Yay, one of my two year guesses was right!!!
The Freedom Maker for July Fourth
- Thread starter roto204
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Oh, Robert, dah-ling!!
THANK YOU!!! Oh my gosh, I had no idea it was so old! How fabulous! Okay, since you were so nice as to dig up that catalogue clipping, I guess we'll have to get some Plexiglas going on here and put on a show ;-)...fair is fair.
I have dried-on smoothie glasses and the blender guts washing away in it right now. Details to follow in the morning when the load is done :-D
alr2903 -- That's good to know. It does fly! :-D
Bob -- Ah, yes, the Crosley impeller "Roto-Racks"--wouldn't that be a hoot to find one of those! That is cool. Thank you for the info on the other models--I remembered there had to be one where the lights showed the cycle progress. You can see the cut-outs for the lights on this one, if it had them.
THANK YOU!!! Oh my gosh, I had no idea it was so old! How fabulous! Okay, since you were so nice as to dig up that catalogue clipping, I guess we'll have to get some Plexiglas going on here and put on a show ;-)...fair is fair.
I have dried-on smoothie glasses and the blender guts washing away in it right now. Details to follow in the morning when the load is done :-D
alr2903 -- That's good to know. It does fly! :-D
Bob -- Ah, yes, the Crosley impeller "Roto-Racks"--wouldn't that be a hoot to find one of those! That is cool. Thank you for the info on the other models--I remembered there had to be one where the lights showed the cycle progress. You can see the cut-outs for the lights on this one, if it had them.
Results
...speak for themselves:
...speak for themselves:
No cheating, either
Just the Normal wash; no cheating with extra detergent or Sani Power Washes
Day-old dried-on smoothie gunk is obliterated!
Just the Normal wash; no cheating with extra detergent or Sani Power Washes
Day-old dried-on smoothie gunk is obliterated!
Aw, frig
As if you didn't know this was going to happen.
As if you didn't know this was going to happen.
Nice glass
Will commented on how nice and pristine the glasses are, until I pointed out that they're really in a constant bath of Jet-Dry right now, anyway
Here's what you're working with on the bottom, by the way. I've seen the later series of wash arms that had big, staggered holes like a GE, or complete lines of small holes all along the middle of the wash arm (like the last of the series had), but I've not seen this one. Surprisingly, it works well, even with so few jets.
What's up with the shield on the bottom under the wash-arm? Later models didn't have this, but one of the late-seventies rectangular-rack models I found did. What's the theory?
This shield has small, staggered holes all over it, but the one I found had a few big holes, plus two strategically placed so you could slide a nut-driver through to remove the wash-arm support. (This one lacks those "cheater" holes.)
Will commented on how nice and pristine the glasses are, until I pointed out that they're really in a constant bath of Jet-Dry right now, anyway
Here's what you're working with on the bottom, by the way. I've seen the later series of wash arms that had big, staggered holes like a GE, or complete lines of small holes all along the middle of the wash arm (like the last of the series had), but I've not seen this one. Surprisingly, it works well, even with so few jets.
What's up with the shield on the bottom under the wash-arm? Later models didn't have this, but one of the late-seventies rectangular-rack models I found did. What's the theory?
This shield has small, staggered holes all over it, but the one I found had a few big holes, plus two strategically placed so you could slide a nut-driver through to remove the wash-arm support. (This one lacks those "cheater" holes.)
Roto-tube
Mike, here's the tube that washes the dishes AND drives the rack via water power:
Mike, here's the tube that washes the dishes AND drives the rack via water power:
washertalk
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2006
- Messages
- 837
childhood DW
We "inherited" an avocodo version of your very AWESOME machine from an Aunt who built a new house in 1972 and wanted a built-in DW.
I have an newspaper flyer advertisement that shows this dishwasher. It is dated 1969. (gotta get my scanner working).
It was the first dishwasher I ever worked on. When in 1980 we started having problems with ours I had at it. The hose from the pump connecting to the pipe for the propeller arm on the 2nd level, literally disintegrated and needed replacement. It also needed several pieces of the pump replaced.
I remember as a kid, when it would pause to reverse motor direction after a wash phase, you could hear the rack continue to turn inside. If you open the door while it is washing to fast it will splash some on the floor. I'm sure in the owners manual it would have instructed to wait after unlatching the door, a few seconds before opening. I do know that when it is draining, that is the motor is reversed, that some water still comes up into the propeller arm. I even figured out how to get my finger into the latch mechanism and "fool" the lock safety switch and make it operate without the door shut. Of limited use for sure but... I was a kid. lol.
The original propeller was one piece black "bakelite", as you probably have. it ended with a point on the end. After they switched to "the yellow racks" they changed the propeller arm making it out of white plastic and it had a removable cap on the end. The cap would allow you to open up the propeller and clean out food items which if the holes were plugged(and I have seen it) would affect performance.
These machines had little insulation. I don't know if you have taken the top off or not but you would probly find a 12" x 12" 1" thick piece of fiberglas insulation glued to each side of the tub. Thats about it! Noise and heatloss were apparently not a concern back then. I remember when my aunt still had the DW, my 10 year older cousing left a large chunk of bulk chocolate, probly 6" x 6" x 1" thick on top of the dishwasher when it was running and he was totally amazed that it melted and made a mess. lol. One could, I would think, easily take 2' x 4' fibreglas "ceiling tiles" and slide them down the insides, back and top to add insulation.
As far as the consoles. They are solid steel and weigh alot. Chrome end pieces. The whole machine was metal and weighed like it. The model that my Aunt bought as a built-in, which was also avacodo, had a flush front panel with a smoked plexiglas front with the red lights to display at what phase the dishwasher was in. It was the same dishwasher but modernized for 1972. I like the timer on theirs too. Instead of being sunk in as you see in the picture. The knob was large and had a handle so it was easy to turn. The button area was a dark background with chrome paint on the buttons.
Other upper scale models had a light lens over the buttons with 2 "nightlight" type incandescent bulbs to light and the cycle selections were printed on the lense. I thought that was soo kewl. I found one at the curb and wired it to operated as a night light independent of the timer. The Lady Kenmore of course, were talking about the early 70s here, had an electro-mechanical self advancing timer and all you had to do was push one of 8 or 10 buttons(I forget the number) and it started. No timer visible. Like a Kitchen Aid of the same time. Interesting, I think it was 1973 Sears offered a version of the Lady Kenmore DW in both 120 volt and 240 volt. ?? Extra heat back up I guess.
As cool as these racks seem, their mounting on the top of the tub can be off center at times. If the rack is not pushed in and centered it can actually get off center enough that it rubs the side wall and won't turn, thus affecting performance. Something to watch for. And if you put something such as a long utensil in the upper rack it can move around while washing which can propel it outward where it can either jam or damage the outside wall if left unattended. I agree with you completely about putting glass ware on the bottome rack. The force from the water was almost guaranteed to damage glass ware and other fragile items.
Well, good luck with your find. It looks great. Considering it's age, it seems to still have the original racks ?? It must have been used lightly.
We "inherited" an avocodo version of your very AWESOME machine from an Aunt who built a new house in 1972 and wanted a built-in DW.
I have an newspaper flyer advertisement that shows this dishwasher. It is dated 1969. (gotta get my scanner working).
It was the first dishwasher I ever worked on. When in 1980 we started having problems with ours I had at it. The hose from the pump connecting to the pipe for the propeller arm on the 2nd level, literally disintegrated and needed replacement. It also needed several pieces of the pump replaced.
I remember as a kid, when it would pause to reverse motor direction after a wash phase, you could hear the rack continue to turn inside. If you open the door while it is washing to fast it will splash some on the floor. I'm sure in the owners manual it would have instructed to wait after unlatching the door, a few seconds before opening. I do know that when it is draining, that is the motor is reversed, that some water still comes up into the propeller arm. I even figured out how to get my finger into the latch mechanism and "fool" the lock safety switch and make it operate without the door shut. Of limited use for sure but... I was a kid. lol.
The original propeller was one piece black "bakelite", as you probably have. it ended with a point on the end. After they switched to "the yellow racks" they changed the propeller arm making it out of white plastic and it had a removable cap on the end. The cap would allow you to open up the propeller and clean out food items which if the holes were plugged(and I have seen it) would affect performance.
These machines had little insulation. I don't know if you have taken the top off or not but you would probly find a 12" x 12" 1" thick piece of fiberglas insulation glued to each side of the tub. Thats about it! Noise and heatloss were apparently not a concern back then. I remember when my aunt still had the DW, my 10 year older cousing left a large chunk of bulk chocolate, probly 6" x 6" x 1" thick on top of the dishwasher when it was running and he was totally amazed that it melted and made a mess. lol. One could, I would think, easily take 2' x 4' fibreglas "ceiling tiles" and slide them down the insides, back and top to add insulation.
As far as the consoles. They are solid steel and weigh alot. Chrome end pieces. The whole machine was metal and weighed like it. The model that my Aunt bought as a built-in, which was also avacodo, had a flush front panel with a smoked plexiglas front with the red lights to display at what phase the dishwasher was in. It was the same dishwasher but modernized for 1972. I like the timer on theirs too. Instead of being sunk in as you see in the picture. The knob was large and had a handle so it was easy to turn. The button area was a dark background with chrome paint on the buttons.
Other upper scale models had a light lens over the buttons with 2 "nightlight" type incandescent bulbs to light and the cycle selections were printed on the lense. I thought that was soo kewl. I found one at the curb and wired it to operated as a night light independent of the timer. The Lady Kenmore of course, were talking about the early 70s here, had an electro-mechanical self advancing timer and all you had to do was push one of 8 or 10 buttons(I forget the number) and it started. No timer visible. Like a Kitchen Aid of the same time. Interesting, I think it was 1973 Sears offered a version of the Lady Kenmore DW in both 120 volt and 240 volt. ?? Extra heat back up I guess.
As cool as these racks seem, their mounting on the top of the tub can be off center at times. If the rack is not pushed in and centered it can actually get off center enough that it rubs the side wall and won't turn, thus affecting performance. Something to watch for. And if you put something such as a long utensil in the upper rack it can move around while washing which can propel it outward where it can either jam or damage the outside wall if left unattended. I agree with you completely about putting glass ware on the bottome rack. The force from the water was almost guaranteed to damage glass ware and other fragile items.
Well, good luck with your find. It looks great. Considering it's age, it seems to still have the original racks ?? It must have been used lightly.
Hi Erik!
Thanks for all the great info!! I noticed that the POD today is along the lines of what you were discussing, showing the higher-end machine(s).
Yes, it has the original racks, so far as I can tell. The condition of the Bakelite shows a fair amount of use...I wonder if D&M's quality was just a hair better back then.
I know what you mean about the insulation! The discrete little plastic-wrapped fiberglass panels are cute
Yes, I usually have to order a pump kit when I find these dishwashers, which includes the carbon-porcelain seal, the drain impeller, and wash impeller, along with a shim or three. You can also get the wash-arm support brand-new for $27, which is not bad for a brand-new shiny bit of dishwasher bling.
Chad, no, there's no rust in this machine on either the racks or the sumps. What rust was there appears to have been surface rust, because the remnants of staples and twist-ties were found in the sump. Once those were scoured out, it shined!
Thanks for all the great info!! I noticed that the POD today is along the lines of what you were discussing, showing the higher-end machine(s).
Yes, it has the original racks, so far as I can tell. The condition of the Bakelite shows a fair amount of use...I wonder if D&M's quality was just a hair better back then.
I know what you mean about the insulation! The discrete little plastic-wrapped fiberglass panels are cute
Yes, I usually have to order a pump kit when I find these dishwashers, which includes the carbon-porcelain seal, the drain impeller, and wash impeller, along with a shim or three. You can also get the wash-arm support brand-new for $27, which is not bad for a brand-new shiny bit of dishwasher bling.
Chad, no, there's no rust in this machine on either the racks or the sumps. What rust was there appears to have been surface rust, because the remnants of staples and twist-ties were found in the sump. Once those were scoured out, it shined!
cny4
Well-known member
We had two of these Sears dishwashers growing up each lasted only about 7 years; the bottom's would rust out, creating puddles under the machine. I also had on in my first apartment, same thing the bottom rusted out. Who was D&M and did they make machines for any other companies?
varicyclevoice
Well-known member
Re: Who was D&M and did they make machines for any other com
Yes, D&M made dishwashers for many manufacturers such as: Admiral, Caloric, Chambers, Gaffers & Sattler, Magic Chef, Modern Maid, Roper, Tappan, and O'Keefe & Merritt.
Yes, D&M made dishwashers for many manufacturers such as: Admiral, Caloric, Chambers, Gaffers & Sattler, Magic Chef, Modern Maid, Roper, Tappan, and O'Keefe & Merritt.
We had a LK circa '74 or '75 with a Roto-rack. It was great fun to play with, but as is mentioned above, the bottom rusted out of it. My stepfather kept trying to patch the holes with some product or other. I replaced it with a circa '84 or so KitchenAid, when I moved back into the house after college.
