Wringer Washers - Best and Worst

[ea56]

I never recall having any problem with buttons going through the wringer. As long as they go through the wringer in a flat position there shouldn't be any breakage. That being said, an extractor would be a nice compliment to a Maytag wringer,but certainly not necessary. The perfect setup would be a Maytag A50 that was larger, and used the same agitator as the wringer, instead of the impeller and had a larger spin drier.

 

[launderess]

Largest complaint about wringer washers

Seems to stem from the mangle. Easy even though they touted their spin-drier machine as superior to a wringer washer still produced both.

There was also the work involved in getting larger items such as sheets, blankets, etc... folded just so in order they would fit into the mangle. Guess that explains why Whirlpool-Kenmore had that ruler thing on the "Visi-Matic" washers.

Capacity wise it seems most wringer held as much as modern "compact" front loaders; eight to nine pounds...

 

[stan]

Dear

I just used mine today.
Had a fairly thick terry bathroom that had to go through... I was Conscience, but not overly anal as to what was folded where.
The truth is... the real important part of running items through the wringer is direction of the pockets.
With a pillowcase for instance, it's better to put the closed end through first. Shirts with front pockets, go in shirt tail first.
The wringer is more apt to bust a seem in a pocket as the water is being squeezed out, than breaking a button.

 

[abcomatic]

ABC wringer machines

I use my wringers all of the time. The ABC sits higher up than does the Maytag, thus a bit easier to retrieve clothes from the machine. I always put the button side up and hold the shirt straight so that the buttons go through the wringer; I have never had a button pop off as a result of wringer use. I fold pants over so that the zipper is in the middle and start the cuffs through first. That seems to work well.
The tub on the ABC is white porcelain with a ribbed bottom, possibly a carry over from scrub board days? The drain is at the side bottom of the tub, covered with a metal strainer, which can be removed for cleaning. A hose can be connected to the drain petcock so that the water can be directed where ever you want it to go. A metal cover that can be moved closed or open covers the petcock. The ABC also is much quieter than the Maytag.
I have 4 Maytags too and are great machines. Happy washing. Gary

 

[stan]

Gary

Can you share a pic of your ABC?

 

[e2l-arry]

Wait a minute Stan!

Looking at the pictures of Geoffs machines, The Harem, it appears the Model J is NOT a pump model. Look at it's drain hose end and see the difference.

 

[alr2903]

My Grandmothers Maytag Square tub had the part fail that keeps the wringer in position I think it is called a "pawl". I think she was wringing sheets. When this happens the wringer can "fly" around forcefully a 180. It scared her, after that she paid a neighbor to take her wash to the coin op. This was in the 1960's she was elderly. My mom used the machine once when we were visiting, no problem. This was a family tale almost as bad as the time the "Baldor" window fan sucked the curtains including the rod into the spinning blade. Speed Queens wringer seemed safer with a separate lever on the post to lock the wringer positions, also the top of most speed queen wringers jumped up when they emergency released. Some wringers had a hinged end piece that flew out and up forcefully when the tension was released. Extreme caution was required for the operator and inquisitive children. I once went to a medical coding ICD 9 course there was indeed a diagnosis code for IIRC, "injury home appliance laundry wringer". A "V" code if my recollection is correct. -A

 

[alr2903]

Here it is.... an E code... nowdays

E918 Caught accidentally in or between objects

Caught, crushed, jammed, or pinched in or between moving or stationary objects, such as:

escalator

folding object

hand tools, appliances, or implements

sliding door and door frame

under packing crate

washing machine wringer

 

[stan]

Hi Larry

Yes I notice that now. Had to zoom it a bit.
J model is a non pump.
Air2903 Sounds like the part that broke on your Grandmothers Maytag was whats called a Index slide.
It's actually very easy to fix.
The Maytag Wringer also has a separate lever to operate the wringer and is used to lock into position (index slide) as well as a release bar. When pressed it dose not cause the wringer to to turn or swing. It just releases the tension on the rollers. About as safe as you can get for a wringer.

 

[e2l-arry]

On our Speed Queen

Yes, the wringer JUMPED apart when you hit the RELEASE bar but it took a lot of force to get it back into the working position. When I was 13 I could barely get it back into position. My Maytag easily resets with a turn of the tension bar on the wringer top. Also to move the wringer on the Speed Queen you pushed the lever down and moved it into the next position or held the lever down until you got it positioned where you wanted it. Then let the lever go and it would snap into place to the nearest set position. There was a set number of positions for it to lock in position. Whereas the Maytag has almost infinite positions. It will lock wherever it is when you position the handle out of "move". Little things that made the Maytag the Cadillac of washers in the day of only Conventional (wringer) washers.