Bendix bolt-down

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paulg

paulg

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My sweet home... Chicago
I just bought a Bendix bolt-down front loader. Late 1940's. I'll be picking it up next week as it is still bolted down and connected! I think the owner was still using it. Not sure tho. No other working washer in the house and EVERYTHING was old. Great cosmetic shape.
QUESTION:
I know I must bolt it down to use it - but must I bolt it to the cement basement foundation? Can I use cinder-block? What tricks do you have?
I'm sure it is a gravity drain. i'm lucky as the unfinished basement has drains for the shower and toilet in the floor which will never be used. But I hate laying cement over those drains
Any modern ideas to affix this thing?
All comments welcome as always.
 
ballast platform

i recon you could build a wooden box-say out of 2x8,fill it with sand,and have
a couple heavy planks fastened across the top to bolt the washer to-that should
have enough ballast to keep the washer in place as they are pretty small and
have a spin speed of only around 300rpm IIRC. All of the old bolt down bendixes
i have seen on here all have had pump drain using a pump on the motor and a
solenoid valve.
 
I also just remembered when i built a stand out of angle iron to raise my little
24"splendide combomatic 2 feet up off the cement basement floor,i drilled 4 holes
in the cement floor with a "hammer drill"and masonry bit then used lead anchors
with lag screws to secure the angle iron stand to the floor.
 
Older then late 40's !

I belive that washer is the very first Bendix washer model!! It looks to be in very good condition. Jon (jetcone) loaned me the service manual for this washer, and I'm in the process of scanning it now. That washer is very rare, if you ever decide to sell it please let me or Jon know. Jeff
 
Service manual.

Look at the 1946 Bendix service manual located in the club library. This is a later model and much has changed by 1946, but it shows how to install a Bendix washer. Jeff
 
Mercy me.

I really had no idea how old this was.
Question: How much does it weigh? Without its cement feet of course.
Second question: Where is the club library with the installation info. I've never been there.

Thanks again!
 
Paul that is a sweet find!

It is one of the first Bendix Deluxe bolt downs. John E has an earlier model that is not the deluxe. To get to the service manuals goto > the home page >  The Library> then hit vintage service manuals, its about the 4th one down. 

Once its unbolted, they aren't heavy about 150-170 pounds. Just be sure to tape the drop down door shut before you move it, you don't want the glass breaking when you go to move it.

Let us know ASAP if it had the galvanized tub or the porcelain tub, that will help determine how old she is.

 

For bolting down  on mine I'm going to have a welder build  a cage that can be bolted to the floor and then bolt the machine to that,I saw that at John's house the one time he let me in. Also Jeff suggested a large steel tank that you fill with water and bolt it to that, that way you can drain and move in the future when you need space for 22 machines!

 

 

Yes, if you ever want sell it contact Jeff or myself we'd love it forever. Happy washing in it and crank out the video camera!

 

 

Jon

 

 
 
It sure does have the door hinged at the bottom, just as Jetcone posted. Its absolutely amazing that the USA could build something that would last over 65 years.  Todays things are so poorly made. alr2903
 
Saturday morn

Looks like I'll be pulling me a washin' machine come Saturday morn.
I'll keep y'all apprised of its condition once I get it back here.
Yes, the door opens downward. Don't remember if the drum is porcelain or galv.
But now I need a truck.
I'll fasten the door shut to ensure it gets back here in one piece.
I do have a BENDIX TV in working order. The washer will have a friend.
 
Bendix start up

Make sure the pump and pumpvalve and solenoid are not seized up before you try to run that machine or you can do damage also pour some hot water into the tub and let it sit first so you dont damage the pump seal.
 
Amazing find!

It is getting rarer that these "time capsule" houses of this vintage are still out there. If this is what if appears, still working and in such good condition, it is one of the unique finds that shows up once or twice a year only. Good luck with it.

One tip I would give you is that these are relatively light but also top heavy, so please secure it well in your vehicle. There is alot of force for this to tip over when you go around a corner.
 
It was weird

The house was made in the 50's. But in the house the kitchen range was a gas 1920's unit on legs.. The refrigerator was a mid-50's GE. But in the basement was a pristine 1920's or 30's Frigidaire - on legs. Didn't know if it worked.
Everything in the house was old. Old radios and TVs. I bought an approx 1960 Emerson TV with the box in near-perfect shape.
The family and friends were there. They said the owner was a VERY fastidious woman who kept everything... in pristine order. You can tell. The house smelled clean.
When I asked why they had such an old washer that pre-dated the house I was given this explanation. Apparently the Mother-in-Law came to live with them in the 50's and brought along her stuff which included the washer. They installed it. Perhaps that explains the 20's range and Frig in a mid-50's house. It was indeed a time-capsule.
Who knows, maybe tomorrow some leftover stuff will still be there.
 
Please advise

Extrication of unit went well. Door was taped shut. That worked well.
Opened unit up looking for dead mice and such. It was clean. There is a strange electrical part just past the outlet of the water solenoids. What is that?
I can see how people love these units, they are built to last 1000 years.
And there is an AC socket on the rear? What the heck? Does it use a ROASTER cord?? LOL.
Regarding wiring - the wiring is certainly old but insulation is intact. Do you rewire? Or just insulate a little better around the existing, intact insulation? Or do you use these units just as showpieces?
If I were to restore it, I would have to add ground straps - no problem there. Just wondering what y'all do.
The removable leveler legs were damaged. Fortunately they unscrew. Replacements available?
Thanks a lot for your advice thus far. Am looking forward to your comments about the unit at this point.
 
Paul that is in georgeous shape

WOW! Jeff has my books right now, he can look up that mystery part for you. OOO JEFFF????

 

What a pristine unit there. It has the original cast iron transmission, sometime in 39 -40 they switched to what was called the G unit which was invented by Green and was an easier transmission to assemble on the line than the cast iron one, saved them time and money. So its pre 1939 I'd say for sure but not 1938-7 since it has the porcelain drum.

 

I would just tape the areas on the wiring that look dicey, that wiring was high quality copper in its day. 

 

Great pics! Jon

 
 
The weird looking thing on the water line...

Could that be a ground connection? Was this machine grounded using the cold water hose with the ground conductor in it?
 

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