On the hunt

[kenmore70]

For this Kenmore Washer - this was the machine we had when I was a kid. This is a photograph of the parts manual which I still have. We had the non-suds model. I remember this because it had an off-balance buzzer switch, and when it went off, it was sometimes my job to run down to the basement and re-balance the clothes. I thought it was a neat machine even though I was only about 8 years old. Just thought I'd put this out there, you never know. I think this was probably a mid-range model, not low end but not high either. Does anybody know? This machine washed lots of diapers, it lasted about 10-11 years. Back then, no disposable diapers. Shows how old I am!

 

[mrb627]

Familiar

Growing up, I made it my mission to keep track of each and every washing machine owned by a family member as well as family friends.  My mother's Aunt Lois had this machine in her utility room out back.  I only recall ever seeing it in action one time.  I was confused by the control layout and thought the timer would advance in a counter clockwise direction.  I was probably only 6 or 7 at the time.

 

I would love to see this model in pix again.  Hope you locate it.

 

Malcolm

 

[hydralique]

Oh My!

That's the same washer my family had when I was small, it lasted many, many years. I always recall putting my hand on the knobbly rubber top of the agitator with the big "K" while it went back and forth.

 

[kenmoreguy89]

I missed it! Wonderful! Hope you can find one! Wish I would also, someday...LOL

 

[toploader55]

Gloria Stoesser

Our Neighbor had that exact machine.

She had 5 children 3 boys and 2 girls and that machine ran constantly. I remember it was replaced by a Spacemate Pair (1969-1970) installed on the Main Floor of the house during an expansion (addition) on the house.

She did keep the Kenmore and the Hamilton Dryer in the basement in case of breakdowns, because she couldn't be without a machine until the children started to move out.

Weird, How you can remember certain things.

 

[bendixmark]

kenmore

There were four neighbors in my neighborhood who had that machine in my childhood.The controls lit up and it had the waterfall lint filter and us kids loved to watch it run.Dont recall seeing that machine on the site before or know of anyone who has one in their collection.Last saw one in 1980,one of my favorite kenmores would love to have one.

 

[appnut]

Next door neighbor on the other side had this washer. they were from Holland. Transferred from NYC in 1961. Don't know if they bought the machine after theyu moved to Texas or what. Didn't have a dryer until around 1963 or 1964 when she boughht a model 60 dryer--all timed dry and variable infinite temp selector. Loved watching this washer. She used Wisk and snowy Bleach. Even washed jeans on W'n'W cycle. So there I was a LK Combo on one side and this washer on the other side. Last time I saw a washer like this was when visiting some friendes in Dallas in like 1967 or 1968 and their neighbors had this very washer and also had the exact same Norge Timeline dryer as we had.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Thanks for the memory!

Our neighbor on the east side of us had a similar washer from about 1959, I think. The timer dial had a big stylized 2 that bisected the word "Speed." I remember that very stylized SR logo on the front. It had three water levels and three water temperatures along with a normal (printed in yellow) and a gentle (printed in turquoise) cycle. Once I asked the Sears service man why our LK had markings for Hi and Lo water level and our neighbor's KM had three water levels. That's when he explained our infinite water level switch. What I thought was fascinating was how, during drain, her screen-type manual clean lint filter continued to pump water during the drain until the water level dropped below the filter intake. Our Lady's filter of course stopped as soon as the machine went into drain for the backwash.

That neighbor's machine was replaced with the last of the beautiful vertical control panel Filter Flo machines with the flat keys for three water temps, three water levels and two speeds and, within a few weeks, a matching dryer, so that would have been about 1964, I guess.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Very cool machine!! That is a 1959 Kenmore 70 series. Same basic model, just two years older than the 1961 seventy in my avatar picture. I believe these even used the same timer, and other than differences in the cabinet, were otherwise the same exact washer. I can understand why they bring back great memories!

Gordon

 

[akronman]

1961 Kenmore

in your avatar, Kenmoreguy64, is the FIRST machine I remember. I was born in 59, by the time I got near kindergarten and knew my ABC's, I remember Mom explaining that W was for warm, C for cold, as I watched her do the laundry. Very old memory of that exact 61 machine with all the rectangular designs on the timer/dial displays. And the silver lint trap and the agitator top with K and the nibs. Mom's exact machine. She also had a plastic cup measure for detergent that fit on top of the scrubber agitator top. We likely left the machine in florida when we moved back to Ohio in 68. I guess this model would be my most thoroughly prized find.