AFTER 13 LONG YEARS THE SEARCH IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!

[Unimatic1140]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words and good wishes. Monday was a very special day for me, finally after all these years. I am so grateful to the person who led me to this machine.

Just to be clear though the machine did not work when I got it home. Over the past two days I did the following:

The mechanism was jammed, I freed it.

The timer motor was inoperative (imagine that), I replaced it.

The hose from the Spin water valve to the Spin Balloon Clutch was cracked and needed replacing.

The safety valve (for unbalance loads) was out of adjustment so I fixed that.

The Hose from the water valve to the flume was also cracked.

The cord was changed to a safe 3 prong cord (I used the cord from that 2nd Duet I had lol).

The wiring in the machine is cracking and certain points need replacing.

I'm going to be pretty busy over the next few days, but hopefully I will get back to the machine next week.

The way the spin works is simply amazing. There are three solenoids on the water valve, HOT, COLD and SPIN. When spin is called for the SPIN valve is energized which fills a rub water balloon which expands and raises the entire mechanism 1/2" which shifts the machine from wash/brake into spin. When spin is done the water pressure is relieved and the balloon (and mechanism) sinks down back into wash/brake mode.

Here are a few quick shots of the mechanism...

 

[Unimatic1140]

[No message]

 

[Unimatic1140]

[No message]

 

[Unimatic1140]

Oh before I forget, here are the sales literature to the 1953 Apex models in pdf form...

http://www.automaticwasher.org/BROCHURES/Apex_Washers_Dryers_Dishwashers.pdf

 

[oldwasherguy]

Robert, that must be the most rare automatic in the world,and I am glad that you found it. Happy bouncing! Don

 

[panthera]

Robert,

This is wonderful. I am very happy for you.
What a fascinating machine!

 

[goatfarmer]

Great washer, and an even greater story! Congratulations!

But ya know, karma tells us you need to find the guy, and give him a few bucks....

 

[laundromat]

Apex

We need to find its mate!!!!!!!!!

 

[jetcone]

What on earth

are the two water flumes for? DOn't tell me hot fill and cold fill! And the two together make warm!

 

[rogera608s]

Robert,
I am so happy for you. That Apex couldn't have found a better home. Congratulations.
Roger

 

[frontaloadotmy]

It's so much fun to get a "Coveted" machine!!!

Spectacular!!, and amazing that you only had to spend
two days to put it in working condition.

It really has some "turnover" , even without water.
I love the Blue Skirt. Is that original?
Congratulations Robert!!! Yay for the Apex!!

 

[golittlesport]

OH MY GOD

Are we all dreaming???!!! Robert, I am so happy for you!!!

 

[thor]

Congratulations from the Southern Cone!

Robert, I am so glad for you! What's your guess about your pulse rate when you finally saw the Apex in the driveway? Great story! Did the towels get a good cleaning? Were they fluffy?

Emilio

 

[spiralator60]

Congratulations Robert!

This is a real find! How much would you say the machine weighs? Did you have any trouble loading it onto your truck?

 

[danelto]

So Nice

Robert:

What a fabulous day it must have been for you!!!

While I wasn't able to stay up last night to see, I did get up extra early this morning to celebrate your discovery.

It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Dan

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I am so happy for you Robert!

Thirteen years is a long time to wait! For all the good you have done with this website and your diverse interest in machines, it's easy to see that you deserved to find the Apex a long time ago!

WHAT A FASCINATING WASHER!

 

[ironrite]

Karma and Luck

The way that Karma and luck run, you will now probably find 4 more of these machines! Congrats on the wonderful find!

Michael

 

[andrewinorlando]

Sincere congratulations on a rare and unique beauty!! I can't believe that after 56 years it still works!!

 

[qsd-dan]

Estimated spin speed?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Did you say it has no outer tub? Where does the bounced-out water go?
Into the outer cabinet and down the drain, the square cabinet is the also the outer tub.

When the water comes out of the tub, does it pump out during the wash cycle or stay in an outer tub until the spin starts?
Pumps down the drain

Is it sort of like a Frigidaire transmission wise?
Its much simpler actually, more like a Kelvinator or Philco

What on earth are the two water flumes for? DOn't tell me hot fill and cold fill! And the two together make warm!

The one on the left is for adding water to the wash basket, the other one is to bleed off the water in the water balloon clutch at the end of spin. It puts that water into the outer tub and down the drain.

Spin Speed is 610rpm