Westinghouse washing machine 1940’s???

[spiderlovesbeer]

Hey everyone, I’m new here and have been restoring tube radios then food mixer and milkshake mixer but now I’m ready (or at least I think I’m ready) to restore this Westinghouse washer.
I have absolutely no clue where to start so here I am.
I’m going to pick Her up tomorrow. If anyone can give me some pointers on how to get started that would be great. The washer looks to be complete but then again I have no clue what I’m looking for. I will learn with all of your help and guidance.

 

[combo52]

Early Westinghouse Wringer Washer

Wow Jason that is the oldest WH WW I have ever seen, I do not have any direct experience with that particular washer, it looks to be in pretty good condition and all there so hopefully it can be gotten working again.

 

Just take it slow and see if parts that should move do move etc.

 

John L.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Thanks John. I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.....
I wish I knew the model or at least year so I can start researching.
What do you think??? 40’s ??? 50’s ????

 

[rp2813]

Welcome, Jason --

 

That's an unusual machine you've found.  This should be interesting.  

 

Looks like a fun project.  Wringer enthusiasts will be chiming in.

 

Ralph

 

 

 

[Unimatic1140]

By the look of the Westinghouse logo I would guess that machine is from the 1930's and I suspect early to mid 30's.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

No way?????
Sweet. Is this one ok for a beginner to work on??
I don’t want to ruin a good one.

 

[toploader55]

Oooooo...

Look at that Agitator... Could that be the very first "Angel Wing " ?

Never knew Westy made a wringer.

Welcome and Congratulations.

 

[mopar65]

Westy

Congrats Jason on the Westy and getting and staying sober. Take your tame and document the washer as you start working on it.
Anthony [this post was last edited: 10/8/2019-10:52]

 

[norgeway]

I agree with Robert At LEAST 1930s

I knew a older lady in my hometown who had a very early 30s Westinghouse twin tub spinner washer that was the same color and same logo.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Thanx Fellas. I’ll be on road here in an hour or so to pick her up. I’ll send more pictures.
Let me know if there’s a specific part I should take a picture of.
I know this will be a long process but I’m so Happy I found you guys.
Thanx in advance for all the questions I’ll be asking.

 

[estesguy]

Roper wringer washer

He says Roper, but almost looks like Norge to me

https://wichita.craigslist.org/app/d/hutchinson-antique-washer-machine/6976027947.html

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

The eagle has landed.
Looks it be in real nice condition. The agitator wouldn’t turn. Lock in like it was welded. I started moving knobs around and now She spins freely. Well maybe almost 1 turn then stops, then I can turn it the other way about 1 turn then stops. I got a new cord and will install when I get Home from work. Is there anything else I should to before powering up????
This is exciting.

 

[maytagbear]

A suggestion--

and ONLY a suggestion:

Take a LOT of pictures. Without other documentation like instructions or a parts list, clear photographs will save headaches and other grief.

Welcome!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

(We absolutely insist on enjoying life.)

 

[Unimatic1140]

Make sure the belt turns freely before you power up the motor. Also if there is a water pump be sure to put some very hot tap water into the pump before you try it.

 

[jeb]

I had one similar to this but it was round. The agitator has holes in the fins, which allows water through with each stroke but not clothes. Very aggressive on the cloth. Don't let thinks wash too long

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Ok thank you guys.
I’ll dig deeper when I get Home and do as y’all say.
Lots of Pictures and hot water in the pump if it has one.

 

[rp2813]

This is one machine I wouldn't mind seeing in person sometime if you're in a part of CA near me or that I frequent.

 

I agree about making sure everything moves manually before you hook it up to 120 volts.  Expect leaks, but sometimes just like with dishwashers that have sat for long periods, a tub full of super hot water can soften up rubber seals.  It's a long shot with seals from the 1930s, but you never know.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Ok everything moves freely. There’s no belt. From what I can see, there a shaft coming off the motor and going into some sort of transfer case. Then there’s a shaft that goes up inside the tub where the thing that swooshs the clothes around. All that seem to spin good.
I took the on/off switch out so I could install a new power cord. This is a really cool switch. I’ve never seen anything like it.
I put the new hot wire to the (+) sign then the other screw I left the original wire to the motor hooked up. I ran the neutral wire straight to the motor. I plugged Her in and POP.... all wires came off the switch. I’m not sure what happened there. The switch still has continuity so I hope it’s still good. I’m going to regroup and read what all you guys tell me. Here’s some pictures of the switch. Maybe someone can help me figure this out.

 

[norgeway]

That type

Pushbutton switch was widely used in houses back in the 20s and 30s .

 

[lowefficiency]

Yep, a very common older switch type for house lighting and other circuits. They fell out of favor when toggle switches took over, but still remained in production for quite some time after.

It's hard to make out, but in photo #3, on the upper mounting tab, is that an "H&H" stamping?
If so, your switch was made by the Hart & Hegeman company, who merged with Arrow in the late 1920s. They have since been bought by Cooper, who was somewhat recently acquired by Eaton, where the "Arrow-Hart" brand name lives on.

Shouldn't be hard at all to find a replacement, although based on your description, I wouldn't necessarily believe that the switch is what is wrong here...

 

[rp2813]

Agreed that the switch is the same type as was used to control household lighting.  I have one kicking around somewhere that I used in my bedroom when I still lived at home. 

 

These switches rarely fail, at least in my experience, but old wiring is usually crispy and could easily cause a short.

 

 

 

 

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Thank you guys for the switch info. Very interesting.
Ok now I’m trying to take the motor out so I can run new wires off of it.
I’m having a tuff time getting it out. I’ve unscrewed everything attached to the motor but it won’t come off
There’s a boot where the motor shaft connects to the trans case. Do any of you guys know where the shaft ends or what needs to be done so I can take the motor out???
I’ve been under here for over an hour and can’t figure it out. Any help would be very appreciated.

 

[bradross]

Hey Jason ... well this posting has certainly caught my attention! I'm a huge fan of wringer washers! Maytags from the 1930s are my specialty, but this Westinghouse looks intriguing!

I've restored two direct-drive wringer washers - a 1948 Kenmore, and a 1940s Canadian machine.. In both cases, there was a rubber boot clamped onto the shaft of the motor connecting it to the drive shaft (worm screw) to the power unit (AKA transmission.)

I can't tell from the pics if yours has a similar rubber "boot", but if so, it should come off by loosening the screw clamps.

Looks like the machine is missing the drain hose, but does have a pump. Fabricating a drain hose usually isn't too big a deal. For my Maytags, I use the same hose as used for portable fuel tanks, sourced at a hose/fastener supply store.

Looking forward to hearing/seeing your ongoing progress!

 

[lotsosudz]

DRIVE PULLEY'S LIKE A fR IGIDARE

INTERSTING THAT THEY USED THIS DRIVE SYSTEM LONG BEFORE FRIGIDARE. WRINGERS ALWAYS SEEM TO USE DRIVE BELTS.
WHO WOULD HAV E THUNK IT!
hugs,

David

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Ok it’s all done and washing clothes now.
Thank you guys so much.
Yeah Brad that’s exactly what it is. It looks like my 1953 Buick’s master cylinder boot.
I ended up not having to take the motor out. (Waist of 2 hours)
The wires are set in this ingenious plug that just pops into the motor then 2 screws hold it in place. I wish I would’ve known that. Hopefully someone will see this and not have to go through what I went through to change the cord.
Everything is working beautifully except for the wringer. She won’t stop Wring’n. I’ll open it up and see what’s going on in there tomorrow. This was a long Wringer day for me.
Thanks again for all the information and guidance you guys.
This is fun.
I have a cool video but it won’t let me post it here.

 

[DADoES]

 
Videos must be placed on YouTube and set for public viewing (not private) (or other such hosting service) and linked in your post.  The site coding here recognizes YouTube URLs and embeds the video into the post.  Simply view the video on YouTube as normal, copy the URL from your browser and paste into your post.  You'll see the video in the post preview if the URL/pasting is correct.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

I’m not sure if I did it right.
I need to work on my video editing

 

[foraloysius]

Lovely washer!

Your link didn't work, so here is the video.

 

[spiderlovesbeer]

Thank you for uploading that for me Foraloysius.
The only problem I’m having now is, the Wringer won’t turn off.. I’ve pushed the button which I know now is for the direction of spin on the Wringer. The top piece doesn’t seem to do anything as well as that piece on the side. I’ll poke around and see what’s inside tomorrow. This is so fun. Now I know why you guys like these machines. Should I repaint the lid or leave it be?? It’s really shot so I was thinking about matching the paint and spraying it but I don’t want to ruin it.
I almost forgot. The guy I got this one from has another. It looks a little older though. What do y’all think??
Should I take a shot at it or slow down and finish this one first???
He wants triple what I payed for the Westinghouse and I don’t have 60 bucks to spend on a Washer I don’t need. Let me know.
Thank you guys for helping me.

 

[foraloysius]

Don't mention it.

That Big 3 washer looks quite a restauration project. Would you want to use it or use it as a display object?

There are several Big 3 washers Lee Maxwell's washing machine museum.

http://oldewash.com

These two look a lot like the one that is for sale.