How lucky can one guy get? Maytag 142

[fridgenut]

Well, I haven't even gotten used to my antique stove and here I am. I'm now the proud new owner of a Maytag 142 from 1959 and a matching gas dryer. They look to be in good shape. They were purchased by a man who worked for the railroad according to the guy I bought them from. The man who originally bought them died at the ripe age of 97 and left behind a pretty pair indeed. The guy I bought them from bought his house and these came with it. He used them until recently when he got a modern set with more capacity. I even got the manual for the dryer. Very cool stuff. Now I know the proper way to dry a blanket apparently has 6 steps!

No signs of oil leakage from the transmission on the washer. The guy said it worked just fine and I believe him. He did say that the water valve leaked very slowly. Probably calcium buildup. I plan to fix that and replace any rubber items that are worn. Then I will use it and enjoy it. This will be my only washer and dryer provided they prove to be reliable. I'm not getting rid of my current ugly set just yet!

Here is one question that I have...
My basement currently has no provision for venting a dryer outside. Fortunately it has an old gas pipe that can be connected to a T. It is currently disconnected. Is there a risk of CO poisoning if I vent it inside? I plan to thoroughly check the dryer out before using it. I know that the burner needs to have a nice blue flame to not be releasing CO. There really isn't a good way to make a vent work either. I'm living in a rented house.

I appreciate the help that you all have to offer. I'm very glad to be joining the "automatic washer" club!

 

[appnut]

YES, still find a way to vent the dryer outside!!  Too risky!!

 

[bigalsf]

YES!

A gas dryer <span style="text-decoration: underline;">must</span> be vented (especially one as old as this)!!   

 

Please do not use it until you've installed a vent.  

 

 

 

[fridgenut]

Thanks for the advice

I will work out a way to vent it outside. There is a window right above where it will go. It is a very old window with two panes. Does anyone know how to do a proper job of putting a vent in an old window?

 

[gyrafoam]

I cut out a fairly thick piece of pressure-treated wood sized to replace a pane in the window (paint it if you want with an oil-based enamel paint) and then remove the pane of glass. Cut a hole in the wood to fit a dryer vent. Caulk it into the window frame. Make sure it is ok with the property owner----and, at least subsequent renters will have a vented dryer as well. Worst-case is you have to replace window when you move.

Nonetheless, you will have to vent a gas dryer.

Hope you enjoy those machines! A great set.

 

[akronman]

Gyrofoam is right, and

I've done the same with a sheet of plexiglass instead of wood. Your landlord should be HAPPY that someone improved his property

 

[mayken4now]

Nice Set. Hope the window idea works for you.

 

[fridgenut]

Excellent, great ideas

I will get a piece of Plexiglas or a board. Not sure which will be easier and cheaper and I'll make it happen. The landlord should be happy but then again...he's a landlord. The whole corner down there is full of lint in the ceiling from so much dryer venting. Also, the ladies washer next to mine doesn't even have a proper drain pipe like mine does. It just goes to a pipe which leads to the floor and then to the floor drain. Real classy people.

 

[combo52]

Venting A Gas Dryer ?

It should not hurt a thing to inside vent a gas dryer [ keep in mind that it is undesirable to have any dryer vent into a house because of lint, moisture and extra heat in the warmer months of the year ] But CO is not going to be a problem, a gas range produces many times as much CO and look how many people cook every day without using a vent fan to the outside.

 

If you want to be really safe have a CO detector in the house.

 

[frigidaireguy]

GAS DRYER IN A BASEMENT

I HAVE A GAS DRYER IN MY BASEMENT AND IT IS NOT VENTED TO THE OUTSIDE AND I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM.
Bob

 

[sel8207]

gas detectors

It's not going to cost very much to install a carbon monoxide detector in the basement and in the house. Cheap protection from a very deadly gas. Les.

 

[jetaction]

I will have a mint pink set of these for sale very soon!

Beautifully restored, rebuilt washer and sure pretty in pink! Message me if serious about purchasing, [email protected]

Cheers!

 

[goatfarmer]

Just curious, did you ever get the almond 806 out of Chicago?

 

[fridgenut]

Goatfarmer...

No I did not. I honestly have no use for it now and will let the owner know as much.

 

[goatfarmer]

probably scrapped by now. It's been 3 months, and he wanted it gone.

[this post was last edited: 7/21/2017-20:12]

 

[fridgenut]

I love these machines!

Never would I think that there would be such a difference between old and new laundry equipment. Sure, I figured that the old models would be built like tanks...they are, but I figured I would give up at least some cleaning or drying ability. Boy was I wrong. I now have my Maytag pair hooked up and they are both honeys. The washer tub may be tiny but it thrashes the clothes. The turn over on even a comforter amazes me. Far better than my larger, modern Maytag. It's quiet too. No nasty tranny noises and no shimmy shake. It just powers up and gets to spinning. The dryer is fantastic. I had to adjust the pilot light but once I did it took off. It has a big flame when the thermostat kicks on. It also cut my old dryers time in half. Sheets now take 30 minutes to dry...or less, not sure. I'm pleased as punch!

 

[rp2813]

Congratulations, but --

Ray, you're spoiled now.  Life will never be the same.

 

[wayupnorth]

My dryer is vented outside thru a finangled way outside thru the cold weather. I have some insulated boards that fit perfect around the vent pipe out the window beside it when I HAVE to use my electric LDE410 instead of the clothesline. So what, I have to put them in and out. But an outside dryer vent lets so much cold air into the house. I had an unfortunate clinical test at my last place when the phone rang, I forgot to hit the start button and the next morning the whole load was frozen solid. I used the same method with my old Kenmore gas dryer when living in an apartment and it works fine if you want to mess with window and boards and take them out when you're done washing.