retromania
Well-known member
Is anyone into vintage steam irons? Does anyone know if cloth covered electrical cords are made any longer???
Vintage Steams Irons
- Thread starter retromania
- Start date
launderess
Well-known member
No, Cloth Cords
Have been gone since about the 1970's if not before.
The only "vintage" steam irons one has any use for are the two versions put out by Presto as part of their "Vapor-Steam" line. Most others from pre-1960's or so simply do not put out enough steam to bother with, and or will only do so under certain settings. That is usually under "Wool" to "Linen" but not the lower end of the temperature range say for silks and man made fibers. Which by the way are exactly the sort of textiles that should be ironed (if done properly) with steam as it protects them from thermal damage.
Now for dry irons, yes one has and uses tons of vintage.
Have been gone since about the 1970's if not before.
The only "vintage" steam irons one has any use for are the two versions put out by Presto as part of their "Vapor-Steam" line. Most others from pre-1960's or so simply do not put out enough steam to bother with, and or will only do so under certain settings. That is usually under "Wool" to "Linen" but not the lower end of the temperature range say for silks and man made fibers. Which by the way are exactly the sort of textiles that should be ironed (if done properly) with steam as it protects them from thermal damage.
Now for dry irons, yes one has and uses tons of vintage.
I have only a few. I forgotten the name of this one at the moment and it's put away somewhere LOL
ptcruiser51
Well-known member
Yes!
Flatirons are still enjoyed by many. I have my mom's General Mills "Tru-Heat" iron that she received as a gift from my father. I would have understood if she hit him in the head with it in 1947. What kind of gift was this to your "intended"? I break it out every now and then to enjoy the "clicking' of the internal thermostat, and the charm of the "slide" over freshly-sprinkled laundry. Not to mention the side-rest as opposed to the bottom-rest. How many polka skirts did my mom iron with this before going to a dance with my dad?
Memories are made of this.
Flatirons are still enjoyed by many. I have my mom's General Mills "Tru-Heat" iron that she received as a gift from my father. I would have understood if she hit him in the head with it in 1947. What kind of gift was this to your "intended"? I break it out every now and then to enjoy the "clicking' of the internal thermostat, and the charm of the "slide" over freshly-sprinkled laundry. Not to mention the side-rest as opposed to the bottom-rest. How many polka skirts did my mom iron with this before going to a dance with my dad?
Memories are made of this.
Mary Proctor
Everyone likes gold ;
Everyone likes gold ;
Hoover
appliguy
Well-known member
PeteK
The steam iron in the first of your pictures you just posted is a Steam-O-Matic. Electric irons were the last small appliance to stop having cloth cords and that was sometime around 1973. It is also utter folly that all pre 1960's steam irons that are not Presto are not any good. I have 3 Sunbeam's 3 GE's (2 Waring design and 1 of GE's own design), a Hoover, A Westinghouse, a Waring, and 2 Silex's and they are all good at producing steam and pressing my clothes. PATRICK COFFEY
The steam iron in the first of your pictures you just posted is a Steam-O-Matic. Electric irons were the last small appliance to stop having cloth cords and that was sometime around 1973. It is also utter folly that all pre 1960's steam irons that are not Presto are not any good. I have 3 Sunbeam's 3 GE's (2 Waring design and 1 of GE's own design), a Hoover, A Westinghouse, a Waring, and 2 Silex's and they are all good at producing steam and pressing my clothes. PATRICK COFFEY
launderess
Well-known member
Ok, I SAID
They were of no use to ME! If you find them useful then have at them with my blessings.
Then again one has two commercial steam iron systems (one boiler and the other a pump) that are streets ahead of most if not all domestic irons past or present, IMHO. One pass with the steam boiler iron and even the most heavy linen fabric is smoothed flat as if it were damp ironed dry.
They were of no use to ME! If you find them useful then have at them with my blessings.
Then again one has two commercial steam iron systems (one boiler and the other a pump) that are streets ahead of most if not all domestic irons past or present, IMHO. One pass with the steam boiler iron and even the most heavy linen fabric is smoothed flat as if it were damp ironed dry.
Cloth Covered Cords...
can still be had from Sundial Wire.
http://www.sundialwire.com/
As you can see, they carry quite the selection of both wire and plugs. Have fun.
can still be had from Sundial Wire.
http://www.sundialwire.com/
As you can see, they carry quite the selection of both wire and plugs. Have fun.
retromania
Well-known member
petek
Wow again! Love that Mary Proctor iron. Never saw one with the gold metal. Very cool. Like the black and white toggles for the controls.
Wow again! Love that Mary Proctor iron. Never saw one with the gold metal. Very cool. Like the black and white toggles for the controls.
retromania
Well-known member
Steve
Thanks for this info. What I have is a 1960 GE iron and 1957 Sunbeam iron. Both are in near mint condition. Both steam very well. The cord on the Sunbeam is like new. The one on the GE is almost new. I am real careful with those cords. I don't arap them tight or anything like that. I have always said I wanted to repace the cords some day staying vintage with the cloth-type cord. Used to be an appliance authorized service center in the next town. I took the GE to the man and asked him to put a new cloth cord on. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said he could replace the cord with a standard appliance cord. I told him no that I wanted to stay vintage and I think he thought I was nuts. People just don't understand. He did say that the cord was safe. He said not to flex it a lot and not to arap it tight around itself or the iron. Thanks again for the web site.
Thanks for this info. What I have is a 1960 GE iron and 1957 Sunbeam iron. Both are in near mint condition. Both steam very well. The cord on the Sunbeam is like new. The one on the GE is almost new. I am real careful with those cords. I don't arap them tight or anything like that. I have always said I wanted to repace the cords some day staying vintage with the cloth-type cord. Used to be an appliance authorized service center in the next town. I took the GE to the man and asked him to put a new cloth cord on. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said he could replace the cord with a standard appliance cord. I told him no that I wanted to stay vintage and I think he thought I was nuts. People just don't understand. He did say that the cord was safe. He said not to flex it a lot and not to arap it tight around itself or the iron. Thanks again for the web site.
retromania
Well-known member
Patrick
That's a cool looking iron you've got in your hand right there! Yes. A lot of the irons that are pre 1960 are a disappointment. I had a really cool looking Hoover iron that was pre 1960. It had a funk way of putting the water in it. He heated up, but wouldn't steam. It didn't leak so I kept tinkering with it and got it to steam, but it was minimal. Then I decided it never steamed much anyway. I am with Laundress. Anything really really old needs to be a flat iron. My two 1960's iron are in regular use. That are great!!
That's a cool looking iron you've got in your hand right there! Yes. A lot of the irons that are pre 1960 are a disappointment. I had a really cool looking Hoover iron that was pre 1960. It had a funk way of putting the water in it. He heated up, but wouldn't steam. It didn't leak so I kept tinkering with it and got it to steam, but it was minimal. Then I decided it never steamed much anyway. I am with Laundress. Anything really really old needs to be a flat iron. My two 1960's iron are in regular use. That are great!!
kenmoreguy89
Well-known member
In Italy electrical cords for irons are in cloth only even in modern days.....they are thought being more safe, actually plastic are outlaw here....but i prefer plastic (heat safe plastic) ones....
I can send you some cloth cords I saved from my Irons even newer, you just have put a flat pin plug....just let me know......
Here is a pic I took right now of the ones I have in the house, in the garage I've plenty of them, one white cord is still attached to a new iron that I decided to throw away and stop, I will not even try to sell it on ebay, you know junky new stuff, it does work but instead of steaming drop water and does not heat up as a steam iron should do.....typical of the new junky irons...always did so....
I can find plenty of them over here if you need a specific color just email me and I will look for it....[this post was last edited: 9/1/2012-07:32]
I can send you some cloth cords I saved from my Irons even newer, you just have put a flat pin plug....just let me know......
Here is a pic I took right now of the ones I have in the house, in the garage I've plenty of them, one white cord is still attached to a new iron that I decided to throw away and stop, I will not even try to sell it on ebay, you know junky new stuff, it does work but instead of steaming drop water and does not heat up as a steam iron should do.....typical of the new junky irons...always did so....
I can find plenty of them over here if you need a specific color just email me and I will look for it....[this post was last edited: 9/1/2012-07:32]
retromania
Well-known member
A Big Thank You
Freddy!
I will let you know. That is a really nice offer. I first want to examine the iron and see if switching the cord is something I can do. If the end of the cord on the inside of the iron has loops and screws down, then no problem. If it is like most new stuff and has to be saudered (sp?), then I am out of luck because no saudering iron, etc, etc. I guess it's time to learn some new basic electrical skills, huh?! Probably a course at our local tech school wouldn't hurt either.
Gotta run. Take care!
Freddy!
I will let you know. That is a really nice offer. I first want to examine the iron and see if switching the cord is something I can do. If the end of the cord on the inside of the iron has loops and screws down, then no problem. If it is like most new stuff and has to be saudered (sp?), then I am out of luck because no saudering iron, etc, etc. I guess it's time to learn some new basic electrical skills, huh?! Probably a course at our local tech school wouldn't hurt either.
Gotta run. Take care!
retromania
Well-known member
BTW
Like that blue check table cloth!!!
Like that blue check table cloth!!!
kenmoreguy89
Well-known member
You're Welcome, and thank you for the compliment on table cloth, I have alot of cords that I pull out from working and non-working appliances, sometimes I change it even on working ones as I said I prefer plastic...just pulled out a cloth cord from a VTG Bosch Iron that I found today at a Flea Market for 1 euro and put on a blue plastic cord from a GE .....it works nicely.....I do prefer plastic cords as I think they're more safe than cloth (even if in Italy and EU is thought the opposite) and I like them more as of course they can be cleaned, cloth ones would turn dirty if swishing into floor over time while you iron and if you also step on accidentally, do not talk about kitchen appliances like precolators, toasters or grills, fryers etc.. plastic cords get clean with a wipe and job is done, cloth ones can't be cleaned....
So I have plenty of them and actually they have no use for me unless as spare cords in lack of plastic ones or to pull out wires when I fix something, but as I said I like plastic more so i would preferentially use plastic ones, I'd be pleased if they can turn more useful for someone.....
Older irons usually have screws things to tight wires in so you should be ablr to replace a cord easily....
So I have plenty of them and actually they have no use for me unless as spare cords in lack of plastic ones or to pull out wires when I fix something, but as I said I like plastic more so i would preferentially use plastic ones, I'd be pleased if they can turn more useful for someone.....
Older irons usually have screws things to tight wires in so you should be ablr to replace a cord easily....
retromania
Well-known member
Yes
Yes. Plastic coated cords are easily cleaned and as the cloth ones dinge, well, you just have to live with it. I am a purist though and if an appliance had a cloth cord to start with, then I want it to always have one. The exception being if I was restoring and old major appliance that may have started out with cloth wiring on the inside. As long as it didn't show I would want new plastic coated wiring.
Yes. Plastic coated cords are easily cleaned and as the cloth ones dinge, well, you just have to live with it. I am a purist though and if an appliance had a cloth cord to start with, then I want it to always have one. The exception being if I was restoring and old major appliance that may have started out with cloth wiring on the inside. As long as it didn't show I would want new plastic coated wiring.
retromania
Well-known member
Launderess,
Thank you for your blessings. You have been blogging a long time on this blog and your opinion about things does matter to me. I read most everything you post.
Thanks,
Andy
Thank you for your blessings. You have been blogging a long time on this blog and your opinion about things does matter to me. I read most everything you post.
Thanks,
Andy
retromania
Well-known member
Bonking Your Father Over the Head
Now Charlie,
Go easy on your dad. He was just a product of his time. Like the time my father bought my mother a GE automatic percolator for us kids to give her for Mother's Day. He was so excited and impressed that it was fully automatic. And my mother when she received it exclaimed with practiced (I'm sure) exuberance!
Now Charlie,
Go easy on your dad. He was just a product of his time. Like the time my father bought my mother a GE automatic percolator for us kids to give her for Mother's Day. He was so excited and impressed that it was fully automatic. And my mother when she received it exclaimed with practiced (I'm sure) exuberance!
appliguy
Well-known member
Launderess
I want to apologize if I seemed a bit rude to you I did not realize you were talking about your personal preference, I thought you were making a blanket statement. Of course everyone has their own opinions on any given subject and i respect your right to your own opinion so again I do apologize....PAT COFFEY
I want to apologize if I seemed a bit rude to you I did not realize you were talking about your personal preference, I thought you were making a blanket statement. Of course everyone has their own opinions on any given subject and i respect your right to your own opinion so again I do apologize....PAT COFFEY
appliguy
Well-known member
Calling Retromania!!!!!!!!
Andy, I have a stash of new old stock toaster and iron cords still in their original wrappers that I got off of ebay and if you need one I will be glad to sell one to you. I believe it will be cheaper than buying a modern iron cord or buying a used one and having it shipped from Italy. A appliance repairman told me the same thing Freddy said, cloth appliance cords are safer and they last longer than plastic ones as long as they are properly cared for. As for your Hoover Steam Iron not steaming much let me ask you a question did you put any iron cleaner through it to clean out the scale deposits in the stream chamber? The reason I ask is I have a Hoover Steam Iron like the one PeteK is holding in the picture above with the exception of mine having red trim instead of blue. My Hoover steams like a mad thing and does a great job on my heavy pants and my nice button up shirts. So do all my other steam irons listed in my above post If you would like to buy a iron cord just let me know PAT COFFEY
Andy, I have a stash of new old stock toaster and iron cords still in their original wrappers that I got off of ebay and if you need one I will be glad to sell one to you. I believe it will be cheaper than buying a modern iron cord or buying a used one and having it shipped from Italy. A appliance repairman told me the same thing Freddy said, cloth appliance cords are safer and they last longer than plastic ones as long as they are properly cared for. As for your Hoover Steam Iron not steaming much let me ask you a question did you put any iron cleaner through it to clean out the scale deposits in the stream chamber? The reason I ask is I have a Hoover Steam Iron like the one PeteK is holding in the picture above with the exception of mine having red trim instead of blue. My Hoover steams like a mad thing and does a great job on my heavy pants and my nice button up shirts. So do all my other steam irons listed in my above post If you would like to buy a iron cord just let me know PAT COFFEY
magic_clean
Well-known member
Sunbeam
Vista...lots of vintage quality! Great steam, heft & temperatures. A bit "tipsy" on the soft ironing board cover with the narrow heel rest though.
Vista...lots of vintage quality! Great steam, heft & temperatures. A bit "tipsy" on the soft ironing board cover with the narrow heel rest though.
magic_clean
Well-known member
Vista
soleplate with plenty of steam vents
soleplate with plenty of steam vents
magic_clean
Well-known member
Vista
easy to use controls & large water tank fill port
easy to use controls & large water tank fill port
retromania
Well-known member
Leslie,
Beautiful vintage Sunbeam steam iron. Loved thosed pastel colors. Auntie had one in powder pink dated was a bit older than that one in your photo. It had a matching pink cloth cord. Anyway, back to your iron. If I didn't already have so many steam irons I would try to buy that off of you. It looks to be in near mint condition. Our local utility company, Duke Power cold small Sunbeam appliances and Hotpoint major appliances. Since my parents swore by anything Hotpoint, all our small appliances at our house (including steam irons) were Sunbeam. Duke Power phased out small appliances in the mid 1970's when they moved from their Main Street address. That is when most all our small appliances became GE including steam irons. I rememeber Mom's first GE iron that had a self-clean feature. I was avocado green.
Beautiful vintage Sunbeam steam iron. Loved thosed pastel colors. Auntie had one in powder pink dated was a bit older than that one in your photo. It had a matching pink cloth cord. Anyway, back to your iron. If I didn't already have so many steam irons I would try to buy that off of you. It looks to be in near mint condition. Our local utility company, Duke Power cold small Sunbeam appliances and Hotpoint major appliances. Since my parents swore by anything Hotpoint, all our small appliances at our house (including steam irons) were Sunbeam. Duke Power phased out small appliances in the mid 1970's when they moved from their Main Street address. That is when most all our small appliances became GE including steam irons. I rememeber Mom's first GE iron that had a self-clean feature. I was avocado green.
retromania
Well-known member
Pat,
I am still trying to find what you may have thought was offensive and for the life of me cannot find anything that remotely seems offensive, but thank you anyway for your thoughtfulness!!
I am still trying to find what you may have thought was offensive and for the life of me cannot find anything that remotely seems offensive, but thank you anyway for your thoughtfulness!!
retromania
Well-known member
Pat,
Oh. Your email was directed at Launderess. I thought it was directed at me. That is why I was confused.
Oh. Your email was directed at Launderess. I thought it was directed at me. That is why I was confused.
retromania
Well-known member
Pat,
I will email you something. Thanks.
I will email you something. Thanks.
appliguy
Well-known member
Retromania
I did not think anything Launderess said was offensive at all. I initially thought he was making a blanket statement that all pre 1960 steam irons were no good, I did not realize until later he meant that in his eyes none before 1960 were any good and I wanted to apologize to him if I seemed a little rude or snooty in my reply to his posting because everyones tastes or likes are different from everyone else's and I respect that...I will be glad to help you in the cord department just drop me a line PAT COFFEY
I did not think anything Launderess said was offensive at all. I initially thought he was making a blanket statement that all pre 1960 steam irons were no good, I did not realize until later he meant that in his eyes none before 1960 were any good and I wanted to apologize to him if I seemed a little rude or snooty in my reply to his posting because everyones tastes or likes are different from everyone else's and I respect that...I will be glad to help you in the cord department just drop me a line PAT COFFEY
Tru-Heat...
with the steam iron attachment.
Not sure how well it would work, have never tried it.
with the steam iron attachment.
Not sure how well it would work, have never tried it.
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