They just don’t build things well anymore

[combo52]

This weekend we were up at the mountain house and I went to turn the air conditioner on in the bedroom it’s a 1962 cold spot air conditioner, the fan did not seem to come on properly, so I turned it off and investigated this morning.

Turns out the fan capacitor failed on this air conditioner, I had just installed this air conditioner 39 years ago it was used then of course it is always worked perfectly

Fortunately I had two spares in the basement and I took the capacitor off one cleaned up the air conditioner, oiled the fan motor and it works perfectly again.

Meanwhile I was doing laundry in a 1969 Frigidaire rapid dry washer and I also turned on the German built Frigidaire front load washer from 1984 while I was in the laundry room, washing the filter for the air conditioner the little front load washer made this huge bang and a few moments later smoke starts pouring out from under the machine. I figured it would stop in a few moments, but it didn’t and the basement was filling with smoke. I quickly unplug the washer, and then the alarm company called because the smoke detector had picked up the smoke.

The little front loader will be recycled at some point when I pull it out of there if anybody wants it for parts it’s an unusual machine all the markings are in German it was it European model 50 cycle, Etc..

 

[repairguy]

Congrats on fixing the ac. I’m sure you’ll find another washer for that spot in the laundry room.

 

[maytag85]

“They just don’t build things well anymore”

You got that right!

 

[cfz2882]

should fix that little German washer-probably just a bad capacitor in that one too.

 

[qsd-dan]

They just don’t build things well anymore...

 

A few weeks back you were claiming appliances today are made better than anytime in history.

 

...Anyway....

 

It would be nice to see more of your collection at the mountain house as well as some outside scenery from around there.

 

[jamiel]

I remember that air conditioner as a kid!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Fridgidaire Front Loader

Thats a great front loader badged Fridgidaire John, was it the large capacitor that had blown or the induction motor smoking as well ?

A very rare model , does it say Made In Germany ? first looks like an Italian model machine.

You wont find another one badged Fridgidaire, keep that fascia and name if you can !!

 

[turquoisedude]

Love that air-conditioner!!

 

[peteski50]

don’t build things well anymore

Really nice set of appliances. The 1/18 set looks exactly like my Aunts!

 

[newvista58]

That A/C is Killer....

Love It. So Glad you got it running again. I had the same issue about 6 years ago with my 62 Amana A/C. Gotta Keep Em going.

 

[combo52]

Old, failing appliances

Hi Mike, I’m pretty sure this machine was made in Germany. It has a stainless steel outer tub. We found it at a thrift store 30 years ago, and where the shock mount was welded to the stainless steel outer tub. One of the welds popped through in the machine leak like a sieve, my brother, Jeff Brazed the whole closed and it’s worked up until now. It may just be a blown capacitor. I will look when I go up again all of the markings on the machine or in German but I suppose it could be Italian. It does kind of look like it.

I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek when I was complaining about the old air conditioner, the cold spot air conditioner was made by whirlpool those whirl pool built window air conditioners in the 60s were easily, the most durable window air conditioners ever made. There’s barely any rust in the chassis of it even and that’s saying a lot in a damp climate like the East Coast.

Assembly quality and manufacturing quality and materials are better than ever, many appliances made today. Will last 30 to 50 years if reasonably cared for. Appliances are also much easier to repair in general today takes much less time and effort.

John.

 

[qsd-dan]

Most appliances todays are done and ready for the junkyard within 10 years or less and that doesn't include at least one repair in between. Good luck finding parts after 10 years, too. I'll keep my quality vintage stuff going, others can buy todays junk (although I'm stuck buying new refrigerators, freezers, and HVAC units).

 

[cfz2882]

I have a WP AC from 1969-got it at the dump about 1992,had "inside out"Delco motor that was bad-stuck in Emerson motor salvaged from another AC

 

[maytag85]

Kind of a contradiction saying they don’t build things like they used to then claiming today’s appliances will last 30 to 50 years. Just listen to a Whirlpool VMW in operation, sounds like it’s on its last legs and is about to break at any moment. Just feel the gage of metal as well, very thin and cheap steel compared to what was used many years ago. Yes, older appliances do take a little more labor to repair but the million dollar question is, how often do they need to be repaired? Not often, usually if something does need to be repaired it’s usually something simple and straightforward.

Also have to consider that electronics degrade with time, even people who collect vintage radios and TVs will once in awhile c9me across something that’s NOS and you’d think you can just plug it in and be good to go, nope. Whole thing has to be gone through before it gets used on a daily basis. Sometimes there will be a vintage TV that will work perfectly fine on all original electronic components (extremely rare to find a vintage tv or radio that doesn’t need work) but will have to be gradually powered up on a variac of some kind.

 

[rodknock95]

There is still one of those air conditioners, actually two, in my great grandparents old farmhouse. A 220 volt one in the living room and a 110 volt one in the kitchen.

 

[foraloysius]

John

I’m sure that I’ve seen that washing machine before with a different name on it but for the lifeof me I can’t remember what it was. Not sure if it was made in Germany but definitely a European machine. I hope it will come to me.

I guess there is no technical specifications label on the machine anymore? Could have been on the inside of the little door at the bottom.

 

[rinso]

Tis a puzzlement! Today's appliances look like they are built like tanks. Sadly, their longevity and/or reliability doesn't show that to be true, though most perform very well. I am reminded of the TOL Electrolux front loader that my late husband and I owned. It appeared to be very sturdy, and we loved it, but after only six years of moderate use, the rear bearings and seal failed. The repair would have cost half the price of a new one. Our newer TOL KitchenAid dishwasher has needed a new main power unit, a re-designed float which started leaking, and a door spring replacement. I'm so glad those were all covered under warranty.

 

[foraloysius]

John

A German acquaintance helped me out. Your Frigidaire is actually a Blomberg from the early 1980’s and it was indeed manufactured in Germany.

He wondered how often it rinses and if it spins between the rinses.

 

[e2l-arry]

Cold Spot

Cold Spot was the Sears brand. Eventually they went with Kenmore but back in the 60's their A/C units, freezers and refrigerators were branded Cold Spot. Like another recent thread, Another thing I remember and miss about Sears.