Blackstone ironer/press

[sudsmaster]

On the bottom of a built-in cabinet the garage here there's quite an array of old motors, gears, wheels, etc. Amongst the clutter, as I was sifting through it to see what I could toss without feeling guilty, I pulled out a large curved shape piece of metal. About one inch thick, about 2 feet long, and about six inches wide. Kind of shaped like a celery stalk. I thought it was part of some sort of device to put threads on iron pipe.

Next was what I had assumed was a large motor of some kind, with two shafts protruding from it. About 2-1/2 feet long. This time I decided to chuck it, but first I read the lable on the motor end: Blackstone. Then I saw a cool black baketlite rotary switch, that says "Iron" or "Press" depending on how your turn it. I put 2 and 2 together, and knowing that Blackstone made washers, I finally figured out that what I had was the essential parts of a Blackstone ironer... but only parts of it. I can't seem to find the stand or any clue on how the parts might go together. But I figure that the curved piece probably has a heating element inside it, and it comes into contact with a padded roll that turns on the motorized shaft part.

I'll post pics later on in the week as I get the stuff out into the open. I just thought it was cool that there was this vintage laundry related equipment hiding out in my garage for this long...

 

[gansky1]

It sounds like you need to have a wash-in out in your shed! What a cool thing to discover, I wonder if those parts you found were to one of the Blackstone cabinet ironers that matched the washer and dryer sets?

 

[sudsmaster]

Interesting. I didn't know that Blackstone had a cabinet style ironer.

The motorized portion of the ironer/press has a regular 110 volt cord and plug attached. What I think is the pressure plate has a severed armoured cable attached. When I get a chance to pull the stuff out of the cubby it's in, I'll take some photos and let you decide ;-)

 

[blackstone]

I have one of those Blackstone ironers, just like in Greg's picture. I'm keeping it to match the washers and dryers. I also sold two to members here. If you need service information, parts breakdowns, etc., I could send copies. Hey, Blackstone's my name.
Fred

 

[sudsmaster]

Three easy pieces...

This is all that I found. The motor unit, what looks like the heater unit, and a handle which seems to fit the heater unit (sort of).

 

[sudsmaster]

Close up of motor unit front nameplate

 

[sudsmaster]

From the looks of the above photos, and also from the general lack of interest after they were posted, I'm guessing these parts are from a commercial type unit, and not a home unit in a cabinet.

I'm also guessing that nobody would be outraged if I were to haul the remains (minus the front name plate and the cool rotary "IRON/PRESS" switch) to the dump...?

 

[whirlcool]

As long as we are talking about ironers/mangles....

It seems that these were most popular in the northern parts of the U.S. at least thats where all the ones I see on fleabay are.