Cast iron? Who knew?
Oh Yoo-Hoo! Whirlpool "Work-horse" Washer in NJ
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That country bumpkin can't tell the difference between a worm and a garden snake, let alone the difference between aluminum and cast iron......
yeah... expected belt drive....people don't know their appliances
CAST IRON TRANSMISSION
The gear case in the direct drive washers is cast iron just like the older belt drive machines. The transmission base is cast in sand the mold is only used once. Not only is the direct drive washer far more reliable than the belt drive models but its the most reliable top loading automatic washer ever made. I have worked on all brands of washers for more years than i care to admit and their will be more WP DD machines lasting 30+ years than any thing ever seen before.
The gear case in the direct drive washers is cast iron just like the older belt drive machines. The transmission base is cast in sand the mold is only used once. Not only is the direct drive washer far more reliable than the belt drive models but its the most reliable top loading automatic washer ever made. I have worked on all brands of washers for more years than i care to admit and their will be more WP DD machines lasting 30+ years than any thing ever seen before.
Yeah, but who wants 'em?
mickeyd
Well-known member
HA HA YOU OLD KUH-VETCHER
Who is this wise man telling the truth about WP DD's bravely challenging Aworg orthodoxy, I wondered. A little click reveals that he is the long lost "slender quiet genius who accompanied you to Canton" GOTCHA ;->
When i once HAD to wash with no time to play, The early 90's LSP9245BWO
was the only choice in town. It is SO flexible, like early Frigi's you can get it to agitate with any amount of water in it, during the 3 minute mark, You can get a full suds-return if you've just washed spotless linens and now face a load of filthy rags, the agitator post is made of black and white "Marble," a good half dozen people bring me their comforters because the WP knows how to take 'em down....and on and on and on....... all without a hitch.....over 15 years old and nary a hitch, nada, and I work the b-Jesus out of that machine, especially the timer. And the double 30 second horseshoe spray is to die for. It takes a fevered genius like John to say the unsayable. DD's are here forever. We all forget that Whirlpool is still here, when most of its competitors and betters are long dead.
Wish i had a pic, it has 10 nice huge black push-buttons and two big black dials.......darn. And although one adores the BD's the DD's have evolutionary engineering superiority. Hey, it's Whirlpool, still with us; we should be in awe of them.
Who is this wise man telling the truth about WP DD's bravely challenging Aworg orthodoxy, I wondered. A little click reveals that he is the long lost "slender quiet genius who accompanied you to Canton" GOTCHA ;->
When i once HAD to wash with no time to play, The early 90's LSP9245BWO
was the only choice in town. It is SO flexible, like early Frigi's you can get it to agitate with any amount of water in it, during the 3 minute mark, You can get a full suds-return if you've just washed spotless linens and now face a load of filthy rags, the agitator post is made of black and white "Marble," a good half dozen people bring me their comforters because the WP knows how to take 'em down....and on and on and on....... all without a hitch.....over 15 years old and nary a hitch, nada, and I work the b-Jesus out of that machine, especially the timer. And the double 30 second horseshoe spray is to die for. It takes a fevered genius like John to say the unsayable. DD's are here forever. We all forget that Whirlpool is still here, when most of its competitors and betters are long dead.
Wish i had a pic, it has 10 nice huge black push-buttons and two big black dials.......darn. And although one adores the BD's the DD's have evolutionary engineering superiority. Hey, it's Whirlpool, still with us; we should be in awe of them.
Well, I'm not disputing what he is saying, and John already knows I kvetch.
I just don't see the first bit of "charm" in A DD.
I just don't see the first bit of "charm" in A DD.
supremewhirlpol
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Charm? Gyrafoam could you please clarify what you mean by "charm"?
Ha, here we go-------well, the sights and sounds of a vintage DD. Kool agitators,the Roto-Swirl and the Surgilator, waterfall lint-filters, etc.
supremewhirlpol
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I see. Yes Gyrafoam I think you are right. DD machines really don't have too many things that make them special. Although, the Kenmore 90 series DD's 1988-1995 do have the Triple Dispenser system that is pretty neat. Other than that I would say console design changes and cabinet colors are what the DD machines have going for them. OH, one other cool thing; when the DD machines come off the neutral drain and engage the clothes basket while the motor is spinning down, and you hear a loud click, now that is awesome!!!
His point wasn't coolness it was reliability
I agree, the DD is an excellent machine from a reliability standpoint, and I don't think anyone would argue there weren't (aren't) very interesting from a coolness standpoint, but I do totally agree with combo52.
My two cents.
S
I agree, the DD is an excellent machine from a reliability standpoint, and I don't think anyone would argue there weren't (aren't) very interesting from a coolness standpoint, but I do totally agree with combo52.
My two cents.
S
redcarpetdrew
Well-known member
1988-1995 do have the Triple Dispenser system that is pretty
Until you've had to clean it before you work on it... I'll tolerate Snap Drives but triple dispensers are a real pill...
RCD
Until you've had to clean it before you work on it... I'll tolerate Snap Drives but triple dispensers are a real pill...
RCD
When I think of a DD as a collectible, I think of the very first ones that did the "spin-drain". That is something I think of as unique and one of those, especially in its KAid counterpart, would be something I would find interesting.
I am somewhat glad to see that the merits of the DD machines are coming to light a little bit here. I am not a huge fan, though I own one which I will keep. I have always thought the machines got a bad 'rap' here, though Steve's sentiment is certainly valid that there isn't much to get enthused about in the generic world of DD machines.
But, thinking about the times we live-in, they could be a lot worse. At least, for now anyway, Whirlpool continues to build these in AMERICA, most have porcelain tubs, and they are one of the most experienced designs on the market.
One interesting note that came to mind last week when I was doing a little bit of DD research online and looking at Whirlpool's various manufacturer sites....the comment is still out there (which I used to see everywhere) touting the benefits of the DirectDrive's design in which there are no belts to break, which supposedly saves service calls and money.
There was a time back in the 1960s when belts on BD machines wore out and broke at least once in a machine's service life. During the later 60s, the composition of the belts changed, making them more pliant, durable, and less likely to break. In my opinion anyway, the direct replacement of a belt in the DD design is the coupler, since it is that which transfers the motor's power to the transmission, which is what the belt does. Well...and we all know what I'm about to say....couplers break or wear out FAR MORE FREQUENTLY in DDs than belts ever did in BDs, no? Most 1980s BD machines I came across in the late 90s, and even now, have their original belts in them.
Just thought that was interesting.....
Gordon
But, thinking about the times we live-in, they could be a lot worse. At least, for now anyway, Whirlpool continues to build these in AMERICA, most have porcelain tubs, and they are one of the most experienced designs on the market.
One interesting note that came to mind last week when I was doing a little bit of DD research online and looking at Whirlpool's various manufacturer sites....the comment is still out there (which I used to see everywhere) touting the benefits of the DirectDrive's design in which there are no belts to break, which supposedly saves service calls and money.
There was a time back in the 1960s when belts on BD machines wore out and broke at least once in a machine's service life. During the later 60s, the composition of the belts changed, making them more pliant, durable, and less likely to break. In my opinion anyway, the direct replacement of a belt in the DD design is the coupler, since it is that which transfers the motor's power to the transmission, which is what the belt does. Well...and we all know what I'm about to say....couplers break or wear out FAR MORE FREQUENTLY in DDs than belts ever did in BDs, no? Most 1980s BD machines I came across in the late 90s, and even now, have their original belts in them.
Just thought that was interesting.....
Gordon
Direct Drives
I realize that you all are debating reliability and longevity AND I will say having used many a Direct Drive - I don't mind them...They get the job done, they seem to be reasonably reliable, and definitely cheap to purchase.
BUT I dislike the short choppy stroke that seems to be associated with DD and I don't care for the agitators. If you are looking for something other than a dual-action (which I don't hate, I just think that if you need to depend on an auger to move your clothes you have over-loaded the machine) you get something that looks like it would do more harm than good.
Its been said before, but if I have to buy a new machine give me a Queen - Speed Queen...Long Stroke, variflex vein agitator (I think that's what they call it), decent TL spin speed.
I also think the DD are the answer for a population that take for granted having a washing machine...The vast majority of people want a machine the will quickly and easily clean their clothes. They don't care how it looks or functions as long as it works when they want it to with minimal effort. Ask your mother and/or grandmother, it was a much bigger deal to have an automatic washer 30+ years ago especially one that would care for clothes that were harder to come by in a time of no TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Walmart.
The "dumbing down" of the washing machine has less to do with vicitimization by a corporation as it has it does answering society's needs or lack there of...
So sorry to those who like them, but I really don't think DD of today are anything special, but I have used some pretty cool ones about 10 - 15 years ago...
I realize that you all are debating reliability and longevity AND I will say having used many a Direct Drive - I don't mind them...They get the job done, they seem to be reasonably reliable, and definitely cheap to purchase.
BUT I dislike the short choppy stroke that seems to be associated with DD and I don't care for the agitators. If you are looking for something other than a dual-action (which I don't hate, I just think that if you need to depend on an auger to move your clothes you have over-loaded the machine) you get something that looks like it would do more harm than good.
Its been said before, but if I have to buy a new machine give me a Queen - Speed Queen...Long Stroke, variflex vein agitator (I think that's what they call it), decent TL spin speed.
I also think the DD are the answer for a population that take for granted having a washing machine...The vast majority of people want a machine the will quickly and easily clean their clothes. They don't care how it looks or functions as long as it works when they want it to with minimal effort. Ask your mother and/or grandmother, it was a much bigger deal to have an automatic washer 30+ years ago especially one that would care for clothes that were harder to come by in a time of no TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Walmart.
The "dumbing down" of the washing machine has less to do with vicitimization by a corporation as it has it does answering society's needs or lack there of...
So sorry to those who like them, but I really don't think DD of today are anything special, but I have used some pretty cool ones about 10 - 15 years ago...
mickeyd
Well-known member
But dear friend, Gordon, the trick is
to get the KA coupler or the new Maytag coupler which is heavier, more durable and not prone to break, yes? I've heard it's at least twice as strong, and very rarely snaps.
Again, have any of you nice folks seen the double Horseshoe 30 second spray rinse which is very dramatic, hits all the clothes directly in a blow-back arched sheet of water, hardly lackluster and puts most spray rinses to shame.
Even better, the Casual Cycle of the Center Dial Maytag (WP's, of course) does the double 30 second spray rinse TWICE, two full minutes of forceful spray-- Maytag trumps Itself, that is, the Old Tag really knew how to spray rinse, and the new "TAG" takes it to the next level, doubling WP's former DD Spray.
And of course I still love the BE's spray rinse "cycle": More sprays, shorter in duration, nice easy spinning, multiple intense valve music, totaling 48 seconds--one of my all time favorite washer moves, as is the DD version. I run to the washer to catch these moves--honest.
to get the KA coupler or the new Maytag coupler which is heavier, more durable and not prone to break, yes? I've heard it's at least twice as strong, and very rarely snaps.
Again, have any of you nice folks seen the double Horseshoe 30 second spray rinse which is very dramatic, hits all the clothes directly in a blow-back arched sheet of water, hardly lackluster and puts most spray rinses to shame.
Even better, the Casual Cycle of the Center Dial Maytag (WP's, of course) does the double 30 second spray rinse TWICE, two full minutes of forceful spray-- Maytag trumps Itself, that is, the Old Tag really knew how to spray rinse, and the new "TAG" takes it to the next level, doubling WP's former DD Spray.
And of course I still love the BE's spray rinse "cycle": More sprays, shorter in duration, nice easy spinning, multiple intense valve music, totaling 48 seconds--one of my all time favorite washer moves, as is the DD version. I run to the washer to catch these moves--honest.
westingman123
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What? What? Tell me more!
I've replaced the coupler on my WP twice, once in its life @ my Mama's and once since I've had it. I bought her this machine in 1982 to replace the 1964 (much prettier model) she bought to wash my diapers. I've never heard of subbing another coupler. Oh, what a fount of information you boys are!
I've replaced the coupler on my WP twice, once in its life @ my Mama's and once since I've had it. I bought her this machine in 1982 to replace the 1964 (much prettier model) she bought to wash my diapers. I've never heard of subbing another coupler. Oh, what a fount of information you boys are!
