I found a Jacobs Launderall!

[turquoisedude]

You know when you find something that you never thought you'd ever find, weren't actively looking for, or even sure you'd ever want one?  Do you find that you can't resist getting it?   Yeah, well, this where I'm at... LOL

 

I saw this ad on the Plattsburgh, NY craiglist for an old washer and freezer.  I nearly fainted when I saw the washer was a Launderall and before I caught my breath, I had contacted the seller for more information.  The machine was found in a home that was being renovated for resale following the demise of the owners.   The contractor who saved the machine could not believe that it was a 1940s model that had to be bolted to the floor. 

 

The machine looks a little rough, but is largely intact.  

 

[turquoisedude]

The mechanical bits were in good shape, but it looks like this washer lived in a very damp basement. 

 

Check the motor - I have never heard of the Jack & Heintz company...  

 

The coin trap reminds me of an old vaudeville-era megaphone.

 

And although original, the power cord was in bad shape and had to go.  Note that 'pigtail' for the ground connection - although not a molded-on plug, it had a hole for the ground wire and according to the Jacobs manual, this was the plug supplied.  

 

[turquoisedude]

The glass lid was in good shape and so was the wash tub.  

 

Inside was the obligatory dead mouse and a souvenir of the former owner.  That handkerchief looks like it was part of a 1950s wash load for sure!  It was actually stuck to the tub, so it must spin pretty well... LOL 

 

[turquoisedude]

So, I figured I had nothing to lose by changing the power cord and giving the washer a test... 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

Full disclosure, the person I bought this from had tried the machine, so I already knew it worked... BUT what I didn't know was that it would run a cycle all the way through!  I got the manual from the doctrine available here on the board and had read up a bit about it - I got to see first-hand the washer going through it's wash, drain, spin, rinses, and final spin.  And bonus - it shut itself off!  I was over the moon, to say the least.  

 

Here's a longer video showing what would be the wash drain and spin portion of the cycle:

 



 

More coming soon... I actually did a water test yesterday!

 

[jetcone]

I'm

Gobbesmacked ! Mine never worked ever like that ! Wow what a find !

 

[foraloysius]

Yes indeed, what a find! The holy grail of H-axis topload washing! And working too!

 

[d-jones]

What a wonderful find. And to think that after all these years it still works. Even better is the fact that it found its way into the hands of someone who'll appreciate it for what it is. It might just as easily have ended up in the hands of a scrapper.

 

[appnut]

Wow Paul.  Don't know what to say as I'm kinda speechless.  But you omitted on step through the cycle, didn't it also clean itself before it shut off? 

 

I have Christmas table linens that remind me of that handkerchief. 

 

[combo52]

Oh Paul Congratulations

You are probably the only living collector that has seen one of these machines run [ without catching on fire ] now the big question does it leak.

You might consider converting it to a dry-cleaner.

 

In any case if you get it to run through a full cycle with clothing and laundry be sure to video tape it as I dough this machine will become a daily driver [ and people wounder why FL and H axis machines did not catch on in this country ] LOL

 

[turquoisedude]

Bob - I didn't know the Launderall cleaned itself at the end of cycle.  Did it do some kind of a purge?

 

John - I actually did a water test and filmed that; I'll post that as soon as I can.  But you're right, I can't see this machine becoming a daily driver.  Not even a Sunday driver... LOL   The way it shakes during spin I'll definitely want to bolt this beastie down for any laundry tests!

 

[appnut]

Paul, in many of the marketing literature pieces of the late 1940s and early 1950s it was mentioned the machines also cleaned them selves.  I guess that was a selling point because wringer users I'm sure had to clean out their washers after wash day. 

 

[combo52]

Self-Cleaning Automatic Washers

All AWS were advertised as being SCing, it was one of many selling points of AWS compared to WWS.

 

[tolivac]

Neat machine-works well for its age!!You figure when that machine was sold-like others of its era-the new machine was delivored to the customer by a knowlegeable delivoryman installer-and he showed you how to operate it,what to do and what NOT to do.Today the machine is handed to you in a big box store-they may help you load into your pickup and away you go.YOU have to read its book and install it yourself.And the machine was built to last-and not made of cheap tinny metal and plastic.Note how this machine survived and still works!!!!Like the "hankie" that was inside!!!Wrinkled--but CLEAN!Where was the mouse found?Surprized there wans't more than one adn some still alive.Same with roaches-these critters love abandoned appliances!

 

[washdaddy]

Congratulations on a great find!!

Will be neat to see when you get it to the point to put it thru an actual test load.

I'm sure you'll be making a video of it when it happens and everyone here will be anxiously waiting for it.

Best of luck with everything on this machine.

 

[arbilab]

(Almost) just like the one Lucy pushed off the balcony!

 

Always wondered what the handles do..... ?

 

[brucelucenta]

That's really cool. Never much liked front load machines from that era, but this one is truly unique! Consumer reports sure gave it a bad review back in the day...

 

[alr2903]

That is a nice find.. Congratulations.  It works!

 

[a440]

Paul, what an awesome find!

Never thought that I would see one of these in any type of operation.
It does run quite smooth for sitting for so many years. Would be so interesting to find out how the transmission shifts the wash tub into the opposite direction so fast!

What were the issues found with these machines when they were in use back then? John, what caused the fires? Leaking outer tub?

Thanks for the videos! Fun machine!