Presto Steam Iron Photos

[austinado16]

In hunting for a late 60's Presto for my mom, I came across this Model-10 steam iron that the seller stated was circa 1949. Couldn't resist buying it and it arrived today.

It has a temp gauge built into the top, and there's a bent metal rod that swings left to right at the iron heats up. You can see the white painted metal rod through the viewing slot (in the photo below).

To fill it, you remove the top "cap" which incorporates a rubber stopper and a steam vent so you don't get burned when refilling during use. I learned that the stopper acts to hold in the steam pressure and that's what forces the sole plate to really vent steam like a locomotive once it comes up to "steaming" temperature inside.

These photos show it in "as-found" condition. I'll polish the soleplate, chrome and bakelite. I wasn't sure if the metal rod of the temp gauge was suposed to just be painted, or if it had a little colored "bootie" slipped on it (that might be missing) so I just painted the rod white.

So I have a few questions:
-There's a round opening in the middle of temp selection dial. Is it missing a screw? Or does something else go in there? The opening is beveled, so I'm thinking a screw.

-The temp selection dial is spring loaded in that, it can be pushed down about 1/8"...but then it pops back up. Is that a function or is it just "loose" because the center screw is missing?

-Should there be something on the end of the temp gauge rod, or was it originally just painted?

-This iron doesn't have a flat end in order to allow it to be stood up. What was used back in the day, as a rest for the iron? Was there a metal ramp or something that it would be set on? If so, what are they called....it'd be fun to find one.

-Anyone else have one of this vintage, or have more info about them?

Okay, time for photos.....

 

[bobofhollywood]

neato

I have never seen one like that before. Nice find. Thanks for showing it.

 

[appliguy]

Todd what a cool find

I had this iron (with the box and owners manual) for a while about 10 years ago snd it was a great steamer. This was the first Presto Iron and it was introduced in 1949 and ran until the mid to late 50's (I have seen ads from the mid 50's that showed that you could get this iron with a pink, turqouise, yellow, or black handle). This iron is also significant because it was one of the first ones designed to use tap water versus distilled or deionized water. As for the hole in the middle of the dial or the springy temp dial I cannot remember whether mine was like that or not. I do remember that the temp indicator on mine was just like yours...a white painted bar. As for what you would rest the iron on.... this iron originally came with an iron rest. I am sure if you go to ebay you might find one that would fit or I bet a small rack you would use for cooling cookies when they come out of the oven would work too. I will see if I still have the manual to the iron and if I do you are welcome to it.....PAT COFFEY

 

[austinado16]

I thought it was a cool find too. I'm not an iron collector, but you guys who've displayed some of yours got me going!

I'm definately interested in the owner's manual if you find it, and any other info, etc. you might have.

I'll have to go looking for a shelf for it. I'm still bummed that I couldn't buy the fancy "built-in" iron holder that was in the wall of an old house a few weeks ago. That did have a fold down door, that became the shelf.

 

[austinado16]

Vintage photo...

Here's a good shot of the iron when new. Doesn't look like there's a screw or anything in that center hole of the temp setting dial. Wonder why the area and the lever are spring loaded?

 

[appliguy]

The pictures of the manual you are showing ...

are of the owners manual is that your copy?....PAT

 

[austinado16]

Just a couple of pages I found online while looking for more info.

 

[appliguy]

Ok

I will see if I have the manual here that I can send to you....PAT

 

[austinado16]

Thanks, and I'm more than happy to pay you for it and shipping.

Just gave it a little love with the Simichrome and it's coming out very nice. The Simichrome even polished the bakelite back to shiny new! Filled it with distilled white vinegar and let it steam on high for a while. I think it's ready for use.

 

[austinado16]

Action photo!

Thought you guys might enjoy a shot of it in action. Did some test ironing with it on a few old shirts and it is a blast to use. Once it gets up to steaming temp, the steam jet start hissing and puffing and the jet of steam coming out of it is about 18" long. With the soleplate all polished, it glides over fabric with just finger-tip pressure. I used a cooking trivet as an iron rest and that worked well, but I've found a vintage one and hope to have it in a few days.

Pardon the high contrast in the photo. It's the only way I could really show the steam jet cloud with my point-and-shoot camera. In case it's hard to see, the steam cloud is going all the way down to about where the round make-up mirror is reflected in the big mirror!

 

[austinado16]

Thanks, I'll take it....

...or should I say, my Mom will.

I emailed you back this morning and can email you a FedEx Ground shipping label whenever you want. I'd be fun to see pictures of it if you have time.