Question for the vintage Norge macherim-----

[gyrafoam]

I have two solid-tub machines. One is (what appears to be) an early "Timeline" (BOL) "Diaper-Washer" Model# AW-425, Serial# 112808.

The other one is a MOL (2-speed) model that appears to be a mid-60's.
Model# 221-370-0, Serial# W-970075.

Anyone know the years they were built?

 

[tomturbomatic]

Model WA425 first appears in 1953 and last appears in the 1956 washer lineup.

 

Model 221-370 does not appear in the Appliance Blue Book, but model 221-380 does appear for 1962 as a 2 speed, 3 temperature machine. 221-370 could have been a drop in model.

 

[brucelucenta]

How about pictures of both? I rather like Norge machines of that vintage.

 

[gyrafoam]

Thanks,Tom

For some reason I have always assumed the Timeline to be a '54.
I also felt the sixties model has a 65ish looking console, so it's a surprise to me it is early sixties.

It is interesting to use these machines. The Sixties model is the most interesting to me.
Strangely, the older Fifties Agitator is better at rolling over the clothes than the Burpalator in the Sixties model. The Burpalator has somewhat taller fins which when combined with the very wide skirt make for a huge agitator in an 8lb tub! I think the shorter fins are better. Maybe the height of the fins effects the water pressure on the shirt and helps pump the water up to the filter? In any event, any load much over 8lbs and the Burpalator stops rolling the clothes and starts thrashing them! I'm not saying it doesn't clean them, however,the thrashing is brutal. Perhaps this is why they tried using a "Swiss-Cheese" Burpalator for a while, thinking the holes in the fins allowed water to move through the fabrics better? But, that would trash my theory about water pressure wouldn't it? Reminds me of the old Frigidaire ads where they mentioned how it did not pull,jerk,thrash the clothes back and forth! Clearly they were targeting Norge!

The dinky little filter is nothing more than a gimmick. Maybe if you washed a German Shepherd or a Setter in one you might get some fur, but lint, not! Like many other gimmick filters I don't even bother to use it.

There are two lengthy spray rinses near the beginning of each spin cycle. They are very effective, as the water sprays onto the whirling fins of the agitator and creates a spray over all the clothes.
The lengthy Overflow Rinse is also very effective and lasts about FIVE minutes (my 1963 Frigidaire CI also has a great, long Overflow Rinse). My best Rinsers and my choice when using Clorox!

The (600rpm) spin is only so-so. The clothes come out feeling too heavy and damp. The same load in my solid tub SQ or my '64 Maytag Highlander feels much dryer and lighter. But, it tries, spinning a good 6 minutes or so!

Bruce-
Peteski is kind enough to post some photos for me, so look for those to drop into the thread late tonight.[this post was last edited: 10/10/2016-14:06]

 

[peteski50]

Norge!

I will attempt to display this beautiful early 60's Norge!!

 

[peteski50]

Norge!

1950's timeline

 

[gyrafoam]

Thanks Peter, for posting those images.

On the Sixties machine, the agitator in photo 5 is the one from this machine (sans dinky filter parts).
The agitator in photo 6 is a Swiss-Cheese Burpalator. I heard a Norge salesman refer to this type of agitator years ago and it stuck with me. It will fit in this Sixties machine, however I don't have a dinky filter pan for it.

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Stevie

Never knew what was so reminiscent about those holes; indeed, Swiss cheese it is. Aptly named. Also was it you who coined it the "Noge" or was it Norgeman?

How we loves our "Noges." You know Steve, with that 4 wide paddle agi, The Spanker I call it, you need a high water level to get amazing rollover and subtle yanking.
They work marvelously in the conventionals, aka, Wringers.

Got a wild Norge surprise coming for Thanksgiving.

 

[gyrafoam]

Mikey----

Pronouncing Norge with a Long "O" sound (and not pronouncing the "r" at all) was how the southern Black's in the day said it.
They also pronounced Kenmore as "Kenmo" with a long "O". They still do.

A full tub of water makes little difference in my machine. The Overflow Rinse manages to throw-out water from the top row of holes, however, if there is one ounce more than an 8lb load it ain't going to roll 'em over! Bulk also has a lot to do with it. I put three pair of slacks, and a knit cotton Izod shirt in a load this morning and it hardly rolled for the whole cycle! Oh, those clothes were clean though! The electric version of pounding the clothes on a rock. I put the goofy filter-pan thingy on just to see and of course, not a thread was to be found in it at the end of the cycle.

I notice that Burpalator in your manual machine has plenty of tub to move things around in. The automatic has a considerably smaller tub if the agitator shown is the same size for both! Or has the agitator been scaled-down like Kenmore did for their manual machines?

The pump design is great. By the time the tub gets up to spin-speed the pump is beginning to cavitate.(Love that sound. Like a sound track to a good butch porn film.) The only other machines I know of that have pumps that powerful from this era are SQ, Maytag, and Whirly/Kenmore.

 

[mickeyd]

Yes, but if you don't use a full water level, they thrash just like the automatics do, but are just as clean as you say. Somehow we're conditioned to WANT turnover, and simply find it more convincing, not to mention, comforting. Funny. or as Butthead would say, KOOOL.

I'll post a close up and measurements of the Spanker tomorrow. I believe it is identical to the mid-60's automatic offering.

Sweet Dreams!

 

[tomturbomatic]

The 1962 washer is the match to our first Noge dryer, also from around 62.

The washers were only rated at an 8 pound capacity.

 

[lesto]

Thanks for the great photos. I notice on the 62 that you get a cold rinse with a hit wash but a warm rinse with a warm wash. Very interesting. When I was a child a neighbor of ours had a similar machine to the 82. Not sure the exact year but the timer dial was very similar to this except the short cycle had orangey-red letters instead of the blueish on yours and it had a third speed setting for fast wash and slow spin.

 

[washerlover]

The agitator in photo #3 is identical to the one in my grandma's '62 Wards Signature machine. Not the greatest turnover, but it definitely moves things around. Is that the agitator that came with your machine? Very nice and I'm so jealous!! Have fun and enjoy all that burpalation!

 

[tomturbomatic]

The Hot/Cold temperature setting was common on Noge washers for a long time.

 

[gyrafoam]

The chicken or the egg--------

Which Burpalator came first? I seem to recall the Swiss-Cheese fins from the late fifties.

In reply4 photos 2,3 and 5 show the agitator that comes with the sixties machine, although the Swiss-Cheese one will also fit it. I don't have a filter-pan for the Swiss -Cheese one but I don't care, I wouldn't use the thing anyway. Besides the Swiss-Cheese agitator discharges the burped water vertically whereas the other one discharges horizontally.

 

[mickeyd]

Hi Stevie--Sorry for the delay. BOWELS, hahaha

" Ah ka ka ka ka--well, blow me down!" Popeye the Sailor . I'm Popeye the sailor man, I'm Popeye the Sayyyylor Man.... I lie to.... Sorry, Never mind.

The spanker is 12 &1/2 high, 16 in diameter
, and the paddle it highest point is just under 4.

 

[mickeyd]

Close-up of the Swiss cheese

A unique and very wonderful agitator, especially at a higher torque as while operating inside a a Speed Queen. Would you like a short vid of that?

 

[jimmler]

Spooky wringer

Mickeyd,

I don't know why, but that pic of your Norge wringer on the deck, looks like it could come after someone.....just like the slot machine on "The Fever" Twilight Zone episode.

 

[lesto]

Do you by any chance have a video of the machine agitating? I'd love to see a look at in in operation.