Interesting WCI-Gibson Washer

[westytoploader]

Older model paired with a Maytag gas dryer. Has the typical WCI-plastic tub with a recirculating filter, however, it has a 5-vane angel-wing agitator! I've never seen this before...thought they only had 4 vanes!

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[cehalstead]

mismatched set

Too bad the washer isn't the companion machine to the dryer...would bid on it in a heartbeat, since I live in Charleston. This is the first time I have seen anything "nearby"......

 

[pulsator]

I actually have one of those agitators in my collection. They are very cool. (If any of you didn't know, I collect agitators mostly because there isn't much room for machines.)

 

[gyrafoam]

I think thats the Wizard agitator, in any case, saw one just like it last week in turquoise!

 

[peterh770]

That was the WCI answer to the Kelvinator agitator. They had to put those big wings high on the barrel to simulate the splashing from the Kelvinator centric action. If you can find the same agitator from the earlier machines with the porcelain tubs, they are taller with more space between the skirt vanes and the wings.

 

[gansky1]

I have this agitator around here too, also had it in a Kelvinator washer of the same vintage as the ebay Gibson. Horrible wash action - those vanes on the lower section are quite small and don't really do much - the load just wiggles around the top vanes in a circular pattern because the tub is whining around in a circle the whole time. I would like to have one of the late 60's or early 70's versions though, I've seen them in junkyard.

 

[jasonl]

Indexing tub

I was talking to Todd (tcox) and he said if you hold the tub to keep it from indexing, the action is pretty good on it.

My great grandmother's Marquette machine had that "Angel" agitator. Neat machine but I couldn't watch because of the darn lid switch :-( .

 

[gansky1]

The same thing is true with current Electrolux top-load indexing machines, holding the tub increases the action tremendously. The Westinghouse top-loader I have with the indexing tub is the same, with that spiral ramp agitator is much more dramatic holding the tub still.

 

[westytoploader]

Holding the tub increased the rollover on the 2003 Frigidaire I used last summer...

 

[jasonl]

I never had any visual experience with my Great Grandmother's Marquette, other than I heard it run. As I said, opening the lid switched it off and with my parents hanging around there was no jimmying the lid switch :-(

It was a mid-60s (guessing) model with the procelain tub and the angel-tator. Neat agi, I just wish I could've watched it run.

 

[roto204]

I'm glad you mentioned that 2003 Frigidaire, Austin. My partner is hot for the all-in-one stackable set that we saw at Lowe's here, with a full-size washer underneath and the dryer on top.

When I looked at the agitator, I was rather concerned, because the vanes are SOOOO small (only a couple of inches--geez!). I had concerns about turnover, and the indexing tub sounds like it just makes it that much worse.

In your experience, is this an atrocious machine? I'll tell Will to avoid it if you guys have bad experiences with them (of course, telling him to hold the tub the whole cycle should cure him of any desire for it, too ).

'Cause trust me, the first time the thing wiggles and doesn't turn the clothes over is the last time it hangs out at my place. It'd be up-ended over the fence and the 1-18 would be right back in its place

 

[westytoploader]

OY...tell Will to look in the other direction! Modern Frigidaire TL's are fun machines to play with, but I would never consider one as a serious washer. Because of the indexing tub, turnover is non-existent, and I had to overfill it to get decent action on the wash! Although holding the tub does help...LOL

On top of that, it's 99.9% plastic (except for the hollow metal cabinet) and has no sound insulation, so you pretty much hear the annoying hum of the motor for the duration of the cycle.

 

[Bryan71]

Have bought Frigidaire

I bought a pair in November of 2004 from Best Buy. They are just the basic design (3 temps, 3 water levels). The pic of the washer that Westy posted is exactly like mine. I would agree that turnover would be better without the indexing tub but overall turnover is not bad and I have never felt my clothes were not clean. The agitator is the back and forth type but it does slightly index with the tub if you watch closely. One thing I do like is that the rinse is longer than other top loaders I have used and the final spin is about 10 minutes long which speeds up drying. I purchased these as a "hold me over set" until I purchase a house and then will get better machines.

 

[roto204]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for the info, Bryan and Austin. That's what I needed to know.

Will's a "keep it forever, run it into the ground" kinda guy, so I don't think this machine would suit him. He likes Frigidaire's FL machines better anyhow, and considering that even Consumer Reports likes them too, I think that that would be the better route for the long haul.

Or, if it doesn't yarf a roller between hither and yon, I'd be perfectly happy with my 1-18 as the primary washer.

Thanks again! :-D

 

[Bryan71]

Your welcome...

I am not one of the keep it forever type person...I get bored with them and usually sell them for something new...I am already having thoughts of selling these...need to break myself of that habit. But anyways..good luck with whatever your choose!