Duo-Matic Twin Tub Washing Machine Restored

[twiddlybobby]

Yes, I wonder the same thing, as the machine is the most robust twin tub I've ever seen in every other way, why on earth weren't the rubber supports?
I had a brainwave last night, as I was hanging some net curtains with curtain wire. I had some wire left, and as it is made of a tough spring coated in plastic, I used 4 strips to strengthen and suspend the spin motor from and it has worked!
Here are some pics of my finished vintage house.

All the best,

Mike.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Duomatic

Mike the plugs just push into the metal housing and have a slit in the middle to grip ?? so did yours just pop out of the groove and the motor dropped down ??

Would love to see a pic of the curtain wire etc, may be a good workaround and or backup strategy !!

Your house is fab fab fab , we have a few more members of the crew that have similar houses...your among friends here lol..

 

[twiddlybobby]

Hi ChesterMike,

Mine had snapped just below the metal housing, so I glued them back on with superglue, as it works very well with rubber. I tried gluing them last week, but I didn't leave it to set long enough. I left the glue to set over night, and it did the trick, so just in case it dropped again, I strengthened the motor with curtain wire. Pity I didn't take a pic before I turned the machine the right way up. I just connected the 4 strips of wire via the screws on the bottom of the motor that the pump is screwed on with, then suspended them from the two metal strips underneath the spin outer drum. I've tested it with heavy washing, and it's perfect.

I've also managed to restore the control panel, as it was badly cracked, so I put black electrical tape on it (seen in video). I've managed to reconstruct it with heavy plastic tape and re-sprayed it. The wash timer switch had been replaced by the previous owner with an old oven knob, so I had a look in my tool drawers and found two old white belling oven knobs and they fit perfectly, and are as near to the original dials as I could find. I flattened the bent metal strip that has the duo matic logo and minutes on and re-glued it. Sadly, it was in such poor condition being heavily worn and scratched, I resprayed it, so it is blank atm. I'm hoping I may be able to find a replacement one day.

Glad you liked the house, and I'm amongst friends, haha. I'm just waiting for my latest find to arrive in the post - a sink side wringer.

Many thanks,

Mike.

 

[thomasortega]

@Chestermike

How long are those rubber tabs?

Maybe, the Mega Spin dryer tabs may fit. Let me know the size to compare and I can mail you some.

 

[twiddlybobby]

Hi Mike,

They are about 3 inches long. I'll need to measure them and get back to you.

Many thanks,

Mike.