Surprise! The 1957 Hotpoint washer is up and running!

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I've been keeping this one under wraps because I wasn't sure I'd get to it this year, but well, here it is!

Meet my first Hotpoint automatic washer, a 'basic' 1957 model!

 

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When I first got it, I was so excited that I tore the top off without taking any other photos...

Here's a first look inside the machine. Note the concrete balancing ring!

 

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The tub is in excellent condition.

 

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This is unusual - an all-porcelain cabinet.

 

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But when I realized the wash tub drains into the cabinet (à la early GE), it all made sense!

 

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Miraculously, the mechanics and electrics on the Hotpoint were all good! Timer, drive motor, and solenoids all worked.

But there was this hose issue to deal with....

 

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The original hose was a custom-curve affair. I knew I had little to no hope of finding a 'stock' replacement...

 

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So after a lot of head-scratching and ideas bounced around with Phil, I thought I could adapt some more or less standard plumbing parts to do the job.

First, the outer cabinet drain was replaced with a bathtub drain outlet.

Notice that it's holding vater!

 

[combo52]

1957 Hotpoint Solid-Tub Washer

Yay , Paul I am glad you are getting to this one, I know that it would have been a long time before I got around to this one.

 

The all porcelain cabinet was sort of a necessity if they wanted any durability at all since the cabinet is the outer tub on this washer very much like the Frigidaire Uni-Matics, ABC-O-Matics and Kelvinators also used the cabinet for the outer tub on early design machines, Keep us posted, John.

 

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The adapted drain hose has more twists than an Alfred Hitchcock film...

I used a standard sink flange, cut down, spliced to 1 1/4 inch hose, reduced to a 1 inch hose and on to the pump.

There's a reason why I never worked in a nuclear power plant... LOL

 

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Well, it took a couple of tries, but I got it to stop dripping... So on to the water test!

 

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And I had to do a spin test...

 

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And here's the TAA-DAA - an agitated overflow rinse!

Now I MUST restore the 57 GE to compare it to it's Hotpoint 'cousin'!!

 

[christfr]

oh that is so so cool I love it.. your the man

 

[philr]

Great! Now you have to fit that somewhere in your laundry room!  If you need some space, I can help you getting rid of another machine!

 

LOL

 

[swestoyz]

Way to go Paul!  Your '57 is in really nice shape.  The center post looks great, and it sounds fine when spinning up.  Love your solution for the drain hose.  I would have done the exact same thing.

 

I feel bad that I haven't had a chance to scan those Hotpoint service bulletins yet.  Let me know if you still want them and I'll add them to this thread.

 

Ben

 

 

[Unimatic1140]

Wonderful machine and restoration Paul!!!! I'm thrilled otherwise everything works. I've used the bathroom basin sink drain port and tube trick myself quite a few times, it works perfectly. Just as a heads up, because I had to learn the hard way, you have to cut out the X in the center of the new drain sink opening, otherwise it gets clogged with lint overtime and slows the draining down to a crawl.

 

[jetaction]

Great job Paul!

Love the overflow rinse, those were the days, ha!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Congratulations

Those round plugs near the ends of the control panel hump were where you could add a light canopy to the automatic washers and dryers.

 

[norgeway]

I love

To hear those solenoids SLAM BANG!!!!

 

[peteski50]

Hotpoint!

Real cool when I was small my parents had a BOL 55 hotpoint until 1961 than they got a near BOL 1961 model almost like your new surprise. The ones we had the tubs were a darker color. I love the short videos you made. Can you take a closeup of a control dial. On the 55 their was no pause before it went into a spin. On the 61 it paused for a minute before the spin. What does yours do? Keep us posted.
Best Wishes,
Peter

 

[gansky1]

Very nice, Paul. Robert brought me my very first solid tub washer, a 64 Hotpoint 14 years ago and it's still one of my favorite washers. Love that long-neck Thriftivator!

 

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Robert - thanks for that tip about the 'X' at the bottom of the drain! I never would have thought of that.

Pete - as requested, here's a close-up of the dial. I'll spiff that up a little at some point (ie - when I figure out exactly where the Hoptpoint will go...I think a second row of washers will be coming soon to a laundry room in Ogden!)

 

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And here's a shot of the only other control on the Hotpoint. A nice sturdy toggleswitch... ;-)

 

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Spin Pause question

Pete - Sorry, I didn't answer your question about the pause before spin on this washer. There isn't one! The agitate solenoid drops and the beastie starts a-sppinn'!

 

[peteski50]

Hotpoint!

Paul thanks for posting this is really a beauty!
Peter

 

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Hotpoint Docs

Ben, I realized that I never answered you about the Hotpoint info that you have but yes, I definitely want them! So will anyone else who's got a Hotpoint... LOL

 

[peteski50]

Hotpoint!

I would love to see Hotpoint scans if available!
Thanks,
Peter

 

[alr2903]

Your Hotpoint is very nice. Well done.
alr2903

 

[jetcone]

Oh Paul

nice surprise machine to spring on us all! Love the solenoid drive!!

Is too late to be using the Beam design transmission? And the idea of a second row of machines is just brilliant!

Can't wait to see you.