New To Me Kenmore Tabletop Washer

[launderess]

Added a Kenmore (rebadged Whirlpool) Junior washer to my table top machine collection.

Plugged unit in, switched on and it at once began bellowing white smoke from bottom.

Switched off, opened windows and turned on fans to air place out, then after a bit investigated.

Seller packed washer on it's side, and motor is totally covered in oil. Am assuming this came from gearbox/case, but never the less....

Am quite pushed this week busy wise, so don't have time to investigate further. Happily seller did include copy of operating instructions and parts list (Xerox copied lifted from somewhere and printed on reverse side of used paper) which has diagrams .

Methinks will have to take thing apart, clean out gearcase, fill with new oil or grease, then sort out motor. Hopefully a new one can be found if current cannot be salvaged. Cord like many other old washers has covering that is cracking or cracked in areas, it should go with a new one that has a three prong grounded plug attached fitted.

So that's me for you.....[this post was last edited: 10/18/2022-17:38]

 

[bellalaundry]

Adorable!

and perfect for ones unmetionables!

Have fun!

 

[DADoES]

 
I had a non-working specimen of that model sans wringer many years ago.

 

[wayupnorth]

From the logo on the front, it has to be in the '48 rangeish. As my Kenmore is a '48 model and would be considered the Lady model, but they were not named then.

 

[tolivac]

The machine looks too big to sit on a table or counter.Maybe show show other items in the picture so the "scale" size of the machine could be seen.And with it filled with water could be too heavy.

 

[launderess]

Right then!

Tipped washer on side and began mopping up gear oil that leaded during transport. Got much as possible but would entail taking washer apart to get totally squeaky clean.

Waited several hours then tried to start washer again. Plugged in and when switched on machine moved a bit, but motor just hummed. Thankfully no huge out rush of smoke to that's one saving grace.

Methinks something is jammed somewhere. Motor has power (hence humming and bit of jump when first started that once), but something is stopping it from transferring that power to gearbox and or agitator shaft.

No belts on this washer, shaft off motor connects directly to gearcase box. Will need a special sort of wrench to get nut off that holds tub to base. With tub off everything comes out via top of washer.

Best guess (and hope) is that after sitting for god only knows how many decades something is "stuck".

"The machine looks too big to sit on a table or counter"

It is big, easily the largest of 1940's "diaper washers" one has seen. Capacity wise according to manual can hold one full sheet and two pillow slips. That's more than recently acquired Monitor washer.

 

[maytagmike]

Tabletop washer

I have the exact machine in my collection but it has the Whirlpool nameplate on the front. Fun little machine. Congrats on you new find.!!!

 

[launderess]

When it rains it pours...

Literally!

Agitator shaft is sized up, won't turn by hand and or even with agitator off using a wrench. So thought maybe filling unit up with hot water and letting it sit a bit would help. Wrong! *LOL*

There's me filling up this buggery bollocks washer and realized water level isn't rising. Darn thing leaked like a sieve with water going right onto pads placed beneath unit.

Lowered drain hose to get out what water didn't leave other way, mopped up floor, then turned unit over. Sump connector for drain hose has rotted away. Hose itself seems fine.

So now need to sort out some sort of new way of connecting drain hose to sump. Original connector had lip around one end (that faces inside washer), this holds it in place, and drain hose is fitted onto other side. Once get tub off can remove what's left of sump hose and see what there is.

Hated order yet another one use tool, but needed special Whirlpool/Kenmore spanner wrench to get tub off. Will order from Amazon since need some other things, and they have cheapest price atm. Looked on fleaPay and cheapest there was same as Amazon (with free shipping) so not much of a difference.

Am hoping motor isn't totally toast, and all that smoke was just burning off grease that leaked out during transit. It does hum when machine is powered on, but since nothing is happing quickly shut things down to prevent possible further damage.

 

[launderess]

"From the logo on the front, it has to be in the '48 rangeish. As my Kenmore is a '48 model and would be considered the Lady model, but they were not named then."

Sat sitting for hours last night going through back issues of Sears catalog and Christmas wish books going from 1942 through 1958; cannot find a single mention of this "Kenmore Jr." washer.

Fact it has an aluminum inner tub tells me these units likely weren't produced period when WWII restrictions were in place.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Kenmore Table Top

Well done Launderess on saving another piece of history, am sure you will have fun with it once its had a mini service. could you get a leg base unit to lift it higher if required ?

 

[vacerator]

I bet it can

out-wash some full size modern washers. First American apartment size electric washer?

 

[launderess]

" First American apartment size electric washer?"

Ohh no, not by a long shot.

Sears was offering table top washers early as 1941 or so.

1941 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 1121 - Catalogs & Wishbooks

1941 Sears Fall Winter Catalog, Page 1121

christmas.musetechnical.com

 

[rpms]

Beautiful!
If I got that washer as a Christmas gift as a kid I would have wet myself.

 

[combo52]

Compact whirl pool built wringer washer.

Neat find, I’ve seen several of these with the whirlpool name on them this is the first I’ve seen with a Kenmore name although I knew they made them.

Most likely the start winding in the motor has burned up take the motor out and see if it runs, you’ll probably need to either have it rewound or find a replacement motor.

Don’t worry about the oil it lost, it won’t affect it although it sounds like it may be locked up anyway, you might try turning the entire machine upside down with the ringer off of it and see if the oil will run into the agitator shaft bearings maybe it will start running again.

I don’t know how much point there is and taking this machine apart as there are virtually no parts available for it anywhere it was just too unusual and limited in production.

Have to agree that it would’ve been the ultimate toy if I had gotten one of these when I was eight years old I might’ve grown up collecting wringer washers, even though I own a couple of them full-size models I really have no patience for manual laundry appliances it’s just so much more fun to watch an automatic do its job.

John

 

[launderess]

Thanks for all kind words lads!

Need all encouragement at this point can get...

John:

Much like Whirlpool/Kenmore wringers of period this unit is designed so parts come up and out, rather than down via bottom

Suppose could work around bottom brace, but there you are.

Need to get tub off for a few purposes.

One to sort out drain hose situation.

Two, of course to get at gearcase and motor. As one or both obviously need attention.

Turned unit over, plugged in and powered on for a moment. If left on too long thing starts puffing bits of white smoke, gets warm and hums. Am not sure if motor is reacting to being restricted somehow, or it's the windings or as John said problems starting.

Either way won't know until get at motor and see what there is; worse comes to worse it will need replacing or sent out for rebuild. May reach out to Lorain Appliances or RedCarpetDrew since they have good backgrounds in vintage appliances.

 

[kenmore58]

Picked up one of these several years ago at Brimfield Antique Show. What a great little machine. It is surprising how much you can actually fit in there. Mine did not have the owner's manual with it. Hint. Hint. Perhaps you could post a copy of it or scan one and email it to me!

RON

 

[launderess]

Message sent and received! *LOL* Will work out something about directions/owners manual, it's on my list of things that need doing.

First want to get washer sorted!

Going by parts diagram transmission seems simple enough.

Motor coupling transfers power to a worm gear which in turn drives agitator. Simple enough I suppose.

Looking at parts diagram there are bits called "Agitator Shaft Water Shed". From one's limited knowledge such things were designed to cope with water that made it past tub seal.

Am strongly suspecting water somehow did get into gearbox, and washer having been left sat sitting for god only knows how long something has seized up.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/threads/seized-agitator-shaft-on-maytag-dont-give-up.166652/

Cannot think of another reason why agitator shaft itself won't budge. Won't know until Whirlpool/Kenmore wrench arrives so can remove tub nut and see what there is underneath.

Took look at motor and it's a Delco/General Motors 5047586, 1725 rpm, 20 amps, and either 1/2 or 1/15 HP, couldn't make it out clearly.

 

[thomasortega]

I have the same washer, but whirlpool.

Ive heard there was a drain pump for them, but ive never seen in real life or images.

Mine is missing the lid. If somebody has one, id appreciate.

 

[launderess]

Only images found so far of Whirlpool mini washer with wringer.

This was a nice unit, but not sure if one would pay nearly $700 USD. That number has to be an error.

This unit has a pump. On mine you can see where space for lever that operates same is empty.

Because there is a pump drain hose has hook affixed at end for use with sink or tub.

https://schneiderauctioneers.hibid....1036/whirlpool-1900-miniature-wringer-washer/
[this post was last edited: 10/22/2022-03:30]