Harmonizing Wash Day

[Unimatic1140]

Congrats Greg, now that you found the 1949 model with the original tub. We have never seen this first completey solid tub. Over the last 15 years we have now seen every type of early Frigidaire washer. This was the last fronteir to find. Other 1949 models had been found, but the tub had been replaced.

In my 1947 model there is a double lined perforated tub, in 1949 Frigidaire went to a completely solid tub but still had the spring balance system underneath the tub. In 1950 they moved the balance system into the top rim, simply by using weight.

Mine is the 1947 model WJ-47, this fabulous new find is the 1949 the WL-49.

 

[alr2903]

Interesting  how the balance system evolved.  Was one system better than the other?  Great "timeline" chart Robert, Thank You!

Great Find Greg! Congrats

-A

[this post was last edited: 8/13/2015-11:18]

 

[joelippard]

Wow, Congratulations on your find!  Can't wait to watch and see this evolve.  Take lots of pictures for us!

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

How exciting Greg!   CONGRATS on such an incredible find!

 

Kevin

 

[jetcone]

Gasp !!

double Gasp!!

 

[lebron]

Congratulations! What an absolutely incredible find. The fact that these are still out there simply blows my mind. Enjoy this machine.

 

[tomturbomatic]

RE: Balance system

It evolved as a cheaper alternative to a solid metal plate because the heavy stabilizer ring at the top of the tub was filled with steel filings which were essentially factory waste while the early harmonizer was a cast piece of metal.

In 2001 John and I transported a tub for a WO-65. We put it in the van on its side. BIG NO-NO. The filings shifted and the first time Robert went to use it, the unbalanced dynamic forces almost took out half of Minneapolis.

 

[gansky1]

Tom, it does still have the flip-down wire support for drying out the machine, one of my favorite details about these. These flat-top machines were always wet around the edges of the top under the lid, despite the drain holes (blow holes during spin) little puddles always remained, especially if the machine wasn't level.

I have a couple of projects ahead of this, a Hotpoint and WP/KM but this guy will wait patiently for his turn. He's already been waiting for 44 years, a little longer won't hurt anything. I have not plugged it in to try it, I already saw the motor fan was loose and with the scarcity of parts for Unimatics what it is, there's no reason to risk wasting any for curiosity's sake.

 

[philr]

Congratulations Greg! 

That's a very interesting find! The cabinet looks very clean, no visible chips! 

 

I like that Whirlpool too!

 

[bajaespuma]

I'm really going to enjoy your Wash-In.

 

[jetcone]

Yes

Ken is right !! We will enjoy it together .

 

Hate to say it but LOVE That WP !!

 

 

 

 

[joelippard]

I certainly wish they would have kept this balance system instead of going to those metal shavings.  I've had two bad tubs as a result of the plug leaking and moisture getting in the balance ring.  Now, every time I get one of these I seal that plug!

 

[washerlover]

Congratulations on a wonderful find! Hope it doesn't need much work and you have it back to its former glory in no time!

 

[mielerod69]

Control panel on the Whirlpool

Hi Gansky1,

Would you mind taking an up close photo of the control panel please?

Cheers

 

[miele_ge]

Mielerod, love your profile photo

Are you a Miele employee or were you visiting?

 

Regards 

 

Alan

 

[mielerod69]

Photo

Yes that's an old photo when I first visited Miele as a sales representative for appliance company I used to work for. Then I went to work for Miele and had the opportunity to go to Germany every year to visit the Miele Headquarters.

 

[goatfarmer]

Good deal!