Originally Posted by ThayerRags
I took photos and test operated my Ironrite. It works! The roller motor runs and the heating element works, but the knee levers to stop and raise the roller don’t respond correctly. I’m hoping they just need adjustment. I couldn’t run it for long because it needs oil in the gearbox. From what I understand, the Ironrite Oil was a 50 weight non-detergent oil. Some sites that I’ve found say that SAE 40 oil can be used, so I’ll look around and see what I can find locally. I doubt that I’ll be able to find actual “Ironrite Oil” anymore.
The outside of the metal cabinet has rusty scuffed areas and will need to be repainted, but otherwise, it’s not been banged around too much. This model was made in the late 40s and early 50s, and with a serial number of AB315547. I’d guess this one is an early 50s model.
CD in Oklahoma
I googled "User's Manual for Ironrite Mangle" and on Ebay found a Model 85 Instruction Manual for $11.79 (Buy It Now),
also a roller cover for $36.99 (looks like you could use a new one), and there's also a service manual available for a few dollars.
What is the lever doing? If I remember correctly, you use your knee to push it to the right and release it, the roller will come down and start rolling against the iron and just keep rolling until you stop it by pushing the level again to release it. If you push the level to the right and hold it there, the roller will come down on the iron, roll for a few seconds, then lift up, come down again, roll, and lift up again, and just keeps repeating this process until you release the lever. Is this what yours is doing?