Repairs for Vintage Appliances

[michaelman2]

Help..anyone know of how to go about finding a repair person for vintage appliances..specifically an Ironrite ironer..I have tried the internet, phonebook..everything...I love this ironer but it needs some repair that I can not do. Anyone have any suggestions, I live in the Atlanta area. P.S. I have an old service manuel from Ironrite, still am not handy enough to fix this thing.....

 

[launderess]

Look up "Monitor Top" on Google. Mike Arnold does work on many vintage appliances and might be able to help. Only thing is he is located upstate NY so you'd have to get the appliance to him, not easy with a huge appliance like an Ironrite.

Much as I love vintage ironers, have started a "fund" for a Miele 120v ironer. With the exception of Ironrites, parts for other vintage mangles are rare to non-existant. So when something happens, and it will sooner or later, one is left with the problem of service. Mind you if one is good at repair work that solves half the problem, the other is finding parts. At least with a Miele I'll have the piece of mind knowing parts are still around service is a phone call away.

One good thing, the upper part of Ironrite ironers can be separated from the base, so shipping in theory is possible. Mind you, will still not be an easy thing, but better than having a 250lb door stop.

Here is a final suggestion, see if you can find someone who works on commercial ironers, (they are still used in laundries)and or a Miele repair person willing work "off the record". Perhaps with the proper tools and spare parts such a person could make the repair. Am also assuming you've spoken to the people at "Ironrite.com" for suggestions?

Best of luck,

Launderess

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Laundress!..thank you for the info. I will contact Mike. I of course am saving up for a Pfaff unit like yours. From what I can deduce that is the Ironrite patent. I have used a Mele and just am not in love with it. I have several Ironrite units with the idea that parts would be scarce so these could be "parted out". My problem is that I have not a clue as to how to fix the problem with the machine, even though I have the service manuel. I have contacted 15-20 applaince repair shops and they have not even heard of an ironer/mangle. Might of known I would fall for something that is just too damn old...ha

 

[gansky1]

What is wrong with your Ironrite? These are relatively simple appliances and you might find it's not all that difficult to repair it yourself.

 

[launderess]

What is there not to like with the Miele ironer?

Now that you mention it, remember seeing on eBay a form board that stated "Pfaff/Ironrite". This was ages ago, but perhaps Pfaff is using some of Ironrite's patents. I love my Pfaff, but the darn thing just drinks up juice. Am using it on medium, which pulls slightly less than the full 2,500 watts until electrican comes to install a new panel/breaker and 220v outlet. Running this monster on a converter isn't really a safe idea long haul.

Would love another vintage ironer, maybe a Maytag or Speed Queen, but am tired of the darn things breaking down and becoming rather large door stops.

Launderess

 

[michaelman2]

Gansky..thanks for the vote of confidence..If you only knew how mechanically inept I am...I love this machine but it just is quirky now. Laundress..yes I saw that same Ironrite/Pfaff unit several months ago as well..that is why I think they use the Ironrite patent. I know from the new ones that I have looked (over the internet) they have the same basic design ,shoe on bottom roller on top. Regarding the Mele..well I used one and I do not like the roller on bottom, shoe on top..also the speed control was not that great for that amount of $

 

[gmpayne]

Ironrite

To purchase copies of Operation and Service Manuals, Supplies and get some technical advice:
How to contact Brad for parts and supplies:
Please note: The webmaster is in Alaska.
The technical information and the parts department are in Oregon with Brad: [email protected].

Brad does not give his telephone out over the 'net' - so you must either e-mail Brad - or write to Brad:
Brad Hanna
59759 W. Kappler Rd.
St. Helens, OR 97051

This is a hobby and a 'labor of love'.
Brad is an engineer and has a real job, family and life.

You might also like to know that this little site had 7854 hits in January 2001 pretty good exposure for such a little site. . . Thank you!

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Contact:
Brad

Parts & Supplies Available
25 August 2002

Motor, model 95 - USED $ 97.50
Motor, all other models - USED $ 87.50
User's Manual - Photocopy $ 9
Technical Service Manual - Photocopy $ 19
Machine Grade Gear Oil for transmission - 6 oz. $ 8
NEW cover - linen - 25" machines $ 29
NEW cover - linen - 21" machines $ 34
NEW cover - linen - custom size ask for quote
NEW pad - 25" machines $ 39
NEW pad - 21" machines $ 24
NEW pad - custom size ask for quote
NEW heating elements, all machines $109
Many other hard parts available ask for quote

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Postage $6.00 on most light weight, small items
More for heavy items like motors, etc. - we will give you a postage quote.


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Here a pic of mine i love useing it.

 

[michaelman2]

Hey Thanks for the heads up Gmpayne! I know Ironrite.com well..Got my service manuel there...wish I could get a service person from there as well!...My problem is that the roller goes up and down at times on its own and has gotten worse. I have rigged the unit with a spring off of a plate holder but it is still very quirky. I have several several units that I could part out but I do not have the smarts to do it.

 

[launderess]

My Thor sometimes would have a "gear fit" and the shoe would keep going back and forth, but a quick gear change via knee lever stopped the problem.

Love Ironrites, but they are NOT designed for small living quarters, are they? That and they are so darn heavy. Once heard of a woman who had to have her kitchen floor reinforced because the thing.

Much as I love vintage ironers, probably will spring for a Miele. Hate to get attached to using an appliance only to have it break down with no easy way of repairing. At least parts for Ironrites are around. Maytag, GE, Montomery Wards, Silex, Colon, Apex, Maytag, Kenmore and countless other ironer makers have long bit the dust. Even the appliance makers still around like Maytag and Kenmore do not have parts or anything else for ironers.

Mike, would like to hear what you found lacking with the Miele ironer. Anyone we know who owns one seems pleased as punch. Mind you having used both top and bottom feed ironers, for longer items like sheets and some tablecloths, bottom feeding does seem easier.

Launderess

 

[michaelman2]

Hi Laundress..I am not wild about the Miele only having one open end. I went to the local dealer and used it, I also found the speed to be slow (realizing that you can adjust the speed, the fastest speed was still a bit slow).

I guess since I learned on an Ironrite I am just being stubborn about giving it up. You are right when you say they are heavy and cumbersome. I took the cover off of the unit and attached it to the wall above it, placed a light inside the cover and it looks very very cool.

 

[launderess]

My Pfaff is not exactly a speed demon either, even on "fast". In fact compared with my ThorGlad iron, it is down right slow. But have a theory, Thor and other vintage irons ran very hot, thus barely damp laundry was dried in one pass. The Miele 120v ironer is not only larger (more mass?), but runs on slightly lower power (UL standard for domestic irons limits power to 1500 watts, IIRC), so they run slowly to make sure items are dried/ironed in one pass.

The only Ironrite I'd have room for is from the 800 series. These late model ironers folded down thus were a bit more compact. Also had one knee lever instead of two, which I find easier to operate.

Have you contacted Mike Arnold yet?

Launderess

 

[michaelman2]

Ihave run across the 800 series and they are much smaller, and frankly I am not sure why they were not as popular as the full size 85/95's. Yes I did contact Mike (sent you a thank you email..it may not have gotten to you)...Mike advised to use one of the Model 85's that I have and stop looking for someone to repair my 95. His advice was like yours, since I use this almost daily a Miele would be the best bet. I keep crossing my fingers that a savior will come along and be able to work on the Ironrite.
I went to the Pfaff site and they offer several units that actually look like they have used the Ironrite patent in its design. I like the steam feature as well.
Regarding the speed, I may just have to deal with the slower rpm. My hunch is you are right about the reason that they are slower than the older units.

 

[launderess]

I feel your pain

But perhaps it is time to "let go" and use the ironer(s) you have and one day when you least expect it your saviour will come along. Myself went through two GladIrons and finally got so tired of looking at each "heavy door stop", just chucked em and ate the loss. Like my friend, just didn't have the room to hold onto an appliance which was not working, nor had a resonable chance of being easily repaired in the near future.

Problem with your Ironrite is the darn thing's elephantine size. Even if one finds a repair person, chances are they are not in your neck of the woods.

Your best bet today, would be to find someone who repairs commercial ironers and is willing to help. If you have the schematics and such, it may be something someone used to working on these beasts can handle.

One reason am looking for another ironer is I dread the day my Pfaff needs work. Since Pfaff does not sell these units on this side of the pond, Pfaff USA will be of limited or no help. Parts and all will have to come from Germany, and as Pfaff was sold off between the time my unit was made and today, not sure what parts are still around.

Personally I like the Miele ironer for very large tablecloths as the large support brackets for the Pfaff mean there is a limit the width which can fit on the table easily. Items that are too large/long can be a problem.

Launderess