1962-3 Frigidaire Washers...The Sturdy Washer POD 9-3-17

[combo52]

The 60s were a time when build quality and reliability really started to improve, IMEO the 1963 FD washers were by far the most reliable washers they had produced up to this time.

 

When FD put [ The Sturdy Washer ] badge on their machines it really meant something.

 

Likewise WP-KM really beefed up their washers in 1964 with a beefed up transmission, 1/2 HP motors and new corrosion poof water pumps and other water handling components.

 

GE made a huge durability gain when they introduced their V-12 Filter-Flow line of washers that could last almost 50% longer than the old solid tub machines they built.

 

Maytag also made signifant durability gains in the 60s when they introduced the one piece poly fin agitator, Ploy pump, better main center seal with a SS insert, and improved the plastic motor rollers and lid balls to a decent plastic that did not break in normal use.

 

Norge also really beefed up their washers as they abandoned the ST and came out with the big tub machines, although the first few years of the big tub washers made the last of the ST machines look good.

 

John L.

 

[frigilux]

Another great console from Frigidaire. They had some real talent in design/styling. And only a year away from the Jet Action/space capsule agitator.

Corrosion resistant parts: John, I don't know how many of those pot metal pumps had to replaced in our 1960 Kenmore over time. This is an example of plastic being the superior material for the job.

 

[brucelucenta]

John L's years of experience and having hands on in the laundry equipment business makes him an encyclopedia of knowledge. I know that in 1961 Frigidaire changed their design of the cabinet size on washers and dryers making them both 27" wide and the dryers changed to a solid tub dryer more like other dryers of the era. They did still have the 2 pulley & belt system until a little later when they adopted the big serpentine belt around the drum. The washers were multimatic mechanism machines, which were not my favorite to work on. The Frigidaire washers just after this era were my absolute favorite machines for durability and servicing. The rollermatic machines were terrific in my opinion. They had no belts, no gears and no real transmission. I liked the fact that I did not end up covered in grease and oil after working on them and they seemed to last longer than most any of Frigidiare washers without much repair. I actually liked the agitators before the Jet Action cone, in spite of tangling when loaded improperly. The Jet Action cone promoted a great deal more lint and wear on clothes and towels since they actually pulled the clothes down with the agitator instead of moving the water thru the clothes. Just my opinion of course.

 

[norgeway]

I know this

My Aunt had a 63 Custom Imperial Washer that was in a damp basement and was used unmercifully hard and abused more often than not and it ran nearly 20 years and probably would still be around except the bellows went bad and rather than spend money on it replaced it, but it ran all those years with not one service call.

 

[brucelucenta]

One thing you have to say about Frigidaire is that they certainly changed their mechanisms more than any other washing machine manufacturer. I think they were constantly trying to improve their machines. I am sure that these machines were quite durable, in fact most of Frigidaire washers were. All the changes made most service places HATE Frigidaire washers because of the constant changes, so you usually had to get a certified Frigidaire serviceman to work on them. I never spent a great deal of time working on this style of mechanism myself.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Frigidaire home appliance engineers and stylists had the automobile divisions of General Motors to subsidize their playing around with components and dramatic styling. That is why things came to such an abrupt end when the energy crisis hit and car sales took a nosedive. Like a ship in distress throws excess weight overboard, GM got rid of Frigidaire. Sad.

 

[rapidry1000]

My mother's 1963 WCDA-63 was her second Frigidaire washer. This washer was constantly washing for 27 years before getting a Maytag washer in 1990. She was never really happy using the Maytag after using the Frigidaires since 1951. The WCDA-63 was still running perfectly except for the rusted out hole in the drain tub that probably could have been patched. Family was concerned with the leak and got her the Maytag.

 

[gyrafoam]

Many years ago Hans and Donald brought me a WCI-63 in Coppertone. It was in working condition,however, I took it apart enough to pull the inner-tub out and check for rust,etc.

The Tub Support was covered by a half-inch solid slab of lint/detergent/minerals, etc.
I think I was pretty alarmed at what I would find underneath.
So I took the layer off with a spatula and was surprised at what good condition things were in. The heads of the bolts that secured the Support had rusted away. There were some areas inside the outer-tub, and with a good layer of POR-15 I got everything in order and protected.
Put it back together and it's been a reliable daily driver ever since.

It has a very long over-flow rinse so it's one of my two favorites whenever I use LCB.
Great washer.

 

[frigilux]

"It has a very long over-flow rinse so it's one of my two favorites whenever I use LCB."

OK, Steve; as a frequent user of chlorine bleach, I have to know: What's the other one?

 

[glhturbo2]

One of the prettiest

Washers ever, the Frigidaire designers knew how to make a beautiful cabinet and panel. They also do know how to make a wonderful machine. The rinse on this machine is amazing. When I used Steves, it did an amazing job on a large blanket and rinsed it out well.

-Tyler

 

[gyrafoam]

The '62 Norge has a lengthy Hot spray rinse in the 1st spin that continues right on into the rinse-fill (which is Cold if Hot water selected for the Wash!). The water then continues during the four minute over-flow rinse. Then just as the machine gets up to speed in the final spin is another one minute Hot spray-rinse.

The '56 Dexter (Philco) has a bifurcated spray that fans out in two directions across the top of the tub. There is a Hot sudz-kill spray beginning of the 1st spin. Then machine starts to spray again just as the 1st spin shuts down for the rinse fill. There is a continuous spray through the rinse and then a Hot spray during throw-out for the final spin.

 

[mickeyd]

Had a wedding; missed this--pity !

After suds-returns, spray rinses fascinate me most and hearing the glories of early Norges and P.Dexters has me lusting for more. What a blast it must be to watch such luxury. Any more tales of spray would be met with extreme gratitude and a check in the mail.

Did not see POD, but I am lucky enough to enjoy a Frigidaire of said vintage. First and I suppose most importantly, this machine seems unbreakable. For 8 or 9 years now, it has given flawless service. There was a time during any icy winter when the cold water valve was stuck. Not to worry, was able to open and close the valve at the faucet and thus conduct a spray rinse to great delight. Not that the WCI needed one with its extravagant 4 minute overflow. No other machine I know of rinses that long except the funny hairy Haier, but lacking an overflow, it's much ado about nothing.

This WCI is so handsome and beloved, it just begs for new rings. Must catch up to that grad student with the 3D printer and see his progress. Some of the real joys of this Frigi are the sounds it makes. There is a clean open flow of aerated water entering combined with full pump flushing and diminishing during the overflow-- a symphony!--and the multi-matic transmission shouts a marvelous percussive snap/clang/boom when it shifts to high speed after the first minute of spin at low. Hoping to record these sounds in a video at some point.

Bruce, the jet cone has hard large plastic on the top two stages, so I can see how they would lint the way you describe. My Aunt Margaret had a 12 pound tub Multi with the original agitator, liked it better than the jet cone, too.

Eugene, the striking new avatar: Is that you when younger, or am I a Dolt-o-matic not recognizing someone famous?

Pix in a little bit. Enjoy lunch, all!

 

[brucelucenta]

Frigidaire was always innovative when owned and run by GM. I always thought their washing machines to be excellent at cleaning, rinsing and spinning clothes from the very beginning. I have also always thought that had it not been for the tangling issue they could have well been the leader of the appliance industry today. As I have pointed out in the past, "Frigidaire" became synonymous with "refrigerator" in many parts of the country with many people. The up and down agitation did every bit as good a job of cleaning as the top Whirlpool/Kenmore washer or any other automatic washing machine ever made. When loaded properly, they operated quite well and the tangling was minimal. Although I did not particularly care for the Jet cone agitators, the 1-18 machines with their agitators worked quite well and did a better job and held more than most washing machines of the time. Frigidaire made one more crowning invention before being sold off to WCI too. The developed and introduced the "skinny-mini" which was very innovative and unlike anything made before. It changed things for many people and allowed people with limited space to have a washer and dryer. No one had a top load washer and dryer incorporated into one unit before and it was only 24" wide which allowed it to be used for many apartment dwellers. It changed they way things were done and versions of it are still made today. Frigidaire was a truly remarkable company!

 

[mickeyd]

Have an interesting delimma worth sharing. To get new pix up, I take the shots then email them to myself right from the phone. Then I open the email on my computer and slide the pic into the library or right to the main screen when speeding. Piece of cake, posted to Aworg in seconds.

Yesterday this tried and true method failed because my email has been over loaded for weeks and is not working, news to me! In fact the last meaningful email was from Paul the Grand Turk. During the past few months my email has become so unmanageable with pages of nonsense, some of them sent in triplicate and a few quintuplets, that I simply said "Enough! I'm done. People get thru to me by phone or text, so email has only been useful for the rare business transactions. So I'm think ing of letting go permanently, a modified Off the Grid.

Next, I experimented with another avenue, moving a sunset pic to the photo library from Facebook only to get "WEBLOCK" at every turn.

My next move is to learn to move pix from the phone to the laptop via cord connection.

I took some careful shots of the stages of the overflow rinse. Eager to show and tell of the Frigidaire, Multimatic Rinsing Symphony. In the meantime, here is an old pic of my 62, 3 guy before I fixed his control panel flap.

 

[mickeyd]

And the hickey puck dial

 

[mickeyd]

HA HA Hockey

`

 

[frigilux]

Looking forward to those photos, mickeyd. That's a nice '62-era machine you have.