Combolicious Dream: 1957 Bendix Duomatic!

[gyromatic]

57 Duomatic

Ben, Great pictures! Believe me you really have your work cut out for you.It is really a shame that the back panel was destroyed.You will find another one some day to complete a true restoration.That machine needs much inner work to get it running properly.I can see by looking at it that it surely will leak.the condenser base is very rusted.It is easy to fix when you take it apart.I did it 5 times.It is well worth the effort.It is a great machine!

 

[jetaction]

Wow!

Congrats Ben! I look forward to many more updates!

 

[revvinkevin]

WOW BEN!!!!!

That is just fantastic!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

All the best with it and I hope everything inside is in the best possible condition!

I look forward to future updates and photos of it working!

Kevin

 

[tuthill]

Awesome Ben just awesome

What a crazy machine! Good luck getting it up and running... I wouldn't even know where to start :/

This seems to be a good week for finds... especially Matt finding a WORKING '65 rollermatic!

 

[ronhic]

WOW!

Thats looks fantastic (3rd pic...blush)

...and the washer looks pretty damn fine too....

 

[gansky1]

This will shine up like a new penny! Congrats Ben, it was well worth the struggle to get it here.

 

[toggleswitch2]

*WOW* That is gorgeous. Congrats!

 

[turquoisedude]

Wowee!

Geez, Ben, what a find! This is going to be one awesome machine! I am totally jealous that yours has a legible wiring diagram! LOL
All the best with this vintage combo beauty!!

 

[cadman]

We were lucky to escape with our lives getting that thing to the basement!

While gathering his things, I could see the delivery driver sizing us up, then, in an almost disbelieving tone, and having fought the thing off the truck, asked "the two of you are going to haul _that_ downstairs??" Oye.

Thinking about it now, just WHERE is the weight in this Bendix?? Ben claims over 400lb, and the youcrate scale weight (including pallet) was in the 500lb range. Sheesh.

Cory

 

[geoffdelp]

Combo-atulations, Ben!!

WOW ... that is a beauty and when you get it up and running, it will be a dream come true; you and Cory will have the muscles to prove it, too!!

 

[rickr]

WOW!! Now thats not something you find every day....

Looks like you have a big job ahead of you Ben, but I know you will have that running like new when you are finished. Congrats!

 

[jetcone]

Congratulations Ben(dix)!

Cory, Doctrine states 430 shipping pounds.
Greg is right this will shine up like a new penny!

If you need new door boots I have them at cost, email me.
But if these are good then as soon as you get inside the machine you should liberally coat them in Glycerine on both sides and let them sit and soak it in before they are stressed.

WONDERFUL FIND! A 1957 with black buttons!

Can't wait to see it close up!
New York has been the best source for these I got two of my 4 Duos from there!

 

[jetcone]

PS

Make Greg give you a box of the Purex Tabs I sent him as a welcome home gift for the virgin wash!

 

[pdub]

Ben,

Congratulations on your wonderful find. I have always hung on to the good fortunes I have gotten out of fortune cookies myself. Sometimes they will surprise you - and what a surprise you received.

This machine is BEAUTIFUL. I know you'll get it restored and running with your talent. That crack in the glass is so minor that you really don't even see it in the photo's. And the fact that the boot is still good is amazing.

I look forward to your restoration.

Patrick

 

[frontaloadotmy]

I'm gonna have to take me a car trip

to Waterloo!!! You're a pro and I can see that Duo churning
out clean laundry by this time next year! Had you cast out
a "Bendix Wanted" net? How did Mary find you?

 

[swestoyz]

My Fortune Cookie Machine!

Hey Guys - thanks for the kind words! I woke up still bummed about the panel, but I'll get over it.

John E - you are certainly right, this machine is in need of a complete tear down and rebuild. I'm not concerned with the amount of work needed - I was expecting worse actually. An appliance like this is special enough to take everything down, piece by piece, clean, refurbish, and rebuild. It will be a slow process, but I'm looking forward to it. As you said, there is always the chance that I'll run across an extra panel in my travels. I guess you never know.

Greg and I were discussing machines in our collections that are in different states of repair last night. Too bad I have many machines that need attention. I guess I'll have to make a list of who's naughy and nice and start from there! I wish I could get to them all at once, but I'll taken them on one at a time. This should hopefully be closer to the top of the list once I get the house buttoned up.

Mary found me by doing a Google search. Not sure how her radar honed in on me exactly, but I guess it was meant to be.

Jon Charles - Purex Tabs, eh? We'll see about that!

Ben

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice machine, Ben, I can't imagine trying to muscle that one downstairs!

And all my fortune cookies ever say is "learn Chinese." Must be an omen....

 

[autowasherfreak]

That is an awesome machine! Best of of luck.

Jim

 

[jetcone]

Ben(dix)

You have a very rare machine there! I have been doing some searching. That little "B" in the Crown on the door handle was the only year that symbol ever appeared! My 1955 machine has the steering wheel door handle.
My 1956 machines have the handle free door, the 1958 machines have the "P" for Philco. So 1957 was the only year they bore that "B".

I'm gonna digitize that symbol its a rare one!
Congrats again on a unique find!

 

[jetcone]

Ben

Can you get a dead on shot of that B for me? And send it to me?
Thanks Jon