Antique Appliances

[ScottyMo1]

Anyone here mess with restoring say, pre 1960 refrigerators and/or washers. Just curious. Had some questions.

[schaffersapplian]

I have restored a Model 32 Maytag wringer washer with a gas engine on it with my dad.  We did it about 5 years ago.  If it is a myatag your talking about, I may be able to help.  I did all the sandblasting, Paint, Polishing, Tear down, Parts washing, And re-assy. on the entire thing.

[ScottyMo1]

Sorry. This was more of a general question. I guess I should have made that clear. Just curious what someone would pay for unrestored antique appliances in general. I'm interested in picking up a few and restoring them more as a self supporting hobby. (Just can't get enough appliance repair...right  ) With the wave of popurality in restoring things some folks seem to think they have a gold mine. Was just wondering what a fair price might be to purchase a fridge or washer.

[AJ]

I think it's fun seeing some of the work these guys do with old appliances.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Antique-Appliances/135282059850116

[rego]

You should check into the antique stoves.  They are getting big.  Talk to "oldstoveguy" on the forum...he's really good!  Walked me through a 1920's Chamber's oven.  Since then I see the old slow/no heat bake oven's all over the tv.

[theoldstoveguy]

The old stoves ( mostly 1940's -50's) are very popular and very easy to repair and to get parts for. I do a lot of them say 3-4 a week. At average $150.00-$300.00 for an hour or 2 max, it's good money. It's 99% labor. The refrigerators are all different. With the Wedgewoods and O'Keefe & Merrit, Occidental and others all used the same thermostats,oven safety valves, thermocouples and other components. Remember 25 years ago most appliances were using the same water valves and switches and other parts so you could repair more off the truck. The same with the old stoves. I can carry 3 thermostats and 2 oven safety valves, 3 different thermocouples and fix 90% of the stoves on 1 trip. It takes a lot of creativity sometimes but it is never boring. The look on a customers face when I am done says it all. I rarely have time to rebuild any for sale as I am busy in the field. I could make a lot more if I had time to do them and sell them. As an example, I recently serviced an O'Keefe & Merrit that was sold for $5000.00 ( the other company who does them)and it didn't work. The thermostats,safety valves ,even the thermocouples were original. Changed 2 thermocouples and new valve grease .( surface burner valves) 1 hour in time $250.00. they were thrilled. ( 5 new customers from that stove) The top was chromed and the grates had new porcelain then cleaned and sold. There is money to be made on them.

[JADsvc1]

Hi OldStoveGuy.

I ran across someone who wants a Tappan gas range model PVK6314R, serial number 90598 repaired. I worked for Tappan for years and this appears to be about a mid-1950's range (a bit before my time!) and I know Electrolux doesn't carry parts this old. My experience is from 1970's up so I'm not well versed on these. Wondering where you get parts for the old products like that?

Thanks!

John

[theoldstoveguy]

What do you need? Thermostats and oven safety valves can be rebuilt,other miscellaneous parts from other companies.

[JADsvc1]

Thanks for the info. Turns out they didn't need a part; they needed to figure out how to operate the oven. They just bought the house and this oven was there and they had no idea how to turn on the pilot.