Keep the '96 DD or Go for a new SQ TL?

[spinmon]

Our '96 Kenmore 90 runs well & looks new,though it do vibrate on high spin a bit.

I'm in a position to buy a new tol SQ top loader & wonder if I should or just repair the KM's when they break. I'm concerned that,by waiting,I may miss out getting a decent tl machine that still uses a good amount of water.(I know to adj the water lvl screw because of YOU guys!)

I also like that the SQ seems to ALMOST make BD style woo-woo sounds with it's long-stroke agit. If the SQ agitator had an auger,I think I'd be completely sold--you put the old DD on high speed & you almost never have to push down a stragler or air bubble.

Anyway,whatcha's think? Don't say ''buy FL'' because our water is still reasonable & FL's haven't impressed me yet.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Get the Speed Queen! The Kenmore is a good solid machine, but the SQ is really much more gentle on the clothing and does not need a DA agitator due to its 210 degree action and its Surgilatorish design. It is quieter, the warranty is great,it IS the BEST TL today,as close to the old Maytags as can be!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Get the SQ

It is the best modern TL out there. Closest thing you will see to a BD Whirlpool/Kenmore. This mechanism has been proven in laundromats for over 20 years. I love the DD Whirlpool/Kenmores but if you need a new TL the SQ is the way to go.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Vibrating during spin is not usually due to a mechanical failure. Tip the machine forward and then set it back down. These machines have self-leveling rear legs and doing this will reset them to give your machine better stability. You can also check the front leveling legs and make sure that the lock nuts are tight. If you get the new SQ, try to find a place to keep the Kenmore. It would be a shame to junk a functioning and increasingly rare good toploader.

 

[cfz2882]

both

if you can,keep the DD and get the SQ too-always handy to have at least two washers
hooked up

 

[spinmon]

stayin'

Thanks for the interesting responses! The machines reside on the second floor in my rented townhouse. The movers(8/'11) dented in the top of the matching dryer's console,which I didn't see till they were gone. Oh,well.

I would definetly KEEP the Kenmores,they have plenty of room in the basement,which is nice & dry but no hook-ups of any kind.

Another concern is that my wife washes most of her clothes on medium speed. She never overloads,thank Heaven.(My brothers wife always overloads/kills her machines--an efficient gal otherwise). Anyway,I'm thinking the SQ will need to run normal speed to properly roll blue jeans & such. I don't think losing the KM's extra low 3rd speed will be an issue. We'll see.

I'll prob get the matching SQ dryer. Good as the KM? Our KM has the front mounted screen/blower system & seems quick as 2 top screened KM's I've had ('67 & '81).

Thanks again & this is an awesome sight for us machine heads!

 

[qualin]

IMHO

If your Kenmore machine does what you need it to do and does it well, then I'd keep it for as long as it lasts, until it can't be repaired anymore or until the repairs outweigh the cost of buying a new machine.

You said that you lived in a rented townhouse. My advice would be, leave the Kenmore machines there when you decide to buy a house and then focus on getting a new SQ Washer/Dryer set when you get there, replacing whatever contractors special may be there.

When we purchased our house, it came with a mismatched set of 30 year old Whirlpool machines. The dryer was leaving rust spots on our clothing and the washing machine had a bad cold water solenoid, so it would only work on the warm rinse setting. The cost to replace the solenoid (I didn't know much about washers at the time) was nearly the cost of buying a new BOL machine. We replaced them both with a GE set in 2004.

I only replaced my perfectly functional (Yet squeaky) GE TL with a FL because I didn't like how effective my old TL was, or how it keep destroying certain items of clothing due to a combination of machine design and the occasional user error.

Now in saying that, I see via Google maps that you are about an 8 hour drive away from the Ripon, WI factory.

Here's what I would do if you really are serious about buying a SQ washer/dryer set.

1. Arrange a factory tour with someone at the Alliance Laundry Systems Factory.
2. Rent a van or a truck, a dolly and a set of ramps.
3. Drive to Ripon, WI and find a hotel.
4. Go for the factory tour and watch your machines being manufactured. Make sure to take lots and lots and lots and lots of pictures! (As much as they will allow)
6. Back your truck up to the loading ramp and pick up your new machines.
7. Drive them home and install them.
8. Post all the relevant pictures you took to this forum.
9. Sell your Kenmore machines on Craigslist or Kijiji for a few bucks.

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen

While I hate to see a working machine go to a landfill, surely you would be able to sell your old machine to someone that would be willing to put forth whatever the effort to restore it.

I do think that you cannot go wrong with purchasing a Speed Queen washing machine and/or dryer. They are sturdy and built to last.

Malcolm