Does anyone have one of these? I love little portable machines and I am thinking of picking it up. Any gotchas?
Are these any fun?
- Thread starter mistereric
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also considering...
this one. any way to tell if its belt or direct driven?
thanks in advance!
this one. any way to tell if its belt or direct driven?
thanks in advance!
supremewhirlpol
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The GE? I don't see those very often at all. I has plastic tub it may be one of those WCI portable versions. I would say if it does not cost too much, take it home to play with. If I saw one of those in my area I would snatch it up.
The Whirlpool looks like an early 90's version. It is DD. Those are fun machines too.
The Whirlpool looks like an early 90's version. It is DD. Those are fun machines too.
norfolksouthern
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The Whirlpool is better
It is much easier to find parts for a direct-drive Whirlpool than it would be for a WCI-made GE portable. These plastic GE's are also surprisingly common, while a direct-drive Whirlpool is fairly rare. You really have to look for them, much like you would a Frigidaire 1-18. Get the Whirlpool.
NorfolkSouthern
It is much easier to find parts for a direct-drive Whirlpool than it would be for a WCI-made GE portable. These plastic GE's are also surprisingly common, while a direct-drive Whirlpool is fairly rare. You really have to look for them, much like you would a Frigidaire 1-18. Get the Whirlpool.
NorfolkSouthern
Yes, I have the first machine in a MWards version from 1987. Ive had it about 5 yrs. now. It is a fun machine, but tends to suds-lock easily. I've been using Sears Ultra Plus HE with good results. This machine can whip up a pretty good suds cake!
It is WCI all the way. Was avialable in many labels, Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Tappan, Frigidaire and private labels.
Parts are still available, tho I haven't needed any. I did replace the belt as it does spin drain, although I think some versions may have a separate electric pump.
If the price right I would go for it. I paid $90 for mine.
Bill
It is WCI all the way. Was avialable in many labels, Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Tappan, Frigidaire and private labels.
Parts are still available, tho I haven't needed any. I did replace the belt as it does spin drain, although I think some versions may have a separate electric pump.
If the price right I would go for it. I paid $90 for mine.
Bill
GE "Space-Maker" Washer
Was my first set out of college (had matching dryer as well), and IIRC ordered from Spiegel catalog.
Plastic, plastic, and more plastic, but got the job done. Lasted through two house moves, then finally gave them away to a cousin after purchasing a front loader. Gave several more years of service, then because of issues she junked them and purchased new.
IIRC, the washer had a bed of nails lint filter.
L.
Was my first set out of college (had matching dryer as well), and IIRC ordered from Spiegel catalog.
Plastic, plastic, and more plastic, but got the job done. Lasted through two house moves, then finally gave them away to a cousin after purchasing a front loader. Gave several more years of service, then because of issues she junked them and purchased new.
IIRC, the washer had a bed of nails lint filter.
L.
DD Whirlpool Portables
Actually are quite common around these parts, at least one has seen several within a few months on NYC/NJ Craigslist.
Actually are quite common around these parts, at least one has seen several within a few months on NYC/NJ Craigslist.
The GE had a stupid design for the pump that led to suds locking. I think the water had to be pulled in from the bottom of the pump and pumped out the top. This led to the pump chamber filling with froth which reduced the suction necessary to pull the water up into it. I think the final spin was 8 or 10 minutes long to make sure all of the water was pumped out. They often did not completely drain between the wash and rinse. I remember friends living in a couple of apartment developments having detergent rashes and complaining about the itching and doctor visits. I would ask if they had this GE washer and their faces would light up as they said "Yes." I explained why they needed to give the clothing a second rinse and the rashes went away. It was a WCI-built machine. The WP portables were much better
Portable washers
The DD WP is a much better washer and far more common its still used in the 24"WP GE&KM stack one piece laundry centers made in 120&240 volt & gas dryers. The WCI compact washers had a lot of trouble with over sudsing do to the silly spin drain operation. The main reason WCI stopped making these washers was a good number of them over sudssed so much as to soak the motor and cause a serious house fire when the outer tub then plastic top of the machine all caught fire. At our local Sears returned app center there was a whole section of burned up sears LCs roped off with yellow tape that were in litigation. Thats way the later ones had that big warning label under the telling you to 1/4 cup only of detergent.If you have one of these machines be careful.
The DD WP is a much better washer and far more common its still used in the 24"WP GE&KM stack one piece laundry centers made in 120&240 volt & gas dryers. The WCI compact washers had a lot of trouble with over sudsing do to the silly spin drain operation. The main reason WCI stopped making these washers was a good number of them over sudssed so much as to soak the motor and cause a serious house fire when the outer tub then plastic top of the machine all caught fire. At our local Sears returned app center there was a whole section of burned up sears LCs roped off with yellow tape that were in litigation. Thats way the later ones had that big warning label under the telling you to 1/4 cup only of detergent.If you have one of these machines be careful.
Oh well. the Whirly sold before I could get to it. The GE sounds like a little nightmare.
The Whirly DDs might be fun but I prefer the belt drive machines. Did any of the DD machines ever have a waterfall lint filter?
I'm also looking for a portable, 220 volt dryer. Actually, any 220 dryer that will fit through a door and has front control.
The Whirly DDs might be fun but I prefer the belt drive machines. Did any of the DD machines ever have a waterfall lint filter?
I'm also looking for a portable, 220 volt dryer. Actually, any 220 dryer that will fit through a door and has front control.
toploader1984
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i wish there was a ge wci built machine around here i would snatch that up in a heartbeat, i just want it to play with, someone i used to know had one and i loved watching it.
Belt Drive WP Portables
Now those are a rarer beast, at least in these parts. Ones one has seen on CL often tend to be ridden hard, and put up wet.
After researching the problems with my unit, *think* that many owners never address (or even think about) the leaks which seem to happen sooner or later with these units. However, if the problem is not addressed, the leaking water will eventually "rot" everything below, at which point the unit is trashed.
Have seen a few Lady Kenmore BD units listed on CL locally. But again most had issues such as leaks, or transmission problems, so didn't bother posting here. I mean one may have posted, but sellers wanted actual money to pass hands for a damaged >20 washer in questionable condition.
Seem to recall posting one or two Whirlpool washers as shown above recently. One was part of a set located in PA/NJ area, which was being offered for a rather decent price.
Now those are a rarer beast, at least in these parts. Ones one has seen on CL often tend to be ridden hard, and put up wet.
After researching the problems with my unit, *think* that many owners never address (or even think about) the leaks which seem to happen sooner or later with these units. However, if the problem is not addressed, the leaking water will eventually "rot" everything below, at which point the unit is trashed.
Have seen a few Lady Kenmore BD units listed on CL locally. But again most had issues such as leaks, or transmission problems, so didn't bother posting here. I mean one may have posted, but sellers wanted actual money to pass hands for a damaged >20 washer in questionable condition.
Seem to recall posting one or two Whirlpool washers as shown above recently. One was part of a set located in PA/NJ area, which was being offered for a rather decent price.
Oh And Another Thing
Much as we all love BD Whirlpool portables, knowing now what one wished one knew then, would take a DD instead.
Most major parts for the DD portable are still out there, many available directly from Whirlpool/FSP,mainly because as posted above they are still used for modern washers. OTHO BD parts, especially transmission, gearcase, bearings and other major parts are VERY hard to find if one can find them at all.
You know things are bad when Sears Parts Direct, a place that normally stocks parts long after original makers have discontinued them, states NLA.
Also tend to think because of the difficulty in working on BD portables, many owner's listened to a repair person who told them to "junk" the unit and buy new.
Much as we all love BD Whirlpool portables, knowing now what one wished one knew then, would take a DD instead.
Most major parts for the DD portable are still out there, many available directly from Whirlpool/FSP,mainly because as posted above they are still used for modern washers. OTHO BD parts, especially transmission, gearcase, bearings and other major parts are VERY hard to find if one can find them at all.
You know things are bad when Sears Parts Direct, a place that normally stocks parts long after original makers have discontinued them, states NLA.
Also tend to think because of the difficulty in working on BD portables, many owner's listened to a repair person who told them to "junk" the unit and buy new.
Good points. I wasn't looking for one because I need one, tho. I want one because they are fun.
while i'm shopping for replacements...
I'm mostly looking for a friend who needs some new appliances and found this machine. Generally under the impression these machines are good, not sure of the model number yet. Worth $40? Worth dragging a plastic, rusty-racked builders model machine to the curb?
I'm mostly looking for a friend who needs some new appliances and found this machine. Generally under the impression these machines are good, not sure of the model number yet. Worth $40? Worth dragging a plastic, rusty-racked builders model machine to the curb?
Heard back from the seller - KUDJ230YWH1
Do I remember correctly that KUDJ23 was the model on which Leslie & a coworker collaborated on producing the use/care guide? Something about J being the coworker's initial ...
Yes!
That dishwasher is worth it!
Go get it, it's the last of the good KA dishwashers before they became 100% Whirlpool.
Dave
That dishwasher is worth it!
Go get it, it's the last of the good KA dishwashers before they became 100% Whirlpool.
Dave
toggleswitch2
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~I'm mostly looking for a friend.
Does HE think he needs new appliances or do YOU think he needs new apliances?
Nevrmind. I think I know the answer................
Does HE think he needs new appliances or do YOU think he needs new apliances?
Nevrmind. I think I know the answer................
