Look at this 1956 Dexter!

[gyrafoam]

Just as the machine reached a full speed it began coasting and filling-----the pump not on-----kind of strange. (Reminded me of an old SQ coin-op with a shortened first spin----not a feature I like!)
About the time the tub was half-way full of water the pump kicked in.
Machine overflowed two increments before agitation for the rinse began and overflow continues throughout. Very through rinse-----tons of water!

 

[gyrafoam]

Here's a shot from a lower-level so you can see the top of the tub.

 

[gyrafoam]

Final spin begins with a spray-rinse , again for one (60 sec.) increment.

 

[gyrafoam]

Almost through the spin cycle, and machine has just gotten to full speed. My guess is somewhere between a 550 and 600 RPM.
(Is obviously faster than a 'Kenmo, but not as fast as a SQ.

I am not thrilled, as I realize the clothes will not be as dry as I had hoped, and indeed, came out feeling like they had been in a 'Kenmo.

All in all----a kool toy. Is mostly very quiet----except for the slamming of the solenoid-----and (during over-flow) the wonderful (and loud) sounds of the snorting, grumbling pump!

 

[gansky1]

How fun - those are great pictures, Steve...

I wouldn't like the lethargic and therefore short spin between the wash and rinse, but you can't quibble with the sheer beauty of that panel!

Keep the pictures coming!

 

[gyrafoam]

Here is a sequence of photos with a second load.

 

[gyrafoam]

Ready to agitate!

 

[gyrafoam]

Washing away!

 

[gyrafoam]

Spray rinse!

 

[gyrafoam]

Over-flow rinsing.

 

[gyrafoam]

Final spin.

 

[gyrafoam]

Robert------

Do you suppose it would be possible to switch out this clutch with a vintage Hotpoint clutch, and improve the spin acceleration?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Oh Wow, great pictures Steve, gosh that is a beautiful machine. The clutch on this machine was used from 1956 thru 1960 or so. My first Automagic had the same clutch issues, you see the clutch pads have a tendency to wear in this style clutch and after a while you will not get a good spin pick up or full spin speed. So I took the clutch apart and repadded the clutch shoes, that improved the spin pickup from 2.5 minutes to slightly over 1 minute. When I got my 2nd '59 Philco, the machine had very little use and the clutch was still performing at about 1.25 minutes to bring the tub up to full speed. It is not difficult to re-pad the clutch shoes in this style clutch, but before I describe the process to you, how does this machine prevent the tub from turning during agitation? Can you rotate the tub in either direction or does the tub lock when you turn it in the opposite direction of spin?

 

[peteski50]

Dexter!

Steve,
Thank you for posting the Great pictures. Looks like such a awsome machine.
Peter

 

[westyslantfront]

Hi Steve. Congratulations on your new acquisition. The pictures look great.

Ross

 

[JerseyMike]

What a nice looking machine ...

It's amazing the she appears to be in very good shape after all these years. Thanks for saving her and thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Mike

 

[lesto]

Steve, that machine looks like so much fun. Glad to see something so rare from the 50's finally turned up in Atlanta!
Les

 

[gyrafoam]

Robert------

The tub can be turned in either direction during agitation.
I would guesstimate it takes a good 3-4 minutes to reach full speed as the final spin ends just about the time the machine gets there. It takes as long as a 1-18, just to clear the tub of water! I do think the clutch is the culprit as I can hear little tiny squeaking noises coming from it as the machine reaches about half-speed------- and the noises stop upon reaching full speed.

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Steve, yes 3-4 minutes is way too long and something is wrong with the clutch.

But before we can fix the clutch I need to know exactly what keeps that tub from turning during agitation. Otherwise you could end up having the tub turning moderately during wash and throwing out half of its water.

I'm figuring that this machine is a reversing motor machine, beause you said it paused before spin, but it also has a solenoid engaging agitator clutch jaw. So what is the reason for the motor reversal then? It must be to keep the tub from turning, the question is what device is keeping the tub from turning during wash?

 

[lesto]

Steve, the actual spin speed may be faster, more like a SQ, once you find the problem with the clutch. Keep us posted!