combo washer/dryer units

[supremewhirlpol]

I've seen photos of a few washer/dryer combo units that a few members here have. My question is, what brand names at one time (1940's - 1980's) manufactured washer/dryer combo units? Does anyone here have an older washer/dryer combo unit that they would be willing to part with (preferably GE)?

 

[laundromat]

washer dryer combinations

Philco Bendix
Philco Ford
Whirlpool
Kenmore
Speed Queen
Easy
Crosley
Norge
Westinghouse
Montgomery Ward Signature
GE
Hotpoint
Maytag

The Bendix,Crosley,Whirlpool,Norge and GE were the most promanat and had the fewest repairs.in fact,Whirtlpool and Norge made theirs in either water or dry clean models for places that had a high impact of customers on a daily basis. I had seen a great "Norge World" and "Whirlpool Laundry care centre" in Baltimore which were massive and had at least 25 different units!!! They were very popular and had full customer drop off service.The Maytag,Westinghouse,Signature and Easy models were amung the worst.Maytag had a recall offering a new A908 set with all push button controls to replace them due to major issues they had especialy water leakage.The Speed Queens were rare but were nice looking due to their slimmer 27" cabinet Most of the others were anywhere from 30 to 38 inches long and heavy as Hell.The Westinghouse models were great for drycleaning models but for water using units,they rusted worse than a tin can in salt water!!The area just benieth the opening in the front of the tub had a screan that allowed either fluid to recirculate or hot air to blow through. Just like the Laundromat dryers.The screen was made of galvonised steel and would easily oxydise from the water contacting it.Drycleaning fluid seamed to not have that effect on them and up until the late 70's,just before being sold to WCI, the Westinghouse Laundromat drycleaning units were evrywhere,especialy self service authorised Westinghouse Laundromat equiped comercial laundries.I am hoping either Whirlpool or Electrolux(Frigidaire) will reintroduce these to the public asap. I have been writing them both regarding the current design,technology and demand for these in either 110V/gas dryer units and 220V electric that can be converted(if need be) to 110V. So far, I have received no answers from either company concerning these units other than a thank you for your interest bullshit letter.I am sure there is one of the GE's somewhere. If not owned by one of our many members here already.

 

[alr2903]

The real issue with the drycleaners i think is the Chemical "perc". There are many self service laundry sites listed on the EPA cleanup list. May God help the hapless soul that would invest in one these properties, cleanup & abatement cost a Fortune. With all this yippin and yappin about wet cleaning i wonder if these newfangled steam machines will show up in self service laundries?

 

[18millstreet]

combos

Once you witness a KENMORE combo operate,it is truly something you want to see and hear over and over!! They purrr,and when they balance at the beginning of spin it's awesome. it alternates low spin and tumble several times,..and when the dial reaches spin,...a small click,dial light dims slightly,and it makes a very impressive whine,as it gently rocks on its feet as it powerfully reaches the fastest safe speed it can. Kenmore combos only spin fast for a brief period(that little motor is no bigger than what's in your dryer,but is has a capacitor to assist it).NOW THAT was truly magnificent engineering!! These along with unimatics,and rollermatics were simply great. I did see a GE combo,but the spin was not nearly as impressive,anyone else got combo memories?? Take care ,Walt