The Miracle of the Blackstone Hydractor
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toploader55
Well-known member
Hi
Great to see you posting. Never saw a Hydractor in action.
Pretty Machines, Great Rainbow, and hope you are well.
Great to see you posting. Never saw a Hydractor in action.
Pretty Machines, Great Rainbow, and hope you are well.
Blackstone
Great story Mike, it looks a beast of a washer, glad you managed to give it a good home...that certainly is some agi action, and at home on the decks with all that water about....
Enjoy !!
Great story Mike, it looks a beast of a washer, glad you managed to give it a good home...that certainly is some agi action, and at home on the decks with all that water about....
Enjoy !!
Yes, "Hydroactor" 3 in 1 Is What Blackstone
Called that agitator.
It wasn't offered long IIRC before Blackstone moved onto a more traditional type agitator. The idea was the thing "gently rubbed", flexed and finally provided suction to remove soil from laundry.
CR from the 1950's didn't seem to like Blackstone wringer washers for some reason (would have to look it up), putting them under "not acceptable" or maybe barely so.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?56613
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?41546
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?49193
Looking at the adverts it is apparent Blackstone was trying really hard to go up against the big guns (Maytag, SQ and Kenmore) in the wringer washer field.
Blackstone gave an insulated tub with just that between the two; while Maytag only offered that feature in their TOL wringer, and even then counted on the dead space between the aluminum inner and enamel outer tub.
Called that agitator.
It wasn't offered long IIRC before Blackstone moved onto a more traditional type agitator. The idea was the thing "gently rubbed", flexed and finally provided suction to remove soil from laundry.
CR from the 1950's didn't seem to like Blackstone wringer washers for some reason (would have to look it up), putting them under "not acceptable" or maybe barely so.
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?56613
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?41546
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?49193
Looking at the adverts it is apparent Blackstone was trying really hard to go up against the big guns (Maytag, SQ and Kenmore) in the wringer washer field.
Blackstone gave an insulated tub with just that between the two; while Maytag only offered that feature in their TOL wringer, and even then counted on the dead space between the aluminum inner and enamel outer tub.
Thanks Mikey---
That's pretty interesting. It does manage to thrash those clothes around pretty good in spite of how unusual it looks.
That's pretty interesting. It does manage to thrash those clothes around pretty good in spite of how unusual it looks.
What a Beautiful Washer!
and it ended up with the perfect caregiver, too! Congrats on your acquisition. You are so lucky to to have found such a rare machine in such beautiful condition.
Guy
and it ended up with the perfect caregiver, too! Congrats on your acquisition. You are so lucky to to have found such a rare machine in such beautiful condition.
Guy
vacerator
Well-known member
It is art deco elegant
It may have been styled by Raymond Lowey. It looks like the International Harvester cream separators he styled.
It may have been styled by Raymond Lowey. It looks like the International Harvester cream separators he styled.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Looks like
I uploaded Blackstone video 2 twice instead of blackstone 3. On about it now. Be back to each one of you sweethearts later, but for now, many thanks. Twas a full day's & night's work, creating this thread, and I loved every minuted of it.
A better shot of the insulation, below the pump ~
I uploaded Blackstone video 2 twice instead of blackstone 3. On about it now. Be back to each one of you sweethearts later, but for now, many thanks. Twas a full day's & night's work, creating this thread, and I loved every minuted of it.
A better shot of the insulation, below the pump ~
mickeyd
Well-known member
Holy Crap
didn't goof on vids. #3 is STILL loading 17 hours later. Youtube must have been on an all day & night Saturday bender. Back to bed for a bit.
didn't goof on vids. #3 is STILL loading 17 hours later. Youtube must have been on an all day & night Saturday bender. Back to bed for a bit.
mayken4now
Well-known member
Thanks for posting this. Had never seen one of the in action. Strange movement of the towels. Very aggressive however.
I'm glad you found the Blackstone
The videos are amazing. But it wasn't me who had seen one of these in real life.
The videos are amazing. But it wasn't me who had seen one of these in real life.
mickeyd
Well-known member
Video #3
All currents and hydro-physics resolved. For me, the turnover is most reminiscent of the Rotoflex, so far.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXidRnVW7g
All currents and hydro-physics resolved. For me, the turnover is most reminiscent of the Rotoflex, so far.
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=czXidRnVW7g
mickeyd
Well-known member
Launderess
Those links to past blackstone lore are fabulous. Such fun to read. How DO YOU find them. You were right on the money about the seller. He had to move the machine because he had recently closed on the house and had to have it empty. The buyer just couldn't get it together. One knows only too well what that's like.
Remember that link you threaded shortly ago, about Mrs. Martin's laundering methods. Well I'll be a son of a bee, that's exactly the brochure that comes with the Blackstone, with the first two pages specific to BLK, the rest, generic verbatim like the pamphlet. Such synchronicity.
The hydrator has been around for decades. In '53, it was only available on the most expensive of Blackstone's 3 models. They still considered it their best performer. Perhaps they yielded to market pressure, abandoning it for the typical "regular" agitator. Or maybe, the collective opinion was that it was too aggressive. Whatever the case, it vanished, having been around since the 20's. Myself--I find it dazzling, and lacking dainties in my robing room, I have no fear.
Those links to past blackstone lore are fabulous. Such fun to read. How DO YOU find them. You were right on the money about the seller. He had to move the machine because he had recently closed on the house and had to have it empty. The buyer just couldn't get it together. One knows only too well what that's like.
Remember that link you threaded shortly ago, about Mrs. Martin's laundering methods. Well I'll be a son of a bee, that's exactly the brochure that comes with the Blackstone, with the first two pages specific to BLK, the rest, generic verbatim like the pamphlet. Such synchronicity.
The hydrator has been around for decades. In '53, it was only available on the most expensive of Blackstone's 3 models. They still considered it their best performer. Perhaps they yielded to market pressure, abandoning it for the typical "regular" agitator. Or maybe, the collective opinion was that it was too aggressive. Whatever the case, it vanished, having been around since the 20's. Myself--I find it dazzling, and lacking dainties in my robing room, I have no fear.
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
Congrats on getting hold of your dream machine!
I'm almost afraid to click the vid links lest I develop the same perverse fascination I've developed for the Thor, lol. No doubt my willpower will weaken late one evening and I'll watch when I should be sleeping...
Btw, your collections looks most intriguing. I'd be careful about posting pics of your machines or your lakefront property lest people start suggesting a wash-in is in order.
Seriously, that deck shot of the wringers (with one filling?!) is almost pornographic. Tanning while doing laundry... the mind boggles
Jim
I'm almost afraid to click the vid links lest I develop the same perverse fascination I've developed for the Thor, lol. No doubt my willpower will weaken late one evening and I'll watch when I should be sleeping...
Btw, your collections looks most intriguing. I'd be careful about posting pics of your machines or your lakefront property lest people start suggesting a wash-in is in order.
Seriously, that deck shot of the wringers (with one filling?!) is almost pornographic. Tanning while doing laundry... the mind boggles
Jim
"How DO YOU find them?"
I've told ya, was considering going after a Blackstone and as such did my "homework" first. *LOL*
Had no idea the "Hydractor" went back that far, live and learn. *LOL*
It was out of concern for one's dainty things that hesitated on the various Blackstone wringer. That agitator just looks like it means business, whereas the Maytag seems more gentle.
Shipping something large today is a crap shoot. Anyone that will specifically go to order (Craters and Freighters, etc...) is likely to charge large sums, and that is if they are in the area to begin. U-ship can be a waiting game as one attempts to find a *reasonable* shipper. Of course the best method would be to go and fetch the thing oneself....
Have read a good number of wringer washer manuals, and yes, most are pretty generic. After you get past the first few pages with details particular to specific make and model what else is there really? Not much besides standard "home economics" sort of advice on stain removal, laundry tips, types of soap/detergent, etc...
Just watched the video and Blackstone's wash action seems more about taking hold of laundry and throwing it about than roll over. Wonder what that "Hydractor" would make of a heavy blanket or lace curtains.
I've told ya, was considering going after a Blackstone and as such did my "homework" first. *LOL*
Had no idea the "Hydractor" went back that far, live and learn. *LOL*
It was out of concern for one's dainty things that hesitated on the various Blackstone wringer. That agitator just looks like it means business, whereas the Maytag seems more gentle.
Shipping something large today is a crap shoot. Anyone that will specifically go to order (Craters and Freighters, etc...) is likely to charge large sums, and that is if they are in the area to begin. U-ship can be a waiting game as one attempts to find a *reasonable* shipper. Of course the best method would be to go and fetch the thing oneself....
Have read a good number of wringer washer manuals, and yes, most are pretty generic. After you get past the first few pages with details particular to specific make and model what else is there really? Not much besides standard "home economics" sort of advice on stain removal, laundry tips, types of soap/detergent, etc...
Just watched the video and Blackstone's wash action seems more about taking hold of laundry and throwing it about than roll over. Wonder what that "Hydractor" would make of a heavy blanket or lace curtains.
blackstone
Well-known member
I was looking at that machine myself. Glad to see that it found a good home.
What is the exact model number of it? Perhaps I can dig up some printed info for you.
Fred
What is the exact model number of it? Perhaps I can dig up some printed info for you.
Fred
Blackstone Hydractor
Mickey this is awsome
Mickey this is awsome
Mickeyd's place,
Having just visited Mickey, I can tell you he lives in "washer heaven", not only is the setting with lake view, steps from a beach, and laundry on the deck all great, but he has a most interesting collection. I have not seen such a wide ranging collection of ringer washers, Easy spinners, and automatics before. It would take days to play with all his washers. It would be a great place for a wash-in!
Having just visited Mickey, I can tell you he lives in "washer heaven", not only is the setting with lake view, steps from a beach, and laundry on the deck all great, but he has a most interesting collection. I have not seen such a wide ranging collection of ringer washers, Easy spinners, and automatics before. It would take days to play with all his washers. It would be a great place for a wash-in!
I've seen that McClary Wringer Before
Isn't that the unit on fleaPay several months ago?
Isn't that the unit on fleaPay several months ago?
mickeyd
Well-known member
Jeff, I was shocked
when I saw this, thinking, when did you take a helicopter ride? Daft for a few seconds till I realized you took the shot from the balcony when we were up there. One of the nicest pics of the houseI've ever had. THANK YOU!!! And yes, Jeff, I guess a wash-in here is inevitable.
Yes. Launderess. tis the Canadian Easy from Florida.
when I saw this, thinking, when did you take a helicopter ride? Daft for a few seconds till I realized you took the shot from the balcony when we were up there. One of the nicest pics of the houseI've ever had. THANK YOU!!! And yes, Jeff, I guess a wash-in here is inevitable.
Yes. Launderess. tis the Canadian Easy from Florida.
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