Estate sales, Estate sales, Estate sales------
You will encounter them where you least expect them in out-buildings covered with dust and or junk. In the back corners of basements covered with dust and or junk. Sometimes, in the basement, still hooked up, but, not part of the sale.
Most of the time they aren't even part of the Estate sale because clueless people don't see any value in them and assume that nobody would want them! They may already have plans to have it hauled off to the krusher. Sometimes you can get them for free just by offering to haul them off!
I always ask "do you have any old laundry equipment in the basement or garage not part of this sale that you would like removed?"
I've gone away with many a treasure just because I asked that simple question.
Another thing to improve your chances is to go to your local appliance parts store and ask "who is the oldest retired appliance repair guy around here? Hopefully still alive. Where can I find them?" Chances are if you can get to them,or one of their children, they will be an invaluable source of information. Even if they don't have any machines, they will know someone with a "mother-lode". Go to the cities and town surrounding where you live and ask the same questions. There may be a building full of hidden treasure in the town right next to you. If you cant find an appliance parts house, find an old time Hardware store. They will know who does the repairs around there!
You need a reliable pick-up truck, and a for-real appliance hand-truck (I bought mine at Home Depot in the beginning and it is still serving me well. For just $100.00 I sure got my money's worth!) A roll of shrink-wrap and a roll of Duct-tape and ratcheting nylon straps with hooks.
Always wrap them well to keep lids from opening and tops from flying-off. Always turn the machines so their "back is to the wind" in case some other vehicle launches a rock at you and especially in the rain. No point in driving rain water into an old timer or other electrical switches. I wrap from the top going back and forth and around all the way down the machine, especially if there is an open back exposing the motor,etc. Buy a couple of six-paks of those foam cushions that fit together like a jig-saw puzzle. They are great for protecting machines. You can wrap them inside the shrink-wrap to protect the machines during the ride so they dont rub or bump against each other.
Be careful not to use the console for leverage especially if it has glass parts!
Keepa yo hands off!
Get to know the people who haul away junk for a living!!!!!!!!!
Tell them you like to tinker with old washers and to give you a call if they come across one.Especially, ones in pastel colors (a fifties/sixties giveaway) or coppertone/green and gold (a seventies giveaway). I offer them about ten or twenty dollars more than the krusher will pay them to drop it off at my place. I got a WO-65-2 that way! It is also a way to build a parts supply for cheap----provided you have the time to tear them down and the places to store the parts.[this post was last edited: 1/19/2018-07:47]
