Hoover 0307 single tub washer

[anthony]

I believe this was Hoovers first attempt at a washing machine. I saved this one from certain death today .Its in reasonable condition for its age . A simple machine not even a switch to turn it on or off [just pull the plug] . I have stripped it down ready for a good clean and the usual paint job but need to remove the wringer rollers .Has anyone any idea how to remove the pin that holds the handle on so i can get the bottom roller out . I have also stripped cleaned and lubricated the motor

 

[vacbear58]

The first of many

Also sold in Canada as the 308, this is the first of very many Hoover machines.

Inspired by the US Monitor machine it was planned to be launched in the late 1930s but WW2 got in the way. Originally planned to be built at the main factory in Perivale (after a major extension) it was eventually built in an all new factory in South Wales. This film was produced by Hoover at the launch of the machine, it has been posted here before but it never gets old

 

[vacbear58]

The factory

This video looks at a book published at the opening of the factory

 

[vacbear58]

Launch Brochure

In many ways this machine opened up the home laundry market in the UK. There were machines pre WW2 of course but it was very much a fledgling market, much more so than in US, pre WW2 the vacuum cleaner was the first appliance of choice, due in no small part to Hoover's extensive marketing of their cleaners.

This machine answered a need though. Cheaper than the competition (much cheaper to produce too) its compact size made it a good option for very many small UK kitchens - the kitchen shown in the film above is actually quite large for its time. It is compromised though by the wringer (with larger, taller machines with power wringer the wringer could be swung over the sink for wringing the rinsed clothes) although the speed of the Hoover really makes rinsing in the machine the most viable option, wash and wring clothes, set aside until all wash done and then rinse in the machine itself

 

[christfr]

very nice

 

[anthony]

thanks Guys

I knew you wouldn't let me down

 

[launderess]

We've touched this topic previously here in the group, but it still never the less leaves one gobsmacked that post WWII UK middle class housewives were saddled with various semi-automatic washers. This while across the pond in USA homes were ditching wringer washers and other semi-automatics for new fully automatic washers in droves.

Of course there were sound economic and other reasons behind both situations on either side of pond, but it's still fascinating to see contrast.

Hoover's semi-automatic in OP was smaller and more compact than say larger WW such as one seen in this oft posted film clip from same period.



Hoover would keep up the single tub washer with side impeller for some time. Later on the mangle was got shot of and instead came the "Spin-A-Rinse" spin dryer.





Single or famous "Hoovermatic" twin tubs Hoover tapped into a definite demand in UK market. Compact living areas or at least kitchens require often creative ways of thinking about wash day.

 

[vacbear58]

What came first

Was actually the Hoovermatic. But Hoover were clever enough to realise that they had thousands of wringer machines in the market place and, whilst no one was going to ditch a significant investment in a machine maybe only two or three years old, they could get similar facilities to the latest twin tub as modest cost by adding a spinarinse. And of course there were stand alone spinner sales would could later be supplimented by a Hoover single tub if necessary

 

[launderess]

Thank you vacbear58 for clearing that up. You're such a treasure!

Hoover Spin-A-Rinse machines look like nice bit of kit. Have never seen one on this side of pond. Motor sounds quite like my Hoover TT when spinning.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?41673

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?48265

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover 0307 wringer washer

Another great find Anthony, the most basic washing machine at the time but probably one of the most popular for the reasons mentioned above.

Look Out For the " Hoover Splat" get your mop ready but all great nostalgic fun.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover Spin A Rinse

A great idea, many people bought these as an additional after buying a wringer or with a slow spinning automatic, family & friends who I knew had them never stored the washer and spinner next to each other , they could be stored in different areas of the kitchen and brought together on washday to form a " Hoovermatic Twintub " Of sorts with the aid of clipping on a bridging unit to make a bridge between the two when tramsferring the clothes from washing to spin dryer .

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover 0307 Wringer Washing Machine

Here's the repair manual pages Anthony , hope these are useful

 

[anthony]

Thanks guys

i am only to familiar with the Hoover splat as you call it .my grandparents had an early hoover single tub with powered wringer bought in the mid 50s .they bought a hoover spin dryer not sure of the model [it was a round corner model]. Getting back to this one I have been getting rid of years of rust and am about ready to prime the cabinet but before I start I am wondering what to do about the fading hoover logo .my idea is to mask it off spray the panel and then carefully paint the logo back with black paint unless any of you experts have a better idea . So far I have sprayed the wringer and prepared the panels for paint .i spent a good hour in the sun on Saturday scrubbing the tub [inside and out ]with a brillo pad [or three]. the motor has new flex fitted and is ready to go back in the cabinet . Now i know its a very basic machine [not even a switch] but come on hoover no WHEELS

 

[chestermikeuk]

Hoover 0307 wringer washer

Great work Anthony, in respect to the logo masking & painting original is good, also take a pic at the right angle of the logo and take it to a print store, they can make a replica peel off to reveal logo to stick back on to the painted panel,

I do like the iedea of keeping the original !!

Cheers, Mike

 

[anthony]

All finished

and ready for action. Not sure I've put the pin that holds the wringer in properly . After looking at the service manual I may have to take it out and try again . When i put the wringer back on i put the pin in from the outside of the tub but i looking at the diagram i have a feeling it may have to be inserted from under the wringer on the inside [hope all that makes sense] .The machine has had the usual nut and bolt strip down /thorough clean /paint job and reassembly and its looking much better .I think the Creda is a good match for the compact Hoover

 

[anthony]

forgot to mention

that the perished rubber flex has been replaced with some new black PVC stuff .the wringer rollers were very dry and cracked so I sanded them down and then plastered them in Vaseline put them in sandwich bags and left them for a few days and I have to say its worked wonders .they are now [how can I say rubbery again] really nice and supple.

 

[vacbear58]

Well done there Anthony, its looking showroom fresh there

 

[launderess]

Wiping down rubber wringer washer/mangle rollers with bit of kerosene was oft recommended way to clean them. This and also to wear away slight layer of fouled or whatever rubber to reveal a new smooth surface. Advice was not to go too far and make sure rolls were well washed with soapy water and rinsed afterwards.

Thus am not surprised Vaseline did the trick.

 

[anthony]

the vaseline

trick was something i learned from an elderly engineer some 50 years ago when i was a young apprentice budding appliance engineer. In those days we used this trick to revitalise the rubber seals on elderly refrigerators