Show me your Semis

[foraloysius]

Expert

I contacted the expert about German machines (Progresssauger on youtube).

He gave some interesting information. The Bosch A500 was actually built by Zanker for Bosch. There was a model with spinner too, a twin tub.

The round symbol is for the drum and the square one for the detergent dispenser. If you select A for prewash and main wash, you put both detergent on the drum and in the dispenser. Wool gets only one wash, so you put the detergent on top of the drum. For starching and one rinse with softener it was also advised to put the starch or softener in an indentation on top of the drum, so it would be added to the water when the drum would start tumbling.

 

[vacbear58]

Not mine but belonging to a friend

Adam

If you check out the thread linked below you will see a good selection of Semi-autos from the UK. There are also links to videos on there.

I understand that the older Bendix models (the cream ones) are all semi-autos. Both of the Parnalls shown in Reply 14 are semi automatic - Parnall also manufactured the Thor Automagic here although it was still branded as Thor. The Parnalls did not have the dishwasher option that the Automagic had. In their 1960 washing machine test Which tested both the Automagic and a Parnall (the one on the left) and reported that although looking very different they were mechanically almost identical.

I dont know how close the two Parnall models are mechanically, the version with the console on the back was the later model - there was also an automatic version of this too. Both Parnalls has a form of suds saving too, the only British manufactured machine to my knowledge to do so.

Off on a tangent I have seen advertisments for cookers (ranges) branded as Parnall in Australia although I have never seen the same in th UK. I do not know if they sold washers in Australia.

Al

Welcome to the new Lincoln Launderama

A warm welcome from another new washroom the Lincoln Launderette, designed and set up by our very own Darren (Slowspin66). What was once the garage for his beloved classic car, Dorris the Morris Minor Convertible , now wintering in a designated garage, has been turned into a wonderful classic...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Thanks al

I have never heard of that Parnell before But thanks for the thread I do appreciate it

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Hey Foraloysius

Thank you, Would you mind telling progressauger thank you, The model with the spinner is known as the “AS 500”, I’ll keep that in mind as the square for the detergent and the circle for the drum, thanks

 

[foraloysius]

You're welcome from Progresssauger.

BTW, I was wrong about the age of your machine. Judging by the softener dispenser I thought it was newer than my Constructa. But it's an older model, around the 70's I think. The AS is indeed the model with the spinner (S =. Schleuder).

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Oh wow, that’s actually surprising

As I thought the machine dated from the 80s, either way so that’s pretty awesome And I would love to see a spin dryer from the 70s that would somewhat match this, I know that my current spin dryer it’s probably back from the 50s or 40s as it does not include any sort of lid safety

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Also by bio

Do they mean a bio enzyme detergent As I’ve put most detergents in it and they’ve worked fine

 

[foraloysius]

The BIO refers to the prewash on programmes at 60 degrees C and higher. At that time not all detergents contained enzymes, but there were some dedicated prewash detergent that had. Some washing machines like Indesit had a special bio programme that included a much longer prewash at 40 degrees C or a bit lower to make the enzymes work on the biological stains. Older Miele's had a separate prewash at 60 degrees C or up to 60 degrees C depending on if there was a separate temperature dial.

 

[vacbear58]

This came up last night when I was looking for something else - strikes me that it would count as a semi-auto. An Italian Castor machine from 1950

 

[vacbear58]

And speaking of Italy

A UK manufactured Automagic

 

[foraloysius]

Alistair

Yes, that Castor sure counts as a semi I think. Castor became a Zanussi brand in later days. Semi's were called half automatic sometimes too. Here's a Matura front loader.

 

[vacbear58]

Zanussi

I am glad you mentioned that Louis as I thought some later machines that I saw on YouTube had a strong resemblance to Zanussi both in looks and sound.

I thought the wash action of the Castor interesting, reminding me somewhat of many more modern machines

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

I wonder if those bio detergents still exist

Castor machine: Wow I always wondered if there was a machine like that, that’s pretty awesome

 

[foraloysius]

There are almost no more dedicated pre-wash detergents anymore, but overhere in the Netherlands Biotex is still available. Ariel began as a pre-wash detergent IIRC. Because most detergents are now biological (with enzymes), a separate detergent isn't needed. I still have a package of Biotex for nostalgic reasons. My mother used it now and then on whites in combination with Dixan for the main wash.

The wash action of the Castor reminds me of another machine, I think some kind of South American one.

I hadn't known that Castor was part of Zanussi if it wasn't for a Castor on a camping site in Punta Sabbioni near Venice. It was typically a BOL Zanussi. Castor was sold in the NL in the early 60's as one of the first affordable automatics.

 

[adam-aussie-vac]

Oh that’s awesome I didn’t, Oh that’s awesome I didn’t think

That they were still made

 

[launderess]

European detergents built with oxygen bleach used sodium perborate at first. That substance doesn't really get going until temps reach 140 F or above. Hence pre soaking or washing at cool to warm temperature so "bio" action could take place, this before things went to boil wash temps.

Once bleach activators came along (TAED or NOBS) which offered promise of boil wash results at 140F or even 120F. The former is a bit too high for enzyme activity while even latter can be iffy. Thus you have various "stain" options that will delay heating or hold things at range where enzyme activity will do its best work, then carry on to whatever higher temperature (if chosen).

On this side of the pond Biz, Axion, and others all began as enzyme pre soaks.

P&G shook things up in 1968 when they launched Tide XK, first enzyme detergent for that top shelf brand. Now you didn't need a presoak or whatever separate enzyme product.



OTOH many did and still do swear by Biz. That product began as a bio enzyme soak, but later morphed into an oxygen bleach booster as well.