Sunbeam Mixmaster

[justjunque]

Hi all,

Just wanted to share our newest addition to our kitchen.
A Sunbeam Mixmaster MMB.
This is the exact same model that I grew up with.
The chrome finish has some scratches and imperfections, mainly on the base, but it looks pretty in general.
For those of you who know these machines more than I do, I'd like to ask some questions.

Mine didn't come with the dough hooks.
Has anyone used them on this mixer? Would it be worth my while to pick up a set?
Not that I've ever made my own bread, but just in case?

Are the turntable and/or other black parts Bakelite, or just plastic?

Does anyone know a good product or process to whiten and brighten the lettering on the control knob?

There is a screw underneath the head that can slightly adjust the angle that it rests in the base.
Is there a rule for the correct adjustment? Like, how much pressure the beater is supposed to put on the bowl? I know that the plastic tip on the rounded beater is supposed to make contact with the bowl, and it turns the bowl as you're mixing. But I don't want to have it putting too much weight on the bowl and turntable.

I'm sure I'll think of other things to ask eventually.
I appreciate any information you can give. And, of course, if you want to tell me that it looks pretty!

Thank you!
Barry

 

[bendix5]

Nice find Barry. I have one I found at a garage sale many years ago for $2.00 and it was filthy probably from being in the garage for years. It had the beaters and dough hooks and both SS bowls. I cleaned it all up and it runs quiet and does a good job. I have a 42 year old KA as well and I actually think the Sunbeam mixes cakes better. I also want to know how to re paint the letters on the dial as mine has worn off. As for resetting the beater position I would go ahead and make a cake and see how it turns. Most of the time a empty bowl will not turn. To adjust tilt mixer head back. Loosen locking nut on the screw. Clockwise to lower or counter clockwise to raise the mixer head. Retighten lock nut. The beater with the nylon button should lightly touch the bottom of the bowl. Happy Mixing, Dano

 

[ea56]

That’s a very nice Mixmaster Barry, congrats on your find.

To repaint the numbers on the dial you could try what I’ve done on Sunbeam Coffeemaster’s in the past to repaint the High/Low on the switch. I first cleaned off the area thoroughly with cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol, and let it dry completely. Then I just took some White Out and covered the lettered area with it, then immediately wiped off the excess, and the White Out that remained in the indentations dried and restored the white lettering. It was very easy.

HTH,
Eddie

 

[fan-of-fans]

Nice find! That model is from 1968 to approximately 1974. This model would not have come with dough hooks, I believe this model has a 175W motor which wasn't quite adequate for kneading bread. The model after, 1-7A was 235 watts and those did come with the dough hooks which could do some light kneading. Although I've heard your MMB is more reliable because the 1-7A had issues with the speed control burning out due to the higher current draw.

I think the black parts are probably plastic. You can tell the MMB and the 1-7A apart because the 1-7A has the woodgrain printed logo button on the front, and also has a tortoiseshell pattern turntable, and brown bowl adjustment lever and Mixfinder dial.

IMO, the black trim looks better on the chrome models like yours.

This one looks in great shape and unpitted. This era of Mixmaster is probably my favorite as far as looks. They used this overall style from the 1968 introduction through 1997 or so. But later models after the late 80s were of all plastic and did not have the power takeoff for attachments after the early 80s or so, but instead had a push button beater ejector. I really prefer the earlier models like yours and prior.

In addition to the height adjustment, there is also an adjustment screw under the base to adjust how close the curved beater fits to the curved edge of the bowl. I always thought the bowl fit beater design and rotating bowl were genius.

 

[frigilux]

Mixmasters are beautifully designed/styled. Gorgeous!

 

[justjunque]

Thanks!

Dan.
Sounds like you made a great find! $2.00!
I never find them at thrift stores, and I never get to garage sales.
I paid, *ahem* a little more than that, plus shipping.
We also have a KitchenAid. I like it, but I always preferred the mixing action of the Mixmaster.

Eddie.
Thanks for that tip! I would have never thought of White Out.
Is it pretty easy to wipe off the areas where you don't want it?
I wouldn't want to have a smeared mess.
So far, all I've tried as far as cleaning up the existing lettering was some window cleaner.
I wonder if the alcohol on a cotton swab would brighten them up.
There's not really much for missing letters. They're just not nice and bright white.

Cole.
Thanks for the info.
I agree with you regarding the looks of the black trim. Of course, I was looking for one exactly like I grew up with, and Mom's is an MMB also. So, I was biased.
This one actually does have some pitting. Mainly on the base. Also, some scratches where someone used something abrasive to clean it at some point.
But, from a few steps away, it still looks really nice.
Interesting about the dough hooks. And it makes sense, because I don't remember ever seeing them with Mom's, and she bought hers new.
And, I too really like the concept of the bowl fit beaters!

Eugene.
I agree! I think they're just a beautiful looking mixer.
The fact that they seem to be very durable is a big plus too!

I'm kind of itching to put it to work and make a cake this weekend.
But, where it's new to me, and I don't know its history, I'm afraid something bad is going to happen.
I'm like that whenever I get a new old small appliance.
Plus, I've been sick since yesterday with a dizzy spell. I hate it!
It still might happen though. If so, I'll report back with how it does!

Barry

 

[ea56]

Barry,

Re: your question about using White Out to refresh the white numbers and lettering on an appliance. The rubbing alcohol may, by itself clean the numbers enough to be presentable for you. But, it could also remove some of the paint too. I do know that this has worked very well for me many times in the past. To clean off the excess, I’ve used both a dry cotton ball or a cotton ball that is barely damp with either water or rubbing alcohol, and a very light touch, so as not to remove the White Out from the indentations. Trial and error will teach you the correct technique. You can’’t really ruin it. If you aren’t happy with your first attempt, just wipe it off with some alcohol and try again.

As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the Mother of invention”. Hope this helps you out.

And make that cake! This bad boy isn’t going to conk out on you for making a cake, thats what it was made for, and these old Mixmasters do a much better job of mixing cake batter than a KA IMHO.

Eddie

 

[lotsosudz]

Dough Hooks

I think I have a extra pair of dough hooks that might fit it. they are free for the taking. Send me your address and when I come back from 1 week of vacation, I will gladly mail them to you for a test drive. My email is [email protected].
Hugs,
David

 

[lotsosudz]

OOps Sorry

Sorry My Partner had already given them to Goodwill unbeknownst to me.
So Sorry
Hugs,
David

 

[justjunque]

Hi David,

Thanks for the offer!
As Cole had posted earlier, this model most likely didn't come with the dough hooks anyway, as it had a lower powered motor.
So, I'm all set!
But I appreciate the thought!

Barry

 

[chachp]

Lettering on Sunbeam mixers

 

I've seen a number of videos over the years on how to restore lettering but this one looks like the easiest I have seen.

 

 

[chachp]

Lettering on Sunbeam mixers

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;">I've seen a number of videos over the years on how to restore lettering but this one looks like the easiest I have seen. My sister had one years ago that looked like this one.  As I recall it had the dough hooks and I think and light for the bowl.</span>

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"> </span>

<span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier;"></span>

 

[sarahperdue]

Nothing mixes a cake better than

A Sunbeam Mixmaster with bowl fit beaters. It will cream the butter and sugar until all of the sugar is blended in--no longer grainy or crystalline.

I've never tried white out
I've have been totally unsuccessful with the white crayon method (even with a high quality Crayola crayon)
I use Testors glossy enamel model paint and wipe off the same way Eddie does with the white out. I use Zippo lighter fluid as a solvent/remover. Mineral spirits would also work.
I clean the lettering with a toothbrush and Dawn dishwashing liquid.

I'll take a Kitchen Aid for kneading dough all day long, but the Sunbeam is superior for cakes.

Sarah

 

[fan-of-fans]

There's a vendor at the flea market here and they get some really nice vintage appliances. Last time I went I saw a Mixmaster Model 10 in white/black in great condition with the white juicer for $35. Also there was a chrome Hamilton Beach model K(?), also in great condition for $35.

 

[gansky1]

Mixmaster takes the cake.  This is a beautiful model, the black is more sleek and attractive.  I've not had one this new, 12C is where I plateaued in the Sunbeam MM family.  I had the privilege of watching Kelly (mixfinder) put mine through its paces for a dinner party here.  That machine can do just about anything.   

 

[chachp]

Speaking of Mixmasters.....

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 10pt;">Look what I picked up at Shopgoodwill.com. It was in the original box. I don't think it's ever been used. It was obviously a bridal gift because the card was still in the box. Has the manual and all other paperwork. </span>

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 10pt;">It runs like new with a speed increase at each number. All this for only $30! What a steal.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva; font-size: 10pt;">Up to this point my collection of Mixmasters runs from a Model 7 through a Model 12.  I've always wanted a Vista but never found one in such nice shape.  What's so noticeable to me is this thing is all plastic vs. the older models.  </span>

 

[vacbear58]

Vista

It looks wonderful, do you know what year it comes from?

You cannot help but wonder why it was never used? Duplicate? Patty could not, did not want to bake? From a hated relative?