Found a Hamilton Time-Line in my basement

[clarusworks]

I recently moved into a new apartment and discovered a Hamilton (made by Norge) Time Line washing machine that looks like this one: http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-...Hamilton Time Line.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/_FARM

It's probably been in our basement since it was new, this is a very old building, and the machine doesn't look particularly rusty or weathered, just dusty, dirty, and unused. The basket and agitator are in good condition, although filled with puzzle pieces and spider webs. I have no idea if it works or not, any suggestions on what should be done with it?

 

[peterh770]

See if you can post a pic!

 

[peterh770]

Link to farm pic...

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-...Hamilton Time Line.jpg&dir=/COLLECTIONS/_FARM

 

[clarusworks]

Pictures of the Hamilton

Sorry about the delay, but I finally got around to taking some pictures of the Hamilton Time-Line. Sorry about the gas can in the first one, my neighbor uses that for his lawn mower.

 

[clarusworks]

Another Picture

Front of the machine

 

[clarusworks]

Inside

Basket/Agitator (and a few stray puzzle pieces, dunno why those are in there)

 

[gansky1]

Very nice - this washer was made by Norge (Borg Warner Co.) for Hamilton, about 1957'ish.  It looks pretty good overall, it will probably clean up pretty well.  If you're looking to find a home for it or get it going for yourself, you've come to the right site!

 

[peteski50]

Hamilton!

Really nice washer - I think this is a 1955 model
Hope it goes to good use.
Best Of Luck!
Peter

 

[peteski50]

Hamilton!

I found this AD!

 

[jetcone]

Does that whole console light up?

I didn't get the memo! Those are nice splashy machines. Great find!

 

[golittlesport]

interesting

slightly different agitator than a Norge...no 'angel wings' at top and bottom fins do not extend all the way to the edge of skirt. Very nice machine.

 

[washerlover]

Way cool machines! I didn't know Hamilton had any washers. I'm sure the Norge/Hamilton makes lots of fun noises!

 

[appnut]

Hey it has a Medium water temp, I think Norges only had hot & warm. 

 

[mixfinder]

I Hope It Can Be Saved

I much prefer the agitator shape to the original Norge.  If this machine can't be made to swirl again I'd like to see the agitator in Robert's Norge to compare wash action.

 

[appnut]

I'm with you kelly, I'm wondering what the rollover would be like, seems to me there might be a bit more room in the tub for things to no just swish back & forth.

 

[hydralique]

And I'm with you Bob in disliking anything that just swishes back and forth.

 

[appnut]

disliking anything that just swishes back and forth.

Amen Hydralique.  Ya said a mouth full!!!  A gentle hug to ya

 

[clarusworks]

What to do with it...

I've talked to my housemates, and none of them seem to object to selling it, but we need to check with our neighbors to make sure it doesn't belong to them. I've already received a few e-mails from people who wanted to buy it, so if I go that route I suppose it would be fairest to offer it first-come, first served, I don't really feel like starting a bidding war. I would try to see what works on it, but I'm not sure what the circumstances for its' consignment to our basement were (It's not very rusty, but maybe the transmission locked up or something.) If people have suggestions on what I should be looking for/trying I'll listen, I do have a fair bit of electrical/electronics experience and have restored some vintage small appliances before (Such as a 1950s Sunbeam Mixmaster that I still use in my kitchen).

Also, I agree on the "clothes being lightly stirred" not being that exciting. Not only is it no fun to watch, it doesn't do much for cleaning clothes. The washing machine my family had when I was a kid was a Whirlpool "Design 2000" Direct Drive TL from the mid 80s with the Super Surgilator agitator, which did a good enough job of rotating the clothes when it was new and not overloaded, but over the years the plastic fins started breaking off (The top piece didn't like to stay on the bottom piece, and would go bashing around inside the machine on the spin cycle). That machine's transmission seized up around 2005-2006, and my father complained bitterly about it only being able to tolerate about 20 years of near-daily use and being overloaded with greasy work clothing. Amusingly enough he went on a tirade about Whirlpool being cheap junk, and replaced the machine... with a "Kenmore" DD TL. I thought that 20 years of abuse was a fine lifetime for a washing machine, and never said a word about the "SHIP FROM: Whirlpool Corporation, Clyde OH" sticker on the box. The Kenmore has a "Dual Action" agitator that's attached with a bolt and does a fine job of rotating clothes unless overloaded with heavy items like jeans.

 

[alr2903]

I hope someone is able to give this great old solid tub a good home.  They are the last of their kind. and it looks like it could be minty with some elbow grease.  alr2903

 

[tolivac]

Wonder if a Norge "Angel wing" bladed agitator would fit and work in that machine?A funky Burpulator conversion!

 

[aldspinboy]

Robert has this in two forms of agitators that one below in this thread, does not have the angel wings assuming a look for Hamilton to give it there distintive look.

There was two agitators on the site that was here but I think Robert took out in the Cyber Museum.

But I think both Burp-a-later and Angel wing agitators should work.

Robert do you no what happen to the videos ???

I like the way that older Norge design agitates its like and old grandfather very slow its like ...

 

IIII Mooove Sloooow annnd Drraaaag Buuut I Caaan Role BURB lol.

 

The white tub is one of my faverites...solid tub with the holes up top.

Looks like no other tub.

Who ever gets this machine is lucky.

 

Darren k 

 

Picture Robert Segers Angel wing Agitater.

[this post was last edited: 6/10/2011-18:28]

 

[tolivac]

I remember the Norge "Angel wing" burpulator agitator in my Moms Norge washer-it also had the what looked like a chrome plated shiny lint pan.Loved to watch and listen to that thing work.The lower blades of the agitator had holes in them-and the blades had kinda of a railroad rail edges to them.Guess to lessen wear on clothes.Want one of those machines today-but in my "dead zone" area where I am--no basements for them to lurk in.Since the Floyd flood here all of the vintage vacuums and washers were lost in that flood that were in the swap shops.I can't remember the dial on the machine-if it had a knob or was a timeline.

 

[angus]

Well, just my $.02 - but just because a washer has good rollover, that in and of itself does not make it a superior cleaning performer against straight vane agitators. Now I agree that the rollover is a bit more exciting to watch, but I have not seen any evidence that suggests rollover automatically = better cleaning. In fact, the Norges of the 1950s always ranked at the top of Consumer Reports washing ability as did the GE Filter Flo's of the later 60's and 70;s with their straight vane agitators. I guess it is a more complex equation - clothing moving through the water, etc...
Case in point, the Kenmore Roto Swirl agitators of the 50's and 60's looked dramatic, but cleaning was always considered average at best.
On the other hand, Frigidaires and the early Philcos (Automagics, Miss Americas) had great rollover and did very well in the cleaning performance department.

Go figure...