Even more blabbing! (Brief History of the WP portable)
Also an interesting note about the portables is this is actually the 2nd generation portable, not the 1st as they are called often. Believe it or not, the original portable automatic from WP/KM was just a shortened full size 24" machine. It had a kick-down lever to stabilize it and it was the full depth of a full size machine. Kevin and a few others actually have these little washers, they held more since they were essentially a full-size machine. Some parts on the lower machine like the pump were changed slightly to allow a shorter height. These were a LOT heavier than the one discussed in this thread which are the 2nd generation machine. A few years later, this series machine was introduced and I feel like it is the 1st truly portable automatic. The new machine was much lighter to move around, you didn't have to lock it down and due to it's new suspension system could handle higher spin speeds. Ah yes, that suspension. For those who've never had one apart, the entire machine mechanics are supported on 3 springs from the base plate. The transmission is the same for the most part, a traditional belt-drive unit, but with different pulleys and a different belt-drive which was actually nothing like the traditional full-size unit. The belt here is a serpentine style belt with a spring-loaded idler pulley to maintain tension. They were also very thin and were about 7/8" tall with multiple ribs. The machine, due to the pulley arrangement/belt routing also spins in the reverse direction than the standard machines. These machines utilized a recirculating, manual-clean lint filter which was pretty fancy for a portable as well and they made them from simple units with only a single timer all the way up to the TOL machines which were called "Convertibles" because they had a standard 2-port inlet valve, 3 water levels, and 5 temp combos (that's the version I have). You could pop the wheels off and put legs under it (the base plate has the threaded holes for them already). I think these were just wonderful little machines, mine has proven to be durable.
As with anything there are things to look out for. Really the only "design flaw" I will mention is the tub guard. There are 2 versions, one like the machines here have, and a newer one with an angled tub opening and a fine-tooth lint filter. The older, more squared-off style had retaining tabs along the top rim of the outer tub that could break from the outer tub banging into the cabinet. Mine is like this, and I have the different style as well but I didn't like the lint filter on it, it was much harder to clean. I like the crack and slap cartridge that's in mine. This causes the tub cover top to flop around in the spin cycle or become dislodged. Something to check.
After this generation ended in around 1986, the portable washer took on the new direct-drive platform. There were less unique parts to the portable machine now, same pump, motor etc. The main difference that is noticeable aside from the sound was the slower spin speed. Since they used the same transmission between the portable and larger machines and they were directly driven from the motor, there was no way to increase the spin speed. So the little portable now spun at the slower speed of the full size machine, which was a kind of a big deal since these were usually coupled to 120v dryers. This did increase the dry time significantly. These machines still utilized a suspension system that was unique to the portables though, although this time they utilized shock absorbers. Instead of 3 springs, there are 3 shock absorbers in a triangle formation that anchor to a modified plate under the tub. Over time, the metal at the anchor points at the tub can fatigue with causes the securing bolt to push through the hole which makes the tub drop on that corner. These were still durable machines though, and versions of them had a dual-action agitator that helped with rollover in such a small tub. This washer was eventually replaced by the "World Washer" in the 90's, but the washer mechanism is still in use today in the 24" ThinTwin's.
The dryer, which was released in the late 60's is also still in production. When the portable dryer was introduced, it was smaller than the washer. When you put them side by side they really didn't seem to match. The dryer was shorter slightly, and not as deep as the washer. It was an identical pairing in dimensions however to both the 2nd generation BD portables and the new DD portables. The World Washer was a departure as it didn't match anything. The dryers are still being made in both stand-alone and as the upper have of the ThinTwin. They are very robust little units and are easy to service. Later models have electronic sensors in them for auto-dry even and over the years they have been available in 220v, 120v and even gas.
I hope this provides a little background history for our new WP portable owners
-Tim
