peterh770
Well-known member
Now what happens to the little AW GE washer that you've had for a while?
THE VERY VERY VERY FIRST GE AUTOMATIC WASHER
- Thread starter Unimatic1140
- Start date
Help Support :
I remember, I remember, I remember...
This was the washing machine my mother had from the time I was an infant (around 1949) until I was in high school. When I was a little kid I watched her use it hundreds of times. She more than once took it apart to clean it. Lid off, agitator unscrewed, wash basket removed. I remember the triangular shape to the top of the agitator shaft, and the fact that the water inlets were different (recirculate flume vs. fresh water inlet flumes). You had to mash back the recirculate flume when reinstalling the tub. I remember the screened holes in the upper tub flange. My mother was not interested in the thing as a machine, so she couldn't answer half of the quesions I posed.
My dad, however, did self-repair many times over the years. He marveled many times over the fact that the machine had three separate electric motors: main drive, recirculator pump, and drain pump. When he was finally ready to replace it he kept the two pump motors lying about the basement for another 25 years until they sold the house. He kept them because he was a dedicated believer of reusing stuff in new, unthought-of applications; and he wanted to do something with them.
When I was a little kid, this was the highest-technology device in our home. Seeing it opened up taught me that such things could be done, and I am sure drove my own interests in that direction. What a treat to see this machine once again.
This was the washing machine my mother had from the time I was an infant (around 1949) until I was in high school. When I was a little kid I watched her use it hundreds of times. She more than once took it apart to clean it. Lid off, agitator unscrewed, wash basket removed. I remember the triangular shape to the top of the agitator shaft, and the fact that the water inlets were different (recirculate flume vs. fresh water inlet flumes). You had to mash back the recirculate flume when reinstalling the tub. I remember the screened holes in the upper tub flange. My mother was not interested in the thing as a machine, so she couldn't answer half of the quesions I posed.
My dad, however, did self-repair many times over the years. He marveled many times over the fact that the machine had three separate electric motors: main drive, recirculator pump, and drain pump. When he was finally ready to replace it he kept the two pump motors lying about the basement for another 25 years until they sold the house. He kept them because he was a dedicated believer of reusing stuff in new, unthought-of applications; and he wanted to do something with them.
When I was a little kid, this was the highest-technology device in our home. Seeing it opened up taught me that such things could be done, and I am sure drove my own interests in that direction. What a treat to see this machine once again.
And another thing
I mentioned in the earlier post about my dad reusing things in different ways. The washing machine which the GE replaced was an old Maytag wringer washer that had been my grandmother's. I have no idea from what era but I could guess the 30's. It had a solid cast aluminum tub with a big red Maytag script cast right into the side (instead of the decal sort of thing later ones had) and a metal agitator. Once the 'tag had breathed its last my dad decided to use the tub as the firepot in an outdoor grill which he would build. We collected rocks from streambeds for a couple of years, finally we had a sufficient quantity and he mixed mortar and he did build the thing. I was so impressed as a kid that he could conceive of such a thing and then accomplish it.
I mentioned in the earlier post about my dad reusing things in different ways. The washing machine which the GE replaced was an old Maytag wringer washer that had been my grandmother's. I have no idea from what era but I could guess the 30's. It had a solid cast aluminum tub with a big red Maytag script cast right into the side (instead of the decal sort of thing later ones had) and a metal agitator. Once the 'tag had breathed its last my dad decided to use the tub as the firepot in an outdoor grill which he would build. We collected rocks from streambeds for a couple of years, finally we had a sufficient quantity and he mixed mortar and he did build the thing. I was so impressed as a kid that he could conceive of such a thing and then accomplish it.
bobbyderegis
Well-known member
What a fantasic find! Optional casters? No unbalance mechanism? 1140 rpm's? Run for your life! How interesting in recent years Hotpoint resurrected the tub ring filter idea. And new GE's with the ribbed extraction tub. It's a shame we don't keep good ideas in production longer. And I really miss Consumer Reports ratings in the old days. I wish they would look back and resurect their detailed product descriptions.
Bobby in Boston
Bobby in Boston
thirtyater
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2005
- Messages
- 205
$350 :O
Wow what a find! At $350 new, there couldn't have been very many around when they were new. This could be the only one left. Between this and the turquoise machine you recently acquired, you make this GE nut want to cry.
Wow what a find! At $350 new, there couldn't have been very many around when they were new. This could be the only one left. Between this and the turquoise machine you recently acquired, you make this GE nut want to cry.
golittlesport
Well-known member
That GE machine would cost almost $3000 in today's dollars! And these days many Americans complain if a washer costs more than $400! Ha!
Robert, thank you for all the detailed pictures. I'm sorry I forgot to say that last nightm, it itripped across my mind but I got too mesmerized by the photos.
WOW!! from the diagrams and "doco" on this machine-GE built a fine washer-glad you found one--3 motors!! sounds like what you would find in a tape machine!!-"My GE Washer has 3 motors!"This must be the FIRST DD washer?Really neat.-love the fill mechanism--clever!GE brought a "good thing to life" with that washer.I would also have to think the lint trap in the tank rim self cleans when the washer goes into spin-and fast spin at that.The DD mechanism certainly will give you fast spins-the tank could be spun at motor speed!
Robert,
Congratulations! Another classic added to your collection. And another 1140!
Congratulations! Another classic added to your collection. And another 1140!
GE Suspension...!!!
Wow...Robert
Congrats on the GE...just goes to show how the solid & heavy machines can spin so fast ...AND...all mounted on just THREE castors instead of four as per usual...
Looking forward to seeing this restoration in action..
So..the principle of the Sudz Save built in tank...is it similar to the Parnall setup??
Cheers, Mike
Wow...Robert
Congrats on the GE...just goes to show how the solid & heavy machines can spin so fast ...AND...all mounted on just THREE castors instead of four as per usual...
Looking forward to seeing this restoration in action..
So..the principle of the Sudz Save built in tank...is it similar to the Parnall setup??
Cheers, Mike
Wow, I’m glad to hear so many stores of people actually remembering this washer. As it was made only for two years, I’m surprised any of us have ever seen one.
How long have you been wanting this machine?
Hi Peter, I’ve wanted this machine for 24 years since I first found that Consumer Reports article on this washer. I was always curious how exactly this machine works, now I know. YAY.
I'd also suggest calling up GE Corporate and letting them know you have this
I did that before with both Frigidaire and Whirlpool, both of them were completely uninterested, Frigidaire didn’t even have the courtesy to respond.
Now what happens to the little AW5 GE washer that you've had for a while?
I’m planning on keep my old 1951 GE in my collection and hooked up as it’s the very first belt drive GE design washer, with some modifications it was the same design that used all the up to 1995. I’m thinking of totally rearranging the basement by moving my 4 “very first” machines (’47 Frigidaire, ’49 ABC, ’49 Maytag and ’47 GE) all together in a row. Then I would like to get all my matching washer/dryer sets in one central location. I might move the ’55 Unimatic into storage to make room for the ’47 GE and the Super Unimatic will replace the Asko.
Robert, thank you for all the detailed pictures.
My pleasure Bob, I know how you love those “Dial Shots”!
This must be the FIRST DD washer?
Actually from what I can tell from the documentation I have, the Unimatic was the first DD washer, it was in production before the AW6 and the Unimatic was available on the market about six months earlier.
is it similar to the Parnall setup
Hi Mike, I’m not sure what Parnall did to save water, the GE simply saves the rinse water in the outer tub, ready for use for the next wash load. To me this make more sense than saving the dirty wash water, the rinse water has to be a lot cleaner. This was about 10 years before fabric softener was introduced so that wouldn’t have a made any difference in the rinse water.
How long have you been wanting this machine?
Hi Peter, I’ve wanted this machine for 24 years since I first found that Consumer Reports article on this washer. I was always curious how exactly this machine works, now I know. YAY.
I'd also suggest calling up GE Corporate and letting them know you have this
I did that before with both Frigidaire and Whirlpool, both of them were completely uninterested, Frigidaire didn’t even have the courtesy to respond.
Now what happens to the little AW5 GE washer that you've had for a while?
I’m planning on keep my old 1951 GE in my collection and hooked up as it’s the very first belt drive GE design washer, with some modifications it was the same design that used all the up to 1995. I’m thinking of totally rearranging the basement by moving my 4 “very first” machines (’47 Frigidaire, ’49 ABC, ’49 Maytag and ’47 GE) all together in a row. Then I would like to get all my matching washer/dryer sets in one central location. I might move the ’55 Unimatic into storage to make room for the ’47 GE and the Super Unimatic will replace the Asko.
Robert, thank you for all the detailed pictures.
My pleasure Bob, I know how you love those “Dial Shots”!
This must be the FIRST DD washer?
Actually from what I can tell from the documentation I have, the Unimatic was the first DD washer, it was in production before the AW6 and the Unimatic was available on the market about six months earlier.
is it similar to the Parnall setup
Hi Mike, I’m not sure what Parnall did to save water, the GE simply saves the rinse water in the outer tub, ready for use for the next wash load. To me this make more sense than saving the dirty wash water, the rinse water has to be a lot cleaner. This was about 10 years before fabric softener was introduced so that wouldn’t have a made any difference in the rinse water.
Robert, this is an amazing addition to your collecction. I've been curious about this machine ever since seeing it on the cyber museum page when I first joined the club a few years ago. I can't wait for more pics.
Speaking of the GE's, are you still planning on doing a DVD of the 51 or will you wait and do the 47 instead? It's been awhile since you produced the Wizard DVD and I'm sure we'd all love another one whenever you have a chance to shoot one.
Les
Speaking of the GE's, are you still planning on doing a DVD of the 51 or will you wait and do the 47 instead? It's been awhile since you produced the Wizard DVD and I'm sure we'd all love another one whenever you have a chance to shoot one.
Les
Speaking of the GE's, are you still planning on doing a DVD of the 51 or will you wait and do the 47 instead? It's been awhile since you produced the Wizard DVD and I'm sure we'd all love another one whenever you have a chance to shoot one.
Hi Les, I've have 3/4 of the work done on the '51 GE DVD, I just need to find time to finish it which has been next to impossible. I wish I had more time to work on this stuff, I do know how much some of you guys enjoy these DVD's.
My ultimate dream is not any washer or any dishwasher or any vintage television set, my ultimate dream is retirement. Once I've reached that goal I will have so much more time to work on stuff like this and I could put so much more effort into this web site and the machines, but that is still a ways off yet. So for now if I able to get a DVD out once every two or three years I'll be pleased.
Hi Les, I've have 3/4 of the work done on the '51 GE DVD, I just need to find time to finish it which has been next to impossible. I wish I had more time to work on this stuff, I do know how much some of you guys enjoy these DVD's.
My ultimate dream is not any washer or any dishwasher or any vintage television set, my ultimate dream is retirement. Once I've reached that goal I will have so much more time to work on stuff like this and I could put so much more effort into this web site and the machines, but that is still a ways off yet. So for now if I able to get a DVD out once every two or three years I'll be pleased.
Engineering!
Now that is engineering! So simple, but at the same time, so complicated! It's amazing what the engineers had water itself accomplishing with the floats and overflows, etc.
It's just amazing!
Congratulations on this wonderful machine!
May you never suds lock nor an out of balance load!
duetboy
aka jeff
Now that is engineering! So simple, but at the same time, so complicated! It's amazing what the engineers had water itself accomplishing with the floats and overflows, etc.
It's just amazing!
Congratulations on this wonderful machine!
May you never suds lock nor an out of balance load!
duetboy
aka jeff
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
-
-
72 Avocado Maytag washer and electric dryer for sale- Latest: turquoisedude
-
