Stick A Fork In It, It's Done - Frigidare Ironer

[launderess]

Went to do a bit of ironing early this morning and thought I'd get out the Frigidaire since it rarely sees active duty.

Soon as the thing was plugged in and motor switched on there was a loud and sorry groan. Something like metal against metal. Sound went away after awhile but then noticed the roller would not turn, period.

Looked under the bonnet and noticed the planetary gear system was not turning. Examined the motor coupling and while it was turning that was all.

So can only deduce either gears are worn and or something has gone wrong with the drive system.

Consumer reports noted in the 1940's and 1950's that Frigidaire ironers along with their cousins (Colon and Maytag) developed worn gears during testing. In fact all the 33" ironers shared this same issue (they were all made by the same company it seems)and thus weren't highly recommended by CR.

While one does have the repair/service manual for the ironer, NOS parts just aren't around I shouldn't wonder. That plus to get at the gear system one basically has to take the entire ironer apart and rebuild. I just don't have that kind of time.

Will keep the thing around due to the work surface top hold another appliance when not in use. Soon as one has spare time will take that nice Delco motor off and whatever else reasonable, then off to the scrappers.

Now you know me, am not at all one to advocate scrapping a vintage appliance. But have to be practical. With no spares remotely to be found and this units problem history (it stopped operating on low gear a year or so ago), sometimes one has to be realistic and let something go. This just makes room for something new and exciting to come along.

L.

 

[sel8207]

reliability of iron rite

Was wondering if CR had any opinions on the Iron Rite brand? Regarding reliability, etc. les

 

[lordkenmore]

You might make an attempt at "rehoming" the ironer first. Who knows, there might be someone out there who could find a way of fixing it. Although that does seem unlikely, but at least you can say to yourself: "I tried!"

>Now you know me, am not at all one to advocate scrapping a vintage appliance. But have to be practical. With no spares remotely to be found and this units problem history (it stopped operating on low gear a year or so ago), sometimes one has to be realistic and let something go.

And that's very true. I don't like scrapping vintage anything, but sometimes it's inevitable. Although some good can come of it--possibly harvesting parts to keep other things going.

It's hard seeing scrapping even indirectly. I live on property with older rental mobile homes, and appliances provided tend to be older. And I know of several appliances on this property have been scrapped. It's sad, and a part of me wishes I could have done something to save them. But...the politics were too much. (I can imagine my landlady saying: "You already have a washing machine! And it works!") And the work each appliance needed was too much--often far more than I feel that I could ever do. And, while some were interesting, all had noticeable (and sometimes huge) issues with cosmetics or cabinet rust that made them less desirable. So...they disappeared. I felt bad. But it was what it was.

Under more direct control, I've been downsizing, and some things have been dumped on thrift shops. I cringe at that, because there is no guarantee what will happen "next." But I have too much clutter, and the stuff had little likelihood of selling outside a thrift shop (e.g., audio equipment that worked, but had terrible cosmetics). So I donated, and just hoped for the best.

>This just makes room for something new and exciting to come along.

Probably a good philosophy.

 

[launderess]

Ironrite

As evidenced by so many even early models still chugging along are brilliant. CR gave them and the other under shoe ironer, Bendix, high marks.

Ironrite, Bendix and others used a different sort of gearing than the Frigidare, Maytag, Colon and GE badged units. CR rated all three last in their ironer ratings though they gave good results. CR simply says each unit was "same or similar as" the other before the ones named above so you assume they were made by same company.
Maytag and GE were all over the place when it came to ironers. Some were clearly built in-house, others by another company.

Anyway the Frigidaire ironer and clones have the motor on the left with the gears/controls/moving parts on the right. A long coupling shaft runs from right to left into the worm gear which turns the planetary gears who in turn move the roller.

Don't believe there is any shame in letting something go. I mean if there aren't parts and so forth while hope does spring eternal one often must be practical.

As for moving the unit or parts on don't think there is a huge market for non-working ironers. *LOL* Heck even those with working Frigidaire units have problems shifting.. *LOL*

Only thing could see someone wanting besides the motor are what is worn out, the gears.

 

[turquoisedude]

I know where there's a Whirlpool ironer, hiding just over the border from Vermont, if you're interested!!

 

[lordkenmore]

>This just makes room for something new and exciting to come along.
>I know where there's a Whirlpool ironer, hiding just over the border from Vermont, if you're interested!!

Don't even have to wait to get rid of the old to find the new and exciting sometimes!

 

[norgeway]

Irinrite

To my mind, nothing compares, I had one and Jerry Gay has it now, It works wonderfully.

 

[circlew]

It may well be possible that the gears are a standard type that you could find without much trouble. I sure there are places in NYC that specialize in such items.

 

[launderess]

Perhaps

Would need to open up/remove the entire complicated system to see what is what. Anyone who wishes to know what that involves can peek at the Frigidaire ironer service manual in the group literature.

Problem with most all these old ironers is they are mostly made from all metal. This includes the gear/drive systems. That may have been wonderful and all that was available back then but creates problems from two main issues, rust and wear. The fact ironers were often kept in laundry areas (usually basements) where damp is common does not help matters.

Am leaning towards believing something is causing the coupling not to drive the worm gear. For now the ironer is safe from scrapping as it is serving its second purpose as a work top (my kaltmangel rests on top). Maybe will get around to poking inside during the deeper part of winter when things slow down.

Thing about older ironers is there is so much out there often being literally given away. So does it make sense to go crazy trying to repair something or just nab another? Yeah some persons want $500 for their units (someone has been trying for a year now to sell a Frigidaire ironer for that price, good luck), but others just want the things gone.

If can ever figure out how to pay and ship large appliances from up north (Canada) the world would be my oyster. *LOL*

Here is the Frigidaire ironer like mine that has been on offer for ages now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Frigidaire-...6?hash=item419fe4c462:g:51AAAOSwI~VTyVmQ[this post was last edited: 11/17/2015-19:26]

 

[launderess]

Took another stab at things last night.

Groaning sound is metal against metal as the coupling arm tries to power the worm gear. The latter in turn is supposed to move the other set of gears but that isn't happening. Even when turned by hand there is only slight movement. If left long enough between groans the coupler will move the worm gear but only very slowly.

This unit is toast IMHO. Either gears are stripped and or the clutch is shot. Finding NOS parts will prove probably impossible. Again given CR at the time mentioned these units weren't durable tells me this is/was a common problem. Could explain why so few of these units turn up.

Getting to the root of the problem again will take much time and effort as *everything* must come off/out to get at the gearing. This includes taking off the roller! *LOL* Frigidaire repairmen must have dreaded being called to service these things.

Looking at it from underneath these ironers like others of their era are rust buckets in waiting. All that porcelain covered metal and parts made from such aren't a match for the often damp conditions of basements (where most laundries are located), and sooner or later start to rust.

Am thinking the unit could merely be "dry" and need new lubrication. But to get at the worm gear housing where the "Lubriplate" goes, again requires taking much of the ironer apart.

 

[launderess]

She's gone!

Watched this morning as DSNY collected and crushed the Frigidaire ironer. Really was comical watching two grown men struggle to get the thing off the curb and into their truck. What took them nearly ten minutes the person delivering and myself got thing out of his truck and into my home in less time. Have a new respect however for those sanitation trucks. When one says "crush" that is exactly what the thing did to the ironer, one huge gulp and it was gone.

Before rubbishing yesterday took the old gal out one last time and plugged her in. This time no groaning noises or anything, just the purr of motor. Gears had truly been stripped and were gone. If this were the 1950's or even 1960's perhaps could have called someone in to replace and or purchased spare parts to do the repair. Neither was going to happen today and the thing was just taking up space. Did get that huge Delco motor off so there is that bit saved.

Other than the motor there wasn't much worth saving, so that is that. Well probably for scrap value, but would spend more in time and petrol hauling the thing to nearest scrap yard for the few dollars it would have returned.

 

[turquoisedude]

Oh dear... Shall I knock on the door of the fellow I know in Stanstead who has the Whirlpool ironer??  

 

[launderess]

Non, merci

Something new was added recently. In keeping with a new edict around here (well more like oft repeated but rarely headed), when something new arrives something has to go. Since the Frigidaire ironer wasn't working it drew the "short straw".

 

[tolivac]

Did you notice the truck used to pick up the ironer was a Leech?A Leech 2R series RL trash truck can crunch just about anything thrown into its hopper-Hint-if the packer blade moved SSSLLLOOWWW-than its a Leech-more power to the blade.Piano fans--don't watch-there are videos of Leech RL's crushing pianos with ease!

 

[launderess]

DSNY

Sorry, do not know the make/model.

 

[tolivac]

Watched another video showing a similar truck-the body appears to be a Heil.Good crunchers in their own right.Could not identify the chassis-a cab over the engine.Often if a large metal item-such as the clothes presser is loaded-the operators will "pad" the hopper with soft trash such as trashbags and such.A RL trash truck can push a metal item thru the hopper floor!Sometimes even thru the body roof as well.The hopper floor can be quarter in thick steel-gives you an idea the force those packers have!