Wow! What an amazing, meticulous restoration. I'm in awe. A beautiful machine.
Congratulations,
Mark
Congratulations,
Mark
Presenting the 1961 RCA Whirlpool Ultimatic. Another Gyromatic Production
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RCA Whirlpool
Hello Ben & John - Well what great finds and complete restorations you guys, love it when a glimpse of a washer on a picture can lead to all of this.
Very innovative with that swirly detergent dispenser, balance ballast tanks , empty pump and the lint fan spinner seperator which I would love to see and hear more of !!
Congratulations John on this meticulous restore and Ben for capturing the story, history & timelinr for posterity .
Cheers, Mike
ps, if you spun the wet clothing in a separate spin dryer and put them back in to dry how long would they take to dry on low heat as opposed to the original slow spin ?
Hello Ben & John - Well what great finds and complete restorations you guys, love it when a glimpse of a washer on a picture can lead to all of this.
Very innovative with that swirly detergent dispenser, balance ballast tanks , empty pump and the lint fan spinner seperator which I would love to see and hear more of !!
Congratulations John on this meticulous restore and Ben for capturing the story, history & timelinr for posterity .
Cheers, Mike
ps, if you spun the wet clothing in a separate spin dryer and put them back in to dry how long would they take to dry on low heat as opposed to the original slow spin ?
Congrats!
Stunning restoration! Really amazing work!
Stunning restoration! Really amazing work!
golittlesport
Well-known member
amazing!
Thank you so much for posting the pics and videos and all the information. Beautiful machine and fantastic restoration!
Thank you so much for posting the pics and videos and all the information. Beautiful machine and fantastic restoration!
As usual, I'm in awe of John's restoration prowess, but that is his "normal".
I couldn't read on the panel, but what's the cycle names for #9 and #10. And sounds just like the LK that was next door (as one would expect).
I couldn't read on the panel, but what's the cycle names for #9 and #10. And sounds just like the LK that was next door (as one would expect).
Holy Smokes!!
Such a wonderful story, a simply amazing restoration and a fabulous post to share it all. Kudos to both Ben and John E for sharing the story and journey of this machine.
I will reach out to John as I would like to sometime capture high resolution audio from a cycle to accompany a video.
Phil
Such a wonderful story, a simply amazing restoration and a fabulous post to share it all. Kudos to both Ben and John E for sharing the story and journey of this machine.
I will reach out to John as I would like to sometime capture high resolution audio from a cycle to accompany a video.
Phil
I am just stunned. Stunned is the only word I can use
To describe how, stunned, I am....
Great work and excellent video play by play along with narrative.
Congrats on job well done..
To describe how, stunned, I am....
Great work and excellent video play by play along with narrative.
Congrats on job well done..
mickeyd
Well-known member
Nobody does it better ~
This is simply encyclopedic or magazine worthy, and the engineering for me is actually dizzying: the three chamber ballast, the spinning flushing detergent chamber--am I seeing things?! Look at how high up the load rides in the tub because of the very first, very low water level, washing machine. As Big Al noted, LG did a total copycat--what a smart move and good for them.
This is just so beautiful and uplifting to see such a magnificent machine matched only by the talent of the two producers, John and Ben. The actions shots are fabulous, #7 made my heart pound, and #8 is a glimpse of heaven.
Can not overlook, in the very opening volley, the punking of the anti-coldwater vaxers, with that striking giant green and white box of Cold Power, LOL ;'D
With this masterpiece, you guys took my breath away. May I please have your autographs?
If you have time for questions: Is the first rinse a flush?
This is simply encyclopedic or magazine worthy, and the engineering for me is actually dizzying: the three chamber ballast, the spinning flushing detergent chamber--am I seeing things?! Look at how high up the load rides in the tub because of the very first, very low water level, washing machine. As Big Al noted, LG did a total copycat--what a smart move and good for them.
This is just so beautiful and uplifting to see such a magnificent machine matched only by the talent of the two producers, John and Ben. The actions shots are fabulous, #7 made my heart pound, and #8 is a glimpse of heaven.
Can not overlook, in the very opening volley, the punking of the anti-coldwater vaxers, with that striking giant green and white box of Cold Power, LOL ;'D
With this masterpiece, you guys took my breath away. May I please have your autographs?
If you have time for questions: Is the first rinse a flush?
Beautiful Restoration. Thanks John and Ben!
When I worked at the hospital in the summer of 1968, that machine was in the central services department and was used to wash latex gloves. I only saw it once when as newbies we were given a tour of the hospital. I asked someone who worked there when it was used and she said, "at night." I never got to see it in operation since I worked 6-3.
This used the timer like the Lady Kenmore Combo with the dry part of the cycle was in the same timer. John had service literature for the 29" WP combos, but none of the bulletins dealt with this model.
The spin out detergent dispenser was a feature that enabled the use of liquid detergents which Sears sold at that time.[this post was last edited: 2/15/2024-23:24]
When I worked at the hospital in the summer of 1968, that machine was in the central services department and was used to wash latex gloves. I only saw it once when as newbies we were given a tour of the hospital. I asked someone who worked there when it was used and she said, "at night." I never got to see it in operation since I worked 6-3.
This used the timer like the Lady Kenmore Combo with the dry part of the cycle was in the same timer. John had service literature for the 29" WP combos, but none of the bulletins dealt with this model.
The spin out detergent dispenser was a feature that enabled the use of liquid detergents which Sears sold at that time.[this post was last edited: 2/15/2024-23:24]
Bob - here are some additional shots of the program guide and timer chart that describes each of the push button functions. Wash Only and Dry Only are cycle modifiers, rather than a program function.
...and, here is the timer chart for the 500 in original form, with the original Cyclone Filter/lint separator system, as well as the timer chart for a converted 802, with notes on what machine functions change with the lint filter conversion kit.
Wow it's just beautiful John, after your restoration it looks like it just came right out of the crate! Thanks Ben for making this great post. Looking forward to seeing this machine run.
Ben, thank you. Wonderful information several of us covet. Bob
Thanks, Ben------
Very interesting. It only took me one visit to John E's house to see that he is meticulous at his restorations. Every machine that I saw in his collection is like new.
Very interesting. It only took me one visit to John E's house to see that he is meticulous at his restorations. Every machine that I saw in his collection is like new.
Rebuilding my 1971 lady Kenmore combination
Hi everyone, John’s magnificent work on the 61 whirlpool has encouraged me to finally finish up my 71 lady Kenmore combination.
My brother and I picked up this combination back in 1980. It was not even 10 years old. It has been in storage ever since, it was one of the last ones Made it was made the last month in September 1971 Whirlpool built the 29 inch combination washer dryer. This machine had a fairly good mineral buildup from poor detergent usage habits, it also had a transmission that had locked up from sitting so many years I am putting it back into service and converting it to gas.
I started on this project over a year ago, but have not been doing much work at the home shop, but it’s taking shape pretty quickly now I’ll try to post some pictures.
Wondering if anybody else has a 29 inch whirlpool built combo that is currently in working condition, John E has two of them, we have one at the museum, John Charles has one in Massachusetts .
I know there’s a few other out there, but I’m not sure of any other machines are in working shape.
John E performed the most miraculous task when he figured out how to actually fix the transmission Bello I have never seen such an intricate operation performed successfully, he should get the AW award of the year. If not the lifetime achievement award for figuring this out.
to actually fix the transmission Bello I have never seen such a intricate operation performed successfully, he should get the AW award of the year. If not the lifetime achievement award for figuring this out.
If anybody has a 29 inch combo that they need help with. I have lots of parts, mostly used, but some new as well for these machines or if you need help with figuring out what to do get in touch.
These machines have long been my favorite vintage laundry, Appliance. I’ve often said that if I could only have one vintage laundry, Appliance, it would be one of these combinations. This was the most incredible engineering achievement when Whirlpool brought this machine out I can’t think of another washer dryer product That had so much advanced engineering in it even to this day.
I think the next closest machine with this much advanced engineering was the whirlpool Calypso top load washer.
Many thanks Ben for the cycle sequence chart for the original 61 whirlpool combination. I love the fact that it normally heats the water during wash, but also starts drying in the second phase of high-speed spinning. My goal is to put one of my 61 Kenmore combination back into the original lens separation mode and incorporate these features in it for the museum.
John
Hi everyone, John’s magnificent work on the 61 whirlpool has encouraged me to finally finish up my 71 lady Kenmore combination.
My brother and I picked up this combination back in 1980. It was not even 10 years old. It has been in storage ever since, it was one of the last ones Made it was made the last month in September 1971 Whirlpool built the 29 inch combination washer dryer. This machine had a fairly good mineral buildup from poor detergent usage habits, it also had a transmission that had locked up from sitting so many years I am putting it back into service and converting it to gas.
I started on this project over a year ago, but have not been doing much work at the home shop, but it’s taking shape pretty quickly now I’ll try to post some pictures.
Wondering if anybody else has a 29 inch whirlpool built combo that is currently in working condition, John E has two of them, we have one at the museum, John Charles has one in Massachusetts .
I know there’s a few other out there, but I’m not sure of any other machines are in working shape.
John E performed the most miraculous task when he figured out how to actually fix the transmission Bello I have never seen such an intricate operation performed successfully, he should get the AW award of the year. If not the lifetime achievement award for figuring this out.
to actually fix the transmission Bello I have never seen such a intricate operation performed successfully, he should get the AW award of the year. If not the lifetime achievement award for figuring this out.
If anybody has a 29 inch combo that they need help with. I have lots of parts, mostly used, but some new as well for these machines or if you need help with figuring out what to do get in touch.
These machines have long been my favorite vintage laundry, Appliance. I’ve often said that if I could only have one vintage laundry, Appliance, it would be one of these combinations. This was the most incredible engineering achievement when Whirlpool brought this machine out I can’t think of another washer dryer product That had so much advanced engineering in it even to this day.
I think the next closest machine with this much advanced engineering was the whirlpool Calypso top load washer.
Many thanks Ben for the cycle sequence chart for the original 61 whirlpool combination. I love the fact that it normally heats the water during wash, but also starts drying in the second phase of high-speed spinning. My goal is to put one of my 61 Kenmore combination back into the original lens separation mode and incorporate these features in it for the museum.
John
A few pictures of the 71 lady Kenmore combination
This is progress so far it’s going back together it will not be as meticulously, polished and internally detailed as John Es machine but I do strive for perfection when it comes to mechanical condition, I expect this machine to run 10 to 30 years with virtually no problems in my home laundry room, where it will only see a couple loads of use.
This is progress so far it’s going back together it will not be as meticulously, polished and internally detailed as John Es machine but I do strive for perfection when it comes to mechanical condition, I expect this machine to run 10 to 30 years with virtually no problems in my home laundry room, where it will only see a couple loads of use.
repairguy
Well-known member
Glad you’re inspired to finish that project John. I have a 1965 model Lady Kenmore combo that I believe was built in 1967. It’s supposed to work but I never tried it and it’s been sitting for several years now.
Breathtaking
Thank you so much for taking the time to share!
Makes it like the old days when someone was always restoring machines from the 50s and 60s.
That one, though, is truly one of the most attractive ever. If only they still made them like that, with heavy, shiny porcelain, chrome, milk glass and fluorescent lighting.
It’s amazing the clothes never tangle or ball up despite the lack of reversing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share!
Makes it like the old days when someone was always restoring machines from the 50s and 60s.
That one, though, is truly one of the most attractive ever. If only they still made them like that, with heavy, shiny porcelain, chrome, milk glass and fluorescent lighting.
It’s amazing the clothes never tangle or ball up despite the lack of reversing.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Thank You ~
The charts are so enlightening, Ben; indeed there is a one-minute flush rinse they call a cool-down, but what has me dumbfounded is the short dry time: if you add up all the segments, they total 18 minutes! Am I reading right? The combo dries in a flash! Boggles the mind. How did these miraculous beasts ever become extinct!?
The charts are so enlightening, Ben; indeed there is a one-minute flush rinse they call a cool-down, but what has me dumbfounded is the short dry time: if you add up all the segments, they total 18 minutes! Am I reading right? The combo dries in a flash! Boggles the mind. How did these miraculous beasts ever become extinct!?
