Maytag Model 30WP (1935) wringer washer restoration...

[bradross]

Hello everybody,

Some of you may recall that I had been looking for a Maytag "grey ghost" pump model. Well, I found one in Pennsylvania on etsy.com and had it shipped to the west coast in September.

Most of the structure was in sound condition - only surface corrosion in the wash tub (no pitting) and the wringer rolls were in amazing condition! However, the agitator post(pipe) was cracked, resulting in water ingressing down the shaft into the crankcase, and the agitator drive shaft was seized. The pump was seized with corrosion, sediment, and string/lint wound around the impeller; that was relatively easy to restore. The drain hose was rotten and literally falling apart. But after approximately 85 hours of work, she's a beauty and fully operational now.

Here are a few pics of the finished work. The entire restoration is documented on Flickr, if you're interested.

http://https//www.flickr.com/photos/44623676@N05/albums/72157658774939800

 

[christfr]

well looks like you did it again.. wonderful!!!

 

[slowspin66]

What can anyone say

That's a fantastic job I love the colour will it get any use or just for show ??? Well done

 

[toploader55]

Another Beautiful Restore.

 

Great Job.  If Aw.org had a Magazine, that machine would be Centerfold Worthy.

 

[yogitunes]

another fantastic job Brad.....no surprise coming from you.....that thing is beautiful....

interesting pump setup, direct on the motor.....what activates the pump?

 

[electronicontrl]

Yes. Another fantastic restore. GRAND!!!!!!!

 

[stan]

Have always been intrigued

With model 30 with pump.. don't see them very often !
Looks like another labor of love Brad.
Good job !

 

[washdaddy]

Brad,
Beautiful restore. You transformed it back into a thing of beauty! Congratulations

 

[mayken4now]

Wow, That Maytag needs a blue ribbon - 1st place.

 

[bradross]

Thanks for all the positive feedback!

Restoring these old workhorses is definitely a passion for me! They are really such fun to work on, as they are very basic and built tough. On this project, every part - right down to the last bolt - was removed and cleaned and polished (or painted.)

One of the biggest challenges - especially when working alone - was getting the tub back into position on the legs. It's rather tricky as the agitator drive shaft first has to get aligned with the pinion gear and pushed down into place, all the while trying to keep the bolt holes lined up between the tub and the legs.

Regarding the authentic decals - Kevin Fisher in Ohio (from the Maytag Collector's Club) is no longer producing them, so his remaining stock is dwindling. Should you need any, now would be the time to get them! I had to compromise on the front one, since the original design is no longer available.

 

[stan]

Hi Brad

That sounds like a PITA. Too bad you didn't have another hand to help!
I'm curious about the condition of the crank case, after water getting into it? What you used to clean it, and how you solved the problem of the cracked post?
Dose the crankcase look anything like the crank/power unit on a model E?

 

[bradross]

Stan,

The power unit/crankcase and the entire mechanism were in fine shape, although a little low in lubricant due to the water having displaced it. I cleaned it all up with mineral spirits and then replaced the lubricant with heavy gear oil (80W-90).

The power unit is completely different than the models E, J or N, which evolved into very compact units. For models A, 30, and 32, the unit is rather large and heavy but an improvement over earlier models 80/90 in that the gears are in an oil bath, completely sealed in the housing. (The older models 80/90 had an exposed rack and pinion system.)

Regarding the crack in the brass agitator post, I had hoped to source an entire center plate and post replacement from Hardware Hank in Early, Iowa. However, failing that, I had to attempt a fix of my own. I used a heavy-duty, flexible adhesive E6000 to fill in the crack, and thus far, it has held. Eventually, I would like to have somebody braze the crack, but I understand that could be expensive.

 

[stan]

Thanks Brad

For showing me that. Was always curious about it.
Dose the pump move the water out of the tub as quickly as E J N.?
Would like to see that in action!
You out did yourself with this resto. Beautiful job on all the details.
Hopefully I'll run into one if these (model 30 w/p) someday to rescue.

 

[gansky1]

What a beautiful job you do, Brad! Thanks for sharing the process and the finished beauty with us. Always a treat to see passion and effort in washerland.

 

[jetcone]

Wow again Brad!!!

I Love to see the detail work you do on these beauties! You and I think the same on how to restore the mechanicals. Your detail work is stunning. 

Years ago as a rule I used to repaint all my machines , but now since they are sometimes in fair to good condition I try to maintain the original finish. The design and use of your machines exposes the outside to a lot of use / abuse due to the nature if wringers so I can see the requirement to bring them back is much more important.

 

Its so cool you told us this is a 1935 machine. I am currently reading a book "Boys in the Boat" which tells the story 1935-6 of the Washington U rowing team going all the way to the Berlin Olympics and beating Hitlers' youth.  When they were rowing across Lake Washington this machine had just rolled off the assembly line looking like this !

 

 

[bradross]

Newspaper ad 1937 - Model 30WP

Came across this Plattsburgh, NY newspaper advertisement from 1937, featuring the model 30WP. Would be interesting to see the list price.

 

[gredmondson]

The information and details of your restoration were so interesting to read.   I would have loved looking over your shoulder during the process.

There was a time when I dreamed of doing something like that (and I had a model 90, given to me by the original owner), but although I had that machine for decades, I finally gave it away.