The Miracle of the Blackstone Hydractor

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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.
 
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
 
"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.
 
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!

jeff_adelphi-2016100216042503651_1.jpg

jeff_adelphi-2016100216042503651_2.jpg
 
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.

mickeyd-2016100310353907012_1.jpg
 
One with suds

HI FRED

The Model Number is 330P. The manual says to turn the screw on the pump's oil cup a quarter turn every year, and to refill with cup grease as required. Pump was running fine but I gave it a turn anyway. Interesting how hands-on they expected the user to be, when they say to remove the 3 wing screws to check for lint or "foreign matter". The screws are impressively long. Everything works so well, including and most surprisingly, the timer.

Only the wringer needs something. If not careful, a thick towel sometimes causes it to snap open. Adjusting the infinite chrome pressure selector from high to low--just like WP/KM's water leveler-- hasn't stopped the snapping. Doesn't always mess up on really thick stuff--I got the terry bathrobe thru without a hitch, but you never know. Do you know what makes a wringer snap open: springs too wet, springs need oil--What ?

mickeyd++10-3-2016-11-14-18.jpg
 
Will wait for Cimberlee to get up to speed

One of my Maytag wringers does the exact same thing. So it's a generic thing common across all brands. The Norge, the Visi, the Lady K, the Speed Queen, and the Canadian Easy have all wrung without a hitch, so have never tinkered much with wringers, except to open up to peek and remove removables, but that's it--lots of stuff goin' on in there, a sophisticated engineering miracle, much evolved.

mickeyd++10-3-2016-12-51-48.jpg
 
Service info

I have an 8-page parts breakdown, and a 24-page parts price list. I also have 2 service bulletins for the 330P. The parts price list is for multiple models of Blackstone appliances, dated 1958.

Would it be better to scan everything and upload? Or I could copy and mail to you.

Parts list for 330P notes that agitator is superseded by Plastic. Do you have the diecast agitator?
 
Appreciate you guys & gal immensely!

Mikey, missed you in DC. Wasn't the same without you. You would seriously and devotedly love the Hydractor.

Jim, please do enjoy the vids, couple a good close-up porns for ya. Wish I could have talked to you more in DC.
Too many people, too little time. Be sure to check out Jeff's balcony shot, who had the same idea about a wash-in.

Pete, we forgot to charge John for our slave labor in the junk corridor. What fun it was sprucing' up that room.

HI Art, would have missed the rainbow had I not left for Verison to get Youtube set up. All good. Thank You.

Guy, Thank you, I'll honor your compliment, with tons o' TLC.

Steve & Steve, you're both named Steve, and you both remarked on the aggressive thrashing.

Thinking of doing the rag load over to really show it off-- the capacity and the power. You're welcome Steve Gyrafoam.

Eddie, Thanks, glad you're still around. Enjoy your season away from the kitchen. Looking forward to your winter washer work.

Mike, my first thought was: old wooden butter churner.

Dave, Thank You, I wonder who it was then, when we were standing around the testing station at the museum.

Fred & Cimberlee, go farther up the thread.

Love, love, love having Aworg Fouder Jeff as a new friend.

mickeyd++10-3-2016-14-08-39.jpg
 
Thanks, Fred !

Interesting fascinating stuff! Page 2 of the service bulletin mentions the 6 ounce grease protocol. Do you think the popping release mechanism is a result of a grease issue, or something else entirely?
 
It's been many years since I worked on a wringer, so I don't have any good suggestions for you. Probably one of those trial-and-error processes, after which you still might not be sure that you actually solved the problem.

I like the instructions for cleaning the rollers with carbon tetrachloride. Good luck finding any of that. I used to have a carbon tet fire extinguisher. It was never put to use, fortunately.
 
Am no expert

Each vintage appliances have their ways about them, in this instance it seems the Blackstone has a touchy wringer. I'd run it in for a while then see how things go. If the wringer begins to constantly pop open even for things it really shouldn't, then I'd worry.

Does the owner's manual speak to oiling/greasing any parts of the wringer? Maytag suggests oil (a drop or two every month or so (to the customers) or a bit of center seal grease (in service manual) to the bearings.
 
Here's the last wring

of 4 big beach towels, all wrung without a hitch. She must have sorted herself out, at least FOR NOW..... ;'D
Made a vid of such, but the publish button on the Youtube app is not working again. Thought Verizon fixed that on Saturday . It's always something!

Thank you both, Fred and C. for the empathy.

mickeyd++10-4-2016-13-05-23.jpg
 
Gave 'er a couple kisses

of touch up paint, starting to look brand new.

The cool thing about the faucet is that for kitchen use, there is no struggling with draining over wide counter frames in front of the sink the way there often is with a hose; that and the fact the faucet is flexible and you can pull it up and over any reasonable height. But you still can't "Trow duh hose on duh floor Myykeee!" as Mary Wydro used to tell me, to get all the water out of the pump, thus insuring its health and longevity.

mickeyd++10-4-2016-13-26-3.jpg
 
Wow, Mike that is one impressive washer! I have never seen anything quite like it before. Thanks for posting the videos!!
 
Hey funny man!

Thanks, Paul. I got somethin' brewing that turned out pretty funny. Paul Francis & I filmed the wringing of towels at Sunset, and one towel started wrapping around the rolls which I did not expect. Hard to see, because we're in the dim of sunset, but the audio may make you-- and everyone else here-- chuckle. It's queueing now on Youtibe. The way it turned out is an unexpected and delightful surprise.

I hope you all like this. Goin' out on a limb showing it. Don't care.

It'll be up as soon as Youtube quits smoking' the gange and gets back to work.
 
Sunset Wringing in the Blackstone 330P Hydractor

Thanks, Sam, hope you like this one as much.

OKAY PEOPLE; THIS IS IT, THE FINAL ACT. The wringer is fixed; it should have sprung open twice if still in the defective mode. I was tweaking because I thought it WOULD, a vexation to the spirit when it does.

Do enjoy this. Thanks. Michael Mickey Mike

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfOOMzszISo
 

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