Demo Video of the Kenmore Vari-Flex agitator

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revvinkevin

revvinkevin

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I was chatting with another AW member this afternoon and while discussing my latest acquisition (a 1970 Kenmore model 800 washer), he'd commented he knew of the Vari-Flex agitator, he'd not seen one in person nor had any idea how it worked.... so I headed downstairs and made this little video.

Enjoy!
Kevin

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Awwww! LOL

I am the AW member Kevin is referring to lol. Thanks very much Kevin, I really do appreciate that! Super sweet of you. I'll definitely be sure to make it to your next wash-in no matter what! LOL

That is pretty cool though. Even on the LO setting the turnover was pretty good. Actually my Grandmothers 71 Lady K I was telling you about had one, I have seen one in person just never adjusted. I was too short at the time to see what all she was doing in the machine whenever she'd use it. Thanks again Kevin for fulfilling a long time curiousity. You're a total Sweetheart! XOXO
 
KM VARI-FLEX AGITATOR

Kevin could do a demonstration of all eight agitation levels { two speed motor plus all four agitator settings ] and just think if you had the LK it would have 12 different agitation levels with its three speed motor. [ in your spare time of coerce LOL ]. I always thought this agitator was a very clever idea but almost would be more useful on a one speed washer as it made for two many combinations of agitation levels.
 
AWESOME! I love agitation videos--that was super awesome. Crank that puppy on high, throw in some suds and and give us a complete cycle video (on medium or low water level). THANKS FOR POSTING!
 
Awesome Demo

Thanks Kevin for the awesome demo. I don't think my mother ever adjusted hers, but I don't truly remember. At the time, that was a pretty pricey top-of-the-line washer for my mom so she never let me get too close unless she was right there and even then I wasn't to touch. I always remember the aggressive turn over and she was a cronic overloader. Happy Holidays!!!
 
Beautiful, Kevin! What a quiet machine, too! I agree with John, though. This would've been better suited for a model with a single-speed motor, allowing for gentler treatment of permanent press and delicate fabrics.

Rob
 
Thanks for the memories

I remember the first time I saw one of these. Sears had a satellite appliance store on lower 14th Street, near First Avenue for a couple of years. I would take the 14th Street crosstown bus from school on the way home and the store was across the street from my stop. Perfect for the young appliance enthusiast.

I would wander through the store as quickly as I could to avoid the annoying salespeople who would shoo me away ( I was obviously too young to pull out a wallet full of cash to buy an appliance).The Lady Kenmore's were just too colorful and just chock full of bells and whistles to avoid. They had every dispenser I'd ever imagined and features that even I thought were ridiculous. Unfortunately, my Whirlpool/Kenmore prejudice was a factor; underneath all those gizmos was still an inelegant, clunky, over-sized washing machine that did an average job of cleaning and a pathetic job at extracting and I knew it. Still, I was fascinated and really would like to find a pair know that I've learned that you can have more than one washing machine in your house. I'm ashamed to admit that I wasn't too bright about this agitator at first; it took me a couple of times to figure out that one didn't try to turn the marked dial in the center, that you had to, as illustrated in your wonderful video, lift the body of the agitator up, yada, yada, yada. Had to work fast before the salesmen caught up with me. I'd love to find a pair of these somewhere.

bajaespuma++12-20-2010-10-41-13.jpg
 
Nice Video

I'm just a new member not really a collector. I suppose I just APPRECIATE a good machine like the Old Harley Davidsons!!!!

You guys are awesome!!!
 
Kevin, your videos are so professional. And with that voice you could surely make a career in radio or TV. Loved the spot, I had always wondered about that particular agitator. I'll bet it does a bang-up job on delicates at the low setting. Thanks!
 
I was hoping to get this same model but in harvest gold, but I lost contact with the person giving it to me :-(

Great video Kevin!
 
Great Video Kevin!

I never saw one in use, or what the difference between the adjustments would do, Thanks......

BTW...does anyone have one of those detergent dispensers they can part with, not the lid, just the plastic piece underneath that mixes and dispenses the detergent?....
 
Once again thanks Kevin for a great video. The Vari-Flex is the only agitator (at least as far as Kenmores go) where a tutorial is called for, and it is well worth it.

Have a good one,
James
 
Great video. But for some reason the name Vari Flex makes me thing of fins that "flex" while washing.
I wonder how many housewives had this washer and never figured out what the Vari Flex agitator did?
 
OK...OK...PART 2 IS HERE!

Per request.. here is another demo video, this time with low speed agitation AND a low water level!

Enjoy!
Kevin

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That is way too cool Kevin! And you're such a Sweety for taking the time to make these vids!

Whirlcool: I'm sure back then it was demonstrated. Manufacturers and the salesmen actually took the time to learn about the product they're selling so they could properly demonstrate each function so that it was understood. Not something you see very much of anymore. I've been in plenty of situations where the salesman had to either get someone else or a book LOL.
 
They were a useful option, but truth be told I bet I was like many if not most users, and rarely adjusted it. It was great when there was something delicate to wash, set the machine on Low and turn the vanes all the way in and it was a very gentle wash. But for me those loads were very infrequent, maybe once a year or so. Others may have had more delicate stuff to wash and made more use of it, but it was nice to have when the need arose.

As I said many times if this group was around in '95 I would have never trashed my '73 piano key LK....
 
re: confused it for a second

during the video you'd mentioned you confused the machine for a second after the restart. what actually happened was power was cut to the wig wag dropping the agitate solinoid and engaging drain. when the motor restarted it pulled the cam bar back for drain and also sucked the solinoid up for agitate. thus the shift, it all depends where the wigwag is when you kill the power.

you probably already knew all this but I do like hearing myself talk sometimes.

that's a nice frigidaire you've got there by the way.

Steven
 
that's a nice frigidaire you've got there by the way

Oh, thank you Steven! Yeah that 1-18 is really something, especially in Harvest Gold.... right?? Oh, wait, you weren't talking about the Skinny Mini, where you??

(hahaha)

;-)

Kevin
 
Powerful! On full speed at the high level agitation that Vari-Flex works up a storm. I always wanted to see how dramatic it is, and it does not disappoint. I think I will be watching this one over and over. Thanks again.

Have a good one,
James
 
Awesome Videos Keven!
Thanks for taking the time to upload these.
Amazing the difference of "dialing" the wash you wanted.
Beautiful machine also!
Thanks
Brent
 
Frigidaires

Kevin I'm sure that 1-18 could be tooled to be some WMD should Oregon ever invade... Such a mean sounding brute on the lower water levels. The Skinny Mini... well that would just confuse the invasion lol. I do love me some Agitub action though, not sure what it is that I like. Broomstick in a puddle, you should have a wash off between that and the Hoover :)

-Tim
 

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