What to do?

[countryford]

I've had the 1963 Lady Kenmore Washer and dryer for several years now. They work great and all, but I would like to get something a bit newer to use all the time, and put the 63 Lady K's out in the secondary laundry room for special occasions. Also I wanted a dryer that was a bit better on electricity. Well today I went to an estate sale and I found this Lady Kenmore Dryer. It was at a decent price and in excellent shape. I tried it out and it seems to work just fine, so I bought it. I brought it home and hooked it up. It is now sitting next to the 63 Lady Kenmore Washer. I would like to get the matching washer for this new dryer. Well after all that, I checked my email and noticed that Nate(in Tucson) sent me a link to this craigslist ad for this frigidaire set. Not a bad price for them, and they have some color too. So here is my issue about what to do. Should I keep the "new" Lady Kenmore Dryer and attempt to find the matching washer or should I get the frigidaire set and then sell the Lady K dryer? Is there much difference in the lady K and the frigidaire dryer as to which one uses more power? Am I really going to see much of a difference compared to my 63 Lady K dryer? Thanks all for your ideas.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/app/3346140538.html

 

[countryford]

Tag on the "new" Lady Kenmore Dryer.
Gordon: What year would this be from? Thanks.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Justin,

That's the dryer that matches the 1983 Lady Kenmore washer. Oddly, I have been looking for one of these to go with the pair of washers I have, both in white.

I think many here are going to say that this is the best design dryer you're going to find anywhere, and still be somewhat vintage. The 29" fixed bulkhead dryer is perhaps one of the best ever? I know Mister Combo will agree, and I think he stated once or twice that the old belt-drive blower dryers such as your 63 are 25% less efficient. This newer dryer should be MUCH larger capacity wise than your 63 and thus may deliver a more satisfactory result in regard to wrinkles, etc.

This particular machine is a 1985 model (Sears revised their entire dryer line that year but not the washers) and was made in the first week of January, 1985. A New Year's baby!

I have an idea for you - if you like Nate's Frigidaire idea, then I'll offer to buy this dryer if you'd like and we can ship it to Charlotte with the EKMs. If you keep it, we'll find you a white washer eventually, OR I have an almond set I could be talked out of I do believe. I do not have CLT to PHX shipping opportunities however, at least not very often.

So there's some info and an idea for you!

Gordon[this post was last edited: 10/18/2012-18:49]

 

[countryford]

After a little "soul" searching and also talking to our neighborhood Kenmore Expert(Gordon) I think I'm going to keep the Lady Kenmore and be on the hunt for the matching Washer. Hopefully with everyone's help here on the site, I will have one in no time. =)

 

[countryford]

After just posting the last reply, I was searching Craigslist and I found this washer. It appears to be the match. Gordon; Is it? Thanks.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/app/3304858236.html

 

[countryford]

Here is another set. A bit pricey though.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/app/3325966299.html

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Interesting Justin...

Oddly, both those washers are the same model. They are "sorta" matches, but not quite. Depends on how precise you want to be in your set. These are 70-series machines, the best of the four 70-series they had in that line in fact. It is strange that you found these because this was not a common 70-series model. The one with three water levels --- everything else was the same --- was their best selling model. This one, with five levels, was not all that common. No telling why...

Matching these up would be fine, except the top panel of the dryer is textured black, and this one is smooth woodgrain. Only the Lady K was textured black.

The most significant difference between the matching washer and these is the lack of the triple dispenser. Also, these lack the auto-advance from the pre-wash to the normal cycle, and a built-in second rinse. Personally I would not miss any of that stuff, but that's your decision.

I think the $25 washer is a deal, if it is in good shape mechanically. The lack of warm water is likely either the temp switch (I had to change one on a similar machine this year) or the mixing valve. No biggie either way. This machine does however look to be ALMOND?

If you look at pictures 49 and 50 in my photo album, you'll see a white Lady K washer and a 3-level version of the for-sale machines you posted. That might help you decide if they are similar enough. If you really want a true Lady K - look for a machine with two knobs left of the timer and one to the right...that will filter out most of the machines that aren't a close enough match.

Gordon [this post was last edited: 10/18/2012-23:03]

 

[combo52]

What To Do ?

Hi Justin I would also go for the mid 1980s LKM pair over the Frigidaire 1-18s for daily drivers. The 1-18s are great performers but will likely be even harder to keep running that the 1963 LKMs. If you get the KMs try to get the dryer installed to the right of the washer to shorten the vent and allow the washers lid to open properly [ on these newer KMs the lid is not reversible like on the 63 LKM ]

 

The only problem with putting a mid 1980s WP built BD washer into daily service is that unless you are lucky it will not likely last many years without a major going over in the outer area and the drive line itself.

 

[bpetersxx]

A few questions

Does the dryer next to the 63 washer have a temperature dial on the console

The almond set in the above as I think is the set that was 1 step down from what we got in the 80's

The washer that we got had a cycle modifier and infinite water level

The dryer had a dial to adjust the end of cycle signal

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Pete -

The Lady K dryer does have a temp switch, but it is a little disquised. Instead of saying "Hi heat" Medium, Low, etc. it has load types. Cotton/Sturdy for example, which translates to high heat, delicate (low) and Perm press which in the LK is medium.

The almond set above is an example of the incredibly popular sets which were selling en masse at Sears in the mid 1980s. There were about five washer models which looked essentially just like this one (some had three water levels, some had five, and some were infinite) and there were probably that many different but similar looking dryers too. Some had Fabric Master auto termination (thermostatic) and others had the electronic sensor pad. The control panels were largely the same except the electronic sensor models had an added logo on them for it. These machines had two temperatures, which were hard-wired in the cycle selected. Cotton Sturdy/Perm Press were high heat, as well as the timed cycle, and the Knit Delicate, when the machine had it, was low heat.

There were two dryers with the adjustable end of cycle signal that are not Lady Kenmores - the first is a 70 series Fabric Master, and the other an 80-series Electronic Sensor. The rest of the auto termination models had signals but were not adjustable.

Yes, the matching washer to the LK dryer does indeed have an infinite water level and the cycle modifier switch. In the 1981 models, there was a similar machine which was not a Lady K, however it lacked the triple dispenser. There was a mid 80s non-Lady model which had even the triple dispenser, but it was very uncommon and replaced by the Lady K not long after introduction.

Gordon

 

[bpetersxx]

Boy I wish i could find the album with the pic of it

When Mom had the addition put on the house we took a boatload of pics and I got pics of the WD befor Sears took them out when they delivered the new set