So one of my big projects for this year was to recreate the big 1955-1964 Frigidaire 3-Ring agitator Pulsator. Last year as some will remember I created the caps, lint chaser and circulator rings on the agitator so this year is the pulsator. I have one new old stock 5432199 Pulsator left in the box that I used as the model, this model pulsator has never been in a washer. I created a large mold using a modified plastic cake carrier which worked perfectly. Unfortunately I had to make the mold 3 times to get it right as the original has sulfur in it which caused cure inhibition with platinum cure silicone, so once I switched to tin cure silicone the mold came out nearly perfect. The mold (pink) is made out of silicone and the pulsator itself is made out of modern urethane which feels exactly like the original neoprene rubber.
The good news is the new reproduction Pulsators work absolutely perfectly, just like the originals but brand spankin' new. They look so pretty all perfectly round and symmetrical just like when the machine was first delivered. I'm currently testing the pulsators and so far they have held up just great, Ben is also helping me test. In a month or two if all goes well I will let everyone know they are ready for anyone who may want one.
Here is the 2 part mold, this is the bottom mold where I pour in the liquid urethane rubber into make the pulsator...
The top then goes on to make the bottom impression for the pulsator and it goes in the pressure pot for 20 or so hours...
And here is a finished brand spanking new pulsator right out of the mold...
a few other pictures of how they look...
The pulsator has a metal support embedded in the rubber near the very top. I created a mold for the support and I recreated these supports using extremely hard urethane plastic, they work like a charm and provide the necessary solid support however being made out of hard plastic they will never rust to shaft unlike the original support.
And here is a nice full load showing off the wonderful turnover of my brand new pulsators!
The good news is the new reproduction Pulsators work absolutely perfectly, just like the originals but brand spankin' new. They look so pretty all perfectly round and symmetrical just like when the machine was first delivered. I'm currently testing the pulsators and so far they have held up just great, Ben is also helping me test. In a month or two if all goes well I will let everyone know they are ready for anyone who may want one.
Here is the 2 part mold, this is the bottom mold where I pour in the liquid urethane rubber into make the pulsator...
The top then goes on to make the bottom impression for the pulsator and it goes in the pressure pot for 20 or so hours...
And here is a finished brand spanking new pulsator right out of the mold...
a few other pictures of how they look...The pulsator has a metal support embedded in the rubber near the very top. I created a mold for the support and I recreated these supports using extremely hard urethane plastic, they work like a charm and provide the necessary solid support however being made out of hard plastic they will never rust to shaft unlike the original support.
And here is a nice full load showing off the wonderful turnover of my brand new pulsators!
