A Frigidaire Unimatic only a fool would love

There are many, many videos on KZbin of Frigidaire Unimatic washing machines (including some from myself), but this one tells a story.
This Unimatic came from the Dallas/Ft.Worth area to Iowa back in the fall of 2008. Before she arrived in Waterloo, I already knew it had a hole in the tub, but the machine looked especially minty otherwise. Upon arrival I quickly learned that the minty state of the machine was more than likely due to a broken torque spring, which would have caused the machine to be shoved into a corner early in life.
With a little help from some great friends (unimatic1140, gansky1, and roto204), a trip to Omaha in November of 2008 cured most of the mechanical issues, but we discovered that the pump seal wasn't up to snuff after 50 years of sitting dormant in Texas. Due to an on-going home renovation I put the '56 project off for a rainy day, which just happened to come along last week. I changed out the pump seal on the old lady. She finally has a new lease on life.
This video was a first for many things, including different lighting and camera techniques. While not perfected, I'm trying with each project. I'm not sure when the next one will come, but it will someday.
Until then, enjoy the film. It was certainly one of the more fun projects I've been able to piece together.
For more automatic washer fun, please visit www.automaticwasher.org

[@multimill]

These are the ultimate no nonsense washing machine. Fill, wash, spin, fill, rinse, spin. Done. No faffing about for 20 mins deciding if they are going to wash and wasting 10 minutes before they drain. Would love to own one!

[@antoniocarter7111]

Paul S thank you my sentiments exactly .

[@YourLocalFireAlarmTech]

I love how instantly it just goes from wash to drain and spin, and how quickly it drains!

[@maryannmoore271]

The best washer I have had in 62 years.

[@rockoman]

Grew up with Fridgadare washers only. Family was into GM. It was so much fun to watch it work. I had forgotten the noise the timers made as they clicked on. So cool.

[@lanabona1031]

Cool

[@jantrammelant]

nice to see some people care about these old household machines two thumbs up

[@samiar6422]

Juju fzjantrammelant

[@Benicio_Fols]

jantrammelant p

[@cavdragoon]

I love the fact that there is a community of people out there who restore, repair, collect and take care of these magnificent machines. Here's to you for bringing this one back from the dead.

[@CBF1]

So do I and this is really the way forward for humanity. Quality over economy. I cannot stand modern economical people who just destroy old well-built things just because they are broken, old fashioned or not digital and modern like how many things in today's extremist society are. Those modern economical people are nothing but extremist c*nts. People who value quality over economy and bring broken or old fashioned things back to life are a jewel to existence, especially those who are like me who are against modern economical destroy-anything-old-or-broken society which can go and burn in hell for all I care with their digitalized modern economical crap.

[@StevieB8363]

There's nothing like restoring a classic machine! Great job, I bet she runs for years!

[@grandcarriage1]

Thank you for turning me onto Melody Gardot. I'd never heard of her before, and now I'm hooked!

[@ApolosaCakau]

To me it's therapeutic just watching it work, it's nice to see people restoring old stuff

[@CBJAMPA]

God bless America for its ingenuity ! Great video! Greetings from Brazil!

[@ronsteffes1155]

That's one awesome washing machine!!! Nice turn over action and when it comes to pumping out water the thing REALLY RAMPS UP!!! and the water is like instantly GONE!!! It's a shame that stuff like this is no longer made.

[@ElCapitan1718]

Thank you for sharing this video. A beautiful classic machine. My mother had one from 1955 to 1966.

[@65bug519]

the fastest and most powerful domestic washer ever made

[@sunshine19701989]

Back lit timer and that classic design on the panel! I expected Dean Martin to start singing when the wash cycle engaged.

[@tamiasthechipmunk]

Looks like a very well built washer. I'm amazed that an old washer like that is designed to spin at 1140 RPM. That's one hell of a spin cycle even by today's standards.

[@mgrella63]

Glad you saved her! She is a beauty!! I'm all about saving old stuff from the brink and making it like showroom condition again! That goes for old cars to vintage toys to appliances!! Right on! I want a frigidaire!

[@youthnotlost]

Its good to see that there are some old Frigidairs around. I grew up with them. My dad fexed them many times (broken spring). They were great machienes. We had a number of them.

[@kef103]

Better than what is made today

[@4HBirtcher]

Except my Maytag Centennial Washer!

[@ddoyle11]

What a beauty!! We had a Frigidaire washer with a piston action like this back in 1972. It had a window in the lid, and I remember watching it as a kid and being fascinated. I wish I still had that machine today. Great video!

[@shenue]

LOVE IT! Thanks for the great video of a great old machine. Today's top loading HEs should have such good action.

[@4HBirtcher]

Yeah my Maytag Centennial HE washer does!

[@UhBuddy1976]

Not a big fan of how agitator works but never seen a top loader spin like that! Good video and THANK YOU FOR EDITING!

[@CBF1]

I also wasn't to begin with but seeing how beautiful their porcelein drums and decoration look? Goddamn I want a collection of literally any frigidaires from 1947 up til 1958. The Multimatics, Rollermatics and 1-18s are good too, but out of all of the GM Frigidaires out there the Unimatics and Pulsamatics are my damndest favourites.

[@petermaz701]

What a beautiful washer. It’s running so smooth, like out of the box. Would love love love to have one of these, rather than the junk that they make now, today’s machines are a joke compared to this.

[@CBF1]

ANYTHING modern is a fucking laughingstock compared to the solidly built, far better looking and far more creative and interesting old fashioned things. Of all modern and old things in the world, only a small percentage(less than 20%) of modern things can actually show more real progress than old.

[@eddy75471]

Beautiful!! Washes like new! Seems like the type of control panel is prety rare,and maybe the tub color too.

[@VoyageOne1]

Wow, my mum loves these old 50's machines (she was born in '58)

[@janmajoor]

thabk you for posting. we had exactly the same machine back in the early sixties. in holland this type of machine was rare. it was a wonderfull machine. I loved it. nice to see it here in full working order. thank you.

[@3432ruby]

I love these when i'm a kid

[@corkyromero8071]

I love the up and down agitator man that that washer could really clean clothes

[@jaredini]

Love the Melody Gardot, very apt!

[@log05mus]

love this washing machine unimatic....the music is perfect with it.

[@rieon-plumbingfan]

T tub spinning + that agitation seams interesting

[@donaldvincent]

Very Cool and congratulations on a job well done from a fellow gear-head.

[@WilliePeck]

I'm happy she's up and at it again.

[@isabelaguilar5321]

igualit

[@gooseknack]

That broken torque spring was probably a blessing in disquise!

[@jonathanashbeck3740]

The Unimatics are my second favorite washers followed by the direct drive washers as the Unimatics do just as an excellent job of cleaning as do the direct drive washers

[@CBF1]

Good thing around a million DD's were made. Unimatics? Pfft. 10 year production span as opposed to 30 for the Direct Drives. They are rare machines Unimatics are, many would've been scrapped many years ago. But I don't think they're INSANELY rare... either way, all vintage machines, finding them is never an easy task.

[@grandcarriage1]

Lots of machines don't have a neutral drain (what you describe) here. Of all the machines I've owned, I think only the Kenmore had a neutral drain. If you look at the wash tub, you notice it's not perforated like most modern tubs. The drain holes are right under the lip of the tub...high rpm centrifugal force forces the water to those holes where it spins out of the tub and into the cabinet, whereupon it's pumped out. Very cool.

[@rieon-plumbingfan]

grandcarriage1 B-B-But how dose the motor and other parts get protected from the water? Shields?

[@jaredini]

Eh?? The tub sits freely in a large open metal tank, which is constantly pumped out as the motor runs the pump. The motor and everything sits under this tank. Look up Super Unimatic, there is a machine with a see through side

[@StrongEnough78]

Such a beautiful machine!! I'm so glad you were able to save her. The more I watch the Frigidaire Unimatics the more I want one. I'd love a 58 set like Roberts turquoise set. But I'm picturing a pretty dark emerald green to go with all the chrome. Great job Swestoyz!

[@CBF1]

I want a 1947 one. Robert also has one of those. I'm desperate for that white perforated drum and that silver perforated agitator. Absolutely desperate I am. I'm desperate for a Pulsamatic too.

[@chrispixxherr4650]

That works better than my brand new Maytag

[@CurzonRoad]

Nice, good, fond, pleasant fun. THANK YOU!

[@janmajoor]

wonderfull machine, we used to have one exactly like this one back home in holland !!

[@mielefan18]

what beautiful machine. and love the way of agitation. best one on the market. :D

[@ScantPear]

How could fixing that rust hole be possible you guys must have some magic powers

[@mgrella63]

Great Machine, Glad you guys were able to bring her back to life!! I wish I had one

[@4HBirtcher]

That machine should be destroyed because when a washer has a rust hole in the tub, constant use of the washing machine with a rust hole would result in having rust bleed right on your clothes!!

[@whoisthisdude5437]

could just scrape it off and paint over it.

[@Datsun7705]

Henry Birtcher or replace the tub

[@jaredini]

You really think that he left the tub with a rusty hole in it? *eye roll*

[@adelaideautowashes]

Interesting agitator. It makes this thing unique from other washers

[@jonathanashbeck3740]

GE was pretty much the only one to have agitators like this

[@patcola7335]

​@@jonathanashbeck3740 Frigidaire...

[@tjfreak]

Well done video all around.

[@mariopartyfanify]

that washer spins so fast that when your clothes come out they are almost dry

[@REPOMAN24722]

1140 RPM

[@scooterdover2771]

I'm guessing this to be at or around 1957 because my grandmother had a Frigidaire refrigerator with that same herringbone pattern that is on the back panel.

[@AncaArnau]

Awesome !

[@angryyoungjudges1645]

The Unimatics were much quieter than the 1-18s and the 1140 rpms are just nuts. Makes you wanna wash some clothes.

[@arcelioba]

Easy and simple to use.

[@solangebaladaveras8214]

I Love you washing machines

[@DeansWasherVideos]

Neat vid! The cabinet looks great, like brand new, did you do any cosmetic surgery on her?

[@4HBirtcher]

Did do a good job repairing it but the issue was the rust that you showed! That’s why I said before I deleted my old comment about better stop using it is simply because of the rust in the tub! Are you afraid the rust would leak out on to your clothes when the washer is done washing?

[@jonathanashbeck3740]

Pretty good rollover. How many Unimatics do you have?

[@rxonmymind8362]

Well done.

[@EurekaRecycler]

Does the agitator bolt come off as a right handed thread? Where do you find parts for these? Thanks

[@umajunkcollector]

you be the washermeister, awesome!

[@1997holdencommodoreexecutive]

good memories.

[@burtlful]

Replaced (spin) spring in my l952 or so in 1964 and many others..they only RINSED with warm/wash with hot or warm(use both COLD). Frigidaire bragged that their new 1965 "rollermatic" 1000 rpm spun faster "than any OTHER brand".Unimatic (1947-59)=1140rpm. I Burred 4 phillips holding tub under rubber adjutater SNAGGED/ruined bath towels..Loved those 1947 Rca etc but they had to be improved..

[@Genners111]

nice work! did you weld the hole in the tub?

[@Skittles939]

We we we we wait this was whenever I try to see why the bumper was going up and down and then I saw these pictures and you up you were the one who put the pictures

[@grandcarriage1]

Were you able to repair and reuse the tub, or did you just replace it?

[@SuperReales]

I think I'm in love. She's a beauty.

[@jeremy4192]

Vintage washing machine boner. Love the a.c. motor pur at first spin. Perfectly balanced load and unit. This machine is operating at factory specs or better. BRAVO!!!

[@NVHSChadSheppard1]

I see it cuts off if the load goes out of balance? My Kenmore has an off balance buzzer if the load goes out of balance

[@trackside_mb35]

I would love this machine in my house

[@MyDan58]

best washing machine

[@audinos1840]

A beautiful machine! I’ve wondered about these, though: since the tub drains so quickly, there must be a tremendous pressure going through the drain pipe. Does that cause leakage? Also, can small items of clothing get washed up into the drain?

[@muziklvr7776]

"Does that cuase leakage" It can kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZTFgnyAr75lqJI

[@niceserb84]

what this song at starts man ? great machine by the way lol

[@bryanmartinez6600]

may not wash as good as others but sure is unique

[@calebproductions5970]

Looks like it washes really good to me

[@petermaz701]

HERPY DERPEDY Don’t know where you came to that conclusion or what you’re basing that comment on it washes terrific and better than the ones that came after this.

[@patcola7335]

Other than the fact they tangled loads badly they cleaned excellent. In 1958 Frigidaire put loading instructions on the lid and that reduced tangling.

[@backtoasimplelife]

Did this machine have a lint filter?

[@carwashgaming3727]

does it have a system when it senses an unbalanced load

[@kweefung84]

Hey washer are you ok

[@firstname3051]

Do you have a shop you recommend for doing repair work on the old machines? I live close to Omaha

[@f23948]

the tub suspension is weak due to age of the washing machine

[@kweefung84]

Washing is born

[@CrestwoodRocks]

I bet you got the tub fixed too

[@Benicio_Fols]

I love it

[@Landenp2020]

No matter if i’m a fool

[@graboid116]

do they shut off when they go off balance?

[@frankcasatelli4078]

I love this washer! Was it built by Kelvinator and sold by fridgidaire?

[@patcola7335]

This was a GM built washer as ALL Frigidaire appliances were.

[@Landenp2020]

I love everything and everyone

[@5687678]

The aesthetic looks good, unlike the modern washer that looks plain and boring.

[@FanTV474]

That is 1 fast spin cycle

[@ceciledeal4561]

He interuptted so hes out of balance and BACK IN BALANCE

[@keesroedoe5377]

LORD LIFE FOR AN FRIGIDAIRE UNIMATIC ITS ALMOST OUT SALE XD

[@jonathanashbeck1594]

How many Unimatics do you have?

[@supergokufss]

does it have a belt?

[@ethann.4898]

Wear dose it drain?

[@mielefan18]

wanna have this machine...

[@mikolajswinkamorska7567]

Really!?

[@umajunkcollector]

Fridgies were the best, no doubt about it!

[@rieon-plumbingfan]

7:09 So it automatically shuts the machine off if it has an out of balance load? Or that was you?

[@mariopartyfanify]

PlumbingFan it shuts itself off automatically

[@carwashgaming3727]

and how the heck does it pump away the water . i dont see any holes

[@patcola7335]

Underneath the tub rim at top.

[@cherryiceevr258]

the washing machine was gonna spin: error shutting down

[@kweefung84]

He fixed

[@grandcarriage1]

8 pounds of clothing isn't very much. :( Was this pretty much the usual load size for washers from the 50's?

[@kweefung84]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rieon-plumbingfan]

4:55 GLEEEEUUUUAYYYYY

[@ccbueno1]

Why the machine doesnt first drain before spin? All the other machines operate in this way.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

ccbueno1 , No the machines with weaker transmissions (e.g. Kenmore, Whirlpool ) had neutral draining

[@stevenodne5573]

cool

[@MyDan58]

my grandma had the same machine