Wanted: Near Perffect Matched W/D Set

[ibuzzard]

We ( really me, not the wife!) are accumulating appliances in advance of an anticipated kitchen/ laundry remodel. So far, I have bought a Kitchenaide KDS 20 dishwasher. Wife nixed the idea of a KDA-5.

Would like to find, close to the Bay Area, a nearly perfect matched laundry set of high reputation. Being new to vintage appliances, I am up for "schooling" and recommendations.

Of course, I will pay a good price for the right set. I do not lowball, looking for quality.

Really enjoy this site! Steve

 

[rp2813]

If you don't need a huge tub in the washer, the build quality of vintage Maytags can't be beat.  They are tanks!  The tubs on Maytags ran smaller than other makes, so I would suggest you go with machines from the higher end of their model line that sport the extra large tub.  You can spot them by the number of slots down the side of the agitator.  The large size has three, the extra large has four, and the control panels on the extra large size have four water level selections as opposed to three.

 

Another good choice would be a belt driven Kenmore.  I suggest Kenmore over Whirlpool because Sears commissioned machines from Whirlpool that provided a wider range in the model line and higher end models that ran more quietly than an actual Whirlpool.

 

 

 

[ibuzzard]

Thanks For the Recommendation...

...it is just my wife and myself now, so load size is not too critical. Will begin looking for a nice matched set! Is there a cut- off year, where they would still have the vintage look, be reliable, and before they began to cheapen them up? Do you know anyone in my area that might be persuaded to part with an excellent con
dition pair? Thank you again, I am already getting excited!

 

[rp2813]

I think you can find well made machines into the 1990s but for a vintage look you probably want something from the '80s or earlier.  The classic center dial Maytags date from the late '60s to the late '70s, but the following style was only cosmetically different with an updated brown control panel.

 

Kenmores with black control panels and a center dial also date back to the 1980s.  In the '70s before the black panel models, the color schemes were different and loosely based on where the machine ranked in the model line.

 

I don't know of anyone with a pair of machines up for grabs, but I see them often enough on SF and Monterey Bay Area Craigslist.  Something will turn up.

 

[ibuzzard]

Thanks, again!...

We will continue to scour Craigslist . Best Wishes, Steve.

 

[ibuzzard]

Another Question, rp2813!

Is it feasible to repaint these old sets, without too much trouble? I rejected an otherwise nice set because of numerous visible scratches. No rust, just scratches. When we do the remodel, we couldn't stomach having new scratched appliances...

 

[whirlykenmore78]

If you want a well made machine:

With a vintage look, that can still be easily repaired and is super reliable. Find a Whirlpool or Kenmore Direct drive set from 1986 to 1992. These are some of the most reliable and best cleaning TL machines ever.
WK78

 

[DADoES]

 
Repainting, yes, except not so much porcelain tops/lids.  DIY results depends on skill.  For profe$$ional re$ults, remove the cabinet and take it to a body shop.

 

[rp2813]

Steve --

Some members have had powder-coating or an automobile grade repaint done.

 

Keep in mind that many vintage washers had porcelain enameled top surfaces, so those would be costly to have restored.

 

Your best bet is to hold out for a well-maintained set, or machines that only need some cleaning.  Car cleaner/polish works well on these surfaces.

 

Ralph

 

[ibuzzard]

Thank You All..

We do want as bulletproof a set as is possible. We also really want to have a distinctly vintage appearance, i.e. Chrome as well as the "last century look. A plain-jane,non-descript utilitarian look doesn't do anything for us. Is it possible to have the combination of awesome looks and performance? The single dial Maytags look good, but even older stuff looks more to our liking. We will use them, they won't just be eye-candy.

 

[rp2813]

You're entering sketchy territory with older machines than, say, 1970 for your daily drivers. 

 

Again, Whirlpool/Kenmore and Maytag used many of the same components in their drive mechanisms from the '50s into the '80s and beyond, but other parts could be tough to find.

 

The 806 series Maytags have lighted panels, so you may want to narrow your search to those.  They have the larger tub and the most speed and temperature options.

 

If you want to go for something older, like from the '60s, a TOL Lady Kenmore set would have all the bling you could ever ask for.

 

If you're concerned about water use, the Maytags always scored as the most efficient machines in that regard per Consumer Reports, and as a result, they were also cheapest to operate.  That's mostly about their tubs being smaller than those of their competitors.

 

[ibuzzard]

Beautiful...

The Maytag 806 series, as you stated. Will be focusing on those, and will start looking for photos of the Lady Kenmore model you mentioned. Thanks, again.