Reincarnation of the 1967 KM portable "Mud Washer"

[revvinkevin]

Greetings!

You might recall in May 2009 I made a trip to Phoenix, where I met up with Gordon (Kenmoreguy64) and made a trip to the "appliance junkyard". We spent a couple hours wandering around and we picked up a couple treasures, one of which was this 1967 (model) Kenmore full size portable washer.

I thought it was a VERY neat washer and wanted to "test" it as soon as we got to LA. Here is the poor thing sitting in the "junkyard" after they pulled it out of the dumpster for me.

(appliance junkyard thread)[this post was last edited: 9/19/2010-01:47]

A visit to the "appliance Junkyard" in Phoenix (actually Glendale, AZ)

Last week I drove from LA to Phoenix to drop off a few machines and bring back a few machines (in the other threads). Gordon (KenmoreGuy64) also came to Phoenix and we met up to visit this "junkyard" together. This is actually a appliance sales and repair business and the owners (Lee & wife...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[revvinkevin]

So the next morning we unloaded the truck and much to Gordon's discomfort, I plugged the washer in and tried to make it work. (Link to the original thread below)

Bottom line is it worked, with my help, since it was missing the wig-wag and a few other bits. Once I filled it with water and got it washing, all that Arizona dirt that had settled in it got stirred up. It was quickly called the "mud washer" and the name stuck.

A few days after Gordon flew back to Charlotte I started to do a more thorough disassembly and inspection and quickly discovered, much to my disappointment, it had some major issues.

When trying to loosen the wash basket, it started flexing at the base of the post where there was a lot of rust. When I finally got the wash basket loose enough to come out, it came out AND the entire center-post came out with it (it's NOT supposed to do that)!

I ended up stripping off the salvageable parts and scrapped the rest. :-(

[this post was last edited: 9/19/2010-01:33]

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2009/22509x25.htm

 

[revvinkevin]

So this brings us to just over a week ago. Malcolm posted a thread about an avocado KM portable & matching dryer on Craigs List in Yuma, AZ. I saw it and said "WOW, it's the SAME washer I had a year ago!" Thank you again Malcolm!

I contacted the seller and even though the ad had been up nearly a month, he still had them! So a week ago today, I drove out to Yuma and back (4.5+ hrs each way) to pick up this little washer and dryer! I also stopped in San Diego on the way back to pick up this '72 Lady K washer too. [this post was last edited: 9/19/2010-01:35]

 

[revvinkevin]

So here they are, the 1967 (model) portable KM washer and matching 110V dryer. I'm pretty sure they were both built in "71 or "72, but they are in MUCH better condition then the "mud washer" was. This one is complete and actually works on it's own! LOL

 

[revvinkevin]

Interior shot. This washer is in MUCH better mechanically, but still needs a little TLC. No water flows through the filter and it sounds like it may need spin bearings.
But it works great otherwise!

 

[revvinkevin]

Interior of the dryer. It looks to be well used but solid. I have to plug it in and try it. The seller said he after digging them out of storage (for 10 years he claimed), he tried them and ran 3 loads through both the the washer and dryer.

So there you are, the reincarnation of the "mud washer" and this one has a mate too!

Kevin

 

[strongenough78]

Awwwww......

See, that first portable you had understands why you had to part with her. And either found her way back to you, or pointed you in the direction of one of her sisters. That's too cool.

 

[mrb627]

Washer Specifics

Awesome find. Glad you were able to save them! Now, how many cycles does this washer have? I assume it has a single port fill valve since I see no temperature control. It seems to be much shortler than the machine sitting to its left. I didn't expect that!

Malcolm

 

[washoholic]

Wow, that’s an excellent point Malcolm.

Kevin, does it only have one cycle and one speed? Is there a Permanent Press Cycle?

 

[qsd-dan]

Nice upgrades from the previous "mud" washer

 

[kenmoreguy64]

That's a nifty little washer Kevin! I would like to have one of those. I don't have any portables (not like I need one!!!) but one of these would be neat.

Good luck with it, I'm sure I'll be seeing it soon!

Gordon

 

[supremewhirlpol]

Kevin,
You have some nice portables there. So, you have 2 portable Kenmore washers?->I'm confused here. Does anyone have the Whirlpool equivalent washer?

 

[revvinkevin]

Thanks everyone!

Yeah it's a pretty neat little washer!

Malcolm & Jeff, it's a 2 speed machine and has 3 cycles; Normal, Delicate & Perm Press/Wash and Wear.

Melvin, no I only have the one portable KM washer and it's mate dryer. I also have a portable 1971 GE washer (made by Hitichi) and a Maytag A50 Porta washer.

Kevin

 

[turquoisedude]

Great save, Kevin! They look good and I am sure that the washer issues are not a big deal. Boy, they remind me of an Inglis set I had in an apartment once upon a time. Love the avocado theme, too!!
Have fun with them and keep us posted!!

 

[gansky1]

Fun. You get the *Woo-woo-woo* Kenmore song in a little box!

 

[lebron]

If these are standard capacity, why didn't Whirlpool just make all thier machines this way?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Jed -

To be more precise, these portables have the mechanicals of the 24-inch stationary machines. These fill with one less gallon of water than the 29-inch unit, and their tubs and baskets are noticeably smaller.

In many 1960s Kenmore operator's manuals, the 29-inch machine is quoted to hold 18 gallons of water, and the 24-inch 17 gallons.

I know the tubs are narrower, slightly shorter, and a more trim baseplate is used to fit into a 24-inch cabinet. The difference, though small, equated to several more shirts, etc. per load.

Gordon

 

[aldspinboy]

Kevin not only did the washer come back to you but a dryer as well, seems like the pide piper of washers is getting around.
Very nice washer now waiting for the video.
Hope that you get more Golden years from it.

Darren k.

 

[strongenough78]

So here's the $64,000 question........

When do we get to see a video of this Baby during a cycle? *wink*