Twin Tub Comparison Please.

[launderess]

Like using my TT for doing soaking of items.

All that metal (tub, lids, etc), means once closed warm water stays at temperature for quite some time. Once soaking is done bung items into the spinner, then on to a wash in either the Miele or Whirlpool.

 

[vacbear58]

European Advantage

Laundress,
That where we score - if the twinnies had heaters which most had - heavily soiled items could be left to soak (I suspect the term for PaulC would be "steeped") in cold or cool water while the water came up to temperature, and with HMDL and Supermatics even better with an interlock between thermostat and motor so that when the temperature was right the wash action would start. That is what my mum would do that while washing breakfast dishes (no DW in those days). After that the next load left in the sink soaking while she went to make the beds and tidy the bedrooms. After that, with the water heated it was time to get the washing properly started.

I must say that I agree with a great deal that has been said about the Supermatic as it did kind of have everything (in de Luxe version anyway) and I appreciate that the lowness of the machine would not have been an issue for most women. But even with that my favourite is the Supertwin (Speed Queen/Simplicity) - I suspect that twin tubs (and actually all laundry appliances) are a bit like cars we like what we like, and quite passionatly at that, in spite of the pros and cons
Al

 

[hoovermatic]

LOVE the pictures of the Philips Top Twin. Mum had the Top Twin De luxe and although it didn't have automatic rinsing the spin can was not perforated like the Hoovers and the pump could be run all the time so rinsing was very easy and effective. All round great looking machines. As rare as hens teeth now I reckon!

 

[chestermikeuk]

Twinnys

Dave, yes interesting question, There isnt one definitive "Best" IMHO..they all have their own unique traits & features, a lot of the time its what you have been used too, which one was a family machine etc...we regularly use a selection of twinnys at our mini meets here...and at usually it gets very very competitive about "Whats Best"

I think as well you adapt your own laundry requirements to produce good results, even with the most undesirable machine, (is there one) I`m sure all of us here could get good results just by observing what works best with each machine!!

The hoover twinnys are rather fun to use, plenty of "SplashDrama" and loads of noise, you could always tell when the neighbours where washing, you`d here the sounds across the lanes, estates & parks of the UK.. The older machines with metal tubs had a vigerous wash turnover, due to a large motor and fixed tensioned belt, the spinners where designed to whizz out your suds at 2,100, and then (whichever rinsing method, hose - hosing the water around the clothes, bucket - sloshing water over the clothes - either leaving them or sloshing them through the water with your hand or hauling it into the sink for a few quick swills!!!

Heres the first Hoover twintub the 3174, 1957 model in action:

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[mickeyd]

Oh MICHAEL--sittin' here watchin' your stunning flix

and then I flashed,O MY GOD ! the 62 Multi is running with the suds-valve closed waiting for me. Flew to the garage and she was a minute or two into the overflow rinse. All of the wash water, (first overflow, plus the wash water throw, and now rinse water all in the outer tub) and she was still chugging away happily. I popped the valve and the water gushed out for so long. HOW MUCH can that outer tub hold. I know it's not as big as the Unimatic cabinet, but my God, it was a ton of water. I had a true a Paul Turquoisedude moment, I'm telling you.

Now back to the twinnies: They're just fabulous. I'll keep viewing, later on till I find one spin-rinsing at high speed; the HP was slow, wondering if you had to bypass a safety switch or if HP had the kindness to let it all be. This is a delighful treat, Mike, thanks.

Your steel tub with the strong motor sounds so deep, strong, and powerful: "Look out!!!! we're gonna wash, then we're gonna boil. You don't stand a chance."

 

[chestermikeuk]

Twinny Spin Rinsing!!!

Mikey, heres a faster one, 2,300, later version, lovely colourway...listen to when the spinner stops and you hear the gentleness of the Hoover wash motor with the motor just hung on to the flexible belt, it surges the clothes rather than a fixed pacy speed!! then judge how that spinner pump thrashes that water out, now that laundry sink is deep, try doing that in a designer sink, you`l have water up your walls!!!

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[mickeyd]

A Perfect Washing Machine and IT HEATS!!!! How neat. Thanks

And you've revealed the rinsing secret your mates have been ballyhooing: light water pressure. That baby rinses great: slow easy steady till the wallop.....

Wet walls and wet overalls, indeed. ;'D

Wish we had them here. Some things can only be had in another country.

 

[keymatic]

Semi - Automatic's……

Where do I start, well I over the years I have had quite a lot of exposure to these machines.

I guess it all started when I was about 5, we use to stay at a self catering cottage in Looe Cornwall, the lady who ran it lived next door, on the Monday following the change over day she would set to and start the washing of all the linen, I would get up early and whizz round to watch her, she would lift me up and watch what she called the "Thumper" aka a mk3 Thor Automagic, I would watch the to & fro action agitator through the glass porthole, then watch her stocking stuffed sandals press the pedals to switch between Wash-Stop-and Spin..excited to see the hot steamy wash water come flowing out of the big grey hose which was hooked around the sink tap, but disappointed when nothing came out, only to realise that the Suds Saver cap was in place….

Well, fast forward 10yrs..and at the age of 15 or so, I set to try and get hold of one of these machines, well finally managed to get hold of two, but were not in the best of condition and had both died due to the clutch, which was the main reason most failed. In 1997 I was offered a Thor Automagic Mk 2, not quite the same as the "Pedal model" but the principal was the same, and restored to perfect working condition, this was followed a few years later by one of two Parnall Spinwasher's, which was the updated and modern version of the Automagic..

I am currently waiting for a friend to convert a video I have of my spinwasher showing a full cycle to dvd which I will then be able to upload to here. Any questions regarding semi-auto's please ask, they are great machines !!

Keith