Hamilton

[goatfarmer]

Had to go to the doctor today for a physical. While waiting for the doctor,I noticed a tag on the side of the examining table.
That familiar "Hamilton" script,from their appliance days! Also,the tag said "Two Rivers,WI",so I knew it was one and the same.Anybody know much about the Hamilton Company? I know I haven't seen a washer or dryer in years. Always liked their gas dryers,with the little mirror,to help light the pilot.

kennyGF

 

[gyrafoam]

Back in the early '90s I tried to have a gas dryer fixed.Forgot part it needed but I remember calling around and getting nowhere with the parts people. I finally gave it away. It had a little rectangular window in the door, and as I recall the vent pipe was smaller than standard for other dryers. I remember seeing a few old Hamilton washers over time too, but have not seen one in years. Wonder when the last ones were built?

 

[fixerman]

Yes, they had that small 3 inch vent when most others brands hsd the 4 inch.

 

[scott55405]

Always thought Hamilton dryers were cool. Who knew they made examination tables! LOL

They did not make their own washers, they were made by Norge. I think at least the laundry appliances ended around 1974.

 

[partscounterman]

I wrote to Hamilton in '78 or '79. They were owned by WCI then and headquartered at the WCI facility in Iowa. They sent me this brouchure

 

[scott55405]

Interesting, I never knew that. Also never saw a Hamilton dryer without a window; 'course this isn't "really" a Hamilton dryer when you come right down to it, LOL.

 

[veg-o-matic]

Has anyone seen a Hamilton in person? Consumer Reports pretty much always included a Hamilton (and Blackstone) in their reports in the 60s and 70s. I don't know of anyone who ever had one and the stores around here didn't sell them.
The control panels fascinated me. The pictures in CR always showed what looked like TWO cycle dials. Could never figure out how they were arranged.

 

[scott55405]

It's still fairly common to see mid-century Hamilton dryers here even today. I've only ever seen one of their washers. I think a lot of people must have bought the dryers originally to go with wringer washers.

 

[westytoploader]

That adds one more manufacturer to the list that rebadged the venerable WCI-made portable set! From what I've seen, the dryer, while small and slow, seems to hold a decent amount of laundry for a portable, and the plastic door doesn't feel too flimsy either. The washer is a different story, however. Tiny plastic indexing tub with either a "high-vane" or "angel-wing" agitator, and flimsy plastic folding lid combined in an overly large cabinet. "Handful capacity" more likely.

Not sure why, but I would still have one of these machines.
Also, who made the full-sized set? Can't place a particular design anywhere on these...

--Austin

 

[goatfarmer]

They look like Gibson's to me!

I've had the original style Hamilton dryers over the years.Small rectangular window in the door,some had a positive latch system,where you had to turn the handle on the door,the gas dryers had the gas valve located at the top of the dryer,with a small access door next to the console.
kennyGF

 

[partscounterman]

Hamilton Dryer

My Aunt Edith had a Hamilton dryer, which I was told they bought in '64. The two dials are time and temp. I love that dryer because of course it had the small window on it and both the drum lamp and the purple ultreviolet lamp were on the whole time the machine was in operation, so you didn't miss anything. Aunt Ediths Maytag Highlander (no one in my family had matching washers/dryers) did not have a lid switch, so I really liked washday at her house.

 

[pulsator-power]

Hamilton

Well, if they made examination tables, you'd better watch out, especially if the doctor comes after you with Craftsman or Black & Decker tools...Yeooooow!
Jerry

 

[spiralactivator]

Hamilton washers

Hamiltons are pretty rare, particularly '60s-'70s models, but the window dryers do turn up occasionally. I've never seen a washer, though. Anybody know what kind of agitators Hamilton washers have?

 

[scott55405]

The original Norge ones have that typical big black Norge agitator, not sure about the ones later after they switched brands.