Can somebody help me get my wringer washer going? please?

[polkanut]

Another product that will help soften your wash water is 20 Mule Team Borax. It also acts as a deodorizer.

 

[geoffdelp]

Terri ... Sure; why not??!! How much lubrication did you lose? 1/2 of a cup? In order to add more lubrication, you would have to disassemble the entire machine and tear apart the transmission, remove the right angle drive from the wringer post ... doesn't sound like much fun, does it?

It really isn't as bad as it sounds and if you want to keep the machine for a long time, a rebuild might not be a bad thing.

BUT ... for now ... how about just using it and see what it does?? You won't know until you try.

RCD ... working? A total of seven (7). Not working/disassembled? Two (2). That's not so many, is it???

Here's my 1963 Model N2LP that I use infrequently. I also got this one brand new, so I am protecting the bakelite agitator from the harsh laundry chemicals. The poly agitators in the later models can handle just about everything.

 

[geoffdelp]

Here's a shot of the harem that RCD loves ...

 

[polkanut]

Here are the instructions for locking apart the rollers between washings:

1. Release tension by pressing the red or turquoise release bar on either side.

2. Place hand under upper roll, raise the cap approximately one inch-and

3. Turn reset handle (on top of wringer) one quarter turn clockwise.

To place tension on the rollers again:

1. Press release bar-and

2. Simultaneously turn reset handle one quarter turn counter-clockwise.

3. When cap drops in place, turn reset handle one quarter turn clockwise to again place tension on the rollers.

Should the wringer become locked in the "up" position during operation, follow the last 3 steps above.

I hope this helps. These directions are taken directly from the instruction booklet for a 1956 Maytag E2L.

 

[westingman123]

Harem

Those are beautiful machines! Did you restore them, or just preserve them? I have 3 that I rescued and 1 that was my grandma's; I'd love to make it like new as yours look. As soon as I learn how to post some pics I'll get with the program!

 

[revvinkevin]

Yes Geoff, that IS a GREAT photo! How about a shot of the red ones too??

Is there any functional or capacity difference to the square vs. round tubs, or is it simply a matter of styling?

 

[polkanut]

According to the instruction booklet I have in front of me, the Model N (round tub) holds 15 gallons, and the Models E & J hold 18 gallons. Other than water capacity, there is no difference in the cleaning ability of any of them IMO.

 

[geoffdelp]

Kevin ... Tim is right; there really is no difference in cleaning ability between the machines ... it's all on how the operator uses the machine(s).

The big difference is the capacity. The round model N holds less clothing (not much) than the J and E. The J and E have no real difference, except for the tub.

Fun to note ... Maytag used the same transmission, agitator, wringer head (not where the rollers are, but where the lever is), motor, hoses (cut shorter for the N) in all of their machines. They used the same tub bolts, etc. in all of their machines. I guess being able to use the same parts in all 3 machines made production a lot easier.

Oh ... the red models ... those are still a "work in process" and will have their own unveiling later.

William ... I was very lucky and in the picture above, the square aluminum tub Model E and the round tub Model N were brand new when I bought them. The E came from the state of Washington and the N came from a dealer's showrooom in Virginia (if my memory serves me). The model J is a complete restore that I did; that was my cousin's mother-in-law's machine and after she passed away, I was able to snap it up!!

Thanks for asking and enjoy!!

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Yes, I do love the 'harem' picture. I'm looking forward to the red models. Geoff, was there a model with a clear tub? It seem to me I saw one in the background of a picture taken by another member (was it in a picture with Robert's Apex?). Could it have been a demonstrator model from a show room? I've asked to see if it could be pictured more closely.

I called Geoff's collection the harem even though I think I once said something to the effect of Him being the 'crazy cat lady' of the wringer world... I'm glad he still speaks to me... LOL!!!

RCD

 

[geoffdelp]

Hi RCD ... Well ... I suppose I've been called worse over the years; crazy cat lady doesn't seem too bad!!!

Yes ... there WAS a clear demonstrator tub and you are right, Robert does have one. I bet if you went over his pictures, you would find it. His is VERY unique in the fact that the low-post gyratator that is in the machine, was made from Pyrex glass!! They produced those gyratators during WWII when all metals and plastics were rationed. He has a great little piece of American history there.

These tubs went on Model J's and were used to demonstrate Maytag's famous gyrafoam action. A variety of things were used in tubs for demonstrating over the years. Dealers used ping-pong balls, poker chips and, of course, water. When filled with water and clothing, the washing action is clearly evident; it must have been a great sales tool!!

Guess what? I have a demonstrator tub, too!! I am also lucky enough to possess a low-post black agitator!

All of that will be a part of my "red harem" ... whenever I get it done. With summer and work and the yard and garden and golfing, my weeks go by really, really fast. I am going to just have to block some serious "Geoff time" in the garage!

I guess maybe I am a crazy cat lady with my Maytag wringers!! LOL

 

[westingman123]

crazy cat lady

Umm,I have a feeling we all qualify as "crazy cat ladies" when it comes to appliances. Not crazy at all, considering the world we live in. Now golfers, on the other hand....(insert smirk here). Oh, and call me Keith. William was my Daddy.

 

[mayart]

I'm FINALLY a reply posted, sorry it took so long!!

~~~~~

WHITEKINGD,

thanks for the response, sorry I missed you in my thank you the other day!
~~~~~

polkanut,

Borax is good stuff, isn't it? I used to use it back when my kids were little to get their cloth diapers white.
~~~~~

Geoff,

I'm sure I lost a least 1/2 cup, it was all over the tarp that I put in my van and a bit had soaked through to the carpet.
~~~~~~

Wellllllll, I've cranked 'er up and it's a go. :}

Except for maybe the wringer itself, still gotta mess around with it. Maybe I was doing something wrong. We'll see. (Thank you, polkanut for the wringer instructions, I'm gonna print them out and take them downstairs to the washer tomorrow to see if I can get the wringer going.)

I filled it up for the first time on Friday.

As soon as it was full and I had added some towels...the agitator fllllllllooooooooooated up and sideways. I pushed it back down. It stayed and proceeded to swish back and forth and the towels did that rollover y'all talk about. It was kind of a strange experience having the water so full and rolling around, but all was well.

And .... I DO have a pump! (Even though my model number on the machine doesn't have a "P" in it...anyone know why that would be?) And it works quite well, except that when the tub is almost empty, water starts dripping all over the floor, so I gotta figure out what is going on. Maybe the clamp isn't tight enough anymore?

So, I used it on Friday night and then again today, and it agitated and agitated for several hours. I had to use my top loader for the rinse part after I wrung everything out by hand. I think it went well for the first time.

Can we still get new rollers? My top roller is black and when I was cleaning it, some came off on the rag, so I don't want that going on the clothes when I wring them out.
~~~~~~~

Geoff,

that "harem" shot is great!! Those are some sweet looking machines! Someday I would like to get one of the square tubs.
I love the turquoise and white together, it's so pretty.
~~~~~

LOL @ RCD about the Crazy Cat Lady title - wringers must be like Lay's potato chips, I guess!

 

[whitekingd]

New rollers!

I have frequently seen new Maytag rollers for sale on E-bay. Check it out!