The Ogden Laundry Comeback

[turquoisedude]

Oh no, wait, I hate that word...It's RETURN!

Ok, enough channeling Norma Desmond... There have been some BIG changes in Ogden Laundry!

Here's how the laundry room looked earlier this year. The collection was a bit bigger and it didn't all fit into the basement. The hookups left a lot to be desired - I was using sump pump hoses for drainage and more times than I care to recall, they would leak. I had to remember to change drain hoses if I wanted to use a different machine. I rigged up an extension to the dryer power supply to. connect more than one dryer - it worked, but I would bet that an insurance inspector would have flipped out.
Well, that was then...

 

[turquoisedude]

Here's the New Look!

Can that really be the same room??
It sure is! There's been a change of equipment and decor. And there have been some major infrastructure improvements!

 

[turquoisedude]

The project was done in phases - I was busy with work and and helping on some fairly heavy-duty landscaping...
The first task was to add some permanent wiring. Two permanent dryer outlets, one more washer outlet and the replacement of a baseboard-style heater with a compact fan-forced model was actually done in early September.

 

[turquoisedude]

I spent a couple of weekends away from the job and during that time, I figured out that the purple walls were just not working...
After getting back from the safari vacation, I visited the local paint store and picked this new tone!

 

[turquoisedude]

New drain pipes were added AND this vintage laundry tub was added to the basement. I am hoping that this will be part of a suds-saver configuration one day!

 

[turquoisedude]

Meet the new team...

There have been some changes, but most of the players are still part of the line-up... The 1965 Maytag A702 and 1963 (or 64) DE701 are still around.

 

[dishwashercrazy]

Wow, Paul, what a transformation from what I saw when Darren and I were there in June! Do you have more photos, especially how you connected your drain system?

Mike

 

[turquoisedude]

New kids on the block

Here are the 1956 Whirlpool Imperials that I got from Beltsville at the end of September. They have been expertly rebuilt (I got to witness how that's done) and they run wonderfully! I am going to repaint them next summer and I believe that I will invest in having the control panel caps and the door latch frames rechromed.

 

[turquoisedude]

Recognize these characters?

Yep, that's the 1953 Canadian Westy set! The CLB6 laundromat and CD6 dryer, to be exact. I'll come back to why the skirt is off the washer...[this post was last edited: 10/31/2011-22:07]

 

[turquoisedude]

Not in the corner for punishment, honest!

The 1963 Frigidaire is tucked up in far corner at the last drain port - but it is permanently hooked up at last!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Waiting to be reborn...

Yes, that is the Inglis set that started it all for me... I was very discouraged with them, wanted to get rid of them, but I am glad I didn't. One day they will be running again...
Again, thanks to the weekend I spent with John and Jeff at the Beltsville museum, I feel that I am ready to tackle a Whirlpool rebuild! That and the fact that I came back from Maryland with a 'parts donor' 1967 Whirlpool washer... Phil (PhilR) had found me a dryer motor from a later Inglis this summer, too, so I have no excuses!

 

[turquoisedude]

Ready for action

I got as far as testing water connection and drains before last weekend was up and everything was fine! Hubby is actually a pretty good plumber!!
I am going to be doing a few real loads of laundry this weekend, I swear...

 

[turquoisedude]

Now for the BUT...

When I tested the Westy washer, I was able to make it fill, wash, and drain BUT the timer did not advance on its own... GRRRR!
If there is an upside to this, it is that the timer was rebuilt in February and is still under warranty. I hope that this will be back in regular service in a few weeks...

 

[turquoisedude]

Thank yous

I have to say a special thank you to Brian (BrianL) for welcoming me into his home on my way down to Beltsville! I got to see his collections, and even though it was a short visit. Brian, you need a Combo machine in your basement (ducks and runs...)
And a very big thank you to John (combo52)for this hospitality and knowledge transfer, and of course the 3 machines!! I could have spent a week there!!

The Ogden laundry is back with a vengence!!

 

[combo52]

NEW LAUNDRY ROOM

Wow you have been busy Paul, I guess this is why you have been so quiet lately. Meanwhile I am continuing the BD rebuilding project here in Beltsville. Last week I swapped my 1952 WP electric dryer with a gas one that Gram had in Pennsylvania. I have gotten it and the matching washer stripped down and they are now both at Smittys power coating guy to have the old paint removed by blasting it with pulverized walnut shells. After they return Smitty will paint both in his paint booth and I will finish the rebuilding project.

 

[appnut]

wow Paul, bizzy man.  I do like the improved color scheme over the purple shade. 

 

[westingman123]

Hey, Mr. Multi-tasker! And you don't seem a bit tired from your trip. I always come home more tired than I began. Love the new scheme--tell me, isn't there more room now? Tap, tap, tap...You've got a plan, don't you!

Keith

 

[lebron]

Wow looks great! The Westy set and the Frigidaire look particularly nice

 

[pdub]

Looks great Paul...

I am very impressed with your layout and all the work you've done. The paint color really brightens things up and I love seeing the matched sets side by side.

I'll bet you get a real nice feeling inside when you look at your new improved laundry area. Congratulations!

Patrick