New or vintage??

[midcentnurse]

Hi all, long time listener, first time caller. My partner and I are about to take custodial/ownership of a fantastic mid century mod, buying directly from the architect! Well, architects starting out weren't always the wealthiest home builders and our laundry room is pretty tight. It was made for a top loader and dryer from the 60s, not our new FL.
I know it's a terrible problem to have , but what are some opinions on pushing through the opposition and finding a great vintage TL and matching dryer or playing it easy and doing a new SQ FL... My partner has the knee jerk, scared it will be hard to fix etc reaction to something from another era. Even after I show him a pristine aqua blue Fridgidaire Unimatic! (not that ive found one yet) Trust heart or head?... Thoughts?...

 

[stricklybojack]

Vintage machines..

as your only washer and dryer is a daunting thought if they are as old as a Unimatic and are automatic washers and not wringers.

 

[rp2813]

The Whirlpool set in the picture are a good start if you want to see how it goes with vintage machines.

 

We had the same issue when we moved into our current house and our big Whirlpool Duet pair wouldn't fit in the laundry room.  We had to find a front-load set that would fit the same footprint as a standard top-load machine, and ended up with Frigidaire Affinity. 

 

It also appears that the window would be partially blocked if you had a set of FL machines on pedestals, so if you don't want to stoop too low, that's another thing to consider.

 

The '60s or '70s vintage machines I'd advise you to pursue would be Maytags or Kenmore/Whirlpool, but as was stated above, it may not be practical to have vintage machines as your only ones unless your household is small and they won't be processing multiple loads on a daily basis.

 

[spinmon]

SQ tl it!

 

[gmmcnair]

I love looking at the vintage machines. ..

However, one would be impractical for my only washer. If you look around a bit, you can find an older Whirlpool direct drive machine for reasonable. They have a nice vintage look with plentiful parts and easy servicing. They are also pretty bulletproof. Don't overload them and they are not hard on clothing.

 

[midcentnurse]

Yea it's just the two of us but Scott can be a clothes horse, multiple costume changes in a day Im as handy as I need to be and can repair without a lot of fear, so the right vintage pair would be oh so nice.. See where I'm leaning?
I think SQ FL is the same depth. that's the only issue. Our current LG FL sits on the floor and I dont mind it being low at all.

What I have realized over this research though is, there is just something more 'comforting' about a top load washing machine. FL are definitely cool in their own way, but different. What I've learned for the day

 

[midcentnurse]

Also, I know I am not alone in thinking those new HE top loader machines are some cruel joke unleashed on an unsuspecting public by angry engineers, am I? Every one I know who was duped into buying one has complained of the worst sin a washer could commit, completely dry sections of the laundry! Gross..

 

[arbilab]

Been spared firsthand shock at recent goobermint TLs. But seems some can be tricked into actually using water, some easier than others. HOT water is another trick, the cussed things lock up like a Windows computer if you jigger the hoses. I HATE mechanical things that think they're smarter than I am.

Word seems, Speed Queen TL most closely resembles an actual washer in their current product line. Mechanism is rugged and straightforward as well. Should be close to standard footprint.

Certain charm to the bulletproof vintage iron, but time does wear down their armor and then there's the issue of unobtainium parts.

 

[norgeway]

I use

A 85 Kenmore 70 washer and a 73 Lady Kenmore dryer...in the last 5 years I have replaced 1 belt and one knob on the washer and a heating element on the dryer...they wash and dry at least 1 or 2 loads a day, and I wouldn't trade them for anything new on the market..the dryers automatic control is perfect and it has a fluorescent light on the backsplash...The washer is quiet and smooth running.

 

[washman]

If you are going new

stay away, far away, from anything that flaunts "eco". You will be very miserable with the complexity, the cheapness, and the absurd washing times.

Get a SQ TL machine IF you want something that actually works and does not take all day to do it.

 

[gregingotham]

Vintage or new?

I have to say a vintage Frigidaire from the sixties with the deep action agitator, solid tub and offset control panels they made would be totally cool for you. And some on here say still very reliable. (see Cadman's video post in vintage recently). But I'm biased as I love Frigidaire. Don't give up. I found this beauty on Craiglist in KC the weekend I was going there to visit over the holidays (see attached). The timing was beyond coincidental. It needed a $10 water inlet value which I ordered from www.davesrepair.com. No leaks, no rust, in amazing shape after 43 years. Jet action for days! LOL

For new, I have a set of bosch FL that I really like too. Although they don't use a lot of water, they use enough that they get the clothes clean, and have a window so you can see what's going on (and you can unlock the door during the cycle too). Good luck!

 

[pierreandreply4]

well in my best opinion you are better to find a vintage washer or a washer dating from 1993 and earlyer because washer 1993 and beyond you start getting dumb down water tempatures where hot is warm water and warm water like cold water edit pictures included as exemple and credit to the aw members to whose pictures i am using and saved on my computer

 

[gmmcnair]

Interesting....

I think it was around 2007 here in the states when temperatures started getting dumbed down. My old Whirlpool from the early 2000s had tap hot water, as did my Kenmore (Frigidaire built) laundry center.

 

[henene4]

I know that since the late 90s Mieles 60°C cycle (label programm) only heated to 50°C if no options were selected. But this did not really come out until mid 2000s...