I have some technical questions about an Ironrite 88

[czanne]

I acquired a fairly early Ironrite 88 in the mahogany case (AD 3377, so early in the run, but after the switch to direct drive in 1949). The oil was like molasses the first time I drained it, but after 4 changes in 4 days, it’s now flowing clean. It’s been indoors all of its life, and the wood is cleaning up nicely. It’s not leaking oil so I’m not looking at a motor rebuild. It’s had one or perhaps two owners.

I have two problems right now.

1) At some point, someone removed its casters, so it’s very low. How high above the floor should the front lap board be? I am not tall, but right now I can’t even use my low garage stool and the knee levers.

2) I’ve been taking the shoe’s temperature with an infrared thermometer. The two ends run hotter than the middle. (Table attached). Is this something I should worry about?

 

[combo52]

Temperatures look great, you can adjust the height to what ever suits you.

 

John L.

 

[gansky1]

Do you have any pics of your Ironrite?  I just bought this one at a sale this weekend, picking it up tomorrow.  

 

[launderess]

Replacement casters - try Great Lakes Casters - https://www.casterdepot.com/glc-now-cd/

Ironrite owners in past have had success finding replacements from this company who stock a variety of casters for furniture and other items.

You will need "adjustible" casters as the original to Ironrite could be raised or lowered, then set by inserting a pin.

Depending upon model cabinet Ironrite units had height (with open cabinet) of either 35" or 40".

Uneven heating.....

Many if not all irons have heat concentrated at one or two points, rotary irons are pretty much same, at least domestic versions.

Fact temps on either end are pretty much same, while some what cooler towards middle leads one to believe there is nothing wrong. If one side was much higher, and or the middle drastically cooler, then there might be an issue or design fault.

Many older rotary irons had two thermostats one on each end. This was because heating elements that could reach entire length of shoe weren't available; and or designer/manufacturer wanted to cut some corners. So you had two separate heating elements that went from each end towards middle. They didn't meet however so there was a gap in heating. Design pretty much planned (or hoped) there would be enough carry over heat from each of the two elements to warm their sides going towards that gap in middle.

Housewives (or whoever) benefit of having two thermostats was that when doing napkins, towels, pillow slips, and other small items only one side of roll was heated. This allowed not only a savings in energy usage, but prevented scorching of unused side of roller.

@gansky1

Congrats on your new addition. Welcome to my world! We've got you now! *LOL*

Will have to haul my Ironrite out soon to get things ready for Thanksgiving!

 

[combo52]

Reason Many Ironers Have Two Thermostats

Was for greater versatility and power savings when ironing a lot of smaller items on one side of the roll.

 

It had nothing to do with not being able to build a larger heating element or cost saving as it cost a lot more to use TWO elements and TWO thermostats.

 

Ironrite does  have a large single element and a single thermostat, it was easy to do.

 

Hi Greg, love the new Ironrite Ironer, I have never seen the wood cabinet model in the flesh, I am sure my Brother Jeff has as he used to work for an IR dealer, Post more pictures when you get it all waxed up and positioned in the living room.

 

John L.

 

[czanne]

Pics, casters

@gansky1

Oh, I have pictures. So many. I’ll have a Dreamwidth post up shortly.
1) gearbox, not filthy
2) drive chain, after lubrication
3) My supervisor inspecting my work.
4) Clean, polished case in place.
5) The old fabrics have been documented and the dust mite breeding farms sent away. Bare roller.
6) Initial burlap wrap, secured with low tack, paper-based masking tape so it wouldn’t goo up much.
7) Adding a second run of burlap.
8) cotton quilt batting. I thought I bought the good stuff without scrim; I was wrong. Note to others: Warm & White or Warm & Natural are the only safe big box options. Any polyester WILL melt.
9) Wrapping the batting with 44 inches long by 25 wide of white flannel. (Cross grain)
10) Outer cover, recycled cotton percale right now. 50 inches long, 29 inches wide before hemming 5/8” hem on either side for draw string.

If you want a specific pic of something, let me know.
I’m still trying to figure out what noises are normal (and what I need to grease).

@Laundress
Since the wood cabinet won’t grow, not even if I put it in good soil and water it, and it doesn’t have the hollow leg of the metal cabinets, what I saw at Great Lakes (a few days ago, before I posted here) weren’t going to work. Stems casters aren’t very big in general, and they all top out small. I’ve got 3” stem casters right now, and it’s too low to comfortably work. I have 5 inch plates on order. I’ll give Aunt Beast another oil change, and mount her to a stained platform so I fit better. But thank you for the dimensions. That does help.
I found an ironrite chair, too, so that will get me more aligned.
I willingly caught this bug. I have a GE Rotary Ironer on stand, and I love its simplicity, but I’m sending it on to another farm league almost pro Sewist (who doesn’t have room for an Ironrite, and lives in a 4th floor walk up). Rotaries are a miracle for prepping pre-washed yardage.

I figured my temp readings were reasonable; fabric doesn’t wrinkle as badly in the center because there’s more consistent pressure on it. But the edges are where the hems are, so logically, they’d be hotter. But ya’ll are the calibration available. (The numbers in the user manual make me side-eye them. Cotton burns at 451. There’s no way that setting should be that high.)

I am enjoying it - I like having a drawer of neatly, almost identically folded kitchen towels, and the 38 yards of flannel that The OnLine Fabric Store 800 pound gorilla sent (I ordered 25; I reported the error; they told me to keep it... got prewashed, damp-dried, ironed & rolled onto bolts in one evening, instead of a long weekend. Yes, I’m in love. And thanks for the encouragement.