Found a model 85 Ironrite!

[thespiritof76]

I have wanted one of these for a long time. When I lived at my last place, I simply didn't have the room. But now that I have a large room, that is the beginnings of a proper laundry room, I have officially been on the hunt for one. I finally scored a model 85. I am VERY pleased! It was only a matter of adjusting the knee controls to my needed width, and even in a few hours, I was already getting a hang of the thing!=)....

 

[petek]

Nice and looks to be in great condition as well.   

 

[gredmondson]

WOW!  That is in such nice condition. I think Ironrite made more of the 85 model than of any other model.  I am so impressed with how well made those appliances were.  

 

[thespiritof76]

Thanks....

It is a real test of quality that it is still working correctly. The manual boasts that Ironrite was founded "25 years ago in 1921", So that would put my Ironrite at 1946.

I think in this case, the condition is due to being kept in one laundry room for most, of, or all of its life. Just a feeling, since it is really clean. There Is no rust either.

 

[launderess]

Congrats

Before putting into service it probably is a good idea to change the gear case oil. Unless the thing was used regularly and thus routine maintenance was kept up, you might be looking at oil that has sat sitting since Eisenhower was in office.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mistermangle/id11.html

My other standard advice for new Ironrite owners applies.

If the cover is dirty and or has a whiff about it, wash by hand in warm to not that hot water, rinse well and partially dry. Put back on roller while slightly wet as it makes things easier. You can add a bit of sodium percarbonate (oxygen bleach) to the water and soak to remove heavy yellowing and freshen. But remember to rinse well.

*DO NOT* under any circumstances wash the knitted roller padding. It will shrink and distort. To freshen and restore loft remove the pad, shake/fluff, hang out on a windy day, or just chuck it into dryer set on "Air Fluff" (no heat) for a bit.

You can still find NOS Ironrite pads and covers out there along with other bits. Have a bunch of both but have a hunch they will become part of my "estate" as my unit is good for the duration.

To keep your Ironrite fresh and from developing a whiff, let the lid remain off for several hours after ironing. This will allow the roller padding and cover to dry out in fresh air.

 

[thespiritof76]

Oiling the gears...

Thank you Laundress, that is something I was going to ask about. In the manual, it of coarse says, use only Ironrite oil. Well since the Ironrite company is no longer in existence, what oil should I use?

My roll cover is surprisingly in good condition, it does not have a strange smell. or is dirty, just faded. but since I sew, I am just going to by my self some 100% cotton goods, and just make a new cover all together..

 

[launderess]

No, I wouldn't use Ironrite Gear Oil

Even if a NOS can of the stuff could be found. It easily would be >50 years old and why go through all the bother of an oil change just to use something that could have broken down from sitting on shelf.

Ironrite merely sourced lightweight gear oil (SAE50)from Gulf oil, and repackaged in their own cans. As a substitute any SAE50 gear oil (non detergent) will do fine.

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/the_ironrite.html#oil

The portable fold down Ironrites like my B890 obviously didn't use gear oil (it would leak out), but simply greased the gears with white lithium grease (Lubriplate).

The owner's manual gives great directions on replacing the roll pad cover and taking care of pad.

As with nearly all domestic ironers the roll padding is made from knitted cotton, and cannot be found today for love nor money. So take care of yours! *LOL*

Well you *can* find knitted cotton padding for ironers, but it is sold by commercial laundry supply houses in widths for industrial ironers. The fabric can only be cut by a very powerful and well built serger/overlock machine. Unless edges are over locked they will unravel.

Keep your eyes on eBay, CL, thrifts and so forth. NOS padding and roll covers pop up often enough. It never hurts to have extras on hand.

Read somewhere that it is possible to get away from all that oil chaning with old Ironrites by simply using white lithium grease instead. This means of course draining the old oil first, then cleaning out the gear box (with some sort of solvent I shouldn't wonder), before greasing them up with Lubriplate. On the upside once done the thing would be "permanently" lubricated or at least for a *very* long time.

Cannot stress enough regardless of what method or product used, after lubricating an Ironrite make sure the area around gear box is totally clean. There isn't much room back there and freshly laundered and ironed things can easily be ruined by coming into contact with oil/grease.