in the commercial laundry world we called these.....

[dryclean1]

I have seen only a few of the h axis or cylinder washers on aw. there was a guy with a thor on one thread and I cant find his profile. In the laundry biz the old dryclean washers were cylinder style,we called them bellie washers in fact an old friend of mine had one that was still in use until the early 90s. being for petro solvent and transfer equiptment which was long since out of vogue by then. I have the tub from an old silver flash machine. it appears as though the tubs from these washers quite often got saved long after the washer was no longer needed. there is an old thor was tub only near where I live however it is rusted beyond being salvageable. does anone have one they would part with? I would love to have one. thanks Bill

 

[launderess]

Have been on the hunt for a useable Thor cylinder washer

As well for ages, but finding nothing but rusted and clapped out heaps.

On the commercial side have seen a few side loading H-axis washers but they aren't suitable for domestic use for various reasons.

Outside of Thor and IIRC one or two other manufactures at the time side loading H-Axis washers never really took hold for domestic use here in the USA. OTOH you can find top loading versions all over Europe (but mainly France) for domestic use and large commercial machines in laundries of all sizes.

Know of a dry cleaners/laundry in PA that is up for sale with two such washers. They are vintage/old school but you'd have to purchase the entire business to get at them.

Think part of the problem as you well know is that these early "pony" washers did just that; you needed a separate wringer/mangle or extractor in order to get water out. As top loading washer came to dominate the US market they were easier to build and design with a spin drying function. H-Axis washers of any sort require more complicated counter-weight and other systems when spinning otherwise....

Even early Bendix front loaders didn't spin worth a darn and they were bolted down. That bolting requirement also killed sales of front loaders as not every housewife could or would want such a thing.

1922 Laundry Instructions by Home Economist, For Thor Cylinder Washer

Found this and had to share. Seems the writer was one of the most famous home economists of her time, writing many pamphlets detailing how to make your life easier with modern methods and products. This one was sponsored by the company which produced Thor washing machines, hence, the...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[volvoguy87]

Modern equivelant.

The only top loading H-Axis washer I know of in the US is the Staber. It is automatic and pretty interesting, but I have not heard particularly promising things regarding their quality. One could be fun to play with, however.

Dave

 

[kimball455]

You and Your Laundry

Here is the link to the entire 'You and Your Laundry' booklet. This is on the internet archive.

Happy New Year

Harry

http://https//archive.org/details/youyourlaundry00fred

 

[vacbear58]

Link

Harry

Thank you for providing that wonderful link, it will make great reading

Al

 

[launderess]

Whirlpool Holds Patents To A Top-Loading H-Axis Washer

But seems doubtful they will do anything with them, I mean they haven't thus far..

First, some info about changes in washing machines

First, this article...

www.automaticwasher.org