Two Bendix and something wierd...

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thomasortega

thomasortega

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Hello everybody!

Look what I found in Argentina.

Because of the MERCOSUL, I can import them to Brazil without taxes (all three washers would cost less than 300 dollars) and I have some relatives living in Argentina, so they can negotiate and forward those "young" ladies for me.

Vintage experts, should I or shouldn't I buy them?

The first Bendix... Price in Dollars: $33

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-38809202-_JM
 
I'm just worried about their conditions. It´s visible I'll need a lot of parts to fix them. How could I get the parts if they are the only Bendix front loaders in south america?

I'll try to save them only if I find a way to fix them.

Or...
If somebody wants (and have conditions to repair them) I would feel glad to help.
 
I like that third washer. It's like a vintage Haier genesis or GE Hydrowave. Maybe that design isn't that bad but there is probably room for improvement. Would like to buy it and try to make it a good washer, but no time, no money and euh it's a bit too too too far from belgium.
 
I'm not sure that's a Duomatic. In 1952 or '53 Bendix had seperate washer-dryer pair (from what I gather, the original Duomatic, for the most part, looked identical, save for the fact it was a bit wider.

I remember as a little kid, the apartment comples my family lived in had coin-op Bendix dryers, which looked identical to the washer pictured A late aunt of mine also had the aforementioned washer & dryer (referred to in Bendix' advertising as "the Perfect Pair").
 
Drean washer

Thomas, the Drean washer pictured is an absolute POS. This design was sold through the 70's and mid 80's in both semi-automatic and automatic versions, in two load sizes. The drum just oscillated back and forth, the clothes being washed did not make any turnaround watsover, the clothes just remained tangled in a ball in the center of the oscillating drum. Washing performance was close to zero, believe me! But for people that had no previous washer at least it was better than a wood board, LOL!

Emilio
 
Muchas gracias Emilio!

podés contactarme por email o MSN? mi direccion es [email protected]

Wonderful dishwasher, unfortunatelly I don't have space for it yet.

Emilio, you're in Buenos Aires, right?
Is possible for you to help me negotiating those treasures? the seller want me to pick up, but i'm too far from Bs.As.
If I send you the money to cover all the costs, is possible for you to negotiate pick up and forward them to Puerto Iguazu - Misiones?

I know this Drean washer is a huge piece of crap, but this washing system is so rare and of course it will never be made again, unless by an stupid manufacturer that I think it deserves a place in my collection.

But i still with the same doubt and waiting for my experienced colleagues to answer me.

I'm used to design and test new washers as all of you know, but i've never started a restoration like this before. The older washer I restored was very easy because it wasn't so old and the parts still available everywhere.

1) Will i be able to make them work perfectly (with their limitations, of course) and look like new again?

2) Will you like my idea and enjoy these restorations with me, step by step and helping me with informations if I need?

When we're behind a desk or testing a prototipe in the lab everything seems to be so easy... but handling rusted and stuck parts without a technical sheet, without knowing anything about it and even without the instructions manual it looks so difficult.

By the way, do you know those semi-automatic "Drean Family" washers available today? WOW it's just the best semi automatic washer I've ever used. I had one a few years ago but I sold it because it was the basic model. Now I plan to buy the TOL model.
 
I just had another orgasm

Emiliooooooooooooo

Help me again hehehehee

Take a look at this washer.
I don't need your opinion, I know you'll say it's a POS and I agree 100% with you. LOL

I always dream about one of those enameled argentinian washers with a terrible rollover. honestly i don't know why the hell didn't it buy one of it before, specially with it's ridiculous price. Onfortunately in Puerto Iguazu I can find only the ordinary big models.

The selled says it's a compact washer. well the definition of "compact" is very wide.
Do you know the size of this washer? does it looks like a spin dryer, maybe a few centimeters bigger? Do you know if any manufacturer still making them?

If yes, I prefer to buy a brand new, if no, i'll have to pay those expensive 300 pesos (more than a brand new standard size)

http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.ar/MLA-38761824-lavaropas-mini-lavarropas-solo-lava-_JM
 
Hi Thomas,

...let me answer your questions one by one:

a) Yes, I would surely help you to negotiate these treasures. I can also arrange for their shipping to Puerto Iguazú-Misiones (I guess you mean the Argentinian side of the border?).

1) Maybe I can find a unit which doesn't need any restoration, I have seen quite a bunch of them in second hand stores. Please remember there were four versions of this design: semi-automatic and automatic, both small and large capacities.

2) I love your idea of restoring this with you. I could also help you in getting any related literature, if there ever was any. Please count on my best effort on this behalf.

3) I don't have in mind right now those "Drean Family" washers available today. Thomas, ¿are you sure they are not manufactured in Brazil? Let me check with local stores, I could even take some pictures and load them up here.

Thomas, I have one question for you. The Bendixes are 110V 60 Hz units, but are you aware that the Drean washers will be 220V 50Hz units? Although these are quite simple machines, just a timer and an electric motor (semi-automatic model) plus two water valves (automatic model) you will have a motor spinning 15% faster than the rated rpms.

Best regards,
Emilio
Buenos Aires
 
FYRME

Thomas, FYRME washers are the absolute lower scale of anything manufactured intended for washing, except for a wooden board, LOL! They are gravity drain, just one fixed, non-spinning tub with an oscillating agitator. I even wonder if they have a timer to shut the machine off after selecting a number of minutes of operation.

Surely I can go into a store to take a look at them, I want to be sure these units are not manufactured in Brazil.

Regards,
Emilio
 
Emilio
Thank you very much for your answers!

1) If it doesn´t need any restauration, it´s much better! (and even better if you find cheaper than at ML)

2) If we don´t find any model that doesn´t need to be restored, I´ll love to have you helping me.

3) No way! I´m 100% sure in brazil be don´t have any tumble action top loader or enameled tub semi automatic. 80% of our washers are agitator top loader, 15% impeller top loader (including those semi-automatic crap like mueller pop tank) and 5% front loaders (like affinity)

Our semi automatic washers are those big ones with a wood body or fiberglass (by they way, they clean like any other), those which design looks like a sink with a washboard with a side impeller or those ultra modern design POS.

When I mean Puerto Iguazú is the argentinian side hehehe the Brazillian side (my city) is called Foz do Iguaçu.
I have some relatives living in Puerto Iguazu (I love it because of their dance clubs, supermarkets and the cheap gasoline and of course the delicious "alfajores" and the cheap clothes (specially the winter ones, like leather and wool).

By the way folks, If you´re planning your vacations, please think about Argentina. The country is great and I think it´s the only place in the world you can buy an original leather jacket and pay only 30 dollars for it or first quality hand made wool sweaters for only $2 (and also visit the Iguassu Falls, that is the best experience someone could have in life).

Emilio, about the voltage, I have both 110v and 220V at home.
The only problem is the frequency. Energy in Brazil is 60Hz, but I always had 50Hz appliances and I used it without any problem. The only difference i noted is the faster spins, the quickest heating (kettle and iron) the faster cooling (air conditioner).
About the Fyrme, I know they are a POS. I just want it only if it´s really mini sized.

I have my twin tub I´ve imported from China (The Portawash), it´s a POS too, of course I would never use it as main washer because it´s not practical, but I can have a lot of fun with it sometimes, and all my friends love it when they see that cute baby.
If it´s really mini sized, I think I´ll put it in my bedroom and use it as a hamper

Talking about mini semi-automatic washers, does anyone remember a little washer-dryer combo? It was all made of plastic, including the drum, had no spin cycle, only a 15 minutes wash timer and a drying timer. It was a top loader with a tumble drum and small enough to use it countertop.
 
Emilio, about the Drean washer, you said there are two sizes and both semi-automatic and automatic versions.
Is possible for you to send me some pictures of them and describe their cycles?

About the semi-auto model... does it have an eletric water valve or it must be filled with a hose or bucket?
I saw another model with a front panel. Is it the bigger model? by the picture it seems to have a bigger footprint.

I have problems with space, because I live in an apartment, so smaller washers would be better for me.
 
Update

Just to keep my colleagues posted.
Mr. Emilio sent me an adorable email, offering his help to find the vintage appliances in Buenos Aires.
After some replyes, I decided to go to Buenos Aires in 1 or 2 months and I'll spend a whole week in that lovely city.

Emilio loved the idea and offered me some support during my visit, since I don´t know anything about Buenos Aires...

Thank you Emilio! You´re fabulous!
 

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