were a couple of Capri models. I don't know anything about the name arrangement.
I remember when Sears used to offer semi automatic washers where the fill temp was controlled by the faucet setting for the single hose like at a laundry tub faucet. You filled it, and it would agitate for the selected period of time, drain, spin and shut off. You repeated the procedure for rinsing.
I remember when Sears used to offer semi automatic washers where the fill temp was controlled by the faucet setting for the single hose like at a laundry tub faucet. You filled it, and it would agitate for the selected period of time, drain, spin and shut off. You repeated the procedure for rinsing.
norgeway
Well-known member
One of..
My Aunts had an earlier BOL Kenmore, it had a single dial on the right hand front of the cabinet.
My Aunts had an earlier BOL Kenmore, it had a single dial on the right hand front of the cabinet.
Thats as about as BOL
as it can get for an automatic. I remember seeing them in the store and thinking RUN JON RUN- RUNAWAY to the lighted control panels!!
as it can get for an automatic. I remember seeing them in the store and thinking RUN JON RUN- RUNAWAY to the lighted control panels!!
About BOLs
We've all seen these babies in the stores - Sears had them, GE had them (I fondly remember some of GE's where they used the WWA5400 style control panels but put beige plastic blanks in the two holes where the toggles went), and WCI/Frigidaire, etc. I think many brands had basic machines, but it seems that Sears, GE and WCI did a really good job of getting them out there, at least to look at. We don't seem to find as many WP BOLs, though they had one-knob-wonders too.
Actually buying one of these was, or at least seemed to be, another story. We've heard stories of this too. I looked at a BOL GE/Hotpoint in 1982 in a store in Denver and the sales person shushed me away from that model outright telling me "You don't want that one". Many years later, like two years ago, I tried to buy a one-knob Roper, RTW4000SW to be precise, and the sales person came up with EVERY excuse in the book why I didn't want the $199 washer, saying "It won't wash anything". When I finally said "its the same agitator, basket, and drive mechanism that is used in many coin op machines, and I don't think they would sell to profesional laundries if they didn't wash..." Then they said "Well, they're out of stock and you will have to wait". I finally had to go to the store's administrative management to get clearance to buy something that was clearly for sale on the floor. By that time I was annoyed and never did buy it...
That Roper was a single valve machine similar to what Tom describes, though it had a full wash & rinse cycle. You got whatever temp water you delivered to that single solenoid valve. I came across one of those machines in Youtube recently - I'll find it and post a link.
I was recently surprised to see that even in a 1962 Consumer reports article that rated mid-line washers, they made mention of 'economy' models, which had been tested the year before along with top end units. Even back then, the economy models were said to be difficult to purchase as sales people may even be penalized for actually selling one. They also mention the "not in stock in the warehouse" trick - 50 years ago!
Combo/John has a fascinating story of how Sears tried to market a BOL dryer. Sears was selling it as some crazy low price, but again, apparently it was nearly impossible to purchase, and it sounds like this practice got Sears into some legal trouble? I gues that got worked out because there seems to be a great many of these BOL direct drive machines in their various guises out there. Kenmore / Sears / Capri and I think one other name were all marketed by Sears. These are plentiful on Craigslist. I don't recall seeing nearly as many 20 years ago when the BDs should have been plentiful as well.
The one thing I've always wondered --- would it have been equally as difficult to order one of these from the catalog? I somewhat doubt it. They were almost always included in the appliance pages, and Sears in the 1970s and 1980s used differnt font/bold-face highlighted print to exemplify their basic machines. "Even our very low priced model has an agitator and a power cord" sort of thing. Sure sounded like they wanted to sell it you called in with an order.
One time when I was about 17 I called Sears and placed an order for vac bags for my Mom. During that call, I gave a stock number for the BOL machine and asked if it was available. "Yes sir" is all they said. I didn't dare go further or I would have had some explaining to do when I got home from school. LOL
Gordon
We've all seen these babies in the stores - Sears had them, GE had them (I fondly remember some of GE's where they used the WWA5400 style control panels but put beige plastic blanks in the two holes where the toggles went), and WCI/Frigidaire, etc. I think many brands had basic machines, but it seems that Sears, GE and WCI did a really good job of getting them out there, at least to look at. We don't seem to find as many WP BOLs, though they had one-knob-wonders too.
Actually buying one of these was, or at least seemed to be, another story. We've heard stories of this too. I looked at a BOL GE/Hotpoint in 1982 in a store in Denver and the sales person shushed me away from that model outright telling me "You don't want that one". Many years later, like two years ago, I tried to buy a one-knob Roper, RTW4000SW to be precise, and the sales person came up with EVERY excuse in the book why I didn't want the $199 washer, saying "It won't wash anything". When I finally said "its the same agitator, basket, and drive mechanism that is used in many coin op machines, and I don't think they would sell to profesional laundries if they didn't wash..." Then they said "Well, they're out of stock and you will have to wait". I finally had to go to the store's administrative management to get clearance to buy something that was clearly for sale on the floor. By that time I was annoyed and never did buy it...
That Roper was a single valve machine similar to what Tom describes, though it had a full wash & rinse cycle. You got whatever temp water you delivered to that single solenoid valve. I came across one of those machines in Youtube recently - I'll find it and post a link.
I was recently surprised to see that even in a 1962 Consumer reports article that rated mid-line washers, they made mention of 'economy' models, which had been tested the year before along with top end units. Even back then, the economy models were said to be difficult to purchase as sales people may even be penalized for actually selling one. They also mention the "not in stock in the warehouse" trick - 50 years ago!
Combo/John has a fascinating story of how Sears tried to market a BOL dryer. Sears was selling it as some crazy low price, but again, apparently it was nearly impossible to purchase, and it sounds like this practice got Sears into some legal trouble? I gues that got worked out because there seems to be a great many of these BOL direct drive machines in their various guises out there. Kenmore / Sears / Capri and I think one other name were all marketed by Sears. These are plentiful on Craigslist. I don't recall seeing nearly as many 20 years ago when the BDs should have been plentiful as well.
The one thing I've always wondered --- would it have been equally as difficult to order one of these from the catalog? I somewhat doubt it. They were almost always included in the appliance pages, and Sears in the 1970s and 1980s used differnt font/bold-face highlighted print to exemplify their basic machines. "Even our very low priced model has an agitator and a power cord" sort of thing. Sure sounded like they wanted to sell it you called in with an order.
One time when I was about 17 I called Sears and placed an order for vac bags for my Mom. During that call, I gave a stock number for the BOL machine and asked if it was available. "Yes sir" is all they said. I didn't dare go further or I would have had some explaining to do when I got home from school. LOL
Gordon
Too many things to laugh at in this video, but sheets and a bathmat? Hence the out of balance spin.
I remember when my dad bought a new washer for his dad after his old one crapped out. He ofc bought a one knob wonder Roper very similar to the Kenmore pictured. Being a washer boy, purchasing a new washer for someone was a BIG DEAL lol ( Iwas about 7 or 8 at the time) and I fussed about the BOL. Love how these random machines on craigslist can bring back childhood memories
danemodsandy
Well-known member
We Had....
....A BOL 1965 Kenmore pair. One-speed, one-cycle ("WASH"), and I think variable temp. Bed-of-nails lint filter. The dryer was one temp and timed only.
Both lasted a very long time, even in the hands of The Appliance Killer, a.k.a. Mom.
Control panels were die-cast metal, even on these cheapies, though that was probably more a function of available technology than any desire on the part of Sears to give anything away.
The only problem with them was that they replaced a 1951 Kenmore pair like Northwesty has (sigh!). But that's hindsight.
....A BOL 1965 Kenmore pair. One-speed, one-cycle ("WASH"), and I think variable temp. Bed-of-nails lint filter. The dryer was one temp and timed only.
Both lasted a very long time, even in the hands of The Appliance Killer, a.k.a. Mom.
Control panels were die-cast metal, even on these cheapies, though that was probably more a function of available technology than any desire on the part of Sears to give anything away.
The only problem with them was that they replaced a 1951 Kenmore pair like Northwesty has (sigh!). But that's hindsight.
mickeyd
Well-known member
We had a single dial Roper Dryer that dried for a family of eight and lasted for 40 years. I'll have to ask Geraldine if the dryer actually conked out, finally; or if she just got sick of it and wanted a new one. Last I knew it had never been repaired, just dried and dried and dried--AND DRIED. Truly a one-hit wonder!
I have a single dial KM dryer, 20 years old. Same performance. Hoping to have it till I croak. LOL
Hurray for one dial BOL's that never say die.
I have a single dial KM dryer, 20 years old. Same performance. Hoping to have it till I croak. LOL
Hurray for one dial BOL's that never say die.
Gordon, That idiot in the video is typical of so many kids today who just don't have a clue about how to cook or care for themselves. I saw an underwear brief waistband in there. I wonder what temperature was selected for washing. It's disgusting to contemplate. That it spun at all is some kind of testament to the WP balance ring. It would be fun to see what happened if a frozen BR was put in the tub for that load.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Capri...
I totally forgot about that label. I remember seeing them on the sales floor when I went drooling... ummm... looking around to see what was there. The ranges were cheaper than crap. Some were even still standing pilot ignition IIRC and I thought the burner grates would collapse under the weight of a Jiffy Pop package. No Pan drawers and the oven doors felt so light, I thought they might be using Kleenex for the insulation.
Does Capri still even exist?
RCD
I totally forgot about that label. I remember seeing them on the sales floor when I went drooling... ummm... looking around to see what was there. The ranges were cheaper than crap. Some were even still standing pilot ignition IIRC and I thought the burner grates would collapse under the weight of a Jiffy Pop package. No Pan drawers and the oven doors felt so light, I thought they might be using Kleenex for the insulation.
Does Capri still even exist?
RCD
Capri
I am guessing it was at least 10 years ago Sears dropped the name. I had friends that owned a dealer store and when the merger happened, their store commission was drastically cut, to the point they only made a profit on the Elite line. They sold the franchise after working more hours for much less pay than it was worth. I once had a used BOL GE with the 2 beige plastic blanks and filter flo. I defeated the hot wash/warm rinse to be controlled at the faucet. Granted the capacity was dismal but it is a workhorse and still running perfect in a friends home after 40 years.
I am guessing it was at least 10 years ago Sears dropped the name. I had friends that owned a dealer store and when the merger happened, their store commission was drastically cut, to the point they only made a profit on the Elite line. They sold the franchise after working more hours for much less pay than it was worth. I once had a used BOL GE with the 2 beige plastic blanks and filter flo. I defeated the hot wash/warm rinse to be controlled at the faucet. Granted the capacity was dismal but it is a workhorse and still running perfect in a friends home after 40 years.
I bet it just washes in HOT and at least if not rinses in COLD then probably rinses in WARM!
The kind of washer an old lady would buy! (After getting years of mileage out of her old wringer!)
-- Dave
The kind of washer an old lady would buy! (After getting years of mileage out of her old wringer!)
-- Dave
