MINI TRIP TO CLEVELAND FOR A KD-12

[soberleaf]

this was on craigslist and after convincing them that 500 bucks was way too high a price they e mailed me back and said come get it. i got it for less than half of what they origionally wanted. explaining the "antique shop" syndrome worked in this case!

so off to cleveland yesterday for this beautiful (even if it is handpainted ugly red) kd-12.

i can't carry washers in my jeep but a kitchenaid fits perfectly!

 

[soberleaf]

looks good

to me!

 

[soberleaf]

fit perfectly

in the back.

i know, i need a new spare tire but i'd rather spend the money on this beauty!

 

[soberleaf]

for it's age

i think it looks good

 

[soberleaf]

this one is a gravity drain

my other kd-12 (also from cleveland) has a pump mounted on the bottom of the motor.

this will be fine though, all i have to do is drill another hole in the floor!

 

[soberleaf]

motor looks good

considering how old it is.

and hobart cinti. still has pump seals left for these models. i bought one for my other kd-12 in case it ever leaks, will do the same for this one if i need it.

 

[soberleaf]

the dryer is all rusty

but it's fixable.

 

[soberleaf]

here it is!

cute little thing! even if it is red.

 

[soberleaf]

ofcourse the neighbor cats

had to come over and see it. "whitey" is first.

 

[soberleaf]

i got an extra spray arm with it

and an extra drain screen!

 

[soberleaf]

"tiger"

the new kitten was next!

originally they gave him to me but he hangs out next door most of the time. he's a cutie. love yellow kitties!

 

[soberleaf]

tub

and racks look great!

 

[soberleaf]

another

shot

 

[soberleaf]

this is not rust

sump is not rusty, this is just dirt that wipes away easily

 

[soberleaf]

so why didn't i clean it

before taking this pic?

it rained most all of the way back from cleveland and i wanted to get these shots and get it in the house a.s.a.p.

 

[soberleaf]

i love the way

that little pump powers that huge heavy cast iron spray arm.

and the motors on these are only 1/4 hp.

 

[washmeup]

Wow

Great find! Thank you for sharing. You cant beat Kitchen Aid from Hobart! Too bad Whirlpool let the brand go to pot!

 

[soberleaf]

since it came with an extra spray arm

i'm gonna paint it and use it as a wall hanging! my friend walt on this site (18 mill st) says appliances make wonderful furniture! hence one of the rollermatics he gave me is now an "end table".

 

[soberleaf]

bottom rack is

also in great shape for being over 50 years old!

 

[soberleaf]

"tiger"

thinks it cool!

 

[soberleaf]

and i am very grateful

to have gotten it.

i love my other kd-12 but never use it as i am afraid i might damage it in some way.

now that i have this one i will hook it up to the hot water line and drain it thru the floor and use it for fun! it's gonna be an "end table" and plant stand in the room off my kitchen.

gonna take pump apart and motor off for a good oiling, don't expect any major issues. this one will be in service by next week! and if it needs a pump seal i already have one here waiting!

thanks for lookin, love this beautiful old classic hobart kitchenaid! it's my age! hope i am aging that well!

 

[bpetersxx]

Very nice dishwashers

Can we get more pictures of the DW and of the cats
pretty please with sugar of top

 

[everythingold]

Pete, you are amazing. But still waiting for pics of the Kelvy and GMFR dishwashers!!!!!

 

[stevet]

Quite a find! But....

Peter, you certainly have a knack for finding these great units and it looks really good inside and the fact that the racks are nearly pristine would attest that the machine has had little wear and tear on it.

However, I see a few problems already that you should be aware of.

The motor is not original. It looks rebuilt for sure. The drain valve looks really tired so I hope it works for you. IIRC, there are no more available in the country and if it is, it will be close to 300 bucks so be prepared!

Otherwise, we all know it is a workhorse of a unit and anyone who has one should use it in good health. I still miss mine and had it hooked up with the 3 minute timer and a pumped out drain and it was a fantastic machine. Actually cleaned both racks in the 3 minutes with 160+ degree water coming in and flash dried the dishware well.

Worst comes to worst, you have a great donor tank and door to work with to make one good one out of 2!

 

[stevet]

Lubing isnt always needed!

Peter, don't even think about oiling any part of the pump motor as the bearings are sealed items and "lubed for life." If yuu want to change them you can get them from Hobart or from any bearing supply house. They are standard bearings and the numbers are stamped on them. Just make sure you get sealed ones again.

The blower motor may need some on the oilite bushings after this many years so just use some 3 in 1 on them, no grease there at all.

 

[soberleaf]

thanks

matt i thought i did post pics of the frigidaire slant top. it runs great, i put a new pump seal in it and use it quite often. the kelvinator i have done nothing to yet but it does work, no leaks. i will post pics soon, i know it's a favorite of yours!

steve, thanks. machine is completely apart now and drain valve seems okay, rubber o ring seal seems fine. pump seal looks very good too, but like said i do have one for it if i need it.

let me guess, is the motor not original because of those green windings in it. i kinda thought it looked odd too. gonna test the motor tomorrow. seems to be okay.

more pics? i did take some of all the parts i took off last nite, will post them for anyone who might be interested in how a kd-12 comes apart. i'm still amazed at how small that pump is! and yet it is so powerful as you said steve! that spray arm really moves water around! my other kd-12 runs fine and i have used it and it sounds like a cyclone inside!

as for the cats they are always coming around when i'm working on anything. i have 2 and the neighbor has about 8 right now. my front porch is the feline "malt shop" on the street! probably cause i keep food out! i feed the racoons at nite as well. one nite i had 5 on the porch.

 

[gansky1]

Red!

Looks like it's nice condition but you should wrap that cat in foil before starting the cycle ;-)

 

[volvoguy87]

Just in case...

If anyone wants one (Soberleaf, I am looking in your direction) there is a Maytag belt-drive WU4?? dishwasher at Building Value on Gilbert Ave. in Cincinnati.

I love the KD-12. I think it is the prettiest dishwasher, and one of the more capable ones too. Someday, I'll just have to get one!

Keep finding them,
Dave

 

[turquoisedude]

Classic KA for sure!

Another good find, there, Pete! Good for you on being able to negotiate the price down to a reasonable one! I got to see a KA like this up close and personal at Mike's (dishwashercrazy) in July and I was amazed at how ruggedly built these machines are! I think you can safely use this one with no fear of ever messing it up! Have fun with it!!