Ironrite newbie, please help!

[sarah]

Hi Launderess and all,

I bought an Ironrite for about $25 at an auction Sunday afternoon. Of course, I came to you all for information. I've been reading the ironer threads, and I just read Launderess' about draining the oil if the unit is going to be at all on its side. I am very concerned because mine still lies, heavy, on it's back in my husband's truck where we loaded it. Have we killed it or just made a gosh-awful mess? Please help.

Of course, I have more questions, but this is the one that will keep me awake tonight!

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[launderess]

Welcome!

Sarah, if I knew you were coming I would have baked a cake!

Ironrite ironers were shipped empty to new owners, then an Ironrite person would arrive to set up the machine and put oil into the gearbox. If the unit is tipped on it's side while the gear box has oil, the oil can not only run out of the gear boxm making a mess, but also leak into the motor.Once oil gets into the motor it causes damage and possibly ruins it once and for all. You would either have to find someone/way to clean out the oil (and hope the motor is not damaged), or buy a new motor. Since Ironrite is long out of business yo won't find a new old stock motor easily, but you could take the motor to any good appliance store to find a modern match.

Bottom line, wake hubby and have him go out and shift your Ironrite right side up. Soon as that is done check to see if oil has leaked out of the gear box.

Once again, welcome to the club. Feel free to ask further questions.

L

 

[ironrite]

Only Wounded...

If the machine hasn't been serviced in a long while, the oil will have turned more to a solid than a liquid. If it's on its back, then any oil left would probably drain away from the motor.

When I changed the oil in mine, I took the top off the gear case by the motor. Then unscrewed the drain plug. Do all this with the machine in an upright position. Using non-flamable brake cleaner for cars, liberally spray inside the gear case and clean out all the old cruddy grease and oil. Some brands come with a small straw to help direct the spray. Use an old toothbrush to clean off any stubborn grease and oil. Put a small dish or pan by the drain hole to catch the runoff.

Check the cleaner you buy and do test it on a small portion of any painted surface. I don't recall the brand I bought, but it didn't harm the paint.

Once all the old glop is cleared out. Put back the drain plug and perhaps check the gasket around the cover. A new one, if needed, is easily cut from cork gasket material, again found at your local auto supply.

To refill with oil, I just used a good 3 in 1 household oil and just enough so the large gear will splash the oil to the other gears. It doesn't take a lot and you don't fill the gearbox all the way up. Mine worked like a charm for several years like this.

Happy ironing!

 

[sarah]

Thanks and more questions

Thanks! I'm somewhat relieved! I tried to get faithful hubby to help get it out of the truck this morning, but his attitude was that the damage was either done by now or not...he is probably right.

Umm, I just talked to him, and he reminded me that it is actually on its front, not its back. Is that any worse? It sounds like the biggest issue is not to put it on its side.

Anyway, I guess we'll get it out tonight, and I'll work on changing the oil as soon as I can. I don't think I'll even turn it on again until I do that.

More questions:
I think it probably needs a new electrical cord. Any advice?
It needs a cover. I noticed a new one on eBay for $30 made by a user called the ironrite guy--is that anyone here? It looks nice and the instructions would be cool, but $30 is pretty expensive. Isn't this something I can make myself? It looks like a heavy muslin sleeve with a drawstring.
Oh, and any general do's, don'ts and advice as I am getting started?

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[launderess]

Ironer roller covers are easy to make, and indeed Ironrite was one of the first to offer housewives ready made covers. Prior to that women were expected to run up their own.

Yes, they are nothing more than good medium or heavy muslin with draw cords at the edge. Just take the one you have to use as a pattern, cut the muslin to length, then cut width. Width is the length of roller plus an inch or so on each side for the string casing. Again if one has basic sewing skills and a machine can be done in less than a few hours.

As for tips, if your ironer did not come with a manual, check eBay for copies. It really is valuable in learning how to iron things on a Ironrite. If you cannot find an Ironrite manual, nab another for a different manual, to learn the basics. Ironer ironing is pretty much all the same, except Ironrites have their ironing shoe on the bottom versus the back for other ironers.

One thing to keep in mind when ironing with any ironer,don't have items too damp/wet. Ironers exert more pressure than hand ironing which along with higher heat does the work without too much moisture. Ideally you want to have items just damp enough to be "dried" with one pass through the ironer. Items that are too wet will require several passes, which takes up time and gives not so great results.

If you have never used an ironer before, start with small flatwork, like plain napkins, pillow slips and small tablecloths.

Best of luck,

L.

 

[sarah]

And more...

Hi Y'all,

It's a model 75. It did leak oil in the truck. It looks like most of the oil leaked forward over the white cylindrical painted or enameled thing below the roller and onto the white folding plate in front. It looks like most of the oil leakage from our transport leaked forward and not onto or into the motor; however, the motor looks oily as if it has been soaked at some previous time...or perhaps it got soaked when we transported it, and I can't tell.

It does not currently have a muslin cover, can someone post the correct dimensions for sewing my own? I'm curious, how do you make the cover snug enough to fit as well as they do and still get it over the roller and all that padding?

Also, it desperately needs a new power cord. Does anyone have recommendations on power cord replacement?

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[launderess]

Hi Sarah,

Speaking of ironing, must get to mine, so cannot post a detailed response at the moment. But....

New Cord,

If no one in your house is an electrical expert, an appliance repairman or electrical should be able to replace the cord easily. It probably is best to replace the cord with a grounded (three prong) plug any way, since the appliance draws lots of current and you will be handling wet/damp items when using it.

Cover,

The covers were the length of the roller plus 2-3 inches on each side for the drawstring. My Ironrite is one of the smaller units, so cannot tell you the true length of your model's roller. Until you can make a cover, just do what many housewives did, take about 1-2 feet of good muslin about 1-2 inches wider than the ironer's roller, and "roll" it onto the ironer.

As for directions, follow the link to Miele's website, and click onto "B890E" operating instructions. Then scroll down to "cleaning and care" This is the users manual for Miele's rotary ironer, and the directions are for replacing the cover on Miele's unit. Changing an ironer's cover is pretty much the same no matter which ironer one owns, only thing is you will have to reverse some directions as Ironrite's shoe is on the bottom, instead of back.

Putting on a new roller cover is easy once one knows how, but don't be upset if your first attempts are not sucessful, just try again. You want the cover on tightly and crease free. Any bumps, creases, wrinkles and so forth will leave marks on your ironing. Think of the ironer's roll as an ironing board, and the shoe as a hand iron. What ever is on the ironer's roller will end up on your laundry.

NEVER, EVER wash the padding under the roller cover! It will shrink and become of no use. If it is packed down, you may remove it and place it in your dryer (on low) for several minutes to fluff it back up again. Ironrite roller covers and padding do show up now and then, so if you want a NOS try asking around.

Regards,
L.

http://www.miele.com/manuals/search_manuals.aspx

 

[launderess]

Cleaing the ironer cabinet and surfaces.

I just make up a bucket of hot water and good dishwashing detergent (hand not automatic), and wash down all the surfaces to remove muck, grime, storage filth, etc. You want all surfaces, especially the table portion clean as this where your ironing will end up.

Do not use harsh cleansers or chemicals as it may damage the paint finish.

L.

 

[launderess]

The covers get scorched after about 6-10 months of use.

In the old days, people were expected to "make their own" replacement covers. I have never seen a "new" or "factory-made" cover.

In general, the "cover" has two parts:

the outer fabric which is cheap unbleached muslin
the inner fabric which is burlap
The muslin attaches with a drawstring at the end. To take it off, you must fish out the ends (they are usually tucked in), and untie the drawstring. You may now unroll the muslin. Next, unroll the burlap.

The burlap should be "freshened" by shaken and aired. DON'T WASH THE BURLAP. If it is damaged, simply buy more burlap at a fabric store and cut it to match. Buy unbleached muslin and duplicate the muslin cover that came with your machine (it is just a rectangle with a hem to hold the drawstring...)

The fun part is putting it back on...

Set the thermostat on LOW and allow the iron to become warm
Adjust the burlap on the iron and under the roll so that 1 1/2 turns are on the roll and the rest hangs down facing you.
VERY SLOWLY, rotate the roller until you get all but 10 inches of the burlap on the roll. Make sure that the burlap is centered on the roll and that none of it sticks over either end.
place the end of the muslin on top of the burlap end and feed iit slowly through the machine intil the muslin is entirely on the roll.
Lock the roll against the iron and tie off the drawstring on the muslin. Tuck the ends into the roll so that they don't show.

 

[ironrite]

Padding

Launderess has pretty much summed up the Ironrite experience. I will add that if you need padding for the roller, you'll want to buy 100% cotton quilting padding. Do not use that dacron fluffy stuff. It's about an 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and about a yard or so. Follow the above directions for the burlap first on the drum, then roll padding on. You'll want about two layers or so of it. Too thick and the the roller will bind up. Too little and you won't get good pressing action. The padding will extend over the drum about 1/2 inch on each side.

Then put your cover on. Use a fine weave of muslin, not a heavy weave. Again, any marks or creases on the drum can transfer to your ironing. So a course weave will leave marks on finer fabric you are ironing.

 

[sarah]

confusion---just a bit

Hi y'all,

Is the correct order

roller
1. padding
2. burlap
3. cover

or

roller
1. burlap
2. padding
3. cover

Thanks,
Sarah

And thanks for the cover explanation--I was imagining a sausage tube and just couldn't fathom how one would get that smoothed out...

 

[launderess]

Burlap first, padding second, cover last.

L.

 

[sarah]

Thanks

I think I've got it now.

I'm taking my little boys to the beach this weekend and hope to be working on the Ironrite next week. I'll check in and let you know how it goes. I went to a Bunco party tonight, and one of the tables had a very pretty but creased table cloth. I thought--this is just the kind of thing I'll use my Ironrite for!

Best,
Sarah