Twin-Twin Tubbin' Now Playing on YouTube

[twintubber]

I finally got around to making a video of the 'new' Maytag A50 "Porta-Pair" I recently acquired. There's also a quick view of the matching DE50 dryer in there as well.
In the end I wound up doing a 'Twin' session with both the Maytag and the Simplicity-it's kinda fun.
Since my phone's memory card isn't very big it's broken down into 5 videos.
It all may be too long for some of you, but you don't have to watch it all-or any of it if ya don't want to. But it's quite a lot of fun playing with the two machines.
And seeing both in operation side by side you see how much it is like night and day with these two machines.
Now, I still haven't mastered getting the links attatched to my threads, so IF it doesn't work or isn't the correct link for some reason, then just go to YouTube and type in my handle: TwinTubber and my vids will come up. You know the drill guys.
Have a coffee, tea, soda or juice. Pour a drink or crack a beer (or two).
Strike up a Lucky, chew on a Stogey, treasure a Tipparello or enjoy a long sweet mellow pipe. Light up a Bong or roll a big Fattie!*
Maybe some popcorn if ya like or need.
Then sit back, and enjoy the show!!!!!

*I'm just sayin'z all...

 

[unclejohn]

Impressive!

Scott,

VERY interesting vids, well documented, informative, entertaining--and fun!

A bang-up job in reporting your washday with two sensational little machines. The Simp is a awesome washer. The Maytag is, well... so cute. Would like to have one!

Thanks for sharing your twin-tubbing activities. Your love for twinnies is just damn infectious.

 

[mickeyd]

Twin twin tubbing in the kitchen

Watched the first 23 minute vid, Scott. I noticed that you use low measures of powdered additives, but if you add them all up, what's the total? Did you get the yellow stain our of the sweat shirt?

You have a good voice, and I loved the curious cat, all a-wonder at the twintub shenanigans. Everything's so orderly and tidy. You did Maytag proud.

Got a kick out of your charity at calling the spin switch "quirky" (was that what you said ?) when it's really a pain in the bum. Agreed: the A50 is all power all the time. If only they had engineered a spin rinse..... with that fast pump and that turbine spin, it would have been the bomb.

 

[barcoboy]

Great vids, watched them all! Still can't believe how quiet the Simplicity's spinner is... even with the lid part way open! (Great shot BTW.) Commentary is great as well... but next time, give us fellow twin tubbers at aw.org a shoutout! Hehehehe.

 

[twintubber]

Thanks Everyone!!!

@unclejohn:
---"VERY interesting vids, well documented, informative, entertaining--and fun!"
THANKS! That is exactly how I had hoped they would come across. I truly appreciate the comment.
---"Your love for twinnies is just damn infectious. "
I think they make a pill for that now. Just in case it spreads-Hee Hee

@mickeyd:
---"I noticed that you use low measures of powdered additives, but if you add them all up, what's the total?"
Usually it's about 1/3-1/2 of a Tablespoon of detergent for the first load. Then about a 1/4 of a Tablespoon per additional load. I only use the Borax & Washing Soda for stains or really dirty loads. I use about 1/2 a Teaspoon of each and about 1/4 of a Teaspoon per additional load-if needed.
---"Did you get the yellow stain our of the sweat shirt?"
Most of it came out. It wasn't very big of a stain at all, but it didn't quite get it all out, unfortunately.
Yes, "Quirky" was the word I used to describe the spin lid switch. It is a rather strange setup and not the best by far. And Maytag really missed the boat with not featuring a spin spray rinse feature.
Your comments were very nice to hear and thanks for the compliments!

@barcoboy:
That quiet spinner is definitely most awesome! I love it's quietness and yet it's still really very powerful.
Happy to hear ya liked the shot with the lid open-it was tricky to record, but turned out quite well.
Glad you enjoyed the commentary too, and Thank you!

Thanks for all your wonderful comments Guys
Your kindness and support is encouraging and inspiring.
I'm lovin' Twin Tubbin' so if you want to see more, or any special requests, I'd be happy to try and oblige.

 

[Ultramatic]

What a great vid...

<span style="font-size: medium;">I dunno', but I'm beginning to really like Twin Tubs more and more. Thanks for sharing!</span>

 

[twintubber]

Thanks Ultramatic!

Twin Tubbing has become quite fun I must say.
If someone would have suggested a couple of years ago that I would soon want to get rid of my Bosch Vision front-loader for a twin tub-let alone 3 or 4 twin tubs, well......?
But I do and I love it. Makes washing so much more fun.
And the high speed spin cuts the drying time down considerably. Especially with compact 110V dryer(s) at that.
I have also begun appreciating the collectors of wringer washing machines as well. Although a bit of a different procedure, obviousely, the process is similar. It's that "hands on" feeling of doing your laundry.
And, ultimately, the best part is that YOU are in complete control of the entire process.
My clothes are much cleaner, brighter, fluffier and well rinsed, and that's a good thing.
If you ever get your hands on one, you will be VERY glad you did

 

[combo52]

Maytag Portables

Very Cool Videos Scott thanks for taking the time to do and thanks for sharing.

 

These were one of the most curious appliances MT ever built and sold, I was working for MT soon after these were introduced and we sold some and repaired a lot of them. They as you mentioned were all MT built and engineered.

 

Thoughts about the washer,      Interestingly when MT was engineering their first full sized automatic washer in the late 1940s they got and held patents for a washer that had side impeller washing action [ the automatic had a large impeller on each side of the wash basket ] and as most of us appliance collectors know MT engineered and introduced the MT Top Load Neptune in the early 2000s that used a version of this interesting and very effective washing system, so this was an idea that MT had early on.

 

They tried to build a high quality washer and largely succeeded, the cabinets were the same galvanized steel used in their regular machines and they borrowed as many parts from their regular washer as possible. The machines were so heavy mainly because they used two 1/4 HP split phase motors because was easier to engineer and build a limited quantity of washers this way rather than design a drive system to use one motor for both like regular automatics do. Maytag built every thing used to manufacturer this machine except for the motors, electrical switches and some water seals, belts and hardware.

 

The Dryer,      This time MT tried to copy items of the full sized HOH dryers, but they immediately had to compromise several of the things that they always claimed that made the FS HOH so good. This was the first dryer they made that used a poly-vee belt around the dryers drum for driving the drum and the single rear drum support for the drum itself also went out the window in favor of cheap Teflon pads that supported the drum in the front and rear. Again then they borrowed a few things from the FS HOH dryers, the lint filter, the complete door assembly with magnetic catch and the little insulators for the heating element.

 

 

Overall these little Maytag s were a cool well built set, but I cannot imagine that MT didn't loose a lot of money on them, they came out way too late for a semiautomatic washer in the US. MT did market the TT as a safer alternative to the very dangerous wringer washer they were still manufacturing, but it didn't fly with customers, people that were used to wringer washers were not interested in this little washer. By the time these were available there were lots of Japanese twin tub machines that were cheaper more automatic and worked better and of course compact automatics soon took over. The dealer I worked for also sold Whirlpool and when WP came out with their fully automatic [ compact ] in 1972 we never sold another MT TT again, we even had to almost give away the floor model MT TT, LOL. There were lots of durability issues with both the washer and dryer, even though very sturdy in appearance and construction neither of the machines would last anywhere near as long as their full sized machines if actually used to do a families laundry as MT advertised they could do.

 

These are however a must have for any serious Maytag Collector, We have a restored Avocado dryer and a Harvest Gold washer in our museum for folks to see and play with.

 

Thanks again Scott for the great video demonstration, John.

 

[twintubber]

THANKS combo52!!!!!

That's some great information!
I have learned a lot about these machines in a very short time. I love your line:
"These were one of the most curious appliances MT ever built and sold".
I have to agree. They are strange and quirky little machines. But at the same time, they really are a lot of fun.
I could never see using one of these as a daily driver-let alone for a family :0
I figured the motors were the reason for most of the weight since it is a plastic interior. Nice to know about the galvanized steel as the full sized machines had.
Who made the motors if Maytag didn't?
Haven't used the dryer yet at all since it needs a belt. But I'm looking forward to using it and the results will be great I know.
I used this exact system in an Hitachi machine I had a few years ago. That was the most amazing little dryer I have ever used. So I know it's potential.
I immediately recognized from this machine and threads on here that it was Maytag making for Hitachi rather than the other way around, (which it usually is with Hitachi).
I've stated before that I only ever saw an A50 washer ONCE at a Friends' house and only as it was being filled.
Never saw a set at our Maytag Store, Sears or Eatons, nor did I ever see them at the GrandMother of all places-The CNE=Canadian National Exhibiton.
This now 132 year old, 18 day long "fair" was the largest in NA for many years. They had dozens of buildings and pavilions. One building-the Better Living Centre, focused on household stuff-appliances/electronics/vacuums/massaging chairs, etc. Went with my family every year and they would let me go for a couple of hours and "have-a-ball" in that building.
It was in THAT building over several years that I saw every appliance that could ever be in working order on display-a Kitchen Aid Dishwasher with a clear front plus a KA trash compactor with a clear side. The GE 'Dispensall' in action, (the only time ever), and a GE dishwasher with a clear front. Speed Queen & Simplicity full size and twin tub washers and appliances on display (never working models though). Filter Queen/Electrolux/Rainbow/Compact/Kirby/Singer/Hoover/Eureka vacuum cleaners.
Maytag however, was the GrandDaddy of all the Major Appliance displays-every year.
Maytag had more 'live' appliances than any other company there. And it was always easily spotted by the full size clear dishwasher cube high overhead constantly running showing it's power. A full size washer with poker chips in almost permanent agitation mode, and another with a phone book in it spinning to show how well it balanced. Mirrors underneath to show the belts and solid frame and open fronts. They really wanted you to SEE their machines in action and the true quality they offered.
BUT.............
I NEVER saw that "Porta-Pair" set there-EVER!!!
So I can only imagine that they must have lost a lot of money because I think as you said, that they brought them out just too late and the market was not very large for them anymore as it was.
And when our our family Hoover TT died after many years of service, my parents had planned to get another Hoover. But Sears was having a warehouse/scratch and dent sale and we 'upgraded' to a compact automatic instead of another TT.
So I see the issue with them at the time.
But I also like your line:
"These are however a must have for any serious Maytag Collector".
I agree!!! And I am not even a Maytag collector!
Whew, long winded reply, but it just seemed to flow. And I had forgotten a lot of those memories.
You guys ALL bring out something in my past and history and I am grateful to you for that and for knowing that there are many other just like---ME! And I thank you all so much.

OH, PhilR:
Step up and take a bow-this is all because of YOU!
You posted the pics of these machines and that's what started my whole twin tub collecting.
And I did rescue them-just as you suggested someone should
Thanks Phil!!!

 

[twintubber]

And...

Another.

 

[twintubber]

Oh, and.....

A 'pair' of "Porta Pairs".

 

[philr]

Scott,

I knew I had seen a set like this somewhere! I'm happy you got them! I did have a dryer like that at some point but it didn't heat, someone had drilled a hole with a small bushing in the center of the door and used it for another purpose than drying clothes (I guess it did turn something but I have no idea why this was done). 

 

Thanks for taking the time to make the videos. I really enjoyed watching them!

 

[twintubber]

PhilR....(Not sure BTW is it Phil? Minus the R).

WOW-I thought you knew all along that this was THAT set! That's so funny that you weren't aware.
I'm so glad you watched the vids and you enjoyed them. They are fun to make.
And thanks so much for the support!

 

[philr]

I remember the pics with the price tags now!  I think that's how they were in the ad.  I had a brain injury a few years ago and since then, my memory isn't as good as it used to be... 

 

BTW, yes my name is Phil without the R (which is the first letter of my last name). 

 

[twintubber]

Hi Phil!

Thanks for the reply.
I had posted the pics a couple of times before, so I just assumed (forgive me), that they were recognizable.
But the beauty is, not only did I save THAT set, but the journey seeing that set sent me on (because of YOU posting them), led me to the Simplicity, the Hoover and the 1980 Maytag A50 as well. All within 3 months too.
My album of pics with the 3 of the machines lined up was because YOU opened my eyes to Twin Tub machines again.
I was able to collect fast and swift, but I definitely admire men like you and the AW.org-ers who have collected much more and for far longer than I have.
I cannot thank you enough because had I not seen that pic and that it was local to me, none of this would have happened.
AW.org-ers are the BEST people on the planet!!!!!!
Perhaps one day our paths may cross sometime on one of my trips to Montreal.
Late August for Pride is my next 'planned' trip.

 

[twintubber]

P.S.

That was the actual pic from the ad that you had posted.
And PLEASE forgive me if I embarrassed you or made any presumptuous assumptions about any condition you may have. I was completely unaware and that was never my intention.
Yet, thanks for the upfront honesty as well.

 

[philr]

The funny thing is that I have never owned a Twin Tub myself! I've been more seriously collecting since I had a car accident 4 years ago. Before the accident, I liked appliances and I already owned a few but since then, it seems I can focus on things for a very long time without being bothered! For example, I can listen to the same track repeat on an album many many many times (if I like it of course!) and that didn't happen before the accident!

 

 As my collection is pretty focused on Frigidaire appliances, I'd really like to get one of these someday... 

 

[mickeyd]

so have you ever used the GSW/Easy or McLary twin tub based

(From Uncle John's thread)

Is this the machine you're asking about? If so, it is my pride and joy.

 

[mickeyd]

Genuine GM TT ~ WOW!

Phil, I had a broken brain, too. Mine was caused by a prescription drug. I know what it's like. Small world, huh?

BUT I'M FASCINATED by your page showing GM and Master Twin. We've seen Frigidaire branded TT's before, but they were not made by GM. So finding out today that GM did indeed make a Twin Tub is WONDERFUL.

Do you have anything else about this miracle?