How do you refurbish wringer rollers?

[adam-aussie-vac]

Hey guys I’ve noticed that on my Simpson machine I think the actual rollers are starting to succumb to age Although I have been storing them unlocked and with a towel in between to prevent sticking I do have a spare ringer that is slightly newer but from a different model, it does physically connect and work so it is backwards compatible with the spare ringer

 

[launderess]

Back in day housewives or anyone else dealing with rubber wringer or mangle rollers were advised to clean or refresh same by rubbing with cloth dampened with kerosene. Rollers then had to be promptly and thoroughly washed afterwards with soapy water, rinsed well, then dried.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?72092

Kerosene or similar substance dissolves rubber. A quick wipe down of wringer roller made from same removed a slight layer revealing a bit of new surface. This gave wringer/mangle rollers longer useful life but obviously couldn't be repeated very often.

https://chestofbooks.com/food/household/A-Manual-Of-Home-Making/Wringer.html

https://clickamericana.com/topics/h...ards-wringers-old-fashioned-laundry-equipment

At some point all wringer rollers either power or hand driven would need to be replaced. In past this was a simple matter as going down to shops armed with certain information. Today however that is not really possible.

At least for Maytag here in USA spare wringer washer rollers both NOS and aftermarket are easy enough to find. For your washer you'd need to find out who made the wringer rollers and get proper specs. Armed with said information you can search about for proper size.

https://cottagecraftworks.com/maytag-wringer-cap-parts

https://www.ebay.com/itm/234599826880

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266030574925

Lovell made both wringer/mangle rollers and entire units (power and manual driven) for many washers sold under various brand names.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?46915

Typewriter platens were often made from rubber. There were once many places that repaired such machines who would also apply new layer of rubber to worn platens.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I know that the wringer is a Simpson Lovell Type

So it might potentially use something that could be found as new old stock So I might decide to have a hunt around, also regards to the idea of using kerosene to refresh the surface of the wringer rollers Do you know anybody who has done that or what, I’ll have a look at the spare one I have tomorrow and see which one has the better rollers And also, I know that with my particular rigourll And also, I know that with my particular wringer is that has this little band that looks like it connects to the drip tray, and I’ve heard somewhere that when they were on, you you could change the direction of the rollers and it would change the direction where the water comes out At least that’s my understanding

 

[launderess]

" Do you know anybody who has done that or what, "

Well no I don't as matter of fact. Am only one in circle of family and friends daft enough to own a wringer washing machine and mangles.

But as noted it was common advice given out years ago to be in various manuals and other printed matter for housewives and others who had to deal with wringers.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Oh cool that’s pretty unusual

I wonder if there’s an actual company that rebuilds end refurbishes wringer rollers

 

[lowefficiency]

Restoration of the original rollers seems like a very reasonable project, actually.

The old rubber material could be scraped or abraded away with a bristle brush, and a rubber or silicone of the appropriate hardness could be poured into a mold directly over the original shaft.

If I were doing this, I would contact the folks at Smooth-On. If anyone would know what product to use to replicate the characteristics of the original rubber, it would be them.

https://www.smooth-on.com/page/durometer-shore-hardness-scale/

Mold Making and Casting Products by Category

www.smooth-on.com

 

[launderess]

"Restoration of the original rollers seems like a very reasonable project, actually"

Apparently profitable as well. Who knew?

WRINGER WASHER ROLLERS - J J Short Associates. Inc.

We can strip and recoat your wringer washer roller to use or display!

www.alignable.com

 

[launderess]

Did you know?

Mangles or wringers haven't totally vanished from commercial laundries?

Places that launder rugs and carpets use a quite large sort of mangle to squeeze water out of such textiles after cleaning.

Roller Re-conditioning Program

A Legacy Of Quality And Fine Engineering Continues - Products by MOR have revolutionized the rug cleaning industry and Centrum Force is proud carry on that proud tradition!

www.centrumforce.com

 

[launderess]

Did you also know in USA sales of wringer washers peaked in 1948 with 3,421,00 being marketed. By 1968 number fell to 379,000. Still by late 1960's early 1970's some 15 million American homes still had and used wringer washing machines. Such machines appealed to homes with limited water supply (especially hot) and or other reasons including not being able to afford a fully automatic washing machine.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

So I’ve had a look at some of the websites linked

But I’m actually not even sure which one I should pick or use, let alone how to fill out the form for the company that refurbishes the wringer washer roller On their website

 

[launderess]

Reach out and make a query. It's about only way you're going to find out.

Custom Molded Rubber and Roller Manufacturer - Baler Rubber Rollers, Compression Molding, Custom Mixing Buna N, Custom Mixing Butyl, Custom Mixing EPDM, Custom Mixing Natural Rubber, Custom Mixing Neoprene, Custom Mixing Silicone, Custom Mixing Ureth

www.jjshort.com