Check this out, it appears that it is going to be available for sale, but I need to confirm where it is located. I believe it is in Birmingham, AL. More to come...
Look at this 1956 Dexter!
- Thread starter Unimatic1140
- Start date
gyrafoam
Well-known member
The controls and console are almost identical to the Philco of that era. I wonder if it is a Beam?
Ooooh, that's purdy!
Great console on that one. What companies used the Beam design besides Philco <br
And while I'm in a question-asking mood: Which brands used the Franklin (indexing tub) transmission? I believe Wizard/Coronado did. Were they in real Westinghouse TL'ers, too? Or did they show up in Westys when WCI took over?
And while I'm in a question-asking mood: Which brands used the Franklin (indexing tub) transmission? I believe Wizard/Coronado did. Were they in real Westinghouse TL'ers, too? Or did they show up in Westys when WCI took over?
This '56 Dexter is not a Beam/Franklin design despite the similarity of the agitators. Dexter was aquired by Philco in the mid-50's so this is a Philco-made washer through and through. Franklin aquired the Beam Mfg. Co. in the mid to later 50's <br
Beam was a source for parts and entire machines for many manufacturers and brand names - Coronado, Hotpoint, Western Auto/Wizard, Marquette, CO-OP, AMC, Bradford, Firestone, One Minute, Unico, Zenith and others at one time or another were either completely made by Beam/Franklin or used many parts & designs of the Beam Co. machines. Speed Queen was last surviving Beam-design.
Beam was a source for parts and entire machines for many manufacturers and brand names - Coronado, Hotpoint, Western Auto/Wizard, Marquette, CO-OP, AMC, Bradford, Firestone, One Minute, Unico, Zenith and others at one time or another were either completely made by Beam/Franklin or used many parts & designs of the Beam Co. machines. Speed Queen was last surviving Beam-design.
Dexter
Dexter is still in business today. But only builds commerical equiptment.. It is one of the very few co. that builds its own bearings..
http://www.dexter.com
Dexter is still in business today. But only builds commerical equiptment.. It is one of the very few co. that builds its own bearings..
http://www.dexter.com
This machine is totally cool <br
Okay - history lesson for those who know jack about Automatic Dexter's/Philco's. Okay, since this is not a Beam/Franklin machine - what is it? Did Philco actually have a facility where they produced automatics before the Bendix purchase in the late 50's - or were these machines actually made in Fairfield? If so - I'm got some doors to go knocking on : <br
Yes, Dexter is an employee owned company, currently with a fully opperational foundry and production facility in Fairfield on Grimes Ave. I remember driving to work and school, seeing the picket lines with foundry workers shouting and screaming at the 'scabs' as they crossed the line to work their corproate jobs at the production facility. Looks like things will never change <br
Ben
Okay - history lesson for those who know jack about Automatic Dexter's/Philco's. Okay, since this is not a Beam/Franklin machine - what is it? Did Philco actually have a facility where they produced automatics before the Bendix purchase in the late 50's - or were these machines actually made in Fairfield? If so - I'm got some doors to go knocking on : <br
Yes, Dexter is an employee owned company, currently with a fully opperational foundry and production facility in Fairfield on Grimes Ave. I remember driving to work and school, seeing the picket lines with foundry workers shouting and screaming at the 'scabs' as they crossed the line to work their corproate jobs at the production facility. Looks like things will never change <br
Ben
golittlesport
Well-known member
wow...what a cool and rare machine! The agitator looks like it came out of the Dexter wringer washer my mom had when I was a wee lad.
mayfan69
Well-known member
Cool looking Washer!
That is one cool looking washer <br
Would luv to see the inner workings! <br
Cheer
Leon
That is one cool looking washer <br
Would luv to see the inner workings! <br
Cheer
Leon
OH THATS JUST OVER THE TOP!
I love the advanced square controls. WHAT A KEEPER, does it have that super fluid drive! <br
Ben you live near the Dexter plant?? I have some snooping to do there at their foundery!!! <br
I love the advanced square controls. WHAT A KEEPER, does it have that super fluid drive! <br
Ben you live near the Dexter plant?? I have some snooping to do there at their foundery!!! <br
Robert
you have to get me a close up of that Automatic Washer script so I can digitize it <br
How do you know its a 1956?? Have you got Doctrine on this <br
you have to get me a close up of that Automatic Washer script so I can digitize it <br
How do you know its a 1956?? Have you got Doctrine on this <br
1956 P H I L C O
[No message]
I brought a Philco washer of this vintage home from a junkyard in Western Nebraska back in 2002. It was pretty rough, but I didn't want to come home empty handed. Jimmy (FilterFlo) took it home with him later in the year after getting the matching dryer at the South Dakota farm. He played with the washer in the driveway and actually got it running. I believe he still has the pair, perhaps he'll post some pics of it. Although some of the parts may have been sourced from other companies, it definitely was no Beam design - all Philco <br
The link is to an ebay ad for Philco-Bendix washers & dryers and it shows, though hard to see, the last of the Philco style agitator washers - 1957.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Philco-Ben...ryZ13596QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
The link is to an ebay ad for Philco-Bendix washers & dryers and it shows, though hard to see, the last of the Philco style agitator washers - 1957.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1958-Philco-Ben...ryZ13596QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
peterh770
Well-known member
That is worth a trip to Birmingham. I would be interested. Crazy, but interested...
So BIC made the Philco washers in the 50's??
I'm confused <br
That looks like one solid piece of rubber molded in there pardner
I'm confused <br
That looks like one solid piece of rubber molded in there pardner
So - we know this is a Philco made washer. pre Bendix, but no Franklin/Beam anywhere to be seen - interesting. Are the mechanicals similar to anything else out there? Any picts Jimmy of your set <br
Jon - I lived in Fairfield from June of 1997 till May of 2002 - and graduated from high school during that time and went to a community college in a neighboring city. Most of the original foundry is still there - all original turn-of-the-century. When you walk by the plant along 9th street up by the main set of tracks, you can look into the basement and see shelves of parts - but I assume these are parts to keep the machinery alive and not Bendix parts. But only if... <br
I'm planning a trip to Fairfield in July for a wedding - I'll have to snap some pics for you guys <br
Ben
Jon - I lived in Fairfield from June of 1997 till May of 2002 - and graduated from high school during that time and went to a community college in a neighboring city. Most of the original foundry is still there - all original turn-of-the-century. When you walk by the plant along 9th street up by the main set of tracks, you can look into the basement and see shelves of parts - but I assume these are parts to keep the machinery alive and not Bendix parts. But only if... <br
I'm planning a trip to Fairfield in July for a wedding - I'll have to snap some pics for you guys <br
Ben
Ok everyone, what is cool about this machine is it was produced by Philco. There are no Beam or Franklin parts in it (as far as I know). It was produced from 1956 thru 1958 only, then in 1959 Philco decided to go with the new Automagic design and discontinued this, but they perfected the Ball-Point balance system in this design (which is one of the best balance systems I have ever seen) and then they used that same balance system in the Automagic. Here are some shots of the mechanicals...
It does look like a Beam pump though ;-)
It does look like a Beam pump though ;-)
LOL I can't slip anything by this crowd can I? Ok yes on second look the pump sure does look Beam-esk. But I dare anyone to find another Beam part in this machine!
LOL I can't slip anything by this crowd can I? Ok yes on second look the pump sure does look Beam-esk. But I dare anyone to find another Beam part in this machine!
Tee Hee---
Challenge accepted. Can you post a picture of the rest of the parts?
Challenge accepted. Can you post a picture of the rest of the parts?
gyrafoam
Well-known member
One of the traits I recall about these machines is the lack of a tub brake. You will notice what appears to be lengthy "spin" cycles-----however about half of that cycle is allowing for the machine to coast down slow enough to keep the water in when it starts to fill for the rinse!
The tub to pump hose is huge! Whomever buys this machine better prepare to get inventive as it is highly likely such impossible-to-find rubber parts will need to be replaced! Nevermind any other parts. Can you imagine trying to track down parts for this thing? Might be easier to find parts for an Apex!
The tub to pump hose is huge! Whomever buys this machine better prepare to get inventive as it is highly likely such impossible-to-find rubber parts will need to be replaced! Nevermind any other parts. Can you imagine trying to track down parts for this thing? Might be easier to find parts for an Apex!
Since that HUGE rubber outer tub to pump hose is stationary and does not move it would be easy to patch if necessary. Philco used this on all of its washers (Agitator, Power Surge and Automagic) at least through 1960. The big rubber hose acted as a chamber to fill when the wash tub was being filled with water, as the water reached the top of the tub it overflowed and filled this chamber with 1/4 gallon of water. Once filled with 1/4 gallon of water it tripped the pressure switch and started agitation. This chamber system used a lot less water than machines like the GE, Easy or Wizard which had to overflow fill 3 or more gallons into the outer tub in order to trip the pressure switch.
abcomatic
Well-known member
HI Bob, Any more news on the Dexter automatic? I would be interested if there is. Thanks a lot for this wonderful site. ABC o matic. Gary
lightedcontrols
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
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So True!
I've seen LOTS of appliance parts in my day, but NEVER a part for this machine! The rubber part that I had made for the Kelvinator was over $3,000.00! While I now have tub boots, I'm glad that was the only part that I needed, to restore my Kelvinators. Since there's at least 10 Kelvinators that I know of amongst members, It ''almost'' seemed reasonable at the time! Mark
I've seen LOTS of appliance parts in my day, but NEVER a part for this machine! The rubber part that I had made for the Kelvinator was over $3,000.00! While I now have tub boots, I'm glad that was the only part that I needed, to restore my Kelvinators. Since there's at least 10 Kelvinators that I know of amongst members, It ''almost'' seemed reasonable at the time! Mark
Yes I have heard that this beauty is going to be saved by one of us.
#2
gyrafoam
Well-known member
Yesterday I made a trip over to BHam to pick up the Dexter. What an interesting adventure. The machine was sold out of an estate. The owner got the machine second-hand in 1969 and for whatever reason it was not used!
The exterior of the machine has yellowed somewhat as usual although the top which is porcelain is nice and white. The lid, however, is pot-metal and yellowed. Someone had pasted some operating instructions on the top of the lid and taped them on with surgical tape. There are also operating instructions on a piece of paper glued to the interior of the lid---that I will now try to protect from moisture---as I intend to use the machine.
On the top of the console on the left-hand side was a little piece of paper with the model and serial numbers.
According to the badge the machine was manufactured by the Philco Corp. for their Dexter Division of Fairfield, Iowa.
Model# W255, serial#4157
Removal of the front and rear panels revealed a very clean interior with just light dust accumulation. There were no signs of oil leakage and no rust at all. No eighteen-legged "hitchikers" either.
I spent most of the day today cleaning her up and checking out her mechanical systems. The timer works just fine and advances with a wonderful "chunk". The belts are, of course, old---so I gave them a good dose of belt-dressing to limber them up a bit. The freshwater and drain hose were rotten and I replaced them. There is about an 18 in. section of discharge hose running from the pump to the drain hose that had to be replaced---with much struggle as the fitting on the pump is a much larger diameter than the end that meets the drain hose. My fingers are crossed on that one.
And as expected, the tub to pump hose is not doing very well. It looks like new from a distance, however when you get close up you can see the fine lines of fatigue. I made a few calls trying to track one down, just to have gone through the motions. No luck yet. In the meantime, I have coated the exterior with High-Temp. Silicone Gasket and will gingerly attempt to do the inside of the hose tomorrow. I am very nervous about it as when removing the hose it is easy to break it. The tub cleaned up well and the agitator has some pretty good sized pits due to something corrosive. Must have just sat there and "worked" on it for a long time because it really got pock-marked. Other than that it is fine.
I oiled everything well and did run her a bit with just enough water to keep the pump wet. She was quite noisy at first but once she ran a bit, settled down and really is much more quiet than a SQ.
She agitates briskly at about 72 OPM. Spin seems (visibly) about like a Maytag (certainly faster than a Whirly/'Kenmo of this vintage) HOWEVER, the tub takes a very long time to reach full speed---strange for a solid-tub machine. (Is like a 1-18!)Apparently it has been designed to be this way!
I am going to post some photos I took as I worked on the machine today so you can get a good look at the mechanical parts.
PeterH is out in Las Vegas at the "Laundry Convention" and called to let me know they have a vintage laundry equipment museum with machines on display. You can imagine his surprise when he walked in to discover a W/D Pair of Dexters IDENTICAL to mine!!!!! He will send us photos when he returns.
Amazing!
The exterior of the machine has yellowed somewhat as usual although the top which is porcelain is nice and white. The lid, however, is pot-metal and yellowed. Someone had pasted some operating instructions on the top of the lid and taped them on with surgical tape. There are also operating instructions on a piece of paper glued to the interior of the lid---that I will now try to protect from moisture---as I intend to use the machine.
On the top of the console on the left-hand side was a little piece of paper with the model and serial numbers.
According to the badge the machine was manufactured by the Philco Corp. for their Dexter Division of Fairfield, Iowa.
Model# W255, serial#4157
Removal of the front and rear panels revealed a very clean interior with just light dust accumulation. There were no signs of oil leakage and no rust at all. No eighteen-legged "hitchikers" either.
I spent most of the day today cleaning her up and checking out her mechanical systems. The timer works just fine and advances with a wonderful "chunk". The belts are, of course, old---so I gave them a good dose of belt-dressing to limber them up a bit. The freshwater and drain hose were rotten and I replaced them. There is about an 18 in. section of discharge hose running from the pump to the drain hose that had to be replaced---with much struggle as the fitting on the pump is a much larger diameter than the end that meets the drain hose. My fingers are crossed on that one.
And as expected, the tub to pump hose is not doing very well. It looks like new from a distance, however when you get close up you can see the fine lines of fatigue. I made a few calls trying to track one down, just to have gone through the motions. No luck yet. In the meantime, I have coated the exterior with High-Temp. Silicone Gasket and will gingerly attempt to do the inside of the hose tomorrow. I am very nervous about it as when removing the hose it is easy to break it. The tub cleaned up well and the agitator has some pretty good sized pits due to something corrosive. Must have just sat there and "worked" on it for a long time because it really got pock-marked. Other than that it is fine.
I oiled everything well and did run her a bit with just enough water to keep the pump wet. She was quite noisy at first but once she ran a bit, settled down and really is much more quiet than a SQ.
She agitates briskly at about 72 OPM. Spin seems (visibly) about like a Maytag (certainly faster than a Whirly/'Kenmo of this vintage) HOWEVER, the tub takes a very long time to reach full speed---strange for a solid-tub machine. (Is like a 1-18!)Apparently it has been designed to be this way!
I am going to post some photos I took as I worked on the machine today so you can get a good look at the mechanical parts.
PeterH is out in Las Vegas at the "Laundry Convention" and called to let me know they have a vintage laundry equipment museum with machines on display. You can imagine his surprise when he walked in to discover a W/D Pair of Dexters IDENTICAL to mine!!!!! He will send us photos when he returns.
Amazing!
gyrafoam
Well-known member
1956 Dexter
Photo #1
Photo #1
gyrafoam
Well-known member
1956 Dexter
Photo#2
Photo#2
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