1930's ABC Spinner

Recording made June 4, 2011
This machine was built by the Altorfor Brothers Company (ABC) in the 1930's. I have not been able to pinpoint the exact build month and year.
I purchased it from a lady in Pittsburg, PA. She believes that the machine was purchased in the early 1930's, and remembers standing next to her mother while using it.
June 12, 2011: Update: I have successfully removed a nearly identical motor from a second ABC Spinner washing machine that I had previously acquired; clearned it up; tested it; and installed it on this ABC Spinner machine. So far the machine appears to be running perfectly with the replacement motor.

[@toiletstuff5817]

Is kt me or is the sloshing oddly satisfying along with the splosh sound?

[@DMahalko]

You're supposed to turn that extractor spout around 180-degrees so that the extracted water dumps back into the wash tub. In the old days extracted water was put back into the wash tub so that soap could be used over and over again until fully chemically reacted and used up. Also remember their hot water was laboriously heated on a fire or cookstove, so they recycled the heat too. (I edit the Wikipedia article on Washing Machines, would you have any pictures or video to contribute?)

[@samuelfellows6923]

Dale Mahalko - there was no detergent in it, he was only demonstrating it (until motor failure)

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

That’s pretty gentle on clothes, as to today’s modern washing machines. They don’t have too many 👨 cycles to choose from, if any. The only cycle this machine has is “gentle”, but that’s like 👍 a million for those who want to take care of their clothes. By the way, this machine has lasted probably 80 years, and it’s STILL RUNNING 🏃‍♀️!! Congratulations 🎊 on another 80 years!! Your friend, Jeff.

[@WeHadOneOfThose]

Now that's what ya call a mechanical workhorse !!! Fantastic design, love the spinner extractor on the side!!

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I really like 👍 the sound of this machine on the agitation cycle. Ya could make an ASMR (sleep video). I didn’t know ya had to put the clothes in here for the “Spin” cycle. At the same time, I thought this was a wringer washer. I’m pretty 😍 sure it came just afterward of them. I’m guessing this machine is a circa 1942. I really like 👍 the name “ABC Spinner”. It appears to do everything in ABC order, although ya have to manually 👨 place the clothes in the spinner after the wash 🧼 cycle is over. Your friend, Jeff.

[@guirolain2319]

It's curious that agitator looks like a flat agitator like the one used in today's LG washing machines. The very rounded low-profile fins do not damage clothing.

[@joannbales227]

I love the maytag, can remember spending all day with my mom doing laundry, but boy will those things get your clothes clean , would love to have one ,

[@ewolff1516]

There were many different methods for using machines like these, depending on how much water you had and if you had a water heater or were heating water on a laundry stove. I used a Maytag Wringer washer for many years. I filled the washer and did a load of whites, then drained the wash water, then filled with rinse water. Then that rinse water became the wash water for the next load, etc. I loved that machine, but it sure was time-consuming to get your wash done!

[@sanmichele5395]

ewolff1516 My grandmother had a Maytag in the early '40's. My Uncle says he hated coming home from school on Mondays with the smell of bleach and Fels Naptha soap. Monday was also the time when she scrubbed the kitchen floor. He had to wait unit the kitchen floor was dry before he could go in. That was all she did on Mondays. It was, as you say, a time-consuming job.

[@Mr.SLovesTheSacredHeartofJesus]

Less time-consuming than using a wringer waster.

[@dalemettee1147]

You didn't show how the tub was drained. If I remember correctly, the hose that filled the machine was attached to a siphon system attached to the water spigot. When the spigot was opened, a valve was opened also and this action drained the tub. A line switch was used to turn the machine on and off. My granny did all her laundry this way.

[@dadyarusski4594]

That's totally awesome! Would that have been considered a luxury at the time, or was it affordable to most families? It's really cool.

[@thatgrumpychick4928]

In the 30s it was considered luxurious if you had an electric fridge instead of an ice box. These things were considered to miracles of engineering. If you had one, you might have been a celebrity or extremely rich and amazing

[@sherrylittle782]

hey u forgot to put detergent in

[@WeHadOneOfThose]

Hi Mike, did you get the motor fixed later ?? I wonder does it have a start capacitor to boost the motor start power ?? They usually go on a lot of our old washers ??

[@sebertstover2788]

You don't put water in spinner. Yo put the load in the spinner and the water spins goes back into the washer Then after they spin from the washer water you put the load in a rinsh tub then put the load from the rinse tub back in the spinner when you r spinning a load make shure the tray where the water comes out from spinning is where you r spinning from the washer or rinse tubs. Dont put water in the spinner.

[@theodorenovak2356]

we had a green washing machine that had two tubs. one washed/ rinsed. one spun. you do NOT fill the spinner up with water. you direct the soapy water back into the machine till you finished washing. spin out your clothes, rinse and spin again. the load is too great filling the spinner with water.

[@ALANSWEETIES99]

Awesome, but is a problem with it machine? Breakdown or technical problem???

[@larrystueber1474]

that motor has bad bearings, sometimes it will work cold, but expands when the motor warms up and does what you are experiencing now

[@BradRoss63]

Cool old machine!

[@arkansastrash320]

Thats one heck of a great finding that machine !! Back in the 1930s electric motors were not as well built as in the 50s and later on.I was wondering if you had not found a motor just like the original would any other motor have worked? Is it a 1/4 horse motor love to see what the motor looks like !!

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

I was wondering if this old motor had a start capacitor that possibly went bad? I'm just guessing, since I was not around in the 1930's. (Although, at times, I feel like I was). LOL

[@doncon7578]

You would rinse in a separate washtub or sink

[@JIMDP25]

nice spin rinse !!!!

[@WilliePeck]

What did you do to the old motor that failed in the video?

[@Goldenrod636]

Also, how would you drain it?

[@sonnyroy497]

You can buy something these days called a spin dryer, I wonder if they got the idea from this.

[@kentuckylady2990]

Doesn’t that spinner, spin around to put the waste water back in the washer

[@tonyjames3878]

sounds like the start capacitor has gone

[@dadyarusski4594]

P.S. I don't think they rinsed the clothes.

[@PHOBOSEDEMOS]

What a waste of water friend,washing towels that are alreadyonly cleaned to show the operation of the old machine,it is because of this behavior that lack water in various parts of the world who have spend of lot and those who do not go hungry/thirsty ,the next time put dirty close and spen less water world thanks

[@Gatorsrok]

+PHOBOSEDEMOS oh shut the fuck up you little hippie shit....

[@matthewcheeseman2979]

silly cow

[@toiletstuff5817]

PHOBOSEDEMOS everyone almost everyone uses wayer for washing machines u that dumb

[@gcaligula6653]

DUMB FUCK, I HAVE MY OUTDOOR WATER RUNNING RIGHT NOW, AND I'M GONNA RUN ALL NIGHT JUST FOR THAT STUPID COMMENT. BUTTFUCK!!! 😂

[@samuelfellows6923]

☹️ - 🤬

[@richardhall9914]

Huge improvement over washboards.

[@kendire6135]

Cool old machine. Never saw one like that. Did somebody wash something red with their white towels? And now we have pretty pink ones!!

[@rchrdgrn]

I think the idea was to complete washing all of your clothes. spinning them after each batch. empty the tub of dirty water. rinse in clean water then spin all the clothes.

[@FelixTheHouseFreak]

Agreed with Richard, in third world countries where some people can't afford full auto washers this is still the same method used. Wash, spin, refill main tub with clean water and wash again then finally spin for the final dry.

[@jirikopecky131]

Best washing machine on the word.

[@Serendiphany]

Was the motor-start capacitor replaced?

[@addierehm1111]

Awww that sweet little one asking how it works 😍😍 I love old spinner washers/twin tubs they get everything so clean.

[@Og-Judy]

Nosy. And daddy needs to find if they had instructions 🤔🙄

[@whirlpoolz1200]

Awesome machine!

[@albear972]

Old washers frighten me. Seriously, back in the good ol' days there was no grounding, no electrical safety, no nuthin' Check out that metal agitator. Awesome machine though!

[@marcse7en]

The metal casing on my 2024 Chinese Spin Dryer is NOT earthed! ... So, modern appliances aren't always safe either!