The Beggining of a Project
- Thread starter Timonator
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The Timer knob
Im not really sure why but the timer knob has a "Turqoise" Glow to it. The washer is white after looking at it closely the back of the Plastic "Dial" is painted turqoise . Its made out of plastic..Im Tempted...I say ..Tempted..to sand the paint off the back of it and change it to white. Although I dont want to ruin it..
Im not really sure why but the timer knob has a "Turqoise" Glow to it. The washer is white after looking at it closely the back of the Plastic "Dial" is painted turqoise . Its made out of plastic..Im Tempted...I say ..Tempted..to sand the paint off the back of it and change it to white. Although I dont want to ruin it..
Now the 6 million Dollar Question
Nobody yet has been able to tell me the answer we can only speculate but I wonder Why Some Ge Dryer Control Panels are Elevated and some not? One thought was there may have been some complaints about socks and small clothing falling in behind the dryer so they moved the Dryer panels Down.. I dunno any thoughts on this? Also Id appreciate any feedback on how to paint all the little "white" Nomenclature back on The raised lettering is a challenge..but I think I can handle that the "push to start" lettering is recessed a bit more challenging. The rest of the machine is going to need painted as well..more pics to come !
Nobody yet has been able to tell me the answer we can only speculate but I wonder Why Some Ge Dryer Control Panels are Elevated and some not? One thought was there may have been some complaints about socks and small clothing falling in behind the dryer so they moved the Dryer panels Down.. I dunno any thoughts on this? Also Id appreciate any feedback on how to paint all the little "white" Nomenclature back on The raised lettering is a challenge..but I think I can handle that the "push to start" lettering is recessed a bit more challenging. The rest of the machine is going to need painted as well..more pics to come !
More than you probably wanted to know
The best answer I can give you about raised control panels, is that they started out as a marketing design feature. GE and Frigidaire were among the pioneers of what Frigidaire labeled "The Sheer Look" and to get away from the dumpy old "air-stream" design look of the early fifties, everything got squared off, cabinetry and control panels. To emphasize the "space-age" design of their goods, many manufacturers raised control panels on posts, GE took this to an extreme using this trick on stoves as well. I imagine that some design wag pitched that it would remind consumers of friendly anthropomorphic robots familiar from sci-fi movies of the day and grab attention to their models on showroom floors where they had to compete with hundreds of other similar appliances.
In the beginning, GE used the raised control panel as a premium feature of TOL models. Your dryer, I'm betting, was a MOL of 1959, probably a DA720S, essentially similar to the DA620S pictured below, and didn't have the price tag to warrant the lift:
The best answer I can give you about raised control panels, is that they started out as a marketing design feature. GE and Frigidaire were among the pioneers of what Frigidaire labeled "The Sheer Look" and to get away from the dumpy old "air-stream" design look of the early fifties, everything got squared off, cabinetry and control panels. To emphasize the "space-age" design of their goods, many manufacturers raised control panels on posts, GE took this to an extreme using this trick on stoves as well. I imagine that some design wag pitched that it would remind consumers of friendly anthropomorphic robots familiar from sci-fi movies of the day and grab attention to their models on showroom floors where they had to compete with hundreds of other similar appliances.
In the beginning, GE used the raised control panel as a premium feature of TOL models. Your dryer, I'm betting, was a MOL of 1959, probably a DA720S, essentially similar to the DA620S pictured below, and didn't have the price tag to warrant the lift:
Your washer was part of the 1960 GE "Golden Anniversary -T" line and GE's marketing was apparently working for them and so everything got a lift. Your washer panel is painted gold and it is essentially an iteration of the 1959 version (the following illustration is the best I've been able to come up with so far from memory, research and this club. I've seen the 1055 T and the 855T on this site, we owned a 650T, neighbors owned the 550T; the 950T and the 750T are extrapolations from repair manuals and consecutive model year lines):
By 1963, GE doesn't quite know what it's doing. Consumer's Reports had criticized GE, Norge, Wizard and lots of others who make washers and dryers with raised control panels. By next year, nothing will have a raised control panel because GE will totally redesign their machines and feature a control panel style that they will have until the 1990's with some small changes along the way. I remember this vividly because my Mother bought my Grandmother the (I assume)WA750X which was the 1963 version of our raised panel WA750W.
filterflo
New member
A possible answer to your questions Tim might be this: When I worked with Myra and Louis at Brightwood back in the 70's, many repairmen would stop in to buy parts or drop off trade-ins. I would listen to their stories about the older machines and their repair histories........I was told many of the customers complained about the "elevated" control panels and many were "lowered" by removing the spacers.....It seems that socks and other small items would fall behind the machine and it took a service call before they were found.....So many servicemen were asked to remove the spacers to prevent that from happening. I believe in one of my GE Product Man service manuals from that era describes the proceedure to remove them. I will have to hunt it up and post it.........I have found some models that should have been a raised panel but are not........and it may because the spacers were removed many many years ago.........
What this all means is:
Your washer and dryer, although very similar, weren't a pair. Even though it is NONE of my business, I'd leave the colors as they are. By all means restore it and spruce it up, but don't change it. Consider the possibilities that someday you may find the respective mates for your washer and/or your dryer. Also, if you ever want to sell the machine(to me, for example--not kidding), it might have more value in its original scheme.
At any rate, enjoy them. I've more than enjoyed the pictures you've posted of them on this site.
Your washer and dryer, although very similar, weren't a pair. Even though it is NONE of my business, I'd leave the colors as they are. By all means restore it and spruce it up, but don't change it. Consider the possibilities that someday you may find the respective mates for your washer and/or your dryer. Also, if you ever want to sell the machine(to me, for example--not kidding), it might have more value in its original scheme.
At any rate, enjoy them. I've more than enjoyed the pictures you've posted of them on this site.
Thanks For the Info
bajaespuma You have alot of information and pictures which are really cool! Even though their not Exactly a matching pair they are sooooo very close other than the color of the panel and dial that I have to change it! The other thing is the Dryer needs a complete cosmetic restoration anyhow and when were talking things that are this old lets face it there just arent many left anymore. And Jimmy any Info you may have would be helpful as well . Im going to take the rest of it apart today then the panels are off to the bodyshop to be blasted and painted. The Control Panel is going to stay here for me to play with. LOL
bajaespuma You have alot of information and pictures which are really cool! Even though their not Exactly a matching pair they are sooooo very close other than the color of the panel and dial that I have to change it! The other thing is the Dryer needs a complete cosmetic restoration anyhow and when were talking things that are this old lets face it there just arent many left anymore. And Jimmy any Info you may have would be helpful as well . Im going to take the rest of it apart today then the panels are off to the bodyshop to be blasted and painted. The Control Panel is going to stay here for me to play with. LOL
Do me one favor, please
Can you verify the model # of the dryer. Was I close? Is there an R or an S suffix?
Can you verify the model # of the dryer. Was I close? Is there an R or an S suffix?
The Little "Pedistals
The Smaller piece is the one that was below the control panel with a notch cut out for the wiring..next to it is the "Replacement" which will raise the control panel to match the Washer. The Foot Pedal is there as well all pieces will need to be polished up a bit
The Smaller piece is the one that was below the control panel with a notch cut out for the wiring..next to it is the "Replacement" which will raise the control panel to match the Washer. The Foot Pedal is there as well all pieces will need to be polished up a bit
Its Not Really as bad as I thought
This will be my first restoration I sure hope I can get it Back together lol.. I have a friend who has a body shop Im going there to work on it myself Ive painted a few cars lets see If I can paint a dryer....more pics to come later..
This will be my first restoration I sure hope I can get it Back together lol.. I have a friend who has a body shop Im going there to work on it myself Ive painted a few cars lets see If I can paint a dryer....more pics to come later..
filterflo
New member
Good progress Tim. Did you find anymore critters on the inside of the cabinet? FYI, GE sells a kit to convert those two front black rubber rollers to nylon glides, the same as in the later model dryers. Doing the glide conversion will make this dryer run a lot smoother........
During the time when GE had the raised control panels, they also had recesses in the back panel of the washers which allowed room for carefully positioned plumbing connections so that the machines would fit flush against the wall. That's part of the reason why the top of the washers is so much deeper looking than other machines. The stove with the raised control panel has glass between the cooktop and the control panel and it would not have taken too many brains for the service people or even the complaining customers to make a filler panel using something like the poster board or paper we used for school projects. It could have been taped in place. The solution could have been more elaborate if wanted, like mirrored glass or Plexiglass. We did not have trouble with items falling behind the washer. Nothing was left on top and it was draped with an old sheet after use. Even though our 1965 dryer did not have the raised control panel, we unloaded it into a basket so there were no loose items on top.
When we bought out 1963 950X V-12, there was still a model in the catalog like the 950T with the thumb wheel cycle guide, but I never saw one. I did not like the back-slanted control panels introduced in 1964 as well as the previous ones. Only the models very near the TOL had much class. To me, the rest looked cheaper than control panels on comparable earlier models. In actuality they probably were cheaper because, with a blips along the way, the mid 60s marked the start of the decline of high styling in appliances.
When we bought out 1963 950X V-12, there was still a model in the catalog like the 950T with the thumb wheel cycle guide, but I never saw one. I did not like the back-slanted control panels introduced in 1964 as well as the previous ones. Only the models very near the TOL had much class. To me, the rest looked cheaper than control panels on comparable earlier models. In actuality they probably were cheaper because, with a blips along the way, the mid 60s marked the start of the decline of high styling in appliances.
Painting control panel
I'd say painting that control panel with the exact right color and preserving the little lettering is going to be a real challenge. I'd research via the phone book a real professional and think about spending a little money. Beautiful set, I'm assuming it can be done but I don't have any suggestions on trying that at home.
I'd say painting that control panel with the exact right color and preserving the little lettering is going to be a real challenge. I'd research via the phone book a real professional and think about spending a little money. Beautiful set, I'm assuming it can be done but I don't have any suggestions on trying that at home.
Are you sure you want to paint that control panel? The turqoise was used on the 1959 model as their timers did have the bluish glow. We had the two cycle, one speed MOL 59 washer that had that identical panel. You might find a 59 washer to match one day and then you'll be sorry!
Tom, I've only seen one GE 950 listed with someting called a "rotary fabric dial" and it was a '61 V model. I think I once saw its dryer mate years ago, before my interest in these things had returned, and I'm still KICKING myself for not grabbing it when I had the chance. Do you have any pictures or brochures on it?
Painting the control panel
Yes I am going to paint it! If you look closely the original white and turqoise paint is peeling off why would I NOT paint it? It certaintly wont hurt it and If I had too I could paint it back the way it came! Question for you bajaespuma Could you..Possibly Blow up The WHITE Timer Dial image to the original size and Email it to me? You seem to be pretty crafty with the pictures Im thinking..and this is just a possibility that I may be able to make a new Timer Dial out of plexiglass and Laminate the White Dial Background on to it! Im not going to mess with the original turqoise one .
Yes I am going to paint it! If you look closely the original white and turqoise paint is peeling off why would I NOT paint it? It certaintly wont hurt it and If I had too I could paint it back the way it came! Question for you bajaespuma Could you..Possibly Blow up The WHITE Timer Dial image to the original size and Email it to me? You seem to be pretty crafty with the pictures Im thinking..and this is just a possibility that I may be able to make a new Timer Dial out of plexiglass and Laminate the White Dial Background on to it! Im not going to mess with the original turqoise one .
Be glad to. Email me at [email protected] so I'll have your email.
A friend has a software program that allows him to duplicate CDs including the "label" side. He copied a CD of organ sonatas for me and it has what looks like the original label or text side . I wonder if this software could be helpful in duplicating timer dials like the big round GE dials from '57 to '63?
Ken, I saw the machine in the Domestic or Light Construction volume of a Sweets Catalog. If y'all have not explored these, they have a good bit of appliance manufacturers' literature and they were released annually. They do not have individual spec sheets for each appliance, but usually the Appliances Section has one of those glossy brochures for a few larger brands like some dealers had that are divided into products for the kitchen, laundry and maybe window air conditioners, with small pictures and model descriptions. Probably a large college or research library would have back editions, but they might have replaced the ones from the 60s with microfilm or fiche since a large backfile of the print versions are pretty good for holding down a sizable section of shelving in a tornado.
Ken, I saw the machine in the Domestic or Light Construction volume of a Sweets Catalog. If y'all have not explored these, they have a good bit of appliance manufacturers' literature and they were released annually. They do not have individual spec sheets for each appliance, but usually the Appliances Section has one of those glossy brochures for a few larger brands like some dealers had that are divided into products for the kitchen, laundry and maybe window air conditioners, with small pictures and model descriptions. Probably a large college or research library would have back editions, but they might have replaced the ones from the 60s with microfilm or fiche since a large backfile of the print versions are pretty good for holding down a sizable section of shelving in a tornado.
Sweet's catalogues
Two years ago, about the time I joined aw.org, I went to every library in my area, including the Yale Art and Architecture library, where I spent many a happy afternoon decades ago, going through pages and pages of the current Sweet's catalogues, and discovered that, as you said, nobody seems to keep back issues of them, they're just too big to store. I even called Sweet's corporate offices in NYC and was told to forget it. If you know anyone with a collection that goes back to the late fifties, let me know where they are, I'd love to look at them. My next attempt is going to be to GE's museum of electrical innovation in Schenectady NY. I was told they have archives there. We'll see.
Two years ago, about the time I joined aw.org, I went to every library in my area, including the Yale Art and Architecture library, where I spent many a happy afternoon decades ago, going through pages and pages of the current Sweet's catalogues, and discovered that, as you said, nobody seems to keep back issues of them, they're just too big to store. I even called Sweet's corporate offices in NYC and was told to forget it. If you know anyone with a collection that goes back to the late fifties, let me know where they are, I'd love to look at them. My next attempt is going to be to GE's museum of electrical innovation in Schenectady NY. I was told they have archives there. We'll see.
To the Non..Believers....its Happening
The Control panel is turning GOLD
View attachment 3-15-2008-13-18-20--Timonator.jpg
The Control panel is turning GOLD
View attachment 3-15-2008-13-18-20--Timonator.jpg
golittlesport
Well-known member
wow!
fantastic work....that looks great! what a match!
fantastic work....that looks great! what a match!
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