Besides being butt-ugly why aren't Staber W/D more popular? They claim to be bullet proof and/or easy to fix. They appear relatively "green" but no one shouts their praises.
Staber
- Thread starter cuffs054
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$1300-1900 for a 2 cu ft capacity washer plus $195 shipping.
End-user serviceable means there is no (or extremely limited)trained service network. Diagnosis, parts ordering and replacement is up to the owner.
They are butt ugly and virtually no progress has been made since their introduction over a decade ago, including in the crucial area of capacity as it was undersized for even then.
They do seem relatively well made, quality materials and craftsmanship (asthetics excepted) and their unique format (top-loading h-axis) make them fascinating to us, but it would be a hard sell to the average buyer.
I've seen one running and they are good performers though almost unbearably loud during spin. It's too bad, it would be nice to be more supportive of U.S. innovation and manufacturing.
End-user serviceable means there is no (or extremely limited)trained service network. Diagnosis, parts ordering and replacement is up to the owner.
They are butt ugly and virtually no progress has been made since their introduction over a decade ago, including in the crucial area of capacity as it was undersized for even then.
They do seem relatively well made, quality materials and craftsmanship (asthetics excepted) and their unique format (top-loading h-axis) make them fascinating to us, but it would be a hard sell to the average buyer.
I've seen one running and they are good performers though almost unbearably loud during spin. It's too bad, it would be nice to be more supportive of U.S. innovation and manufacturing.
whirlcool
Well-known member
These have been discussed here before.
Generally the consensus is that they are pretty unreliable machines. Customer support from Staber varies from "we don't care" to being surly with their customers.
Most people who bought Staber machines are pretty unhappy with them.
This link should give you an idea of what people go through with these machines:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/staber_industries.html
Generally the consensus is that they are pretty unreliable machines. Customer support from Staber varies from "we don't care" to being surly with their customers.
Most people who bought Staber machines are pretty unhappy with them.
This link should give you an idea of what people go through with these machines:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/staber_industries.html
If it wasn't for the massive amount of negative reviews I read about their machines, I would have considered buying one. I'm glad I didn't.
They're certainly an engineering curiosity and very unique machines, but they are an excellent example of a good idea which I feel wasn't implemented correctly.
I really wish they would learn from their very serious engineering flaws and implement better QA. From the sounds of it, I don't think they even have any.
The only hope for this company is that Alliance acquires them and fixes everything which is broken with their designs.
I think one of the reasons behind the long survival of Staber was that the Internet wasn't as common when the company was started. People are doing their research now online. The Internet is going to completely kill this company.
I think Staber should just go back to a conventional round tub design with baffles and work on their controller board designs. Not to mention, QA, QA, QA...
They're certainly an engineering curiosity and very unique machines, but they are an excellent example of a good idea which I feel wasn't implemented correctly.
I really wish they would learn from their very serious engineering flaws and implement better QA. From the sounds of it, I don't think they even have any.
The only hope for this company is that Alliance acquires them and fixes everything which is broken with their designs.
I think one of the reasons behind the long survival of Staber was that the Internet wasn't as common when the company was started. People are doing their research now online. The Internet is going to completely kill this company.
I think Staber should just go back to a conventional round tub design with baffles and work on their controller board designs. Not to mention, QA, QA, QA...
Sounds like Staber should can their present designs and start with a blank drawing board and start over-and establish a parts and service network.Customers should not have to do "warrantee" repairs on their machines.Staber or its authorized service agency should do that.Customers may then be happier.I think Staber should fix the problems on their own and not have another equipment company do it for them.And would a repuable company like Alliance want a poor company like Staber?May cost too much to fix Stabers problems for Alliance to consider them.Surprized Staber hasn't gone out of business at this point.
Top or Side Loading H-Axis Washing Machines Suffer
From one unique problem, tub capacity in relation to case size.
Pony or other top or side loading H-Axis washing machines have been around for nearly if not over one hundred years in commercial use. Those machines are usually longer and or wider than the standard American top loader case and certainly than most 24" or 25" front loaders.
European top loading A-axis washers top out at about 5 or 6 kilos worth of wash, about the same as a front loader. Staber's problem is they wanted a top loading h-axis washer that fit the standard American size machine. Design along those lines means something has to give and in this case it was capacity (deepness) of the tub.
To hold the amount of laundry Americans seem to prefer in a washing machine (about 18lbs to 24lbs), you are going to need a much deeper and or longer tub than a Staber. Then you are going to be looking at a washing machine case of maybe 30" or more in width. That may not be a problem for those with washing machines in basements or such, but for those in tight squeeze areas it may not work.
Whirlpool has held a patent for a top loading H-Axis washer for decades now, guess it will never see the light of day as an actual machine.
From one unique problem, tub capacity in relation to case size.
Pony or other top or side loading H-Axis washing machines have been around for nearly if not over one hundred years in commercial use. Those machines are usually longer and or wider than the standard American top loader case and certainly than most 24" or 25" front loaders.
European top loading A-axis washers top out at about 5 or 6 kilos worth of wash, about the same as a front loader. Staber's problem is they wanted a top loading h-axis washer that fit the standard American size machine. Design along those lines means something has to give and in this case it was capacity (deepness) of the tub.
To hold the amount of laundry Americans seem to prefer in a washing machine (about 18lbs to 24lbs), you are going to need a much deeper and or longer tub than a Staber. Then you are going to be looking at a washing machine case of maybe 30" or more in width. That may not be a problem for those with washing machines in basements or such, but for those in tight squeeze areas it may not work.
Whirlpool has held a patent for a top loading H-Axis washer for decades now, guess it will never see the light of day as an actual machine.
whirlcool
Well-known member
I think if Staber developed their own repair network the cost of the machines would skyrocket higher than they already are. And they are already more expensive than a SQ would be.
We looked at these too when we first heard about them. Then we saw reviews about their surly customer service. No thanks.
If I am not mistaken, Staber specializes in overhauling transmissions for coin op machines and have been doing that for a long time.
We looked at these too when we first heard about them. Then we saw reviews about their surly customer service. No thanks.
If I am not mistaken, Staber specializes in overhauling transmissions for coin op machines and have been doing that for a long time.
In Oct, 2010 I went back to Maryland for the big Beltsville weekend Wash-In. I then saw my first (and only) Staber washer live and in person. I had a chance to play with it (run a load) and the owners had disabled the lid lock and switch. While it was interesting playing with a top loading h-axis machine, after that one load I lost interest (and that's saying a lot).
If I were considering buying one, the cost first and fore most, would scare me away. But aside from that, yes, small capacity, small-ish opening loading / unloading, uninspired design with a cheap looking plastic top, lid and control panel, not a real fast spin speed, liquid detergent only, etc, etc, etc, are all reasons I am not "moved" by this machine.
I just looked at their website and see they also sell a "companion" dryer. But all it is, is a Whirlpool design with the ugly, plastic Staber control panel on it..... and for $800+?? I don't think so!
Kevin
http://www.staber.com/dryers
On this side of the pond H-axis toploaders are more common here. You see them a lot of France, I think even more than frontloaders. Apparently H-axis toploaders use more efficient space of the cabinet, most models are smaller than the frontloaders, but still can hold a decent amount of laundry. I think a 27 inch wide American sized machine could hold a ton of laundry. I don't understand why Staber uses it's cabinets so ineffecient as they do. The drum could be way bigger and the opening should be much bigger too.
Don't
get me started! I bought machine #100 and #101 their first year in business!
Dont' get me started! The kindess thing I can say about them , - a half baked idea.
get me started! I bought machine #100 and #101 their first year in business!
Dont' get me started! The kindess thing I can say about them , - a half baked idea.
I did not like the lack of extraction between the water changes; there's only a final spin that does anything. We moved a load of towels to a Unimatic machine for a rinse after the Staber's cycle and still got suds in the overflow rinse. In spite of having the tub supported fore and aft, the bearings are more vulnerable than you would think. Apparently, the very oddly shaped tub gives good tumbling for good cleaning.
As for modifying their design, a friend talked to them and they were stone deaf to changes years ago.
As for modifying their design, a friend talked to them and they were stone deaf to changes years ago.
Oh Yeah.........
Thanks for mentioning that Tom!
I completely forgot about the lack of spins between wash, rinses, etc.
It's like my little 1970 Hitichi built GE portable washer.
It only spins at the end too..... that is IF I let the cycle run it's course..... but I never do that.
Kevin
Thanks for mentioning that Tom!
I completely forgot about the lack of spins between wash, rinses, etc.
It's like my little 1970 Hitichi built GE portable washer.
It only spins at the end too..... that is IF I let the cycle run it's course..... but I never do that.
Kevin
Would love to see something like this
On these shores:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?37523
On these shores:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?37523
Here is a link to the Whirlpool patents
For the top loading h-axis they were doing R&D
http://www.google.com/patents/EP0681048B1?cl=en
For the top loading h-axis they were doing R&D
http://www.google.com/patents/EP0681048B1?cl=en
I guess Miele comes close with their toploader.
A thought for Staber-drop building household-residentual washers and dryers and focus only on their other equipment lines-commercial dryer cabinets,rebuilding laundramat equipment,their unusual fire hose cleaner,and so on.
vivalalavatrice
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2005
- Messages
- 1,031
top loading H-axis
Hi guys,
I'm happy every time I hear about top loading horizontal axis, but only if we're speaking about European style.
Staber would be a very good machine if only were made differently, beginning from the hexagonal tub which is the reason of frequently unbalanced spins that then caue noise and bearings suffer going on.
The smell is caused by rubber seal under lid, that's why I still use my Ignis which like Miele and others hasn't it but a second outer tub lid.
That's enough how many times I said it... TLHA in US marke would be a great goal but they've to work hard a lot more before!
BYE
Diomede
Hi guys,
I'm happy every time I hear about top loading horizontal axis, but only if we're speaking about European style.
Staber would be a very good machine if only were made differently, beginning from the hexagonal tub which is the reason of frequently unbalanced spins that then caue noise and bearings suffer going on.
The smell is caused by rubber seal under lid, that's why I still use my Ignis which like Miele and others hasn't it but a second outer tub lid.
That's enough how many times I said it... TLHA in US marke would be a great goal but they've to work hard a lot more before!
BYE
Diomede
I agree Diomede. Staber really should have learned some lessons from European manufacturers.
If I was in the CEO's shoes at Staber, I'd license a tried and true design which has been in Europe for a while and build it in North America.
BTW, That is a beautiful machine. I love early 1960's era European designs..
If I was in the CEO's shoes at Staber, I'd license a tried and true design which has been in Europe for a while and build it in North America.
BTW, That is a beautiful machine. I love early 1960's era European designs..
