Old Washers/Dryers

[andy]

I'm a new member here, so bare with me. I've always been fascinated with washing machines, ever since I was a small child. As the years have progressed, I've seen the quality of all appliances, deteriorate in some aspect.

Why can't they make stuff like they did back in the 1950's through the mid 1980's? My mom had a 1981 or 1982 GE washer with the filter-flo, and mini basket. It was an excellent machine. It died in December of 1998.

My grandmother had a 1970 Kenmore with the golden Super Roto Swirl agitator in it. Her Kenmore was white. She replaced it in 1994, although it was still going. Those were the washers that wouldn't die. I wish they would bring those back.

I've looked at some of the collections of vintage washers and dryers that members have restored, and that's breath-taking! That chrome and quality makes my mouth water, unlike the fragile plastic they use on the new ones of today.

 

[maytagbear]

It's not difficult...

You summed it up in your last sentence: "Chrome and quality."  Most average consumers don't want to pay for either one.

Welcome.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[ronhic]

Welcome Andy....

...and that is the truth of it.

The great unwashed want all the features for less than 1970's money....

If you want more than just gadgets, you have to pay for them in relation to what others charge for the same type of machine...

Speed Queen and Miele are two good examples. Sure, you can buy a topload or front load machine with loads of options for less that a Speed Queen or Miele, but over 15-20years, the chances are both of those will still be going...

More often than not though, a machine of the same 'family' (say electrolux/frigidaire or in our case in Oz, Simpson/Electrolux) will be mechanically either identical or very similar....only the facia, options and/or electronics will differ. So what people have to ask themselves is 'What am I paying for?' when they compare the $1200 machine with the $700 machine....Both from the same factory, both mechanically the same and both with the same 'core' cycles - Cottons, Synthetics, Wool and a few options....Eco/Quick/Rinse Hold/Rinse and spin/Spin...

Do they need the extras?

Is the extra tinsel worth it?

Will it make the machine more reliable?

Will it make it wash more efficiently and/or better?

 

[lebron]

Welcome

You're preaching to the choir

 

[spinmon]

hey..

Welcome Andy! I've liked washers for over 53 years,I'm 56. If they would've been back then the way they are now(cheaply made,little character,ELECTRONIC controls,& mostly short lived),I doubt I'd have noticed them & doubt this cool forum would exist. Glad the 50's-80's existed as they did,esp the machines!

 

[robliverpool]

Welcome andy

we all like washers on here lol. I thought I was the only one until i found this site and i think most of us have mentioned on here at some point about the build qaulity or rather, lack of build quality, of the newer machines...

 

[3beltwesty]

Here I bought a new LG WM2501HV FL steam washer a month ago on super sale for 599 bucks. In actual dollars adjusted for inflation, it cost far less than the 1976 or 1947 FL Westinghouse's my dad bought.

Today I cannot buy a more robust FL washer buy just paying one third more; 200 more to get a stainless spider instead of an aluminum one.

What most folks crave is more features. If the spider breaks in 3 to 7 years, most folks will not repair, they will junk the unit and buy another.

In 1919 the average washer cost 200 dollars in the USA; today it is probably in the 300 to 600 buck region

http://hat

 

[qsd-dan]

http://www.glittergraphicsnow.com/welcome.html


You certainly came to the right place! There are plenty of old GE and Kenmore washers still lurking around if you ever get the itch to have one.....or a basement full (the first eventually leads to the latter).

 

[70series]

Welcome Andy!

It was the quest to find the old washers of my yester year that brought me to this site. I found every one of them and a whole lot more.

Have a good one,
James

 

[andy]

Thanks, guys! I'm glad I found this site. I, too, thought I was the only one that liked old washers and dryers. LOL It's amazing how many more people there are out there that are into the same things.

Happy New Year to all!

Andy

 

[harold]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
​
​I love to get my hands on a Speed Queen washer solid tub or a older Kenmore washer belt driven with a super Roto-Swirl agitator

 

[warwickaust]

hi and welcome from another new member

Hi Andy and welcome ,
from another new member I only found this site just before chrismas and it fantastic just reading the issues and problems and the help given by all the member on this site is so fantastic.
It great to find a site with so many like minded guys on washers.

Happy New year to all the members

Cheers
Warwick

 

[easyspindry]

Andy and Warwick . . .

. . . welcome to a great website and club. I stumbled onto this madness some years ago when I met a vacuum cleaner knut. Through some of the paperwork that he had, I found this website AND attended a convention in Omaha which I highly recommend to anyone interested in these old machines.

The knowledge and expertise in this club is unimaginable.

Here's hoping you both enjoy life here as much as I do.

WELCOME!!!!

Jerry Gay

 

[kenmore700bill]

Andy,
Welcome, Great site with alot of great knowledgable people.
Bill

 

[spin-it]

Welcome aboard Andy! I too am a rookie AW member and still on a quest for my first vintage washer. Like just about all those here, I also loved washers and driers as a small kid, not so much the "laundry" aspect of it, cause when the machines were done running that meant ironing and folding etc..yuck!
But watching the clothes snd the suds and the tumbling and the drain to spin and all the neat sounds (much better than the silent direct drive FL of today) and the cool lighted controls and tub lights, that's what washing machines were all about. There is so much knowledge from the members here it's amazing, great bunch to be a part of. Happy New Year.
PS We also just purchased our first DD electronic FL machines for a great price LG steam, so far a great machine, just a sign of the times.

 

[kenmorebd]

Wow lots of new members, I also just found this site. I always loved watching the washer and dryers for as long as I can remeber. My first favorite was the Kenmore belt drive my grandmother had. That was such a good washer, all it needed was a timer! Cant wait to get my hands on belt drive! Or one of the new belt drive from whirlpool or anything!