So I found this group looking for an 806 set like my mom used to have. I know how great and dependable they are, I've replaced the belts on both machines through the years. Had I known how hard to find they are, I would've grabbed hers 15 years ago. Must be in decent shape within 150 miles of Cambria County. Prefer Harvest Gold, that's what mom had.
Wanted Maytag A806 and DE806 in Central PA
- Thread starter moparman
- Start date
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It seems like people searching for an 806 pair are coming out of the woodwork in droves lately. I can't blame them, though. I was in their shoes for a while, until I found Maytag's later version, a 712 model with brown control panel and brown buttons. The 710 is the model between 806 and 712, and the 10 series also has a brown panel but with white buttons. Mechanically the 10 and 12 series were the same as the 06 until Maytag switched to the short-stroke orbital transmission during the 12 series production run. The last 12 series with Maytag's desirable long-stroke agitation was produced in 1987. If you just want the build quality and reliability of your mom's machine and aren't concerned about styling or a lighted control panel, then a 10 or 12 series may be easier to find. One thing you have going for you is that the harvest gold color seems to have been the most popular.
Really, the only thing that I wanted an 806/710/712 machine for was the slow wash/fast spin option (beware though, that the earliest 806 models didn't offer this combination). If that doesn't matter to you, there are other Maytag models that offer the large tub and two speeds, just not the slow wash/fast spin option, and only the 806 offered a lighted control panel. There are old threads here that contain shots of information sheets on these series of Maytags and which models offer which features. It may take some searching to find them, but they may help you find a machine that will do what you want it to, even if it's not the exact same one as your mom had. I do get the nostalgia factor, and if I had the room I'd probably have a rare 1974 Kenmore model like my mom had, but one of those would be more difficult to find than than a Maytag of the same vintage by many orders of magnitude.
Really, the only thing that I wanted an 806/710/712 machine for was the slow wash/fast spin option (beware though, that the earliest 806 models didn't offer this combination). If that doesn't matter to you, there are other Maytag models that offer the large tub and two speeds, just not the slow wash/fast spin option, and only the 806 offered a lighted control panel. There are old threads here that contain shots of information sheets on these series of Maytags and which models offer which features. It may take some searching to find them, but they may help you find a machine that will do what you want it to, even if it's not the exact same one as your mom had. I do get the nostalgia factor, and if I had the room I'd probably have a rare 1974 Kenmore model like my mom had, but one of those would be more difficult to find than than a Maytag of the same vintage by many orders of magnitude.
Thanks, but I've been looking locally for about 5 years for that washer/dryer combo. I love the looks of them and I think the fluorescent light in the control panels really cool. I know it did an awesome job on my uniforms when I was in the Marines, and the slow spin was great for the dress pants when they couldn't be dry cleaned. I just really like that late 60s/70s look, it goes well with my decor too
Find an 806 washer built after November 1968 so you can get the 4 speed combo speed option and 4 level water switch.
The 810 and 712 are also have these features and are essentially the same machine with an updated console and infinite water level switch. A 710 only has a 2 or 3 speed combo option.
Be aware that you're now completely on your own maintaining and repairing these machines. Parts that were easily attainable just a few years ago are now obsolete with more headed that direction and prices for what's still floating reflect that. If diagnosing, tinkering, constantly browsing and stockpiling parts don't tickle your fancy, these are not the machines for you. A full teardown and rebuild is the only way to maintain the same performance and reliability standards as they did in their heyday.
The 810 and 712 are also have these features and are essentially the same machine with an updated console and infinite water level switch. A 710 only has a 2 or 3 speed combo option.
Be aware that you're now completely on your own maintaining and repairing these machines. Parts that were easily attainable just a few years ago are now obsolete with more headed that direction and prices for what's still floating reflect that. If diagnosing, tinkering, constantly browsing and stockpiling parts don't tickle your fancy, these are not the machines for you. A full teardown and rebuild is the only way to maintain the same performance and reliability standards as they did in their heyday.
Gsd-dan thanks for the info, I have no problem tearing one down and rebuilding it, I'm a mechanic and truck driver by trade and have done everything with anything on wheels. I even work on vintage stereo receivers from the 70s, it's my main hobby.
By the way, if anybody would like to, gasp, part with one from their collection, that would be awesome, and might restore some of my hope for humanity. I also promise it would be well taken care of. Be kinda cool doing laundry with a 70s machine listening to my Pioneer SX-1250 to some Zeppelin or Pink Floyd as my Zeppelin and Floyd shirts get squeaky clean. And as far as parts going obsolete, I know more about obsolete parts and rare hard to find parts then anybody here lol
I know more about obsolete parts and rare hard to find parts then anybody here lol
I don't want to sound rude but there's a big difference between knowing about rare parts and scrambling to find one that turned your machine into a 225 pound paperweight with mountains of laundry that needs to get done pronto. At age 36, you are one of the much younger members here. There's a lot of people on this forum who have decades more experience beyond your total existence on this earth.
I also restored 60's/70's audio equipment....20+ years ago when TOL models that young people today lust over now go for tens of thousands of dollars. Back then, this stuff was common and sold for next to nothing, if not free. Luckily, I have everything I want and in perfect working condition because I don't have the patience for it anymore. I ended up purging a good portion of my vintage audio collection last year. I thought I would regret the decision and miss that equipment, but thankfully I don't.
[this post was last edited: 5/30/2021-02:39]
I remember qsd-dan telling me on his channel brthdan that patience and persistence will go a long way when finding these machines he was definitely right. I didn’t end up getting a Maytag A806 set but I do have my 1963 RCA Whirlpool Imperial Mark XII set along with my 1973 Maytag A606 set and I honestly can’t complain plus I’ve literally seen no other 1963 Mark XII’s around except for mine so the patience and persistence definitely payed off.
I looked for YEARS for an 806 pair and what few would come up were either too far away or already sold quickly. Then one day on Marketplace I saw a pair of 1974 HA806 and HDE806 that had to go TODAY for $200.00 or they would be scrapped at an estate closing. I emailed and offered $100.00 and he texted his address and said if I wanted them for that price come NOW. It was only 30 mins away so I hopped in the truck with a few blankets and came home with a pristine pair of machines with very little use from a single widow of many years. Moral of the story, keep waiting and that pair will come up, you may have to do some driving or shipping but these arent getting any easier to find that havent been run to death after 50 years. I didnt originally want the Harvest Gold but its really grown on me and Im glad they turned out to be this color.
I have a HA806 washer that I would part with. Needs a motor, and that goes with it. Northern Indiana.
