Daily Driver Recommendations?

[abcomatic]

Maytag 606

My daily driver is a 70's Maytag 606 washer and dryer. Cars, 2007 Lincoln town Car and a 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark 4. Happy washing, Gary

 

[danemodsandy]

I Can Think....

....Of two sets of vintage machines that are on a level with your car collection:

One would be a pair of Maytag 906's, a top-of-the-line, all-pushbutton pair made from 1966 to, I believe, 1972. They were extremely well-made, but as daily drivers, may leave something to be desired for some people - all the cycles were controlled strictly by pre-programmed pushbutton, with no options. You either wanted to wash, say, your woolens in the way Maytag provided, or you did not - there was no way to change any of the wash, motor speed, rinse or soak options for any given cycle. They were, however, luxury machines, for people who wanted to feel their clothes were getting the best possible care while making the fewest possible decisions.

Look up "Maytag 906" using the Super Searchalator; you'll see a photo of Fred Nelson's beautimous 906 pair. Fred uses them as drivers.

The other pair you might really enjoy would be a pair of 1966 Lady Kenmores, which have more to recommend them to the person who likes to play with options. They're controlled by both pushbuttons and a cycle dial, with the dial capable of modifying the cycles. There are tons of possible combinations. They are extremely luxurious machines, surprisingly often seen in wealthy homes where no other Sears merchandise was to be found - they had a reputation second to none.

You should know that Maytags are simply and robustly engineered; you can rebuild one with relative ease and have it last for decades. Parts are reasonably available.

The Lady Kenmores are more of a connoisseur's machine, in that they're much more complex than Maytags, with many parts no longer easy to find. It's not that they can't be restored, nor that they can't be used as drivers - people do restore them and use them. But they are often more demanding than Maytags, especially when their detergent/additive dispensers go wonky and need repair (Maytags have much simpler systems for that purpose, and they have almost zero tendency to go out of whack). Super Searchalating on "Lady Kenmore" will turn up some photos.

Maytag 806's are a good balance between these two extremes - you get Maytag reliability, and flexibility approaching that of the Lady Kenmores, without the Kenmores' complexity. Again, search and ye shall find pics.

 

[rp2813]

I'm a big fan of Maytags from the periods mentioned above because they are built like tanks and have tried and true simple mechanics, but based on your original post I think it needs to be stated that Maytags of that vintage don't have the capacity of their Whirlpool and Kenmore contemporaries.  If part of your reason for dumping the front-loader is the fact that you can't wash large loads, Kenmore or Whirlpool machines will offer larger tubs than Maytags. 

 

As was also stated, if you go for a top of the line belt-driven Lady Kenmore, there's more to go wrong and probably less likelihood of finding specialty parts.  On the other hand, certain parts are still readily available for Kenmore and Whirlpool machines dating back to the early 50's, so if you pursue a model of either make with a few less frills, it will serve you well and if necessary you'll likely be able to find the parts required to keep it going.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Whirlpool or Kenmore Direct Drive

Probably the most reliable design ever and good washing results. Another good option is Speed Queen the new ones are the best they've ever been.
Wk78

 

[pierreandreply4]

another good model if you have pets or stuff that makes lots

do not forget if you went a good daily driver there also the famous ge filter flow

 

[johndog]

More thanks!

Folks,

Thanks for the continued input... This is very helpful!

We actually have a rescue dog (half Dachshund, half German Shepherd, below) that figures into this equation. Given the posts from Yogi and Pierre, I now see that there actually is a washer that can handle the dog blankets when needed... That there EVER was a washer that handles this job well is totally news to me!

I am leaning, therefore, to the GE Filter-Flo Heavy Duty Extra Large Capacity. (I worked for GE in an earlier lifetime, too, so that's nice. I can still sing the "bring good things to life" song!)

Y'all are great!

John in Houston (with "Dora the Explora")

 

[DigAPony]

Probably one of the last GE Filter-Flo models, although a little pricey in my opinion.

http://houston.craigslist.org/app/3636744249.html

 

[rinso]

IMHO you can't miss with a Maytag 806-ish or a Whirlpool/Kenmore BD in good condition. Neither have the super-speed extraction of today's HE machines, but if that is an issue you can always get a seperate spinner for towels, jeans, and heavy bedding.

 

[rp2813]

For sure if you have pets around the house, a Filter Flo is the best option for capturing lint and pet hair.

 

[pierreandreply4]

here is the same filter flow set i posted but with a view of

same set but more view incluiding a money shot more pic to come

 

[pierreandreply4]

next pic

 

[pierreandreply4]

dryer and washer control closeup

control closeup of the dryer then the washer

 

[pierreandreply4]

washer

 

[yogitunes]

Your best bet is a filter-flo.......and will there be a youtube video of you singing this little tune?....lol.....what a great name for a pet......she is just adorable....

I have a siberian as well, the fur is one thing, that undercoat seasonal shedding is something else....

also, the true filter-flo, with the pan on the agitator seems to capture lint/fur better than the rimflo design....

 

[twintubber]

Sonds Like The GE Filter-Flo is the WINNER!!!

You definitely will not go wrong with one of these machines.
Great agitation-very powerful. Strong spin, very good rinsing compared to many others, (especially Maytags).
And as others have mentioned, probably the BEST filtering washer out there. A definite must for pet owners.
Good luck in your search!

Sheesh, now that song is going through my head, darnit.......................!

 

[twintubber]

@pierreandreply4:

I have never seen that style of wash tub in a GE before.
Most of the basket holes near the top with only a few around the rest of it.
Very interesting design.
Is that an American made machine or is it Canadian?
It looks American made to me.

 

[pierreandreply4]

on this i do not know filter flow expert might know has this might be an earlier model the filter flow that one of my family relitive own had the spiral activator not the straigh model

 

[yogitunes]

well, not TOL, more of a basic model, but in good condition, and a matched set....
this may be a rimflo design, but we can change that for you....

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houston.craigslist.org

 

[yogitunes]

this one is gonna need some cleanup, but for 90.00 or less, and a little work, could be a really nice machine.....

shop around, and if possible, get one with the most cycles and options, and the minibasket.....the variations of cycles and speeds is endless!....plus a few simple Yogi modifications never hurts....

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houston.craigslist.org

 

[pierreandreply4]

and one thing to consider if you can afford it is to have a warm rinse in case you need to have a warm rinse done to save on drying time and second plan an extra rinse option and you will also fine the mini basket useful if you have only a small load to wash