Penncrest Twin Tub: Worth Refurbishing?

[bobbi]

Hi folks. My husband knows I have been watching on and off for a twin tub. Today he spotted this machine at the recycling center. We would like to know, before we get too deep in, if it is worth saving? It appears to be complete, but also looks like it has been setting for a long time. Judging by the online manuals available here, I am guessing it is around a 1969 model, but I am not sure on that.

So, what do you think? Are there even parts available for this machine? Or is there anyone here who may have parts, if needed? Or should we forget about this one altogether?

Thanks for all your help in advance.

 

[goatfarmer]

How much? There may be nothing wrong with it.

 

[bobbi]

Sorry about the poor quality of pictures. I shrunk them down so that they weren't too big to download. Also, my husband found the one brown cover that is not on, and he found a dial that was not on the machine.

 

[bobbi]

Hi Goatfarmer. He got it for free.

 

[goatfarmer]

well, the price was right!

 

[bradross]

Definitely the price was right!

I was going to offer my thoughts, but now that you've got it for free, it's probably not relevant.

This looks to be a JCPenney-branded Hitachi machine - I had a similar model, and I know some other club members have similar, too.

I was going to say that if you're planning on doing the weekly laundry with it, you'll find it won't be able to handle much of a load - especially pertaining to heavy articles, it can take 1 pair of jeans.

If you really like the idea of a twin-tub for a main washer, I'd keep my eyes open for a Speed Queen/Simplicity Super-Twin, or a Hoover, which can handle larger loads.

 

[bobbi]

Yes, agreed - the price was right.

Bradross - Yes, I would like to use the machine for my weekly laundry. If it will only handle a single pair of jeans, that won't work. Thank you for the heads up on that. I guess we will have to pass on this machine after all.

I'd love to have a Super Twin with a lint filter. The Speed Queen/Simplicity Super Twin and Hoover seem very hard to find though. I have only seen one local Hoover in the past two years (been looking on and off), and it looked to be in poor shape so I passed on it.

Thanks so much for your guidance.

 

[bradross]

Have you tried Searchtempest?

Hi Bobbi,

You may know about Searchtempest already, but if not, it's a great method to search multiple Craigslist sites, since Craigslist itself does not have that ability. You can set the search parameters for a maximum mileage distance from your zip code.

Good luck in the search! I LOVE my SuperTwin, so hopefully one will turn up. Nothing beats a Speed Queen agitator in a twin tub!

 

[arbilab]

As agipeller machines go, the only good ones are the bottom/offset like that one.  They impart vertical/turnover motion while the horiz- or vert-only impart mostly knotting of anything bigger than boxer shorts. I've owned both and wish I had my 1973 Panasonic back.  For that matter I wish I had grandma's Easy spindry.

 

I think the 'one jeans' estimate applies to the spinner.  Large items will only spin half at a time of what the washtub will hold.  Parts (if needed) could be a chore finding.

 

Japan products of this era were well engineered and crafted.  Most all were direct drive pump and spinner, each with their own motor, while wash had a reduction pulley on its own motor.  If you elect to try it, run about a gallon of hot water into each tub and let it soak at least until cold, preferably overnight, before operating any of the electrics.  Do this in a drained area so any leaks will take care of themselves.  And if the pump won't run you can gravity drain or just tip it over to remove the 2 gallons you put in.

 

If you decide it's too small for your washweek, don't toss it without running it by the rest of the gang here.  This is a very good one of what it is, someone is almost certain to want it.

 

[bobbi]

Hi Bradross - I did not know about Searchtempest. Thank you!

 

[bobbi]

Arbilab - Thanks for the info. I would love to have an Easy too, but parts availability is an issue there too. I hear parts are getting scarce.

We will offer it to forum members before disposing of it. I am not sure what my husband wants to do yet. I don't have a real laundry room to speak of, so I don't have any where to store it. He may refurb it for a future gift to my eldest daughter as she is soon set to get a place of her own and will need a washer.

Will update.

 

[goatfarmer]

That's a good idea, or perhaps a college student would want it.