The THOR lives again on this Easter weekend. YAY!!

[perc-o-prince]

Well, we spent a fun day with Ron (Kenmore58) and celebrated our 3 birthdays together as we have done for the last 15 years or so. One thing that was on our agenda was to try to remove the washer tub and balancer plate from the Thor.

Chuck and I have been too busy to spend any real time on it. Fortunately, with the three of us tackling it, and with a lot of time and patience, we were able to to wrestle (and I do mean wrestle) the tub free. But, the balancer plate was another challenge! Rusted solid on the center shaft. After some more time, patience and Kroil we were able to finally get it free!!! After some clean-up, rust removal and tweeking, it works like a charm

Now I can use the dishwasher attachment!!

Chuck will be posting some pics and video for anyone who is a Thor fan

Thanks for a fun day, Ron!!!

Rich

 

[perc-o-prince]

Once we got the tub and balancer out...

 

[perc-o-prince]

Here's the balancer sitting on top of the (upside-down) tub. The rust was a contributor in not allowing us to get the basket off!

 

[perc-o-prince]

After a little cleaning, Rich started putting the dishwasher assembly in!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Here's the view with the first of the racks in...

 

[kenmore58]

I have to say it was a fun day and great to finally get Rich's Thor up and running completely.

Now it's on to Phase II -- my Thor. Several issues to deal with including getting my tub and balancer plate out. Then it's onto finding out what has been leaking oil (and I do mean LEAKING)! And then getting the transmission unstuck.

In all honesty, Rich and Chuck are more hopeful than I am of getting my Thor up and running. But I will keep everyone posted.

Ron

 

[perc-o-prince]

And Ron giving us a Vanna of the dish rack before he puts it in...

 

[perc-o-prince]

Racks in!

 

[perc-o-prince]

Here's a video. First, the bottom section (water spray assembly) in action. Then, the full action with plain water and an improvised glass top. Lastly, same as before with a little soap added! The scraping sound was rectified by adding a couple of washers as spacers on the central shaft after the videos were shot.

Rich did run a load of dishes through it, and it seemed to work quite well, despite previous misgivings!

Also, a good amount of the rust has been removed and otherwise dealt with (rust reformer, scraping/brushing, painting, et cetera.

Chuck

<iframe title=YouTube video player width=480 height=390 src= frameborder=0 allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[gansky1]

Wonderful to finally see that in action - thanks for the great pics and video! What a fun Easter you had

 

[appnut]

Wow, my own washer to dishwasher fantasy come true.  When I fantasized about this as a kid, I had no idea anything liike this had ever existed. 

 

[a440]

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Very interesting!  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Thanks for the video!</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">What a trip back in time!</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Thanks!</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>

 

[alr2903]

Thanks for the great video,  does the "spinning plate at the bottom"  somehow act as a pump to get the water to the spray arms?  After watching the video, i still do not quite get it.  Looks like a fun vintage Easter project.  Thanks again alr2903

 

[chestermikeuk]

Thor - Dishwasher

Wow, great work there boys,all the hard work payed off..!!! when you said rusted I was expecting a rustbucket,that tub outer is MINT considering how old it is!! I hadnt realised the overfow top filler pipe re-circulated the water solution all the time, It sure looks a fun machine to use - Ta for showing & sharing with us..

Cheers, Mike

 

[easyspindry]

Wonderful video . . .

. . . of the Thor dishwasher. I used one of these in the early 1950's, but had no idea how it worked inside. It's almost as interesting as Robert's video of the Bendix Economat squeezing out the water.

I'd love to see the Thor dishwasher loaded with dishes in it.

Thanks for sharing and for all your hard work.

Jerry Gay

 

[peteski50]

Thor!

Absolutly awsome I think this is the first dishwash attachment I saw working!
I hope you guys are doing well.
Peter

 

[toploader55]

Interesting Concept.

I never would have thought that Thor would use the Ocillating Concept to distribute water.

I visioned more of a Impeller or Youngstown Concept. I'm glad to see you got that Gem running. Eddie

 

[perc-o-prince]

Thanks, all!

I'm heading off to work but when I get home I will reply with a description of just how it works. It's so simple !! Think centrifical force

Rich

 

[combo52]

THOR DISHWASHER

WOW thanks for showing us this very rare machine in operation. When Jeff and I were kids around the mid 1960s we saw one of these machines thrown away at a dump and i remember looking at all the parts and wondering how well it worked.