mickeyd
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CLOSE-UP PIX of the 56 UNIMATIC for Joel, Patrick, Eddy, Robert as per Request, & all Frigidarians
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mickeyd
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mickeyd
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mickeyd
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Story to come--a good one I hope
Have to eat, but wanted to get these up while they were wet. ;'D
Have to eat, but wanted to get these up while they were wet. ;'D
BEAUTIFUL
simple, elegant,...BEAUTIFUL
simple, elegant,...BEAUTIFUL
mickeyd
Well-known member
Eating & Writing on my Laptop
The water broke on my WO 65-2 , aka, 1952 Unimatic, and instead of delivering a baby Uni, it wouldn't hold water. I tried in vain to procure another Bellows. Dissatisfied with washdays without a Unimatic, I was about to give up when Big Ted offered a 56 for purchase.
Turned out, a man who travels from his home in Cleveland to Boston each month on a Lobster Run was passing through the land of Ted, making the delivery a piece of cake.
Ted had warned me that there was some scraping on the tub's rim. What he didn't tell me was that the gray porcelain was a flawless, immaculate, highly glossed masterpiece. I have seen few tubs this beautiful.
When I first started using the machine, I noticed that it overfilled by several gallons, and that it was washing for 15 minutes even though I had selected ten and there was no 15 on the dial, anyway, as you can plainly see. Even more encouraging, the washer stayed on DRY for 7 minutes. So I adjusted the water pressure at the tap, to make the time match the fill, and enjoyed this unusual machine that was clearly modified for a rinsaholic, with a 5 minute overflow rinse. With every cycle lengthened, including the wash spin, this was like a Frigi on steroids--total overkill. But I was hardly complaining--the loads were so dry, and it was winter, and the 56 was in the kitchen--total bliss.
I soon learned from Steve Gyrafoam that he once owned this machine, and before him it lived with Mark Lightedcontrols who had replaced the original timer which advanced every 40 seconds with a Mallory timer which clicks every minute, effectively adding 20 seconds to each increment, thus making this machine one souped up mutha.
From Mark to Steve to Ted to Mike--and the machine is still sane LOL.
About the water throw: You really have to be quick with the camera: if you fiddle a few seconds too long--WHOOSH--she's gone where the mushrooms go ---lalalalalalalal. But at least you get to appreciate some of the tub's beauty.[this post was last edited: 4/18/2012-22:01]
The water broke on my WO 65-2 , aka, 1952 Unimatic, and instead of delivering a baby Uni, it wouldn't hold water. I tried in vain to procure another Bellows. Dissatisfied with washdays without a Unimatic, I was about to give up when Big Ted offered a 56 for purchase.
Turned out, a man who travels from his home in Cleveland to Boston each month on a Lobster Run was passing through the land of Ted, making the delivery a piece of cake.
Ted had warned me that there was some scraping on the tub's rim. What he didn't tell me was that the gray porcelain was a flawless, immaculate, highly glossed masterpiece. I have seen few tubs this beautiful.
When I first started using the machine, I noticed that it overfilled by several gallons, and that it was washing for 15 minutes even though I had selected ten and there was no 15 on the dial, anyway, as you can plainly see. Even more encouraging, the washer stayed on DRY for 7 minutes. So I adjusted the water pressure at the tap, to make the time match the fill, and enjoyed this unusual machine that was clearly modified for a rinsaholic, with a 5 minute overflow rinse. With every cycle lengthened, including the wash spin, this was like a Frigi on steroids--total overkill. But I was hardly complaining--the loads were so dry, and it was winter, and the 56 was in the kitchen--total bliss.
I soon learned from Steve Gyrafoam that he once owned this machine, and before him it lived with Mark Lightedcontrols who had replaced the original timer which advanced every 40 seconds with a Mallory timer which clicks every minute, effectively adding 20 seconds to each increment, thus making this machine one souped up mutha.
From Mark to Steve to Ted to Mike--and the machine is still sane LOL.
About the water throw: You really have to be quick with the camera: if you fiddle a few seconds too long--WHOOSH--she's gone where the mushrooms go ---lalalalalalalal. But at least you get to appreciate some of the tub's beauty.[this post was last edited: 4/18/2012-22:01]
Oh My Goodness!
I thought something looked familiar about that tub! I saw this machine sitting in Mark's old warehouse. This is the same machine I was referring to! I'm glad to know where it finally went.
I thought something looked familiar about that tub! I saw this machine sitting in Mark's old warehouse. This is the same machine I was referring to! I'm glad to know where it finally went.
mickeyd
Well-known member
I Know, it's just nuts, isn't it.
If you ever see him, Joe, thank him a million for the Mallory timer. And THANK YOU for passing it up, or I wouldn't have it.
Robert, thank you. Its beauty never ceases to amaze.
If you ever see him, Joe, thank him a million for the Mallory timer. And THANK YOU for passing it up, or I wouldn't have it.
Robert, thank you. Its beauty never ceases to amaze.
Of course
I talked to Mark regularly and I stayed a few days with him back in February. He's such a generous person. I hope either a 56 or a 58 turns up someday, if it does I'm on it even though I'm more of a rollermatic guy.
I talked to Mark regularly and I stayed a few days with him back in February. He's such a generous person. I hope either a 56 or a 58 turns up someday, if it does I'm on it even though I'm more of a rollermatic guy.
mickeyd--Thanks for sharing the photos and history of your unique '56! One question: What is the little button in the center of the load selector for? Do you have to depress it to change from one setting to another?
mickeyd
Well-known member
Unlikely as it sounds,
It's the "lid switch," such as it is. The lid had to be all the way back to activate--not very useful--as if we care. But it doesn't work. Either Mark, or Steve, or Ted disconnected it.
These early-edition switches were even on the WO 65-2's. See the white tab on the far left of the control panel? Same deal, old friend.
Thanks, Eugene
It's the "lid switch," such as it is. The lid had to be all the way back to activate--not very useful--as if we care. But it doesn't work. Either Mark, or Steve, or Ted disconnected it.
These early-edition switches were even on the WO 65-2's. See the white tab on the far left of the control panel? Same deal, old friend.
Thanks, Eugene
mickeyd
Well-known member
They sure do, Rich
It's a small world, and if feels cool to have a machine with a pedigree. Wuff-wuff.
It's a small world, and if feels cool to have a machine with a pedigree. Wuff-wuff.
Wow - what a great looking washer! I had no idea this Uni was so well traveled. Can you imagine the frequent flyer miles this thing has racked up? 
I think there are only roughly a half dozen or so of these floating around out there, much much fewer than WO-65's or WV-65's.
Ben
I think there are only roughly a half dozen or so of these floating around out there, much much fewer than WO-65's or WV-65's.
Ben
Great pictures Mike!!! Love the '56 Frigidaire Unimatic with the rare large-rim gray tub! The tub design was only used in 1956, in 1957 they changed the ballast rim to the smaller version.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Rim shots & tubs
HI Ben
I knew you had a 56 and all I could remember is that you called it a Unimatic no one could love, but didn't know why because they're so pretty. reviewing your flick in the other other thread, I remember what rough shape the tub was in. The sad forlorn music is so funny. Hope other clubbers will tell the story of machine with traveling pants. Again, these were TOL's in 56, with 2 able Pulsamatics behind them. Not so many bought and few surviving.
HI Robert
Thanks, You can see the difference in rim sizes: the early ones were almost 3 inches wide, and the later ones were only 2. Here's a 3
HI Ben
I knew you had a 56 and all I could remember is that you called it a Unimatic no one could love, but didn't know why because they're so pretty. reviewing your flick in the other other thread, I remember what rough shape the tub was in. The sad forlorn music is so funny. Hope other clubbers will tell the story of machine with traveling pants. Again, these were TOL's in 56, with 2 able Pulsamatics behind them. Not so many bought and few surviving.
HI Robert
Thanks, You can see the difference in rim sizes: the early ones were almost 3 inches wide, and the later ones were only 2. Here's a 3
mickeyd
Well-known member
Here's a 2
I don't know how to " side by each" the pix, lol. I'll learn.
I don't know how to " side by each" the pix, lol. I'll learn.
mickeyd
Well-known member
For the record, Robert, Ben, or another member....
Most of us know the WO's, and the 55, 56, and towered 57, but what does the 58 look like. If I've seen it, my memory has no picture. Do any of you have a pic of the 58? Thanks in advance if you do.
Most of us know the WO's, and the 55, 56, and towered 57, but what does the 58 look like. If I've seen it, my memory has no picture. Do any of you have a pic of the 58? Thanks in advance if you do.
In my opinion, the 58 CI unimatics were the prettiest of all. Here's a picture of Robert's Turquoise set. The last model of the "home" market Unimatic.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Perfect, I didn't realize these were 58's. Thanks, M
Oh no, here we go: Then what do the 59's look like? I just realized I could go to the Search-o-lator.
Oh no, here we go: Then what do the 59's look like? I just realized I could go to the Search-o-lator.
Here ya go. Complete with housewife! These were the first Multimatics.
mickeyd
Well-known member
OKAY, I THINK
I've got them all now, Mark, at least in my head. The Searchalator turned up a lot of highlighted 59's etc. No luck. So thanks. Someday, we need to assemble all the years in a nice orderly row. Pretty Lady! And again, Thank You.
I've got them all now, Mark, at least in my head. The Searchalator turned up a lot of highlighted 59's etc. No luck. So thanks. Someday, we need to assemble all the years in a nice orderly row. Pretty Lady! And again, Thank You.
Thank You Michael!
Great pictures of your 56 and love it's history.
Thanks for sharing the story about the timer. Very cool modification.
Patrick
Great pictures of your 56 and love it's history.
Thanks for sharing the story about the timer. Very cool modification.
Patrick
Michael
Nice 1956 Unimatic. I have a soft spot for this model, it was the first classic American washers that I found pictures of on the internet.
Nice 1956 Unimatic. I have a soft spot for this model, it was the first classic American washers that I found pictures of on the internet.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Happy Friday !
Hi Patrick. You're welcome. The timer would satisfy Uncle Bob and the other guys who want more than a 10 minute wash cycle, and so would you love this exponential Frigidaire. Maybe someday down the road we could do a trade for a year. The 56 for a Speed Queen.
Hi Louis. That's really interesting that the rare 56 would appear. Did you simply search Classic American Washers? I'd like to see what pops up.
Hi Patrick. You're welcome. The timer would satisfy Uncle Bob and the other guys who want more than a 10 minute wash cycle, and so would you love this exponential Frigidaire. Maybe someday down the road we could do a trade for a year. The 56 for a Speed Queen.
Hi Louis. That's really interesting that the rare 56 would appear. Did you simply search Classic American Washers? I'd like to see what pops up.
Michael
I don't know anymore what I was searching for. I think I searched on Altavista, Google might not have excisted yet. Anyway, I told about it in the thread I link here. It includes pictures of the washer and the dryer. Just scroll down that thread.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?32322
I don't know anymore what I was searching for. I think I searched on Altavista, Google might not have excisted yet. Anyway, I told about it in the thread I link here. It includes pictures of the washer and the dryer. Just scroll down that thread.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?32322
mickeyd
Well-known member
What a fun read
So beautiful in pink. Thanks and thanks for the good deed you just inspired in the birthday boy's thread. We never got to the bottom of that, after Saint Terry passed.
So beautiful in pink. Thanks and thanks for the good deed you just inspired in the birthday boy's thread. We never got to the bottom of that, after Saint Terry passed.
Hmmmmm......
Thinking trading deals here.........
Must. Think. Carefully.
Alway's a possibility. Love that machine!
Patrick
Thinking trading deals here.........
Must. Think. Carefully.
Alway's a possibility. Love that machine!
Patrick
mickeyd
Well-known member
smiling at Patrick, why not?
I got this message from Paul, turquoisedude, on Friday.
"I have been enjoying the 56 close-up thread! I remember a while back there was a member who had wanted to sell a set like this (Rich or 'trainguy', I believe) and I had expressed a serious interest, then he vanished. C'est la vie!
I was down in Queensbury last week with Phil - he got another roller-matic washer and a 1-18 dryer at Hansens warehouse. I picked up some parts and I found something rather interesting that I made a commitment to buy and with any luck, will be picking up on May 5th!! Stay tuned....
Hans Hansen II did ask me if you are still interested in the Whirlpool Doeskin washer. It's still there if you are interested! Was this the machine that was missing the solenoids for the bleach and fabric softener dispensers?? Anyway, Hans II was curious and I thought I should pass along the message. Like I say I'll be going back on the 5th to pick up a set of 'dream machines'....
Hope all is well with you! Have a good weekend,
Paul"
So I wrote him back:
"And the plot thickens! Hello Paul
May I include your message in the thread. I know what happened to the set you saw at Trainguy's.
If you're comfortable with that..... if not, I'll tell you the tale in private."
Mike."
And Paul replied:
"oooh! Intrigue!! I have no objection to including my message - I am very curious to know what happened there. You have my all-clear - looking forward to reading more!
Thanks!!
Paul"
Here's what happened:
Ted took a road trip up to Trainguy's and they became instant friends. Ted said that Rich was an amazing guy, really liked him, friendly, generous, interesting, but that he was having personal problems and had to part with some of his machines. That set you admired went to Ted's Appliance Showroom, and that's why his original 56 went up for sale. If the set had gone to you, Ted wouldn't have it, and I wouldn't have Ted's, just as was the case with Patrick not going home with it from Mark's. So now, I feel obliged to let you borrow it for a season or a year sometime, too. This machine is truly blessed. I'd better give her some extra TLC. Six Degrees of Separation, indeed!
I got this message from Paul, turquoisedude, on Friday.
"I have been enjoying the 56 close-up thread! I remember a while back there was a member who had wanted to sell a set like this (Rich or 'trainguy', I believe) and I had expressed a serious interest, then he vanished. C'est la vie!
I was down in Queensbury last week with Phil - he got another roller-matic washer and a 1-18 dryer at Hansens warehouse. I picked up some parts and I found something rather interesting that I made a commitment to buy and with any luck, will be picking up on May 5th!! Stay tuned....
Hans Hansen II did ask me if you are still interested in the Whirlpool Doeskin washer. It's still there if you are interested! Was this the machine that was missing the solenoids for the bleach and fabric softener dispensers?? Anyway, Hans II was curious and I thought I should pass along the message. Like I say I'll be going back on the 5th to pick up a set of 'dream machines'....
Hope all is well with you! Have a good weekend,
Paul"
So I wrote him back:
"And the plot thickens! Hello Paul
May I include your message in the thread. I know what happened to the set you saw at Trainguy's.
If you're comfortable with that..... if not, I'll tell you the tale in private."
Mike."
And Paul replied:
"oooh! Intrigue!! I have no objection to including my message - I am very curious to know what happened there. You have my all-clear - looking forward to reading more!
Thanks!!
Paul"
Here's what happened:
Ted took a road trip up to Trainguy's and they became instant friends. Ted said that Rich was an amazing guy, really liked him, friendly, generous, interesting, but that he was having personal problems and had to part with some of his machines. That set you admired went to Ted's Appliance Showroom, and that's why his original 56 went up for sale. If the set had gone to you, Ted wouldn't have it, and I wouldn't have Ted's, just as was the case with Patrick not going home with it from Mark's. So now, I feel obliged to let you borrow it for a season or a year sometime, too. This machine is truly blessed. I'd better give her some extra TLC. Six Degrees of Separation, indeed!
turquoisedude
Well-known member
Oh, wow - that's four degrees of separation, I swear! Thanks for that 'rest of the story'. Now, if I could just figure out how to get the GE fridge running again... LOL
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