Wilkinson Service Galaxy Wringer

[brisnat81]

Hi Guys,

We went out into the country this weekend, and spent saturday night at a B&B. We found this in a second hand store about an hour from home, and after some negotiation reduced the highly ridiculous price somewhat.

The machine had a small leak from where the pump connects to the drain pipe. It took some work, but I've built a replacement hose.

 

[brisnat81]

Top View.

 

[brisnat81]

Power and Agitate control

This control, you pull up to start the motor, and then twist anticlockwise to start agitation.

When you pull up, it actuates a switch, which is basically the bakelite light switches that were in use in the 50's and 60's.

 

[brisnat81]

Pump Control

When you twist this lever, it moves the pump about 5mm and engages the pump on a friction pulley.

 

[brisnat81]

Front Door and Heater switch

When you flick the switch hiding in the chrome (Switch is also another Aussie bakelight light switch) a 15watt globe light up, and glows through the red lense.

The heater kicks into gear and it took about 15 minutes to heat a full tub of water to 35-40degC.

 

[brisnat81]

Water heating with suds.

I kept alternating the agitation and pump whilst heating to try and circulate the water, when you engage the pump, water comes out of the hole in the back right corner of the tub. This creates oodles of suds.

 

[brisnat81]

Towels ready to go

Start your engines

 

[brisnat81]

Towels at 5 seconds

 

[brisnat81]

Towels at 10 seconds

 

[brisnat81]

Towels washing away

Heater is still running and water is getting hotter.

 

[brisnat81]

Wet towels go into the wringer

 

[brisnat81]

Slgihtly less wet towels come out

I discovered the single rinses arent adequate. To do this properly it would appear I'll need double wash tubs and plenty of water.

 

[brisnat81]

Look where you poke the hose.

Before you engage the pump, you push the hose into the socket inside the wash bowl.

The big advantage of this, is that you dont need to hook the hose over the edge. While you're washing you can remove it entirely.

 

[brisnat81]

Gratuitous Agitator and bowl shot.

The inside at the end of the wash, before I rinse the suds out.

 

[polkanut]

That looks like an awesome find. And yes, when using a wringer-type machine, 2 rinses are an absolute must to get rid of all the detergent residue.

 

[sudsman]

What a neat machine

You will have lots of fun with that one

 

[powerfin64]

COOL wringer washer! thats a keeper for sure!

Rich

 

[Speedqueengkc]

Unique Washing Machine

That certainly is a unique washer, very different!

 

[mickeyd]

What a cool machine

I'd love to see the drain operating.

Kinda Maytagesque with the 4 fin agitator, the skinny agi post and the square tub.

I can't tell what the pretty tub is made of, so shiney and smooth.

Thank You-- Wringers Rule !!

 

[washerboy]

Heater

does anyone know if any american washer has a heater function..I know we have dish washers that heat their own water but I've never heard of a wahsing machine that does. I would think the water would get hotter than heating in the maching rather than pulling from the tank.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Servis Superheat

Wow Nathan

Well done on finding such a super machine, and in such great condition, the colour is just subtley different from the UK version..

This model was the Model M over here, produced from 1951, I love the way the front door pulls open revealing the space for the wringer, pipes and the usual "WashTongs"

The Pump is very forceful as I found out when I was filming it, had forgotten to put the pipe in and it shot across the tub and over the top hitting the back wall of the laundry room soaking me and everything else at the same time...LOL

Nathan, what is the turquoise bottle next to the powder,?? it looks very much like Comfort fabric conditioner from the 70`s

Enjoy, Mike

 

[brisnat81]

The Turquoise bottle

Is OmoMatic, Frontloader liquid detergent.

Michael accidentally bought 5 bottles of the stuff, and as the Miele doesnt have a liquid detergent dispensor, I have no way of using it.

Its amazing how much Water the tiny pump manages to move. Its only about the size of an orange, yet it moves as much water as a modern pump manages to.

 

[improvisedwashe]

interesting

they use the recirculating system for the drain to,something new every day