Portable dishwasher conversion question

[classiccaprice]

Volvoguy87 has offered to let me have a KDS-15 for my vintage dishwasher hunt, however I still want to make it a portable. I realize it will take some work, but not sure all it requires. My questions are 1) has anyone ever done this before? 2) What models/years would be good to look for a doner cabinet? Whilpool too? Thanks!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Be very careful in doing this. KA convertible portables have brackets to extend the front casters out in front of the machine to keep it from tiping over with the door open and racks extended. You are proably not going to find those special brackets so you are going to need a counterweight like a concrete block on top of the machine at the back to keep it stable. When you find a cabinet, you might be able to mount the block at the rear under the machine.

For a cabinet, you might be able to use a 24" base cabinet like they sell at IKEA since older KA DWs have the full steel frame which will support a cabinet and top.

 

[danemodsandy]

Um.....

Why not just look for a KDS-55, the portable/convertible version of your machine? You will then have a great (and safe) portable, plus a parts machine.

Other folks here can probably advise you better, but there may also be another alternative: using a later model's cabinet to house your KDS-15. I THINK a KDS-56 or 57's cabinet is the same, but an expert opinion like stevet's would probably be helpful.

Homemade solutions are rarely satisfactory, in my experience. I grew up around them, and the list of accidents and injuries got pretty impressive over the years. As a result of spending my formative years around jury-riggers, I perform repairs only with the exact factory part, or known high-quality aftermarket. I invent nothing. [this post was last edited: 12/15/2012-09:39]

 

[bajaespuma]

What Sandy said...

It would be like buying a sedan with a hard top and trying to turn that into a convertible. Too much work, too many parts and too much money. I'd wait for a convertible/portable to show up; there seems to be lots of them out there on web site lists.

OTOH, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to fantasizing about converting some of my vintage dishwashers into top-loaders.

 

[classiccaprice]

I've been looking for over a few years... I really want a KD-14 or 15 in a portable, but everyone I find is just too far away. I figure I could probably find a more modern cabinet... (The end of the hobart styled KA turn up from time to time) and switch out the machines. I've debated even going to another model of the period, but nothing of the proper vintage is showing up within a 100 mile or so radius of where I live or where I'm traveling. At least not one that someone else in the club hasn't gotten. Believe me, I would much rather have the KDS-55, but I'm tired of hunting and want that vintage portable in my kitchen.

 

[danemodsandy]

Will:

It just takes tenacity and untiring effort. It's a PITA to go through CL, Kijiji, eBay and all the rest every day or two, but that's one way things will break loose for you.

Also, keep reminding people here that you're wanting a KA portable. If someone has one, it may not be necessary to ship the entire thing, only the cabinet parts needed to accomplish the conversion. There is always a DW out there somewhere that is beyond repair that can be used for parts; you just have to find it.

Considerations you'll have to deal with if you convert one yourself include safety from leaks (a leak or flood can do a whole lot of subfloor damage), and electrical safety. Portable dishwashers have to be properly wired and properly grounded, more than almost any other appliance. The reason is that the way they're used insures that sooner or later, someone's going to be touching both the appliance and a sink faucet at the same time. If something's not right, ZZZZZZZZZZZZAP!

I know patience is a booger; I'm not a particularly patient person myself. But things do come to those who pursue them diligently, so I wish you well.

 

[wayupnorth]

I did help a friend install a built in KA years ago. Since it was not going to be moved and they could not add permanent plumbing, they used the hose connector from an old Kenmore that was attached to the proper inlet and outlet, wired a power cord in and attached the back with a bracket to a wall stud so it would not tip and set the wood top from the old Kenmore on the KA. Since it was against two walls, only 1 side needed to be covered up. As far as I know, they are still using it that way.

 

[applianceguy47]

Could get an old tv cabinet , install wheels on that, and install the DW

raised about 15" off the floor, which is almost always a desirable way of installing a DW.

 

If need be, put a concrete block in the cabinet below the DW.

 

When I was young I built a cabinet with plywood and it was nice having the DW up where it was easy to reach.

 

 

[applianceguy47]

a cabinet like this

 

[classiccaprice]

Those are not bad ideas. We'll see what happens in my hunt... My house is awfully small, so I keep my collection to a minimum. The only other appliance/parts left that I want are the Kitchen Aid above, the random trim piece for my Whirlpool/Kenmore trash compactor, and a front load Westinghouse pair. Then again who doesn't want the set front loading Westinghouses on here? I mean I'm compeating against a former president for crying out loud. lol

 

[combo52]

KA Portable DW

It will show up Will, just 6 months or so ago a guy was trying to give away a KDS56 that was in bran new condition, I don't know if anyone ever got it or whether it got scrapped which would have been a real shame especially when you consider how much better the 16s were compared to the 15s.

 

[danemodsandy]

The Best Thing You Can Do....

....Besides continuing the search is to have some real money on hand for shipping charges - because this baby's gonna turn up someplace far off. It's just the way it works.

Seriously, having a few hundred bucks on hand will make The Impossible Dream doable when the right machine turns up. And if shipping charges seem like a lot, remember what a new TOL KA DW (my, we use a lot of acronyms here, don't we?) costs.

I still mourn the absolutely perfect - and complete - 1965 40-inch GE range that turned up in New York State via eBay, went unbid, and went to the crusher, so I heard. They couldn't give it away, and I didn't have a way to arrange shipping. A dream range for me, it was.

I've taken care to keep a few shekels on hand since, trust me. Came in very handy some months ago when a sewing machine I wanted very badly turned up just over the Minnesota border.

 

[cyclemonitor]

GE 40 inch in St Pete

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/app/3404792457.html

This one is for sale in a house I had looked at...I didn't buy the house... always hoped the new owner would offer it for sale sonot to be scrapped.

 

[cyclemonitor]

GE 40 inch in St Pete

inside

 

[cyclemonitor]

GE 40 inch in St Pete

top

 

[danemodsandy]

Schweet!

That's a very nice range. Since I can't use one in the house I'm in nowadays (room only for a 30-incher), I'll have to pass.

The incredible thing about that New York range was that it had everything with it - rotisserie parts, broiler pan, griddle, oven temp probe and all the paperwork.

I dream about the damn thing.