NEVER USED 1957 Kenmore washer-- HEADS UP!

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You're Both Lucky:

Robert - you're lucky to have found this machine, of course. But it's lucky to have found you as an owner. Not just anyone would have had the know-how to assess what needed doing, let alone had the tools and parts. A lot of people would have hooked it up, not understanding for a second that fifty-one years take a toll on rubber and plastics even if they're not used. And of course, disaster would have ensued.

This is a win-win.
 
Oh my God it is fantastic. Big congratulations. The basket and agitator never used is just beautiful. Everybody hope to find something like this.
 
WOW!! What an amazing machine!

That is amazing Robert! If anybody deserves to find a machine this perfect,it is you.

Have fun with your **NEW** baby!

Shane
 
NOT A APEX BOUNCING BASKET BUT CLOSE LOL... ROBERT YOU DESERVE THIS!! THANKS FOR THE WEBSITE, THANKS TO THE GROUP, THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK! That Kenmore washer is absolutely beautiful God!!!!!!! that must feel good. That washer was the turning point for me. It was my first vintage machine that I used at my Aunt Maggie's house . . . I knew it was an older machine then. The house was in Virginia where my family would visit in the summer. She had nine kids and I was about 9 or 10 at the time . . . the beautiful truth is that Maggie never laughed or mocked and downplayed my interest in WASHING MACHINES. She encouraged me about them and she was intrigued that I knew more about her washer then she did lol . So in a southern accent my grandmother would holler down the basement "Maggie is that boy bothering you oooh Darren!! Are you making Maggie turn on that washer!" .... my grandmother sort of downplayed my interest because every house we visited I had to look at them or turn them on lol and I know you know what I mean as well as everybody. Anyway Maggie had a mountain of clothes and left me in charge to do them all yaaa that felt good. ......

1957 KENMORE WASHER

1.THE FIRST WASHER I SAW A COOL TEMP SETTING ( I THINK THE NEW MAYPOOLS BROUGHT THAT SETTING BACK) HMMM

2.THE FIRST PREGNANT ROTO SWIRL AGITATOR THAT I LOVE

3. A TUBE LIGHT THAT I NEVER SEEN AND DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT LIGHT AS A OZOONE LIGHT UNTIL THS SITE.. AWESOME THANKS GUYS

4. THAT LOVELY WIG WAG KENMORE SOUND!

The last time I saw a mint condition washer on here was in member's photo it was Calypsobruce 1965 Lady Kenmore with that Roto-flex agitator that's one of my dream machines fabulous... is he still around? Lastly, Robert, I was wondering even a tub of cold water for the first wash you can't use the new agitator for one time and will that damage it and why would it? And is there anything else that's need to be tweaked or repaired ? You enjoy it to the fullest!! Can't wait for videos! Darren K (eddy's washer)

5-22-2008-12-31-52--aldspinboy.jpg
 
Bob, congratulations on your fabulous find! I have one question, are you planning to change the gearcase oil before using the washer? Even though the washer has never been used, do you think the oil will be OK after 50 years of sitting still?

I really hope you enjoy your new toy!

Emilio
 
Darren (aldspinboy)

"I was wondering even a tub of cold water for the first wash you can't use the new agitator for one time and will that damage it and why would it?"

If you use it, even once, then it's no longer new, unused and mint. Used once, sure. Lightly used, sure. But not new, unused, and mint. Given that there's a possibility this is the only one in this condition left on this planet, I think Robert's being very smart to protect its status as long as he can.

There's also no telling how that fifty-year-old Bakelite's "first day" shine would react to today's detergents. It might come out just fine. But then again, it might not- we don't get many opportunities to subject NOS items to a first use under today's conditions, so who can say for sure what might or might not happen?

Robert understands his obligation as caretaker of some amazing rarities.
 
Doesn't the same logic hold true for the entire machine? How many unused 1957 Kenmores are left today?

If I were Robert I'd enjoy looking at this treasure, polishing it etc, but probably not use it. And in 30 or 40 years sell it or give it away to a museum. Heck even the Smithsonian might be interested by then. Can you imagine how much this will be worth in 2050?
 
JeffG:

"Doesn't the same logic hold true for the entire machine? How many unused 1957 Kenmores are left today?"

Up to a point, yes. It should be remembered, though that the machine has suffered some deterioration in storage, making some restoration necessary. The only way to know if restoration efforts have been entirely successful is to use the machine a bit, protecting certain parts as you do so.

Because of the deterioration that had taken place on a few rubber and plastic parts, the machine was certainly unused, but was no longer entirely mint.

What I'm trying to say here is that on balance, I think Robert is doing the machine way more good than harm. As a whole, the machine is more important and significant than it was before, because it has almost no use on it, but it is in working order. Because of Robert's custodianship of the Kennie, we not only know what those machines looked like new, we're going to know how they sounded and worked when new. We can't know that from an unused machine that is just left in storage.

Remember that with the agitator replaced, the remaining parts are ones known to hold up fine to modern detergents, like porcelain. And it's not as if Robert's going to put much mileage on this baby- I'm betting it gets only the occasional ceremonial washload (Robert, correct me if I'm wrong).

But that pristine agitator can never happen again, so I think he's smart to hold that back.
 
And is there anything else that's need to be tweaked or repaired ?
Well lets see for a brand new machine it sure did have quite a few problems:

#1 Leaky Tub to Pressure Switch Tube Hose
#2 Water Level Switch needed to be adjusted, the machine would have literally overflowed and flooded the basement with the water level switch set to high. The internal rubber inside the switch must have hardened slightly from lack of use.
#3 Agitator Drive block was not manufactured properly, this caused a low level knocking during agitation on large loads. I replaced the drive block and the knocking is now gone.
#4. The all Alumnium Pump was leaking though the top where the control rod enters the pump body. Four or five hot washes seemed to have cleared up that problem.
#5. Agitate control plunger was squeaking from the inside of the solenoid housing during agitator, a little lubrication solved that problem.

Even though the washer has never been used, do you think the oil will be OK after 50 years of sitting still?
The transmission oil was just fine.

If you use it, even once, then it's no longer new, unused and mint.
That's right Sandy, its brand new agitator will never be used. Even though I doubt a couple of wash loads would change the shiny look of the agitation, its just the idea of keep it pristine.

"Doesn't the same logic hold true for the entire machine? How many unused 1957 Kenmores are left today?"
Well yes it does, but unfortunately I don't have the room to keep washers that will never be used.
 
The Long Awaited First Wash Video

Here's a quick and dirty video of the '57 Kenmore. First in the video you will see me switch on the motor for the very first time (after doing so preliminary checks and loosening the drive belt). Then I filmed it’s very first wash load. The snubber was quiet noisy at first but you can hear it get worn in and quiet down over the course of the first 5 minutes of the wash cycle. The slight knocking you can hear (after the snubber quiets down) is the drive block that was manufactured incorrectly. Once I replaced it with brand new one the knocking went away. Also notice that the lint filter is working so well that by the end of the rinse cycle the rate of recirculation has slowed to a crawl due to lint totally blocking the entire screen!

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WOW!!!

Robert,

You must be so proud! You have it purring like a Kenmore. I look at a video of a F & P washer in another video and then this. This washer just washes the heck out of stuff even when you stuff it full. I'm so glad you came into this washer's life to give it what it deserves!

Jon
 
To use or not to use.....

Cool you got the Kenmore going Robert! It sounds just like one that was rebuilt, with the new clutch sound audible the first few seconds of spin.

I do not blame you one bit for not using the original Roto Swirl. I found a brand new Surgilator for my 56 WP a few years ago. I used it for awhile, then noticed that there were small nicks in the blades from zippers, ect. Now my Surgilator is no longer perfect. I use the new one sometimes now, but never for jeans, and things that could cause more wear.

Cannot wait until we can see where this Kenmore 800 machine sits in your vast collection!

5-25-2008-12-02-43--rickr.jpg
 
THANK YOU, UNI!!!!!! :-)

"The Long Awaited First Wash Video

Here's a quick and dirty video of the '57 Kenmore. First in the video you will see me switch on the motor for the very first time (after doing so preliminary checks and loosening the drive belt). Then I filmed it’s very first wash load. The snubber was quiet noisy at first but you can hear it get worn in and quiet down over the course of the first 5 minutes of the wash cycle. The slight knocking you can hear (after the snubber quiets down) is the drive block that was manufactured incorrectly. Once I replaced it with brand new one the knocking went away. Also notice that the lint filter is working so well that by the end of the rinse cycle the rate of recirculation has slowed to a crawl due to lint totally blocking the entire screen!"

For once........ This "died in the wood" Kenmore fan is speechless. The video was so flawless in its presentation, I had to look at it twice. Given that both the 1967's I've used in my lifetime (first, a 24" Single Speed/Single Cycle Machine and then later on, a Two Speed/Three Cycle Model 600 (or was it a 60)), the sweet sound of that 1957 brings back a lot of memories.

Watching that 1957 Kenmore Washer actually work is poetry in motion......

--Charles--
 

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