Introducing the Picture Window Lady Kenmore Roto-Rack!!!!!!!

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Very Interesting

Its astounding to see the force and amount of water thrown at the dishes.  I remember Consumer Reports placing Sears in the middling range yet it looks like it should have blown the bits away.  It does appear that not a lot of water is hitting the door so it might explain silverware at the ends of the racks and items in the corner not getting their fair share.  Robert, your work is that of genius.  Its a source of mystery to me how many techniques and innovations are entirely self taught and always seem to be successful.  Pretty amazing for a computer geek!  You are truly amazing.  SUPER ROBERT!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Awesome Job Robert!
I have a soft spot for these old D&M Dishwashers! You really make them proud!
Thanks for sharing your fantastic work!
Brent
 
Robert, very well done.   I remember the demo displays at Sears but by that time it was the 2 square rack design.  I never thought it's power was that impressive.  Do you think the second washarm robbed the bottom arm of that much power/water, or had things been toned down a little to make it quieter?  Like Bob I have to wonder where the Hotpoint went?  You and Fred will have to add on to the kitchen if you keep doing this, I really hope you do.  Thanks for the pictures and that video has left me wanting more.  Can you go on "legal zoom" and get a patent?  People are going to want this in their own home, its an idea that really is New again. alr
 
WINDOW DOOR ROTO RACK DW

Robert you have out done yourself on this one, I think it is almost time for you to build the Unimatic combination Washer-Dryer that Frigidare thought about building back in the late 1950s.

 

You could get a good picture of the Roto-Rack only by removeing the bottom wash arm and placing a large bowl over the water outlet so we only see the Roto-Rack operating. On our 1966 KM DW the Roto-Rack would often get going so fast that it would make a loud bumping sound if it was not loaded evenly.

 

The DW that you started with is probably the best looking D&M LKM DW ever and the D&M machines were still a little better built till 1968 when the tub was enlarged. It is great that you found an almost unused machine to invest all this time in, this is the great thing bout many portables is that often people just didn't get into the habit of using them and we come along and find these great appliances to collect.
 
Robert

thanks for the explanation on the roto-rack now I see and I bet it does C L E A N the glasses! Its black bakelite too - the best!

I just love those CAST BUTTONS no paint or guess work there you could feel your way across the cycles.

 

I never had a complaint when I owned several D&M portables- they cleaned hands down!

 

 

And it has 6?? rinses?? Holy Jicama!

Next we need to build a Nixie Tube display D/W! 
 
Bravo Robert!

I like the Nixie tube display idea Mr. Jetcone. Have you ever heard of Dekatron tubes? They have a circle of electrodes that glow sequentially as they count up or down. I've got a few and they would make an interesting timer countdown display.

Love that Lady K!
Dave
 
It does appear that not a lot of water is hitting the door so it might explain silverware at the ends of the racks and items in the corner not getting their fair share.
Hey Kelly, there is plenty of water hitting the glass, but in the extreme corners the force is slightly less due to the circular pattern of the water out of the spray arm. I have noticed it's best to load the silverware so it is facing outwards towards the center of the machine.

I remember the demo displays at Sears but by that time it was the 2 square rack design.
I so remember the demo display roto-rack dishwashers in Sears. Fred asked me about them the other day and I couldn't remember if they were clear on all sides or just the front door was clear. I do remember them being lighted from the interior. Does anyone remember how the roto-rack demonstration machines were constructed in Sears in the early 70s???? What I mainly remember is being eight years old and so F$^&*%g amazed by seeing the wash/spray action and that upper rack spinning so fast. Of course what I really remember is the disappointment in my mother pulling me away "as we had no time to stand here watching this", we needed to spend our time in the clothing departments, UGH-NO!!!!! Fine, be that way, I'll just wait 40 years and make it myself, hmmph! lol

It is great that you found an almost unused machine to invest all this time in, this is the great thing bout many portables is that often people just didn't get into the habit of using them and we come along and find these great appliances to collect.
I couldn't agree with you more John! The best vintage dishwashers I find generally are portables. They are less convenient generally to shelp over to the sink and hook up for the average housewife, so they get used a lot less. This machine has some use, but I suspect it was less than a year total. One of the things I did in this installation was to be sure to keep the drain hose as short as possible, coiling it right at the top of the water level at the bend in the tank. This allows the drain pump to completely clear the exposed porcelain area of the sump of water leaving it completely dry by the end of the dry cycle. These D&M machines many times let water sit in the sump causing it to rust. I noticed this during my testing that small areas of rust were already forming with a 1/4" of water left down there. I want to protect and keep this machine in good shape for as long as possible. Obviously with a D&M machine that's going to be a bit of a challenge.

And it has 6?? rinses?
Four rinses Jon and two washes. I suspect the machine uses about 14-15 gallons for a complete Normal or 150 degree cycle.
 
What a cool transformation.

You should market those, the dishwasher makers (Which seems to only be Whirlpool anymore)  may find that people enjoy the window in the dishwasher as much as the window in their washer.
 
WOW Robert .....
Appliance toyland just took another quantum step up-the-entertainment-ladder with your latest edition.
Absolutely incredible!!!!
And thanks for documenting the process.
I can not wait to see this marvel in action.
And I agree with Terry, can't wait to see both windowed machines at night in action at the same time.
Who needs auxilary ambient lighting anyway.
I have to say, you keep raising the bar every time you create one of these most entertaining appliances.
So .... what's next??
psf
 
Windows

Stunning just stunning, not only the machine but your modifications too it, i can appreciate the planning and thought that would have gone into such a major job.
You must feel so pleased with yourself which you rightly should.

Well done and thanks for bringing a special machine to the group

Gary
 

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