1952 Frigidaire WO-65-2 Unimatic

1952 Frigidaire automatic washer, model WO-65-2, equipped with the Unimatic mechanism. Part of the most popular line of Unimatics, this is the second version produced from 1952-54. It used an overflow rinse (and added an overflow wash) in place of the two deep rinses on the earlier WO-65. This reduced water usage by one gallon, from 29 gallons to only 28 gallons per load! Besides the unique "up and down" agitation (330 pulsations per minute with a 3/4" stroke length), there is also no reduction gearing for the spin mechanism so the tub spins at motor speed--1,140 RPM! A very unique burnt oil smell fills the air as it stays in the start winding for about 25 seconds ramping up to speed.

Before the introduction of the WV-65 in 1955, Frigidaires did not have a separate collector tub, instead using the sealed cabinet to catch the water from the spin tub. It makes a wonderful sound and if you put your hand on the front of this machine when it's spinning the water out, you can actually feel the water slamming against the walls of the cabinet.

It is by far my favorite washer. I will never part with it and it is easily the best cleaning washer I have ever used. It has been relatively trouble free (only repairs have been a new spin trip shaft seal and inner "oil" bellows) and I use it very lightly. Here it is washing a load of colors, the building I keep it in isn't built on a slab so there's some slight vibration on spin. It's also developed a bit of cooling fan rattle which is more annoying than anything, I'll take care of that once I finish the many other projects I have, which is not anytime soon unfortunately!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• 1952
• Frigidaire
• WO-65-2
• Unimatic
• washer
• washing
• machine
• Rapidry
• 1140
• spin
• agitation
• pulsation
• overflow
• wash
• rinse

[lexmarks567]

how did the company keep the electronics from getting wet if the cabinet was filled with water during the spin.

[westytoploader]

No electrical components are exposed to water as the mechanism is situated beneath the sealed cabinet. The timer, on the other hand, is mounted in the one-piece porcelain top panel (firmly secured and sealed to the cabinet) far away from the washwater but precariously close to the overspray from the vacuum breaker. Adjusting the incoming water flow through the in-line ball valve reduces this overspray.

[kennyt1230]

I wonder why this type of washer isn't brought back. The rapid-dry alone is still way-ahead of any of the current top loaders (and some front loaders).

[westytoploader]

@kennyt1230 I often wonder the same thing, except this 1952 US-made quality cannot be replicated overseas in this day and age. With the exception of Speed Queen, all that concerns most manufacturers are profits. Greed, greed, greed. At least we appliance obsessors will one day occupy a place in the sky filled with rows and rows of these babies brand new and ready to go, next to their equally new Blackstone and Altorfer Bros. counterparts.

[Kg277]

Laundry by day, women by night!!

[Muhlineks]

28 gallons isn't that much! Early frontloaders in Europe used about 50! per wash. They only spun at around 350 rpm. I know that the capacity is measred in cubic feet in the states, but how much does it hold in pound aproximately? German washers (and there was only one available since 1951) held about 6-9 pound.

[youthnotlost]

the machiene is my age, born in 52. My parents had one then and many since. We had a couple of 59 custom imperials and I inharited their 64 jet action rollermatic which I stupiidly gave away in 80 when I got a new Speed Queen set because I couldn't get a GM Frigidaire as GM had just stopped making them as well as McGraw Edison stopped making Speed Queen the same year. I also wonder why both companies stopped making the overflow rinse. I thought it rinsed the clothes much better.

[lakecarlosfun]

Repair men often refered to the Unimatic as Bouncin' Betty! We had one just like this one. 3 pairs of jeans and a few shirts was about it for capacity. Extreme high speed spin gained excellant water extraction!

[eddy75471]

Nothing beats a Frigidaire

[MyDan58]

the best top loader ever made! The top spiral (useless) and bottom pedals which are on most models and brands today are crap

[jrankine91]

This washer has excellent turn over. I really think that this design should be brought back.