Found on Craigs List - OK, am I going nuts here?

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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revvinkevin

revvinkevin

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I brought it home tonight and I think the price was very reasonable.

OK, now for your viewing pleasure... my latest acquisition, the Universal 2 speed wringer washer!

Now I can say I have a TRULY vintage washer in my collection! (Even more vintage then ME! LOL)

OK Boys and Girls, it's not the prettiest flower in the bunch, so lets consider these photos "Before" shots, shall we??

Can anyone give an approximate age on this machine? Also, I am looking for any and all information about this washer. Or can direct me to a source that may have information or maybe even parts (LOL... oh, wait, I was serious!)

According to the guy I bought it from... it's been sitting unused for the last 20+ years.

The drain pump appears to be frozen/seized, though this was only from a quick preliminary inspection, I will go over it more thoroughly when I can find some time. Is it possible to revive/nurse back to health a stuck/frozen pump?

All thoughts, ideas and suggestions are invited and welcome!

Thank you!
Kevin

1-13-2009-22-53-45--RevvinKevin.jpg
 
Nice!

There one I've never seen, although I haven't been around long enough to see them all.

"am I going nuts here?"

Nope, but if you're, welcome to the family of nut-jobs :)
 
Nice, art deco looking, too. I am willing to bet that machine cost a "mint" when it was new. IIRC, a while back there was a discussion about a universal dryer. I think there was a "relationship" between Universal and Apex at one time, alr2903
 
No dear, one is not crazy if they think they might be.

It's those that have NO CLUE that they are, that actually are!
 
Thats a cool looking "ringer" Kevin! Love the deco look on anything, and they did deco right on that mo-sheen! Congrats!
 
Actually this is pretty cool. Love the use of chrome, and it is a two speed machine! Holly cow. Also very cool to have a mechanical timer.

I'd use it just as it sits. Hopefully the rollers still have some life in them.

Ben
 
Thanks for all your kind comments!

I am happy I was the first person to see the ad and move on this machine! Yes it can use a little paint and some TLC, but it will get it!

Yes the motor and transmission still works, the pump however is a little "stiff" shall we say. And I have to look into the rollers... a couple times they worked and a couple times they did not.

Does anyone have any ideas on what to do with the pump? I was able to move it a little by hand, but it's very stiff.

Thanks again!
 
Low and high speed.

Oh, I forgot to add, about the high and low speed agitation. It's pretty interesting because it does not have a slower agitation speed as a newer machine with a 2 speed motor. It's a shorter agitation stroke, but the speed seems to be the same.

On "Low" speed, the agitator stroke is only about 1/4 revolution.

On the "High" speed, the agitator seems to move at the same speed, but the stroke is about 1/2 revolution. Same speed but more rotation = more aggressive agitation.
 
Before you open up the pump, try pouring very hot water into it by way of the the tub drain and let it sit in the pump for awhile to dissolve and gunk dried up in there. Then reach underneath her skirt (!) and try moving the pump manually.
 
Universal used to make freezers and window air conditioners in the late 40's and early 50's. My high school algebra classroom had a 1947 Universal AC. Huge monster that stuck farther inside thsan it did out.
 
...try pouring very hot water into it...

It worked, it worked!!! Thank you for the suggestion Rich, it worked! I let it soak a little while, turned the pump a little by hand, then (gravity) drained it out and put more hot water in, soak some more, turned it more by hand and TA-DA!!! I was then able to turn on the motor AND the pump and drain the tub!

Thank you for the suggestion!!!
Kevin
 
Kevin,

I think that's a wonderful find. Universal produced a complete range of major appliances and design played a role. If you'd like, we've got a small poster of various white goods from Universal a bit later than your machine - be happy to post it.

All metal on metal surfaces from that period can be problematic when they sit for a long time. Especially bearings, which traditionally involve a stiffer metal thrusting through or rubbing against a softer metal.
One of the lubricants used in that period is called 'motor mica'. Not for parts which get wet, but for disparate metals which should slide or rub against each other loosely, this was great stuff. Gun shops have it or can order it.
I'd stay away from chlorine bleach in this machine and stick to name brand detergents which have silicates to protect her beautiful parts. And she is a beauty!

Toggles is right, the truly mad are the ones who think they're the only sane ones around here. I've never met a Kevan, Kevyn, Kevin, Keven or Caohmin yet, man, woman or otherwise who was normal, but you're sweet and pleasant which is better than being normal any day!
 

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