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everythingold

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
1,261
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Finally finished up the 1-18. New bearing, new boot. agitator shaft clean and slick. The slow spin speed that frustrated the h*ll out of me was cause by loose mounts on the motor.

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Nothing piston agitation

It is in a happy home, and will be well cared for. Of course, there also has to be some snag. The machine will only spin on low speed. Fortunately, I got a spare timer and motor. I must say though, working on piston machines is not fun. Much thanks to my very talented Brother-in-law Ed from Cleveland. This is the first time in 2 years I havn't had a piston machine in my shop. So one must be waiting out there for me, I hope it's poppy. matt

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Alice has arrived, with a great debt of gratitude...

On such a find like this, it's not uncommon for me to give the appliance a name, and a gender for my new buddy. So, I named him Alice, after the original Alice Cooper. My first encounter with a Frigidaire 1-18 was during a lapidary class where they used one for the shop towels. That machine, and Alice Cooper's "No More Mister Nice Guy" tune had set the hook for these machines. I could never get over the noise a 1-18 makes, never! And now, finally, after almost three decades, Alice the Frigidaire Jet-Cone washing machine has jumped his way into my life.

At first, he would kick and scream like a scared Siamese cat as I gently struggled to get him loaded into my truck. Sideways, on his back, whatever, he just didn't seem to want to go into that dark, strange minivan with the tinted windows. When I got the control panel off, he still put up a good fight, and struggled. But finally, he gave in. I guess the poor machine decided it had enough and tuckered out. The ride was quite uneventful.

You cannot believe the happiness I felt when I brought him home. I repositioned his control panel, installed the spigot, and plugged him in. Nothing. Hmmm... OK, so I checked the connection to the control panel. Yup, needs to go in a little more. Now let's try again. Eureka! Alice lazily goes into his slow spin. Yes! He survived the trip!

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Everythingold - I wondered what happened to it since we last saw it. Good to see it up and running! Congratulations!

NorfolkSouthern - Beautiful Machine!
 
The saga continues....

So, I got Alice to spin. Let's see how he fills up... Fairly quick for a temporary portable setup on the sink, I might add. But, no photos of an actual load. Not yet. But soon enough, as long as this thread stays alive.

With a tub full of water, Alice throbs to life! And me? I just could not contain myself. I busted out laughing 'till my guts were aching to high heavens! OK, so I got him drained and figured "what the heck".

Just so you all know, a 1-18 is a very "rough and tumble" type of critter. They sound almost like a Dash 8-40C locomotive on run 8 during agitation. A wonderful racket that can never be duplicated, a Shredmore sounds wimpy in comparison! They also like to chew just about anything. Buttons, zippers, screw drivers... And we all know how bad that is for a Jet-Cone. So, no jeans, winter coats, or anything "toxic" to our little friend. I loaded him up with some kitchen towels, because they are a lot easier on his digestive tract.

And then he let loose! With a racket I haven't heard in years, Alice throbs himself to life! OMG, I couldn't stop laughing! I have never had so much fun washing cloths in so many years! It was great! My sides are aching, and I'm in pain, but I love it! Gone were any thoughts and cares about the car, bills, my recent moving costs.. I'm in such a happy camper, it makes no difference. Not now, not today. All eyes and attention are focused on Alice and how to properly care for my new appliance friend.

So, I felt that Alice would feel a little more comfortable when he's free of 32 years of dirt and grime in the engine compartment....

NorfolkSouthern

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Let's get a look at them rollers...

And they appear to look healthy and in good shape. But I figured I'd clean a little further to see if it'll help a little. I noticed some improvement, especially to Alice's brakes. Everything is in order and functional, so it appears. Well, except for the spin but we'll get to that. All in good time, patience is a good virtue.

NorfolkSouthern

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Thanks for putting it all together, Matt!

I must give my best regards to everythingold for helping me with this milestone. For me, the thought of owning something like this would be that of becoming a deity. It could never happen, unless someone were willing to let theirs go. And Matt did just that. He made the sacrifice so that I could, for once, have something that I had long missed. I truly hope you come across another one soon, one that would be yours to keep this time!

Of course, Volvoguy87: Hence, the extra care and maintenance that goes in is very important to insure something like that never happens.

NorfolkSouthern
 
OK - DUH!!!

I didn't realize that Alice changed hands...I can be slow to start...Like an old Maytag that needs a good tune up/rehab...BUT eventually I get up to speed.

NorfolkSouthern - THANK YOU for sharing your whole experience with us...I am happy for you and living vicariously through you...I can't wait to see more!!!
 
so what is it gonna take to get alice to kick into high?

i've been lookin at that schematic you sent me, my question is this. when the motor goes into high speed (regardless of rotation direction) are both the low and high speed windings energized or just the high speed winding. ]

if it will wash in either speed but spin only on low i am guessing the timer is not energizing the high speed winding during the spin cycle.

i'm sure that by posting this problem here you will get a wealth of help and information from the frigidaire guys. i'm not that informed yet, i just got my rollermatic a couple weeks ago but like your's mine has a 2 speed motor that accounts for it's high spin and wash speed. no solonoids, extra pulleys etc. i beleive that was reserved for the rapidry models which were not a part of the 1-18.

keep asking here, you'll get alice to really move! oh yea, alice cooper was the first rock star i saw in concert, 1973.
 
Right now my job is putting machines and people together. I hope to collect one day and set up my own dream laudry room, but that won't be for awhile. Right now, I am happy to rescue machines and get them to good homes. So I don't name them, and try not to get too attached...matt
 
you can be a" matchmaking service"

for guys (and gals) and their dream appliances. sort of "the dating game" only with washer no one, washer no 2 and washer no 3!
 
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