POD 18/02/2018 - Frigidaire Rollermatic Jet-Action washer

[wft2800]

Presumably this is part of the Unimatic series? Vertical agitation? How does the machine actually propel the agitator? I might guess at a motor driving a cam continuously, with a second motor for the spin? I know absolutely nothing about these, except that I think they look nice.

 

[cfz2882]

Totally different mechanism from a unimatic,but still solid tub with vertical agitation motion-the motion is generated by a ball-bearing shaft affixed at an angle into the agitate roller,to which an arm is attatched-the other end of the arm connects to the agitator shaft via a ball joint that can be adjusted to compensate for wear.Drive from the motor to the agitate and spin rollers is done through a pair of rollers with tires of orangeish polyurethane-direction of motor rotation determines which polyurethane roller is drawn into traction or pushed away out of traction with it's(solid metal) agitate or spin roller.At the end of the motor shaft,past the motor shaft roller,is a bi-directional centrifugal drain pump to pump out during overflow rinse or spin.The "1-18"washers,~1970-late79,use basicly the same mechanism-but mechanism is driven by belt from motor on those

 

[gyrafoam]

I remember when these were all over the place. They did try to eliminate or minimize the tangling issues, however, IMO the older Three and Two- Ring Pulsators did a better job of cleaning.
I love my '67 however, my '53 and '63 will clean circles around it.

I found the the Rollermatic mechanism to be easier to work on than the Unimatic's chunk of steel. Especially if the Unimatic mechanism was locked-up with rust, as they tended to be.

 

[re563]

I would love to see a video of these washing 5 pairs of jeans.

 

[revvinkevin]

Here you go...... well, NOT 5 pairs of jeans.

 

 

[yogitunes]

I always liked the Space Capsule Jetcone best....

but here is a video of 5 pairs of jeans with the 1958 Unimatic....

 

[re563]

that's the video I was referring to. The 3 ring does great. But I wonder if the rollermatic does just as well with 5 jeans.

 

[gyrafoam]

Well, a lot has to do with whether the denim is new or not AND what waist size?
The Three-Ring in the larger tub of '62-'69.will have the best chance of getting them clean.
Five pair of brand new (not pre washed) denims with a size 48 waist are going to be a problem in most standard tub machines. Five pair with a size 30 waist will have a better chance.

 

[washerlover]

Size Does Matter

Interesting point about the capacity of washers and dryers. As our (American) society continues to see more large and/or obese people, the size of machines would have to expand to accommodate all the extra fabric. Yesterday’s vintage machines could handle a larger number of articles of clothing since people were more fit, hence the difference between the five pair of jeans waist sizes would make a marked difference in the cleaning action/results because of the sheer amount of fabric.

 

[philr]

Here are a few videos I made of my Rollermatics.





I have more pics and videos in this album.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/33723086@N02/albums/72157656453518302

 

[re563]

Thanks PhilR, Those are Great!!

 

[floyde]

Water inlet valve

I bought the 1 to 18 listed on Shoppers square. It had a ton of calcium buildup. When I cleaned it up after several loads of cascade and vinegar tons of deposits came out. Now the washer seems like maybe the valve got calcium in it.

Cold water is fine but the hot fills into the machine even when the washer is unplugged unless I turn it off at the wall.

Any suggestions and if needs a new inlet valve are they available still? It's a GM 1 to 18 1979 model.

Many thanks !