THE NORGE-TORQUED SPEED QUEEN for Eddy, Geoff, Nate, Darrell, and all the wringer men and those who

[geoffdelp]

Mickey ... you are having WAY too much fun with those dear wringers!! I LOVE IT!! It looks like you also are enjoying using wringer washers; they are unique, aren't they?

As mentioned earlier, who knew a Norge could cross with a Speed Queen? Looks like a match made in heaven! The water currents alone are enough to scare the steadiest of souls ... WOW!!!! Did you get all the mascara off your face yet?

When did you get a Speed Queen wringer? From what year is it? I had one that I got new from Lehman's about 10 years ago. It was fun to have a new machine, but it wasn't built well ... it was made in Saudi Arabia and after the first year, it was already leaking oil out of the transmission. Lehman's sent me a new transmission to install (the warranty was for parts only); I still have the transmission, but gave the washer away to our parish's garage sale; they sold it, too.

Your Norge looks so regal standing there on the deck ready to wash, wash, wash; like a true work horse!! Did you find any tubs to use out on the deck yet? I'm thinking of getting a set of galvanized tubs for my patio so I can wash out there on Saturday mornings. I must confess, however, that I love having the double-tubs in my basement; it is so much easier to have immediate water access.

I do recognize that "diamond-spray" filling action; you had that on your Lady Kenmore, didn't you?

For those that doubt that wringer usage is still around ... last night, I went over to an older couple's home to help them with their Maytag Model E2L; they had a wringer issue. I had helped them before and they are nice folks. They bought the machine new in 1956 when they were setting up housekeeping. The woman has taken excellent care of it and still uses it periodically to wash rugs, etc. It is set-up in the basement with her original stand-alone rinse tubs. We got her wringer up and running; she's good to go! She now has an automatic, but LOVES her "Maytag Conventional", as she puts it.

Wringer washers belong on this site ... even if it does say Automatic Washer ... we must never forget our heritage!! There's something "special" about using a wringer washing machine; only those that have had the experience, can identify with it.

I do LOVE my 1964 Maytag Automatic A700S, too!! I'm going to be taking her apart soon and replacing the gaskets and transmission fluid; I'll take lots of pictures.

Thanks for the great photos and stories ... I enjoy it all!!

Geoff

 

[swestoyz]

Well said Geoff, well said. Must not forget the reason why automatics are here. I was having a conversation about washers with the front desk girl here at work, as well as the admin assistant. The front desk girl is in her mid 20's, but the admin assistant is in her mid 50's. The front desk girl brought up my washer collection, and we got on the topic of 'Conventional washers' - and not only had the front desk girl never seen a wringer, but had never HEARD of one.

The admin assistant and I just smiled. So there is some truth in that, those who used them certainly can identify with them.

Mike - thanks for the glory shots! Something special about the Norge. For some reason reminds me of a Dexter, not sure why. Certainly is a standout in your collection.

Ben

 

[geoffdelp]

Ben ... I think it's because everyone had a "healthy respect" for them; they were powerful and could really do some bodily damage if not used properly. We've all got stories about how a family member or someone we know got their fingers, hands and/or arms caught in the wringer.

I also have talked to younger generation people who have never heard of one ... it's sad in a way ... they sure were lifesavers for our mothers and grandmothers. Those women really worked at homemaking and did their washing on a weekly (if not more oftener) basis. Especially true for "on the farm" families.

Can you imagine having babies and washing diapers and baby clothes almost every day in one? AND ... not having a clothes dryer to help? I use a wringer now because I want to ... not that I have to; big difference. My clothes are not terribly dirty; I work in an office all day. I can reuse water a few times and be very comfortable about it.

It's hard to say where the cut-off in age is for people knowing about wringers. Here you are, Ben, in your 20's and you use one. Hmmm ... I guess it's just what a person is willing to be exposed to, huh?

 

[mickeyd]

"GOOD MORNIN' VIET NAAAAHM" as Robin Willaims

louder than someone with an appendage caught in a wringer.

HI GEOFF AND BEN

Part of it is that I love and respect Roberto so much, and he doesn't like wringers, which I find both fascinating an endearing, but doesn't he know you can underflow rinse, cool-down, magic ALL OF the fill minutes, suds-save (rather dramatically as the quarts of water squirt and flow and fan back into the tub from the wringer flow tray which, by the way, automatically adjusts flow direction), actually anything except spin.

The wringer can be used as a non-heating iron. After rinsing napkins and linen "tea" towels, you fold them and wring them, and they dry stiff and ironed. This, you need to see to believe, so in the next film roll, I'll show. When people say, "Michael, I can't believe you starch and iron your dish towels! " I just grin, and say the wringer does it.

Geoff-- In 1992 or 3 or 4, (I'll need a while to get it right) Eddie Kolopinski was retiring and closing his Maytag store on Clinton Street near the famous Broadway Market, the heart of an old Polish neighborhood in Buffalo. Any time, I went to visit him, he had a Cadillac Tag, churning away in the back room, "testing it" On his last day he offered my my green and white Maytag--wish I knew all the call number like you do, Jeff-- and the new white Speed Queen, that was in the showroom window, not in a box but brand new. I don't know what year it was made. I'll find out more later this afternoon and let you know,

And yes, your friend is on point. These wonderful machines are properly termed conventional Washers. The harsher, somewhat pejorative "wringer" came much later.

Why use tubs when you can rinse in another washer?????;'D;'D;'D;'D
Of course, I've thought of it, but then I imagine installing agitators and pumps and wringers, and la la la--la la la

Ben, I'm meditating on the Dexter/Norge connection, and I'll get back to ya.

Guys: Wringers forever!!! Here's one I left out of the Norge/Unimatic story, that wonderful Eugene loved as a children's story.

 

[geoffdelp]

I remember that story, Mickey; it was very good. And it must be a BLAST using your new Norge wringer washing machine!

Yes; I've used other machines to rinse in besides the rinse tubs; that's a lot of fun!!!

I just love that picture ... oh boy; washing away on a blustery winter's day and looking out your door to the water; WOW!!

You're one lucky dude; what a view!!

 

[mickeyd]

Oh Geoff, what a warm memory you've summoned with "

It's my Aunt Margaret's great big old kitchen, warmed by a "gas-on-gas" stove which at one time also burned coal. In one window on the south wall vented through a window is an RCA Whirlpool gas dryer with a glass window and the famous right or left? mounted control box, making the coolest sounds, the damp clothes at first steaming the window, and OH the scents of fresh hot fragrant laundry, so clean and floral. I think it was the only dryer I ever loved.

On the north wall next to a large double window out of which a blustery northern winter day is having its way, sits a glorious Easy Spin, washing, spray rinsing, and pumping fast out of the chrome drain faucet. There are colorful "Eight good-sized towels make a nice load" as Marge would say, spiralating in the suds, and a load of sheets getting needle-spray rinsed. Margaret is smiling, everything is so beautiful and I am in heaven. I hope I dream about her tonight. Wouldn't that be sweet!?;'D. Thanks, Geoff.