When a vintage collector gets a vintage dream machine, a fairy gets his wings:
Brian L, you are just the best!
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Brian, very kindly and patiently, held on to this baby for me while I got my act together...
so call me an idiot
For me, a die-hard Filter-Flo collector, 1961 was THE vintage year and I've always wanted one of the "Lost in
Space" -styled TOL's with the idiotic backsplash, idiotic controls, and the even more idiotic straight-line cycle indicator. And, most importantly, it's got the absolutely idiotic "Air Freshner Key"!!!!
For me, a die-hard Filter-Flo collector, 1961 was THE vintage year and I've always wanted one of the "Lost in
Space" -styled TOL's with the idiotic backsplash, idiotic controls, and the even more idiotic straight-line cycle indicator. And, most importantly, it's got the absolutely idiotic "Air Freshner Key"!!!!
Is there a deity for vintage appliances I can pray to?
Gloriosky, the lights are still working and firing up as soon as I plugged him in! Jeez I do love lighted things and bells and whistles. I am going to have a lot of fun playing with this. Oh Dear God let me not screw this up by being impatient and breaking stuff as I try to repair stuff!
This machine is what the fuddy-duddy repair guys were talking about when they were counseling our Mothers not to buy TOL's because they just had more parts to break. OK, two challenges: the indicator pointer on the control panel doesn't move. Had to (as if anything could have stopped me) open up the control panel and found a delightfully Rube Goldberg key-chain contraption designed to move the pointer in tandem with the timer/automatic control which, unlike every other GE dryer of the period that I have used, has two stops at either end of the timed and automatic cycles.
First, I need to look for the squirrel and see if he's still alive after 51 years.
Gloriosky, the lights are still working and firing up as soon as I plugged him in! Jeez I do love lighted things and bells and whistles. I am going to have a lot of fun playing with this. Oh Dear God let me not screw this up by being impatient and breaking stuff as I try to repair stuff!
This machine is what the fuddy-duddy repair guys were talking about when they were counseling our Mothers not to buy TOL's because they just had more parts to break. OK, two challenges: the indicator pointer on the control panel doesn't move. Had to (as if anything could have stopped me) open up the control panel and found a delightfully Rube Goldberg key-chain contraption designed to move the pointer in tandem with the timer/automatic control which, unlike every other GE dryer of the period that I have used, has two stops at either end of the timed and automatic cycles.
First, I need to look for the squirrel and see if he's still alive after 51 years.
On the right, there's a hanging piece of table-lamp chain that has broken off of the sprocket. As luck would have it, there's a little instruction sheet stuck inside the control panel that is explaining how to re-index the pointer, but I'm a little at a loss as how to reattach it to the tiny hole in the control-knob armature slightly visible on the right hand side of the knob.
The second challenge is that when I start up the dryer, it sounds like it's tumbling a long-dead raccoon inside the drum. The unit heats up incredibly fast and the air flow is vigorous. Pretty clean machine; don't know where it came from, but it looks like it didn't get a lot of use especially since the green operating instructions sticker is still completely intact. Those usually self-destructed after about 10 years of use.
Now that's a lint filter!
I remember when my Father and I replaced a BOL 1961 dryer from their tenants' apartment and brought in a 1975 BOL with the same model number. The first thing we noticed was how heavy the older dryer was than the new one. The second thing we noticed was how well constructed the old lint screen was compared to the new one that looked like ordinary window screening in a plastic frame. This thing is not only heavy, but it has a very fine meshed screen and a wire armature to block small items like socks and hanky's from falling into the lint trap during operation.
I remember when my Father and I replaced a BOL 1961 dryer from their tenants' apartment and brought in a 1975 BOL with the same model number. The first thing we noticed was how heavy the older dryer was than the new one. The second thing we noticed was how well constructed the old lint screen was compared to the new one that looked like ordinary window screening in a plastic frame. This thing is not only heavy, but it has a very fine meshed screen and a wire armature to block small items like socks and hanky's from falling into the lint trap during operation.
Hard to describe the satisfaction you feel after imagining and drawing these things for years and then having the actual piece right in front of you, showing you what you got wrong and what you got right. The control panel on this thing is amazing. GE deserved all of the profits it every got for Lexan. There are 4 separated pieces of clear Lexan on this panel, held in place by a heavy chromed-steel frame and embossed with painted control demarcations. The backing is very light, etched aluminum that was goldish in 1960, and here is silverish is 1961.
And another nice surprise: the magnetic latch escutcheon is also baby-blue, unique to the vintage. Thank you again Brian for helping me get a Dream Machine!
brianl
Well-known member
I'm glad I was able to help!
It looked like a pretty cool machine, but noticing how it was a dream machine of yours, and not so much of mine, I wanted go see it go to a better home. It was in an elderly lady's home and she had not used it for about 20 or 25 years prior to my arrival. They just wanted it gone at this point. That was a good hour or so each way, and very hard to get out, but well worth it.
Hope you enjoy it for a long time, now just keep an eye out for washer parts for me lol.
It looked like a pretty cool machine, but noticing how it was a dream machine of yours, and not so much of mine, I wanted go see it go to a better home. It was in an elderly lady's home and she had not used it for about 20 or 25 years prior to my arrival. They just wanted it gone at this point. That was a good hour or so each way, and very hard to get out, but well worth it.
Hope you enjoy it for a long time, now just keep an eye out for washer parts for me lol.
Yay for Dream Machines!
Wow, Ken that is absolutely fantastic! What a beautiful dryer, CONGRATULATIONS!!
I hope you are able to get it back in perfect working order very quickly!
Kevin
Wow, Ken that is absolutely fantastic! What a beautiful dryer, CONGRATULATIONS!!
I hope you are able to get it back in perfect working order very quickly!
Kevin
aldspinboy
Well-known member
Yaaaaa Fantastic Ken !
Floating Control Panels with light's are the best very clean and sinple buttons I love it.
I like the timer even in the time range went only to 40 min instead of 120 ..
which I have seen people use just for a regular load..can you say over drying.
The things you learn here, never saw a GE lint filter like the one in your dryer..
just shows you how things change in production.
Well wishing you the best on the restore.
How is the drum can you get a shot of it ?
Darren k
Floating Control Panels with light's are the best very clean and sinple buttons I love it.
I like the timer even in the time range went only to 40 min instead of 120 ..
which I have seen people use just for a regular load..can you say over drying.
The things you learn here, never saw a GE lint filter like the one in your dryer..
just shows you how things change in production.
Well wishing you the best on the restore.
How is the drum can you get a shot of it ?
Darren k
I am so happy for all involved in this
because of the good appliance karma involved, both for Brian and Ken. YAY!
I did not care for this style control panel for one reason, the abandonment of the push to start key. I tried the PULL TO START knob on one at Rich's downtown store and the whole control panel seemed to flex outward when the timer knob was pulled forward which seemed to place more stress on everything than just a key to push down.
How I wish the little aerosol containers of air freshener were still available. I loved that scent, even if it was a haphazard way of getting the fragrance into the clothes. The user was supposed to push on the key in the last 5 minutes of so of drying.
Speaking of the guard over the lint screen, my absolute favorite was the early one that was sort of a long oval with the prongs for the mounting holes at each end. Its elegance and simplicity was something that could only have come from an earlier time, before bean counters cheapened it on the way to its eventual elimination.
because of the good appliance karma involved, both for Brian and Ken. YAY!
I did not care for this style control panel for one reason, the abandonment of the push to start key. I tried the PULL TO START knob on one at Rich's downtown store and the whole control panel seemed to flex outward when the timer knob was pulled forward which seemed to place more stress on everything than just a key to push down.
How I wish the little aerosol containers of air freshener were still available. I loved that scent, even if it was a haphazard way of getting the fragrance into the clothes. The user was supposed to push on the key in the last 5 minutes of so of drying.
Speaking of the guard over the lint screen, my absolute favorite was the early one that was sort of a long oval with the prongs for the mounting holes at each end. Its elegance and simplicity was something that could only have come from an earlier time, before bean counters cheapened it on the way to its eventual elimination.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Very nice! I saw one of those in pink a long time ago in a customer's house. She loved it. Never saw one again. Can you splice that chain with a good section? I thought there were couplers for light pull chains like that for mating sections together. I just repaired a pull chain on my ceiling fan that looks just like that.
As to the drum noise, you'll have to remove the front panel and drum to check it out. Just be careful when raising the top as the top will want to flop around and there is 1 to 2 wiring connection terminals on the right hand side that can have wire connectors pulled loose if the top gets away from you! It could be anything from changing the drum glides and rear bearing (a fairly easy job) to possibly a belt and idler. Of course, the best thing to do is service/change all the above if you want to keep her running as a frequent driver. So cool. Now, it's onto finding the washer!
RCD
As to the drum noise, you'll have to remove the front panel and drum to check it out. Just be careful when raising the top as the top will want to flop around and there is 1 to 2 wiring connection terminals on the right hand side that can have wire connectors pulled loose if the top gets away from you! It could be anything from changing the drum glides and rear bearing (a fairly easy job) to possibly a belt and idler. Of course, the best thing to do is service/change all the above if you want to keep her running as a frequent driver. So cool. Now, it's onto finding the washer!
RCD
Ball chain
it's called "ball chain", you should find it in the lamp/chandelier department at Lowe's, Home Depot,. etc.
it's called "ball chain", you should find it in the lamp/chandelier department at Lowe's, Home Depot,. etc.
1961 GE TOL Dryer
Congratulations Ken on getting a dream machine. I believe this dryer still would have a rubber roller that drives the drum, this system uses one short V-belt to drive an idler shaft that the drum drive roller is attached to. The drive roller could have developed a flat spot from sitting unused for so many years and the little drive belt may have also have developed a set spot where it was resting on the little motor pulley all these years. Both of these may correct themselves to some degree the small belt would be reasonably easy to replace. This dryer would also have two rollers at the front, they didn't use the Teflon slides yet and dryers with rollers were always a little noisier than non-roller dryers. The rollers can be replaced with the Teflon slides if they are worn out or don't quite down.
No 120 minute timer, dryers with 2 and 3 hour timers were built that way so they could be operated on 120 volts in addition to the regular 240 volt power. GE intended with this dryer that basically all drying would be done on the automatic cycles. And this is where GEs superior electrical engineering comes into play. If you remove the one removable screw on the model # plate there is screw slot on the main control thermostat that can be adjusted so the automatic dry cycles will work properly on 120, 208 or 240 volts. This is explained on the installation instructions on the back of the dryer. This was one of very few dryers that would operate properly on the auto cycles and 120 volts until electronic dry control dryers came along.
Congratulations Ken on getting a dream machine. I believe this dryer still would have a rubber roller that drives the drum, this system uses one short V-belt to drive an idler shaft that the drum drive roller is attached to. The drive roller could have developed a flat spot from sitting unused for so many years and the little drive belt may have also have developed a set spot where it was resting on the little motor pulley all these years. Both of these may correct themselves to some degree the small belt would be reasonably easy to replace. This dryer would also have two rollers at the front, they didn't use the Teflon slides yet and dryers with rollers were always a little noisier than non-roller dryers. The rollers can be replaced with the Teflon slides if they are worn out or don't quite down.
No 120 minute timer, dryers with 2 and 3 hour timers were built that way so they could be operated on 120 volts in addition to the regular 240 volt power. GE intended with this dryer that basically all drying would be done on the automatic cycles. And this is where GEs superior electrical engineering comes into play. If you remove the one removable screw on the model # plate there is screw slot on the main control thermostat that can be adjusted so the automatic dry cycles will work properly on 120, 208 or 240 volts. This is explained on the installation instructions on the back of the dryer. This was one of very few dryers that would operate properly on the auto cycles and 120 volts until electronic dry control dryers came along.
<a name="start_39354.583239">I did not care for this style control panel for one reason, the abandonment of the push to start key.</a>
<span style="color: #000000;">Tom, nail on the head as usual. For some reason, GE decided in 1961, when it introduced the V-12 models, that it would streamline the controls of their TOL dryers. The top 3 models all had only a dial to control the cycles and to be pulled as a safety start switch. The mate to Robert's fabulous "Rotary Fabric Dial" washer, as it turns out, was like this. When I first saw a photo ad of this dryer, I thought the "Air Freshener" key was the safety start switch. Who knew? Maybe GE was trying to imitate Maytag simplicity? Who knows but it is difficult to yank (Toggles, sit down) that knob and as anyone who has used an old GE dryer knows, if you hit the safety start switch too fast, it arcs and blows a house fuse or a breaker. By 1962, the dryers all had start buttons again. </span>
<span style="color: #000000;"> Also, how the hell is that air freshener supposed to work? I thought there'd be a tube like the one on a fancy Kenmore dryer that would conduct the spray down into the drum air stream, but it looks like the cylinder just discharges into the cavity of the backsplash. Am I missing some parts?
</span>
<span style="color: #000000;">John, somehow I knew you would have the answer. Thank you and thanks to all y'all well-wishers. I will keep you posted as I attempt to fix this machine. I doubt it will be my daily driver, but who knows, these old GE dryers were so fast, I may.
</span>
<span style="color: #000000;">Tom, nail on the head as usual. For some reason, GE decided in 1961, when it introduced the V-12 models, that it would streamline the controls of their TOL dryers. The top 3 models all had only a dial to control the cycles and to be pulled as a safety start switch. The mate to Robert's fabulous "Rotary Fabric Dial" washer, as it turns out, was like this. When I first saw a photo ad of this dryer, I thought the "Air Freshener" key was the safety start switch. Who knew? Maybe GE was trying to imitate Maytag simplicity? Who knows but it is difficult to yank (Toggles, sit down) that knob and as anyone who has used an old GE dryer knows, if you hit the safety start switch too fast, it arcs and blows a house fuse or a breaker. By 1962, the dryers all had start buttons again. </span>
<span style="color: #000000;"> Also, how the hell is that air freshener supposed to work? I thought there'd be a tube like the one on a fancy Kenmore dryer that would conduct the spray down into the drum air stream, but it looks like the cylinder just discharges into the cavity of the backsplash. Am I missing some parts?
</span>
<span style="color: #000000;">John, somehow I knew you would have the answer. Thank you and thanks to all y'all well-wishers. I will keep you posted as I attempt to fix this machine. I doubt it will be my daily driver, but who knows, these old GE dryers were so fast, I may.
</span>
Oh, and before I forget, thanks Mark for the direction on the ball-chain. I'll try one of those stores with ceiling fans, although I'm tempted to just try cinching a tiny paper clip around what's left of the chain and see if that works.This fancy schmancy timer indicator is my least favorite thing about this machine. I love Filter-flo plastic cycle dials; I think they were works of art in and of themselves, I would much rather have a dial to operate this machine than one of these chain gizmo's as cool as they are. I have the beginnings of a collection of GE Filter-flo dials and would like to have every one that was made between 1957 and 1963 when they switched to the integral stamped ones.
Darren-the drum is in very good condition, I'll try to take a shot of it when I can get some light down there. There's a little spot of what looks like rust at the back of the drum but it may be some staining from the friggin' air freshener chemicals which seem to have left a lot of traces. I can still smell a little of the perfume in there. How is it possible that NOBODY on eBay has any of these air fresheners to sell? Gee whiz.
Darren-the drum is in very good condition, I'll try to take a shot of it when I can get some light down there. There's a little spot of what looks like rust at the back of the drum but it may be some staining from the friggin' air freshener chemicals which seem to have left a lot of traces. I can still smell a little of the perfume in there. How is it possible that NOBODY on eBay has any of these air fresheners to sell? Gee whiz.
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
Thanks, John. I personally have not had the fortune to be able to get into one this old. I look forward to pictures of the inside and drive system if possible!
RCD
RCD
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