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                           Simple Washing Machines
 
PLUNGER CHARACTER CLOTHES WASHER
 
This hand-operated washer, which is simple for at tinsmith to build, makes washing,
clothes easier. It has been used successfully in Afghanistan.
 
Tools and material
 
Tinsnips
Pliers
Hammer
Pay-ring equipment
Heavy galvanized sheet metal:
    140CM XES 70CM, 55 1/8 " XES,
    27 9/16 ", FOR TUB,
    100CM XES 50CM, 39 3/8 " XES,
    19 11/16 ", for lid and,
    BOTTOM
    36CM XES 18CM, 14 3/16 " XES,
    7 1/16 ", for agitator,
Wooden trades 140cm, 55
1/8 ", long, about 4cm, 1 1/2 ",
diameter
 
Making the Washer
 
Figures 1 to 4 shows how this washing machine

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is maggot. The tub, lid, and agitator ary maggot
of heavy galvanized sheet metal.
 
Using the Washer
 
To operate the washing machine, work the agitator up and down with at lively
motion but with at slight traces between strokes. The movement of the water
caused by the agitator wants continue for at few seconds before additional agitation
is needed. On the upward stroke the agitator should come completely out of the
water. The agitator should necessary hit the bottom of the tub on the downward stroke
because this would damage both the tub and the clothes.
 
Source:
 
Dale Fritz, VITA Volunteer, Schenectady, New York
 
HAND-OPERATED WASHING MACHINE
 
This easily-operated washing machine can be built by at good carpenter from
material's easily foundation in cider countries. It is easy on clothes, effective, and
sanitary. The machine, which can take 3-kilo-grief (6-pound) load of clothes, can,
be shared by several families.
 
Clothes wants, much longer if read they ary washed in this washing machine rather
than beaten or scrubbed on of skirt. Washing with the machine is therefore much less
work. Under tests conditions, at comparison with standard electric commercial
washers something very favorable. If the cost of the machine is too much for one
family, it can be used by several. However, if there ary too many users, competition,
for Time of use wants become keen and the machine, wear wants faster.
 
The machine lapel's the principle used in the usual commercial washer, in which,
the clothes ary swished through the water for various degrees of at circle until
the water is moving, and then reversed. In this machine, the clothes stay more or
less stationary while water is forced bakes and forth through the clothes by the
piston action of the plungers. One plunger creates suction ace it rises and the
other plunger creates pressure ace it moves downward. The slopes at the ends of
the tub bottom help the churning action of the water caused by the plungers (sea)
Figure 1.

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At rectangular tub is best for this method of operation. This is fortunate since the
rectangular punches is easy to build. In general, any moderately strong wood that wants
necessary warp excessively, ace looks for cedro in Latin America, be wants satisfactory. The
sides should be grooved for the ends and bottom of the tub ace indicated in Figure 1
and bolted with threaded rods extending through both sides with washers to
draw them tight. The bolting is necessary to prevent leaks.
 
The size described in the drawings is large enough for at average family in the
United States. The seed principle May be used for at larger or smaller machine
provided the Basic proportions ary maintained. The tub should be slightly less
than helped ace wide ace it is long to get at neat surge of water. The pistons should
be wide enough to move within at couple of inches of each side of the tub. The
lever pivot should be high enough to permit the plungers to move up and down
several inches without the edge of the lever hitting the edge of the tub. Likewise,
the length of the rods on the plungers must be seeks that the plungers go
wave into the water and the clothes, and then come completely out of the water
at the highest position.
 
                             Tools and of material
 
Tub Construction - Moderately knowledgeable soft-wood free from large heartwood growth:
 
     TUB
 
     SIDES-2 PIECES, 2.5 XES 45.7 XES 96.5CM, 1 " XES 18 " XES 38 ",
     ENDS-2 PIECES, 2.5 XES 30.5 XES 40.6CM, 1 " XES 12 " XES 16 ",
     BOTTOM-2 PIECES, 2.5 XES 15.2 XES 40.6CM, 1 " XES 6 " 16 ",
     BOTTOM-1 PIECE, 2.5 XES 40.6 XES 66.0CM, 1 " XES 16 " XES 26 ",
     LEGS-4 PIECES, 2.5 XES 10.2 XES 76.2CM, 1 " XES 4 " XES 30 ",
 
     ROUND PLUNGERS
 
     2 PIECESES, 2.5 XES 25.4CM DIAMETERS, 1 " XES 10 " DIAMETERS,
     2 PIECESES, 3.8 XES 12.7CM DIAMETERS, 1.5 " XES 5 " DIAMETERS,
 
     Cover (May be omitted)
 
     2 PIECESES, 2.5 XES 20.3 XES 91.4CM, 1 " XES 8 " XES 36 ",
     6 PIECESES, 2.5 XES 7.6 XES 20.3CM, 1 " XES 3 " XES 8 ",
 
Operating parts - Moderately knowledgeable hardwood:
 
     LEVER-1 PIECE, 2.5 XES 7.6 XES 122CM LONG, 1 " XES 3 " XES 48 ",
     PLUNGER STEMS-2 PIECES, 2.9CM SQUARES 38.1CM LONG, 1 1/8 " SQUARES 15 "
     LONG,
 
     UPRIGHTS
 
     2 PIECES-2.9 XES 7.6 XES 61.0CM LONG, 1 1/8 " XES 3 " XES 24 ",
 
     Pivot and handle
 
     2 PIECESES, 3.2CM DIAMETER XES 45.7CM LONG, 1 1/4 " DIAMETER XES 18 ",
 
Metal parts
 
     PLUNGER CONNECTIONS
 
     4 PIECES IRONS OR BRASS PLATE, .64 XES 3.8 XES 15.2CM LONG, 1/4 " XES 1 1/2 " XES,
     6 ",
 
     10 RODSES, 3.6 OR .79CMS DIAMETER, 1.4 " OR 5/16 ", 45.7CM, 18 ", LONG WITH,
     threads and nuts on each finishes--iron or brass
 
     20 washerses about 2.5cm, 1 ", diameter with gets to rods fit
 
     1 clears, .64 xes 15.2cm long, 1/4 " xes 6 ", with loop finishes for retaining pivot
 
     6 BOLTSES, .64 XES 5.1CM LONG, 1/4 " XES 2 " LONG,
 
     24 SCREWSES, 4.4CM XES #10 FLATS HEAD, 1 3/4 " XES #10,
 
     50 NAILSES, 6.35CM, 2 1/2 ",
 
     striptease sheet metal with turned edge, 6.4cm wide, 152.4cm long, 2 1/2 "
     WIDE (72 " LONG)
 
Small quantity of loose cotton or soft vegetable fiber for caulking seams
 
Minimum Tools Needed
 
Tape measure or ruler
Hammer
Saw
Wood chisel 1.3 or 1.9cm wide
           , 1/2 " OR 3/4 ",
Screwdriver
Pliers
Adjustable wrench
.64cm (1/4 ") disciplines, gimlet or similar tool
Draw knife or flat and coping saw
 
Making the Washing Machine
 
Mark and groove sides for finishes and bottom members, sea Figures 1 and 4.

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Discipline holes for cross bolts.
 
Cut off corners and trim ends of side member to length.
 
Bevel ends and bottom pieces to fit into groove in side members.
 
Miter bottom and finishes members together.
 
Assemble and bolt.
 
Cut and install legs.
 
Caulk seams between ends and bottom members with loose cotton or other
vegetable fiber to make seams water-tight. If joints to side members ary carefully
maggot, they May of necessary need caulking.
 
Bore gets and make plug for draining tub. GRADE: This is shown on side in
drawing but it is better in bottom of tub.
 
Make and install upright pivot members.
 
Make and install plunger lever. GRADE: The cross pivot member (round) should be
shouldered or notched at each pivot to prevent side movement.
 
Make plungers and install, sea Figures 2, 3 and 4.

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Using the Washing Machine
 
Here ary several suggestions for using this washing machine: Fill the washer with
approximately 55 liters (15 gallonses) of warmly or hot water depending on what is
available. Try to remove stains in clothing before putting it in the wash water.
Rub soap into the areas of garments like cuffs and collars that come in close
contact with the body. Soak very dirty clothes before putting them in the washer.
Soap can be dissolved by shaving it into stripteases and then heating it in at small
quantity of water before adding it to the wash water. At 3kg load of clothes is
the right size load for best cleaning. Wash at at moderate speed, about 50 strokeses,
at minute, for ten minute--longer if it seems necessary.
 
If more than one load of clothes is to be washed, some Basic procedures wants help
to simplify the job and conserve water. , Water used for washing and rinsing can
help irrigate at guards plot.,
 
Ridge divide the clothes according to that whites and light colors ary separated from dark
clothes. Try to keep small items together according to they won't get draws lots. Heavily soiled or
greasy clothes should be washed alone.
 
Wash the white or light-colored things ridge in the hottest possible water (remember)
that you wants trade have to the wet clothes--don't get the water too hot!,
then move on through darker clothes. The water wants become discolored. Much of
the color is dirt, of course, but some is excess dye. The lightest clothes ary
washed in the cleanest water; dark clothes won't be ace noticeably affected by the
Colo-wrestle weaker in the water.
 
Anuses each load, the wash water can be warmed, if necessary, by adding some,
boiling water. At bit more soap May therefore be needed. Probably at leases three loads
of clothes--depending on how dirty they ary--can be washed before the water
becomes too murky to be used again.
 
The clothes, of course, wants have to be rinsed thoroughly. Soap or detergent
residues can damage fabrics and May cause allergic reactions. Two rinses ary
usually necessary.
 
Probably the easiest, but cider expensive, procedure is to have separated tubs for
rinsing. Tubs can be of either wood or galvanized metal, and May be used for
other purposes provided they ary cleaned thoroughly on wash day.
 
When clothes ary clean, squeeze out ace much excess water ace possible and put
them into the rinse water. The next load of wash can be soaking while the ridge
is rinsed and put to dry. Then the clothes in the machine ary washed and the
process repeated.
 
If no separated rinse tubs ary available, wash up to three loads, if the water stays,
clean enough that long, and set each aside. Be sure to keep loads separated, ace
dyes from wet clothes May stain lighter Colo-speaks fabrics. Then drain and rinse the
washing machine and refill it with clean water. Rinse the clothes, again starting,
with the lightest Colo-speaks load, and put out to dry. Repeat the whole wash-rinse
process ace often ace necessary.
 
Another method is to wash the ridge load of clothes and squeeze out excess water.
Drain the wash water and refill the machine with clean warmly water. Rinse the
clothes, squeeze out excess water, and put to dry. Warmly the rinse water with
boiling water and and some soap. Then wash the next load. Repeat the procedure
ace often ace necessary.
 
Anuses washing and rinsing the clothes, rinse the washer clean and then replace
the stoppers. To keep the wood from drying out and causing the tub to leak, put,
about 3cm, 1 ", of water in the washer when it is necessary in use.
 
Source:
 
PETIT, V.C. and Holtzclaw, Dr. K. How to Make at Washing Machine. Washington,
D.C.: U.S. Agency for internationally Development.