I have a 50 year old Sunbeam electric cake mixer, and I suspect it was
working when my mother made a cake with it 25 years ago. I'd like to test it
out and maybe use it for light-duty mixing. Is there some kind of
maintenance I should do to the motor before firing it up? Could it have gone
bad just sitting in the closet, or is it likely to work as well as it did
last time it was turned on? Thx.

It is likely to work right off. My wife sells antiques and when we pick
them up they usally work. Depends though if it was stored in a dry
closet or out in a damp garage.

I would plug it in and if it turns on, use it.

You most likely will get an electrical smell out of it mostly do to
dust but those motors have brushes and they do not smell like the newer
ones when they run.

Give it a shot and watch it the first few times you use it.


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B wrote:
I have a 50 year old Sunbeam electric cake mixer, and I suspect it was
working when my mother made a cake with it 25 years ago. I'd like to test it
out and maybe use it for light-duty mixing. Is there some kind of
maintenance I should do to the motor before firing it up? Could it have gone
bad just sitting in the closet, or is it likely to work as well as it did
last time it was turned on? Thx.



if you can open it up and see it you can give the moving parts a lube.
Stuff was made to be fixed back then so its probably easy to open it.
You might give the coils a blow off with some air, or a vacuum cleaner
if they are dusty.

I bet that mixer was actually working when your mother made that cake too!

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert


For a free Java interface to Freechess.org see
http://www.rigidsoftware.com/Chess/chess.html

B,

As others have said, give it a try. Before you do look at the insulation
of the power cord. If it is cracking then it will need to be replaced.

Dave M.

Why don't you just pony up and buy a new one??? Isn't 50 yrs about time
for a replacement?

She probably has a mixmaster..Better than most you can buy today except
maybe a kitchenaid..On those old Mixmasters, they do smell funny when they
haven't been used for a long time so don't be too freaked out. Just keep an
eye on it..I think there may even be oiler ports somewhere on it..I too have
my gramma's old Mixmaster and it runs great..

John


wrote in message
oups.com...
Why don't you just pony up and buy a new one??? Isn't 50 yrs about time
for a replacement?

I used to have two 50 year old waffle irons; one from my mother and one from
my mother-in-law. Identical.

I used one a few times and the insulation on the wiring simply disintigated.
Opened the 2nd one up and found it was about to do the same.

Based on that limited experience, I wouldn't bother with the mixer.

It's (probably) fine. I'd look at the power cord, and see if it looks
brittle or frayed. That would suggest if the rest of the wires are OK.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
..
..


"B" wrote in message
om...
I have a 50 year old Sunbeam electric cake mixer, and I suspect it was
working when my mother made a cake with it 25 years ago. I'd like to test it
out and maybe use it for light-duty mixing. Is there some kind of
maintenance I should do to the motor before firing it up? Could it have gone
bad just sitting in the closet, or is it likely to work as well as it did
last time it was turned on? Thx.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Why don't you just pony up and buy a new one??? Isn't 50 yrs about time
for a replacement?

A new one is a downgrade from the old Mixmasters. I'd use and repair it
first.

You'll see a couple of oil holes on the top of your
Mixmaster. Just work a few drops of a good grade
of oil, like sewing machine oil, in there (please, no
WD-40!), and I'll bet it runs. The other posts about
the cord is good advice. If it's cracked or split, run it
briefly to see if it works, but plan on having it replaced
if you're going to use it. Not real hard to replace, but
there's some soldering involved to do it right.

Btw, I buy Mixmaster motors for parts if you ever want
to sell it. Also have the service and owner's manuals,
scanned directly from our originals, available he
http://www.DavesRepair.com/pdfmanuals/MMmanpkgspcl.htm

Hope that's of some help.

God bless,

Dave Harnish
Dave's Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com

570-363-2404

Free home appliance tips from a 32-year pro repair
technician! Get your monthly email newsletter he
(Back issues now posted too!) www.DavesRepair.com

John 3:3

"B" wrote in message
om...
I have a 50 year old Sunbeam electric cake mixer, and I suspect
it was
working when my mother made a cake with it 25 years ago. I'd
like to test it
out and maybe use it for light-duty mixing. Is there some kind
of
maintenance I should do to the motor before firing it up? Could
it have gone
bad just sitting in the closet, or is it likely to work as well
as it did
last time it was turned on? Thx.

I fired her up and she purrs like a Ferrari. Makes me feel sad in way, but
not for long. I could probably whip up some of Mama's masterpieces, an
all-day affair, and ya'll are invited. Thanks for the advice everybody.
-B

"B" wrote in message
om...
I have a 50 year old Sunbeam electric cake mixer, and I suspect it was
working when my mother made a cake with it 25 years ago. I'd like to test
it out and maybe use it for light-duty mixing. Is there some kind of
maintenance I should do to the motor before firing it up? Could it have
gone bad just sitting in the closet, or is it likely to work as well as it
did last time it was turned on? Thx.

So, when do we eat?

Dave M.

ive got one of those, its on a stand that holds the bowl and lets it
spin. its alot older that 50 years too.has some attachments for other
food processes,but ive never used em. thing still works good.grama had a
knack for saving up and gettin the best when it came to tools and
appliances..lucas

B wrote:
I fired her up and she purrs like a Ferrari. Makes me feel sad in way, but
not for long. I could probably whip up some of Mama's masterpieces, an
all-day affair, and ya'll are invited. Thanks for the advice everybody.
-B



mmmm, cake!

--
Respectfully,


CL Gilbert