Former Maytag TT Owner
Excellent picture; I would take any one of the automatics or TT machines. The Nesco's cool, but the top-mounted motor prohibits watching the action, which is why I never thought once about buying one on eBay. I wondered if they made a glass-tub demo model.
I had that exact Maytag Porta-Washer when I first joined Applianceville in March, but it was in very poor shape. I bid on a Maytag portable set on eBay, but told the seller I wanted only the washer (dryer didn't work), and the seller agreed. The lady bought the set for her husband for washing shop rags, and he never used it. Her son then used it in his trailer for a while, then it ended up on eBay. It arrived, and I was a little surprised at its shape. The avocado cabinet had white marks all over it, the inside under the machine was dirty (frankly, looking at those motors, I'm surprised either worked), the timer knob was not attached well (popped off when spin started), the yellowed washtub lid was broken from its hinges, it reeked of stale cigarettes and was rusty. Needless to say I cleaned it up, filled it, and tried it out. I was very surprised with the powerful action the twin impellers made. Spin speed was very impressive too, and I later found out it was 2,000 RPM. Unfortunately it was rode hard, and leaked from the diverter valve. Judging by the interior, it seemed like it had been doing this for quite some time. The seals would hold after being used for a while, so I left the front cover off and dealt with the "first load leak". I also took the spin brake off, as it made an annoying "BANG!" when the latch was released.
I washed many loads in the kitchen with this machine, and it cleaned every one of them well with much entertainment (the wash action and the 5 minute timer which was very much like a dryer timer). It handled a good-sized load for a side-impeller machine (although from my experiences, a bottom-impeller machine holds much, much more), with everything from whites to towels to jeans to sheets. But David, you're right, the spin basket's outer tub was way too small, and if I used too much detergent (the impeller made a considerable amount of suds which really didn't help) it would lock up, and was very hard to clear. Surf and Fab worked well, but if I put Tide in, then SUDS-LOCK!
The diverter valve problem seemed to be getting worse, however, and I ordered a new one. In the meantime, I bought the GE Portable Automatic (shown in album) from a used-appliance shop. I changed the diverter valve out, checked the connections, and hooked up the hose. I was eager to start another load, and let's just say that this was the first scenario where I saw a Poly-Pump leak, and it wasn't from the hose connections either. I quickly drained the tub and realized I bought a new diverter valve for nothing. I parted out 3/4 of the parts, saving the spin basket, impellers & impeller drive belt, motors, new diverter valve, knobs, timer, you name it. I used the old 3-prong cord on my Bendix.
The key to buying a Maytag Twin-Tub is to get a machine in decent shape; unfortunately I didn't follow that rule. If it has rust and signs of a long-term leak, don't buy it. But if you find one in considerably good shape, enjoy! Very fun and effective wash/spin action; I would have one again!
I would really like to find a Deluxe Hoover, but they do seem a little hard to find. The single, non-reversing impeller and Autorinse feature must be fun! Hoovers have an Achille's heel as well: the pump. I read in the Archives that the pumps were the #1 failure in Hoover machines that otherwise worked well. Thankfully UK Hoovermatics were made into the 1990s and I still see pumps on eBay.
Hope I was descriptive enough...;-)
--Austin