I'm Worried

[estatesale_gary]

I wouldn't worry

Hi Tuthill - I grew up about 50 miles northeast of Virginia, MN (ELY). Every time that I go back to see my folks, my dad and I drive out to the "dump" which is more like a recycling yard in the middle of no-where. I was just there on Saturday. On more than one occasion, I've called Rob back in Minneapolis as to whether or not I should haul something back. The one that I go to usually has at least 20-30 machines. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad but it is still out there and northern Minnesota is FULL of recycling facilities and LAKE CABINS full of old stuff. If I were you, I'd start checking out some of the estate sales in the Manny's Shopper (or even put an ad in there sometime). Plus, there are still appliance stores up there - stop into one sometime and find out what they do with the old machines.

 

[oldwasherguy]

Tuthill, I have a wringer washer from the late 40s that you can have for free when you are ready.I will hold on to it for you if you want to start your collection with it. don

 

[tuthill]

estate sale gary

Pretty cool that you used to live in Ely, I was actually just up there last weekend on the last snowmobile trip of the year. And yes, the good 'ol Manny's shopper... maybe I'll put a want ad in for old automatic washers from the 50's - 70's... Where is the appliance dump you were talking about?? also if I had to store a machine outside, how would you guys reccomend doing it?

 

[estatesale_gary]

Tuthill

I lived in Ely until I was 19. I'm up there 3 or 4 times a year. The "dump" is the Northwoods Transfer Station recycling center/solid waste facility on Highway 21 outside of Ely (going towards Babbitt). Once you get into the facility, the appliances are at the bottom of the hill to the right. I did a search for other St. Louis County recycling facilities and there are quite a few. I've attached it below. There are several in your area that take in old appliances. I think that the Manny's Shopper would be a great place to start - everyone up there reads it (it's not online).

Spring cleaning is right around the corner!

http://www.co.st-louis.mn.us/Solid_Waste/SiteHour2005.pdf

 

[danemodsandy]

Tut, Tut, Tuthill!

Like they're telling you, it's all one step at a time.

In my own case, I wanted a pair of centre-dial Maytags, because my time spent reading on this site had given me the information that these machines are a great place to start. They've been my daily drivers for a year now, and they've worked out very well- they get clothes cleaner than my more "modern" DD Whirlpools did.

What these machines have done is to give me confidence in vintage stuff. They didn't blow up, nobody came down with cholera, I haven't had my arm ripped off. It's just like having new machines, only these are better. In time, I hope to find a vintage Kenmore pair like we had for a while when I was young- a '50 or '51 pair like Northwesty (I think) has. What I've learned with the Maytags will help me a lot if I'm ever able to find the Kennies.

Hang in there- finding your first machine will take a while, then all of a sudden, machines will start finding you. I remember how long it took me to find my first good vintage vacuum. Now I have four Electroluxes and a TriStar, and people ask me all the time to "adopt" their old machines. It's just a matter of becoming known for your eccentricity, LOL!