Review 1969 Philco Ford Washer - a Wiggler

[combo52]

PHILCO WASHER

There is no U joint in the Philco unlike the Calypso which has one big enough for a cement mixer and the Calypso is a much better design for washing clothing and actually turning them over without tangling.

 

[DADoES]

 
Here are three of the 56 pictures I saved from Robert's repair pictorial.

The agitator shaft is formed with a slight bend.

 

[DADoES]

 

 

[DADoES]

 

 

[jetcone]

That sure looks like a U joint to me

does it smell like a U joint?

 

does it sound like  a U joint?

 

any takers?

 

 

[ozzie908]

Now I understand..

I would like to say Thank you to all contributors you have been excellant informers....!

Austin

 

[Unimatic1140]

Tangling? Huh?

One thing that apparently needs to be cleared up about the early Philco design is in my experience I have never seen it tangle clothes and I've washed many loads in that machine of all sorts. It doesn't even tangle sheets. I'm not sure about the later design because I've never had one of those in my collection, but I can certainly speak for the early 12lb machine. Also I never use any special loading technique in that machine and still no tangling.

My only beef with that machine is it spins way too slow, 550rpm.

 

[joelippard]

I agree Robert.  I think mine would be close to one of my favorites if the spin speed were doubled.

 

[combo52]

PHILCO WASHER U JOINT

I am afraid that I looked too quickly at an exploded view of the washer when I said it does not have a U joint and and didn't see the little U joint, but it differently has a U joint. This may be the first time I was ever wrong LOL.

 

[hydralique]

Well . . .

If only they had put a man-sized (or maybe Calypso-sized) U-joint in the Philco then maybe they could have ramped up the spin speed!

What was the last year for the Philco flapulator wobble-drive design? After it was discontinued did they make conventional washer clones or just stop making washers altogether?

 

[angus]

I think 1969 was the last year for Philco laundry. I still have the 1970 annual Consumer Reports buying guide and Philco was not one of the washer brands rated that year. However they did rate the 1969 model Philco dryers. After that, they just didn't produce laundry equipment anymore for home use. I think the Philco name in the US was sold to White Consolidated in the mid 70's. I remember one local appliance store had in the window what was clearly a Westinghouse front loader, but labeled as Bendix.

 

[arbilab]

Little-beknownst to the bulk buying public, no corporate name has meant anything for over 10 years, and some a good deal longer than that.

Maypool. Whirltag. Electrofrigiwhite. Norgana. And those are only the US brands.