Why did Maytag use the Gulmite bolt heads?

[scoots]

Does anybody know why Maytag used the odd ball Gulmite Bolt heads to secure the tub to the power unit in their wringer washers? The Gulmite heads look like they'd be easily fouled, not to mention it looks like they amount of torque they'd transmit was limited before they rounded off.

I assume Maytag used them to keep home owners "out of the machine" so that service calls were mandatory.

 

[stan]

Kinda

Think your right, Geoff will probably know for sure "why"

 

[kenmore71]

Indeed, Goeffrey....tell us! hope you're well!

 

[qsd-dan]

Maytag used all kinds of oddball fasteners, thread sizes, and especially thread pitches. Doesn't always make it easy trying to match up a bolt without pillaging them from another machine.

 

[jetcone]

I researched the patent on

Gulmite bolts. Patented in the mid thirties, they were developed for aircraft, as light aluminum, tamper proof and vibration proof fasteners with a low profile . With the correct tool they can be torqued very high but will strip if you don't have a set of gulmite wrenches.

So yes they did provide servicemen with a "key" only they had to work on your machine, just like the later tub bolts used in the automatics, Maytag, Frigidaire & Kenmore included.

But also they provide a snag free design when dealing with clothing and were used extensively on the door areas of Bendix machines for this reason.
I have never fooled around with Maytag wringers so you can tell me do the bolt heads appear anywhere near the tub and clothing areas?

Ahem! Some members living in or near St Paul, have replaced their Gulmite bolts with six sided standard bolts. Tsk Tsk!

Also used extensively on school buses!

They were the first tamper proof fastener.

[this post was last edited: 10/7/2012-15:50]

 

[wringer]

I think

that the newer Maytag Wringer's had regular 1/2 hex head bolts in them. I don't know when that happened but my E has them. My others have the Gulmite. Geoff will prolly know the answer as to when they may have changed bolts in their manufacturing?

Jim

 

[bennosteve]

smaller Gulmites for Electro-Voice

Both Honeywell and Electro-Voice also used Gulmites, but much smaller ones (#4 or 6 I think). Honeywell used them to hold the badge on gas-fired furnace valves and EV to hold the grille on microphones. I have been searching for many years in hopes of finding one. Last I looked, Honeywell listed the driver as a part, but in truth they no longer have any. If anyone can point me to one of these small ones I would be greatly grateful.