Which Brand To Look For?

[waterwitch]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this group of early automatic enthusiasts. I am currently in the market of finding an early washer and drier set. My forte being late 1920's and early 1930's appliances, I feel the need to ask those that are in the know of early automatics. So I ask you, which brand would be the best to go with as far as dependability, and acquiring parts for if need be? Please let me know what you think, as I value your opinion. Thank you.

 

[akronman]

20's and 30's

Welcome to AW.org.  The first automatic was from 1936, Bendix. Prior to that, you'd be looking at wringer washers, nothing automatic at all, lots of Maytag and Speed queens can be found pretty cheap. Here's a Bendix picture or two. While I'd love to find one, they are rare and small, and rumored to not really do a good job of washing and especially extracting. It wasn't until 1947 through the early 50's that automatics from a wide range of manufacturers hit the market.

 

Use the "searchilator" above and the archives to find Bendix info. But for early automatics, you'll probably get better washing from 50's and 60's models, out of your era, sorry.

 

[akronman]

more

original style Bendix

 

[akronman]

dryers

Also, dryers came a bit later, most folks started automatic washing but still had the clothesline in the backyard and basement. You might need to think 50's and 60's era.

 

[rp2813]

Presuming you're willing to accept that realistically, a fully automatic washer will be of post-war or later vintage, Whirlpool or Kenmore machines would probably be the least difficult to find parts for.  Maytag automatics into the early 60's also have a vintage look, they are just as dependable as was advertised, and parts aren't impossible to locate -- should you even need to. 

 

If you're interested in a pair of machines that doesn't have a boxy shape, you may find a good compromise with a Westinghouse "Laundromat" front-loading washer and matching clothes dryer,  the earlier models of which could almost pass for older than post-war with their streamlined slant-front design.  Key parts won't be as easy to find, but they are nice, quiet machines. 

 

[qualin]

One small thing to keep in mind.. If you do consider buying a late 30's Bendix machine, they didn't have any suspension, so you had to bolt them to the floor.

One common issue I've noted here is that a lot of people find these machines with seized timers. There are a lot of timer rebuild shops which can repair them.

The Bendixes shown in the pictures above are the Deluxe (Square) and Standard (Round) model. Both are pretty much the same machine, just one is tarted up a bit. The Deluxe model I believe is the more highly sought after one. (At least from a stylistic point of view, but that's purely personal taste.)

The Bendix machines only had a 200 RPM spin, which is about the same as a wringer. If you were going to consider buying one of these machines, I'd recommend purchasing a separate clothes spinner to get the extra water out.

The 1950's were certainly a golden age when it came to automatics, but I think the most stylistic and glamourous machines were from the very late 1950's, early 60's. Especially around the 1956-1963 era.

I could suggest a multitude of vintage machines all day long, but I'm afraid I might cause a flamewar by mentioning one brand over another.

If I was going to consider buying a vintage machine myself, here's what my own personal preferences would be:

Whirlpool - 1957 Imperial.
Frigidaire - 1960 TOL (Custom Imperial I think)
Kelvinator - 1955.. maybe '56?
Philco - The 1959 "Automagic"
GE - 1960-1962 TOL Filter Flo .. Or the very rare 1967 Versatronic machines.
Maytag - 1970's vintage all pushbutton A902
Bendix - 1958 Duomatic
Hotpoint - 1961 Touch Command
Westinghouse - Either a 1958 Laundromat or a 1974 Heavy Duty 18 with Weight to Save
Norge - 1958 Dispens-o-mat
Kenmore - Perhaps the 1950's (Don't know exact year) "Frogeye" machines.
Easy - The Combomatic! (late 50's?)

For twin tubs, they're less desirable to me and not automatics, buuuuut...

Hoover - Any hoover made with a "Boiling Action" impeller.
Maytag - Maytag made a dual impeller twin tub, this would be just as suitable.
Easy - The easy spindrier - Another option. Preferably a pre-war vintage one.

I'm not really big on conventional wringer washers.

I wish you the best of luck on your search!

 

[yogitunes]

will these be for show or daily drivers?.....meaning everyday use........

you may want to come into the late 50's and 60's, staying vintage, but for the most part dependable machines...and parts still available for the most part....

a lot of things to think about.....

there are several threads of vintage machines, matched sets even, for sale, shipping may be involved, but would get you a head start......and other sets may follow.....

 

[peterh770]

Bendix and Westinghouse were first, then came the Blackstone.... Then came the war...

 

[gansky1]

Mechanical Mandy

Blackstone's first top-loading automatic was 1940-1941, the model 50.  I have a model 50a waiting in the wings for his adoptive family to finish their parenting classes and come claim him. 

 

[waterwitch]

@yogitunes;
They'd be daily drivers. I'm leaning towards a Maytag A700. I know Pink would be my first choice but am aware that these may be very difficult to find, the same as Yellow and Turquoise. But standard White is good for me too.