I know that the thor co. made those h axis wringer machines back in the 20S AND 30S. I have seen some of the later thor washers that look like smaller portables from the 50s. does anyone have one? thanks Bill
Are you referring to the "Automagic" range - these machines ran for quite a long time over here too, first model dating from 1946 aprx through to 1960ish. I wouldn't have said they were portable in the sense of easy to move around lol
They were great machines, and our in my top 5 of best machines. We had a model over which was operated by foot-pedals. I have 3 automagic's.
My grandparents had one they kept wrapped up in old quilts in the basement that I got after they both died. You might check with Robert, (Unimatic 1140) since he got if from me several years ago and see what happened to it.
The Thor company was incorporated into Parnall Ltd of Yate near Bristol and the Automagic became the Parnall Spinwasher, here we see Darren`s (SlowSpin) fully restored model, the Parnall Spinwasher EW60H from 1960.
Which later became this model which is awaiting a clutch restoration, it has 2 hose connections on the top, LHS for water ( also has a built in 3kw heater), RHS for drain, Timer control was wash & spin, flexible temperature control and the Selectomatic which controls the valves and motor for wash and spin, this is where you can use the famour "Spin-to--Save" spinning the wash water into the outer tub and re-use the wash water for another load, and also has a fast 800rpm spin dryer!!
Look what I found while rummaging around "Estate of Confusion" in Chattanooga today. It say "Stainless Steele Thor Dishwasher" on the center post. Is this what you are looking for?
Many didn't opt for the dishwasher option on Thor units
Because the darn thing was expensive.
According to my 1950's CR buying guide the thing coast nearly $80, that was big money at that time. Considering a housewife just got her husband to shell out for a washhing machine (a large expense) many probably didn't want to push their luck.
Besides again there was that "ewwwwwww" factor of washing dishes in the same machine as dirty nappies.
I saw that thing 5 years ago and wished I had bought it then!!Seems like they wanted some astronomical amount and I left it, Glad it was still there!!!!
Just a few pics of the Thor's I have...far right of the pic is the Mk2 Automagic from 1955 and the two other machines in cream are the last Automagic's to be produced in the UK under the Parnall-Radiation Group. These date from 1958 and are operated by pedals to switch operations ie wash-stop-spin. These machines were sold purely as washing machines and not a combination machine (dishwasher) as previous models.
Cheers
Keith
These Thor Automagics made it to just everywhere, Italy as well, have seen some popping out on sale, not a fan prsonally, I always found them sort of lazy, but sure a common piece among first machines appeared over here, pretty much like the Maytag wringer washers and others, these were the first and earliest "automatic" solutions for the "wealthy" folks the plus was also a dishwasher.
France also had a large importation of Thor machines.