Is it possible? Could it be? YES there is now a 1955 Unimatic in da house!

[revvinkevin]

At least temporarily anyway!

About 3 weeks ago I took an '84 Lady Kenmore washer down to Steven (Wigwag) in San Diego and he offered to let me temporarily borrow his BEAUTIFUL 1955 Frigidaire Unimatic washer. He said "I can't use it while it's sitting in storage, so would you like to borrow it for a while?

My answer was of course a resounding YES!

Steven, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for allowing me to borrow this stunning machine from you!!!!!

 

[revvinkevin]

This washer is in just beautiful condition and I wish I could keep it for ever![this post was last edited: 8/12/2010-23:59]

 

[revvinkevin]

The interior....

Unfortunately it's missing the agitator cap. Does anyone out there have an extra / spare cap??

 

[revvinkevin]

I VERY quickly remembered you need to use HE detergent in these machines (but not quickly enough.... obviously - oops!).

(Steven I did NOT do this intentionally! Really!)

 

[revvinkevin]

At the same time I also discovered the lid handle is open to the inside! Again, oops! LOL

 

[revvinkevin]

However once it kicked into that 1140 RPM spin, the suds where history!

So one very minor issue this washer has is the fan on the motor sounds like it's loose on the shaft and rattles a bit when the motor is running.

Is it possible to somehow tighten, adjust or otherwise tweak the motor fan so it's quiet?

Thank you for your assistance!
Kevin

 

[qsd-dan]

Wow, that's certainly a pretty machine!

A Unimatic is the only Frigidaire I'd consider owning. Frigidaires later designs are unnecessarily overcomplicated and a real PITA to work on. The fact that I'll probably never find one really puts the Maytags at ease, lol.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

I knew it!

I ALWAYS knew you were envious of the sudscake Frapdoodle made in your 1-18 at the Wash In! LOL!!!

What a beautiful machine! You tried to describe it over the phone but pictures really make it shine. Have fun with her. Also, we demand (politely) VIDEO!

RCD

 

[lebron]

OOOOO

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL KEVIN!!! '55 is definintely my favorite Unimatic model. Soooo stately with the simple control panel and black pulsator, I just love it! Your machine looks in incredible condition, have fun!!!

 

[alr2903]

RevKev, glad to see you are giving another lost machine a new home. I think you are feeling better, I am glad to see you working "the hobby" again.. Nice Fridgidaire. arthur

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations on knowing such a generous friend

Please do not use liquid detergent in it. The alcohols in SOME liquid detergents attacked the rubber parts in older washers and the Frigidaire with its bellows and agitator components is particularly vulnerable to this type of damage. Help your washer keep the pledge to stay away from alcohol.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Keven, congratulations on owning the most efficient top loader ever made!!! A Unimatic is built to handle large amounts of suds so generally there is no need to use low sudsing detergent in it.

The reason the fan is rattling is because the pump impeller screw has loosened. To fix this all you need to do is follow the instructions up to post # 303158 in the thread below.

Be sure to use a big screwdriver/vice-grips combo for leverage during the tightening process and be sure to use some liquid loc-tite to secure the screw. Let the loc-tite dry overnight before running the machine again.

Repairing a Frigidaire Unimatic Washer Motor Start Switch

Tonight I worked on the final task on Jed's 1955 Unimatic washer and that was fixing the motor start switch. When we were bench testing it, it worked just fine, but once put back into actual service the switch started to act up and was not working properly. So I photographed the whole procedure...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[westingman123]

Hey Kev-

Great to see your post! Remember, possession is 9/10 of the law. (smirk) That is one beautiful machine, man. What have you washed in her? As always, I'm amazed at you photography skills.

 

[turquoisedude]

Nice 'loaner'

Gosh, that is very generous of Steve to lend the machine to you!! Methinks you will have a hard time giving it back...
About the agitator cap: a collector who used to be on the board here, gregm, had a bunch of Frigidaire parts that he may have been needing to find new homes for when he moved... I will email his address to you and perhaps he might still have one!
Really nice washer... I am sooooo jealous!

 

[revvinkevin]

Thank's Paul! Per your suggestion I contacted Greg M. but he replied saying he already sold his house, collection and parts.

It was worth a shot though....

Kevin

 

[golittlesport]

One of the most beautiful washers ever built! Of course, I'm biased.

 

[gansky1]

You'll have fun with this washer - we saw this machine in Tucson back in 2006(?) and it was really in great condition.

 

[wetguymd]

OMG

I had that exact same washer years ago! Whats amazing....I couldn't appreciate it back then.... Sorry Robert...lol.. It was a beautiful machine... what can I say.. I was young....

 

[wigwag]

Glad its in good hands...

Hi Kevin,

Glad your taking good care of it. But I definitely want it back someday, (or trade it for a 58 Imperial to match my dryer, hint hint). It really is nice shape, and yes thats the one I brought up to the Tucson wash-in. I believe Greg (gansky) was the original owner to be on this machine but when he realized he already had one I got it.

It came from a lovely farm house in update Oregon (right on the Washington border)

I kind of figured you'd be posting pics!

Enjoy!

Steven