L-8 Westinghouse Laundromat in Spokane

[gansky1]

One of the vacuum club members saw a very nice L-8 Laundromat washer at an estate sale today and thought someone might be interested over here. He said it's in very nice cosmetic condition and has contact information if anyone would like to get it. Email me if you would like more info, I'll put you in touch with Marc.

Happy Tumbling!

 

[northwesty]

I'd like to take a look

Sent you an email

Thanks

 

[northwesty]

Well gang here is that Spokane Westinghouse.

It was quite an ordeal to get it but I am glad I did. It is in rarely used condition as the 90 + year old woman had been afraid of it.

Perhaps some of you have been there before but the stairway to the basement was the narrowest, steepest, smallest staircase you can imagine, with a 90 degree turn about half way up. I had brought a dolly and padding but it was inadequate for the job. I had forgotten how heavy these things are as the last machine I have been working with has been the Bendix. It gives me a whole new appreciation for the bolt downs let me tell you. Anyway, myself and this most helpful elderly gentleman got it about half way up but there was no way we could make this turn. Fortunately I have worked a little on these things so I had to basically partially dissassemble it right there half way up the stairs! I think the old man was kinda impressed as I had about 2 inch clearance on three sides - if you moved the machine. Shoulda done that first, oh well. Anyway it was a miracle it came out though it took about an hour and a half. I don’t think I am going to be able to move tomorrow.

 

[appnut]

Good grief Brian. You get rescue of the quarter that's for sure!!! I hope in the long run it will be worth everything you had to put into it and go through to get it. I wonder what scared the lady about the machine?

 

[northwesty]

Boot!

Here is a perfect boot. Nice to finally see one. I don't think it has ever been replaced, its original.

 

[appnut]

Yes sir, that's the original boot. Personally I prefer that color to the grey replacement boots. I just doesn't look right with grey.

 

[northwesty]

Instructions

Here is the pristine instructions that go into the top of the machine. The guarantee card has a 2 cent stamp on the back… that’s a Calgon water conditioning booklet that was in there too.

Spokane has a pretty nice dry climate most of the year.

 

[northwesty]

The insides look likewise very new.

in front...

 

[northwesty]

Here is the back.

The belts look like new. Well, it's a little dusty.

 

[gansky1]

Just like new indeed - I can't believe how nice this is! I'm so glad you saved it - it looks like it's ready to run. That boot is just amazing, I'll bet you'll be massaging it with glycerin tonight!

Marc sure has a good eye for Westinghouse, he's the one who spotted the Westy combo two years ago this month as well. A big shout out to you, Marc for making Applianceville sigh, twice now!

 

[northwesty]

Washing

I ran a partial test, the little hose from the inlet valves to the top of the tub didn’t make the transition but it was very brittle anyway. But with the hot “pump primer” water (see… I have been reading the archives) that I had put in the tub and what other water that did make it into the tub ran through the cycles – it works fine. Unfortunately I didn’t look into the little bag in the tub – it had the original moving hardware in it (though I had attempted to secure the tub anyway).

 

[northwesty]

Oops forgot a Glam shot so here it is

Again thanks to Greg and the Marc for the heads up.

I left at 4:30 this morning for the 4 and a half hour trip to Spokane so I'll have to get to that glycerin tomorrow, I'm a little beat. Got a few cuts and scapes. I really wish I had brought my camera.

 

[Unimatic1140]

WOW, another MINT Westinghouse Laundromat, that's two in less than a couple weeks. Congrats Brian that machine looks like it has had very little use! The boot is amazing.

 

[frontaloadotmy]

Very Nice

Brian. You're becoming quite the frontloader man.

 

[golittlesport]

Beautiful Westy!! Congratulations and thanks for sharing it via photographs. It looks show-room new. Did the old woman have a wringer washer she used? It wouldn't be the first time an automatic was bought for the lady of the house in the 50's and she preferred her old wringer.

 

[eddy1210]

That's an amazing machine Brian, I'm glad you have it and congrats on all the hard work that took.

 

[swestoyz]

Wonderful Story ~

Brian, amazing Westy there. All that extra effort with the removal makes everything afterwards much more worthwhile. This is quite the token machine ~

Ben

 

[sudsman]

Beautiful

Right off the showroom floor..

 

[sudsman]

Beautiful

Right off the showroom floor..

 

[pdub]

Congratulations Brian!!!

What a beautiful machine. This is definitely a keeper isn't it!

So how many machines are you up to now?

Patrick

 

[48bencix]

You Can Be Sure if it's Westinghouse

It's fun to see a mint machine like this. There is a lot of satisfaction from a re-build of a machine that's seen a lot of use and abuse, but an original one like this has it's own charm.

Just looking at the pictures you really feel a connection to the past. When they built out of metal, heavy metal. Great story.

Martin

 

[appnut]

What year is this. Friends of ours had the matching dryer paired with a WI55 Frigidaire.

 

[toggleswitch]

You Can Be Sure (it will impress) if it's Westinghouse.

GAWGEOUS!

 

[decodriveboy]

Swooning here, as one might put it.

I love the washer, it's just gorgeous and looks brand new. Am so envious! Many congratulations. I've always loved that fabulous mid-century-esque glass mosaic design on the door.