How rare is the APEX 3000? 1948 -1951

[stevek90]

I know some members here have the APEX 6000, the 1953 model and the youtube videos are quite interesting.

So I can find no info regarding the APEX 3000 (1948 - 1951) online (other than the paperwork to know it does exist) which was as I understand the first automatic by APEX. Is it less desirable or just more rare than the 6000?

Does anyone own or has ever seen one?

 

[Unimatic1140]

I have the Apex 6000 series from 1953. It was their second design and I would say the 2nd model is more desirable because the original/early model had a very complex balancing valve system that contains a lot of rubber parts. All those rubber parts will be hard as rock now and would have to be found or re-fabricated at great cost to get the original machine running properly. Apex completely redesigned the balancing system for the second generation to simply use centrifugal force to send water into the balancing pockets on the outside of the Fiberglas tub. Unfortunately It would be very challenging and expensive to get the original model running because even finding those parts new, the important rubber sections of the balancing valve would be hardened.

I was very lucky to find my second generation Apex. My Apex was advertised for $20 on Minneapolis craigslist back in 2009. I first found one in 1998 and paid $25 for it so I have spare parts to keep the '53 running for a long time.

You can see the balancing valve and balancing water chamber (the tub is removed in this picture) in the or original model, that would be a nightmare to get inside that valve and restore it, not to mention extremely expensive...

 

[stevek90]

Thank you for that info. Interesting

 

[stevek90]

So I know at least 2 of the sec gen 6000 machines exist, well 2.5 as I know 2 complete ones exist and one parts one.

Are any of the first gen 3000's known to exist?

 

[rp2813]

Interesting Thread

Very interesting indeed.

 

[launderess]

It couldn't be this obvious

Or easy.

 

[toploader55]

(Scratching head)

Thinking the same thing since this morning.