Transporting it on its side is no problem, especially for short trips.
My first hunt
- Thread starter roto204
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Phew!
Thanks, Robert! I'm feeling better and better
(I could just see dragging it home to find out something to the effect of "but didn't you know that with the super-onion-dip-torque-flite-turbo-700 tranny it can't be tipped more than 37.2 degrees!?!...you know, there are funky things that have such caveats...it's good to know that this doesn't
)
Thanks again!
Thanks, Robert! I'm feeling better and better
(I could just see dragging it home to find out something to the effect of "but didn't you know that with the super-onion-dip-torque-flite-turbo-700 tranny it can't be tipped more than 37.2 degrees!?!...you know, there are funky things that have such caveats...it's good to know that this doesn't
)Thanks again!
Step 2: Pay for it so they won't crunch it
Have receipt--will pick up tomorrow! :-D
Have receipt--will pick up tomorrow! :-D
And the winner of the Frigidaire 1-18 is......
Nate:
The suspense is killing me! Did you pick it up? Is it at your house? C'mon give us all the details!
Congrats on your first vintage find! Of course you know that her restoration will take love, patience, and money; but not necessarily in that order. ;-)
Nate:
The suspense is killing me! Did you pick it up? Is it at your house? C'mon give us all the details!
Congrats on your first vintage find! Of course you know that her restoration will take love, patience, and money; but not necessarily in that order. ;-)
Y'all ready for this?
Okay, first of all, I'm a cretin for not posting pics, but the digital camera conked right after the first picture. I'll try to get some this afternoon.
We went on a rainy (DANG IT) Saturday morning to the appliance place, and there it was, sitting outside, control panel and all.
We dollied it back to the van (and dropped it on a stove while trying to negotiate a stairstep--thank God for durable stoves and Frigidaire's bullet-proof finish--neither was damaged), and took it home.
I wanted to reassemble it and test it, but the rain had permeated all the wire harnesses, and I had to take them all apart and blast them out with canned air.
And wait.
And wait and wait and wait.
(ARGH!)
So, I finally gleefully reassembled the control panel to the top of the cabinet, reconnected the harnesses, and reconfigured the lid switch. (I was tempted to defeat it, but I'm a purist with this machine.)
All the while, I'm waiting to find out what it is that was wrong with this machine that sent it to the bonepile in the first place.
Does it leak?
I filled it up with water about three-fourths up the tub and let it sit for three hours. No leaks.
Does it run?
I connect the power chord. My best friend and I are there, looking nervously at each other. (She hides behind a lawn chair.)
I pull the timer.
A soft humming emanates from the back.
Wait a minute! There's water in the machine!
Oh yeah, they cut the tube that goes from the water level switch to the control panel in their haste to decapitate the machine.
Off to Lowe's we go, to get a new section of tubing.
Is it icky inside?
I dismantle the cabinet to get to the water pressure switch. It's amazing.
First of all, this is the EASIEST to work on machine I have ever encountered. Pop the front panel off, squeeze the spring clips and flip the top back, and you've got all-access to just about everything.
I was worried about what I'd find. Rubber shavings? Busted hoses? Mice? An explosion of oil everywhere?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not even dust. The hoses are soft and flexible, and even the spring clips are pliable and intact.
Nothing is broken. No rust. Just a little hard water and soap crud here and there.
The motor gleams and has no dust on it.
Most importantly, not a drop of oil anywhere.
I replace the tubing and reassemble the cabinet and reattach the controls.
Take two
I prepare to pull the timer. (My best friend Beck hides yet again.)
Ka-CHUNK! Chug-chug-chug-chug-chug!
The agitator springs to life with a mighty squeak (which has never happened since--I think it was from sitting), and, as everyone said, sounds like a diesel engine chugging away.
Maiden wash?
After testing the other systems and making sure all is well and functions, I find that absolutely everything works and is intact. After the important addition of a drain hose and a way to directly connect the water valves, I find that the Jet-Circle spray works, too--YAY! All my friends are standing around mesmerized. No one from my generation has seen a washing machine that did things like this. (It's like all the ingenuity and creativity was systematically removed from washer design right around 1980.)
The decision is made to do a test load of laundry.
We gingerly lower a scoop of detergent into the agitator dispenser. (We could have used the cap as a measure--how convenient!!)
I replace the cap, let the machine fill, and then we all watch as a plume of detergent fans out of the agitator and into the water.
About 30 seconds into the agitation, the agitator cap goes SPROING!! and rockets about a foot and a half in the air, followed closely on its heels by the detergent compartment.
Note to self: Turn cap until it clicks.
After that minor snafu, I did *SIX* loads of laundry and gave the Jet-Flow lint filter a run for its money. Everyone commented on the immense capacity (even under ridiculous loads of jeans and cottons) and seemingly relentless attempt by the agitator to force everything to circulate--and it always won out.
Also impressive was the relatively short cycle time and amazing efficiency of the spin, which takes far less time than the seemingly endless spin cycles of the WP/KM machines I was used to as a kid...but the water extraction is even better!
The verdict
From being not-so-impressed initially ("it doesn't look very retro") to being extremely impressed and intrigued by it, my friends (whose house I'm keeping it at) are mulling the concept of wheeling their 2004 GE off into the storage shed and using the 1-18 full-time.
My friend's mom even made the comment, "wow, a real washing machine."
:-D
I'm stoked, stoked, stoked, and the 1-18 works gloriously. This will definitely be my full-time machine when we get our house.
I'm so glad I found you guys when I did, and learned to broaden my affection for vintage machines--the timing was perfect, and meant to be
And YES, I will post pics ASAP!!
A big THANK YOU to all of you for all your help!
Okay, first of all, I'm a cretin for not posting pics, but the digital camera conked right after the first picture. I'll try to get some this afternoon.
We went on a rainy (DANG IT) Saturday morning to the appliance place, and there it was, sitting outside, control panel and all.
We dollied it back to the van (and dropped it on a stove while trying to negotiate a stairstep--thank God for durable stoves and Frigidaire's bullet-proof finish--neither was damaged), and took it home.
I wanted to reassemble it and test it, but the rain had permeated all the wire harnesses, and I had to take them all apart and blast them out with canned air.
And wait.
And wait and wait and wait.
(ARGH!)
So, I finally gleefully reassembled the control panel to the top of the cabinet, reconnected the harnesses, and reconfigured the lid switch. (I was tempted to defeat it, but I'm a purist with this machine
.)All the while, I'm waiting to find out what it is that was wrong with this machine that sent it to the bonepile in the first place.
Does it leak?
I filled it up with water about three-fourths up the tub and let it sit for three hours. No leaks.
Does it run?
I connect the power chord. My best friend and I are there, looking nervously at each other. (She hides behind a lawn chair.)
I pull the timer.
A soft humming emanates from the back.
Wait a minute! There's water in the machine!
Oh yeah, they cut the tube that goes from the water level switch to the control panel in their haste to decapitate the machine.
Off to Lowe's we go, to get a new section of tubing.
Is it icky inside?
I dismantle the cabinet to get to the water pressure switch. It's amazing.
First of all, this is the EASIEST to work on machine I have ever encountered. Pop the front panel off, squeeze the spring clips and flip the top back, and you've got all-access to just about everything.
I was worried about what I'd find. Rubber shavings? Busted hoses? Mice? An explosion of oil everywhere?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Not even dust. The hoses are soft and flexible, and even the spring clips are pliable and intact.
Nothing is broken. No rust. Just a little hard water and soap crud here and there.
The motor gleams and has no dust on it.
Most importantly, not a drop of oil anywhere.
I replace the tubing and reassemble the cabinet and reattach the controls.
Take two
I prepare to pull the timer. (My best friend Beck hides yet again.)
Ka-CHUNK! Chug-chug-chug-chug-chug!
The agitator springs to life with a mighty squeak (which has never happened since--I think it was from sitting), and, as everyone said, sounds like a diesel engine chugging away.
Maiden wash?
After testing the other systems and making sure all is well and functions, I find that absolutely everything works and is intact. After the important addition of a drain hose and a way to directly connect the water valves, I find that the Jet-Circle spray works, too--YAY! All my friends are standing around mesmerized. No one from my generation has seen a washing machine that did things like this. (It's like all the ingenuity and creativity was systematically removed from washer design right around 1980.)
The decision is made to do a test load of laundry.
We gingerly lower a scoop of detergent into the agitator dispenser. (We could have used the cap as a measure--how convenient!!)
I replace the cap, let the machine fill, and then we all watch as a plume of detergent fans out of the agitator and into the water.
About 30 seconds into the agitation, the agitator cap goes SPROING!! and rockets about a foot and a half in the air, followed closely on its heels by the detergent compartment.
Note to self: Turn cap until it clicks.
After that minor snafu, I did *SIX* loads of laundry and gave the Jet-Flow lint filter a run for its money. Everyone commented on the immense capacity (even under ridiculous loads of jeans and cottons) and seemingly relentless attempt by the agitator to force everything to circulate--and it always won out.
Also impressive was the relatively short cycle time and amazing efficiency of the spin, which takes far less time than the seemingly endless spin cycles of the WP/KM machines I was used to as a kid...but the water extraction is even better!
The verdict
From being not-so-impressed initially ("it doesn't look very retro") to being extremely impressed and intrigued by it, my friends (whose house I'm keeping it at) are mulling the concept of wheeling their 2004 GE off into the storage shed and using the 1-18 full-time.
My friend's mom even made the comment, "wow, a real washing machine."
:-D
I'm stoked, stoked, stoked, and the 1-18 works gloriously. This will definitely be my full-time machine when we get our house.
I'm so glad I found you guys when I did, and learned to broaden my affection for vintage machines--the timing was perfect, and meant to be
And YES, I will post pics ASAP!!
A big THANK YOU to all of you for all your help!
westytoploader
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2004
- Messages
- 4,485
WOW, glad it works and that you saved it from the Krusher! The vertical-action Frigidaires are truly amazing; shame on WCI for swallowing Frigidaire up from GM.
Be sure to check the bellows seals (especially the outer, "water" bellows) in the long run...they're usually pretty "tough" but if the water bellows blows out...not pretty.
--Austin
Be sure to check the bellows seals (especially the outer, "water" bellows) in the long run...they're usually pretty "tough" but if the water bellows blows out...not pretty.
--Austin
Repair info?
Thanks, Austin, I'll do that. Everything seems copasetic, but I do want to make sure I don't just run the puppy into the ground. Any tips on what to check for with the bellows?
BTW, I did find a random chunk of what seems to be urethane foam laying at the bottom of the inside cabinet. I'm guessing maybe there was some insulation or bumper-guards to deal with an oscillating tub in case of the off-balance spin-bonks (you know, like the time washing a pair of jeans with a load of dish-towels *seemed* like a good idea...)...but I don't know for sure...
I need to find a repair manual for this...the insides of a 1-18 look to me the way a Saturn V rocket must have looked to a Model-T mechanic. It's a way different animal than the belt-drive WP/KM machines I'm used to.
Thanks, Austin, I'll do that. Everything seems copasetic, but I do want to make sure I don't just run the puppy into the ground. Any tips on what to check for with the bellows?
BTW, I did find a random chunk of what seems to be urethane foam laying at the bottom of the inside cabinet. I'm guessing maybe there was some insulation or bumper-guards to deal with an oscillating tub in case of the off-balance spin-bonks (you know, like the time washing a pair of jeans with a load of dish-towels *seemed* like a good idea...)...but I don't know for sure...
I need to find a repair manual for this...the insides of a 1-18 look to me the way a Saturn V rocket must have looked to a Model-T mechanic. It's a way different animal than the belt-drive WP/KM machines I'm used to.
I can copy the GM 1/18 repair manual, circa 1970 if you like.
Congrats on your "new" purchase!
Congrats on your "new" purchase!
Thank you!
Thanks, John, I would greatly appreciate that. E-mail me ([email protected]) and let me know how much for copying, postage, and thank-goodness-you-have-that archivist's fees ;-)
Thanks, John, I would greatly appreciate that. E-mail me ([email protected]) and let me know how much for copying, postage, and thank-goodness-you-have-that archivist's fees ;-)
I'm so happy for you......
It makes you wonder why the machine was in the junk pile in the first place. I am so happy you have it and that everything works smoothly. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you. Wow, this is a real success story in my opinion. Now you'll have to start looking for a matching dryer! By the way, what is the model number of your machine?
It makes you wonder why the machine was in the junk pile in the first place. I am so happy you have it and that everything works smoothly. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you. Wow, this is a real success story in my opinion. Now you'll have to start looking for a matching dryer! By the way, what is the model number of your machine?
:-D
Thanks so much, Patrick! I should swing by my friends' house tonight at some point, so I'll get the model number off of it.
I'll do my best to take good care of it--I do need to learn a LOT about the Frigidaire engineering to understand what to look for, how it all comes together, and how best to care for it.
I too really do wonder what happened. The only thing really wrong with the machine is a crack in an agitator fin, but I can fix that (it's a split, but not a complete fracture).
I think someone just decided it was time for a new machine. What really makes me wonder at the whole thing is the fact that the place where I hunt for machines was going to de facto dismantle it--they didn't even test it to see if it worked, and since they can't readily get parts, they didn't even want to bother.
LOL about the matching dryer--it'd be fun to match the set, but I'm *DYING* to find a condenser dryer so that I can show my friends what it's like to not have baked, stiff clothes come out of the machine (their recent GE dryer just cooks the clothes if you happen to put it on Cotton, so a Filtrator would be a nice departure from that).
Was the Frigidaire matching dryer to the 1-18 pretty cool? I'm guessing from reading various posts that, by that time, they had gone to a flow-through air design, but I'll keep my eyes open and see if one wanders through
Thanks again!! :-D
Thanks so much, Patrick!
I should swing by my friends' house tonight at some point, so I'll get the model number off of it.I'll do my best to take good care of it--I do need to learn a LOT about the Frigidaire engineering to understand what to look for, how it all comes together, and how best to care for it.
I too really do wonder what happened. The only thing really wrong with the machine is a crack in an agitator fin, but I can fix that (it's a split, but not a complete fracture).
I think someone just decided it was time for a new machine. What really makes me wonder at the whole thing is the fact that the place where I hunt for machines was going to de facto dismantle it--they didn't even test it to see if it worked, and since they can't readily get parts, they didn't even want to bother.
LOL about the matching dryer--it'd be fun to match the set, but I'm *DYING* to find a condenser dryer so that I can show my friends what it's like to not have baked, stiff clothes come out of the machine (their recent GE dryer just cooks the clothes if you happen to put it on Cotton, so a Filtrator would be a nice departure from that).
Was the Frigidaire matching dryer to the 1-18 pretty cool? I'm guessing from reading various posts that, by that time, they had gone to a flow-through air design, but I'll keep my eyes open and see if one wanders through
Thanks again!! :-D
Matching Dryer
I guess the only reason I mentioned finding a 1-18 dryer is because I like the way the matching set looks together but I guess thats just me. Yes they had long before gotten away from the condensor type and called these the "Flowing Heat" dryers. They are adequate as dryers go, but of the 2 I had, the plastic lint screen guard/holder was always warped from the heat.
The model number on the washer should be located on a metallic label on the back of the console just above or behind the timer/selector control knob.
Have fun and welcome to the world of Jet Action !
I guess the only reason I mentioned finding a 1-18 dryer is because I like the way the matching set looks together but I guess thats just me. Yes they had long before gotten away from the condensor type and called these the "Flowing Heat" dryers. They are adequate as dryers go, but of the 2 I had, the plastic lint screen guard/holder was always warped from the heat.
The model number on the washer should be located on a metallic label on the back of the console just above or behind the timer/selector control knob.
Have fun and welcome to the world of Jet Action !
It lives!! It lives!!
Nate:
Congrats on your precious find! We're still looking for the elusive Texas 1-18! I can't believe the condition that it's in. Your serendipity was impeccable!
Enjoy it! Love it! Use it! (and don't forget to post pics)
Venus
Nate:
Congrats on your precious find! We're still looking for the elusive Texas 1-18! I can't believe the condition that it's in. Your serendipity was impeccable!
Enjoy it! Love it! Use it! (and don't forget to post pics)
Venus
Here ya go, Venus!!
The pics are here! It's model number WC. Or should I say 'model letter'? Did Frigidaire just have the shortest model designations ever?
Hmmm
The pics are here! It's model number WC. Or should I say 'model letter'? Did Frigidaire just have the shortest model designations ever?
Hmmm
Matching dryer
No, Patrick, I completely agree, the set would look sharp as all heck--this is one of the few applications of woodgrain and kick-butt styling that works.
I'm just keen on the Filtrators...but I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled. Frigidaires love friends.
No, Patrick, I completely agree, the set would look sharp as all heck--this is one of the few applications of woodgrain and kick-butt styling that works.
I'm just keen on the Filtrators...but I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled.
Frigidaires love friends.kenmore1978
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,119
model lineup
So where is this model in the hierarchy of 1-18 models? Year?
So where is this model in the hierarchy of 1-18 models? Year?
Thanks alr2903
Kenmore1978, I'd love to know too, especially since it seems that every 1-18 I've ever seen is different from the next.
Does anyone know? I'd love to find out
Kenmore1978, I'd love to know too, especially since it seems that every 1-18 I've ever seen is different from the next.
Does anyone know? I'd love to find out
The serial is 70EJ 7323, if that can be decoded...
repair-man
Well-known member
It happens all the time. Possibly the dryer broke and they bought a new set. Or someone moves into a new house and has their own machines. Or move into a house and decide to start with new ones. You know the thinking, "I'll buy a new GE washer & dryer now so I don't have any problems later"
Anyway, it's a great find. I don't know why I don't see any of these. I've been in the appliance business for close to 20 years and could count on one hand the number of GM Frigidaires I've come across.
Ed
Anyway, it's a great find. I don't know why I don't see any of these. I've been in the appliance business for close to 20 years and could count on one hand the number of GM Frigidaires I've come across.
Ed
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