The Norge Automatic Washer Pro/Con Thread

[akronman]

Rough washing

I'd call it aggressive/effective more than rough. No 2 brands are quite alike, maybe 1-18 Frigidaire and Norge were most aggressive, GE Filter Flo in the middle, and many Kenmore's and Maytags gentler. But I never wore out anything in my Norge, it gave great results. And there are clothes that need a gentle cycle, the Norge did that well too.

It seems like the wings high up the agitator helped for great turnover even when loaded heavily with towels, blankets, etc.

Mine is still pushed aside in the basement, in hopes of replacing the bearings some day, not an easy job

 

[appnut]

We had a 1964 Dispensomat Norge15.  It washed well and I don't tink it was aggressive to the point of being harshe on fabrics.  We did generate som dirty laundry in its day and handled it well.  It was followed by the infamous Kenmore 800 in 1970/early 1971.  I still didn't thihnk it was too rough on clothes.  then came the straight-vane GE Filterflo that I( had as well as my mom got because she had to have what I had.  I found it to be very intense and rough on certain types of clothes and ended up using gentle settings more frequently.  The DD Lady Shredmore followed my GE.  'nuf said and cured me forever never having another top loader plus all the wasted water. 

 

[mrsalvo]

We had a MonkyWards/Norge I think about 1969 model, it had the slant console. Lint filter in back of the tube and water inlet on the left hand side. What I remember was that it was loud and could hold 4 sheets and pillow cases on a medium setting. The capacity was HUGE, so you could cut the number of loads down. We had a near matching dryer that was HUGE as well, I dare say there has never been a dryer that has had as large tube as Norge. I remember the clutch kicking in and brakes stopping the tub, very loud. It seems to have lasted about 6 or 7 years, my mom did laundry every few days and really could go through a washer. I don't remember why it failed, grease or seals worn out. At the time I don't remember it being rough on clothes, but man could it clean. Very strong agitation. That's what I remember, as a kid. My mother liked Speed Queens and later GE filter flos so Im not sure how she really felt about the Norge, indifferent maybe. Strange what you remember as a kid.

 

[tolivac]

My Mom had a Norge washer that had the large,black,large vaned "Burpilator" agitator and polished metal lint dish.Liked that thing-loved to watch it as a kid.This would have been sometime in the fifties.This machine was replaced by a GE Filter Flo with a copper colored metal lint pan.Early 60's.Then she got Maytags after the divorce.My Stepmom had a KN washer with the Roto Swirl agitator like my Grandmothers.

 

[rickr]

Why knock on a Norge??

Because they can be brought back from the dead!

 

[rickr]

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Just waiting to get the cabinet into the paint shop. But it does runs now. New motor, pump, bearings, seals, hours and hours of work, and two donor machines to make one...

 

[rickr]

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Close up of machine base. I took two of these and sawed them in two parts, to make one good base. Note the heavy rust pitting on the base.

 

[rickr]

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What it looked like when Kenny (Goatfarmer) and I pulled it out of the woods, where it sat for 40+ years. We pulled this out of the junkyard in 2006.

 

[toploader55]

You do AMAZING work Rick.

 

 

 

[toploader55]

You do AMAZING work Rick.

 

 

 

[washerlover]

Rick, amazing is an understatement! I remember seeing that post, looking longingly at that poor machine. Can't wait to see more pics of the makeover. Unbelievable and thanks for saving another Norge!