Speed Queen Automatics and Wringers

[Unimatic1140]

More great new Ephemera up today. 1975 Speed Queen Automatic Washers, Gas and Electric Dryers as well as Wringer Washer Brochures. What is most interesting is by this time Speed Queen was the last manufacturer still producing solid tub washers. They did this for another four years after these models and then in 1980 they introduced their first perforated basket machines. Hotpoint had just stopped producing their solid-tub design as they started to have GE make their washers around 1974. Anyone care to guess the third brand behind Speed Queen and Hotpoint to still have solid-tub washers as late as 1970?

There is also a new brochure highlighting Thermador Built-In Cooking Appliances Brochure. You can download them here.

 

[bigalsf]

Kelvinator?

Didn't they introduce the perforated basket after 1970 when WCI purchased them?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Didn't they introduce the perforated basket after 1970 when WCI purchased them?

No although excellent answer, the last Kelvinator solid-tub was around 1967, that is when they signed with Norge who produced their machines for two years until WCI purchased them in 1970. For two years the Kelvinator machines were the 20-lb perforated tub Norge machines.

 

[bigalsf]

Frigidaire?

I seem to remember servicing a solid tub that was produced in 1969, but I could very well be wrong! This was a long time ago when I was working with my uncle!

 

[mickeyd]

The Rollermatics were around in the mid-to-late 60's, with 12 pound tubs. When the 1-18's debuted, I'm not exactly sure, but I'm going to guess that it was around 1970.

So my answer is Frigidaire, for still having solid tubs in 1970.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Ding Ding, Al got it first. Frigidaire was the third to last manufacture to make solid-tub washers, up through 1970. Sometime towards the end of summer of 1970 they introduced the 1/18.

So our list is of last solid tubs:

#1 1979 Speed Queen
#2 1973 Hotpoint
#3 1970 Frigidaire.

I'm not sure exactly who fills the #4 spot.

 

[appliguy]

According to my book on AMC

AMC sold the finance arm of Kelvinator (REDISCO) in 1967 and then sold Kelvinator itself to WCI in 1968. PAT COFFEY

 

[jaxsunst]

Are solid tubs superior? Or, was perforated an evolution that's better. Did Whirlpool ever make a solid tub?

 

[Unimatic1140]

Are solid tubs superior? Or, was perforated an evolution that's better.

It depends on the machine and who you ask. I've always found my solid tub machines to be superior in the rinsing department for sure. You never have suds seeping back into the wash basket after the first spin like you do on many perforated tub machines. Also if there are deposits in the outer tub they never have access to the clothes in the inner tub with a solid tub washer. If you have sandy or gritty clothes then a solid tub machine is going to leave that grit at the bottom of the tub, but for most people that wouldn't be an issue. The solid tub Filter-Flo GE washers were amazing at removing lint and pet hair or anything else that is small and floating because it would float over the top of the wash tub and then get caught into the filter pan.

In the end if I could only have one washer it would FOR SURE be a solid tub machine.

 

[norgeway]

Frigidaie solid tub...

The machine we had was a WCDAN bought in June 1969 was a solid tub rollermatic machine, it replaced a 55 pulsamatic.

 

[mickeyd]

OUUUUUUCCCCCHHHHHH ouch LOL!

Gee Whiz, with only two contestants, would it have killed you?

Jackson, from the get-go, Whirlpools and Kenmores had perforated tubs, never solid ones, except of course in the wringers. Interestingly enough, the first Frigidaire had a perforated tub in stunning white porcelain.

 

[bigalsf]

Little Gray Cells

I guess its nice to know my brain cells are not that fried! I remember it was in a very dimly lit basement and it was hard to see anything without the work light. I hated servicing in houses like that! Gave me the creeps!

 

[yogitunes]

Oh, I agree with Robert.....give me a Solid Tub anyday....my preference has always been Speed Queen......

The solid shiny stainless steel tub, the 210 degree stroke, the overflo rinsing with the aeriated fill, and especially the banging solenoids.....pure heaven......

but am suprised that more manufacturers, both solid and perforated tubs, did not offer the higher spin speed of the Unimatic 1140 RPMs...or at least close to it...

 

[bigalsf]

Solid Tub Speed Queen

Yes, I agree with you. The solid tub Speed Queens were great machines. I love the smooth agitator stroke and the fluid drive; that was a very smart way to drive the tub. I have been looking for one in my area for some time now with no luck. But I never stop looking!

 

[twintubber]

I totally agree.....

With all of what Yogitunes said about the Speed Queens.
Speed Queens were always a favorite of mine and the first automatic washer our family owned.
And the Simplicity Twin Tub I now have has that same sound, agitiator, transmission and stroke except in a porcelean tub.
One advantage of solid tubs is that they usually spin much faster than a perforated tub machine since it has to get all that water up, through the clothes and out of the top of the tub. Most perforated tubs spun much slower, ie: Whirlpool/Kenmore and Maytag.
Another advantage with solid tubs I also feel, is that they used less water as you didn't have to fill the outer tub as well as the inner tub.

 

[philr]

What about the Frigidaire Agitubs?   My 1973 Frigidaire GMini still has a solid tub... Frigidaire Laundry Centers had solid tubs until GM sold Frigidaire to WCI in 1979 so I guess it did quit at about the same time as Speed Queen and later than Hotpoint...

 



 

 

[Unimatic1140]

Very true Phil, I was thinking full size washers, but you are definately correct. This places Frigidaire and Speed Queen nearly tied!

 

[launderess]

Let's Go To The Video Tape

Get out those Cha-Cha heels and pedal pushers! *LOL*

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mrb627]

Speed Queen

Wish they still made the solid tubs

Malcolm

 

[akronman]

lint filter

Is that thing Burp-O-Lating in the movie, like a Norge? I thought only Norge did that, you learn something new every day

 

[gansky1]

SQ filter

That's a scoop & sling type filter, not part of the agitator itself. They did catch lint but tended to flush it right back out in the overflow wash and rinse cycles. I've found several of these over the years, among other filter pans and dispensers at estate sales. Always look up in the joists and rafters of the basement ceilings!

Whirlpool sourced a very similar scoop & sling filter to use on their straight vane agitators but with a different mounting and lock-ring to keep it in place.

 

[vintagekenmore]

Oh to have an older Speed Queen with the solid tub and banging solenoids as they switched cycles.....even a coin op version would be ideal....they washed like champs and never seemed to die

 

[rollermatic]

enjoyed this thread on speed queen

washers. i remember as a teen in the 70's a relative had one, a solid tub model.

i was also quite surprised when one popped up in indianapolis around 3 years ago that i was able to buy! it is also a stainless steel solid tub model and after taking it all apart to see how it works and doing some priming and painting i put it back together and it works great! no leaks (yet)! Love that smooth stainless solid tub! i posted a thread on this machine last year at some point. the model no. is "fa 6610 h" and i was told by members here that it was from the 70's, not 60's. i use it about once every 3 months just for fun!

i also have a speed queen wringer washer that was given to me from a guy in cleveland back in 2009. it leaks around the center and i have not torn into it yet to see if i can fix it. it's in the barn and hopefully i can get to it one of these years!