Another one follows me home (1958 Maytag 641C)

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

qsd-dan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 24, 2007
Messages
7,242
Location
West
Saw this dryer listed on craigslist a few weeks ago for a very reasonable price. After it popped up for sale again, I knew from experience that it would be destined for the crusher if it didn't sell this time around. After speaking with the owner, this was his exact intentions. I just couldn't bear the thought of a near TOL (or maybe TOL) WORKING vintage dryer being sent to the crusher!

The Good:

It runs and heats up. YAY!

No rats nest to be found behind the rear panel.

Immediately found 17 cents after removing the rear panel.

The Bad:

It's missing a leg.

It's missing all 4 rubber feet.

I replaced the 40 watt drum light and it still refuses to light.

I replaced the 20 watt florescent console light and it refuses to light. I couldn't find a starter in this design, so that boggled me. After narrowing down the problem to the switch, I tried to carefully open it up and ended up breaking it in half........ooops.

The chime doesn't work.

Some idiot cut half of the "L" prong on the connector.

I think this unit is of the female gender. Doesn’t behave, respond to easy fixes, and probably will take lots o time and money to fix her......if that is even possible. LOL!!

I can certainly see why design changes (for the better) occurred later on in comparison to my 1964 DE-750. However, there are a few positive aspects to this old girl.

Here are some "before" pics of the unit.

5-3-2008-05-29-25--qsd-dan.jpg
 
Isn't the console light a manual start, like a desk lamp? You just hold the button down for a few seconds until it lights.
 
Isn't the console light a manual start, like a desk lamp

To be honest, I haven't a clue. Since I broke the switch in half trying to clean it (both buttons were very sticky) I need a new one anyway. Hopefully I can still locate one. I believe these switches were still in use up until 1963.

I sure wish I had the service manual so I could narrow down the problems more specifically.
 
A little TLC and this is a fine dryer. At some point the motor was replaced. There should be a ballast for the flourescent lamp on the floor of the console.
Bobby in Boston
 
Back
Top