Restored 1958 PhilcoBendix Duomatic

[kenmore1978]

combo comparisons

I have the same question as parstcounterman, in what ways is the Duomatic "better than GE or KM/WP (or Easy or Maytag) combos? Maybe a column chart with each brands advantages/disadvantages compared to the others?

 

[foraloysius]

Thank you Jon for those wonderful pictures. Like Bob I love to play wash! I'll start with a load of whites.

The smoothie of the day is raspberries, banana, mixed fruits juice and buttermilk (first time I try buttermilk in a smoothie, not bad).

 

[gregm]

In person today , LIVE !!!

Did a load of shirts and a couple pairs of dress pants in JC's Bendix today. Forty minutes washed AND DRIED !!! What an AWESOME machine, so solid, so quiet, fast spin, and again so QUIET !!!, an absolutely beautiful machine. I think '58 was one of there "prettiest" and most "colorful" designed consoles. Below is a pic of the controls that I took after we started the machine. Thanks for a fun day Jon !! and yes I can sure attest that this thing is VERY HEAVY !!!!, hehehe ......

 

[jetcone]

Best Combo

Hi all:
Over the next few days I will try to illustrate why I think this machine is way ahead of the GE and WP combos. I have not used an Easy,Maytag,Norge,or Speed Queen machine or other combos except I saw Roberts "All Philco 1959" 29 inch Combo and from what he's said about its drying qualilty the 1958 machine is way ahead.
But several members are familiar with the cycles of these other machines and armed with that I'll put a list together of what are to me the strong points of this machine and why that makes it better than the others. Thats the best I can do. You'll have to decide which machine you would buy in 1958.

Fun time today Greg and your clothes looked soooo clean!!!

Jet

 

[washendry]

HELLO JON,
JUST SAW ALL THE GREAT PICTURES AND COMMENTS, JOHN E. WAS THE FIRST PERSON I TALKED WITH ABOUT MY 1958 DUOMATIC, HE IS THE AUTHORITY ON THEM, I USE MINE AS FRONT LINE MACHINE AND ALWAYS LISTEN FOR THAT FINAL SPIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND I KNOW
"BERTHA" WILL GIVE YOU MANY YEARS OF PLEASURE!!!!
KIM
JOHN LEFEVER'S ALSO ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS WHEN IT COMES TO TROUBLE SHOOTING, HE'S GONNA HELP ME RESTORE LK COMBO
AGAIN "GREAT JOB"

 

[Designgeek]

Yeah! Congratulations, job well done. And that really is a beautiful piece of industrial design there.

Hmm, youse guys have me thinking about something. I'm planning to buy a house this year (one can hope!), and at some point comes the decision about major appliances. The fridge has to be SunFrost for energy efficiency (or ..?... suggestions?). But I'm starting to wonder about the option of getting a bunch of retro stuff for the rest of it, even if that means having to rebuild before putting them in service. Hmm...!

 

[cadman]

Jetcone, amazing machine! Chrome, curves, squares, colors, lines, it's got it all! : )

Cory

 

[Ultramatic1]

AMAZING!!!

I am duly impressed with your resteration. I am currently working on a late 50's Westinghouse portable dw and I will certainly ask you if I have any resto questions.

 

[swestoyz]

Fan Blade?

Hey John,

I'm just curious. Where you stated that you got a replacement blade from Grainger, what Grainger item number did you use? I work @ Grainger and I'm really want to know how you got the item (Through the catalog, or through Grainger Parts) to possibly help out for parts avail through Grainger in the future.

Ben

 

[jetcone]

Fan Blades

Hi Ben:
You work at Grainger?? They have lots of parts! You just have to dig with dimensions!
I went to the HVAC section and scrolled the pages till I came to "axial flow fan blades". From there all I needed was to pick the overall size "D". I did need to drill out the shaft hole as Graingers were too small.
I also see that Paragon is still using the Mallory timer motor on their defrost monitors that motor if it is a CCW motor will work in Bendix,Westinghouse and I think Frigidaire appliances.
I find if you look hard enough in Grainger you can find alot of things that will work.
Axial flow fan blades are on pg 3619 in my catalog item 2C950.

Cheers
Jet

PS I am putting together my list of reasons why this Combo rocks!

 

[westytoploader]

Jon,

Sorry about taking so long to post...your Duomatic is BEAUTIFUL!!!! You did an excellent job on the restoration...it looks brand-new!

I really underestimated how much work a First-Floor machine would need, that's for sure! Can't wait to see the reasons why it's better than your GE combos! Those are neat machines too!

--Austin

 

[kenmore1978]

Speed Queen Combo

So Speed Queen made a combo? Didn't know that, anybody have one?

 

[chestermikeuk]

Wurlitzer Controls!!!

Hi Jon

What a great machine and restoration, those controls are so like the Wurlitzer juke box combos`s...

What spin speed is this 500/700rpm ??? or the diameter of the drum so we can use louis`s g force calc for final calibrations...LOL

I take it the drier is a condensor with blower distribution fan, does it have extra heater elements above the water line or does it just use the water heating element for drier heat??

Cheers, Mike

 

[jetcone]

Hi Mike!

Nice to hear from you! Did you ever get my email about your 30 inch Bendix? I think us Yanks would have an easier time getting door boots from Bendix through your distributors over there! I think Bendix being one of the early worldwide manufacturer's reused their mouldings around the world! Can you still get boots for your 30 inch Bendix?? Let me know!!!!!

Yes this machine is a condensor dryer with blower,which makes it unlike alot of other Yank Condensor dryers.

The Drum diameter is 27 1/2 inches which makes it 69.85 cm. It has two spin speeds low at around 250 RPM and high is 505 RPM's.
There are two sets of heating elements, the below waterline for wash and there is a heater box mounted at 11 o'clock looking from the front. The blower is placed at the junction of the vertical condensor tube and the horizontal heater box so the blower moves and turns the air stream 90 degrees. ( A patent for that exists).

I'll scan some Doctrine for you to look at, it has good diagrams of the sacred Duomatic Cycle and theory.

Check into those Boots for me!! Talk to you soon cheers

jon

 

[chestermikeuk]

Bendix Boots To You To !!!

Hi Jon

Sorry I didnt get your e-mail, it could be my spam killer is working overtime and deleted it if it was an unusual e-mail address,we are being plagued with spam over here...

Can get the boots, they are generic, will get a couple in stock, I bet with all the new big bertha hetties I wonder if those door seals will fit as well???

The Lady I got my Giromatic from insisted that the Bendix washed & spun better than the new AEG they had replaced it with...

The dryer sounds a very interesting concept, I wonder how much water it uses on the condensor..

Do you have a seperate spinner, I bet the drying time is minimal after putting the clothes through a spinner or unimatic and then completing the drying cycle.

Cheers

Mike

 

[gansky1]

Mike - good to see you again! Sign me up for a Bendix boot or two if you can still get them, just put it on Jon's account ;-)
Your Bendix controls look like those on the 1957 line of Bendix and Philco-Bendix machines here... Do you have a full-sized picture posted somewhere?

Hope you are well -

Greg

 

[jetcone]

Mike Thank You

I'll definetly take two and send two for Greg and I will send you a Yank cheque for the trouble! Those are boots are like gold over here!

What are you doing next summer around August?? I am meeting my Ozzie cousin in Edinburgh for our 50th Bday, I'd love to stop on by for a day and nite and see you and your collection!

How do I get my address to you for the boots? If your email is rejecting mine as spam let me know how to get the info to you.

Cheers
jon

 

[chestermikeuk]

Bendix Model G..My First Vintage Auto!!!!

Hi Greg

This model was produced over here in 1961, this was given to me a few months ago by a farmers wife who had kept it warm and cosy in their heated garage after changing it for a modern AEG because their repairman had retired and parts are difficult to find, as we all know....

Its in lovely condition, the porcelain looks like it just came out of the factory, it has a spin speed of 515rpm, when you think it only takes 9lb load for the size (and weight) of it, my mums first Servis auto measured 22.5 inches square and that took the same weight....LOL

Will order the boots for you, might as well stock up while we can!!!

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chestermikeuk/album?.dir=da25&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/chestermikeuk/my_photos

 

[chestermikeuk]

Bendix Boots....& Holy Grail!!!

Hi Jon

No problem with the boots, will search a few out and order them, e-mail me again and I will scan my system have managed to alter the spam settings , not so lethal but still effective...

Have also managed to get a rubber boot for the 1961 slope front keymatic, all in its box etc... so there is still stuff out there, my mission this year is to find more of it...

All I need to find is the Keymatic washer (and the Servis MK41 Holy Grail) to go with the boot....hopefully just in time for your August birthday bash etc...look forward to seeing you on terra firma UK...

Cheers, Mike

 

[Youngstown]

1956 Duo

I love your machine! I grew up with a 1956 Bendix; it lasted to the early 80's; my father was an elect. engineer and kept it running; it was a piece of work! It brings back great memories! We still talk about it like an old friend!