How Can........

[ronhic]

Launderess....

Maybe from a North American perspective, but certainly not for most people here. If you asked an Australian who wanted an automatic if they had to choose either a wringer/twin-tub or a semi-automatic, they would choose a semi-automatic and they would expect a machine that looked like an automatic, but where they controlled the steps...AND they didn't get their hands wet or have to touch the laundry until it was finished.

Most people in North America went from either a wringer or twin-tub to an automatic. That didn't always happen here as we had semi-automatics that filled a much needed niche in our market.

Just as wringers and twin-tubs were a huge step up from doing the whole process manually, in Australia, a semi automatic was one step again between a manual machine and a full automatic. This was brought about primarily because of the very high cost of appliances here. Much of that cost was the 'automatic' part - timers. So the manufacturers here brought out true semi-automtics where you didn't touch the actual washing until it is finished, but still needed to turn a switch to change from one process to another.

Wringers and twin-tubs do not work like this. You cannot complete the whole cycle without actually moving the washing at least twice. That is, from the wash to the wringer/spinner, back into the wash tub to rinse (some twin-tub spinners and Nth AMerican dual tub machines excepted...you only have to touch it once there)and then back through a wringer or the spinner after it was rinsed. Regardless, my point is you had to actually move the washing out of the tub at some point in the process.

Most Australians would consider this to be a manual process/step and, as a result, a manual washing machine.

A true semi-automatic removed this step and meant that you could wash, rinse and spin without touching the wet washing but still had to control the steps.

 

[frapdoodle]

i want a wringer but im in the mountains and my mom would say no

 

[ronhic]

Try selling her the idea that 'is better for really dirty work clothes' as you can control how long you wash things for' which could save her having to re-wash later

 

[qsd-dan]

"Try selling her the idea that 'is better for really dirty work clothes' as you can control how long you wash things for' which could save her having to re-wash later"

Yep, and you can soak that dirty load for as long as you want without tying up the main washer.

 

[launderess]

Yeabut

One can soak in any vessel; wash tub, bath tub or sink. No need to use a device that can harm limbs.

 

[foraloysius]

A semi automatic wringer washer overhere in Europe would mean a wringer washer that heats the water up to the desired temperature and then starts washing like this Miele 75T

 

[ronhic]

Louis...

...that would still be considered a manual washing machine here....

....and I have to say that the wash action is a little 'violent'...

 

[frapdoodle]

i like Mieles

but anywho

i would probably use it as an everyday washing machine. and the big stuff i would just take to the Laundromat. (conforters, large bath towles, ect.)

maybe i will ask for one for Christmas. I cant decide between the washer or a new cell phone. i need a new cell

 

[soberleaf]

oh, go for the washer!

they're a hell of a lot more fun to watch than a cell phone!!!

you don't see a "cellphone.org" out there on the web! there is a reason for that!

 

[autowasherfreak]

I like wringers just as much as automatics. My mother used one for years as did her mother. Ed's Appliances here in Bettendorf has four Maytag wringers and is selling them for $75.00; 1 round tub and three square tub.

 

[soberleaf]

wow!

what a great price that is!

 

[frapdoodle]

wel in recent posts, there has been a website that has been selling newly-made speed queen wringer washing machines

im probably gonna go for that, but i ned to know if it has a drain pump.

if it has a pump, then its a "go"

 

[launderess]

No Pump

Lehman's has the "new" SQ wringer washers, called "Home Queen", and are built in Saudi Arabia.

While based on the old Speed Queen wringer design, the machines are from the old manual/gravity drain models. No pump is available.

Gravity drain wringers weren't a problem when units were located either in basements, or on a porch, or even outside (as when used on a farm). One simply lowered the drain hose into a floor drain, or onto the ground (to use the water for say watering plants, or even cleaning the porch). Failing either, one had to drain into buckets and dump the water where ever (slop sinks, up the stairs and out the back door, or god only knows).

As more homes began to have either dedicated laundry areas, and or women wished to do laundry in the kitchen by rolling the machine near the sink, pumps were added to drain wash water by force.

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Natural_Goods___Appliances_and_Energy_Savers___Home_Queen_Wringer_Washer___32901100?Args=&customField1=W9&

 

[toggleswitch2]

My understanding of "semi-automatic" is when one takes an ordinary automatic washer, (with a hot and cold fill-soleinoid) and puts a "Y" connector on it to make it usable from a faucet ("tap").

Requires no user intervention after starting EXCEPT to change the water temperature after it has filled up and started agitating/washing.

 

[brisnat81]

I've got a few different types of what in Australia we call a Semi Auto. Here it basically means any washer that you dont get your hands wet.

A Naco Front loader which has the following process.
Close Drain Cock
Put Clothes and soap in
Set Mechanical Control to Wash
Turn Power point on
Turn Hot and Cold Tap on until water reaches rim of tub, then turn off taps.
After 10 minutes Open Drain Cock
When Empty Turn cold tap on and flush for 1 min
Turn mechanical control to spin for 5 mins

Rinse Phase
Turn mechanical control to wash
Close drain cock
Turn cold tap on until water reaches drum lip
Tumble for 5 minutes
Open Drain Cock
When Empty turn on cold tap and flush for 1 min
Turn Mechanical control to spin for 5 minutes
Repeat rinse stage with a 10min final spin
Turn off Power Point

This machine has no timer, you control it all.

The Whirlpool Top loaders tend to have timers.
Turn Power on
Add clothes and Soap
Turn taps on until machine has the right amount of water, then turn taps off
Select Heat and set timer to Hold until water is hot enough
Select Agitate option and set Timer to start agitation
Select Pump and set timer
Select Spin and set timer
Turn tap on for a spray rinse
When spin stops
Turn taps on and fill
Select agitate and set time
Select Pump and set Timer
Select Spin and Set timer
Turn tap on and off for spray rinse.

The Spin Drain machines work as above, except there is no pump step.

The Solid tub Fridgidaires with Heaters require you to put the suds save ball over the end of the drain hose,
Fill the inner tub with water, spin the water into the outer tub.

Set control to heat and Timer to Hold
When the water heated light comes on pop the suds save ball off the end of the drain hose and place the hose into the washers tub.
Set the control to Agitate and the timer to hold.
Run until the tub is full, then follow steps as for the spin drain machines.

So lots of different varieties here, but as Ron said, if you have to get your hands wet, its a manual machine, not semi auto.

 

[mickeyd]

The Aussies have it.

Over the years, Leon has shown several true semi's: A Pulsamatic and Kelvi' wobbler come immediately to mind. So until the Supreme Washer Court makes its ruling, I'm laying my money with the Aussies. They have fleets of Semi's down under. My apologies if it is not Leon. A semi-automtaic looks like an automatic, and you do not have to move wet clothes around, but you have to tell the machine what to do. I have referred to my Norge and Visimatic as semi-automatic because they shut themselves off, after washing OR draining, but I've always known they weren't really semi's. In America, we had the Thor, and another machine which squeezed the clothes in a rubber collapsable tub, by Bendix, I believe. Everything being regional, we never called our Easy Spin's semi's, the most popular machine before the coming of the automatics. And that's all she wrote.

"how can...." Are you the young'un who wanted to see Maytag wringers. Here ya go, Buddy. It's my home-made Maytag Twin-tub semi-automatic ;'D ;'D ;'D

 

[mayfan69]

Semi auto's

Hey mickey

Yes, you're right.....both Nathan and I have semi-automatic washers. Here's a link to my 1968 Simpson Fluid Drive semi automatic in action.....a TRUE Semi automatic washing machine for those who don't undertstand the concept.

Cheers
Leon

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/ARCHIVE/VINTAGE/2009/19701x40.htm

 

[launderess]

Well I Don't Know Nothing About All That

*LOL*

But just as an aside, whilst reading my vintage box of "All" detergent (with Bleach, Borax and Brighteners), only top loading and front loading washing machines are referred to as "automatic". Wringer and spinner washing machines are called just that under the detergent dosing directions.

Pipe snap from a recent fLeaBay auction:

 

[mickeyd]

Indeed, Dearest

We never really experienced the semi-automatic wave here in America. Again, as far as this washophile knows, there was the Thor and the Bendix. The fact of their rarity is proven not only by your lovely ad, but by their lack among American club members, with only Ross having a Thor, and Robert (?) having the Bendi Squeezer. Forgive me for omitting anyone.

All the semi's are enjoyed by the Aussies. We English and Yankees had the twin tubs and spinners, after the wringers before the Automatics, with a lot of cross-breeding, of course. But isn't it all wonderful and interesting the way the Australian machines are as unusual as their flora and--mainly--fauna

Great thread, there, in your link, Leon. Thanks for such a nice treat with afternoon tea. So satisfying, and so nice to see you and Cimberlie again.

 

[chestermikeuk]

UK

If you mentioned Semi-Automatic here again its likely to be the Thor Parnall top loader type machines, look like a toploader but you control manually!!! Keith here (Keymatic) has the original Thor and the later model that looks very much like the Hotpoint Top Loaders!!!

Heres Keiths early Thor Spin Washer that takes the Dishwasher Basket!!!

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