What suggestions do you have to get this old girl going again?

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I very recently discovered a friend in my car club has an interest in old appliances and owns this old Easy Spindrier!

 

He bought it 8 years ago and doesn't know it's history prior, so it's safe to assume it's been sitting unused for at least 8 years, but probably a lot longer.

 

He's thinking it would really be fun to use, but also is very cautious about even plugging it in. 

 

What would you suggest he inspect and / or what type of maintenance should he do prior to plugging this baby in and pressing that ON button?   Also, is there anything he should be aware of if he's going to be using it?   Durability, etc?

 

Thanks much!

Kevin

 

A few pix to follow....

 

PS... he is coming over to check out my collection for the first time tomorrow and I KNOW he's going to be blown away.... ;-)

 

[revvinkevin]

#2

 

[revvinkevin]

#3

 

Looks like it definitely has been used...

 

[revvinkevin]

#4

 

He even has the owners manuals!!   WOW!

 

[abcomatic]

Since the booklet is there with the machine, I would read over that and see what it says about what to lubricate. Take the spinner out and see if there is a rubber boot over the bottom of the spinner tube. If it isn't too dry, pull that up on the shaft and squirt a few drops of light oil around the top of the section that moves where it comes out of the solid portion of the tube.
Make sure the pump is working and that all levers move without a lot of effort.
See if the pump works or not. He could try putting some very hot water, just a bit so that it covers the bottom of the washer tub and let is sit for awhile, that may help with limbering up the pump. The blades of the pump are made of rubber, at least my model is. Take the Spiralator off and smear some Vaseline over the block that turns the Spiralator. That will prevent the Spiraltor from getting stuck on the block; not being able to be removed. I hope this helps some? Keep us informed. Gary

 

[pdub]

very nice machine

It looks like it will clean up well. I know where there is one almost just like it!

 

[arbilab]

If you have looked at a number of these machines, this one is VERY handsome. The tub porcelains typically hold up well--not counting mineral deposits which can be removed--but the center panel is only painted and rusts if not well cared for.

This machine is from the early 50s. To give the parts a fighting chance--especially the pump--put several gallons of hot water in both tubs before turning it on and let it sit for several hours. See also the cautions above. The mineral deposits can be removed with vinegar soak and light scrubbing (don't use abrasives).

From the manual, find the 'off' position for the clutch handles. Let the motor run ~10 minutes (assuming it will run) in idle to exercise parts before engaging. If you'd sat still for 10 years, you wouldn't be exactly jumping out of your seat, would you?

Many hold the Spindrier in high regard. It was very well built and very effective.

 

[easyspindry]

This is the same machine . . .

. . . my aunt had when I was growing up. She would wheel it to the kitchen sink to use.

When the water hose is hooked up, the water runs in through the spinner. Technically, you're supposed to run the water into the spinner, put the drain hose in the wash tub, and fill the wash tub that way. She usually just used a hose connected to the kitchen sink to fill the wash tub.

When it spins and the water is turned on, the spinning and spraying is the way it rinses the clothes.

I have a later model, and it is the most fun of all to use. It's amazing how well the spinner does.

Good luck.

And listen to the experience here. That hot water trick is a good way to check things out. When the motor is turned on, the pump runs continuously via a small belt. When I got my first old machine, I was told to put nearly boiling water in it first and let it sit. This helps with the dry seals.

Can't wait to see it working.

Jerry Gay

 

[yogitunes]

Kevin

Take a Pic......I would love to see the LOOK on your buddies face when he walks into your Laundromat and sees all those vintage machines!

take care

Martin

 

[peteinlongbeach]

Hey, thanks everyone for all the information and advice. Looking forward to getting the washer running soon. Hope to have some time next week to start playing with it. It was quite a treat to see Kevin's collection over the weekend, and it has refreshed my motivation. BTW, I have an extra operating manual, if anyone needs it.

I started uploading a few pictures today - more on the way. In addition to the washer, I have quite a collection of other vintage appliances, kitchenware, and household accessories. A few notable items include a 1927 GE Monitor-top refrigerator (1 previous owner), 1927 Hoover 700 vacuum, Cory countertop dishwasher, Manning-Bowman "twin-o-matic" waffle iron, Pettiepoint clothes iron, a circular fold-up laundry cart (don't know the manufacturer), vintage lighting, ashtrays, radios, clocks, heaters, fans, furnishings, bar accessories.... too much to describe here.

Guess I gotta get busy taking pictures....

 

[bradross]

A good lookin' machine!

Hello Pete...that's quite a collectible you have there! I love the early models with the 3 chrome bands around the tubs - adds to the retro look! I really want to add an Easy to my collection, but next to impossible to find in Canada. Will probably have to haul one up from Washington or Oregon if I find one there.

Perhaps you'll even do a video when you get yours up and running (?) I'm sure all the Easy fans here would love to see it in action!

Best regards...Brad

 

[mickeyd]

Hello Pete and welcome to the club.

Bradross, Tomturbo, and I have been searching for confirmation of this model for over a year. Brad posted an ad for this machine which claimed to have water enter through the spinner the way Jerry (Easyspindry) remembers his Aunt's machine.

Most Easies have a pretty big fill inlet and filter apparatus on the back of the machine where yours has a blank panel. I don't understand how the water enters the machine. The print was so small in Brad's ad that we weren't sure of what was being touted by the manufacturer. At one point we even thought it may have been ad hype.

But your manual gives it away. There it is in black and white "Automatic Spin Rinse."

Would greatly appreciate your shedding some light. Your Easy is beautiful.

If you could explain this, I would have the answer to a puzzle that has nagged me for many months. And I would really love to see how this thing works. Easy Spin rinsing before the faucets....who knew? Is there a cone in the spinner? This is very exciting news for us Easy Spin fans.

[this post was last edited: 10/25/2011-13:06]

 

[peteinlongbeach]

Pre-faucet water supply & rinsing

I finally got around to reading the operating manual and poking around the machine some more last night. There is no high-pressure water hook-up/filter on this model. Water is added for wash and rinse manually from the top via a supply hose (I'll need to find a generic replacement, since mine is broken). Also, it does not have a perforated rinse cone in the spinner. Water is simply added manually from above to saturate the clothes prior and during the rinse/spin. The drain hose is either hooked to the wash tub to recycle soapy water from the spindrier, or hooked to the sink for various modes of rinsing / draining.

I managed to get the spiralator off (initially quite stuck) and it looks like I have a bit of clean-up to do on the bottom of the tub and the drain, and I'll also oil the shaft a bit. The spin basket is also supposed to pull straight up and off to access an oiling point, according to the manual, but mine is quite stuck on there. I'll have to work on that a bit more so I can oil it. The grease in the pump greaser cap looked very good and I will be adding a bit more. The drive belt seems a little loose, easy to adjust, but I'm not sure how tight it should be. Near the pump greaser is a metal screw-on cap on the underside of the washer drain valve assembly which looks like some kind of service point, but I'm not sure what it is for, so I'm leaving it alone. The main thing I'm concerned about is the transmission fluid level. There are 2 adjustment screws on the transmission case, and a plug on the side which appears to be a fluid fill/level plug, but I'm not sure. I would certainly like to top it off before running it, but I'm not going to assume anything unless I can verify what is correct.

 

[mickeyd]

Thanks for the info, Pete

Guess we're back to square one on this elusive bottom squirter.

 

The newer models like mine do not have these ports and plugs that your machine has, so I'm not going to tell you things I don't know about. Someone else may be familiar with your earlier model. Jon Charles Jetcone has the fauceted model of your machine. He might know what to do. I'm sure someone here can advise you.

 

[rp2813]

I have found an envelope containing all of the literature for my mom's Easy that was purchased in 1949.  The owner's manual has a date of 1-49 on the back and on the front has an image of a happy homemaker standing behind the machine by her kitchen sink.  The washer looks identical to Pete's, but was replaced in the mid-50's by a Norge automatic and is long gone.

 

In addition, there are two quick reference cards, one for washing, rinsing, drying and care & cleaning, and one with three steps for packing the spinner.

 

There's also a large instruction sheet for packing the filter, and promotional material for the Easy Automatic Ironer.

 

I'm having trouble with my scanner but can try taking pictures on macro setting if any of the washer-related material would be helpful.

 

[arbilab]

"The drain hose is either hooked to the wash tub to recycle soapy water from the spindrier, or hooked to the sink for various modes of rinsing / draining."
=======================================================

That's what grandma's had. And IINM, a ball valve on the sink end, you closed the valve to fill the spinner. Bottom front center had a handle, opened the washtub to drain. Not positive exactly what year it was or where it stood in the model line at the time. But it replaced her Thor wringer between 1949 and 1953. (Big help, right?) Did have a single fill faucet and you turned on the water at the sink not on the machine.

Seems they never left the design alone very long. Who knows how many models were on sale in any one model year? Anyhow, love to see the photo of the model we KNOW is 1949.

 

[peteinlongbeach]

Faucet fill?

I'm wondering if the threaded metal cap under the washer might be for a faucet-fill hose connection. It looks about the right size, and it is part of a housing that appears to be part of the main tub drain valve. I'll have to get under it and get a better look. But, I would think the manual would mention something about it, unless the manual is for a slightly different model. The promo brochure I have shows a model that looks exactly like my machine, but it also shows various faucet fill hose arrangement options. Unfortunately, it doesn't show or describe the connection on the machine, but apparently it did exist at one point, and perhaps my machine was one of those. I sure look forward to finding out more.

After rp2813 mentioned the Easy automatic iron, I had to go do some searching on ebay. And just look what I found - the perfect companion to the washer :

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[rp2813]

Here are pix of the 1949 Easy literature

I did the best I could with camera set for macro.

 

Here's the cover of the owner's manual, and I was clearly mistaken when I advised the washer pictured on the cover is identical to Pete's.  It's not, since Pete's has a hinged spin basket cover which I presume is an indicator of a later model. 

 

After reading through the operating instructions and imagining the drudgery, I can see how a fully automatic washer became the infinitely preferable way for the average midcentury homemaker and mom to do her laundry and don't blame mine a bit for abandoning her Easy, but must admit I'm kind of fascinated and curious to see one of these Easy machines in operation.

 

[this post was last edited: 10/28/2011-02:26]

 

[rp2813]

I guess my cropping work didn't take . . .