[J.Kelner]

What info might people have on old vintage electric irons?

I just found a GE Hotpoint Iron from (assumptively the 1930's according to other irons like it on websites) Catalog #159F62. 115 Volt, 500 Watt. No adjustement dials, just an on/off switch. It got fairly hot at the antique store, so I bought it.

I feared that when I brought it home it simply wouldn't get hot enough. But oh baby, was I wrong. When I brought it home, let it heat up, and tried it on a scrap piece of wool, it pressed it almost instantly. Woot, I thought! But then, I could smell the fibers starting to burn.

I added some sprinkles of water with my left hand. PSSTTT! Sure enough, within a few more seconds of rubbing and stretching, a hole formed in the fabric. Leftover fibers were clinging onto the iron's edges.

I got another spare piece, put a piece of dampened (almost drenched) Osnaburg cotton to try as a temporary pressing cloth, and sure enough, THOSE fibers started getting brown, too,even while fully dampened.

I then started noticing that the pointed nose of the stainless steel started blackening. This can't be right.

Are modern US electric circuits simply incompatible with old irons? Do I need a converter? I can't imagine being able to do something like THIS on fabric when it's burning so hot.

[J.Kelner]

This post has been edited by J. Kelner: 30 September 2010 - 08:41 AM

[amateursarto]

This iron is even more powerful than that one. I have a similar one as well as a gravity fed iron.

Link:


http://cgi.ebay.com/...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[J.Kelner]

Does yours do what this one was doing? I mean I'm serious, it was really harsh on the fabric.

[J.Kelner]

Hmm....

http://wiki.answers....o_a_120V_outlet

"Can you plug a 115V appliance into a 120V outlet?"

Quote

The short answer is yes. 110V appliances can work with up to 130V without being burnt, additionally, 220V appliances can work with up to 240V without being burnt.

Hmm. So that apparently isn't the issue, then. I wonder what the problem could be.

[Schneidergott]

Without a thermostat (which acts like an on/off switch) the iron keeps heating up, so you have to unplug it or switch it off to prevent damage to the fabrics or garments.
For additional safety use a moist pressing cloth!

[Martin Stall]

I've seen external thermostats in London. That would solve your problem.

[J.Kelner]

Awesome! This completely solves my question. Thanks.

[J. Maclochlainn]

Yes, Mr. Kelner

What you want to do (and this takes... what's the word?... experience) is to let it heat up. periodically as it heats up you want to make the iron speak. You know it's the right temp as soon as striking the iron with moist fingers you get a good pitched "SPPPPPSSSSSS". Unplug and use the iron in quick movements to get your desired effect. You can't massage the cloth like you did in your video. Each movement must be solid and deliberate.

[Martin Stall]

I feel a video instructional coming on....

[Der Zuschneider]

J. Maclochlainn, on 30 September 2010 - 08:31 PM, said:

Yes, Mr. Kelner

What you want to do (and this takes... what's the word?... experience) is to let it heat up. periodically as it heats up you want to make the iron speak. You know it's the right temp as soon as striking the iron with moist fingers you get a good pitched "SPPPPPSSSSSS".

Exactly

I have a few irons of them mostly 10 - 16 pounds heavy. Always a Kloetzelleinen underneath, between cloth and iron.
You switch the iron on and once the iron spoke loud enough you switch it off.

This post has been edited by Der Zuschneider: 01 October 2010 - 04:40 AM

[J.Kelner]

Martin Stall, on 30 September 2010 - 08:40 PM, said:

I feel a video instructional coming on....

I could make another attempt at it with the iron if you'd like? Might be fun..

[Martin Stall]

go. do.

[Torry Kratch]

It may be useful to someone my idea for a removable device on the corner of the ironing table.

[jcsprowls]

I converted a thread stand - similar idea. I'll show you once I setup the new shop.