British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

[chestermikeuk]

AEG Lavamat

While the thread say British Twintubs, the AEG is included as it was sold here and many are still about. Its a very sturdy twintub, with an aluminium washtub and a heavy copper spin can. The spinner drive is very unique,
the brush motor is horizontal with a rubber wheel on the end, this sits against a rubber flywheel attached to the spin can. It also boasts 3 motors for wash, spin and pump, love the large clunky pump lever feels like driving a tractor ha ha...

 

[chestermikeuk]

AEG Lavamat twintub

Here is owner Mathew (Keymatic3203) using his Lavamat..

 

[keymatic]

Morning Mike,

Umm good question, I would have thought the 1420 came first (1964/5) and then when the merger happened between GEC/AEI/English Electric (1967/68) that's when EE could have acquired any left over machine parts from the old Hotpoint Supermatic 1400.

Hotpoint restyled the Supermatic from the 1400 to the 1420 and when this was again restyled to the 1450 1967(ish) all the redundant 1400/1420 parts were then pushed to EE and the Liberator was introduced as the machine's main structure is virtually identical to that of the 1400 & 1420.

With regards to Kevin's 4151 as pictured, this must date from late 60's possibly early 70's ?

Regards

 

[triumphdolomite]

Liberator Twin

Mike/Keith
The Liberator Twin was introduced in January 1966. There is a piece for the launch in English Electric and Its People for this month giving details of the new machine. It gives spin speed of 2850rpm which I guess is the same as the 1420, were the 1400s the same?
Interesting that it predates the EE/GEC/AEI merger by a good few years, I can only assume EE contracted production out to Hotpoint perhaps. Certainly there are only a few cosmetic differences on Darrens to the 1420 Mum had. Sloping control panel, no suds return, different lids and the lift up spin deck was grey on the 1420. It even smells the same when its working hard.
Something I've not thought of before, was the Twin Star still in production along side?
Ian

 

[mickeyd]

English Electric Liberator Twintub

Just catching up here, Mike and company.

This one surprised me at how well it turned those sheets, and delighted to see what a precise and expert wringer Matthew is. Are there two pumps at work in this machine?

When I find the pix & vids, I'll show you how, for a few years, Lady K's had a filter exactly like the EEL Twin tub and Wringer. And the Lady K's came after the EEL's. Guessing Whirlpool copied it, the bloody pirates, LOL.

 

[keymatic]

Hi Ian,

Interesting information that comes out of these discussions, i just had a look at some of the information I have and it looks like the EE “Twin Star” was launched in 1964, although I believe there were earlier versions. In all the brochures & literature it was on sale the same time as the Liberator. I guess it gave EE foot in both camps - agitator & high speed disc washing methods, this may have been why that put their name on what was predominantly a Hotpoint Supermatics machine.

There several differences as you say lids etc, I wonder if the suds return hole is covered up with the long name plate. I would say all the internal machine is the same as 1420 but cosmetically they changed a few exterior features.

Just need to find that elusive 1420 now !!!

Cheers K

 

[triumphdolomite]

Very true, I'd love to see a 1420 again, although I suppose Mums would probably have been a 1421 as it was unheated.
Here's the article.

 

[chestermikeuk]

EE Liberator

Great information guys, have just checked and appears the Hotpoint 1420 came out in 1963 and had a 2,850 pm spin.

And the English Electric as Ian states was 1966 with a same 2,850 spin speed.

Main difference as well was the filterflow on the Hotpoint from central outlet and EE using the earlier Hotpoint tub with outlet in the corner for the brush filter .

 

[slowspin66]

The EE TWIN TUB

It’s funny the liberator twin has the same wash deck as the 1420 and there is place for the filter flow nozzle ......the valve box is the same as well so will get some photos when I get home ....
The EE is a great machine and lovely to use ..... not a brilliant design but still good for its time

 

[keymatic]

1420 v Liberator....

Hi Darren,

I was going to say, i bet it you look where the filter clean nozzle sits on the wash deck, i bet there is a cut out for it, the top surround is basically a 1400/1420.

I bet under that long washing guide panel there is the sudz return hole in the metal surround.

Keith

 

[mickeyd]

Brush Filter Video ~

Bet those extended fins on the Hotpoint could really make some powerful currents; its's just like the early GE style, but that poor AEG Lavamat's wash action--not in the same league as the British TT's.

One very warm winter day, I pulled out the Lady K to wash outside. Here's a vid of the cylindrical brush filter Whirlpool/Kenmore pirated from English Electric Liberator.

 

[slowspin66]

Liberator twin

These photos are a little rubbish as the machine is back together so it’s difficult to see the undercarriage !!! Your right Keith the black plugs fill in the holes where the filter flow hose would have passed through and the other is where the suds return was on the 1420 !! The brown smearing is old adhesive that was there to stop them falling out I presume

 

[chestermikeuk]

English Electric Liberator Twintub

Cheers Darren for confirming that, I do like the look of the EE console with the raised and angled profile. Look forward to using it again soon..

 

[chestermikeuk]

Brush Filter

Good morning Mickey, and wow yes "Which Came First" lol, looks great filtering the water, gotta Love "The Lady Kenmore" could almost be British with a title like it has.

I do like how both are gentle in action but still very effective, now if that was on the end of a Hoovermatic pump we would all be running for cover.

Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Mike

 

[chestermikeuk]

Marks Hoovermatic T5004 twintub

Heres a mini video of Mark Kightleys Hoovermatic de-luxe T5004 twintub washing machine, showing the powerful heater bubbling away, the rolling action of the Hoover Boiling Pulsator wash action and the Auto rinse and tub emptying .

 

[keymatic]

Hi Mike / Darren,

I think the EE Liberator has to be one of the stylish twin tubs, the attention to details is vast, from Brush filtering to the extra refinements for example the "cotton real" cord protector to the spin hose guard on the back panel.

I guess the 1420 would be the exception to the rules having as Hotpoint quoted "Brains as well as Beauty"

The Australian Supermatic "Galamatic" was quite nice being a combination of both the 1420 and the 1400 as it had the spin discharge arm.

Cheers

 

[vacbear58]

Advert

I always wondered why they used this different style machine for Australia

 

[triumphdolomite]

Supermatic/Liberator

Keith, the 1420 had the 'cotton reel' too, the spinner hose should hook round it.

Could that 75 in the serial number be a Hotpoint date code? Working backwards from 02 being Feb 70 and on the theory that they only went up to 96 would this make it March 1968? Or is that a bit late, would the 4151 have been around by then, though as it seems to be based on the 1450 Supermatic I presume it would have been contemporary with the 1460 Supermatic.
Just guessing as usual!

 

[keymatic]

Hi Ian,

Arhhh right, kind of looks like it would go that way.

Im not good on working out dates from serial numbers, but March 68” sounds about right. The 4151 i am sure is early 70’s ?

It would be great to find a 1420 but may just have to be a paper dream, who knows

Cheers

 

[ozzie908]

Servis Twin Tub MK1 In blue and white.

After a little repair to the spin pump and darn good clean and descale as it came from a hard water area. I present my latest acquisition [this post was last edited: 8/10/2020-08:39]