The machine that brought me to the AW door: the GE WA 850P:
and another Dream Machine arrives via Youcrate:
- Thread starter bajaespuma
- Start date
She's a Holy Grail, but needs much TLC. Can't get over the coppertone filter pan, but tub is lurching dangerously towards front and spin out of first fill is a wet carousel ride instead of a 650 rpm spritz:
Worth it for the control panel alone. To paraphrase Ms. Merman, there are no toggleswitches like pink toggleswitches:
...and the dial,the dial. I now own what I think are the two best plastic dials ever made. The pull is extraordinary; not only the prettiest hand pull GE ever made, but this thing weighs like precious metal. She ees beautiful, no? Thanks to Phil Turo for managing to get this out of his Sister's cellar and into the Youcrate. I'm so happy to have this model I can't express it in words. It even SMELLS like I remember!!!! How sick is that?
As Phil promised, the cabinet needs some serious cleaning up and I'll have to find a chrome trim strip to replace the missing one, but the porcelain top, once cleaned up, looks brand new. Another rarity: a masonite back apron intact with the schematic in near-perfect condition. With this apron, I can easily fabricate lots of others for my other machines!!
I got a kick out of the plug. Not only is it missing a grounding prong, but it's the same plug that was on practically every GE steam iron we ever owned. Probably made right here in Bridgeport (where the first GE automatics were manufactured).
Safety was a different thing in 1957. NO g-d d--n FREAKIN' SAFETY SWITCH TO DISABLE! Instead, a prudent warning (which made me chuckle as soon as I read the lid):
My first solid-tub GE Filter-flo!!!!
Will keep y'all posted as repairs progress. Next: tub removal.
Will keep y'all posted as repairs progress. Next: tub removal.
7080swashertalk
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2008
- Messages
- 115
great find
Interesting that the timer is on the left.
my first impression is, the picture is reversed.
But, if it works for dryers, it can work for washers too.
the 2 prong power cord. Thats funny.
I like the Pink too. But I think the best plastic dial would be the 1981, 2nd from top of the line, Kenmore dishwasher. I also like the Maytag "crystal" handled timer knobs.
Again, Congradulations. Another Rare Machine finds a good home.
Interesting that the timer is on the left.
my first impression is, the picture is reversed.
But, if it works for dryers, it can work for washers too.
the 2 prong power cord. Thats funny.
I like the Pink too. But I think the best plastic dial would be the 1981, 2nd from top of the line, Kenmore dishwasher. I also like the Maytag "crystal" handled timer knobs.
Again, Congradulations. Another Rare Machine finds a good home.
7080swashertalk
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2008
- Messages
- 115
spelling error
"...Again, Congradulations"
should be
congratulations
"...Again, Congradulations"
should be
congratulations
Very nice, Ken! Congratulations!
Our house was built in '52 and had no grounded outlets, I'm not sure when that became code/standard so it's understandable that this washer wouldn't have had even a polarized plug. That really is a beautiful machine - the pink toggles and dial are just eye-popping on the gray panel. Lighted dial?
Have fun playing with it - if you need any service doctrine from GE, let me know!
Our house was built in '52 and had no grounded outlets, I'm not sure when that became code/standard so it's understandable that this washer wouldn't have had even a polarized plug. That really is a beautiful machine - the pink toggles and dial are just eye-popping on the gray panel. Lighted dial?
Have fun playing with it - if you need any service doctrine from GE, let me know!
YouCrate
Nice machine!
I think I should get in touch with YouCrate, though. Maybe they can give me some sort of kickback, for mentioning them here.....8^)
Nice machine!
I think I should get in touch with YouCrate, though. Maybe they can give me some sort of kickback, for mentioning them here.....8^)
hilovane
Well-known member
I remember this classic GE model loike it was five minutes ago - my first (childhood) exposure to General Electric washing machines!
Thanks to everyone!
Doesn't seem to be a lighted dial. The fluorescent light in the control panel wasn't working. The two bulb outlets had become disconnected so I imagine the dial will be illuminated by that.Also, some of these had a pilot light in the center of the control panel. This one doesn't, but there is a "mount" for it underneath the shield. A small surprise was an invisible "push" switch on the bottom of the control panel that seems to operate the fluorescent light independently from the control as the brochure says. Doesn't seem to be a balast anywhere, but maybe the switch acts as one. Can't wait to get this operating, but have some minor but significant repairs to do first. Am dying to take the whole thing apart so I can sand and paint the cabinet, base and control panel back, but I think I want to get it up and running before I attempt a major overhaul. As I will show later, some of the plastic/rubber pieces are as good as new, but others, like the filter mount and the pink "FILTER FLO" nozzle are cracked and will disintegrate if handled roughtly. Also, just discovered that the small hose between the fill solenoids and the fill flume/siphon break has cracked into three pieces. The fill flume is absolutely solid. I'll have to find some kind of flexible air hose or braided hose that I can bend into a tight double 90 degree angle. Also, to make matters worse, that hose is flared at the siphon break end. Oy. I guess this is what you guys went through all those years ago as you attacked your first vintage machines, but I just want to watch this beauty work, at least once, before I screw up. I will cry if I do anything to damage this machine, and given my inexperience, I don't want to be careless here. As Don Corleone said, so well, "Women and children can afford to be careless..."
Doesn't seem to be a lighted dial. The fluorescent light in the control panel wasn't working. The two bulb outlets had become disconnected so I imagine the dial will be illuminated by that.Also, some of these had a pilot light in the center of the control panel. This one doesn't, but there is a "mount" for it underneath the shield. A small surprise was an invisible "push" switch on the bottom of the control panel that seems to operate the fluorescent light independently from the control as the brochure says. Doesn't seem to be a balast anywhere, but maybe the switch acts as one. Can't wait to get this operating, but have some minor but significant repairs to do first. Am dying to take the whole thing apart so I can sand and paint the cabinet, base and control panel back, but I think I want to get it up and running before I attempt a major overhaul. As I will show later, some of the plastic/rubber pieces are as good as new, but others, like the filter mount and the pink "FILTER FLO" nozzle are cracked and will disintegrate if handled roughtly. Also, just discovered that the small hose between the fill solenoids and the fill flume/siphon break has cracked into three pieces. The fill flume is absolutely solid. I'll have to find some kind of flexible air hose or braided hose that I can bend into a tight double 90 degree angle. Also, to make matters worse, that hose is flared at the siphon break end. Oy. I guess this is what you guys went through all those years ago as you attacked your first vintage machines, but I just want to watch this beauty work, at least once, before I screw up. I will cry if I do anything to damage this machine, and given my inexperience, I don't want to be careless here. As Don Corleone said, so well, "Women and children can afford to be careless..."
Wow - this is quite the GE! Looking forward to seeing the panel in all it's lighted glory, and some 3 vaned agitation! Keep us posted with the progress.
Very cool how this model really is very similar in look to the 1957 line of GE ranges - trim and all.
Ben
Very cool how this model really is very similar in look to the 1957 line of GE ranges - trim and all.
Ben
filterflo
New member
Yeah! another solid tub GE with famous Activator washing. Great washer, these should be pretty easy to fix and parts are not too hard to find........GE did such great colors on that model........
Very cool how this model really is very similar in look to the 1957 line of GE ranges - trim and all.
One of the reasons I've been dying to get my hands on this model, this star pattern:
One of the reasons I've been dying to get my hands on this model, this star pattern:
...was used in many of the late fifties ranges in fact and was prominent in those wonderful GE "All-in-One" kitchens. They used it up to 1963 on some of the washer/dryer panels. To me they're as delightful (and classic) as GM Frigidaire's "Swirlies" patterns and Boomerang formica.
As you folks know, I'm very interested in industrial design, especially that of all these machines we collect, I'd love to know the providence of some of these details which is why I enjoy reading the Patents of the Day. I just think people who created this stuff deserve credit and being known. So many people have enjoyed the films "Mary Poppins" and "Star Wars" but don't realize that the matte artists Peter and Harrison Ellenshaw (father and son)were hugely responsible for the production design values of those movies.
What makes these machines so interesting to me is the creation of all the interfaces(control panels, cabinet, funky interactive agitators), some that lasted less than a model year, that distinguished each brand's product from the others. Go look at washers on a Home Depot showroom floor today, especially top loaders--they're all the same bad boring design.
As you folks know, I'm very interested in industrial design, especially that of all these machines we collect, I'd love to know the providence of some of these details which is why I enjoy reading the Patents of the Day. I just think people who created this stuff deserve credit and being known. So many people have enjoyed the films "Mary Poppins" and "Star Wars" but don't realize that the matte artists Peter and Harrison Ellenshaw (father and son)were hugely responsible for the production design values of those movies.
What makes these machines so interesting to me is the creation of all the interfaces(control panels, cabinet, funky interactive agitators), some that lasted less than a model year, that distinguished each brand's product from the others. Go look at washers on a Home Depot showroom floor today, especially top loaders--they're all the same bad boring design.
That pilot light in the center is the suds return indicator. You would hold up the suds toggleswitch to start the return pump. When the light turned on you could release the switch.
The ballast for the lamp should be on the diagonal brace behind the back panel. Its just a small transformer. The switch needs to be held in until the ends of the bulb heat up, there is no starter. There is no dial light.
I too grew up with a '57 WA855P in white. Still have parts of it at home. Childhood memories.
The ballast for the lamp should be on the diagonal brace behind the back panel. Its just a small transformer. The switch needs to be held in until the ends of the bulb heat up, there is no starter. There is no dial light.
I too grew up with a '57 WA855P in white. Still have parts of it at home. Childhood memories.
Was it Quality or Quantity or Both?
Another Nice machine Ken Has anyone noticed the number of old Ge Appliances that show up here on the Group is it because they lasted longer or that there were more sold back in the day? or maybe a combination of the two! Seems you see alot of Maytags and GE's and Kenmores...Sears Did a fabulous job of marketing and financing their products Where were most GE's sold? Small appliance stores?
Another Nice machine Ken Has anyone noticed the number of old Ge Appliances that show up here on the Group is it because they lasted longer or that there were more sold back in the day? or maybe a combination of the two! Seems you see alot of Maytags and GE's and Kenmores...Sears Did a fabulous job of marketing and financing their products Where were most GE's sold? Small appliance stores?
Smartdrive, you are aptly named. Thank you for the perfect explanation. The balast was right there on the diagonal brace, right where you said it would be.
Timonator, I don't think GE got the credit for reliability that Maytag was famous for. I remember CU washer reports in the Sixties generally gave GE high marks for repair history, but time has proven them well made. GE was quick to capitalize on incentive buying plans for builders, so alot of condominiums and apartment buildings bought the brand. Also, GE was one of the only brands that had exclusive appliance dealers. I think they started to disappear sometime in the late Seventies, but they all had a tricolor(blue, white and yellow IIRC)illuminated sign. I'm trying to track down some of those stores here in Connecticut to see if any of those old farts were pack-rats and kept a decent inventory of NOS parts. I found one in Hamden, just as it was closing, but wasn't as successful as I'd hoped. I had to crawl through his dumpster and all I got for that was some electric coil burners and three Maytag HOH dryer sprinklers.
Timonator, I don't think GE got the credit for reliability that Maytag was famous for. I remember CU washer reports in the Sixties generally gave GE high marks for repair history, but time has proven them well made. GE was quick to capitalize on incentive buying plans for builders, so alot of condominiums and apartment buildings bought the brand. Also, GE was one of the only brands that had exclusive appliance dealers. I think they started to disappear sometime in the late Seventies, but they all had a tricolor(blue, white and yellow IIRC)illuminated sign. I'm trying to track down some of those stores here in Connecticut to see if any of those old farts were pack-rats and kept a decent inventory of NOS parts. I found one in Hamden, just as it was closing, but wasn't as successful as I'd hoped. I had to crawl through his dumpster and all I got for that was some electric coil burners and three Maytag HOH dryer sprinklers.
pturo
New member
Ken,
So glad you got the machine!
I was thinking when I spun it that the cable balancing system was out of wack, so probably you should check those pulleys and tension first, which should be easy to compare to a later model you have.
I was tempted to put petroleum jelly on the filter flow rubber spray outlet but then remembered that it could detriorate rubber. What about glycerine?
I suspect it was retired from use a long time ago and left sitting due to it's balance problem and the drain hose I removed was cracked and split very near the pump outlet which would have been undetectable unless one really looked and it looked the the pump was bad, which it wasn't.
Everything in the two family flat is/was deluxe and you just know that these people replaced things when they broke. You should see the stoves and kitchen appliances.
Best of luck with the filter flow. I can't wait to see pictures of it either!
Phil
So glad you got the machine!
I was thinking when I spun it that the cable balancing system was out of wack, so probably you should check those pulleys and tension first, which should be easy to compare to a later model you have.
I was tempted to put petroleum jelly on the filter flow rubber spray outlet but then remembered that it could detriorate rubber. What about glycerine?
I suspect it was retired from use a long time ago and left sitting due to it's balance problem and the drain hose I removed was cracked and split very near the pump outlet which would have been undetectable unless one really looked and it looked the the pump was bad, which it wasn't.
Everything in the two family flat is/was deluxe and you just know that these people replaced things when they broke. You should see the stoves and kitchen appliances.
Best of luck with the filter flow. I can't wait to see pictures of it either!
Phil
Beautiful machine. I was wondering if the dial was illuminated too. I guess 58 was the first year for an illuminated dial. I know the 58 and 59 had them. I hope when you get it ready for another test run that the tub indexing will be minimal. Those older GEs with no tub brake tended to have problems with the tub pawl which holds the tub steady during agitation. I had that problem on my mom's old 59. The tub started spinning clockwise during wash.
Good luck. Send us more pics as the restoration progresses.
Les
Good luck. Send us more pics as the restoration progresses.
Les
FYI, a couple of things:
The early GE machines (prior to the v-series) do not use the cable suspension system many of you are familiar with, rather; the mechanism is suspended on 3 or 4 spring and snubber assemblies at the bottom which anchors to the base of the machine.
Additionally, these tubs do index somewhat while washing. This is normal for the '57 machine. Later machines were modified to reduce or eliminate indexing--there are a couple of schemes used in later transmissions to accomplish this. IIRC Unimatic1140 did a write-up on the various iterations of the early GE transmissions, which can be found in the archive.
The early GE machines (prior to the v-series) do not use the cable suspension system many of you are familiar with, rather; the mechanism is suspended on 3 or 4 spring and snubber assemblies at the bottom which anchors to the base of the machine.
Additionally, these tubs do index somewhat while washing. This is normal for the '57 machine. Later machines were modified to reduce or eliminate indexing--there are a couple of schemes used in later transmissions to accomplish this. IIRC Unimatic1140 did a write-up on the various iterations of the early GE transmissions, which can be found in the archive.
During the first trial agitation, I didn't notice any appreciable indexing. That is before I reconnected one of those springs that you mentioned back onto the clip on the base. This is why the tub was lurching forward. God Bless Phil Turo and Youcrate as I found that spring rolling around the bottom of the crate when it was opened.
Does anyone know if I can remove the cabinet from the base with the tubs still attached. I remember Robert doing that with his 950R, but the outer tub was off of the machine.
Does anyone know if I can remove the cabinet from the base with the tubs still attached. I remember Robert doing that with his 950R, but the outer tub was off of the machine.
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