My weekend washer trip turned into a wonderful reunion!

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Look at those legs! LOL!

Everyone had their special washer to worry about while loading. Gordon had his Kenmore, Kevin had his combo and I had this! My 63 Lady Kenmore alphabet washer! Wow and a huge thank you and hug to Kevin!

redcarpetdrew++12-6-2011-23-40-35.jpg
 
And a good time was had by all!

We then had a wonderful visit with good food, great talk and fantastic friends. It ended too soon! Big thanks to all who helped make this happen. It was truly great to see Kevin again and my day was made to meet Gordon in person. We will have to do this again, hopefully taking more time!

RCD
 
Money Shot:

I'll say. It's worth its weight in...well...gold.

I'm glad you guys had such a great time. Nice washers too. The 24" Kenmore certainly will clean up nicely from the looks of it. That Norge is not bad either, but the Holy Grail as always is the 1963 Lady K, the pinnacle of Kenmore design.

Have a good one,
James
 
Kevin,
Thanks so much for the pictures of your adventure.
You found some really awesome machines.
The Combo is to die for! That is a great looking machine! I could have never
dreamed up such a machine. It looks to be in great shape.
Can't wait to hear your overview of it.
Seems like you guys had a great time.
Thanks for sharing.
Brent
 
24" Kenmore

That 24" wide Kenmore is awesome. I don't know where these near mint condition machines keep coming from, but I sure hope the supply is never ending!

Malcolm
 
WOODGRAIN LADY KENMORE COMBO

WOW it is neat to actually see this machine, I had know for over 20 years that this was made as the parts list that came with the machines listed to different cabinet parts used. This machine should go with the Whirlpool [ Ford Country Squire ] washer and dryer. I guess that the LKM combo would have to be the 1969 Chrysler Town & Country Wagon with dual-air and real [ plastic ] woodgrain siding, LOL. My brother Jeff and I had this car many years ago and I am sorry that I got rid of it, but a panicked when Hi-test gas hit 75 cents per gallon LOL.
 
Thanks guys for sharing such a fun story with us!!  Sometimes last minute things turn out to be the most fun.  A wood grained Lady Kenmore Combo, now that is one I have never seen or even heard of.  Even better that it seems to be in working condition.  Is it gas or electric?     Have fun with all of your new machines.

 

 
 
Fun in CA

Oh this looked like it was a hoot! You guys wear it on your faces. It's always fun to hang out with other washer aficionado, something that I don't get to do often enough! Maybe I should down a sedative and hit the skies back to CA! The combo looks great and the Norge is really cool too. Andy's happy with the 63 and Gordon got another BOL 24" BD. Talk about the planets aligning!

 

-Tim
 
Wow, what a great weekend adventure for you guys. This place truly has a special family-like community quality about it, and this thread is just further evidence of the phenomeon.

What a beautiful Combo! What are you up to now Kevin, three? :)

Ben
 
The combo is Gaga!

How many eyebrows went up at the mention of abandonned storage units as a new source for treasure? Mine sure did.

Andy, here's the dispenser pic you asked for this moring, an old one till I get a new camera, from iphoto library, but it wouldn't email. Sorry. Hope this helps for now. There is a detailed description of it in a new message i just sent you.

mickeyd++12-7-2011-10-47-45.jpg
 
Reunion and washers!

I am Happy you had a great reunion and you brought home real nice goodies. I especially like the kenmore combo!
Best Wishes,
Peter
 
Truly a great weekend!!

We all had a wonderful time. At the same time that Andy brought me the 1982 Kenmore, two other machines arrived in Lodi that he had sent earlier. These are a near mint 1968 Kenmore 24-inch model and an unusual 1985 Lady Kenmore. This Lady now becomes the newest belt drive I have being tbree weeks newer than the seventy series which I bought new. I cannot wait to get these to Charlotte so I can begin playing with them.

I am sitting at gate A14 in Sacramento waiting for my first of two planes home. I usually just deal with this trip as it is a business trip that I do annually, but this was a very fun time!!! THANKS to Andy, Jacqui, and Kevin for making it and outstanding trip!!
 
Wow Kevin, I can't believe the incredible run of luck you've had lately!!  That LK combo is something else - the door boot looks good and the tub looks pristine!!   I can't wait to see how it runs!

 

What a nice meet-up you had with Andy, Jacqui, and Gordon too - definitely the 'icing on the cake'!   Congratulations!!!

 

If you ever want to bring me anything turquoise, I can send you a map... LOL (ducks and runs)  
 
The Kenmore WD & Monkey Wards

OH those machines are BEAUTIFUL! Kevin, you are SO lucky to have the Combo, and I wish you best of luck with it! I sure hope we get to see these machines in action!

Jason
 
That combo is sure cool - Country Squire is right! What a rare bird that is, congrats on the good find!

Good to see pictures of all the gang - but what about the Agitub? Not photo worthy?

When I first started working at Sears, one of those exact '82, 24" washers came back on a return and they were selling it for $50 as it was very badly stained with iron. I wanted it in the worst way but as I already had three appliances in my mother's basement that "didn't belong here" so I had to pass on it. I knew better than to even ask. I love that you're dating your collection in "weeks" - awesome!
 
How cool!

Looks like you guys had a great time. I would be honored to meet some of you in person. The happiness I see in you guys reminds me of picking up my dream washer and dryer set. (1986 KM Limited electronic) last spring. Hey RCD your video of the 1960's WP was what got me interested in collecting. Great to put faces to the names I have come to know and respect.
Nick
 
Thank you, Nick! Woo Hoo!

I am jazzed that my videos helped bring us a new friend! Did you introduce us to the 86's yet? If not, pictures are way over due. Keep watching as there are get togethers frequently, esp in your neck of the woods. It'll be nice to put a face with your name, too!

The Agitub is indeed worthy of pictures and will be soon enough. I have tracked down the replacement washer motor she needs and soon enough will be starring in pictures and a video or two!

Gordon has promised pictures and maybe video of the Lady K and two 24"ers in service asap. I know he will as he wants to stay on the good side of his "Friendly Local Neighborhood Appliance Pimp..." LOL!!!

RCD
 
Hey Kevin, nice story, and what traysures!! Wish I could have joined in the fun, my folks live in Lodi, and I used to live in Auburn, so familiar territory for me. How's the Kenmore combo? Is it working? I'm still struggling to restore my '65 Lady K combo -- maybe I can entice you to come up to Redwood Country for a "Restoration Party?!"
 
 

 

~ Terry, it's a 220V electric model.

 

~ Ben, A+ for you!   Yes THIS combo makes three!  Weeeeeeeeee!

 

~ Todd, SO FAR it goes thru all the motions and SEEMS to work OK, but I'm still not done cleaning, testing, checking, etc.

 

Here is what the back side looks like.....

(complete with the intact wiring/timer sequence diagram!)

revvinkevin++12-7-2011-22-05-34.jpg
 
OH RATS!

 

 

When doing initial water testing yesterday, the lint filter continued to get clogged with debris.   I couldn't tell for sure if it was shreds of paper or insulation... but after lifting the top, now I know!   Obviously there was a rat (or mouse) infestation in the storage unit and they got inside here somehow.   Hmm, but how?   Must have been small rats!

 

Other then the shredded insulation, I have found no other "rodent damage".

 

I suspect something is still clogging something, somewhere, because it still doesn't drain very aggressively.   In fact when I put the drain hose in the sink it doesn't drain at all.   I have to put the drain hose down in a low bucket, then it will.

revvinkevin++12-7-2011-22-18-53.jpg
 
Inside the back

 

 

So THIS is what it looks like inside!   Very cool and yes, VERY complicated!   Wow!  Different belts, a "shifter" to move a belt from one pulley to another, an air compressor, a blower for drying and all the hoses, wires, solenoids, etc.   Wow!  But also cool!

 

Question John L:   Does the wash & rinse water enter the tub thru the blower housing??

 

Thanks again everyone!

Kevin 

revvinkevin++12-7-2011-22-23-16.jpg
 
KM COMBO

Hi Kevin, yes the fill water fills through the blower housing on both sides to help flush and keep this area clean. Overall your combo looks to be in really good shape, it also looks to have not been tampered with which is always a big plus. These machines were fairly reliable in there day and as you will see as you work on it, it is much better built than WPs separate washers and dryers. 
 
Damn rodents...

Kevin, it looks like the critters that got in this combo didn't have the same taste for copper wiring the mice in Texas had!   And you have the intact wiring diagram - bonus!!    The operating condition of the machine sounds very promising, indeed!!

 

I will be curious to see what you use as a replacement for the chewed-up insulation on the drum.   One day, I hope I will be at that stage with the 56 GE.... 

 

 
 
insulation

I never thought about it until replacement insulation was mentioned but is there any need to be concerned about asbestos when working on these old appliances?  I know asbestos was used in some insulation back in the day....
 
That.......... Is a VERY good question!

My reply (#53) that shows inside the top of the machine, there is an insulating pad between the outer tub and the dispenser tray, I am assuming that is asbestos.

Kevin
 
Couldn't you use something like an insulated water heater wrap? Just remove the old stuff and replace it with something that is not as messy or toxic. I wonder if the insulation used on the Calypso is big enough to fit around the drum?
 

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