Vintage photos of wringer washers

[luckyfind]

Here is a Norge unit i brought home late sat night. taller than the pristine model..Post# 597963. l Did the serial # mode search but only had 6 characters and site only used 8 digits plus.

The unit has some trailer paint sprayed on it, and is missing the handle on lid, but otherwise salvageable i think. Any help on year, info, and restoration and testing tips is much apprecited. Great old photos by the way. I'm glad i found the site.

 

[luckyfind]

norge front graphics

 

[luckyfind]

You can see the white trying to shine through as the black paint chips away. Sorry about photo quality... quick shot in the rain.

 

[d-jones]

luckyfind

You asked this question in a thread started by laundress. Then you started your own thread with the same question, and now you've posted it here, all within twenty four hours. I think you're being a little impatient. As you already know, there are a great many very knowledgeable people that post regularly here. Given time, they'll see your post and answer your question. If a question goes unanswered for a day or two, it could very well be that the right person hasn't seen it yet, and those that have seen it simply don't have the answer. Remember, patients is a virtue.

 

[luckyfind]

Patience

Thanks, its more thoroughness then impatience. With over a 100 threads I did not think posting my question on 3 would be an issue. Just casting a bigger net assuming people don¡¦t often participate in every thread. I can delete one or two if it¡¦s a problem. Best wishes, J

P.S. I started the thread on restoration as I know there must be interesting stories of how a collector "came by", or found a unit, what worked in reparations¡K advice that all might enjoy. ƒº

 

[mixfinder]

No Worries

Lucky, it takes a while for us to learn the ebb and flow of conversations here.  You'll soon hit your stride and I would hate for you to feel the least bit self conscious.  Welcome aboard and I do hope you find the answers you need.  I share residences with Ellensburg and Seattle and if there is anything I do to help, just say the word.

Kelly

 

[stan]

Hi Lucky

Looks like you have a cool machine there! and welcome to the forum!

Can't help you with the date, but looks 40s to me! dose it have a pump, or just gravity drain?

With regards to paint, I think you should consider your budget, skill level, and time you are willing to spend. I'm sure a good auto body guy would do a really nice job!
I repainted mine, myself, and did it he hard way, but only way I new how to get a durable finish. And one that I felt would be as close to factory as I could get, with out spending much! (pic of mine is up thread)

Now I didn't have trailer paint on mine, so you may have to remove that, and I would recommend you do some "test" sanding, on a spot somewhere. Maybe dry sanding, then wet. to get it as smooth as possible to start with.
If you want to know the all the steps I did, and what I used, let me know, as Im certainly am willing to share them
(don't think anyone would have taken that much time and elbow grease, but maybe, others milage may vary) LOL

Stan

 

[luckyfind]

Thanks Stan and Kelly. Yes it is a pump model. I tried a few different degreasers, and general app. cleansers with gradual increase of abrasiveness in pads and made some headway. It took a while but i removed all the black paint from the emblem on the front. Turquoise band and handles are cleaning up well too. Nice surprise.

I would like to plug the ol Norge in to see what hmms, buzzes or blows. Any advice on prepping for that trial... or just do it.. ha ha. I can handle the electricty hazard, just dont hurt the NORGE. Thanks, Jim

 

[mickeyd]

Wow, did you say it was black? How rare.

Lucky I wrote the post below in your restorations thread.

 


<p>The wringer looks like classic 30's vintage, but it's full-skirted. Was gonna say that I thought the full skirts came later, but come to think of it, have never seen a Norge without a full skirt.

 

I have little experience with machines this old, but plug her in and she might fire right up.

 

One interesting thing, the distinctive Norge drain hose (no metal hook, veined stream-lined rubber) looks almost the same as the ones used in the 70's.

 

Good luck with this sweet old relic and welcome to Automatic errrr Wringer Washer.

</p>
 

 

[aldspinboy]

But Wait...There is more..

With Gary and Todd with Fred.
Last summer at Mikes place.
Filling in the Easy.

<iframe width=420 height=315 src= frameborder=0 allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[aldspinboy]

Video 2.
Washing.

<iframe width=420 height=315 src= frameborder=0 allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[aldspinboy]

Fred with the best saying...
Multible hands makes lite work.
Darren k

<iframe width=420 height=315 src= frameborder=0 allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[bradross]

Easy Spindriers - perhaps a new thread?

Hello Darren...don't mean to offend you, but Easy Spindriers (as much as I like them!) are off topic for this thread. Perhaps a new thread can be started - I'm sure there's lots of interest out there.

Kindly,
Brad

 

[wringer]

I too

don't want to be offensive to anyone. I do agree with Brad tho that a new thread would be nice dedicated to just spin driers. I wondered about that when I read the thread comments/video's. Again, please don't feel I am being rude or offensive in any way Darren. I hope you will start a new thread about the spin driers since so many collectors here have them and admire them as I do.

Respectfully,

Jim

 

[aldspinboy]

I am really sorry Brad & Jim and the A.W. Community.
I did not mean to offend or upset no one here.
I thought this was not only for wringer washers but semi or any
manual washing systems...
As I saw in Replys..
16
42
57...
No one said anything about them so I followed reply 42.
and had videos of that from last years wash in.
So sorry again Brad .
I will contact Robert Seger...
Today and ask him to remove the videos.
The Thread is a very nice and learned much from it.
And again did not mean or tried take advantage of the thread not my intentions.
Respectfully.
Darren k
[this post was last edited: 6/15/2012-10:37]

 

[wringer]

Darren,

You really do not owe me an apology my friend. I just reread all of the thread and find that I had forgotten about the other spin drier post's. I just hope someone will start a thread about them for all of us to enjoy. Again, I am not angry at all about this. I am not so sure the videos need to be removed unless they are transferred to a new thread. I hope you will start a new thread, maybe with other collectors helping, about spin driers. Looking forward to seeing a new thread if you have interest in it. Best to you always Darren. And, thanks for the apology even tho it was not necessary.

Jim

 

[rpms]

No big woo, Darren. The first time I saw a picture of an Easy spinner, was in the movie, Driving Miss Daisy. When I saw the legs I thought it was a wringer but couldn't figure out the shape, size and lack of wringer?

 

[wringer]

Question

I have a friend who is restoring an older Maytag model E Wringer Washer. He is in need of a newer bottom roll which I am going to buy for him as a gift. I have seen on ebay some for sale at reasonable prices but there are two diameter sizes? One is 2 13/16 and the other is 2 3/4 inches. I have a J and an E and mine are both 2 3/4 inches in diameter. Can anyone please tell me what the difference in the two diameters are? I do not want to buy one unless it is the right size of course. Are the 2 13/16 possibly for the old "gray ghost" and first round models? Any help on this will certainly be appreciated. Thank you all very much.

Jim

 

[bekahmancino]

'64 Pink and White Kenmore Visi-matic 2-speed

Just thought I'd share some photos of my recently acquired Kenmore.
The agitator was broken, but was easily mended, and the machine has since done four loads of washes and rinses (with wringing in between).

The timer does not function at present, and the speed selector is missing/bypassed (both added to my ever-lengthening to-do list).

It came with its lid (with built-in lint filter (which impressed my by actually catching particles!!)), though I've not pictured it below

If anyone has a manual that could be scanned in, I'd be ever so grateful.
I've saved the schematics from the Sears Parts store, but the quality leaves a LOT to be desired.

Rebekah.

 

[stan]

Rebeka

It's a very pretty machine! How is the cleaning performance?

 

[bekahmancino]

No complaints whatsoever.

I'll be curious to see whether the agitator speed switch was bypassed in high or low mode, but with the lot that I did this past weekend, I used the same wash water for 4 loads, and then the same rinse water.

The jeans that had well-engrained dirt (that my 'normal' washer hadn't been able to get out, and that I'd been too lazy to take to the washboard) came out clean as could be.
I used my homemade laundry detergent (made from my homemade lye soap + washing soda & borax) ...

BEWARE SUBSTANDARD STITCHING!! The agitator will not be gentle!
The hem down one side of a new bedsheet totally came out!!
I sew, so it's not a biggie. Just something to bear in mind.

All in all, I used about 1/3 of the water I'd normally have used, and given that I didn't have a power ramp up for spin cycles etc, I expect the power savings were considerable too.

Where the wringers were concerned, I must confess disappointment. HOWEVER, there are adjusters, so maybe I just need to increase the pressure.

I'm still hoping that someone can scan me a manual to this or a similar Kenmore model. I'd love to read the tips and suggestions that were originally given.

Rebekah.

 

[stan]

Rebekah

I have a Maytag Wringer (pic up thread) no complaints with mine either! the amount of water left behind after wringing, is normal, and the price one pays for using these darlings! I line dry a lot so I'm use to putting up with the clothes not being spun dry.

I'm going to Email You, because I have a question about your Lye Soap.
If thats O.K?

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to Automatic Washer

Is your wringer in tact and not in the release mode? I only ask because the wrung laundry, though not as light as you're accustomed to from your ramp-up spins, should not be that heavy. What is the brand and year of your Automatic?

 

You can always put towels and heavy stuff thru twice to get more water out.

 

If the Rotoswirl Agitator is pulling hems, I'm sure your stuck in the Normal mode; gentle is very slow and quiet while Normal is very energetic and audible.

 

Your Visimatic is beautiful, and the picture blend of the wringer with the control panel is fabulous.

 

 

[vintagekitchen]

To remove more water..

An important part of water removal when using a wringer is how the items are run through. Folded items have much more water removed, and dry with much fewer wrinkles than items simply fed through as they are.

 

[launderall]

Maytag conventional home laundry wringer style.

Take a look at the collection of the three model of 1970's Maytag's in Post# 605664, Reply# 5 6/22/2012 at 19:28 by Kenmore71 (Minneapolis, MN). Notice the slight style difference in the wringer head on the round tub N2LP. I believe at the end of the wringer production in Newton ,IA only this model wringer head is fitted with the smaller diameter rolls.

The earlier machines with the red detailing,like the 1955 "Chieftan" N2LP with the other style wringer head takes the standard size roll. I believe all years from the "grey ghosts to the last 1983 "Master", used the larger diameter rolls.

Remember, always a white bottom & plyable black "non-button breaker" top.

Ciao

 

[launderall]

PRIDE safety tips on conventional use .

For safe easy no fail wringing, use these rules:

1. Never, with your fingers feed flat unfolded wet laundry into the dangerous tight rolling surface of the wringer to be wrung. This method will result in both harm to you, your machine and your laundry. It may stick to the backside roll surface, you will not see it, may double over on the roll surface & jam, or worse yet damage the garment or material, stall, overload motor or worse yet catch your damp fingertips pulling you into the rolling surface!

2. Always lift up and out of the wash tub & fold the edge of the article of material ( about the size of your palm/hand ) As you are folding, make this into a triangle shape before aiming at the wringer rolls. Never have your fingers closer than the size of your palm for safety. please remember to feed the fabric with fabric, do not ever try to guide the fabric onto the roll surface with your damp fingers.

3. Hold, aim & feed this folded & flat rolled "snake head" shape to the roller surface. As the material is lifting from the wash tub, quickly lift & even out the "load" to be wrung through, assisting in this possess will give a no fail wring out, saving time & wear on your wash, and the machine.

This is a never fail system learned from many laundry room matrons here in the mighty Maytag Midwest, as a young laundry room voyeur in the 1960's. Also this will keep your finger tips looking beautiful, nothing like ripping off a nail, just before the holiday weekend, what with the Parade on Sunday and all. What's a boy to do? Get an Automatic! Heck NO.

Gotta Go.....BTW...Happy Pride to you and yours, wish you all were here for the outstanding parade Sunday on our home town "main street" Hennepin Avenue.

Keep it safe & clean! No unsafe laundry mistakes for the emergency room, just because you claim there were no instructions with your equipment!

Ciao

 

[maytagmike]

a piece from my collection

this is my first try at downloading pictures if this works there will be more to follow. mike

 

[bradross]

Very old Speed Queen wringer for sale in Indy

Hey, anybody near Indianapolis might be interested in this one. The oldest Speed Queen wringer I've ever seen. Hopefully somebody can rescue it for only $1.00

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/atq/3092637904.html

 

[wringer]

My Grandma

had one just like this when I was a little kid. I always wanted to watch her use it. My Aunt also had one. I wish I were closer and had room here for it because I have wanted one of these for years. Thanks for posting this Brad. And, thanks for starting this great thread !!!!!!!!

Jim

 

[bradross]

Photo of appliance dealer - 1950s

Came across this great photo of an appliance dealer, showing 3 brands of wringer washers. The Maytag models E and J are obvious in the background, but can anybody identify the others?
Photograph from a collection by Washington, DC photographer Edward Andrus.