Special Sneak Preview - The 2015 Fall Laundry Line-up

[turquoisedude]

It's been just over a week that Hubby and I moved to our new home in St-Liboire.  But before the official move-in date, these got snuck into the house....

 

[turquoisedude]

It was a tough choice, but I figured the 1965 Lady Kenmore set was the best possible choice for regular use in the new house.   I only got around to installing them this morning and I noticed one 'OOOPS' right away... The washer lid is just a wee bit too high for that cupboard above the laundry appliances.  Sigh...just an inch more and all would be fine.  I was able to compensate by moving the washer ever so slightly forward.  I'll loose points for presentation, but it works. 

 

One really nice thing about the new installation (which is in the bathroom on the main floor of the house) - solid tile floors!

 

Now, even I know better than to try using a vintage machine without doing at least some testing first and that's what I did after Hubby left for work today.   Dryer was A-OK.  Yay!   The washer seemed fine at first; it filled and drained just fine.  No leaks were observed from supply or drain hoses or from under the washer.  But when that timer advanced to spin, there was no spin...  I got a little bent out of shape and pulled the washer out to investigate.  I started by checking connections (recall that when I got this washer from Manchester NH, there were two wires hanging in the console area that turned out to be the fabric softener and bleach dispenser wires). All looked good on the wig-wag solenoids and on the timer.  I was just about to run some continuity tests when my phone rang.  It was Phil.  He patiently listened while I cursed for about 5 minutes, then he asked me - 'Is the lid open?'     

 

Well, silly me... This is but one of 4 washers in the current collection with a working lid interlock switch.  I was ticked, but relieved when the washer started spinning with the lid closed.   Please feel free to chime in with your best imitation of Nelson Muntz....

 

 

 

 

[turquoisedude]

Look at this mess!  How on earth do two people generate so much laundry??  It was about time the Lovely Ladies of St-Liboire got busy.... 

 

[turquoisedude]

And we're washing!!   Despite the hard, smelly water the washer did a fine job.   The first load consisted of permanent press shirts and short pants.  I decided to use Cycle B (Cottons/Linens - Colorfast); the wash was 'medium' temp with a warm rinse, the final spin was at normal speed.  

 

[turquoisedude]

And the load was dried to perfection, automatically, by the Lady K dryer.   However, with just ONE washer and dryer set here in St-Lib, it'll take me DAYS to get through all the dirty laundry.... 

 

[turquoisedude]

But that's not the case down in Ogden....

Where I found the energy for this last weekend is beyond me...  I did one of my 'presto-chango-rearrango' moves last Sunday so here's how things have lined up for the Fall 2015 Laundry season!

 

[turquoisedude]

So, knowing my 'rules' for the collection (pairs beat one-of-a-kind and turquoise trumps all), I was happy to keep the Canadian '53 Westy Laundry Twins paired up.  

 

The front panel is off the washer to remind to re-calibrate the weigh-to-save scale... I've only been meaning to do that since 2011....

 

[turquoisedude]

A little wiggling around and a bit of less-than-up-to-code plumbing and wiring allowed me to pair up the '51 Frigidaire Unimatic washer with the Filtrator dryer.  The Filtrator dryer is probably my favourite in the collection so it had to be ready for use at any time and they look so much nicer together!   Ben should be proud.   

[this post was last edited: 8/21/2015-15:07]

 

[turquoisedude]

And speaking of Frigidaire, here's the fabulous turquoise 1959 Custom Imperial washer paired up with the 1959 Imperial dryer.  I still need to figure out how to replace the dryer lint filter, but I'm planning on doing a maiden wash with the WCI59 this weekend.  Greg, I can't tell you how happy I am to have these machines! Thank you again!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Not a matched set, but these machines are in 'quick-change' slots where I can swap in other washers, replace a washer with a dryer (like the '56 Whirlpool to match the washer), or I could even install two dryers!  

 

The '56 Whirlpool Imperial is a definite favourite - the weekened when I got it was great fun and I got a real-live lesson on how to re-bearing a WP washer. THAT may be a skill no employer gives a tinker's cuss about, but trust me, it's come in mighty handy... Thanks John!!

 

And although I was a little hesitant to use it often, I am finding the more I use that Blackstone, the more I like it!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Case in point about knowing how to re-bearing a WP-built washer....  The '66 Inglis set may have been a trial, but they're working well and I do use them often!

 

[turquoisedude]

Orphaned....

The '51 Kenmore suds-saver is on the sidelines for the moment, but I think it may just be swapped back into service soon.   Maybe I'll get off my arse and get the matching dryer rebuilt too, one of these days... LOL

 

[turquoisedude]

Works in progress

The first picture is not something found at the bottom of Lake Massawippi... Honest!  It's that low-end 1960 GE automatic washer that I snagged at the auction at Hansen's.  It's number one on the project list for this fall.  Just imagine me taking a GE washer transmission apart... I may have to film that just for the cussing that will no doubt take place... 

 

The second picture is that oddball '58 Dominion that still won't spin.   I have an idea of what may be the problem, but I'm kinda scared about taking it apart again.   In the meantime, it's a great display unit for my collection of Corningware Electromatic perks... LOL

 

I'm looking forward to getting back down to Ogden tonight and to doing laundry this weekend!!

 

 

 

[nmassman44]

Nice pics!

 

[frigilux]

The turquoise '65 Lady K's are beautiful! It was fun to see the other machines in your collection, as well. My god, the dial on that Blackstone is huge. Take that, Norge, LOL.

 

[toploader55]

Oh Paul

Those Turq. lady K's are my Favorite Model.

 

The Control Panels , RotoFlex, and all those Buttons  make me want to faint !!!

 

Can't wait to see them in person. See and Hear them run too.

 

Both Homes look Lovely and coming along nicely.

 

[pierreandreply4]

lol i am not suprise you would of snuck in the turqoise kenmore set

 

[pierreandreply4]

well as they say in the sims time to get into build mode lol

well as they say in a game i play call the sims4 time to get into build mode and build an extra laundry room lol

 

[washerlover]

It's all so beautiful! And I can totally relate to the less-than-up-to-code-plumbing!

 

[philr]

I envy you! I wish I could hoop up so many machines at the same time!

 

[frigilux]

A question for you, Paul: Does the '65 Lady K washer have a tub light, or had Kenmore done away with those by this time? Both the 1959 Lady K and the 1960 Model 80 I grew up with had one. Unfortunately, the bulb popped every once in awhile due to the wild splashing during suds return. The machines were still using the fast agitation speed at that time.[this post was last edited: 8/22/2015-10:30]

 

[christfr]

hum such nice toys for sure but you just may have to many I think a few should move to st Louis ha ha.. love ya

 

[philr]

I'm sure the Lady Kenmore still has a tub light, even his 1966 Inglis Sterling (Whirlpool) has one (with a germicidal lamp also) and my 1972 Inglis washer still has one too (less the germicidal lamp). I think Whirlpool and Maytag got rid of the tub lights at about the same time around the mid-seventies.

 

I could be wrong but from what I've seen, it seems that Whirlpool/Kenmore/Ingis washers had white tubs when they had a light and darker tubs when they didn't. 

 

[realvanman]

"pairs beat one-of-a-kind and turquoise trumps all"

LOL! I LOVE IT!!!

What an awesome line up BTW!

Keith

 

[realvanman]

Light Bulbs

Most light bulbs are not resistant to thermal shock, as noted, but some are made out of "hard glass" just for the purpose. For example those intended for outdoor use. And, I have a suspicion, those designed for use inside an oven. Worth a try, anyway.

Keith

 

[pdub]

Paul,

Your pictures look fantastic. I love the turquoise Kenmore's and the Ogden laundry room with all the machines in their places looks wonderful too. You do amazing work.

Congratulations!

 

[swestoyz]

Love it Paul!

 

[blackstone]

"Code? I don't need no stinkin' code"

Great pictures! Of course, I'm partial toward the Blackstone.

 

[114jwh]

You have an amazing collection Paul!

A little bit of everything and some pretty rare ones! Congrats on the new house!

 

[turquoisedude]

Back from Ogden...

Well, I had an, er, interesting, yes that will do, weekend down in Ogden playing with the new line-up this weekend... 

 

But first- Eugene, Phil - the '65 Lady K does not have a tub light, alas!  I was a little surprised but as if I was going to take the machine back to New Hampshire where I found it.... LOL

 

I was itching to try out my new toys - the 59 Frigidaires.  I put together a load of towels and our hot tub robes.  But would the tub be big enough??