THE VERY VERY VERY FIRST GE AUTOMATIC WASHER

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Unimatic1140

Unimatic1140

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I’m a very lucky washer-boy this week and I couldn’t be more excited. John Lefever and Warren from Washington DC arrived with their 1947 General Electric AW6 washer to trade with me for my 1957 Westinghouse Wash and Dry Combo. I can’t tell you all how excited I am to add this very rare washer to my collection. First of all the Model # is 1AW6A2 which is very, very early in the production line. The first version of the AW6 was produced under the model # 1AW6A1 and continued through 1948 with the 1AW6A8, this being a AW6A-'2' is only the first production revision from the original machine! The machine is so early that it doesn’t even have a vacuum breaker in its fill flume, which even in 1947 was against plumbing codes in many places. They corrected this with the 1AW6A3. The AW6 design was only made until 1950 which they completely redesigned the machine with the belt-drive AW5.

Mechanically the machine is in great shape, the transmission was rebuilt and the outer tub boot was replaced only a year before John found it almost 30 years ago! It’s has had very light use ever since. Structurally the machine is going to need some work which is going to be a bit of a challenge, but nothing that can’t be fixed with some time and energy. The poor dear also needs a paint job, and it shall get one as this machine deservers to be brought to its true splendor.

After the ‘47 Frigidaire which I have and an Apex Wash-A-Matic which is still a dream, this machine is next on my list for my most wanted dream machines. It’s a wonderful machine and it’s the only other washer ever to Spin at 1140RPM besides the Unimatics! The machine is a wonder of design with a self-cleaning lint filter, built in rinse water saver (to be used in the next wash cycle) without needing an extra laundry sink to store the water. Pre-wash and an automatic advance to wash with a soap dispenser to add detergent into the wash cycle after the pre-wash. So advanced for its time and to this day it really hasn’t had much competition for features with the exception of electronic controls.

In the pictures you can see the lint filter screens at the top of the wash basket, anyone care to guess how it cleans itself?

Here are the first round of pictures…

 
**WOW** This is gonna be an AWESOME machine when it's done!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! As for the filter, I'm gonna guess it recirculates or sprays water into it while spinning? Or when the tub spins out, some of the water exits through the filter in reverse pushing it all down the drain?
 
Classic TV

I saw that machine (or simular one) with the matching dryer on a rerun of My Little Margie on PAX last week. Very nice can't wait to see the progress on restoring it and hopefully some videos.

joe
jamman_98
 
Way to go Uni!!

Congratulation on a very rare find! Love the brick sh--house quality built into that machine!

Me thinks the lint filter is cleaned by centrifugal force.

Got an idea on the rust repair. Sent you an email.
 
WOOHOO!!! Move over, Frigidaire...we have another Rapidry!

CONGRATULATIONS ROBERT!!!!

To say that this "king of all automatics" is the acquisition of the year is a HUGE understatement...what an extraordinary machine! Definitely WAY ahead of its time and looks solidly built, especially with those 3 huge motors. And a recirculation system, 2 separate fill flumes, a "suds-kill" system, not to mention a Rapidry 1140 spin--talk about "imagination at work"!

I'd be delighted to hear more details in the history of this particular machine. Where exactly did John find it, and was it still in continuous service then? Inquiring minds would like to know...:)

Is the filter an early example of the Hotpoint filter ring that self-cleans during the spin-drain, where all of the water flying out of the inner tub washes away the lint?

Good luck on the restoration...I know you'll have it "showroom fresh" in no time!!

--Austin
 
Amazing Find!

Now *this* is a wonderful way to start of the year - a dream machine to say the least! I love the design and technology used in this machine - simply breath-taking. I am looking forward to the progress on this wonderful General Electric.

Ben
 
Hi Greg!! (:

I suggested to have an auto body shop fabricate the rails,and weld them in place. Then media blast the entire cabinet,and have the entire cabinet professionally refinished with single stage automotive grade paint.

Rick (who doesn't care what they look like,as long as they look brand new) LOL!!
 
Impressive

Hey Robert, congratulations on the new machine. I can't wait to see the pics of her clean, shiny and running!!!
Donnie
 
It looks terrific

What a great looking Machine Robert. You must be thrilled.

If the funnel float dropping, starts activation, what happens when you've saved the rinse water? The float would already have dropped?

Does it agitate when filling with recycled water for the presoak?

That would also mean that the fresh water valve wouldnt open until all the rinse water had been pumped back into the tub. As when it floats the fresh water valave turns off.

Am I on the right track, or have I missed something?

What a great winter project. :)

Congrats
Nathan
 
Hi Everyone, thanks for all the good wishes, I sure am excited to have this machine. I’m seeing John again on Friday night and I will get the details from him and let everyone know, he found the machine over 30 years ago, not another one has been seen since!

Jamie you are correct, the way the lint filter cleans itself is a combination of the water spinning out of the top of the tub as well as a 30 second blast from the recirculation pump blasting a stream of high pressure water from the sump onto the spinning screens at 1140RPM! I can’t wait to hear the sound it makes!!

Rick, thanks for the advice, I was thinking that I would have to find a good auto body shop. I stopped into one last year but they told me they only worked on cars, I will have to find a small shop who would be willing to work on a washer.

Hi Nathan, let me try to explain how this works. The machine always saves the rinse water. You have to set the dial to “EMP” to empty the outer tub of the final rinse water if you want a fresh charge of water or you done washing for the day.

Remember there are two water level sensors, a float cork (water inlet valve shutoff sensor) and a metal Overflow Detector Float Cup (agitation/timer motor sensor). When the outer tub is full of rinse water, the cork float is in the up (or full) position. This prevents any more fresh water from being filled into the outer tub. But Overflow Detector Float Cup is in the Up position (no agitation position). I bet with the outer tub filled with water, the water surrounding the outside of the metal cup acts as a cushion and keeps the metal float cup in the up position due to spring pressure.

So now our little happy homemaker (me) selects “Soak” or “Wash” on the control dial and the recirculation pump starts. No fresh water is being filled in because the cork float is satisfied. As the wash basket fills with water from the pump, the water level in the outer tub slowly goes down and moves below the metal Overflow Detector Float Cup. The metal cup is kept in the up position by spring pressure. When the water reaches the top of the agitator it overflows down the top-center of the agitator, onto the top of the transmission, through the funnel and lowers the Overflow Detector Float Cup because of the weight of the water in the cup. This starts the timer and agitation. Since there is still over an 1” of water in the outer tub, no new water is ever needed.
 
Wow. Dude. A fascinating "Rube Goldberg" mechanism. The cutaway view, I've seen before, it's a picture of the day, yes? Will be great to see the real thing in action. I'm sure there'll be some videos, and maybe a DVD!

I assume the main drive motor is reversing, for agitate and spin?
 
Congrats Robert

Neat machine, and the mechanicals! WOW!
I know you'll make that a beauty in no time!
 
Congratulations Robert!! It seems like it is going to be another great year in Applianceville. Loved reading the Consumer Reports article. Hard to believe that this machine had a dispenser for detergent way back then. Just proves that there is nothing really new! Can't wait to see and hear more about this machine. Terry
 
KLLLUUNNKKK!!! I just hit the floor. I knew John had it. Never thought he'd trade it for anything. Emotional here, this was my Dad's Mother's (grandmother to me) washing machine that I saw from a distance but never was allowed to go near it nor was I ever around on a Monday for wash day. Machine was in a wash room in the garage building. She had this washer until she moved to an apartment in 1963.
 
Only thing that comes to mind

Is the song "Powerhouse" by Raymond Scott. You know the song that you hear in the Bugs Bunny cartoons when they're in a factory or machinery "dun dun dun DUN DUN dun dun DUN..."

It's the Rube Goldberg washer, and I bet it works like a charm. I can't wait to see videos of it.
 

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