Is There Any Such Thing as a Reliable FL?

[rinso]

Sorry but IMHO no washer, either top- or front-loading will ever again acheive the reliability that the center dial, helical drive Maytags did. As far as reliability goes, those are the benchmark, with the 1970's Frigidaire 1-18's following somewhat behind. (a beefier spin clutch would have helped)

The mechanisms on both machines are ingeniously simple and straight-forward. Some of the new FL & TL machines are waaaaayyyy too over-designed, creating opportunities for a host of bugs and problems.

 

[sudsmaster]

Don't forget the Mega Miele

Miele has just come out with a 4.0 cu ft (IEC) front loader for the American market. Yes, it's pricey ($1600 to $1900), and it's untested in the marketplace, but it does come from a company with perhaps the best reliability track record in the world for front loading residential washers. If your goal is a king size front loader with the best chance of lasting a long time, I think the Miele is calling you.

 

[panthera]

Sorry? What for

You're right - those "real" Maytags and the thumpers (except the rollermatics and WI-18s) were the best TLs ever built.
Ok, the best washers I have ever seen are mid-seventies Miele FLs.
They were designed for life.
But it is pretty sad...since I repaired the timer motor on a 1978 A108 for my nieces last year, I have seen three new TLs break down. And that Maytag is washing diapers for two babies and work clothes for four adults. Every day.
I figure, 2012 or so will be time to replace a seal in the tranny.
Probably gonna have to do the rollers on the sled with belts 'bout 2014 or so, too.
But, hey...it is no stretch to think this washer will probably still be going when the kids hit college.

 

[rp2813]

This quality and durability issue doesn't apply just to washers. Car makers like Mercedes now consider it acceptable for an owner to have to replace a failed transmission in less than five years. Seems nobody wants to make a Maytag anymore. Everything is designed to fail--so you'll buy new-- and the consumers aren't rising up and complaining. I read recently that the bug-riddled Windows operating system has created a situation where nobody expects anything to work properly anymore, and younger consumers don't know any better. Bill Gates has enough money. He needs to be ordered to buy the old Newton plant, start cranking out the old Maytags again and atone for his actions!

 

[hreodbeorht]

Pedestals

Ralph wrote:
adding pedestals does increase the cost by almost $400 -- for nothing but a hollow shell (no storage) under each machine

Costco frequently includes the pedestals for the Duets and Sport models they sell. According to the Costco website:

Pedestal Features:

Model: LAB2700MQ
Each drawer has three-compartment storage
Provides easy access to front loading doors by elevating washer or dryer 13" above the floor level.
Minimizes bending and stooping when loading and unloading appliances.

The pedestals that Costco includes are more than just "hallow shells" with no storage. If you go into a Costco store, they often have a lot more than what's on the website. A few months ago they were selling lots of Duet machines with the pedestal included in the price.

 

[danemodsandy]

Vintage Maytags...

Ralph:

Since you were kind enough to congratulate me on my "new" Maytags, I'm going to chime in here with a question:

Since you're part of a group that has an interest in vintage machines, why not just go vintage? That Maytag pair I just got was less than $200, and they work fine. Even allowing for some repairs and a higher energy cost, it would be quite a while before I approached the cost of a new FL pair.

Plus, if anything goes wrong, the machines are mechanically understandable, so that self-repair is an option for most problems. Try that with a Duet (unless you're very adept with appliances, which you may be, for all I know).

Even if you're not adept at all, and wanted to buy perfectly restored units, you could still do that for less than you're spending, and have better reliability.

C'mon, join the fun!

- Sandy (who spent two hours yesterday getting years of someone else's lint out of his A106's lint filter)

 

[rp2813]

Sandy,

I did have a vintage center dial pair for over 10 years and loved them for their efficiency and simple design. I tried to replace them with the larger capacity center dial models through a used appliance guy who said my beloved and easy to use dryer was unfixable. But the 806 washer I got from him suffered from a slow spin and I wasn't willing to deal with a guy who was selling products that weren't already checked to be in good working order. That's how I ended up buying a new Amana pair instead. Top rated at the time by CR--what a joke. So now I'm spoiled by large capacity and there's no getting my partner to go back either. I've wanted a FL for years, ever since I had my old Westy Laundromat going in a rental I used to live in. That machine is sitting waiting for a good home, but at this point I'm willing to take my chances on a modern day version by Whirlpool. Sandy, if you knew my partner you'd understand why I can't go vintage. I got enough flack just trying to use my old 40's Waring Blendor to make smoothies. No way would he go back to a center dial. And I'm water-conscious and like that FL's are efficient in that regard. Look at it this way, there's one more center dial pair out there for somebody else to snag. Enjoy yours. I had to do likewise with my first center dial dryer's lint filter but it was worth the trouble. At least I can say I've had the center dial experience and loved my machines. I'm confident the washer is still plugging away out there somewhere.

As for Costco, that sounds like a great deal on the pedestals. However, my partner is anxious to have the whole flat surface on top of the machines as work space since there will no longer be a tub lid. He doesn't like the idea of pedestals raising that surface but is willing to compromise at the 10" size. Also for parties the bar often ends up on top of the laundry pair so we need to keep that surface at a workable height. Still will check Costco but am leaning towards the 3.8 cu ft model at Lowes for most capacity for my dollar.

 

[danemodsandy]

Ralph:

Didn't know you'd already had centre-dial Maytags! I hear you about your partner- those factors have to be considered. Fortunately, I don't have that problem here- all anyone asks here is that things work, which the Maytags do.

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung Washer

Hi everyone. I bought a Samsung FL Model WF316BAW washer 1 year ago and it has exceeded my expectations. It has a 3.82 Cu. Ft capacity which is 14 kg. Handles a king size conforter as easy as a laundromat machine does, but I always add a bucket of water when the conforter is being washed since I like having a lot of water inside for such a heavy load.

The Silver Nano technology is amazing, it does reduce time, water temperaure, and detergent and your clothes will still be as clean as new and for a longer time, there is no wear and tear as TL washers do. It spins at 1200 rpm which can really be appreciated in drying times. Even the user guide tells that for this model you will only get a 1100 rpm spin, the motor says in one of its edges 1200 rpm and it is produces by LG.

Direct Drive Motor makes this washer the most quiet washer I´ve ever had and known. I decided to buy this machine instead of the Maytag Neptune because of the Silver feature and since the new Maytag Neptune front load is made by Samsung, I really prefer to have a good warranty by Samsung and more because of the Maytag/Whirlpool issue because for Whirpool,in my opinion, this type of machinery (Direct Drive) I think is new since duet washers still work with the traditional belts and pulleys.

By the way, I also own and love my Whirlpool Catalyst washer and Senseon dryer which have worked awesome since the first day and even though everyone say that they are the worst machines ever, I can´t say the same thing. I hope everyone remember me. I´m the mexican guy with the Crolls front load washer. This was the one I changed the Samsung for, but the Crolls is still laying in my downstairs room.

I promise to share some pictures and videos of my washers as soon as my camera works ok.

It has been a pleasure writing to you and knowing everybody is allright. Take care you all!!!!

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung and Whirlpool pictures!!!

Here are some pictures I took with my brother's cell phone camera. I hope you like them!!!

 

[ultramatic52]

Some more!!!

Samsung

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung

More

 

[ultramatic52]

Sam

Tub is huge!!!

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung's tumblers

As you can see, this tumblers have 2 sizes, from de middle to the end of the tub are thicker than from the middle to the front.

In my opinion this helps increasing the washers capacity and prevents clothes from floating when your are doing a little load.

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung

Samsung's back. As you can see, this washer has 2 venting windows at its back that prevents mildew formation and odors by venting the tub even if the door is closed.

This vents are conected by thick hoses to the outer tub.

If for some reason you get a lot of suds, they will come out through this windows. You can get a big pool of suds in the floor. Watch out!!!!!

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung Dispensers

If you compare this dispenser, you will notice it is exactly the same as the Maytag Neptune FL washer, and this could only happen, because Samsung produces the Maytag washer.

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung's Control Panel

Knob

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung

Control Panel

 

[aquatator]

how 'bout those "Swedish Laundry Maids"- ASKO?

I've had an Asko W6000/T7000 pair for alomst seven years. Despite their smaller capacity, and the small fortune in repairs they both cost me over a year or so ago, it was worth it. They do an exceptional job on mine and my girlfriend's laundry (she had a BOL GE T/L before I moved in with her).

I only wish this machine utilized a spray rinse and a deep rinse (which might cut the five to seven rinses it has, to three-maybe four). Having said that, I have no regrets, although if I had the money, I'd seriously conisder the new Miele's, or a Bosch pair.

 

[golittlesport]

Hey RP
If you dont want to buy pedistals and your laundry is in the garage, you can build your own. Concrete blocks work great and are extremely stable. You can use decorate patio ones or just cinder blocks used in building. I laid down cinder blocks in our second story laundry room, laid a sheet of "wonderboard" on top, and then attached a laminated piece of wood (sold as shelving) in front for a decorative facia.