POD -3/24/12

[qualin]

The POD here is a Philco Automagic washer with a unique washing action I've never seen before.

In these videos, I'm wondering if these are the same mechanism:







The second one makes it look as if the agitator is spinning..

The third one is even more confusing because it doesn't even look like the agitator is even moving... (It's also 7 years newer too..)

It looks like a very unique system.. It also looks really effective too...

Opinions? Information?

 

[bayouboy]

Its an interesting machine

The top half of the agitator does not move. All of the wash action comes from the bottom half of the agitator, which is a spinning flapper. I am still in the process of cleaning mine up before I take some pics.

 

[joelippard]

I have one of these.  A 1961 which was the first year of the perforated tub.  Prior to that they functioned as a perforated solid tub, meaning that you had 3 seperate tubs -- a perforated liner bolted into a solid tub that spun the water over the top and into an outer tub.  The agitator column does not "move" even though it appears to in videos, on the earlier models it has more "movement".  The real movement is in the bottom flapper.  Inside the agitator column is a lint filter/softner/detergent dispenser.  On the later models (when Philco was owned by Ford)  the column has no movement as it appears in the last video you posted.  From what I understand these models do not have as good a turnover as the earlier ones.  The agitator moves at all times, even in the spin cycle.  There are a number of posts here on the site that explain the mechanical operator in great detail.  Somewhere there is a photo thread that Robert posted of a rebuild on one of his.

 

I like my Philco because of it's unique and rare nature, not many of them are around -- we hear less about them than we do Kelvinator/ABC.  It washes, rinses well, and spins adequately (550 rpm)  but I would not pick it over one of my Frigidaires.

 

[hydralique]

Beautiful washer!

 

[pdub]

Rare Machine You Have ...

Very nice washer Joe. I like the lighted control panel.

Yours looks to be in exceptional shape and must have been well taken care of.

Thanks for sharing the picture. Could we see the inside?

Patrick

 

[qualin]

That is a nice washer.. Could we get some control panel closeups? (If anything, just out of curiosity.)

 

[joelippard]

Sure, here are a few more photos!

    

 

[joelippard]

  

 

[joelippard]

Internals

  Inside the cabinet I at first thought this was oil spray, turns out that Philco sprayed rust protection inside the cabinet walls.

 

[joelippard]

 

[peterh770]

What I find fascinating about this machine is the SOAK option. You press the button and start that washer at the beginning point of either cycle. The washer fills and agitates for a minute or two, then the timer shuts off all action but continues to advance until it gets to the final spin, when it reactivates to drain and spin. So for a short soak, you use the short cycle; for a long soak, use the regular cycle.

 

[norgeway]

These will!

WASH!!! but they do tangle the clothes, the one Joe has is the one I found in an old store along with a 58 super deluxe model and a DuoMatic that Jerry Gay has now,the 58 went up north , these have a very simple mechanism , no gears, and wash every bit as good as a Kelvinator or Frigidaire!

 

[norgeway]

That washer!

Was in pretty good shape, it had set on the floor of an old store since new!!

 

[pdub]

Very nice! Thanks for the pictures Joe.