the Speed Queen saga

[mrcleanjeans]

Which Speed Queens are preferred, the solid tub machines, the 80s machines with a perforated tub and straight vane agitator, or the 90s machines with the sirgilator type agitator?And which was better back, say in the 60s-70s-the solid tub Speed Queen or the Maytags of that era?

 

[peterh770]

On this Imperial forum, the solid tub SQ's are preferred. The other (later) SQ's are discussed over in Deluxe.

I personally like the SQ's over Maytag, mostly for the high-vaned agitator and the overflow rinse. Maytag had neither back then.

 

[westytoploader]

Solid-tub Speed Queen fan here, but I prefer the solenoid-style machines (shift directly into spin from wash) over the later reversing-motor design. But since I have yet to find a solid-tub SQ here, I'll take either one!

Vintage Maytags are somewhat easier to find than Speed Queens, and the helical drive is a reliable mechanism, however, comparing it to an SQ is like apples/oranges. More water drama with the high-vaned agitator, and like Peter said, solid tub with overflow rinsing (which Maytag eliminated by that time), and they sure did have some FAB control panel designs from the 50's all the way to the 70's!

--Austin

 

[goatfarmer]

How many S/Q's ya want? I think I have 3 of 'em sitting.I think they all have the stainless perforated tub,one has the matching dryer.

kennyGF

 

[gyrafoam]

I've had a '68 Solid-Tub SQ and I have a '64 Maytag. There are pros and cons with both but I think the Maytag is more refined. The Maytag is quieter and handles a large load better. The Maytag is also MUCH quieter. The SQ is fun to use however. Both are extremely aggressive and will wash a load of bib overalls and jeans for farmers beautifully.

 

[tolivac]

SQ availability

I have yet to see a single SQ washer of any sort in the Eastern NC area-I used two versions of them when I lived in Wash DC area.both were coin op models installed in the apartment building I lived in.When I moved there in 1973-they had turquoise colored ones that had the overflow rinse and the straight bladed agitators with the chrome agitator caps.These were made by SQ McGraw-Edison div.then they were replaced by ones from Ratheon-amana.They had the SS tubs and didn't have the cool OF rinse.They also had straifht bladed agitators. Of the two I used-liked the OF rinse models better.Would love to get one somehow.SQ seems to be unheard of here.Tried all of the swap shops and used appliance places.

 

[gansky1]

The solid tub Speed Queens just pop up like dandelions around here, I've found five in the last year - two of them solenoid machines. I also know where there is a closed laundromat full of commercial coin-ops and a few other goodies just waiting to be picked up...

I love the solid tub SQ's but the perf. basket washers had their strong points as well. There's nothing like doing wash with the heart-attack solenoids calling out the cycle progress!

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Speed Queen Washer:

I just had a Speed Queen Washer given to me and I found out thru Speed Queen, it is a 1983 Model. It has the newer White "Straight-Vane" Agitator and the Stainless Steel Tub. I was wondering if one of the similar Metal Straight-Vane Agitators would fit this Washer? If whomever might have a Metal Agitator that would fit, might you also have the Cap that has the tip on it to lock a Fabric Softener Dispenser on top of the Agitator and might someone also have the Fabric Softener Dispenser as well?

The Model is: #AH6001W

It has Water Level Control, Water Temp Control and 3-Agitate/3-Spin Speed Selection {1-dial control, for speed selection}. It has a Bleach Dispenser {Filler} under the Lid on the Top {front-left} corner. It also is the rear opening Lid and it has the Locking Lid, on the front-right corner of the Top/Lid. It appears to me to be a "TOL" Model, because of so many selections available, for the Water Level, Water Temp and the Agitate and Spin Speeds, besides the Timer's Cycle Selection's as well.

I would appreciate any and all info about my request about the Agitator. If anyone might happen to have one of the Metal Straight-Vane Agitators and they want to sell it, I would be happy to be made an offer. I would imagine it would also be best to take some measurements, especially of the Height of the Agitator.

Peace and Happiness, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...

 

[gansky1]

Steve, The solid basket agitator won't fit in a perf. basket machine. The agitator you have did have a softener dispenser that fit over the top, you might still be able to find that - it's just a friction-fit that goes over the top of the agitator cap.

 

[retromom]

A Veritable Treasure Trove....

Greg:

Are you planning a raid on that abandoned laundramat around June 24th-26th? ;-)

 

[pulsator-power]

I used solid tub Speed Queens in my old college dorm back in the early 80's & a friend's apartment complex laundry room
also. Always liked the sloshing/gurgling sounds they made. Dramatic, yes!

 

[gansky1]

Abandonded Laundry

Well, I've tried to call the (Kansas City, KS) number listed on the post-it in the window of the building but have not been able to reach anyone. I called the county treasurers office to find out who actually owns the building but wasn't able to get ahold of anyone that way either. They are three, coming up on four years in arrears on the property taxes so if I really wanted to, I could probably buy the whole building and contents for the back taxes.

I'll keep trying as time allows, you never know...

Just good investigative washer hunting!!

 

[westytoploader]

"Well, I've tried to call the (Kansas City, KS) number listed on the post-it in the window of the building but have not been able to reach anyone."

Then we'll smash the window in and take everything home! ;-)

Just kidding...

 

[agiflow]

Having used the solid tub SQ washers in laundromats in the early 80's,i have to say i have always liked the one piece SS tubs with no seams in them.The SS in the solid tub machines seemed to be of much better quality.

By the mid-to late 80's i had the chance to use the perforated tub SQ washers.I also liked these too.As Gansky said they both have their strong points.I wouldn't mind having either a Raytheon or McGraw-Edison SQ.

 

[Jetaway]

Speed Queen Motor Sounds

I have always loved the way the motor sounds on the older SQ washers. They almost Growl!!! Never heard anything sound like that. I also liked how the motor ran while the tub filled up on coin-ops. Can anyone tell me if all early SQ washers did that?

Neal

 

[gansky1]

My 1954 SQ does that - anytime the motor is running, the pump is pumping any water that overflows from the wash/spin tub. Jon (jetcone) says Speed Queen "makes it's own water" with the motor running during fill...

 

[DADoES]

The late 1960s SQ that my aunt had ran the motor through the entire cycle. Loved that powerful thrumming sound!

 

[david]

I first enccountered SQ in the service. In the barracks I lived in we had a laundry room with 3 washers and 3 dryers. The washers were all SQ and the dryers KM. I was impressed by the heavy duty look and construction of the washer and the SS solid tub. What rreally blew me away was the overflow rinse. I thought that was coolest thing once I determined that there was nothing wrong with the washer. Actually I knew people who owned them back home, but I had never actually used one. These were very good machines and the SS tub gives the user a feeling of cleanliness.