Retro Servis

[hoovermatic]

Never seen one of these on Ebay before! When I bought my Servis H-axis machine in 1999 this was also in the catalogue and I nearly bought it but IIRC, it was more expensive than the automatic!! Basic but wouldn't say no!

Pardon our interruption...

 

[arrrooohhh]

Oooh how nice is this?

Considering that retro style Fridges are popular, I am surprised no one has ever considered a retro washing machine. It wouldn't be hard to slap on a little bit of chrome and some large, winged knobs. White on white can get so dull sometimes.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Retro Servis

This model was made by Velo of Holland, looks like the first Servis Twintub, the MK1, model 19....its very similar to the Norfrost twinny, have just put a vid up on youtube....its gotten the wackiest of tranny mechanisms....a small pot motor drives a belt to a large cogged wheel, then the power is transferred by a sliding arm that is covered by a nylon cogged belt, (we laughed when we saw this, it looks like a Qualcast Concorde lawn mower belt) take a look and have a discussion....

 

[chestermikeuk]

Norfrost 2800 TwinTub

A lot of fun to use...7lb washload in each tub, 2800rpm spin, heater & two electric pumps, spinner pumps out when low water level is reached , so ideal for rinsing in...a lovely rythmical sound!!!filmed at Johns wash-in last weekend, pics n vids on their way!!! enjoy, Mike

 

[foraloysius]

That Norfrost is a Velo alright. These models with the square tubs were well known for their poor quality. A member of one of the German clubs bought one and had it shipped to Germany. It broke down on the first load and it was not able to repair it. And Velaundry (the Velo company) didn't warrant it because it was too far away.

Velaundry used the same cabinet for a Turnamat like machine, a twintub with H-axis washtub. There are lots of complaints about the quality of these machines too.

Velaundry doesn't exist anymore, the company went broke a few years ago. The buildings are up for sale so if there is anyone who dreams of having his own washing machine plant... It's in Barendrecht in the Netherlands, near Rotterdam.

 

[chestermikeuk]

Velaundry

Hi Louis, yes it does look a lot like the later turnamats, we where very impressed with the twinny, it washed & rinsed very well, the noises it made where soothing and it did give superb results, the wash & spin tubs where roomy, seperate pumps for rinsing etc and the larger drum did give excellent spin results....the only issue will be the quality of the mechanism etc....I would imagine a 7lb load with that large winged agi produces a lot of resistance on the drive mechanism.....how long it will last....well at least its not a daily driver....love how the tub fans out at the bottom as well.... heres a few more pics...

 

[chestermikeuk]

Norfrost Heater

 

[chestermikeuk]

Workings

Nice big plastic spin can and the washtub is much wider at the bottom which really washes the clothes into the ridge 3/4 up the tub...

 

[chestermikeuk]

Norfrost

Direct Drive Spin Motor

 

[chestermikeuk]

Norfrost

Wash Drive Roller Mechanism, looks very simple but as to reliability???

 

[keymatic]

Hi Louis,
I think i would have to agree with you on the poor quality of the Velo machines..a mate of mine accquired a Norfrost about 6 months ago, and last month the agitator bush has come loose, and the flap covering the control panal has come off, also the rinsing is a bit naff, as you can barely get a bucket of conditioner over the clothes in the spinner before it starts pumping out, i know it is a safety feature, but the level could have been a bit higher !!

The "Retro" servis is the 1101, looks good, but durability...i am not so sure.

Keith

 

[electron1100]

reliability

I think it would all depend on the the belt itself, then of course the usual qaulity of bearings etc........the belt, is it its achilles heel or its best feature?
It seems quiet in operation, the water level in the spinner i assume can be adjusted so that would not be a problem, i suppose for me the biggest problem is that it is not old..........therefore it has no track record but it is nice to see modern twin tubs, in some parts of the world i have been to they are the norm and heavily advertised everywhere (Philips seemed to the main ones i saw in India)

In a way i would rather take on the lovely old Servis with all the problems that come with age/design etc i think

Anyway thanks for posting the vid Mike

Gary