POD 9/19/2016

[brucelucenta]

This Philco is yet another machine that was in the field of appliances where I used to get machines to work on. It sat there along with the Apex and others which I never messed with. I didn't find the Philco very interesting as it looked like any other machine of the time. I was more interested in the Philco washers that had the flipper to wash with and there were many of those at the time. The Apex I thought might have been kind of cool, but it had been there a while and the outside was kind of rusty, so I never actually messed with it. There were tons of Kelvinator, ABC, Philco and Frigidaire machines for me to mess with. Too many to be bothered with the Philco agitator washer. It reminded me a little of a hotpoint machine, with the deeper narrow tub.

 

[appnut]

Anyone know if the "Fine Fabrics" cycle was anything different than the others at the time--smaller water level and short sequences?  I'm assuming it wasn't a 2-speed washer.

 

[gyrafoam]

I have a similar 1956 Dexter-----

Bob, the "Fine Fabrics" settings on mine are for a Warm Wash and the last Four minutes of the Wash Cycle. Since the Water-Level is determined by the setting at the beginning of the cycle, for anything less than a full-tub you must manually mover the timer forward when the desired water level is reached----to the amount of time it needs to agitate.

The machine is kind of boring as far as agitation is concerned. It is much less aggressive than a Speed Queen or "Goose-Neck" Hotpoint. The Fill Nozzle is at the 5 o'Clock position when looking down into the tub and is bifurcated to shoot two jets of water along the inside of the tub. It makes for a VERY effective Spray-Rinse at the beginning of each spin cycle----that lasts about a minute. Overall, the cycle is (strangely) WHISPER-Quiet with the exception of snapping solenoids and of course, the water spray.

The tub is narrow and deep, however because of the placement of the large drain-holes at the top of the tub, quite a bit of water gets sloshed-over at the beginning of agitation and levels-out about an inch below the holes throughout the Wash period somewhat lessening the usable capacity. I think an 8lb. load is about the best size for this machine.

A nice feature is the ability to begin each spin at a slow and steady speed so the clothes do not create an out-of-balance situation. The Throw-Out being VERY slow. But, it picks up speed pretty quickly and is at full spin-speed about 90 sec. after starting. I think this was a "selling-point" at the time, when a lot of (solid-tub) machines would get out-of-balance easily.

It isn't the most exciting machine to use, however, it cleans the clothes well and is a VERY rare machine.

Bruce mentions those Blades-O-Water Philcos. The first year or so had a solid-tub and IMO those were the best of them. They really created a lot of roll-over. The perf-tub machines were more versatile and less dramatic.
There were quite a few of these machines at Coin-Laundries around Atlanta back in the day. Especially in the basements of Apartment Buildings. Solon must have given them a bargin price.Anyway, instead of the normal "barrel" Filter agitator, they just had what appeared to be a length of a Broom-stick sticking up from the center of the flapper to keep the clothes separated! It looked pretty ridiculous when agitating with the little stick wobbling around in the air! It served the purpose, however, I don't think it encouraged any extra sales!

 

[appnut]

Steve, I remembered you had this washer and was hoping you'd chime in. 

 

[abcomatic]

Bruce, There are tons of ABC and Kelvinator washers in Tulsa? I have a friend in Collinsville that owns his own appliance store and business. He said that he had never seen one. I was just curious. Gary

 

[tomturbomatic]

I feel quite sure that IF this were a two speed machine, it would be loudly touted in the ad since that was an important new feature of machines at the time.

I wonder how they got the coat to flare like that in the picture; tacks in the back board, strong starch, under wires or a big ass fan? Actually it's not a question at all since back then, magazines used illustrators, not photographers, for pictures which is why the colors were so much richer in older magazines than newer ones when they switched to using photographs.

This machine might have suffered from weak agitation because I remember seeing ONE TV commercial ONE time at my grandparents' house in Milwaukee at Thanksgiving for the 1958 PHlappulator Philco comparing its ability to actually pull in an extra sheet when the agitator washer next to it was choked with something like 7 sheets that were just moving back and forth. They were both Philcos. I could tell that at 8 years of age, but then I was a kid with troubling amounts of "special knowledge."

 

[brucelucenta]

abcomatic

Yes, there were lots of Kelvinator, ABC o matic & "Leonard" machines. The place I used to pick up machines at in the 70's got all the trade in machines that "Otasco", (Oklahoma Tire & supply co) didn't want to mess with. They sold Leonard machines, which were rebadged Kelvinator machines and used to get lots of trade ins of ABC & Kelvinator, since it was the same. They also sold Philco machines too, so there was an abundance of those too. Most of them disappeared as the 80's rolled around, but in the late 60's they were still sold at Otasco, so there were plenty around. Back then people either bought at Sears or Otasco to get it on credit. Well before the new millenium, they were just a memory, so depends on the age of your friend in Collinsville. If he is younger than 40 or 50, not much chance of seeing one.