Frigidaire GMini washer/dryer set

[philr]

Last weekend, I bought the Frigidaire GMini washer and dryer that were for sale on another thread.
I didn't repair the dryer yet (it works but it vibrates a lot) but I did repair the washer. I didn't take a lot of pics but here's a few.

I noticed that unlike the Skinny-Mini washers, it has a General Electric motor. I don't know if it was replaced or not but if it's the original, it might be because it's a two speed motor?

I had to replace a noisy bearing for the water pump but I had to keep the old seal (which seemed fine). The cold water valve was stuck but it didn't need to be replaced.

I have just tried it in my garage and it works fine now.

 

[philr]

Partially reassembled...

 

[philr]

Ready to be used!

 

[philr]

The control panel.

 

[philr]

I'm wondering when Frigidaire stopped making these. Mine seem to be from May of 1973.

 

[golittlesport]

nice!

Very cool machine! Thanks for the pics. I love the control panel. I bet your motor was replaced along the way. The Skinni-Mini model also had two speeds, determined by normal or gentle cycle on timer.

Although they can't compare to their larger siblings with the up and down agitation, I think these machines did a very good job and had decent capacity for their size.

 

[gorenje]

COOL

Very interesting!
Can you please add a video of it. I'm very curious how the clothes moves in it. The agitator is incorporated in the tub. It's cool !!

 

[combo52]

SKNIMINI MOTORS

These machines used GE motors almost from the beginning, some did come with Delco motors but they were gone from all GM Frigidare laundry by the mid 1970s. You can check the code date on your washers motor if you want to see if it was actually replaced. Of all the things that I ever saw fail on these interesting washers the motor was never one of them.

 

[philr]

I haven't checked the date code on the motor but I also think it's the original.

What are the things that usually go wrong on these? I'm guessing the pump seal/bearing, strange transmission design and maybe the timers too... Does anybody sells replacement parts for them?

I'll try to make a video but I haven't bypassed the lid switch yet (it even stops filling when you open the door...).

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well, this design, I believe is how Frigidaire made their REGULAR CAP. washers at the time...

I once saw a discarded "skinny mini-dual washer & dryer" set outside of a Pizza place (used, perhaps for washing & drying linens, there--though it was a strictly Delivery place) which had the "juice squeezer" agitator tub & might have been a "transitional machine" bet. the GM & WCi era, too...

Never-the-less, there is a link to a Brochure in one of the posts, which chronicles the then-current Frig-y line-up, featuring the plastic, back-opening lids, w/o instructions & this tub design etc.

-- Dave (Who also would like to see this machine in action, too! Though if I were to have "been around" and had to buy a "new machine", back then, I think I'd spring for a LARGE CAP. Frigidaire W/D set & just "go on the cheap" for the rest of my appliances, then--if I were to be on the same "budget", that I am now...)

 

[mistereric]

I'm sad that I couldn't swing it, but happy the set has found a happy home. 

 

[philr]

Video...

http://<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="www.youtube.com/v/IWqE3tsi2Cc?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess"

 

[philr]

second try!

End of wash cycle and 1st spin

 

[philr]

Sorry for the bad quality, I didn't bypass the lid switch so I couldn't open the cover more than that...

Overflow rinse

 

[philr]

continued...

 

[philr]

Rinse

 

[philr]

Final spin

 

[philr]

For these videos, I should have avoided washing this padded jacket that floats...

Here's the first video I should have posted! (wash cycle)

 

[nmassman44]

Great videos! Do you have pics of the dryer as well?

 

[philr]

Here's a picture of it.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

FASCINATING machine!

That is some machine Phil! I used one of these once while on vacation and was impressed at the performance. Looks like your machine is working really well. That spin was really moving!!

Is it me or does this sound like a little like a belt-drive WP when agitating?

Gordon

 

[peterh770]

Congrats! Glad you got these, and thanks for the videos!

 

[pulsator]

FABULOUS MACHINE!!!! I can definitely add this to the list of must haves!!!

 

You'd think it would make sense for manufacturers to revisit design like these. Imagine how much water a solid tub agi-tub machine could save? And how much bigger they could be without any of the air pockets for floating baskets of the topload HE machines of today like the Cabrio/Bravos/Oasis machines!

 

[philr]

Kenmoreguy,
When I was a kid, my parents, my grand parents (on both sides) and a few of my aunts and uncles had various Inglis (Whirpool) belt drive washers from the seventies. It's been years since I've heard one but from what I remember, the sound is a bit similar (even if the mechanism isn't!)

My mother and my aunts told me that I always wanted to see inside their washers while they were being used so they got me on their dryers and opened the lid of their washers.

The few who didn't have Inglis washers in my family had Maytag, Speed Queen or Simplicity washers. Two of my neighbors had a GE Filter Flo washer from which I remember they removed the lint balls from their sombrero-shaped lint filter.

I was always a fan of GM Frigidaire appliances (and pre-1980 GM cars!) but GM Frigidaire appliances were not popular in my region. The few I saw were from the 1950's and 1960's and most belonged to people who were much older than my parents. And I haven't touched to a GM Frigidaire washer until I got mine last weekend! But the first one I recall seeing was the one featured in "Freaky Friday" (the first movie my parents rented when they got their first VHS recorder!). When I was a teenager, I started collecting Life magazines with plenty of ads, including 1960's Frigidaire appliances.

 

[pdub]

Thanks Phil

I am very glad you got these machines. They are in very capable hands now. This is really exciting to see these actually working instead of just a picture in a brochure. Great work on the videos too. Congratulations... Have fun with these very rare machines.

 

[combo52]

SOUNDS A LITTLE LIKE A BD WP COMPACT WASHER

No Gordon it is you LOL, if I ever heard a WP that sounded like this there would be some thing seriously wrong. The agitatatub machines have a hollow sound because of the thin cabinet and plastic tubs, plus you can hear the slight roar of the several ball bearings that are turning whenever the machine is running.

 

[bellalaundry]

Great video...

thanks for taking the time to show us!

Guy

 

[nmassman44]

OK gotta ask what does the inside of the dryer look like? Is it like the skinny mini dryer?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Congratulations Phil on the machine and the restoration.  You should know this is an EXTREMELY rare find.  Your GMini standalone washer (without the dryer attached on top) is probably the only one we know of in existence.   When the original owner posted this I didn't want to say anything because of the possibility of the price skyrocketing as we've seen in the past with some sellers. I've seen Frigidaire Agi-Tubs before but they all have been part of a stacked version.

 

[mickeyd]

Phil, can you help a skinny-minny dumbell?

In the picture the agitator looks fused to the tub, and this machine has been referred to as an agitub, but in the vids, it looks like the agitator is turning, not the tub. Is this an illusion? Very inexperienced with these, but a big fan, nevertheless. Thanks for all your time and trouble and sharing a magical find.