I HAVE A NEW WASHER/DRYER SET!!

[powerfin64]

Ok, they are not matched, but thats ok with me.
On monday, I took home a '63 Kenmore 600 washer and a 70-something Whirpool Imperial 80 Dryer!!

The Kenmore is basic white, 3 cycles,( Normal, Wash-N-Wear, Delicate) 5 water temps, 3 water levels( low, medium, high) Oval waterfall lint filter( with a turning lock latch)and a black bakelite STRAIGHT VANE Agitator!! She had been sitting outside for MANY years,(was a filthy mess but cleaned up very nicely!) and her power cord had been cut off( WHY DO PEOPLE DO THAT?!) but the control panal is in flawless condition. I had to have this washer!

I had a buddy of mine check her out,and put on a new power cord. Results were good..EVERYTHING works, but the center bearings is going out, so she's a bit noisey. No leaks what-so ever anywhere! She runs like a champ. The straight vane agitator REALLY moves things around VERY well!( Talk about water drama!)Takes off on a spin like a raped ape, though the tub brake just coasts to a stop, not like my '72 Lady K that stops in 3 seconds flat. Lint filter works great! I'm very pleased I got her.( Man is she HEAVY to move!)

The Dryer is Whirlpool Imperial 80,(Model LXE 870)Not sure on the year yet. Harvest gold color, 3 drying cycles(Timed, Auto Regular, Auto Permanet Press)5 drying temps(Air, Warm, Tumble Press/Perm Press, Medium, High)and 3 SPEED TUMBLING CONTROL!!( the cable had been cut to it, but will be fixed soon.) Florescent light & lighted timer dial,(that comes on when the dryer is started AND anytime the door is opened!)
Full width hamper door. No lighted dryer-drum.

Again had my buddy checked this one out also, with good results. Replaced the rollers and got a new florescent light.( florescent light was missing when I found the dryer) He attempted to fix the tumbling speed control cable, but need to find a cable, simular to a 10speed bike gear cable, but thicker, in order to make the speed control to work. It has a few minor scatches here and there but nothing major.
She is VERY QUIET!( even more quiet than my Lady K!) a low hum is all that is heard. Drys clothes well and evenly, but takes a bit more time to finish a drying cycle than my Lady K(I'm thinking the temps on this dryer is set lower)
She's a keeper for sure.
I will have some pictures taken as soon as possible.
Rich

 

[DADoES]

LXE would be approx 1972.

If I recall correctly (which I may not), Whirlpool had for one year, three tumble speeds on the TOL dryer *and* on the next model down. Then the next year three speeds on TOL and two speeds on the next down.

 

[Designgeek]

Does anyone make a multiple speed dryer at present? Sounds like it could be a very good idea for certain purposes, i.e. slowing it down for loads that might "stick to the drum" with centrifugal force at the normal speed.

 

[bobbyderegis]

The brochure for my mom's 1968 WP Imperial 90 washer showed the matching two speed dryer. What was the purpose of two speeds?
Bobby in Boston.

 

[DADoES]

Blower Speeds vs. Tumble Speeds

Two speeds on a Whirlpool dryer in 1968 would be *blower* speeds and/or heat output, not tumble speeds. "Super" speed was regular full-on like any other Whirlpool dryer model that didn't have speed selections. The other speed, "Gentle" or whatever it may have been called at any particular time had reduced airflow and/or heat output for delicate items. There was either a two-speed pulley on the blower with a shift mechanism that moved the belt accordingly, or when they went to a direct-drive blower a damper-door was used to reduce airflow. If I understand correctly, the heating element or gas burner could also be throttled to a reduced heat output, but that may not have been done for the entire time the feature was offered. Speed selection in this case was by a rotary knob.

Models that had multiple tumble speeds had a lever at the side of the panel. A tapered/conical motor pulley was used, and the drum belt shifted along it for a wider or narrower diameter.

 

[bobbyderegis]

Thanks, DADoES.
I still can't see the benefit of drum speed. Temperature control absolutely, and intermittent reversing drum rotation is useful, but blower speed and drum speed just seems useless. Was it just a gimick?
Bobby in Boston

 

[goatfarmer]

I've got a WP electric dryer in storage that has the speed lever on the side of the control panel. I'll have to look it over a little closer.

kennyGF

 

[DADoES]

Theory was that lightweight items (nylons, lingerie) took a slower tumble speed so as to not "stick" to the drum. Heavier fabric (denims, blankets) took a faster speed. I've never had the pleasure of using such a dryer, so I can't say what was the effect in practice! it may have been marketing moreso than useful. Interesting that (far as I know) multiple tumble speeds were never offered on Kenmore, a rare case of Whirlpool having a feature that Kenmore didn't.

 

[gyrafoam]

Well Glenn's theory is true, at least on the KAid Dryers I've seen with adjustable drum speeds. The lighter fabrics tend to drop through the heated stream of air rather than sticking to the tub.

 

[gyrafoam]

Duh!

And congratulations to Powerfin on your finds! Does that machine have a waterfall or self-cleaning filter? And yes, those straight vane agitators are aggressive, splashy and fun! Show us photos when you can.

 

[powerfin64]

waterfall or self cleaning filter

Thank you Steve. My KM 600 has the waterfall filter on it. Really catches lint!

Rich