The following are archived forum messages from the original forum of automaticwasher.org referred to as Applianceville from May, 2001 to Sept 2004...
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Post# 14000-2/19/2002-10:54 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Someday My Rinse Will Come.............................. (On a white steed gallops a new timer!!)
MESSAGE: What a wonderful machine, Jimmy! Thank you for sharing your pictures. I had only ever seen this model in ads, and then I think it was mainly an illustration, not the actual machine. The double door design did not dawn on me at the time. I hope soon you will have it home and operating flawlessly!
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Post# 14001-2/19/2002-11:36 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: When Brideshead was dubbed in German they translated "physical attraction" with "körperliche Anziehungskraft". It sounded like it had more to do with something technical than with love.
If we ever meet, let me pronounce it, only then you will understand it to the full.
Spitzenschleudertouren...Spitzenschleudertouren...Spitzen......
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Post# 14002-2/19/2002-11:40 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Defending the nest (honeycomb))
MESSAGE: I bet those killer bees chasing you could get employment in a Miele factory, would make the new drums less expensive!!
Louis
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Post# 14003-2/19/2002-11:46 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: You're right, the holes are placed a little deeper than the honey combs. I haven't seen one working yet, would love to see what the effect of this drum is.
Louis
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Post# 14004-2/19/2002-11:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Appliance Convention 2002 (YAY)
MESSAGE: I think it would be nice to mention here who are going to be there.
Louis
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Post# 14005-2/19/2002-12:06 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Appliance Convention 2002 (Agenda Suggestion)
MESSAGE: Thanks, it's worth all the trouble. BTW, who needs games with so many washers around, games are really distracting LOL.
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Post# 14006-2/19/2002-12:13 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (power factor)
MESSAGE: Chris,
Well, if you're on solar power then you face many of the same problems the power utilities face, albeit on a much smaller scale. And yes, from the web surfing I've done on the subject, it looks like DC powered appliances - like refrigerators, tv's, radios, etc, are quite popular with the solar-powered community. If I were on solar power I'd be looking at DC versions of as many things as possible. Doesn't make much sense to suffer a conversion loss from DC to AC and then back to DC again inside the electronic device or appliance.
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Post# 14007-2/19/2002-12:14 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Oldest Westy I've Ever Seen (wow!)
MESSAGE: Hi Jimmy
That is a beautiful Westy! A very interesting design, too.
It looks like the water inlet goes through the detergent shute, like a mixing dispenser. Does it? The control knobs are a curiousity to me also. There seems to be too many settings on the left one to be temperature or water level. Can you possible take some close-up pictures of the control dials to share?
What a gem! Two doors, two motors, a detergent dispenser, pre-wash cycle...wow. It reminds me in a way of the first GE washer...many cool things were dropped from it by the time the second model came around.
I remember seeing this model Westy in operation when I was four years old. A neighbor of our family was a barber and cut hair in his basement afterhours. My dad would bring my brothers and myself there with him and we'd all get haircuts. This family had several washers in their basement (early collectors?)and one time the Westy was going...outer door open so you could see the action. I was mesmerized by it...we had a Laundromat at the time and this one was so different!
(They also had a very old wringer washer that the wringer was on whenever the washer was on. No on/off switch, the lady of the house showed me how she just plugged it in or out to start and stop the whole mechanism.)
Thanks for sharing pictures of your wonderful "catch"!!!
Rich
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Post# 14008-2/19/2002-12:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Oldest Westy I've Ever Seen (The Link)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the pictures, it looks more like a triple door washer with the service door at the bottom. What's the story behind the 2 motors?
Louis
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Post# 14009-2/19/2002-12:19 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: Well as you may know, many pungent slang words in English are borrowed directly from modern German. "Spit" for example. So it is always slightly amusing, to me at least, to see the word used in a more formal context in a German sentence.
And thanks for that Miele link. I was able to listen to the audio on the "TV Spot" link, and hear the official Miele pronunciation of "Miele". Unfortunately I still mentally hear the word mispronounced as "Meelee" in my head when I read it, but I suppose I can train myself to hear it as "Meeluh" in time...
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Post# 14010-2/19/2002-12:33 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: Miele is quite difficult for Americans to pronounce, I think there was even a thread on the pronunciation at THS.
I don't know the german word "Spit".
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Post# 14011-2/19/2002-12:45 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: Hi Kathy,
Glad you too have to "treb(b)le" up. I did see your worst spelling award idea, and wondered whether I was a strong contender. Honestly, I can spell the word "the", but I cant type.
I re-read your profile, I had missed that bit before. I love the idea of lots of granny suites. As well as cooking, refrigeration and laundry, would not each be incomplete without vintage TV, radio, and those wonderful old electric fires that you sometimes see.
Oh, some Brits do call it a WC, but very few. Most say loo or the T word, older ones say lav or lavatory - took me ages to realise that on US websites and home shows the lav referred to a wash basin. Me, well I am altogether far more course, and to my mother and grandmother's dismay, insist on calling it the bog, is that word used your side of the pond. My favourite euphemism is teh US use of rest room - I can just imagine someone as course as I saying 'I'm dying for a rest' or 'if I dont have a rest soon, I'm going to....' I'm being naughty now, I'll stop.
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Post# 14012-2/19/2002-12:46 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: I guess there's not a German word "Spit", but there's a German word "Spitzen", right? Help me out here please! LOL!
I'd try to come up with other examples - there was a great BBC series called "The Story of English" where they traced all the different linquistic influences on English, including of course German. Many new words apparently came up in America in the 18th and 19th centuries when German speaking immigrants settled here. Spit was *probably* one of them, coming from the German word for rain. I have even heard some rural folk refer to rain as "spit".
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Post# 14013-2/19/2002-12:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: Louis,
I love Kathy's version, Miely, which is how I pronounce it, could also be spelt - mealy.
My pronunciation is probably incorrect, but my favourite mispronunciation was Me-yell.
Oh well, however one says it, they make great products.
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Post# 14014-2/19/2002-12:52 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Oldest Westy I've Ever Seen (Thanks)
MESSAGE: Jimmy, Uni
Thanks for taking and posting these pics of the Westy. It is beautiful, I love the shaping on the outer door. All the best in your restoration.
I have loved hearing about the Westy's tub and wash action.
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Post# 14015-2/19/2002-12:53 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: I think we spent a whole hour in my Spanish class going over the correct terms for "restroom" in Spanish/Central&South America (excluding Brazil). My favorite Spanish term for it is "Inodoro", because it conveys so much irony. Oh, and before I took any Spanish lessons I traveled by backpack in Mexico and Guatemala, amusing the native with my fractured Franish (I had some high school French and so I pronounced my book-learned Spanish with a bizarre sort of French/American accent), and where I committed the cardinal sin of asking two women behind the counter at a cafe if they had any eggs. They giggled, of course, but eventually I got my huevos rancheros without them having to disrobe.
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Post# 14016-2/19/2002-12:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: Me-yell would be honey in Spanish.
I guess some people think of their Miele as a real honey.
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Post# 14017-2/19/2002-12:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Suds,
From foreignword.com, I have found 'spitz' meaning pointed, and 'spitzen' meaning to sharpen. To Rain is 'regen'.
Hope this helps
LINK: http://www.foreignword.com
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Post# 14018-2/19/2002-13:08 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele & Staber??)
MESSAGE: That's it!! The honey comb drum was originally designed for the Spanish market!!!
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Post# 14019-2/19/2002-13:53 ||| Skyblew (Saint Paul, MN)
SUBJECT:
1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul
MESSAGE: Hi!
We inherited a vintage 1920's (we think) Estate gas range and oven from the former owners of our house, along with a similar era GE monitor top refrigerator. We have fallen in love with the range and although it is in good shape, it needs some work. I was wondering if anyone knows of any sources/afficianados in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), Minnesota area that I might contact?
I would also be interested in any info anyone might have on the Estate brand. Some internet research I've done leads me to believe that it was originally made by RCA, who eventually sold the Estate line to Whirlpool in the 1950's (??).
I will try to put up a good photo to look at, in the meantime, all I have is this one:
http://www.geocities.com/nategehl/house/DCP_1248.JPG
You can see the refrigerator better than the stove, but the stove has four burners with an attached range cover and a drawer below the range top on the left. Above the range is a little compartment with a toggle type handle that I was told was used to hold matches. It has one oven on top and a broiler below it on the right and the legs are very similar to the refrigerator's, though they are longer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Cari
LINK: http://www.geocities.com/nategehl/house/DCP_1248.JPG
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Post# 14020-2/19/2002-14:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Yikes! Well I'm glad that I admitted up front that I don't undertand much German!
Could "spit" come from Yiddish?
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Post# 14021-2/19/2002-14:24 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul
MESSAGE: Nice fridge, and the stove looks lovely too.
I was doing some web surfing on old stoves (Wedgewood/O'Keefe&Merritt) and there are a number of firms that restore old ones. You might have to wind up shipping the stove out for restoration, but I'd use google to search for old gas stove restoration places. There is a good one in the LA California area... they do their own porcelain refinishing, etc.
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Post# 14022-2/19/2002-14:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Yes, I found an online german-english dictionary which may help prevent further mis-definitions...
"To spit" is variously listed as zischen, spucken, speien, fauchen, ausspucken, gespeien, etc...
LINK: http://dict.leo.org/?search=spit&searchLoc=0&relink=on&deStem=standard&lang=en
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Post# 14023-2/19/2002-14:33 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: And ultimately "to spit" comes from middle english "spitten", which in turn came from old english "spittan", which is thought to be originally an "imitative" source (onamatapoetic); that is, the word "spit" sort of sounds like the act of spitting.
Now I just have to decipher Schleuderspitzentouren.
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Post# 14024-2/19/2002-15:24 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul
MESSAGE: Hi Skyblew. Wow beautiful Stove and Refrigerator you have there. I live just on the other side of the Mississippi River from you here in Minneapolis. There are quite a few places to go appliance hunting here in the Twin Cities metro, but it depends what you need for the Stove. When you said your asking for sources/afficianados, what exactly are you looking for? I as well as three other appliance collectors I know locally are collectors of vintage washing machines. I'm sure we have some vintage stove/range collectors too, I know of at least on in Inver Grove Heights.
There are a few web sites devoted to specifically to old stoves such as at the following link, our site does cover all major appliances but our knowledge is much more washing machine, dryer and dishwasher focused...
LINK: http://www.antiquestoves.com/
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Post# 14025-2/19/2002-15:30 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
Speaking of Ranges
MESSAGE: Look at this beautiful Hotpoint Range, I didn't realize they made them in stainless so early.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1075337082
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Post# 14026-2/19/2002-15:42 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: Appliance Convention 2002 (Who's going)
MESSAGE: Unimatic1140 - Robert
DADoES - Glen
Filterflo - Jimmy
Petski - Peter S
Wringingwet - Philippe
Scottdamit - Scott (and partner)
Tlee618 - Terry
Foraloysius - Louis
JasonL - Jason L
Tcox6912 - Todd (and partner)
Geguy - Pat
Gansky1 - Greg
Golittlesport - Rich M (and partner)
Appnut - Bob
HQOTS - Jason
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Post# 14027-2/19/2002-16:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Speaking of Ranges
MESSAGE: Wow, that is nice. It has only one flaw that I can see... it's not GAS!
:-)
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Post# 14028-2/19/2002-18:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Suds
Germans form compound nouns and verbs by adding words together. I could not find Schleuderspitzentouren in itself, but breaking it down, and using your link gives -
Schleuder - a slingshot or catapult
spitzen - point or leading edge or even lacy
and Touren, in the phrase - auf Touren bringen, means to rev.
So it could be a cutting-edge, revving (water) sling, ie cutting edge spin drier, or a lacy spin drier. Choose what you prefer, though possibly it was chosen as a deliberate double entendre (blimey, we cant speak English without using foreign words).
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Post# 14029-2/19/2002-18:45 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (duct fires)
MESSAGE: Bri-Nylon drip dry shirts, what a memory, Not that I have ever owned such a thing, but I can remember my father having some, apparently he had worn them in the tropics - truly gross.
I agree about synthetics not keeping well, thats one of teh reasons I like pure cotton. The others are the feel and body of cotton and the fact I can hot wash it. To me a hot wash is imprtant, especially for bedding after the cats have slept on it.
For your fine grit, I can recomend those cotton, rubber backed door mats, available quite cheaply from Screwfix.com. I bought mine, at rather greater cost, from the place that supplied my wood floor. The mats really work well, and best of all, they are washable in the machine.
You have mentioned your Vorwerk before, and I had meant to ask, are these still available? I have not seen any for a long time. They are great vaccums.
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Post# 14030-2/19/2002-18:48 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Someday My Rinse Will Come..............................
MESSAGE: Rinse Charming could be the Snuggle Bear or could be Rinse water so calcified it's Rock Hard!!!! ;-) Either way, you could be spun out so much you'd be left hung out to dry.
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Post# 14031-2/19/2002-18:55 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Recent Finds at the Hispanic Market
MESSAGE: Oh no Ed, does that mean another Texas tradition going by the wayside? Hmmph, turning mama Mrs. Baird into a Bimbo. I thought this several years ago when Bimbo acquired Mrs. Baird's Bakeries. Maybe the next Bimbo should be a Hostess Twinkie.
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Post# 14032-2/19/2002-18:57 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (welcome!)
MESSAGE: What a beautiful set of appliances you have! I think you will find the antiquestoves.com site very helpful and they have some wonderful books and restoration guides to help you with valves, porcelain repair, etc. and if you are handy with standard tools and instructions, you shouldn't have a problem. They may be able to help you find some history on the Estate brand as well. Good luck and keep us posted on the progress.
Is your refrigerator in good shape too? They both are very cool in your kitchen and I'll bet get lots of conversations started!
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Post# 14033-2/19/2002-18:59 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Recent Finds at the Hispanic Market
MESSAGE: Rich, I see your strategy is not to let your mind or fingers loaf and take advantage of my isolation from this web site at work or late hours. However, I will NEVER give up my title as King of Puns of Applianceville and Rich & Gary will back me up on this one!!!! As well as ChestermikeUK!!!
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Post# 14034-2/19/2002-19:11 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Oldest Westy I've Ever Seen
MESSAGE: An incredibly kewl washer jimmy. Love the double doors. Hope those mean you can still waatch wash action without the solid front door closed.
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Post# 14035-2/19/2002-21:10 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
FilterFlo's collection
MESSAGE: Wow! I just took a look at his profile -- what a grand collection! Looking forward to seeing pics of the rest of it.
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Post# 14036-2/19/2002-21:26 ||| Buickfins59 (north carolina)
SUBJECT:
chef mate range hood
MESSAGE: Hi guys looking for a control switch for a 1960 chef mate range hood any help appreciated
thanks
Ron
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Post# 14037-2/19/2002-22:44 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: Well, women's "rest rooms" do seem to often have a sofa or chair (or so the rumor goes). Seems a funny place to lounge about. Oh, there's another American euphemism - the "lounge".
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Post# 14038-2/19/2002-22:49 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: FilterFlo's collection
MESSAGE: Boy I should go in the profiles more often, it's amazing the things you learn! I'd no idea either that Jimmy had such a large and wonderful collection!
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Post# 14039-2/19/2002-22:50 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: Ed, Dayton's, our one-time premier department store here in Minneapolis, now known as Marshall Field's, had such a Women's lounge for many years. You could see the lounge part from the furniture dept.; it had nice sofas, tables and chairs, and coffee. My grandmother would often meet up with her sisters there when they were downtown and they'd sit and chat and sip coffee.
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Post# 14040-2/19/2002-22:56 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: And what did the gent's have? Men never get to go to the toilet to "lounge" around. It's just not fair!
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Post# 14041-2/19/2002-23:15 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: We should at least be able to lounge with a view. But hey, Men's locker rooms are a bit more open and relaxed than women's locker rooms from what I've heard. So there are trade-offs.
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Post# 14042-2/19/2002-23:28 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Spelling)
MESSAGE: Reminds me of a time when I was at Cambridge train station, getting ready to travel back home. I was standing on the platform with my pal, and an American guy comes up to us and says, "Hey, guys, don't suppose you'd know where the bathroom is?"
I point the guy in the right direction, and my pal, always the joker, just shouts out, "Don't think you're gonna have time for a bath before the train comes, though!"
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Post# 14043-2/19/2002-23:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (duct fires)
MESSAGE: Geez, wearing Bri-Nylon in the tropics? Must be like wearing cling film!
I like cotton for the same reason as yourself. If it gets dirty, you can really give it some hell in the washer, and it still comes out fine. Because synthetics can't always withstand an intensive wash, it can be harder to get stains out on the first wash.
Think I'll give those door mats a try. The ones I have now do trap the crap, but are too stiff to fit into the washer. I usually take them outside and give them a few whacks to get the grit out.
By the way, Vorwerks are still very much available. Mine is a VK130, the current model, and I'm still amazed at how much it picks up. It dry-cleans carpets too, surprisingly well at that. I've included a link to their website, although it doesn't exactly give tons of information.
LINK: http://www.vorwerk.co.uk
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Post# 14044-2/19/2002-01:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Actually, it's Spitzenschleudertouren, but maybe the order of words doesn't make much difference here. I got the same general meanings from the online german englich dictionary, I came up with spikey flinging rotator thingie :-).
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Post# 14045-2/19/2002-01:38 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (duct fires)
MESSAGE: I had a nylon drip dry short sleeve shirt my mom got me about 1964. It was just about the most uncomfortable thing to wear.
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Post# 14046-2/20/2002-03:12 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Applianceville site navigation (Vorwerk German site)
MESSAGE: Here's the link to the German site, they also make a wonderful blender that cooks too.
LINK: http://www.vorwerk.de/
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Post# 14047-2/20/2002-03:14 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Perhaps we can't do without the human mind yet. Spitzenschleudertouren means Topspinrevolutions.
Louis
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Post# 14048-2/20/2002-08:52 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
Eagerbeaver - Kenmore Set
MESSAGE: Eagerbeaver, what great finds those Kenmores are! I love that classic style and those rounded curves, Beautiful, enjoy them
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Post# 14049-2/20/2002-09:42 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (thanks Jetcone!)
MESSAGE: Chris send me you real address and I will go copy those patents for you and send them off.
Jetcone
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Post# 14050-2/20/2002-09:52 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Someday My Rinse Will Come.............................. (Prototype????)
MESSAGE: Hey Jimmy:
You may have a prototype on your hands. I have to go back and check the patents for Chris in OZ and I do remember a machine with two motors but I never thought they put that into production!!!!!
Incredible find for 2002!!!
Jetcone
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Post# 14051-2/20/2002-10:06 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Oldest Westy I've Ever Seen (Jimmy Cork Gasket-TIP)
MESSAGE: Jimmy:
John LeFever tells me those machines used a cork gasket to seal the outer tub halves. He said when they dry out the machine will leak like a sieve but if you keep runnning it with water for a few days the cork will eventually absorb the water again and swell and seal the outer tub. I wouldn't try to seperate the outer tub till you get that cork seal nice and wet again.
Jon
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Post# 14052-2/20/2002-10:16 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
Oldest Westy-dirty glass
MESSAGE: Jimmy is that glass on the door just really muddy or is it painted? It looks like you can't see through it?
Jet
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Post# 14053-2/20/2002-11:48 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
Pictures of filters and hook ups
MESSAGE: Recently we were discussing filters of frontloaders, so I took out the filters of my AEG and my Miele and took a few pictures. They are quite different, the AEG is a self cleaning type that doesn't collect lint at all. The openings are too big. The filter of the Miele lets pass most of the lint, but collect some. The openings are much smaller, it's more a screen.
I also took a few pictures of how my washers and dryers are connected to the power. I had the problem that I had only one outlet for a washer. In picture 27 you can see one of the multiple sockets a washer and dryer are plugged in. There is a relay that stops the dryer for the time the washer heater is on. As soon as the water is hot enough and the heater is off again the power to the dryer is on again. I have one for the Miele set and one for the AEG set. Ofcourse I can switch around a little so I can use the Miele washer with the AEG dryer etc.
In picture 28 you can see the switch to which both multiple sockets are connected. In this way I can only use one washer and one dryer at the time and never draw too much power with only one outlet.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.dnm=AEG+(left)+and+Miele+filter.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
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Post# 14054-2/20/2002-13:06 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT:
RE: Speaking of Ranges
MESSAGE: Oh my heavens, Stainless and or Chhrome have been around for years. Its only the Gen Xers that think its "something new and unique" It just was not as popular as Pink and teal. Don't be at all suprised when colors become the "latest" things in appliances again.
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Post# 14055-2/20/2002-14:36 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
Why didn't Westinghouse hold onto it?
MESSAGE: Marketing experts agree that the biggest mistake AT&T ever made was surrendering the bell symbol to the Baby Bells (the regional phone companies created by the divestiture of the Bell System).
In a similar fashion, why did Westinghouse allow the trademark Laundromat to fall into the public domain? Had they held onto it, their successor companies could have kept the model name alive through the White-Westinghouse days and into the present day, sitting proudly below the current retro-script Frigidaire logo.
Just a thought. :)
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Post# 14056-2/20/2002-16:29 ||| skyblew (Saint Paul, MN)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul)
MESSAGE: Hi -
Thanks for the reply! I did some research on the web for places that do restoration and all of them are way out of our area - like California or the East Coast. We could ship it but I would think it would be horrendously expensive. I bet the restoration price would be expensive too but I would think we could cover that as the stove is in pretty good shape. I might check into some local appliance repair places to see if anyone has any experience with antique appliances. A long shot - but I can always check!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Cari
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Post# 14057-2/20/2002-16:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: LOL!
I did find a Babelfish translation site, which came close to my dictionary-derived attempt:
"Pointed centrifuge routes"
I will next attempt to point (Spitzeren?) the Babelfish site towards the german Miele site, for extra entertainment value (Extraunterhaltung Wert)...
LINK: http://babelfish.altavista.com/tr
*****
Post# 14058-2/20/2002-16:53 ||| skyblew (Saint Paul, MN)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul )
MESSAGE: Hi - thanks for the reply!
I thought I had seen someone in Minneapolis on this list - it must be you. As far as sources or afficianados, it would be anyone locally with any experience in restoring old appliances (old stoves would be even better). We know we need to have the range valves converted to gas valves, as we think they are still the originals, which I believe were designed for propane. The range works great but we have a heat problem - the flame doesn't get quite hot enough to bring water to a good boil. We can fry, saute and heat things up on it but we can't cook pasta, corn, etc. The oven works great aside from the fact that there are no temperatures on the dial. We just bought an oven thermometer and make a little pencil mark on the dial where 350 is.
The other parts of the stove we would like to have fixed would be some porcelain retouching/recoating, replace or restore the oven racks and the broiler. The inside of the broiler is nasty - impossible to clean (I tried) with lots of porcelain missing and some rust.
Unfortunately, neither me or my husband is handy at all with these things so we would really like to find someone we can pay to do it. I think we can afford the restoration costs but shipping it out of state would put us over the top.
If you could put me in touch with the person you know in Inver Grove Heights - maybe they would have some ideas about who could help? Like I said, we can pay for repairs and parts and don't need an absolute expert - just someone who knows something about old appliances (which wouldn't be either me or my husband!). I think it would take us forever and since we don't have a clue, we might screw something up. Neither of us has ever dealt with appliances before - this is our first house and we've always rented before.
Thanks again for your reply!
Cari
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Post# 14059-2/20/2002-17:16 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele in plain english )
MESSAGE: Louis,
Please find yourself a thick piece of leather and bite down hard. I am about to post a literal translation of the Miele brochure... (dis)courtesy of Babelfish... My apologies in advance; any amusement is the fault of the translator and not the original ;-) Also, I didn't attempt to translate the whole brochure, as the Babelfish tended to crash periodically and it is a time-consuming process anyway.
"One hundred years, after Miele developed the first washing machine, the time is again ripe for a revolution. Miele presents you the new device generation Softtronic., which does not maintain your laundry as carefully and economically as ever. The secret of this revolution is situated in the singular patented already drum. Here Miele of engineers carried whole work out and from the model of nature to be inspired to be able.
Know-how from nature. Forms, which are established in nature, form also the basis of our technique. The form-completed structure of the six eckes emerges here again and again. Hexagonal molecular structures and the artful honeycomb sample in the bienenstock are the most well-known examples of this perfect structural drawing. Aufbl.hen like a sea-rose. The new already drum is so gentle by the special honeycomb structure to your laundry that even a sea-rose does not have anything against a wash and a schleu-dergang. In the opposite: Also your laundry will again correctly blossom in the new Miele wash full machine!
Loading recognition and dosing recommendation the Topmodelle of the new Miele wash full machines are equipped with a function for the recognition of the loading quantity and display, how you should use much detergent accordingly. That helps you to avoid over and Unterbe charges and to proportion the detergent appropriately and protect the environment.
Start preselection and remainder time display with the start preselection can program you with some Miele wash full machine the start of a program up to 24 hours in advance. Over the remainder time display you experience, how long the current program still lasts. Like that you are more flexible in your timing and can use favorable nachtstromtarife if necessary.
Up to 1800 centrifuge routes Miele wash full machine centrifuges with max. 1800 point centrifuge routes. A gentle start and a multi-level imbalance monitoring ensure for the fact that the laundry is quite wash and wear treated thereby. The laundry comes with the Top models with a residual moisture of only 43% from the machine.
The hand laundry abolished the hand wash programs Miele. They can wash even for hand laundry defined wollwaesche and other highly sensitive textiles, e.g. to silk, heedlessly in the machine. The laundry research in Krefeld acknowledges more careful or more thorough cleaning than by hand to the Miele hand wash programs.
Permanent enamelling only with Miele gets each wash full machine a high-quality direct enamelling. The enamelled surfaces see them to be ensured also after years out as again, there in optimal way corrosion protection, scratching firmness as well as Farb-und acid resistance.
Nothing in the world as strongly as an idea, their time is gek the new device generation Softtronic. is the perfect connection of proven quality with innovative technical know-how. Qualitatively high-quality and proven features like the high-grade steel caustic solution container and permanent enamelling are linked with items of most modern wash technique. Max. laundry indulgence and professional technique reads the objective, the Miele with the new series Softtronic. in each regard becomes fair. Sensationally gentle already drum. From the singular surface texture of the already drum a water film results between textiles and the drum wall, on which the laundry slides gently. The optimal indulgence of the laundry guarantees.
Innovative Sp.lverfahren. A new, innovative hydraulicking provides for optimal rinsing results with reduced water consumption and shorter program execution time. The new device generation Softtronic. executes two rinsing processes with increased water level, while the rinsing time of each individual rinsing process extends.
Fewer water consumption. Like that it is possible to leave the third rinsing process been allotted to shorten the program execution time altogether the water consumption to 45 litres to lower, and an improved rinsing result nevertheless to obtain.
Short program execution times. A new standard of the Miele wash full machines reads: short program execution times. New realizations from process engineering and detergent development resulted in that a general ver-kuerzung of the main wash courses is possible, without impairing the very good wash result of the Miele wash full machines.
ãIntensivÒ - the key. By selection of the Intensiv. Key for particularly dirty laundry the main laundry can be extended around 15,30 minutes. The non-standard adjustment of the program execution times to the degree of pollution of the laundry leads to still more saving of time and smaller water consumption.
Maintenance-free laugenpumpe. In connection with the new already drum the laugenpumpe of the W 400er of devices is maintenance-free. By the few, small holes of the drum cannot arrive large foreign bodies into the laugenpumpe.
*****
Post# 14060-2/20/2002-17:24 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (more...)
MESSAGE: Fast and gently: 1800 centrifuge routes. By a professional propulsion principle the Softtronic hurls routes with up to 1800. In the recesses between the honeycombs the water is led directly to the depressing openings. Thus optimal centrifuge results are achieved in particular by the direct discharge to the depressing openings in the drum wall.
your high requirement is our drive! Therefore the top model Softtronic W 487 WPS is equipped with a professional FU drive. The buerstenlose synchronous engine with frequency static frequency changer. briefly FU drive. already in the professional application as particularly durable and wear resistant worked. This strong drive has a clearly higher efficiency opposite a direct current motor and places its efficiency with schleuderdrehzahlen up to 1800 rpm under proof.
The FU drive is unsurpassed quietly also with high schleuderdrehzah-len. The omission of the carbon brush conductor noise causes when washing just like with centrifuges a clear noise reduction.
Electronic speed regulation. The drum in the centrifuge discharge can be braked by the electronic speed regulation of the drive directly. Thus a verkuerzung of the centrifuge processes and thus a verkuerzung of the program execution time are achieved.
The new drum lighting. The new drum lighting of Miele ensures by the application of a halogen lighting up means for optimal illuminating of the internal drum. As soon as a key is pressed on the control panel of the Miele wash full machine, the drum lighting switches itself on automatically. The drum lighting of the W 487 WPS makes an unloading of the drum substantially more comfortable. It is almost impossible that you overlook a piece of laundry in the brightly illuminated drum. Also the space before the machine is illuminated.
Longer life span. A further result of the deceleration is a reduction of the discharge oscillations. Because by the direct deceleration of the drum the critical speed range, into which higher vibrations occur, can be passed through very fast. Thus additionally the life span of the devices extends.
Power-off off takes place after the start of the selected program. If the wash full machine is switched on and selected longer than five minutes no program, the halogen-Leuchte switches itself off automatically. Unnecessary current consumption is avoided in such a way.
*****
Post# 14061-2/20/2002-18:05 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: You do know where the babelfish came from don't you?
*****
Post# 14062-2/20/2002-18:18 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: Suds,
Thanks for these translations, they are a pig to do.
The current Mieles have an electronically controlled DC motor designed for 10,000 hours. The new honeycombs have a synchronous motor designed for 25,000, which is some life. Any idea what synchronous means.
From the translations, I am not sure what FU means, I think that the new motors are DD, but they are probably DC as well, FU could be either, my German is not up to it. Louis?
*****
Post# 14063-2/20/2002-18:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Of course. You stick the babelfish in your ear.
*****
Post# 14064-2/20/2002-18:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Pictures of filters and hook ups
MESSAGE: Louis,
Your AEG filter looks very similar to how I remember teh one in my AEG. However, your Miele filter bears no resemblance to my Miele filter, mine definitely has no screen. I will take photos as soon as I can.
Love your electrical hook up. I have simpler electrical connections, single socket each behind washer and dryer, operated by switched fuse timer devices above the worktop.
My water connection is less usual. Miele is cold fill only, and I have a full tank of gas-heated water, so I have connected both H&C through a y valve. I usually fill it on hot, then switch to cold for rinses. I fill with cold, or warm if I have heat setting stains to contend with.
*****
Post# 14065-2/20/2002-18:29 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: As far as I can gather, a synchronous motor is an AC motor that can be set to have a power factor of 1 (or close to it). The high power factor helps them be more efficient in terms of wattage, and probably more efficient in terms of wiring/amp ratings. I think they tend to be more expensive than asynch AC or regular DC motors. I *thought* they were not speed-variable, but maybe that is not the case, since they must be variable for use in a washer like the Miele. I'll have to read up more on synchronous motors.
*****
Post# 14066-2/20/2002-18:37 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Thats right. How else would you be able to understand the Vogons.
*****
Post# 14067-2/20/2002-18:52 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (translation site)
MESSAGE: Certainly, although it begs the question of why anyone would want to understand Vogons.
*****
Post# 14068-2/20/2002-20:35 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
Eagerbeaver 1955 Kenmores
MESSAGE: I just checked my Sears Catalogs and found your pair listed in the 1955 Book. They were Sears Best 4 Star Value machines. In the description they list the the control panel as having gold color with chrome plated trim. The dial control is black(but the pictures in the catalog show the machines in black in white photos. They were "Sears Best" machines for 1955
*****
Post# 14069-2/20/2002-20:56 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
Combos
MESSAGE: For those interested in combos - I have a Equator 3600 for 3 years & am basically happy with the washing, but of course the drying sux. But I always said I wish the tub was a bit bigger also. I found out a few days ago that Thor is comming out with a new combo that is bigger than the current version. It will have a 2.4 cu ft drum - currently their washer is a 1.8 - My Equator is a 1.9 - They also indicated to me when I spoke to them that their machines are manufactured in Italy. I had been under the impression it was made in China like the Quietline & Harier. They told me those machines are different than theirs. They said this new model will have mechinical controls & will be 3 inches deeper but still 24" - Also it will still be condensor and 120 volt.If I hear anything else I will post - If anyone else gets more information please let me know.
Thanks
Peter
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Post# 14070-2/20/2002-21:38 ||| earthling177 (Boston, MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Synchronous motors)
MESSAGE: Synchronous motors are just alternators in reverse. Instead of comutators, you have rings that never change the polarity of the rotor. The magnetic field rotates around the stator with line frequency, and the rotor "follows" the field at the same speed (synchronous). As opposed to induction motors, where the field rotates around the stator, induces a current in the rotor which follows the field a little behind it ("slippage") -- it can't follow at the same speed, otherwise there would be no current induced in the rotor to make it work. (Incidentally, that's the reason we see induction motors with weird speeds, like 1750 and 3450 rpm, instead of 1800/3600 rpm.)
The power factor varies a little, and can be slightly higher than 1 (work as a capacitor) depending on the load the motor is carrying.
Sync motors used to be common during late 1800 and early 1900 to "correct" the power factor in factories so they'd pay less for electrical rates.
They fell in disuse for 3 reasons: maintanance was higher than induction motors, the use of brushes was dangerous in explosive environments for which induction motors excelled (fabric mills, for example), and last, but certainly not least, when huge and more efficient capacitors became common with the advent of polyester insulation it was basically way simpler and better to just use banks of capacitors to correct the power factor. Teflon made capacitors even more interesting than sync motors. (Old capacitors were insulated with air or oil, a pain in the ass.)
A forth reason, altho not too important, is that very large sync motors are not self starting. Induction motors can basically start rotating slowly and gain speed because the rotor is always behind the rotating field in the stator. Synchronous motors larger than 50-100hp basically had to be disconnected from the load with clutches, started, then connected to the load slowly so as not to "slip" out of sync. The clutches had a tendency to wear out and be a bitch to keep working. Extremely large sync motors had clutches to disconnect them from the load, then the brushes would be short-circuited to transform the motor into and "induction" motor, started, switched back to sync, then the clutch would slowly connect the load. Not so simple. (Remember, all that happened at a time when factories would have a few very large motors and belts all over the place. Today we have large numbers of small motors connected directly to the load and wires all over the place.)
Sync motors were also common with old electric clocks on the basis that they work at the same speed (frequency) of line current. Until electronics/oscillating crystals became common, people just accepted that electric clocks would work faster or slower if line frequency varied a little.
Which brings us to how are they varying the speed of the Miele sync motors. They use electronics to vary the line frequency they feed to the motor. Other companies often use a "brushless DC motor" which is basically a glorified induction motor with varying line frequencies. I had never heard of manufacturers of clothes washers using actual DC motors and controlling their speed before, but there's a first for everything. If I'm not mistaken, for example, the Maytag Neptune uses a triphasic motor run a different frequencies to vary the speed. Other machines often use a 5-phase motor, also varying frequencies.
I'm not sure I've helped here, but I kinda hope I did... :-)
-- Paulo.
*****
Post# 14071-2/20/2002-00:30 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
Mieles
MESSAGE: Here is a list of the Miele's available in Australia.
Any of them the one with the honeycomb drum?
While I am fascinated by the concept of the honeycomb drum really, FL's are gentle by nature, how can holes in the drum be that big a menace?
Is the drum though made out of stainless steel? Or some other material like carbon fibre? The size and shap of the honeycombs?
LINK: http://www.worthit.com.au/energylabel/cwashers_srch.asp?type=All&capacity=all&brand=MIELE&B1=SEARCH&Elec=&HUses=&HElec=&Years=&sort=%5BNew+SRI%5D+DESC&list=comp#RESULT
*****
Post# 14072-2/21/2002-07:43 ||| Aloconto (shrewsbury, ma.)
SUBJECT:
tappan fabulous 400 electric stove
MESSAGE: I would like to restore my tappan 400 stove. Can any body help me find one restored or for parts? Also is there anyone near boston ma. who could help me repair/restore the one i have. i have an owners manual, but does anyone have a repair manual? i currently use this stove daily. Thanks for the help Angelo
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Post# 14073-2/21/2002-09:08 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul )
MESSAGE: Hi Cari, I will contact the person I know in Inver Grove Heights and see if its OK for me to give you his phone number. I will email you about that. He doesn't restore as far as I know, just collects. The restorers I know don't do Stoves and Ranges per se, they mostly work on washers, dryers and dishwashers, like myself.
As for having porcelain retouching/recoating there might be some local places to have that done as I know of quite a few chrome replaters in the city. You might want to check the yellow pages.
One important thing to remember is that unfortunately, in the vintage appliance hobby in the 21st century, there are very few people that you can "pay" to do the restoration work for you, this is mostly a do-it-yourself thing. Most appliance repair people now are just "part-changers". They have absoultely no interest in doing any work that they must "think" beyond changing a part, billing the customer and and going onto the next part-changing job.
*****
Post# 14074-2/21/2002-09:12 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Eagerbeaver 1955 Kenmores (Lid Opens?)
MESSAGE: Yes but Cycla, in your 1955 catalog did the lid of the washer open towards the back or towards the left?
*****
Post# 14075-2/21/2002-09:12 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Good crb)
MESSAGE: They did get to eat great Crab though!!!!
I would love to try their crab holiday!!!
JEt
*****
Post# 14076-2/21/2002-09:15 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Combos (Got your message)
MESSAGE: Pete:
Got your message the other night, i have been down with the flu these last several days and can now just stand up. OY! I will give a ring this weekend.
On your combos- Have you seen the new LG? I will go to grays this weekend and take some pix of it. It is supposed to have DD like the Fisher Paykel!!
Jet
*****
Post# 14077-2/21/2002-09:15 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: tappan fabulous 400 electric stove
MESSAGE: For help with Stoves or Ranges please see this web-site:
http://www.antiquestoves.com/
LINK: http://www.antiquestoves.com/
*****
Post# 14078-2/21/2002-10:34 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: tappan fabulous 400 electric stove
MESSAGE: You can try this website also, but I think they are into restoring their own and reselling them retail..
-ph
LINK: http://www.antiqueappliances.com/
*****
Post# 14079-2/21/2002-11:44 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Miele in plain english )
MESSAGE: Besides from having a good laughs (wash full machines) I am actually quite impressed by the working of Babelfish. I have seen a few manuals that were translated much worse, in fact so bad that you could understand the original better although you didn't speak the language.
Louis
*****
Post# 14080-2/21/2002-11:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Synchronous motors)
MESSAGE: Thanks for that lucide explanation of synchronicity, Paulo :-).
How can a motor be DC and still use alternating current?
*****
Post# 14081-2/21/2002-11:53 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: I haven't got a clue. The only thing the dutch brochure says is that the motor is a-synchrone, whatever that means.
*****
Post# 14082-2/21/2002-11:54 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Ooops)
MESSAGE: The answer is already there!!
*****
Post# 14083-2/21/2002-11:59 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Pictures of filters and hook ups
MESSAGE: My Miele is actually older than my AEG, so I guess since then there have been some changes.
Although I am not in favor of hooking a washer up to hot water I have been thinking of hooking up one of the washer to a thermostatic valve. My hot water system however is not suitable for it. My combo hot water heater/central heating boiler doesn't have a pilot light but an electric ignition and it takes a while to turn on, so there would be quite an amount of water in the washer before the hot water arrives at the valve.
Louis
*****
Post# 14084-2/21/2002-12:02 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: I believe I am still a little confused now, Miele says in the brochure that they put a a-synchronous motor in the TOL Miele, not a synchronous.
*****
Post# 14085-2/21/2002-12:09 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles
MESSAGE: There is not one honeycomb Miele on that list. It is the new 400 series that have that drum.
At the moment Miele has 5 models:
800 series: BOL
900 series: More features and higher spinspeeds
300 series: New technology and even more features
400 series: Honeycomb drum, brushless a-synchronous motor in the most expensive model.
100 series: Toploading H-axis
*****
Post# 14086-2/21/2002-12:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles
MESSAGE: From the photos on the German Miele web site, it looks like the inner drum is stainless. I don't see that specifically mentioned in the text that I have "translated", so far.
The honeycombing seems to accomplish several things: help channel the water out of the drum through a combination of capillary action and centrifugal force; leave a thin layer of water on the honeycombs to help cushion the fabrics, perhaps similar to the cushioning effect of a thin layer of oil in an automotive plain bearing (I'm assuiming that the surface of the honeycomb is a matte finish to encourage wetting); recess the holes so that the fabrics are not in direct contact with them; make the holes smaller so that large debris is not allowed into the intradrum gap and hence cannot jam the drain pump ("langenpumpe").
Yes, front loaders are by nature more gentle than top loaders, but for hand wash cycles even more gentleness is good.
If you go to www.miele.de you can navigate to product pages that show the appearance of the honeycomb.
*****
Post# 14087-2/21/2002-12:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: This is indeed a mystery.
What I'm wondering, however, is what the heck is a "Sea Rose"???
*****
Post# 14088-2/21/2002-13:48 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles
MESSAGE: Yes, the drum is stainless steel. I think I read somewhere it is anti-/non-magnetic. The better quality stainless steel so to speak.
*****
Post# 14089-2/21/2002-13:54 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (honeycomb Miele Translation)
MESSAGE: Seerose: Water-lily.
*****
Post# 14090-2/21/2002-15:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (Miele drums)
MESSAGE: Were the old Miele drums magnetic? How about yours?
*****
Post# 14091-2/21/2002-15:05 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Water Lily)
MESSAGE: Aha! Thanks for the explanation. How odd that the translator didn't understand that.
I was thinking, maybe sea-weed, or sea-urchin, or starfish, or even a sea wave. Because water lilies are strictly fresh-water plants, I didn't think of them in relation to a sea organism.
Now, I've rinsed and spun dry romaine lettuce in my Neptune. It did leave the leaves a bit bruised. I wonder if the Miele honeycomb machine would do any better... The world's most expensive salad spinner!
*****
Post# 14092-2/21/2002-15:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (Miele drums)
MESSAGE: Yes, magnets hold on to my Miele drum. I also tried my AEG drum and it feels like the magnets holds a little more on to the drum of the AEG than to the Miele, but that might also be imagination.
*****
Post# 14093-2/21/2002-15:37 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Water Lily)
MESSAGE: The confusing thing here is that in German a lake is called 'See'. And a sea is called 'Meer'. Translating from Dutch to German v.v. is even more confusing. What we call 'zee' (sea) they call 'Meer' and what we call 'meer' (lake) they call 'See'.
If you spin lettuce in a washer you should fold it into a teatowel. I think the 1800rpm might be a bit too much for the lettuce. I have used my spindryer for this purpose a few times.
*****
Post# 14094-2/21/2002-15:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Tonight I bought a semi-automatic toploading Miele from the seventies. It's a kind of washer like a twintub, but then without the spinpart. You combine it with a separate spindryer. It's very small but it holds around 10lbs of laundry. The owner is going to deliver it on Saturday. He says it works wonderful. The picture is not very clear, but you get the idea. I will ofcourse take pictures and post here later.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Miele+Map&.dnm=Miele++70s+washer.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14095-2/21/2002-16:33 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
Vintage ads featuring Fiestaware
MESSAGE: Link attached
LINK: http://www.fiestafanatic.com/fiestaephemerapage1.html
*****
Post# 14096-2/21/2002-16:56 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (Miele drums)
MESSAGE: The Neptune drum is interesting - it's non-magnetic but has a matte finish. Perhaps that finish helps water migrate to the holes at high speeds.
*****
Post# 14097-2/21/2002-16:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Water Lily)
MESSAGE: I recalled that in Dutch, Zee means Sea because I once saw a documentary about the closing of the Zuider Zee. (sp?).
I was careful to choose the low spin speed (400 rpm I think) on the Neptune when drying the lettuce. I did not enjoy cleaning all the lettuce bits out of the drum and boot, though.
*****
Post# 14098-2/21/2002-18:22 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Water Lily)
MESSAGE: You can go faster than 400. Some years ago, I tried this in my 1200 spin AEG, just to see if it worked. I let it spin at full speed and the lettuce, iceburg I think, came out just fine.
Oh, and if you tie the lettuce into a clean pillow case, it keeps the washer much neater
*****
Post# 14099-2/21/2002-18:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles
MESSAGE: I've been cheated. My Miele is drum held a magnet very strongly, I must have cheap stainless steel.
*****
Post# 14100-2/21/2002-18:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Congratulations Louis,
Quite a find. I can't wait to see your better pics, so many questions-
It looks like a yellow colour in the pic, rather than white, is it?
Is it a tumble action, or an agitator machine?
When you say semi-automatic, I take it that the machine washes and rinses, but do you have to be there to turn the water on and off, or does it control the water flow.
Please post details of its cycles, and how it performs.
If I remember correctly, you have a Miele spin drier, I would like to find an old one to buy.
Enjoy this little beauty.
*****
Post# 14101-2/21/2002-19:32 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (Maggies)
MESSAGE: I'm going to go check my Staber and Neptune and Gibson to see if they are magnetic!!! I'll bet anyone my Westy is!!!
Jetcone
*****
Post# 14102-2/21/2002-19:35 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer (Cute machine)
MESSAGE: Louis cute machine!!!! Can't wait to see it home!
Jon
*****
Post# 14103-2/21/2002-19:38 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Vintage ads featuring Fiestaware
MESSAGE: Dadoes I love the Fiesta with Velveeta! Ummmm! Looks like macaroni & chez is on the menu this week!!!
jetcone
*****
Post# 14104-2/21/2002-19:52 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: A big "thank you" to members Jason D and John LeFever for helping me to snag my first vintage washer. My new Frigidaire Rapidry is on its way from Ohio and should be here in about a week. Hooray!!!!
*****
Post# 14105-2/21/2002-21:45 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Congratulations)
MESSAGE: Tcox You will enjoy the dryer clothes! What year did the boys get for you? Will we see pix of you in action?
Jetcone
*****
Post# 14106-2/21/2002-22:25 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Looks like a cutie - another interesting appliance to your collection! And you thought you didn't have room for more appliances, your guest room will be filled in no time!
*****
Post# 14107-2/21/2002-22:32 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (Maggies)
MESSAGE: My Asko is, the Westy is ;-).....but the stainless '54 Speed Queen tub is not.
While scurrying around with my miniature iron magnet, I happened to notice that there was 1/4 tub of water in the Hotpoint tonight, drip, drip, drip. Guess he'll be needing some water valve work this weekend, it's always something!
*****
Post# 14108-2/21/2002-22:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: Congrats! Are you using Craters and Freighters for the move? You will enjoy this washer a great deal - the sounds and suds will be a source of fun for years to come. Does it need any work?
*****
Post# 14109-2/21/2002-22:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles
MESSAGE: LOL, just because a steel is magnetic doesn't mean it's cheap. In general, I think a nonmagenetic stainless steel may be a weaker steel than a magnetic one. The nonmagnetic is probably more corrosion resistant. So it's a toss-up. There are so many different stainless alloys... each comgination with different characteristics... I don't have a handle on which ones are which, by number. Maybe someone with metallurgical expertise can shed more light on the matter.
*****
Post# 14110-2/21/2002-22:50 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Congratulations)
MESSAGE: I believe it is a 1965. Will post pics as soon as I get her home. I'm as happy as a sissy in boystown!!
*****
Post# 14111-2/21/2002-22:52 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: A few of the members recommended Craters & Freighters, so I used them. It's in really good condition and purrs like a kitten. Can't wait to start stirring up the bubbles.
*****
Post# 14112-2/22/2002-06:56 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: I will look it up before I am online again, I thought synchronous motors was just a generic description of any motor where the frequency of supply decided the speed of the motor, so most induction motors are synchronous. (???) Synchronous motors can be made variable speed by electronically varying the frequency of the supply.
I have been told, though I have never been inside one myself, that the last of the Australian made Hoover front loaders, the Electra-economiser series, used a two speed induction motor with electronic frequency control to provide two more speeds. The motor was a cheap Italian washing machine motor as used in the earlier (Zodiac 480 and 490) series, but with a larger pulley to gear up the drum speeds. The motor had a 16 pole and a 2 pole winding, giving something like 360 rpm and 2800 rpm at 240v 50Hz. The earlier version had just the two speeds, geared to provide wash (tumble) at about 55rpm and spin at about 420rpm. They got lots of complaints about poor spinning, as the even earlier version used the UK Hoover system (brush type motor with electronic control) which spun at about 700 rpm. So the later version used a larger pulley, so that at 2800 motor rpm the drum spun at 800 rpm. a slow spin was provided by using the electronic frequency controller. The slow winding would be too fast now, the electronic frequency controller allowed the wash speed to remain at about 55 rpm. Providing full mains frequency to the slow winding would make a suitable "distribute" phase before spin, but I don't know if this was actually done or not.
DC motors on AC are easy. A bridge rectifier convers full wave AC cycles to DC. (not pure DC - there is still some pulsing variation) The Philips top loading H_Axis washers use a small DC motor. The motors themselves are VERY efficient, however the speed control in the Philips ones is crude and makes the system particularly inefficient. I suspect the Miele DC motor system would be very efficient. I am a member of the Alternative Technology Association in Aus and we had a mobile display trailer to take to schools, fairs and so on to show solar/wind power, efficient technology and so on (The Energymobile).Some years ago Miele Australia kindly sponsored the display by providing a Novotronic washer. The display had a giant meter in the background, you could push a series of buttons to see how much power each of a variety of appliances used. The electric heater was the highest. The Miele washer was a very modest user.
The asynchronous motor on the newer Miele - just a wild guess, it could be a stepper motor. This is a newer kid on the block in motor technology, the F&P smart drive and LG Direct Drive use it. The motor had a set of permanent magnets arranged around a disc. There are a set of windings arranged close to the disc. As different combinations and polarities of windings are energized, the disc jumps to the correct alignment for each combination. By switching each set of windings on in turn, the disc can be made to rotate in a series of steps. the faster the steps are switched, the faster the disc turns. The disc can be made to turn with a wider variety of speeds and with greater efficiency than other motor technologies.
The hard drive and floppy drive in your computer use stepper motors.
Oh, crap, I've done it again. (another long post.)
Chris
*****
Post# 14113-2/22/2002-07:00 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Very neat Louis, congratulations. I'm assuming its a tumbler. Can't wait to see some closeups.
*****
Post# 14114-2/22/2002-07:03 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: WOW, congratulations Todd how wonderful. You're going to love it! If its coming from Ohio, Bob Salem in Cleveland must have found it. Do you know what model or year it is? How are you shipping it to New Orleans?
*****
Post# 14115-2/22/2002-07:07 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: you're right ... Bob is my hero. using craters & freighters.
I believe its a 1965, but not sure.
*****
Post# 14116-2/22/2002-07:36 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (not long at all)
MESSAGE: Chris I've learned more about motors in that post than the in the that whole big fat book I read on motor controls! I would love to tear into a F/P flat motor and someday convert a future Westy slant front to all electronic controls!!!
Keep it coming!
Jet
*****
Post# 14117-2/22/2002-07:45 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
White Westinghouse
MESSAGE: Today I saw a White Westinghouse Electric Auto Dryer in the trash. Model # DE641PD. It's a shame I don't have a van to bring that ole girl home for I fell in love with the control panel and I always love the look of the timer dial. What was missing from the dryer was the cord and the motor. Otherwise, the paint was in mint condition with the crossvane basket still intact.
And last week, while I was on my route, somebody got ride of a Kitchenaid Superba Dishwasher made by Hobart. So many fine appliances is going to the crusher, what a shame! :-((
*****
Post# 14118-2/22/2002-07:57 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
Hi Oldappliancenut!
MESSAGE: Welcome aboard Oldappliancenut! Hope you enjoy the site, its great and very imformative and fun. I love those old Kenmore Combo's too, Enjoy yourself, Cycla
*****
Post# 14119-2/22/2002-08:10 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hi Oldappliancenut!
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club! There are some pics of RCA Whirlpool and Kenmore combos in the member's photo albums and Uni's RCA/WP combo in the museum section too. I tried to look at your photos on Yahoo, but it said restricted area.
Enjoy the club! Greg
*****
Post# 14120-2/22/2002-09:41 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: White Westinghouse (what is the last slant front year?)
MESSAGE: Westies must be in season! I have a slant front Westy dryer waiting on me at my usual haunt. It has the newer square door with the chrome lock and oval window. The control panel is nearly flat, timed cycle only and a temp adjuster, but the panel is in rough shape. My guess is that this is one of the last slant fronts made. In what year were the slant fronts discontinued? Pics to come soon...
-ph
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Post# 14121-2/22/2002-09:42 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Looks wonderful, Louis! Congrats! I suppose you will use this machine with your little Miele centrifuge?
-ph
*****
Post# 14122-2/22/2002-09:43 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: White Westinghouse (what is the last slant front year?)
MESSAGE: and while we're at it, does anyone know *why* they were discontinued?
*****
Post# 14123-2/22/2002-09:43 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: You'll love it! Once you get used to washing in a Frigidaire, nothing else will do! Congrats!
-ph
*****
Post# 14124-2/22/2002-09:44 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: What a very Royal addition to your collection, Your Majesty!
*****
Post# 14125-2/22/2002-09:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hi Oldappliancenut!
MESSAGE: Old Appliance Nut, welcome to the club! Please check your photo album you posted the link to, to make sure it is set to public. I could not access your pictures. Thanks! Scott
*****
Post# 14126-2/22/2002-10:22 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Here's a pic of it)
MESSAGE: Click on the link...
-ph
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/whirlpooljohn525/vwp?.dir=/My+Photos&.src=ph&.dnm=Frigidaire+Rollermatic+Rapidry.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/whirlpooljohn525/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bPhotos%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14127-2/22/2002-10:49 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Here's a pic of it)
MESSAGE: Nice but that washer is currently in Maryland, not Ohio?
*****
Post# 14128-2/22/2002-11:14 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Vintage ads featuring Fiestaware (Copyright This)
MESSAGE: Very interesting site. What I find most interesting is that the webmaster of the Fiesta site has copyright notices below many of the Feista ads and I'm willing to bet that he is not the original artist on those pictures. You cannot claim "copyright" to something unless you own the copyright and with the 1998 Digital Copyright Millennium Act (DCMA) plus the 1999 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (which is even worse) all those pictures on his site are mostly likely still copyrighted and will be for 70 years after the artist or copyright owner has passed away! I am also willing to be that he does not have permission to post those pictures on his site from the copyright owners, much less claim his own copyright. Too bad because all he really wants to do is share something fun with others who enjoy it too.
Unfortuately the brand new copyright laws were built out of greed by the beggings to Congress of the RIAA and MPAA (Recording and Motion Picture Assocations of America) which have made digital sharing of hard to find (if not impossible) information such as vintage appliance info illegal.
There are many fronts fighting to reverse the DCMA and the Bono Act, but they don't have the money or the politcal clout that the greedy MPAA and RIAA have.
So the moral of this story is enjoy the Picture of the Day while we can, because at some point the government might force me to stop sharing this information with people who care for it without each and every original owner of the vinage material $1000's of dollars first for the right to share.
*****
Post# 14129-2/22/2002-11:23 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
"Always thought I was alone"
MESSAGE: First of all I would like to say 'hi' to everyone. I was pleasantly surprised when I accidentally happened upon this site recently. I was looking for information on top-loading dishwashers via the net and stumbled upon pictures of some washing machine collectors' convention that had taken place in Minneapolis? Since this aroused my interest, I followed up relevant links which led me here.
Previously I had already visited Lee Maxwell's website many times, which, although it is a fantastic and impressive place to explore, does not have enough modern machines in its collection.
It is great to know that there are others, who are as interested in household appliances as I am. It is always good to know that one isn't alone in this world.
I have been fascinated by the design and workings of appliances from an early age and always thought of it as being a little eccentric, since appliances are not nearly as glamorous as steam and jet engines, automobiles and all the other stuff that people generally get passionate over.
I have already visited some of the photo-albums and find it great that people are also collecting other appliances apart from washing machines.
American appliances are of particular interest to me, plus the variation of styles and designs that have emerged over the last fifty or sixty odd years. Although, I don't have my own collection, I enjoy the material that has been placed on this site.
It is quite sad that long-established appliance manufacturing companies generally don't provide archival records of their products. As a result a lot of history will be lost forever in regards to the technology and design aesthetics that have influenced people's home-lives during the 20th century. I only know of Maytag making available some images of 'machines gone by', via their website. Household appliances are a very big part of modern life - they are just as influential as the car, computer or cell-phone.
Without being sexist, I believe this may be, because they are generally considered girl's rather than boy's toys. Although, hazzarding a guess, I assume that most of the members to this site are male.
Anyway, for now I just want to say hi and hope to get involved in future discussions with other members to this site.
Cheers
Mr-Bubbles
LINK: www.oldewash.com
*****
Post# 14130-2/22/2002-11:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone"
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club! We're very pleased you're here, and we have a number of other members from Australia as well! Scott
*****
Post# 14131-2/22/2002-11:44 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: It's just a bad picture. It's a tumble washer and it's actually full automatic, but it doesn't spin. Overhere in Holland we call that a half- or semi-automatic. There are mainly three cycles. Regular, perm press and delicate. One of the big dials is the timer with prewash, wash, rinse and pump on it. The other dial is for the temperature. There are also three buttons, one if for on/off, with the second you can set the perm press cycle and with the third you choose the delicate cycle.
I will post more details later.
Louis
*****
Post# 14132-2/22/2002-11:47 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: I might put this washer on the landing where the Bosch rotary ironer is now, so that could go to the guestroom. I also could try to get the Bosch into the study and put the AEG somewhere else... All zat pushing and pulling again. Now who was that...
*****
Post# 14133-2/22/2002-11:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (closing valves)
MESSAGE: Don't you close the valves after you have used a washer? You silly...
*****
Post# 14134-2/22/2002-11:53 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Here's a pic of it)
MESSAGE: Oh! Maybe I miss read, but I thought the machine was one John had for sale...
-ph
*****
Post# 14135-2/22/2002-11:54 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Yes, they make a nice combination although my Miele centrifuge is from the eighties, but it was one of the last ones with a brown ring at the top instead of a white one, like most ones in the seventies had.
*****
Post# 14136-2/22/2002-11:55 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Why thank you Your Majesty, we hope that you will be able to look at it in person sometime.
QLOTOC
*****
Post# 14137-2/22/2002-12:07 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone"
MESSAGE: Hello mr Bubbles,
Welcome, interesting appliance history you have. Could you tell more about the Siemens toploader? Did it spin or was it a non-spinning tumblewasher. Was it used in combination with the Siemens centrifuge?
Louis
*****
Post# 14138-2/22/2002-12:16 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Mieles (closing valves)
MESSAGE: I have valves for each machine in the water system, but they are on the floor. The main shut-off valves for that tubing system are up higher behind the gold Frigidaire and I did shut them off last night. I rarely shut off the whole system when I'm done washing - only when I leave for a couple of days. Since I've switched everything over to copper from plastic, I've not had any problems or leak.
*****
Post# 14139-2/22/2002-12:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone"
MESSAGE: Hi Mr Bubbles,
I nearly called you Bubbles the, but that would be too familiar for a first introduction.
You have summed up how I felt when I found this site. It is such a joy to find that one is not the only one. You are right, that material on this web site is amazing, have you checked teh videos, I love them, and the old consumer reports.
I agree about how manufacturers neglect their history. Miele has a museum in Germany, but I do not know of a web history.
I am intruiged by your Australian St George, I have not heard of this brand. Would love to know more.
Welcome aboard.
*****
Post# 14140-2/22/2002-12:46 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Thanks Louis,
It sounds fantastic. I like the sound of the programming methos, reminds me very much of the AEG style, timer knob and press buttons for perm press and delicate - I always thought that a simple elegant solution, though the better half never managed to work it.
Will you use this machine?
*****
Post# 14141-2/22/2002-12:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: Chris / Paulo
Many thanks for the information on motors. It's a subject that I find fascinating, but struggle to understand. Your posts have helped me further my limited understanding and encouraged me to read the subject further.
*****
Post# 14142-2/22/2002-13:14 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: Chris,
Thanks for that information about motors.
The Neptune service manual states that the motor is a "Switched Reluctance Motor controlled by a microporcessor motor control board."
Here is the text from page 2-7 of the manual, in the original English:
"The drive motor is a switched reluctance type motor. The basic operating principle of the switched reluctance motor is direct magnetic attraction between the stationary electromagnetic cois (stator) and a specially configured rotor or armature. The rotor is comprised of stacked plates or laminations mounted on a center shaft. The shape of these laminations are characteristic of the switched reluctance motor. The rotor, when viewed from the end of the rotor, has teeth much like a gear. These "teeth", or pole pieces, are pulled as the result of direct current power through the stator coils.
Multiple stator coils are positioned around the rotor and are connected in three different phased "sets" of paird coils.
Magnetic attraction causes the rotor poles to turn toward the coils. The electronic motor control board switches the magnetic field off as the rotor pole piece approaches; then, turns on another set of coils further ahead. It is this switching action of motor phases that determines direction and rotational speed of the rotor (and shaft). The motor control board changes the 120 VAC voltage line input to 170 VDC, and distributes the current phases to the stator coil sets in sequence to the drive motor.
The motor control board receives 120 VAC voltage fromthe line cord and distributes DC voltage to the drive motor. The motor control converts the voltage from single phase to 3 phase for the drive motor."
Here is the same text, translated in to German by the Babelfish:
"der Antriebsmotor ist ein geschaltener Abneigung Artmotor. Das grundlegende Arbeitsprinzip des geschaltenen Abneigung Motors ist direkte magnetische Anziehung zwischen den stationären elektromagnetischen cois (Stator) und einem besonders konfigurierten Rotor oder einer Armatur. Der Rotor wird von den gestapelten Platten oder von Laminierungen enthalten, die an einem Mittelschaft eingehangen werden. Die Form dieser Laminierungen sind vom geschaltenen Abneigung Motor charakteristisch. Der Rotor, wenn er vom Ende des Rotors angesehen wird, hat Zähne ganz wie ein Zahnrad. Diese " Zähne " oder Pfosten bessert aus, werden gezogen, während das Resultat der Gleichstromenergie durch den Stator umwickelt. Mehrfache Statorspulen werden um den Rotor in Position gebracht und werden in drei unterschiedlichen eingeteilten " Sets " pairdspulen angeschlossen. Magnetische Anziehung verursacht die Rotorpfosten zur Umdrehung in Richtung zu den Spulen. Das elektronische Bewegungsbedienpult schält das magnetische Feld aus, während das Rotorpfostenstück sich nähert; dann schält ein anderes Set Spulen weiter voran ein. Es ist diese Schaltung Tätigkeit der Bewegungsphasen, die Richtung und Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Rotors feststellt (und der Welle). Das Bewegungsbedienpult ändert die eine 120 VACspannung Zeile, die zu 170 VDC eingegeben wird und verteilt die aktuellen Phasen auf die Statorspule Sets in der Reihenfolge auf den Antriebsmotor. Das Bewegungsbedienpult empfängt 120 VAC Spannung fromthe-Netzanschlußschnur und verteilt Gleichstromspannung auf den Antriebsmotor. Die Bewegungssteuerung wandelt die Spannung vom einphasigen in Phase 3 für den Antriebsmotor. "
*****
Post# 14143-2/22/2002-14:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer
MESSAGE: Most definitely; we shall be looking forward to that!
*****
Post# 14144-2/22/2002-15:36 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
Painted advertisements
MESSAGE: This is a site with painted wall advertisements. There is a whole section with home appliances ads. Look at the Atlantic ads, it looks like they are American style toploaders.
LINK: http://www.elve.net/padv/home.htm
*****
Post# 14145-2/22/2002-15:42 ||| austinado16 (San Luis Obispo, CA)
SUBJECT:
Good new for vintage range hood seekers!!
MESSAGE: Hi all,
I thought I'd share some good news regarding the production of vintage range hoods. I've been working on this for some time now and am starting to make significant progress.
I've been in touch with the Vent-A-Hood company in Texas. As you may know, they are credited with being the first manufacturer of residencial hoods back in the 40's and are still in production today. They have a pretty nice website if you'd like to check out the current line. www.ventahood.com
After speaking with both the national sales manager, James Adams, and the technical advisor, Bob Norris, they have decided to present the idea of a retro line of hoods to commemorate the company's 75th anniversary next year. James just purchased an old brochure on ebay that he plans to show to the company's owner.
Also, Bob states that they may actually have "some" original hoods still in a warehouse, but he has to confirm that.
I would encourage anyone interested in a retro hood to email James, reference my name and express your interest. The more interest we can generate, the better the chances of a production line. His email is jadams@ventahood.com
I've thought about posting a form letter, but I think it would be better if everyone just used their own words.
I'll update you as soon as I hear back from Bob next week.
Todd
*****
Post# 14146-2/22/2002-16:28 ||| Fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT:
Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher
MESSAGE: Howdy, I used to be Deluxe, but spaced my password. I was just wondering if anyone remembers the built-in Westy dishwashers of the late 50's and early 60's. The entire tub rolled out and the dishes loaded from the top. They were impeller machines, and didn't do too bad of a job considering. They also did a much better job of drying than most machines today. Thanks!
*****
Post# 14147-2/22/2002-17:05 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Congratulations)
MESSAGE: Congratulations on your Frigidaire! I had a 1965 model in the late 70's/early 80's. Alas, it was not a rapid-dry model like yours is. What fun you will have!
Rich
*****
Post# 14148-2/22/2002-17:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher (Would you like to own one??)
MESSAGE: I have one of these - as well as the guys in D.C. have one or two also. GE also made a roll-out built in dishwasher like this too.
Here's pics of the Westy I have - you are welcome to it if you want it, just come get it! It's in marvelous condition for it's age, wasn't used for many years the previous owner told me.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Westinghouse&.src=ph&.dnm=Mod+%23+SUC24S03+Ser+%23SD121390.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/Westinghouse%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14149-2/22/2002-17:27 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (1967???)
MESSAGE: Peter mine is identical! Is yours a 1967?? Or does it have the lint light which puts it at 1968??
IT dries so much better than a Unimatic don't you agree???
signed-
"about to be slapped in boston"
*****
Post# 14150-2/22/2002-18:11 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire
MESSAGE: Congratulations on the great find!! How and when did you find this?? What is the color?
*****
Post# 14151-2/22/2002-18:30 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: Today, while prowling in Trader Joe's in Westport, CT., I noticed a shelf full of "Kirk's Hardwater Castile Soap" - at $.79/bar. I recall that this was discussed some time ago with some question as to where to find it. Perhaps other "TJ's" carry it also...
Also, I have found a source for obtaining FAB, Fresh Start and Ajax Ultra detergent powder. As you may know, Colgate no longer distributes their ultra formula powdered detergents in the Northeast (unless you are lucky enough to find an independent grocer who has some). A very pleasant and helpful customer service rep at Colgate suggested that I try the website "dei-services.com". They apparently are a distribution company headquartered in Tampa whose function is to make certain products from different manufacturers available by mail. I visited the site briefly and saw that they carry a wide array of products - not just laundry. I didn't check price lists, but will do that next. Caveat - they only carry the regular FAB powder, not the Rain Forest or the newly introduced Sunshower Fresh with Bleach Alternative. And I believe they carry only the small (18 load size) box. But still, it is better than nothing.
Since the Colgate rep was so nice, she offered to scrounge around and send me a few boxes of Rain Forest and Sunshower Fresh to try. I thought that was a very nice offer! So, if I like these products, I may have to ask one of you in the Southwest or Midwest for a relief shipment!! Contraband detergents - - how thrilling!!!!
*****
Post# 14152-2/22/2002-19:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: Thanks for the heads up on Kirk's soap, Tony. I will check out our local Trader's. Would you believe I've never been to a Traders yet?
*****
Post# 14153-2/22/2002-20:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: They seem to be popping up everywhere in our part of the country - only within the past three years. It's almost impossible to go somewhere without seeing one. They are a great source for things like dried fruits and nuts, as well as an unusual array of frozen foods. I particularly like the cookies shaped like little cats............
*****
Post# 14154-2/22/2002-20:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: There's been one in Emeryville, which is about 10 miles from here, for about 10 years. However the traffic in that area, near the bay bridge interchange, is so awful I don't like to even try to get there.
There's another one on the other side of the hill, a little further, but much more pleasant driving wise. I may check that one out.
*****
Post# 14155-2/22/2002-22:28 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Painted advertisements
MESSAGE: Thanks - I love old advertising on buildings. We used to have lots of it downtown, but it's mostly all gone now. At one time, I knew a website that featured some of the ads from days gone by with a section for Bendix washers, but I can't find it now.
*****
Post# 14156-2/22/2002-22:30 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Good new for vintage range hood seekers!!
MESSAGE: Thanks Todd -
I would love to have a vintage/retro looking range hood above my 58 range. Vent-a-Hood is a tremendous product too - quite a lot of hood for the money for sure.
*****
Post# 14157-2/22/2002-22:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Come on everybody, let's do the twist!)
MESSAGE: Less twisting and tangling too!
(Go ahead and slap me, make my day!)
*****
Post# 14158-2/22/2002-22:41 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Good new for vintage range hood seekers!!
MESSAGE: Todd thanks for the information. I've missed having you around. Hope you & your family are doing well, along with the westy twins and the KA dw.
*****
Post# 14159-2/22/2002-22:48 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (1967???)
MESSAGE: Jon, I'm seriously concerned about you and the effect the flu has had on your mind. You've apparently become delirious from fever and have placed yourself in a slap-happy mode this week. Please see a docotor promptly. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
*****
Post# 14160-2/22/2002-22:51 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: Remember Anthony, I'd volunteered to send you contraband Fab if you wanted it. If you have LaFrance in your area, we may have to start an exchange program.
*****
Post# 14161-2/22/2002-22:53 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Come on everybody, let's do the twist!)
MESSAGE: Ooooh babies, don't tempt me!!!!!!
*****
Post# 14162-2/22/2002-23:04 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (Here's a pic of it)
MESSAGE: john did have one for sale, but it was already spoken for. So, he put me in touch with Bob Salem in Ohio who had one to sell. I am told that it is in mint condition and it should be here by Wednesday. Will post a picture as soon as I can.
*****
Post# 14163-2/22/2002-23:19 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher (Re: Top-loading built-in Westy Dishwasher)
MESSAGE: Hi,
I know that you specifically requested information on Westy top-loading dishwashers (circa 1950-60). Unfortunately I haven't seen one of those around at all, although I am sure they were available in Australia also. The only impeller top-loader I have ever come accross here, was a 1970 (or thereabouts) Electrolux Australian-built machine many years ago, though that wasn't a slide-out built-in.
I used to own a portable full-size GE top-loader with top-hinged lid, but this machine had the telescopic tower that came out of the lower wash arm and a second smaller wash arm under the lid (not an impeller machine). I loved this machine and am very disappointed that this style of appliance is simply not built anymore. I actually consider them ergonomically superior to front-loading machines and also more hygienic as there are no nooks and crannies (such as the door seals in f-l machines), where germs can accumulate and thrive inside the tub. Loading them is also less messy, particularly with things that drip.
My maternal grandmother in the US (Brentwood, LI, NY)used to own a Kenmore top-loading dishwasher, which she had orginally purchased in 1954. This impeller machine worked without a mechanical breakdown until 1986. Only in 1984 did she have to replace the rubber-feeding hose, which had become brittle after all those years. The machine looked quite tinny and was white with a grey metal lid. The controls were situated behind the lid, on top of the appliance. The interior of the round tub was blue porcelain enamel, with a round top basket (two removable halves) that was hinged on top of a skinny tower which came up from the center. The impeller was stainless steel (I think), and dishes had to be pre-washed before placing them into the machine, since it didn't have a filtration system - only a pump to extract the water through what looked like an ordinary plug-hole. Yet, it gave my grandmother years of dependable service and it didn't do too bad a job either.
As a matter of interest Fisher and Paykel of New Zealand have a Dishdrawer dishwasher (www.fisherpaykel.com). I am not sure if these are available where you are or if you are aware of them, but you might want to check it out. I had to think of the Dishdrawer machine when I read your description of the Westinghouse top-loader. It is the only modern built-in or free-standing machine that actually gives top-loading convenience in a dishwasher, plus there are other convenience aspects which make this quite an interesting appliance.
Since I don't actually own one I am not sure how well they perform, although I have been told that the drawers are not very good in coping with dinner plates and other items that are a little larger than normal. Looking at the filtration mechanics being based on European-style technology, I would also assume that this type of machine wouldn't cope too well with solid food waste. Otherwise, I think it actually offers a real alternative to what is currently on the market.
Anyway, this is all for now, just wanted to say hi and have a yarn.
Take care
Mr-Bubbles
*****
Post# 14164-2/22/2002-23:23 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
Bendix Washers
MESSAGE: While looking through the wanted list, I saw the Bendix Powersurge washer with disc agitator. I have never seen one like that ... what was the wash action like? Was it anything similar to that of the modern day Calypso?
*****
Post# 14165-2/22/2002-00:58 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bendix Washers (Power-Surge Dreams)
MESSAGE: I have a 1956 Sales Facts book from Bendix that introduces the new Power-Surge washer. I'll scan it this weekend and post it for the club - what a machine this must have been! It had an "energy disc" that wobbled at 600 rpm.
"You can actually feel the energy in the water...even see the bursts of energy escaping at the surface!"
*****
Post# 14166-2/22/2002-01:57 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone" (Thank you herr-miele)
MESSAGE: Thank you for your reply and no, I don't mind if you call me bubbles, I am easy going.
To get to your question, St George was a wholly Australian owned manufacturer specializing in excellent US style cooking appliances, for many years. Unfortunately this company, like so many others, was bought out by a bigger company called Kleenmaid (approx. 8 or so years ago I think). This Kleenmaid company specializes in importing appliances from all over the world and labelling them with their name for sale in Australia. The brands that Kleenmaid markets under its own name, are Speed Queen washers and dryers, Amana fridges, Brandt dishwashers and a number of German laundry and cooking appliances, the brand names of which I don't know.
The St George dishwasher in question was actually manufactured by another Australian company called Simpson. This particular model is completely stainless steel inside and out and was sold as a St George by Kleenmaid. Simpson does not manufacture stainless steel appliances under its own name and prior to the take-over, St George did not manufacture dishwashers(as far as I know). Anyway, this dishwasher is not available anymore, it was only a limited edition release. A number of European style cooking appliances are now marketed under the St George name by Kleenmaid, but no more dishwashers. I don't believe that there is a St George factory anymore, the only thing that exists is the name now.
The machine is typically European in desing and technology. It has two rotating stainless-steel washarms and a micro-mesh filter, nothing fancy unfortunately. It operates with two rotary controls, one for the cycle selection: i.e. rinse/hold, superwash, normal, shortwash and a separate quick-wash program for delicate items. The second control operates (on/off)the machine and provides the choice between economy (no heated drying) and normal operation (heated drying). I have the machine hooked up to my hot water supply, it reduces cycle time.
The reason I bought this machine was that I couldn't get what I wanted and it seemed a reasonable bargain. It usually sold for $1500 and was offered for $900 (end of line sale). The machine it replaced still stands in my garage, an American (1986)made GE GSD3000B16 - it served me well for 10 years and I can't bring myself to part with it.
I didn't want to replace my GE machine, but the service people responsible couldn't fix the problem it had for an acceptable price and spare parts for this machine were very difficult to come by, as not many of this model were sold in Australia. So I couldn't rapair it myself unfortunately. Plus, the repair people were not familiar with this model and during their inspection actually rendered my machine completely useless.
Anyway, this is actually another story altogether and I've got to sign off for now. I'll get back to you later.
Bye for now
Mr-Bubbles
*****
Post# 14167-2/23/2002-03:26 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher (Re: Top-loading built-in Westy Dishwasher)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
Thanks for the St George info, and teh description of your dishwasher.
Yumake an interesting point about top load dishwashers being more ergonomic than front load. I understand your points about lack of door seal and drip containnment, but do not understand how else they are ergonomic. I would have thought it a pain to lift out the upper basket and reach down into the lower basket.
I have never used a TL dishwasher, and here in the UK have only seen 2 types of TL dishwasher, a cheap make made for building in, 1 wash level only, and the F&P dishdrawers, which sells at a premium price here in UK, over £1000.
I am looking to buy a new DW and had looked at the F&P, but shared your concerns about large items.
*****
Post# 14168-2/23/2002-03:45 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: I don't know what this ad origihnally was for--hotpoint appliances or the flooring. But the "mom" looks like she's on valium.
*****
Post# 14169-2/23/2002-05:16 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: Any idea what the appliance is next to the washer and dryer, is it a dishwasher? It seems a strange location for a dishwasher, in the laundry room rather than kitchen.
*****
Post# 14170-2/23/2002-07:33 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Additional Miscellaneous Finds
MESSAGE: Robert - I have not forgotten your generous offer. I will let you know as soon as I have tried these exotic new formulations! We do still have LaFrance in some stores here, but I must say I am seeing it in fewer and fewer stores. The Purex or Dial websites do offer LaFrance by mail though, along with Fels Naptha bars - in a section called "Hard to Find Items".....
*****
Post# 14171-2/23/2002-07:38 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bendix Washers
MESSAGE: I don't know about the Bendix Powersurge disc being like the Calypso, but the Philco Bendix Miss America line, along with the Automagic, etc.. had a similar type of agitation as the Calypso. From a 1963 ad for Philco and Tide, I believe the technical term Philco used was (and it WAS patented) "undertow agitation". The description indicated that it "pulled clothes in and down, round and round". In later models, Philco, who ultimately dropped the Bendix name, referred to it as the "flex-a-wash" system with the agitator providing "blades of water" action. It was actually quite effective and gentle at the same time. Of course, I imagine if you overloaded the machine, it didn't do a whole lot....
*****
Post# 14172-2/23/2002-07:40 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bendix Washers (Power-Surge Dreams)
MESSAGE: Greg - kind of like the later Philco claims that the "agitator blades are made of water"..... oh for a "Miss America" or Custom Imperial................
*****
Post# 14173-2/23/2002-07:41 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: So do the kids....very "pre Stepford"..........
*****
Post# 14174-2/23/2002-08:37 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Brilliant!!!!!!!)
MESSAGE: Welcome back to the 60s. We hope you enjoy your stay. Do to take to browse our 8 track collection. The new Herb Alpert tape sounds wonderful. Don't forget to see the new Hotpoint appliances. If you need any assistance, the young lady in the kitchen has valium (among other things ;-) to help you along.
*****
Post# 14175-2/23/2002-08:49 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (???)
MESSAGE: Here's a newbie question. What is "Pre-Stepford"?
*****
Post# 14176-2/23/2002-09:00 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT:
Who's making GE Washers
MESSAGE: I noticed a few of you on that stuck up owner's websight(www.thathomesight.com)talking about Ge washers.As far as the "AMayna"is concerned,Maytag bought Amana after they(Amana)agreed to make a stainless steel tub washer and dryer for GE.They only made a couple thousand and I have seen more of them at Home Depot than anywhere else.Sears has the Maytag model but the dryer has a painted interior instead of a ss like the GE.The new GE washers have a differnt tub that is plastic but has large arms molded into it (I guess they're for "scrub board effect?????)that look horrible and seam to take away some of the capacity.
*****
Post# 14177-2/23/2002-09:10 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT:
Who's making GE Washers
MESSAGE: I noticed a few of you on that stuck up owner's websight(www.thathomesight.com)talking about Ge washers.As far as the "AMayna"is concerned,Maytag bought Amana after they(Amana)agreed to make a stainless steel tub washer and dryer for GE.They only made a couple thousand and I have seen more of them at Home Depot than anywhere else.Sears has the Maytag model but the dryer has a painted interior instead of a ss like the GE.The new GE washers have a differnt tub that is plastic but has large arms molded into it (I guess they're for "scrub board effect?????)that look horrible and seam to take away some of the capacity.I don't go there (THS)anymore because the Webmaster and I had a fallout about my personal opinions on the Neptunes and Frigemores.
*****
Post# 14178-2/23/2002-09:19 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT:
"AMayna"
MESSAGE: There will be some serious changes coming since Maytag bought Amana including the ranges,dishwashers and refrigerators.So far,the new Amana dishwashers are like the Performa line.Some of the new ranges of Maytag's will be coming from the Amana factory.There is a rumor going around that the Neptune stacked will become stackable or undercounter and be made like the Speed Queen commercial models.And yes,it has a window.Maytag will have a bottom freezer line available and may drop the Norge line completely to use the Amana laundry line to make the "Atlantis"line more attractive in looks and features.
*****
Post# 14179-2/23/2002-09:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: I believe that would be an undercounter water heater.
*****
Post# 14180-2/23/2002-11:09 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Newsflash: That 70's Miele washer (second load)
MESSAGE: Today the Miele arrived and I'm very much in love! It's not a real beauty, since the enamel on the front has fone yellow (Dadoes!), but for the rest it's a wonderful washer. I will take pictures soon, but I only have a traditional camera, it will take some time to show them to you. I have done two loads now, first one was a delicate cycle, 30C or 85F with a cushon from a chair , second was a heavy bathrobe and two towels on the regular cycle, 60C or 140F. It makes lots of noises, the timer is noisy, except when it's turning. It also bangs a lot since the drum is not secured to the axis, but loose on it so you can take the drum out. It is on casters only so it shakes a little back and forward now and then. In the bottom of the outer tub are the heating element and the lintfilter. If you take the drum out you can remove the filter for cleaning. There was some calcium buildup, but not severe. The hose is leaking though and needs to be replaced. For the rest it is working like a charm. Very basic machine, but will built. The negative side of these machines were ofcourse the lack of spincycles between rinses and at the end. It makes up for the lack of spincycles between rinses with 6 (!) rinses on high level (almost up to the axis). Have to go now, I have to put the bathrobe in the centrifuge.
Louis
*****
Post# 14181-2/23/2002-11:37 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (???)
MESSAGE: There was a movie sometime in the early 1970's called the Stepford Wives. Set in fictional Stepford, CT., the good young wives of the town were secretly invaded and turned into clones of perfection - - hair, looks, housekeeping etc..., but they became vacant,emotionless robots. I guess I am dating myself with that reference!!
*****
Post# 14182-2/23/2002-11:54 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (POD)
MESSAGE: I think it maybe a freezer
*****
Post# 14183-2/23/2002-12:07 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: And doesn't she know the CorningWare ElectroMatic coffeemaker has been recalled?
Nothing like having the carafe detach from the handle when it's full of scalding hot coffee. :)
*****
Post# 14184-2/23/2002-12:16 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: My Frigidaire (1967???)
MESSAGE: I do have one like that in the pic, but I haven't tested it yet. I've been told it needs a new agitate arm, and something in it is blowing fuses. Mine is only the normal/gentle WCD model without an overflow light. I won't say it's better than a Unimatic, because the 1-18 is!
-ducking in ATL
*****
Post# 14185-2/23/2002-12:48 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: Water heater, yes, most likely.
These are Hotpoint, confirmed? They also look a bit like Easy.
What are all the smaller knobs on the washer? Interesting how the middle pair are set off with the different background, and the dryer doesn't have that design.
*****
Post# 14186-2/23/2002-13:19 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: I don't think it is a dishwasher. If it were, I would say it's one from the future - tall tub, electronic control. My bet is that it's a water heater. Also, I'm not sure that she ISN'T in the kitchen -- there is a coffee pot and a canister set.
*****
Post# 14187-2/23/2002-13:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bendix Washers (blades of water)
MESSAGE: "blades of water" sound like a horrible slogan for a clothes washer. I would expect to see a "wash-n-tear" cycle.
*****
Post# 14188-2/23/2002-13:23 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (???)
MESSAGE: Oh my... I feel so old now...
I'll go get my shawl...
*****
Post# 14189-2/23/2002-13:43 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (POD)
MESSAGE: I have the same coffee pot. It makes the best coffee. I don't use it much unless people come over. But I do perfer to perk my coffee as opposed to a drip coffee. I generally use my Farbaware 4 cuper or perk on the stove - (now thats good coffee)
Peter
*****
Post# 14190-2/23/2002-15:37 ||| earthling177 (Boston, MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Synchronous motors)
MESSAGE: Rich said: "Thanks for that lucide explanation of synchronicity, Paulo :-). "
Oh, don't mention it! :-)
"How can a motor be DC and still use alternating current?"
Because historically, things are named for what people thought were interesting at the time. Induction motors, for example, are rarely called in the trade "assynchronous motors", which is what they are. It's not interesting to tell everyone you are using a complicated inverter to supply pulses to essentially an induction motor when the inverter and associated solid-state electronics are cheap and easy -- but the fact it would take DC and make a brushless motor work was deemed importand, hence "brushless-DC motor". To the point that people don't even seem bothered to classify stepping motors as AC, DC, synchronous etc... its most interesting feature is reliably moving a certain angle every single time.
Similarly, when DC was common and it went without saying that electric motors were fed DC current, it seemed interesting and appropriate to say that synchronous motors were AC motors, because one of the components (stator) took AC. The fact that all but the smallest synchronous motors *also* had to be fed DC current at the rotor was banal enough that nobody made a big deal of it, even when, a couple of decades later, having DC around might mean having an AC motor running a DC generator (rectifiers meant vaccum tubes at that time, solid state was too expensive for anything larger than a couple of kW) to make the "AC synchronous motor" work.
We can take this as far as we want. Generators are taken to generate DC. If it generates AC it's an "alternator". "Universal" motors work in AC/DC, sorta: anything past a couple of kW and it won't work in AC, it will just be a series motor that can only work in DC; to be fair, "universal" motors are very inefficient in AC, with lots of sparks and reduced power, but it worked well enough for people to get past the point where we had "standard" AC with either 50 or 60Hz and the manufacturers didn't have to worry about making too many different kinds of motors. Series motors are still prized for the small weight for a given power, and they end up in places where efficiency is not at a premium, but size/weight is: portable mixers, blenders, vacuum cleaners etc, even though it's hard to regulate their speed reliably.
*****
Post# 14191-2/23/2002-15:48 ||| earthling177 (Boston, MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: Chris, induction motors "slip" and while their speed is somewhat linked to the line frequency, the speed can vary with the load. Those are often called "assynchronous motors" in different languages, and "induction motor" is just a more lay term.
Synchronous motors tend to stop when they slip out of sync and it's not a good idea to just connect a load directly to them without a clutch for that very reason. Today, with computer-controlled inverters it's relatively easy to get fuzzy logic to just match the frequency to the current speed and accelerate the motor to full speed from a rest state. On the other hand, it's usually easier to just use another simpler motor like induction or stepping motor to do the same thing, so sync motors are very rare now.
As to the motors used in washers, I was used to seeing multi-speed induction motors (multi pole windings, just like you say) and it was surprising to me that some machines bother to get AC to DC and then try to control a DC motor with computers instead of just inverting the current and supplying it to stepping motors or standard AC motors.
*****
Post# 14192-2/23/2002-15:54 ||| earthling177 (Boston, MA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: Rich, like I said before, Maytag mentions (or at least used to at the Neptune introduction) that it uses a 3-phase (triphasic) motor feed different frequencies for different speeds in the Neptune.
The description you typed can, without more details, either be applied to a standard 3-phase induction motor, or something closer to a stepping motor.
Their advertising copy and press release used to mention a computer-controlled board that would check the various machine states, motor speed and inverter frequency to drive the motor.
*****
Post# 14193-2/23/2002-16:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (In Brazilian for Paulo)
MESSAGE: "O motor de movimentação é um motor comutado do tipo da relutância. O princípio operando-se básico do motor comutado da relutância é atração magnética direta entre os cois eletromagnéticos estacionários (estator) e um rotor ou uma armadura especialmente configurarada. O rotor é compreendido das placas ou das laminações empilhadas montadas em um eixo center. A forma destas laminações é característica do motor comutado da relutância. O rotor, quando visto da extremidade do rotor, tem os dentes bem como uma engrenagem. Estes " dentes ", ou o pólo remenda, são puxados enquanto o resultado da potência da corrente direta através do estator bobina. "
"As bobinas múltiplas do estator são posicionadas em torno do rotor e conectadas em três " jogos phased diferentes " de bobinas emparelhadas. A atração magnética causa os pólos do rotor à volta para as bobinas. A placa de controle eletrônica do motor desliga o campo magnético enquanto a parte do pólo do rotor se aproxima; então, gira sobre um outro jogo das bobinas mais adicional adiante. É esta ação do switching de fases do motor que determina o sentido e a velocidade rotatória do rotor (e do eixo). **time-out** motor controle placa mud 120 VAC tensão linha input 170 VDC, e distribu atual fase estator bobina jogo seqüência movimentação motor "
"Motor controle placa receb 120 VAC tensão linha cabo e distribu C.C. tensão movimentação motor. O controle do motor converte a tensão da fase monofásica à fase 3 para o motor de movimentação. "
*****
Post# 14194-2/23/2002-17:31 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bendix Washers (blades of water)
MESSAGE: Actually I think it was supposed to sound gentler - (i.e that instead of the agitator blades doing the cleaning which could be deemed harsh on your clothes, the agitator blades were "made of water" which gave the impression that the action was indeed gentler. I guess if that failed they could offer a "Permanent Distress" cycle......
I did eventually look at the Bendix picture in the "Wanted" section, and that "energy disc" does indeed look like the Calypso. Different from later incarnations of the Philco Bendixes (or is that Bendices??)in that the wavy rubber wash plate was attached to a traditional agitator shaft. The movement though was sort of the same as the old Bendix....
*****
Post# 14195-2/23/2002-17:32 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (POD)
MESSAGE: I still use my glass Pyrex percolator. Can't find THOSE anymore........
*****
Post# 14196-2/23/2002-18:00 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
RE: Eagerbeaver 1955 Kenmores (Lid Opens?)
MESSAGE: They open to the back, and if I get this blasted scanner to work I will scan the two pages of the machine in
*****
Post# 14197-2/23/2002-18:34 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (motors - DC and synchronous)
MESSAGE: I think, no guarantees mind, that that is gobbledegook for a stepper motor. The Maytag description sounds like a stepper motor.
My description of the stepper motor as a disc is how the F&P is laid out, and how the HDD and FDD in a computer work. The permanent magnets can be arranged on a disc, or around a shaft giving a more comventional motor appearance. The previous F&P to the Smart Drive had the wonderful name of the Gentle Annie, and Gentle Annies used this type of drive. A seperate stepper motor was mounted under the drum, belt drive to a pulley which drives the agitator direct. The motor reverses direction very fast, giving a "normal" agitator action, with different programs giving wider/smaller arc and faster/slower action. Interestingly the action changes with the water level, to prevent damage or splashing with smaller loads. Spin is achieved simply - the agitator shaft goes up inside the hollow spin shaft. The spin shaft has its own pulley, which sits about half an inch above the agitator pulley. There is a finger protruding slightly below the spin pulley and a matching finger protruding above the agitator pulley. On wash the arc is less than 360 degrees, so the fingers rarely meet. On spin, the motor simply continues driving the agitator in one direction. The fingers "collide" and the agitator pulley now drives the spin pulley through the finger. Brutally simple. My mother has a Gentle Annie which I made up for her out of two dead ones, it has worked faultlessly for several years now. The quality of construction has to be seen to be believed. Unfortunately the electronics use a set of transistors or fets which I believe are no longer obtainable.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14198-2/23/2002-19:13 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Is "
Brazilian"
a Language???)
MESSAGE: Will someone gifted in the Language Arts please clarify?? I thought it was just plain Portuguese or Spanish ???
*****
Post# 14199-2/23/2002-19:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher (Reply to post 14167)
MESSAGE: Hi Herr-Miele,
Regarding your point of having to lift out the top basket in top-loading dishwashers, the only machine where I have seen this was my grandmother's 1954 Kenmore (post #14163). There I agree that this made loading the machine more cumbersome.
The top-loading GE machine that I owned had two top baskets suspended from the lid, so when you opened it they were raised out of the machine, bringing them up to sink level. To load the bottom basket one didn't have to bend over as much as with conventional front-loaders and to load the upper baskets required no bending at all. Plus the top-baskets were still situated above the machine's tub so that any spills didn't end up on the kitchen floor.
There were numerous top-loading models available in Australia prior to the 1980's. None of the ones that I have seen, whether impeller or spray arm models, had to have baskets lifted out manually.
I also agree with you that the F&P Dishdrawer is a little expensive. Its been out over here for a number of years now and hasn't dropped in price (single drawer costs as much as a normal front loading machine, approx. $800 I think, both drawers together over $1500). A thousand pounds sounds a little excessive especially since the machine doesn't have a built-in hard food waste disposer and soil sensing. Apart from the overall design being different to your average front-loading machine, the actual wash technology applied is very basic. As I mentioned in my other post, I don't think this machine would be able to handle solid food waste like corn kernels, peas and potato bits etc., also I think that once a drawer has been loaded full of large dinner plates the tynes can't be folded out properly to accomodate cups and glassware.
I do like the concept of the dishdrawer, but it will need some serious re-designing and pricing that is a little more realistic.
*****
Post# 14200-2/23/2002-20:00 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
Sue You're Spraying Stars On That Blouse!!
MESSAGE: While a spray starch might be stretching it for a vintage washing machine additive, this '65 Faultless Spray Starch commercial was too campy not to be included in our library. It's now located at the bottom of the detergent/additive section of the "Vintage Appliance Video" library, you can access the library from the home page.
And it works on Modern Fabrics too!
*****
Post# 14201-2/23/2002-20:02 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: Either that or maybe it's a little refrigerator or freezer?
*****
Post# 14202-2/23/2002-20:04 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: I think you're right Glenn, I would place my bet that those are Easy.
*****
Post# 14203-2/23/2002-20:06 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Eagerbeaver 1955 Kenmores (Lid Opens?)
MESSAGE: That's what I had suspected. Eagerbeaver Kenmore washer lid opens to the left, which makes her's a '57 model.
*****
Post# 14204-2/23/2002-20:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Switched Reluctance Motors)
MESSAGE: Well Gizmo, you are right, it is a stepper type of motor, but it doesn't have permanent magnets. In fact, the lack of permanent magnets would appear to be essential to the design of a stepper motor. (The big magnets you see in a modern disk drive are for the voice coils for the head stack assembly.)
Here's a good discussion of variable switched reluctance motors:
LINK: http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/february98/features/risevsr/risevsr.html
*****
Post# 14205-2/23/2002-20:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Sue You're Spraying Stars On That Blouse!!
MESSAGE: What a coincidence! I just got through playing hooky from my garden chores by watching "There Goes The Neighborhood" on Comedy Channel. In this movie, Catherine O'Hara temporarily incapacitates Jeff Daniels with a can of spray starch. I'm not sure why, but he acts like it's a painful experience to have starch sprayed in one's eyes and mouth.
*****
Post# 14206-2/23/2002-20:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone" (Reply to post # 14137 - foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Hi foraloysius,
Thanks for message and hello to you also.
Regarding your question about the old 1967 Siemens top-loading washer, it was a non-spinning compact portable machine, which my mother used in conjunction with a separate(Bauknecht?)centrifuge. It's been a while and my memory has become a little foggy.
Anyway, the washer was a horizontal (I prefer to call them tumble washers) axis machine with a removable drum and detergent dispenser. It had all the fabric care programs of the time (i.e.: each program heated the water to a particular temperature, e.g. linen at 90 degrees C (194 F), colorfasts 60 C (140 F) delicate care items at either 30 or 40 C (86 or 104 F) and so on). The controls were top mounted behind the lid, but not raised. As with all European machines, all cycles took absolutely forever. The linen cycle used to last for over two hours and the shortest would have been the 45 minute 30 degree cycle.
Yet, this was moms very first machine ever and it made life a hell of a lot easier for her. Before we got this machine, my mother used to wash clothes the old-fashioned way (copper and wooden tubs, wash board etc.) and laundering used to take between two to three days and took place twice a month. Occasionally when she had a little extra cash, she would take our washing to the then fully serviced Miele Laundromat, which was a 20 minute walk from home. She would pack my old pram to wheel the full washing basket down the road and hand it over to the attendant. They would load and unload the machines for her and mom was able to either sit and read a mag or do a spot of shopping. We never had our clothes machine dried though (not in the budget then). Mom used to span a cloth over the clean clothes and walk them home, as heavy as they were. Then she'd carry the basket eight flights of stairs (we lived in an inner city apartment building then), to hang them up under the roof.
I remember the big old cast-iron mangle with two gigantic wooden cylinders that was placed in the loft for all tenants to use. Mom would mangle all our sheets and pillow cases up there and I used to dare myself to put my hands as close as possible to the revolving cylinders, without mom catching me out.
I also remember that our first iron had actually belonged to my grandmother and dated back to the 1940's. It didn't have a temperature control and clothes used to have to be sprinkled with water before ironing could begin.
Anyway, just thought I share this with you.
Got to go now - so take care till next time.
Regards
Mr-Bubbles
*****
Post# 14207-2/23/2002-20:34 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: I have a 1970 ad with a similar panel washer and dryer from Hotpoint - this may have been a year or so earlier than what I have. Probably the 14lb tub, 4 speed model - may have even been one of the first years of the "two tub" washers. You can also tell by the dryer door and washer cabinet style it's a Hotpoint.
*****
Post# 14208-2/23/2002-20:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: Here's a similar panel design in Pumper's graveyard photos.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/ringtail59/vwp?.dir=/Graveyard&.src=ph&.dnm=Image020.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/ringtail59/lst%3f%26.dir=/Graveyard%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14209-2/23/2002-20:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Sue You're Spraying Stars On That Blouse!!
MESSAGE: "A star soft shield of clean-ness" Fabulous commercial!!
*****
Post# 14210-2/23/2002-20:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: True, but Easy used the exact same cabinet and control panel shape in the late 60's as Hotpoint. I don't know what it is, but something says Easy to me about that picture. Maybe the lack of push buttons.
*****
Post# 14211-2/23/2002-21:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: Was there relation between Hotpoint and Easy?
*****
Post# 14212-2/23/2002-21:44 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (???)
MESSAGE: hmmm...I think I have run into more than a few of those in my time, LOL.
*****
Post# 14213-2/23/2002-21:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: I have one of those, and love it! I hope it never comes apart like that!
*****
Post# 14214-2/23/2002-21:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (POD)
MESSAGE: I'm with you Peter, percolators all the way, or else Coffeemasters! I use my Corning only occasionally and have a couple of the illuminated see through glass ones which I love, and I have several Farberware ones, one of which I use for everyday.
*****
Post# 14215-2/23/2002-22:15 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02
MESSAGE: Mine makes 2-3 pots a day and is doing just fine.
*****
Post# 14216-2/23/2002-22:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Here are the scans of the 56 Bendix Power-Surge washer.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/powersurge600/vwp?.dir=/Bendix+Powersurge+Facts&.src=ph&.dnm=PS+1.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/powersurge600/lst%3f%26.dir=/Bendix%2bPowersurge%2bFacts%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14217-2/23/2002-00:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Perc vs. Drip vs. Espresso)
MESSAGE: Just wondering... what do people find preferable about perc, as opposed to drip, coffee? Is it the whole "perc" experience, which I admit is visually hypnotic and quite delightful to listen to? Is it the flavor? The freedom from that nasty empty gutteral snarl that most automatic drip coffee makers (save for Bunn) make as they finish the brewing? Or is it because the perc method is more retro?
*****
Post# 14218-2/23/2002-01:06 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Perc vs. Drip vs. Espresso)
MESSAGE: It's the flavor and the body of the coffee, firstly and most definitely, though the other factors you mention certainly play into it.
I don't care if you put the whole can of coffee up in there, drip coffee still tastes like hot water to me. Instant coffee tastes better to me than most drip coffee. My personal opinion is that the not hot enough water pouring only once through the coffee and into the container below is simply not enough to draw the flavor from the coffee, and you end up with a very bland cup. Admittedly I do like my coffee black and very strong and perhaps someone who doesn't like theirs as strong may not experience this. This may be owing to my growing up in a home with percolated coffee and a pot being on at all times, it's possible that coffee that some may consider overly processed is what naturally tastes good to me.
The other things I don't like is I never seem to be able to pour cleanly from one of those carafes, I end up with coffee on the counter every time. I also find it annoying when residual water from the coffee holder above drips down onto the warming plate while you're pouring, making a burnt coffee smelly mess.
I think I find the Coffeemaster (vacuum type) brewers acceptable because the water rises up into the coffee chamber, mixes with the coffee and stays there for a bit, returning slowly back to the lower pot, thus drawing more flavor from the coffee, even though it passes through only once.
*****
Post# 14219-2/23/2002-01:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Perc vs. Drip vs. Espresso)
MESSAGE: Hmmm. Interesting!
I've never brewed coffee in a percolator, although of course I remember my Mom brewing it that way in the 50's and 60's. By the time I started drinking coffee, mid-70's, perc was "out" and drip was "in".
For strong coffee, espresso is the ticket...
*****
Post# 14220-2/23/2002-01:42 ||| austinado16 (San Luis Obispo, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Good new for vintage range hood seekers!!
MESSAGE: Hi Bob,
Everybody is doing fine and the all the machines are well too. How have you been?
Hi Greg,
Let me know what size hood you need. So far I've been contacted by 2 others. One needs a 36" and one needs a 42". Plus I need a 42" to go over the Wedgewood. It would be cool to get an original one. Their technical advisor, Bob Norris, says they haven't changed the design of the fan system much in 60+ years, just keep refining it.
Todd
*****
Post# 14221-2/24/2002-02:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Looks like a cool washer. It does look very much like the Calypso with a full tub of water. And 660 rpm - i think that's faster than the Calypso. Bet it was a sight to see (but can you imagine a modern ad suggesting you stick your hand in a running washer?).
It's amazing how few new ideas there really are. Apparently ATC is even old.
*****
Post# 14222-2/24/2002-03:32 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
POD 2/24
MESSAGE: Those bear a vague resemblance to Blackstone around 1960.
*****
Post# 14223-2/24/2002-04:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RIP the Aussie Hoover)
MESSAGE: It is such a shame that the Hoover Front loader is no longer made here. The front loader and vacuum lines were the first things to go when Email bought Hoover. Stupid company.
WIth front loaders increasingly taking a bigger share of the market it seems ridiculous that we dont produce our own front loader.
The Hoover machine wasnt a Miele or anything but it had a reasonble range of features and didnt take 3 hours to wash either.
*****
Post# 14224-2/24/2002-06:33 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (???)
MESSAGE: They still exist here - only they are all blonde, drive the biggest SUV's imaginable and talk incessantly on cell phones while driving........
*****
Post# 14225-2/24/2002-08:39 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: G'day arrrooohhh,
Well, the fact is that our appliance industry is crap anyway. 20 years ago there were almost as many whitegoods companies in Oz. Now there are only 2. Hoover is actually Electrolux, Whirlpool disappeared during the eighties and came back in the 90's with mainly imported European products, GE pi**ed off altogether existing by name only and variety is no more. Walk into any appliance store and all you see is Euro-style this and that, all very uniform products where it really doesn't matter what brand name is on anything anymore.
I reckon in the next ten years nothing will be made here anyway. I hope I am wrong, but things sure seem to be heading in that direction. Its just another benefit of globalization, where brandnames mean nothing and the people running companies aren't interested in what the company makes, but how they can perform better on the share market (e.g. Southcorp are now in the wine business full-time).
When I look at appliances now, all I see is stuff that is designed by overpaid yuppies who don't really do their own washing, cleaning or cooking, because they are too busy designing away on stuff that has more value as a status symbol rather than any useful and practical application. Take those European front-loading washers for example, they cost an absolute fortune to buy, come with 30 or 40 program options, (most people haven't even got that many clothes), small capacity and one has to operate these machines kneeling on a cold tile or concrete floor (how sophisticated is that). Same with dishwashers, European is all one gets here now - even though dishwashing technology in the US is eons ahead of anything that comes out of Europe, but I suppose we Aussies aren't ready yet for dishwashers that actually wash dishes. Cooking appliances too, everywhere one looks its European this and that, as if that European underbench oven with the tiny 30 inch cook top represents the apex of development in that area. Its as if the appliance industry here assumes that all Australians live in caravans or bedsits and can't afford the generously sized designs we used to have. The other thing I absolutely hate is the placement of controls at pelvic level. Firstly I don't see too well with my navel and little kids do get curious about buttons that can be reached and played with.
My gripe is that when I go to Whirlpool (being a US company) for example, I don't want to look at products made in Germany, Italy, Belgium or France. The same applies to Hoover and Simpson, if I wanted European I would buy ASKO, Miele, Smeg or whatever - I want real choice.
Anyway, I'm getting off my soap box now so relax and take care till next time.
Bye for now
Mr-Bubbles
Well anyway, enough said for now.
Take care
Mr-Bubbles
*****
Post# 14226-2/24/2002-08:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Why are there no posts prior to #14200?
MESSAGE: Suddenly there is a big chunk of posts missing from this page and they are not in the archives either.
Anyone know what's going on?
*****
Post# 14227-2/24/2002-09:26 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT:
RE: Top Loading Built-in Westy Dishwasher (Westinghouse Top Loading Dishwasher)
MESSAGE: Fanfare
I do, indeed, remember these machines. My Aunt ( who always had the latest and greatest of everything...including the first Bendix washer/dryer combo) had a Westinghouse dishwasher. This must have been about 1958 or 1959. Additonally, when I first met my former wife (we were in high school) in 1962, her mom had one of these machines in sunny yellow to match the under counter Westinghouse washer and dryer in her kitchen.
They did do a good job for an impeller machine. I remember helping to do dishes one evening. I didn't believe (and still don't) in rinsing before putting the dishes in the machine. I was curious how the Westinghouse would stack up against my mom's RCA Whirlpool top load portable (with single wash arm). I hung around until the machine was finished and help unload it. All of the dishes, pots and pans came out clean. There was a little residue on one or two of the glasses but everything else was clean. In retrospect, I believe that if there had been a pre-rinse and two washes, the glasses probably would have been clean.
While probably not as flexible to load as my Mom's Whirlpool, the machine was quiet and did a good job.
Bob
*****
Post# 14228-2/24/2002-10:07 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT:
GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: From the 2/21/02 Louisville Courier Journal...by David Mcginty.
General Electric Co. will unveil a new clothes washer today that is the early result of a company plan to spend $800 million on developing new appliances over the next three years, in Louisville and elsewhere. Terry Dunn, a spokesman at GE's Appliance Park in Louisville, said the company intends to dramatically ramp up its release of new appliances, with at goal of introducing 270 through 2004.
The 800 million investment prediction includes money spent for developing and testing new technologies and incorporating them into new appliances, as well as money for marketing and equipment to produce the new products.
GE's worldwide research and development headquarters for appliances is at Appliance Park. But it is too soon to say how much of the money will be spent here, and whether the new products might result in investments in new production lines here, Dunn said.
GE is in the midst of a campaign to give a major boost to its appliance business. In the past three years, it has spent $1 billion to develop and produce new products, Dunn said, and in 2000 and 2001 introduced 130 products. From 1996 through 1999, it introduced 20. In aiming to create another 270 products in the next few years, the company is signaling that its appliance business, although a relatively low-profit one, is not likely to languish under new Chairman Jeffrey Immelt. He has said the appliance business is such a tough one that it's a good training ground for GE management. (He managed GE Appliances Consumer Services during the 1980's)
The clothes washer to be unveiled will have new time-saving and energy efficiency features and is part of a company push to greatly accelerate its development and introduction of new products in the next three years.
GE will also introduce a Braille overlay that can be fitted to the control panel of its electronic washers and dryers, to make them easier for the blind to use.
Among other products the company is working to bring to market, Dunn said, are "some revolutionary cooking products."
General Electric Co. shares finsihed trading on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday at $37.57, up $1.17.
*****
Post# 14229-2/24/2002-10:10 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Portuguese in Brazil)
MESSAGE: Brazil is a Portuguese speaking country...
-ph
*****
Post# 14230-2/24/2002-10:25 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts (Power Serge)
MESSAGE: I think this is a awsome washer. I had saw pictures before of it, but have not read about it in such detail. Was it considered a solid tub even with the performations? Seems like it had great action & would make a good find. I don't think they made it that long. Anyone have any real experience with the washer.
Peter
*****
Post# 14231-2/24/2002-10:34 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: While we are still manufacturing appliances in this country, it is quite clear from a short walk down the appliance aisle at any retailer that we have little to show for our efforts over here either. With a scant few exceptions, there have been only backward steps in the areas of quality and workmanship in the appliance industry over the last 50 years. The quest to build them faster, cheaper and more profitably has led to the introduction of such crap in the marketplace, it's hard if not impossible for the average consumer to walk into an appliance store and discern good from bad. In today's dollars, by comparison, a top of the line washer and dryer in the 1950's would cost nearly $2000 today. We cannot blame the manufacturers entirely for the decline in choices, quality, etc. as the consumer and shareholder demands drive the engines of design and manufacturing. As long as the notion exists of being able to purchase a washer and dryer set (or other appliances) for less than $1000, we will continue to see the same products on display that we do now. Sears will always offer a washing machine at the $288 price point, delivered, installed and for a nominal fee, will haul away your 8-10 year old unit to be deposited in our already overflowing land fills as long as people keep lining up to buy them.
With the out-sourcing we've seen from GE in the last couple of years, we may (blessedly) see their appliance manufacturing operations scaled back considerably. Whirlpool, Maytag and Electrolux have brought new life to the laundry markets in the last few years, but it will still be hard to convince consumers to spend two or more times the money on laundry appliances than what they did 10 years ago. We may see improvement when new government energy mandates go into effect, but my fear is that we'll see more $300 washers with only warm or cold wash options and the dreaded spray rinse replacing a deep agitated rinse to meet the energy requirements in a top-load washer. Even then, we'll have those machines still spinning at 600 rpm so the bulk of our energy will still be wasted on tumbling clothes for 45 minutes or more to get them dry. Will anyone even notice?
This is progress??
*****
Post# 14232-2/24/2002-10:44 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Well, 270 new products? Quite an ambitious undertaking from the leader of bad quality! What exactly counts as a new product? Improvement on an old design, new knobs or cycles, or a whole new "from the ground up" design...
Can we expect our "spray rinse washer" sooner?
Thanks for the article Leslie - good to see you!
*****
Post# 14233-2/24/2002-11:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!!
MESSAGE: I just completed working on getting the ABC-O-Matic Wing of our Classic Appliance Cyber Museum open. Of course Jetcone needs to submit his beautiful ABC's to the museum too, but this will be a good start. All new pictures and LOTS of ABC-O-Matic Splash-O-Rama Videos to watch.
Enjoy everyone. You can acess the Appliance Cyber Museum from the home page.
*****
Post# 14234-2/24/2002-12:06 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: "Always thought I was alone" (Reply to post # 14137 - foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
I love those machines, the Miele I just bought is the same kind of machine. I know the Siemens you describe, a cousin of mine had one like that. The later models had a separate control for the temperature. They are very nice machines to play with, you can pull the drum out and you have to do more than with a full automatic one. If you like playing with water they are absolutely wonderful.
A friend's father had a Miele laundromat for a while and I loved being there. He employed a young woman to run the shop but she had sometimes errands to do so she asked my friend and me to watch the laundromat. I loved it. Loading and emptying the washers, using the centrifuges and putting things in the dryers. I still remember the Mieles 707 that were used there.
Did you ever get your fingers in the mangle?
Louis
*****
Post# 14235-2/24/2002-12:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Quite a wonderful machine. I would love to seen one for real. Is there anybody in this club that has one?
*****
Post# 14236-2/24/2002-12:33 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Gansky, thanks for posting the power surge info. This seemed to be an interesting concept ... not like the calypso wash action that I thought. Would love to see one of these in action.
*****
Post# 14237-2/24/2002-12:33 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!!
MESSAGE: Beautiful job!
How fast is the revolution/wobble in the ABC?
*****
Post# 14238-2/24/2002-13:30 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Ed, looking at Greg's literature, I'd say that *has* to be where Whirlpool got the idea. *Now* if some manufacturer would look at old Frigidaire literature and have a light bulb go off in their head... ;-)
*****
Post# 14239-2/24/2002-13:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Why are there no posts prior to #14200?
MESSAGE: hmm....they're all there now...try again. If you didn't know, each time we roll over 100 it starts a new page. There is a previous button on top you can push to get to the last page. Scott
*****
Post# 14240-2/24/2002-13:37 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Well, that's interesting; I would have sooner expected them to drop out of, rather than expand in, the appliance business. Should be interesting to see what they come up with for a new washer, and if it will be a repeat of the fiasco that was the last design change.
*****
Post# 14241-2/24/2002-14:29 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: Yes, Easy was made completely by Hotpoint in its final years.
*****
Post# 14242-2/24/2002-14:30 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!!
MESSAGE: Thanks Greg, the ABC dashes about 325dpm and spins about 550rpm.
*****
Post# 14243-2/24/2002-15:10 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: If you will think back to when the Calypso was 'new' someone on this club posted the Patent info on the Calypso and several machines from the past were listed in the description.
*****
Post# 14244-2/24/2002-15:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Hi Sweetie, I seem to remember talk to that effect back at that time. Do you still have your Calypso? Still like it?
*****
Post# 14245-2/24/2002-15:58 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: Oh ---- well who knew??
*****
Post# 14246-2/24/2002-16:01 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: It's still chugging along in the laundry room. I just wish they put more sound insulation in it. Every time I use it I have to go to the other end of the house because of the noise. There is nothing soothing about the sounds that machine makes.
*****
Post# 14247-2/24/2002-16:08 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: I am curious also, since I thought they would leave the appliance business. Although I don't hold out much hope for grand sweeping quality or design changes, it would be great if they could do something revolutionary like admit the last design was not completely thought out and poorly executed to play catch up with Whirlpool and Maytag. Then go back and reintroduce the old filter-flo!!!!
*****
Post# 14248-2/24/2002-16:15 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
1946 Philco Refrigerator
MESSAGE: I know we are not about refrigeration, but I saw on ebay yesterday a 1946 Philco Refrigerator (model A721). It appeared to be in pristine shape and still with all of its original documentation conveniently sealed in a plastic bag. It also looked like it had a bottom freezer...... if that is possible. It is located in Vancouver, B.C. and bidding was to start at $100. Quite interesting...........
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Post# 14249-2/24/2002-16:49 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!!
MESSAGE: Thanx so very much!
I just love the videos. What a wonderful washing machine. Its a shame corparate greed and takeover mentality has bred out indivualality and ingenuity in appliances!
Thanx to all these great videos I can watch so many great washing machines in action. A childhood dream come true!
Cant wait to see Jetcones beautiful machines too.
*****
Post# 14250-2/24/2002-16:52 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Easy - Hotpoint - WCI)
MESSAGE: And there was a WCI Easy machine out there. The family of a friend of mine in high school had one. I remember looking at it thinking it was a (WCI) Kelvinator...
-ph
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Post# 14251-2/24/2002-16:54 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (Philco ebay wonders)
MESSAGE: Did you see the Philco dual-tub wringer on eBay? I'm no wringer person, but this one could change my mind!
-ph
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.aol.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2005430030
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Post# 14252-2/24/2002-16:55 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: 19 more days and you can be lulled to sleep to the sound of the '64 LK in the kitchen...
-ph
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Post# 14253-2/24/2002-16:57 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: For a country that worked so hard to develop automatic appliances in the 20th century I cant belive that American washing machines have become so boring and basic. It must be so boring to look in shops and see that every washing machine has that spiral DAA. Only Amana has something different and now that is in the hands of Maytag.
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Post# 14254-2/24/2002-17:02 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!!
MESSAGE: Fab-o-matic! You just got to love the way that machine works...
-ph
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Post# 14255-2/24/2002-17:07 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: GE has been advertising the heck out of the coin-op trade journals. Too bad they want to come out with that now, after every learned very quick how bad their products have become. There isn't a coin store owner out there that would have their products in their stores, so whatever the next 270 "new" products, they better be something completely different. And I don't mean the Frigmore with the GE logo on it!
-ph
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Post# 14256-2/24/2002-17:10 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (church of the poison appliances)
MESSAGE: Can I get an AMEN up in here? Preach on, Brother Ganski!
-ph
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Post# 14257-2/24/2002-17:54 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (Philco ebay wonders)
MESSAGE: That thing is fabulous! What fun!
*****
Post# 14258-2/24/2002-17:55 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (Easy - Hotpoint - WCI)
MESSAGE: What a terrifying thought. At least Easy apparently had the good sense to go out of business before this got too out of hand...
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Post# 14259-2/24/2002-17:57 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (Philco ebay wonders)
MESSAGE: The man bidding on it I think is the one that has that website with all the wringer washers on it.
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Post# 14260-2/24/2002-17:57 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Interesting.
Email was the DR Evil bent on dominating the white goods industry. Over the last 15 years it bought Kelvinator, Simpson, all the Southcorp brands. It then handed the whole parcel over to Electrolux, proud owners of the names Hoover, Simpson, Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Dishlex, Chef, Frigidaire, and I am sure other names too. I do think that there is a future for the Australian manufacturing industry in the point of view that the Australian made fridges are less likely to rust and service is everywhere. Also cheap Asian washing machines have been on sale in Australia since the 70's and have never matched the sales of the Simpson Delta and Hoover Premier medium sized washers. However corparate Greed and Politics ruined the Hoover company. See the link below.
I have no problem what so ever with European products. Whirlpool was neevr really in Australia anyway until it relaunced itself as an importer in the late 80's early 90's. Whirlpool products were made in Australia under licence by the Malleys company and were always labeled Whirlpool by Malleys. ANd even then they imported a small Japanese impeller washer that was extremely reliable I have known on several of these machines that just refused to die. ( I am, of course, familiar with all my friends and families washing machines! )
Whirlpools European product lines are genuine Whirlpool, produced and sole in Europe by Whirlpool owned factories and sold as Whirlpool. Whirlpool seems very serious about being a key player in Europe.
As for front loaders well I think they are the only moral chocie is a dry country like Australia. While Sydney has had plenty of rain regional NSW and I am sure other parts of the country dont have as plentiful water supplies. I have just been up the central coast and they are on water restrictions as of today. My Aunty in Coffs Harbour says that the city water supply up there is expected to run dry. These parts have increasing populations and demand on resources and using 180 litres of water each time you wash is not on. You talk about the capacity of American machine s yet my same Aunty's Kleenmaid is a huge machine whith a surprisingly small washbowl. Yes the new model is larger but used more water too. Fishers and Paykels much advertised energy effiency doesnt nessacariry translate into water effiency.
The capacity of wahing machines is a joke. How many people have 8 kG of washing at any one time? If you did you would be surprised if you put it in the machine!! And still even then colours, whites and towels need to be separted. Most people dont run their machine full, its about 3/4 full so all this capacity is a joke. You can fit just as much washing in a larger front loader or smaller front loader to match a smaller top loader. The tuble action moves the clothes around much better than an agitator that needs the room to move the clothes around in a tub.
If bending down in an issue then a pedestal is an option. Having an American Whirlpool top loader my Mum needs a stick to reach the bottom as it is too far down to reach. A raised front loader is definately the best option on ones back.
As for design, so what? American machines were very fancifully designed in the past. Look at the older Kenmores and Frigidaires that our fellow members have collected. They have great style. The same machines today are so bland. White knobs on a white background. Better though than a few years ago when it was black knobs on a brown background. So the Europeans may have a few more curves, but as long as I can choose my cycle, temp, and variables to suit me, fine. I personally have always been facinated with design. As a school boy i used to just draw all kinds if different control panels in the back of my books. Yes Kids may get to them but kids can also get a chair and get to the top of a top loader and start playing around too! You say front loers have 30 odd cycles, each part of the wash, rinse and spin are considers a "program" as opposed to a whole "cycle". Taking this idea means that a 3 cycle Hoover 750LB has 17 programs.
Front loading is also gaing a mcuh higher profile in the US too, as the most viable option to wash clothes effectively AND meet US increasing strict energy guidelines. Europe, with expensive resources such as energy and water, has been doing this for years. The great styling is just a bonus.
Globalisation means that we are going to see more and more same again products. Look at Volkswagen. Its Golf forms the basis of many differesnt cars, such as the Audi A4, Seat Toldeo, Skoda Octavia and many other cars. Al that is essentially different is the marketing. At least in Australia we have a bigger choice. In Sears you can choose from Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire and Amana. Walkin into a Harvry Norman store and you can choose from Fisher and Paykel, Hoover, Simpson, Whirlpool, Maytag, LG, Samsung, NEC, Miele, Asko, Bendix, Ariston, and Bosch. Plenty of choice if you ask me.
Its just a shame that our one front loader made here is gone. It was a good machine for its purpose.
LINK: http://www.cpa.org.au/garchive/954hoov.htm
*****
Post# 14261-2/24/2002-18:01 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (catching up.)
MESSAGE: Your Bendix power surge brochure was Great Ganski. I hope you find one of these machines.
Companies like Miele and others seem to come up with new ideas that work. Saving resources seems to be the focus of these comapnies for the last two decades, while the US companies seem to be caught unaware and are trying to patch up. The Frigemore seems like a nice and well thought out product though. I would love to see and use one.
*****
Post# 14262-2/24/2002-18:28 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: New 1956 Bendix Laundry Sales Facts
MESSAGE: Not that I know of - so far, the stuff only dreams are made of!
*****
Post# 14263-2/24/2002-18:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (Philco ebay wonders)
MESSAGE: That is a beauty!
First the Food-O-Rama and now this...you know what they say about a man with huge appliances.....
*****
Post# 14264-2/24/2002-18:43 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (rebirth of Easy outside of U.S.)
MESSAGE: Very recently, I viewed a new "Easy" washer. Unique thing(s) about it is....the large rectangular viewing window in the lid and the Spanish language graphics on the control panel. Otherwise; it appears to be made by GE. Don't know it's whereabouts....I'm thinking perhaps Mexico.
*****
Post# 14265-2/24/2002-20:13 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (ABC Wing)
MESSAGE: Robert,
This is a great addition - Thanks
Peter
*****
Post# 14266-2/24/2002-21:15 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: You seem to be forgetting the Maytag Neptune, designed and built in the USA. With advanced touchscreen panels, true programmable memory-saved favorites selections, and precise diagnostics and real time parameter display. Then there's the Calypso - controversial, yes, but boring? NO!
*****
Post# 14267-2/24/2002-22:08 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Not having any real time experience with these two machines, I know only that there is of course only one thing that each of these machines lack: can you guess what it is? :-)
*****
Post# 14268-2/24/2002-22:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: I just had a thought: I wonder if the "new" GE washer is going to be an F&P...after all, GE does make the American F&P dryers...
*****
Post# 14269-2/24/2002-23:18 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: No, what?
*****
Post# 14270-2/24/2002-23:29 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: a window, in each case. ;-)
*****
Post# 14271-2/24/2002-23:31 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Hmmm . . . follow this link, then select either of the first two models, and then look at the Use/Care guide. It has a one-touch cycle with automatic water level similar to F&P (but the auto-water level apparently doesn't function if a specific cycle is selected . . wonder what's with that??).
Maybe GE is bringing the Intuitive to the US. But that would be F&P's flagship model, and they have their own market here, so why would they give it to GE??
LINK: http://geappliances.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+DevMM.FramesImg?model=WPS&color=White&img=prtbl_stnr.jpg
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Post# 14272-2/24/2002-23:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Well... most top loaders don't have windows... including the venerable Unimatic... although there is a window lid available for the Calypso... I've seen them at dealers'... the Neptune may lack a window, but it has an essential feature I cannot do without... a reversable door.
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Post# 14273-2/24/2002-23:36 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (choice and other things)
MESSAGE: You are right about those two machines. Definately not boring!
I was thinking more about the generic GE and Frigidaire lines, and machines such as the resource saver Whirlpool. While you have Interesting and Exciting machines such as the Neptune, Calypso and Speed Queen front loader, I was responding to Ganski's comment about how companies such as GE will mostly make a machine that just meets the requirements for consumption and performance will be compromised.
My other point is that for a small population 20 million, we have an extremely wide choice of Australian, New Zealand, American, Asian and European appliances.
Then the other point is about styling. The Mayatg Atlanis and Neptune are very stylish and this is obviously a factor that was designed in. But the masses of Kenmores, Frigidaires and GE's definately lack the styling flair of models from the past.
Not out to offend anyone.
Not out to offend anyone.
*****
Post# 14274-2/24/2002-23:41 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Windows)
MESSAGE: I found a website for Easy of mexico but I cant open it.
I think a window lid is a fantastic idea! I wish Maytag would make a window lid so you dont have to trip the double lid switch!
*****
Post# 14275-2/24/2002-23:43 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Well, I've scoured GE's web site, and I can find no mention of a new washer line being unveiled this past week. Maybe the web site is out-of-date?
There is a press release about a $200 million upgrade to GE's Appliance mfg facility in Kentucky, which leads me to believe that GE will not be rebadging F&P's.
I'd like to think that GE is going to be bringing out a nifty new front loader with features that will blow everyone else away. Not that I'm a GE fan, I'd just like to see even more progress in the front loader arena. Unfortunately when I think of GE appliances, I get that cheap metallic taste in my mouth, like that I experienced as a small child in the mid-1950's after putting a stamped steel toy car in my mouth. Those toy cars were made in Japan, of course. Since then Japan, Inc., has vaulted from the bottom of the quality heap to the very top. Maybe there is hope for GE yet.
*****
Post# 14276-2/24/2002-23:47 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Definately not an F&P machine. Looks more like an Asian produced machine to me with its front control panel and fold up lid. Probably a Samsung.
I am guessing this because we have a Samsung washer on sale in Aus badged as a GE Profile.
*****
Post# 14277-2/24/2002-23:49 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: aha! 8-)
*****
Post# 14278-2/24/2002-23:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Windows)
MESSAGE: Well, if I had a Calypso, I would either finagle my dealer into getting me one of those window lids, or I'd order a standard lid as a spare part and then cut a hole in it and silicone a piece of tempered glass to it. Alas, the Neptune door design is not so amenable to such alterations, having not only an outer and an inner panel, but also a big ventilation tube and a thick steel counterbalance plate running right smack down the middle.
If I knew a plastics manufacturer I'd try to get them to build an inner and outer door panel out of a transparent but heat resistant plastic. But it wouldn't take long for the inner panel to get scratched up and useless.
*****
Post# 14279-2/24/2002-23:53 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Its a samsung.)
MESSAGE: I just downloaded the owners manual and it is a Samsung.
i could tell by the lint filters mounted on the side of the wash tub. They are like cassettes, you pul them out, open them up, empty the lint and replace them. Others suchc as LG and Daewoo have little filter bags at the top of a water track that works in a similar way to the Norge burp filter.
*****
Post# 14280-2/24/2002-00:08 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: A window - just like the Hamilton you remember! ;-)
*****
Post# 14281-2/24/2002-00:21 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Perhaps F&P-like washers will be manufactured in this newly remodeled plant, much like many foreign cars are now assembled in US plants.
*****
Post# 14282-2/24/2002-00:22 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: My guess is it would just be another version, just like you have Whirlpool and Sears, and who knows how many White/Electrolux or whatever products that are essentially the same.
*****
Post# 14283-2/24/2002-00:24 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: That's rii-iight! Then again to me, all washers and dryers should have windows.
*****
Post# 14284-2/24/2002-01:15 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Why are there no posts prior to #14200? (Reply to # 14239)
MESSAGE: Thank you Scott,
You know how it is, if its right in front of one's eyes it is more likely to be missed (the previous button in this case).
Take care
Bubbles
*****
Post# 14285-2/24/2002-01:51 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Or, maybe GE will be coming out with a new design of toploader.
The "Percowash". Yep, it runs on 220 volts, 30 amps. It heats that water to boiling, at which point it bubbles up the center of the agitator, and hits a glass bulb on the lid with a plop plop fizz fizz. You can watch the water go from clear to murky as the dirt is extracted from the clothes in the percolation chamber. Instead of spinning, a big plunger comes down and squeezes all the water out. Sugar and creamer are extra.
*****
Post# 14286-2/25/2002-07:38 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RIP the Aussie Hoover)
MESSAGE: Once again I agree with you Arrrooohhh.
I particularly like the Hoover front loaders. The Electra's were the last of them and they had no heater and had "normal" temp controls - you could separately select hot/warm/cold wash, whereas the earlier ones had temp linked to the timer - a long wash was hot, a medium wash was warm and a short wash was cold. They also re-introduced a detergent dispenser. The intermediate ones, you had to add detergent to the drum, there was no provision for softener (not that I use it). The Zodiac 470's were good too, with the brush-type motor which spun really well (if noisily). The 480 and 490 used the Italian induction motor, which was quieter and more reliable, but spun dismally slow, and seemed to shake about more. I have wondered if Electrolux intend to put one of their Front Loaders into producton here?? As they also own Frigidaire in the US, I wonder if they might bring it to Australian production? Its simple design, heaterless and large capacity would make it seem a certain success here, if it were priced right.
Ah well, dreaming is free...
I loved your link about Hoover's recent corporate history.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14287-2/25/2002-07:49 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: Don't hold your breath waithing for a fantastic new GE.
GE planned a big assault on the expanding Front Loader market here in Aus about four/five years ago. They told dealers they soon expected to be the number 1 front loader in Australia, 1 dealer told me they expected to sell more FL's here than all other brands combined!! The product.....
Drum roll....
The apalling Hotpoint range from the UK, already about 20 year old technology, recently re-engineered for decreased reliability and more noise and vibration. Rebadged as GE.
They were hardly knocked over in the rush. I have seen two year old versions still on the showroom floor with clearance prices. I have rescued two of them from the landfill when they were under four years old - must have been happy owners, chucking out a thousand dollar plus washer after four years.
The Samsung triflow Top Loader rated last in Choice magazine.
Boy, looks like they've picked a winner...
Chris
drowning in my own vitriol.
*****
Post# 14288-2/25/2002-08:12 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Hi Mr. Bubbles.
(I'm a bit worried about that name. Do you know about the other Mr. Bubbles??? )
Not so sure about your comments on Euro front Loaders. I have owned lots of them, I have never had to kneel down to operate them. It isn't hard to make them childproof, too. Whirlpools from Italy tend to have retracting knobs, LG front loaders have a combination of buttons you press to lock the controls.
If you want a rear control panel, you can get the "Kleenmaid by Brandt" top loading tumble washer, which is a little screamer. Only drawback is the outrageous price.
I agree with you about the stoves, however. I have been a professional cook for over 15 years and a trainer of cooks too. I have never come across a better imported stove than the ordinary Aussie stoves like Chef or particularly Modern Maid. The commercial European stoves I have used in restaurants have been awful - poor burner control, wobbly trivets which burn away, uneven and slow ovens, etc.
Poor old Modern Maid...They were in financial trouble, the workers put their own savings into the company restructure,and it was renamed Modern Maid and Staff, they developed a really great gas stove called the Ultima series as their "do or die" effort. They didn't make it... I believe the company name was part of the problem, it sounds sort of sexist and old-fashioned. I bought one when they went broke as a clearance at a great discount. I bought a second-hand one when I moved to the country. I will chase up a second-hand or reconditioned one again when my new house is finished. They don't look like anything special, they just cook evenly and easily.
I could make a smutty reference to kneeling down to fiddle with an Italian retracting knob, but I'd better not.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14289-2/25/2002-08:49 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Today's POD 02/23/02 (GE no esta facil)
MESSAGE: Yes, GE is Easy in Central and South America...
-ph
*****
Post# 14290-2/25/2002-08:52 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (top load front load?)
MESSAGE: That looks suspiciously like a top loading h-axis washer to me, especially with 1 speed and the 2.7 capacity...
-ph
*****
Post# 14291-2/25/2002-08:53 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: YAY, glad you enjoyed them.
Did everyone notice that in the video of the Wash Cycle it shows 3 different segments of the wash cycle over a period of 12 minutes. Each new scene the water level is slighly lower and the splashing is less. The water level normally drops a bit through out the enitre wash cycle as its literally splashed over the top of the tub and down the drain.
*****
Post# 14292-2/25/2002-08:58 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Ahh, but the venerable Unimatic did have three models with window lids. Besides a window lid isn't necessary in a top loader with the exception of four brands, ABC-O-Matic, Kelvinator, Apex and Universal. Of course we all know why you need an window in the ABC, otherwise bring a bath towel! LOL
*****
Post# 14293-2/25/2002-10:55 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances
MESSAGE: I'd buy that... ;-)
There are some large commercial carpet shampooers used downtown that do something like that. There is a large plexiglass dome on top, and the water squirts through a tube into the dome, much like a percolator.
*****
Post# 14294-2/25/2002-11:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (top load front load?)
MESSAGE: I also considered that it could be one of those Korean washers with the little spinner on the bottom, but in the use and care section it mentions an agitator.
*****
Post# 14295-2/25/2002-11:48 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: Yes. I noticed that. Also after the overflow fill, it splashes like crazy until most of the water falls out of the tub. I like the spin acceleration. Quick like a frigidaire but not as fast :-( .
I want one!
*****
Post# 14296-2/25/2002-11:59 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
ABC-O-Matic
MESSAGE: What a wonderful machine that ABC-O-Matic. It was great to watch the videos! And what a splash machine it is. I always wondered how that one worked and now I know. Thanks Uni!
*****
Post# 14297-2/25/2002-12:04 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: The ABC is one of the most soothing washers I've heard so far. I could fall asleep listening to it wash. I have to say I think it ranks up there with belt drive Kenmores as far as sound goes. It has a nice soft rythmic sound along with the splashing. The spin is very quiet also.
*****
Post# 14298-2/25/2002-12:49 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: It may be just a matter of time before the lawyers force top loaders to have door locks as well... microprocessor controlled so that it will be difficult if not impossible to defeat them... this is progress... ;-)
*****
Post# 14299-2/25/2002-12:50 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: The ABC-O-Matic is the quietest vintage washer I have ever heard. When I'm using it and any other machine is also running in the basement at the same time, I have to look at the ABC to see if its still running.
*****
Post# 14300-2/25/2002-12:59 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: I'm up for that challenge. There will always be a way to make the machine "think" that the lid is closed, either electrically or mechanically. Worse comes to worse you can always take the lid off and cut a hole in it (take it to a machine shop to have a nice smooth round or square hole cut in it). Then silicone a new piece of glass to the new hole in the lid and walla, a window lid washer!
*****
Post# 14301-2/25/2002-13:04 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic
MESSAGE: Glad you enjoyed that Doug. For years I would look at the ABC and Kelvinator washer ads and wonder how the heck did that agitator move? Finally after years of wondering we can all know. And what a show that machine puts on, it hands down has to win the Applianceville Acadamy Award for "Most Dramatic Agitation Cycle".
More museum wings will open eventually, I just need to find a way to have the day last 25 hours.
*****
Post# 14302-2/25/2002-14:12 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (ABC)
MESSAGE: The splash away is my favorate part
Real Action!
Peter
*****
Post# 14303-2/25/2002-14:14 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic (ABC)
MESSAGE: It's so great - I wish they would have made a 1/18 !!!!!!
*****
Post# 14304-2/25/2002-14:22 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (here! here!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Very well said! Brave! Bravo! It is amazing to me that appliances cost about the same dollar amount today as they did fifty years ago. Look at the price difference in cars, food, and real estate between then and now. Yet washers and dryers go for the same amount. It's no wonder they are cheaply made with few major innovations over the decades. Self-cleaning lint filter? (GE had one in their very first automatic.) Auto-temperature control? (just about every automatic made in the fifties had them.) H-axis? (Someone please tell Maytag about Bendix and Westinghouse in the 40's and 50's.)
Even the Calypso, as innovative as it is, can be traced back to several early designs that were combined. (Whirlpool roto-spray, Apex bouncing basket, Bendix energy disc, ABC-O-Matic)
Some consumers "just can't justify" spending more money on a washing machine that does a better job, preserves their clothing, and conserves resources. But they can justify a $30,000 automobile every five years. It doesn't make sense to me.
And, don't get me wrong...I love my new Dakota Quad Cab...but a washing machine is much more important than a car or truck! ;-)
Rich
*****
Post# 14305-2/25/2002-14:34 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (pretty washer)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter
That Philco wringer is beautiful. I don't think it is as old as listed. Philco marketed these dual tub machines after aquiring Dexter, who held the patent. I would guess it is from the late 50's, maybe early 60's. It certainly is in good shape cosmetically. Go get it! If I had a basement with laundry tubs, I would drive to Chicago for it.
Rich
*****
Post# 14306-2/25/2002-15:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (here! here!)
MESSAGE: I think it's somewhat a matter of perspective. Typically the machines that last long enough to be called vintage are the ones that were well designed and manufactured in the first place. I'm sure there are plenty of pre-1980 machines have long since become recycled steel because they just weren't that great to begin with. When I read in the old CR reports of people getting electrocuted by old machines, or the admonition that a good service department is as important in selecting an automatic washer as the machine itself, well, I come to the conclusion that the typical machine of the 50's was probably not any more reliable than the typical machine of today, and perhaps less reliable. The same goes for vintage cars. When most people see one on the road, they say, "They were built like tanks, they don't make them like that any more" etc. When I hear such comments, I just think to myself, "how nice it is that I can keep a myth alive!". I can say from personal experience that while I love my vintage cars, I'm GLAD they don't make them that way any more. They were labor intensive and had much more frequent service intervals and much shorter lifespans than the cars of today. Yes, they were easier to work on, in some respects, because they had to be worked on very frequently. Of course, they cost about ten times today what they cost in 1950. Go figure! I think the thing I try to remember when buying a modern appliance, is, to get the best quality I can afford. That way, the thing might actually be an operational classic in 25 years or so, whether I still own it or not. We don't need more scrap steel.
*****
Post# 14307-2/25/2002-17:07 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Remember the Kenmore?)
MESSAGE: I think I remember you seeing a window-lid Kenmore (70's match-all style) and I STILL don't recall Sears ever offering that option...I wonder if someone did what you suggested here - or something kind of like that...
*****
Post# 14308-2/25/2002-17:08 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Remember the Kenmore?)
MESSAGE: Oh that reminds me -
Jetcone, how is the restoration of that Imperator washer coming along? I'll bet parts are impossible to find!
*****
Post# 14309-2/25/2002-19:17 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: Well, I agree that it is soothing, but I still think of the Norge Timeline as the most soothing sounding and rhythmic washer to nap with. Come to think of it - - the GE filter flo would also qualify as soothing except for that darned banging of the tub brake after spin........
*****
Post# 14310-2/25/2002-19:21 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (here! here!)
MESSAGE: Sad, but true. But I wonder - back in the 50's and 60's what was the estimated life of a washer?
*****
Post# 14311-2/25/2002-19:27 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1946 Philco Refrigerator (pretty washer)
MESSAGE: It is a beautiful machine, and I think you are probably right about the age. I don't think that particular Philco logo was seen on washers until the 1959 Automagic was introduced. The 1950's Philco washer pictured in the P.O.D didn't sport that logo.
*****
Post# 14312-2/25/2002-19:43 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: Well, I haven't heard a Norge Timeline machine run but I'm sure it sounds great.
As far as the best sounding washer, I still think belt drive Kenmores win that category IMHO. Maybe it's because I grew up with one too.
Different people feel that way about the washer they grew up with. Like some people like the "chugga chugga chugga" of a Unimatic, while some people love the hum of a GE, the splashing of an ABC, the sloshing and whine of a front loader, or the almost musical "whirrrrwhirrrrwhirrrrr" of a Kenmore :-D . Give me the Kenmore!
*****
Post# 14313-2/25/2002-20:05 ||| mrb627 (Atlanta GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (centerpost)
MESSAGE: This is actually a centerpost washer and BestBuy has them in stock. I looked at one and thought it would be a fine toy to play with as it is portable and could connect to any faucet.
Why don't appliance dealers have machines connected for a live demo?
*****
Post# 14314-2/25/2002-20:54 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Washer Sounds!!)
MESSAGE: I have always like the sounds of all kinds of washers. But to me my favorate will always be a GM Frigidaire. Weather it was a rapid dry or 1/18. To me thats the sound of good True washing. It was probably the loudest of all the washing machines but their was no sound like it. (I realy miss that sound)
Jetaction to all!
Peter
*****
Post# 14315-2/25/2002-23:58 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hotpoint in Aus)
MESSAGE: I remember a comprehansice advertising campaign in the media a while ago. Advertisements in all the weekly magazines such as Who, Womens Weekly etc, rather than just the Better Home type mags. Every store you walked into had them on display.
What went wrong? The machines did look very nice in the stores and the drum looked large which would of sold people. They were expensive though and you could get the Whirlpool with the same features for $150 less.
*****
Post# 14316-2/25/2002-00:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RIP the Aussie Hoover)
MESSAGE: I have often wondered if we might see the Frigemore either sold in Australia or better still manufacured here. Look at the sucess LG has had with its 7 kilo front loader, the Frigemore could just walk out the door. I thought they could sell it as a Westinghouse as they are currently selling a rebadged LG. Wishing and Hoping...
*****
Post# 14317-2/25/2002-00:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Frigemore)
MESSAGE: I have often wondered if we might see the Frigemore either sold in Australia or better still manufacured here. Look at the sucess LG has had with its 7 kilo front loader, the Frigemore could just walk out the door. I thought they could sell it as a Westinghouse as they are currently selling a rebadged LG. Wishing and Hoping...
*****
Post# 14318-2/25/2002-00:11 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: I noticed that. I guess all that water you were wiping away its amazing any is left in the tub!
I assume it didnt have an overflow at the end o fthe wash. That would be to wild to watch!
*****
Post# 14319-2/25/2002-00:20 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (top load front load?)
MESSAGE: It often is called an agitator, or a low profile agitator. The base skirt is large and sunk into the base, rather than sitting on top of the base. The centre bost comes up one third of the way into the drum, and is suppose to go up and down. Dont expect anything frigidaire like, its like that kenmore agitator that goes up and down as well as side to side, just shorter.
*****
Post# 14320-2/25/2002-01:17 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Cottons, Permanent Press, Frape)
MESSAGE: The one I saw a few years ago didn't have any center post. It was a disk on the bottom of the tub. I didn't see it operate, so I don't know how it worked. Looking at it make me think more blender than washer.
*****
Post# 14321-2/26/2002-05:36 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
Thanks for making these ABC videos, they are just wonderful. Some time ago, we were discussing the ABC and Kelvinator wash action, and I could not picture the motion. DADoES kindly posted a link to a cutaway diagram of the ABC, I thought that this may be a good time to repost the link. The picture is in golittlesport's album.
Thanks again
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/golittlesport/vwp?.dir=/Vintage+Ads+%26+other+stuff&.src=ph&.dnm=ABC-O-Matic+cut-away.JPG&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/golittlesport/lst%3f%26.dir=/Vintage%2bAds%2b%2526%2bother%2bstuff%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14322-2/26/2002-05:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RIP the Aussie Hoover)
MESSAGE: Gizmo,
That Hoover idea of wash time linked to cycle, long=hot etc, gave me quite a chuckle. As we would say in the UK, the idea seems rather arse about face, bet you use that ex[ression in OZ too, US translation - the wrong way around.
I figure that many of you will be familiar with the CHAT acronym, Chemical, Heat, Agitation, Time, to describe the basic elements of successful laundy. If all elements are in proportion you get the result, if you decrease one element, then other(s) must increase to compensate. In practise, if one reduces the wash temperature, then you need to inccrease teh detergent dose, time or agitation to get a result with the same load.
I guess that Hoover's logic was that the short cold cycle was only for light soil, and the long hot for heavy soil. This would make it dificult to wash very dirty non-colourfast items.
I figure that in non-heater mechanical controlled machines, one should be able to get wash temperatures that are not set options on the machine, by adjusting the water taps. Many of the older machines did not have cold washes or cold rinses, but I guess that if you turned off the hot water, you would get cold wash / rinse.
*****
Post# 14323-2/26/2002-06:53 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (top load front load?)
MESSAGE: Don't forget to mention arrrooohhh...
The standard operation for these impeller type washers is about 30 minutes for a load to wash, rinse and spin, followed by 45 minutes untangling the twisted rope of clothes left by the impeller. To ensure a tangle free wash you need to set the water level to highest and load the machine only half full.
Yes, I don't like 'em.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14324-2/26/2002-07:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Programmes & Cycles)
MESSAGE: I think that programme is Euro speak for cycle+wash temp. The reason that Euro machines can quote 20 - 30 programmes is because temerature is often fixed for any given wash. Thus, taking my current Miele as an example, the programme dial has -
cottons 30 40 50 60 75 95 Centigrade (85 105 120 140 165 205 F)
min iron (perm press)30 40 50 60
delicates cold 30 40
wool / handwash cold 30 40
quickwash 40, starch, spin, drain, separate rinse, mixed wash 40.
This machine would be described in Euro terms as having 21 programmes. In US terms it could be described as having 6 cycles, cotton, min iron, delicate, wool, quick, mixed, with 7 temperatures.
*****
Post# 14325-2/26/2002-08:18 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
I just have to respond to some of your comments about Euro appliances.
'tiny 30 inch cook top', wow that's not tiny, thats quite big. I have a standard full size gas stove with a 19.5" wide hob (cook top), yes 19.5". OK it drives me batty, far too small to get our pans on, but it is what many many UK people have. My next range will be 35" wide, that is considered huge.
'Euro-style this and that, all very uniform products where it really doesn't matter what brand name is on anything anymore' mat be because a huge percentage (80%?) of Euro washers are made by Merloni and badged as whatever. The dominance of just 1 or 2 huge players combined with globalisation really is making modern appliances very boring.
'Take those European front-loading washers for example, they cost an absolute fortune to buy, come with 30 or 40 program options', I have posted details of my Miele's 21 basic programmes, but following your seemingly scandalised comment of 30 or 40..., I just had to try to count my Miele's number of possible combinations, I got it to 677. That is teh 21 programmes, with a combination of their possible option buttons, plus all the possible combinations of 'behind the scenes' user programme variations. As well as these, the machine will itself also make variations to the cycle according to various parameters, load absorbancy and size, water temperature, oversudsing, ballance etc. Personally, I love having so many options to play with, stops it being boring.
'kneeling on a cold tile or concrete floor', we arn't all so pre-historic here, my tile floor is heated, so its very cosy to sit on when watching the machine. Also I dont kneel to load, I squat, it only takes a few seconds.
'The other thing I absolutely hate is the placement of controls at pelvic level', if you lived in a tiny Euro house, you would not want the controls anywhere else. To save space we need to stack the washer and dryer, or install them under a counter. Our houses are really tiny, I have seen plans for US houses with 1200 sq ft garages - my house is 950 sq ft total, and it is not a small house by our definitions.
'dishwashing technology in the US is eons ahead of anything that comes out of Europe'. How do you work this out. I have used a Euro dishwasher for over 10 years, and it washes very well. Euro machines heat cold water to avoid setting protein based foods. Most Euro DW detergents have enzymes to work with the gradually heated water to maximise effectiveness of the wash. Granted, cycles are longer, but my Bosch has a longest cycle of 86 mins and shortest 35 mins, so they are not too bad. Electricity usage is fairly good considering the water is heated in the machine, on the longest hotest 65C 150F wash with heated dry, usage is 1.8kWh and 27 litres 7 US gallons water. This machine is over 10 years, newer ones are even more efficient. OK, Euro machines to not have a hard food chopper, but that is no problem, the filters catch it and one empties the filter. Euro machines can be used as hot fill too, though non-enzyme detergent would work best then, as hot fill my Bosch would be 63 mins and 16 mins for the long and short wash, electricity drops to 0.3 kWh for the hot wash on hot fill.
Actually, I think I have just convinced myself to switch the DW to hot fill and give it a try. I currently have an electricty tarrif that gives me a cheaper rate at night, but I am moving to another supplier and will no longer have this option - hot fill would help save money. I know Louis won't approve, but I could try it and switch back to cold if I am not satisfied.
Well, thanks for giving us so much food for thought. I am sorry that the Australian appliance industry is in such a bad state.
*****
Post# 14326-2/26/2002-09:42 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Is this a "real" Hotpoint, or the first of the GE clones?
*****
Post# 14327-2/26/2002-09:42 ||| wringingwet (Walterboro South Carolina)
SUBJECT:
Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: Hey guys
I am in the market for a new dishwasher and in my research discovered that Kitchen Aid removed the fan drying system in thier machines. This was the best feature I loved they actually dried the dishes. Do any of you know of any other machine that will dry the dishes with a fan other than condesation. I am sadden by this.
ON a grander note The ABC Wing is a dream come true thanks so much for your hard work UNI in preseriving the once shining times of the appliance world when it made a diffrence
PHilippe
*****
Post# 14328-2/26/2002-09:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: I think the fan forced drying went away when they discontinued the Hobart-type machines around 1996. I liked the feature too, although I've not had a problem with the standard issue drying in my Sears. Certain older non-Whirlpool Sears dishwashers had forced air drying, but I don't know if they offer any models that do anymore or not. Maytag used to have forced air drying, but I haven't kept up with them so don't know if that's still the case, or if their dishwashers are even theirs anymore or made by someone else or clone of another design.
*****
Post# 14329-2/26/2002-11:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic Wing Is Now Open!! (Splash o rama)
MESSAGE: I love the sound of the Speed Queen. The washers that Robert and Eddy have are so tranquille and still so determined.
Louis
*****
Post# 14330-2/26/2002-11:35 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (my perspective)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich
The point I was trying to make was that dollar for dollar, washers cost a lot less today than they did 50 years ago. And in that period of time, very little innovation has been produced. Save for the dual action agitator (and even that was a step down from Frigidaire's pulsator and ABC's dasher) and electronic controls, nothing is different. And, of course, the Calypso, which I mentioned in my original post. Old ideas are reintroduced in a marketing blitz that makes it sound like they've invented penicillin.
I don't think a machine has to be built like a truck to be considered vintage. Any machine is going to need repair and upkeep. The Westy front loaders of the 40's and 50's were made of cheaper materials than the all-porcelain Hotpoints and Frigidaires. But the classic style and innovation that went into that early design makes it a treasure. Many of the original designs were troublesome. But with the cost of parts and labor today, after a few years it does not make sense to sink a few hundred dollars into repair when you can go get a new machine for the same price. I think in earlier times, repairs were less expensive in relation to the cost of a new machine and that may be why some machines were around longer.
I just feel today's top loaders are DULL. They all look and operate the same. Instead of spending some bucks on new designs, the manufacturers crank out the same old stuff as cheaply as they can and keep prices low.
Of course, the whole issue boils down to most consumers don't care much about washing machines. Manufacturers really don't need to woo customers with innovative features, but with low prices. Like I said, it's amazing that many people just can't bring themselves to spend more money on a washer than their grandmother did, but they will gladly shell out 10 times what their grandfather did for a automobile.
Sadly, most consumers aren't into clothes care and understanding the mechanics of their machines. They don't care which detergent or softener is used and most don't enjoy watching the clothes tumbling through a window. If only these people thought like us! :-)
There! I've released all my hot air.
Rich
*****
Post# 14331-2/26/2002-11:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: LOL, I don't think I have to approve of you connecting your dishwasher to hot water. Is there any non-enzyme detergent for dishwashers available in the UK?
As for European washers costing a fortune, I don't agree with that. People in the US and perhaps also Australia only know the more expensive models. I don't think many European low end washers are sold there. Overhere in Europe you can get a basic washer for around US $275.-. And ofcourse TOL washers are cheaper overhere.
louis
*****
Post# 14332-2/26/2002-11:47 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT:
POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Scott,
I could be wrong but I beleive that this machine was made by
Ge because the main agitator is very similar to the one that
GE used.Hotpoint also did not have the solid tub anymore and the tub looked like standard issue GE. Hotpoint/GE continued
with this handwash system until the 90s.
*****
Post# 14333-2/26/2002-11:52 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: That's a GE. I find one of them every week at my haunts. They seem to be quite popular, but where are the old solid tub, spiral agitator ones hiding?
-ph
*****
Post# 14334-2/26/2002-11:52 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Thanks Bruce, if this washer has a perforated tub then it is definitely a GE design, as the Hotpoint design used a solid tub. They must have kept the left opening lid for a while after changing the insides. Scott
*****
Post# 14335-2/26/2002-11:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: Yo, Angus. I made it to Trader Joe's on Sunday, but this particular store didn't have any Kirk's Castile Soap. They did have Dr. Bronner's liquid and bar castile soaps, along with several other brands, but no Kirk's. I will try the other Traders that I know about in my area, as well as a whole foods supermarket. I did find some "Eco" brand liquid laundry soap at Trader's, which I will be trying on some delicates/wool/leather gloves in due course. Oh yeah, and the Trader Joe's store brand of Belgian chocolate is quite good... yum!
*****
Post# 14336-2/26/2002-11:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RIP the Aussie Hoover)
MESSAGE: I know that as the CTM acronym - Chemical, Thermal, Mechanical sources of energy. Time is understood; time just increases the effect of all three parameters. It's like super-sizing it;-)
*****
Post# 14337-2/26/2002-12:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: My '97 Frigidaire schematics show circuitry for an exhaust fan for the drying cycle, but I'll be darned if I can see or hear that fan. I think it was just a concept.
*****
Post# 14338-2/26/2002-12:08 ||| skyblew (Saint Paul, MN)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (Stove repair/restoration in MN)
MESSAGE: Hi - Thanks so much! If you want to e-mail me at:
skyblew4@yahoo.com
I can reply with my home and work numbers so he can contact me (if he doesn't want to give out his #).
I kind of figured that about the do-it-yourself thing, I knew it was a slim hope but I thought I'd ask. I do have a lead on someone who repaired and restored a 1940's gas range here in the Cities, I'm waiting to get their name and number to see if they can help with this one. If not, we will probably just do it piece by piece and learn as we go (*cringe*).
Thanks again for all your help!
Cari
*****
Post# 14339-2/26/2002-12:15 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Hotpoint!)
MESSAGE: Actually Hotpoint in the POD was still their origional design
About 1975 or 1976 they went to the GE design when the lid open to the rear like the GE did. Thats how you can determine the switch was made
Peter
*****
Post# 14340-2/26/2002-12:16 ||| skyblew (Saint Paul, MN)
SUBJECT:
RE: 1920's (?) Estate gas range in St. Paul (Estate range in St. Paul (gansky1))
MESSAGE: Hi - thanks for the suggestion on the books!
I think I'm going to buy at least one of the how-to manuals on stove repair, they look great.
The refrigerator is in good shape too and works great. However, I'm embarassed to say that it's been moved to the basement and is currently holding pop. It's tiny inside and just didn't have enough room. About all it would hold is our condiments, a little pop and a few bags of lettuce. Plus the little shelf for the ice trays dripped so that we always had water in the bottom. Other than that, the only thing wrong with it is that someone sprayed it with white appliance enamel so it should be recoated.
It hurt to move it to the basement but we just couldn't deal with how small it is inside.
Cari
*****
Post# 14341-2/26/2002-12:21 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (my perspective)
MESSAGE: The ironic thing about people wanting the cheapest washer and not caring about clothes care, is that it is possible that the same folk have paid more for a single item of clothing than the washer costs.
*****
Post# 14342-2/26/2002-12:37 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (my perspective)
MESSAGE: Rich,
Yes after I posted that I realized that I probably missed your point. I agree that most front loaders today are boring. I think this is probably because, aside from the GM Frigidaire design, most of the unusual agitator designs were found not to clean much better than a more standard back and forth agitator design. So the American washer industry standardized, more or less, on a basic design. The Calypso is probably the first major deviation from that in decades (ok, the F&P is unusual as well, but it's not American). Perhaps we'll see something along the lines of the LG turbodrum here, I don't know. Personally I think the top loader's days are numbered - there is just no way that it can compete with a front loader in terms of all three vital parameters - cleaning efficiency, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Just my opinion.
In terms of repair vs. replace, I agree 100%. When you can get a brand new washer for $300 or less today, and labor rates run about $50+/hr plus travel charges plus parts... repairing a BOL washer starts to sound uneconomic, unless you do the repairs yourself, or the washer cost well above $300. The flip side is that I got a seven year extended service agreement on my Neptune 7500, cost me all of $120, so that thing will get repaired for at least seven years if it needs any work. After that I'll probably do the work myself, if the parts are not too exorbitant.
I figure the BOL washers are so inexpensive because there are few development costs to recoup, the factories are automated, and the number of parts and internal mechanical complexity has diminished. I figure the popularity of direct drive washers is because they are cheaper to produce than belt drive washers - just as are front wheel drive cars vs. rear wheel drive cars. The public accepts the compromises that direct drive seems to introduce (shorter, more violent agitation) just as they have accepted front wheel drive's drawbacks (torque steer, less traction on snow, etc). I believe the real innovation and quality in the US washer market will belong to various front loader designs - the HE3t, albeit of foreign manufacture - is a harbinger of things to come. And the Neptune was in its own way, fairly revolutionary, bringing front loader efficiency back along with ergonomic convenience and a non-threatening appearance to consumers used to the general look of top loaders.
Perhaps the next quantum leap in washer design will have to be driven by new technologies, just as most other feverish periods of innovation have been enabled. Perhaps we'll be seeing ultrasonic agitation, with ozone generators in the washers for bleaching/disinfection. Maybe dirt will be freeze-dried off clothing, and drying will be assisted by microwaves.
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Post# 14343-2/26/2002-12:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: Louis,
I think the same Miele sells for about twice as much in the US as it does in Europe. I recall someone saying that Miele claims that this is due to the expense of producing a machine that will run on US 220 voltage and frequency.
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Post# 14344-2/26/2002-13:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: I think there may be much more to the Miele foreign pricing than just electric conversions. Miele machines used to be very expensive in the UK, now they are somewhat closer in price to the main brands. I commented on this to a Miele Home Economist, who replied that due to so many Mieles now being sold in the UK, they were able to buy them in at a better price from Germany.
Exchange and shipping rates will also have a big part to play.
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Post# 14345-2/26/2002-13:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (It's GE.)
MESSAGE: This is most certainly a GE made Hotpoint, one of the early models after the change to GE design. We had this POD once before and noticed the washer pictured in the line-up of appliances at the bottom was still the "orginal" Hotpoint design while the washer above is a GE design. You can tell it's a GE design by the 18lb. capacity, the agitator, the self cleaning filter ring around the top of the perforated basket and the dead give-away, the GE bleach dispenser in the front left corner of the opening. The left opening lid was kept (but a larger more rectangular lid than HP design which was more square) and was changed to the familiar GE notched corner lid by 1978. Remember Eddy's GE/Viking washer still had the left opening lid and that was much newer than this era.
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Post# 14346-2/26/2002-13:56 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Hi Scott, that is the very first GE designed "fake" Hotpoint.
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Post# 14347-2/26/2002-13:57 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: Actually my family had the Hotpoing GE design bought in 1977 and it had the lid that went to the back. It was the TOL washerand also had the hand wash adjator.
Peter
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Post# 14348-2/26/2002-14:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Hotpoint )
MESSAGE: A friend of my mother's had this machine in the POD and I thought it was the most beautiful machine I'd ever seen! Since then, I've seen much prettier!
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Post# 14349-2/26/2002-14:07 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Hotpoint)
MESSAGE: Actually JCPenny used to sell the washer with the lid opening to the back and called it Pencrest. It was exactly like the Hotpoint GE with the hand wash adj.
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Post# 14350-2/26/2002-14:46 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (my perspective)
MESSAGE: Only frontloaders without a window are boring. Otherwise, were do you get the excitement of seeing whether or not you oversuds, or whether the load is holding so much water that it streams down the window when spinning first starts?
The American washer market only standardized because of consolidation and corporate buying/selling/merging/take over. When you are left with only 4 independent manufacturers, the competition is more defined, but the innovations come out much less frequently. It's certainly more fun having 6 or 10 companies trying something new rather than 4.
American people "settle" for today's laundry products because they figure it's better to have their own machine than to go to a laundromat. The only way you'd see a revolution is if people actually stopped buying the machines, started going to laundromats, and saved their nickels and dimes for the imported machines. When the European makers start taking more market share away from American makers, you'll then see a shift in products and quality.
-ph
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Post# 14351-2/26/2002-14:50 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Penncrest)
MESSAGE: The Penncrest machines were just very slightly different. The fins of the agitator were slightly offset on some model years. I thought I was seeing things the first time I saw it. I guess the offset would cause more turbulence and pull the load under when it turned in one direction than the other. Early Penncrest machines also had the HUGE consoles with big dials. They are neat to find, just too bad they are plain GE under the hood.
-ph
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Post# 14352-2/26/2002-15:18 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Hi Robert and everybody, thanks for your answers! Looking at the picture and description again now, I can kind of see the GE "bodystyle", and of course reading about the filter ring, the same system my much later Hotpoint had. I just had not realized that the lid configuration had carried over, and the control panel still looks kind of old line Hotpointish. Maybe they thought if they did it gradually no one would notice? LOL
Weren't there also Penncrest laundry appliances made earlier in the form of the coaxial Hotpoints?
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Post# 14353-2/26/2002-15:25 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Penncrest)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter!
I worked at JCPenney when in college. I sold shoes. (Oh, the stories I could tell you! ...but we won't go there right now.)
Now, I may be dating myself, but I used to check out the washers and they were the Easy-style solid tubbed spiralator with burp-up lint filter.
Rich
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Post# 14354-2/26/2002-15:29 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Hi Scott!
Yeah...like when no one noticed that WCI "switched" over Frigidaire to Westinghouse/Kelvinator clones. I can just hear them..."Just keep the control panel similar, no one will notice what's inside." Ha! These manufacturers are sneaky! ;-)
Rich
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Post# 14355-2/26/2002-15:43 ||| nmaineman36 (Portland Maine)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: Frigidaire does have a drying fan built into the door of the dishwasher. It acts more like a blower wheel in a dryer pulling the air thru the dishwasher. Maytag doesnt have forced air either ..it may look like it does since it has an outlet in the front corner of the dishwasher but thats just static vent to let the air in as the wax motor opens the opening under the control panel. It does a good job and the dishwasher is well insulated. I have seen times where I will wash my dishes at 7pm and the next morning they are still warm. Talk about insulation. The European dishwashers like Asko and Miele do have fans. The Asko condenses and the Miele uses whats called TurboThermic Plus ..pulling the moist air and mixing it with cool room air and then exhausting it in the kitchen.
I do remember how my moms KitchenAid KD-67 would dry...all the steam would come out below the door ..it was something to see but it would melt whatever was above the air outlet in the tank if it was plastic.
Drifting off here I have seen more Whirlpool and Kenmore dishwashers less than 5 years old going to the scrap heap. And not to mention Maytags as well. Kinda sad really in our throw away society that things just dont last like they used to.
Mike
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Post# 14356-2/26/2002-15:56 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Sorry, I don't agree that the Neptune is boring. True, a window would add another dimension to the washing experience. If I had to chose between a Neptune with a window, and one without, of course I'd chose the one with a window, even if it cost more. However, I don't need a window to know whether or not the suds level is appropriate (no suds is most appropriate!), or if the laundry is absorbing water. If it had a window, and I saw a low suds level, or no suds, I'd still have to open it up and test the feel of the water to make sure there was enough alkali to get a good wash result. The machine has an automatic water level detection that handles the question of whether or not enough water was added.
I think the Neptune is plenty exciting as is. It has a air of mystery about it... it goes through its paces quietly and efficiently, and then at the end there's that almost musical chime, then I open the door, with the dramatic in-tub lighting, to see the clean clothes plastered against the gleaming drum. I always get a little thrill when I start a load in the Neptune, because it's so cool. Besides, I have other things to do besides watching every wash cycle!
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Post# 14357-2/26/2002-15:57 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (JCPenney, Gibson's, and shoes)
MESSAGE: Hiya, Rich.
Yes, I vaguely remember Penncrest with spiral agitators and burp-up filters, and then later the Hotpoint/GE style with the filter ring. I found them fascinating, rather different from the other choice of Kenmore.
The JCPenney store of my childhood had appliances on the 2nd floor, and it was always my goal to get us up there somehow, even if my mother was only going to look at clothes on the 1st floor.
There was a discount chain in this area name of Gibson's back in the 60s and 70s, that handled Hotpoint for a while, and I recall those of the POD vintage. I always thought they were handsome machines.
(Shoe stories? Do tell!)
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Post# 14358-2/26/2002-15:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: Well, that's good news. I have no complaints about how the Frigidaire dries, and I never use the heated dry. Of course the bottoms of cups etc that collect water are still wet in the morning, but that's not the DW's fault.
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Post# 14359-2/26/2002-16:05 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers (Frigmorenoise)
MESSAGE: PS-The exhaust fan is the only mechanical process on the Frigidaire dishwasher that is quiet!
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Post# 14360-2/26/2002-16:11 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Frigidaire )
MESSAGE: The best is when they said it washed just as well as the 1/18
(sad)
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Post# 14361-2/26/2002-18:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to post # 14325)
MESSAGE: Hullo Herr-Miele,
Hope you are well since last we communicated. I also hope that you read my post # 14199, that explained some of the questions you had regarding my comments on top-loading dishwashers being more ergonomic (easier to load), in my opinion.
Actually I have to correct myself regarding the measurement on cooktops and ranges available in Oz. The standard width that is most commonly installed now, is approximately 23" not 30". It would be so nice to have a standard of 30" for the width of cookers like they do in the US. One can get larger cooktops, I have a Smeg that measures about 36", but now everywhere one looks they are selling and installing the smaller appliances - and they are not that cheap either. I just think that with a lot of products we get less and pay more now - it is the marketing that annoys me in particular.
I grew up in Germany during the 60's and early 70's, so I am very familiar with the appliances that have dominated the market there. I moved to the US in the mid-seventies and later came to Australia. America was an eye-opener for me, Germany then or now, has only a fraction of what is available in the US. Australia used to predominantly sell American technology until the mid-eighties. Now its really only American fridges and some washers. All other appliances have gone European in features and quality (e.g. ranges, cooktops and dishwashers).
In a nutshell, I don't find European appliances that inspiring, they also haven't changed that much in the last 20 years (contrary to the over-eager claims of many of the repondents to this board). I remember those woeful top-loading agitator washers that were produced by companies like Miele in the sixties, it is no wonder that agitator washers disappeared real quick from the German laundry scene. They never were like anything coming close to American washers, either in features nor durability. The Mieles and Bosches of today are still only white, use water, soap and electricity and have a round window -how exciting is that? Apart from the new Dyson (which was probably designed by Swatch), I really don't see a lot of new design variation. I suppose manufacturers intentionally stick with proven designs and are not into risk-taking when it comes to being innovative.
When I learnt how to use my first American style top-loader, I never looked back to those dull, inflexible and inconvenient tumble washers that dominate the European laundry scape. I like my appliances to be BIG, easy to use and convenient and I also like the option of either doing a full 12 lbs wash or the occasional (emergency) single item - and of course any load size in-between (naturally I reduce the fill accordingly). My next machine will have two variable speeds and 14 lbs capacity (another Speed Queen naturally).
I also like the ability of being able to stop, fast-forward or repeat any part of the cycle that I have chosen (or simply let it run its course). Being able to add stray items that were accidentally dropped on the way to the laundry, during the cycle is great. Being able to remove that accidental non-colorfast item, that threatens to ruin my laundry day without having to drain out and re-start the entire cycle, is another bonus (all you do is lift the lid and take it out).
Not having your laundry floor flooded if there should ever be a mechanical breakdown mid-cycle and being able to extract your washing from the machine immediately, without having to wait for the repairer, is a plus. I know how hard it is to get your clothes out of a front-loader when things go really wrong.
Front-loaders over here are more costly to buy and to fix, according to the experts of the repair trade that I have spoken to. They supposedly develop glitches with greater frequency than top-loaders and they don't last as long. I was also told by a number of these experts that far too often, items accidentally left in pockets, find their way in between the inner and outer drums in f/l machines, which apparently can cause all kinds of expensive mechanical probs - something that is very unlikely to happen with top-loaders.
Okay, I admit that I exaggerated a little about the number of cycles. I do think, though, that European machines have far too many cycles (and they still take too long). In my opinion all that is needed is a regular, permanent-press, handwash and wool cycle, everything else, in my opinion, is a gimmick.
Although my current machine only has one wash and spin speed, I find that it is very efficient at cleaning and not at all rough on my clothes (as is falsely claimed by the advocates of front-loaders). I even wash all my delicate handwashables in the machine, I turn the items inside out and place them in coarse-weave washbags, which works very well. I can wash my curtains, sneakers, my king-size dooner-cover, big woolen blankets (which would definitely unbalance a tumbler and be far too big for your average 8 to 10 pound machine). I have even washed an old suede jacket (as an experiment) in washer and it came out like new - no dry-cleaner would have done a better job, nor could I have done this in a tumble washer. My machine also comes in handy as a spin dryer only.
A fifteen-minute wash is not always long enough for really dirty clothes, but in that situation I soak. Top-loaders are perfect for soaking, it doesn't require energy or extra water and is recommended for the new enzyme detergents anyway. All that I need to do is to start the cycle, let it run for a couple of minutes before I switch off the machine. After whatever time I nominate (usually between half an hour to an hour), I simply switch the machine back on and let it complete the cycle, no hassle or pain. I also don't feel its necessary to have all the different temps. Most clothes these days can't be washed above 60 C (140 F) anyway. Cold washing is very common over here, unlike in Europe. I prefer a warm to hot wash though, particularly for towels and linen, but the occasional cold wash does the job too.
My relos in Europe, whom I see quite often, wash in Miele front-loaders. Their clothes do not have a cleaner or better appearance to mine. I would even venture to say that their whites are dull, which probably is also due to the types of detergents available over there.
In terms of quality, I don't know of many European brands that build machines to last more than 20 years. In the US and here in Oz I have come across so many people with appliances older than that. This really seems to be less common in Europe. The availability of working vintage machines, that appear to be around in the US, is astounding. I don't care what anyone says, but from my own observations, American appliances are generally much sturdier built than European and Asian.
Regarding dishwashers, US machines have always performed better than anything out of Europe. Here they are sold purely on economy (they sprinkle your dishes) and stainless steel interiors being more hygienic (bollocks!!), polypropylene is just as good actually. The US machines I have used always seemed to be more capacious, particularly the top-baskets seemed much bigger than in Euro-machines and easier to load. No pre-rinsing required and I don't like having to clean food residue from filters - there should be no residue after washing. The holes in the spray arms of Euro-machines are smaller to give a more conncentrated spray, which makes them clogg up with residue if solid food waste finds its way into the system. It is a real pain having to unclogg them - too much fiddling around with filters and spray arms. All the machines on the Oz market currently require the pre-rinsing of dishes, as per manufacturers recommendation. How much does that add to the overall consumption of water once a machine has been loaded up and switched on? It all sounds so good when they say "this machine only uses x amount of water per cycle", I'd rather have a machine that uses a little more water, but does the job right from the start. Believe me, built-in waste disposals in a dishwasher make the world of difference.
Also using hot water instead of cold, regarding the baking on of protein, has never been an issue. Usually the first rinse is tepid enough to prevent this from happening. I also like the door locking mechanism on US machines better. Before you can open the door during the cycle, one pushes a little lever from the on to off position. This really stops the machine before the door is opened. My two year old nephew has already opened my current dishwasher during operation and it didn't stop straight away. Water splashed out and it was hot and caustic. Luckily he didn't cop any in his eyes.
Just thinking about the GE machine that I had to replace, it was a very sophisticated appliance and I still haven't seen anything that comes remotely close to it.
Anyway, I better leave off now. I didn't intend for this post to become a major epic and I am going to the beach in a minute.
Don't get me wrong, I am not criticising people who want to buy European, everybody should buy what they want. You are also right about US appliances being largely unsuited to the European market. I know that utilities are very expensive and space is at a premium there. But I live in Australia and here things are a little different, I thnk that going European for us is going backwards - it really is less for more in the money sense.
Gotta go now
Be good
Bubbles
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Post# 14362-2/26/2002-18:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (dispensers & agitators)
MESSAGE: I have so much to learn about top-loaders, but at least they are fascinating.
What is the box-like thing attached to the lid of this machine? I assume it is a dispenser, guessing softener. I know its not bleach as gansky1 describes the bleach dispenser, though looking again, I can see a small dispenser to theright of the tub that looks like it could be softener. That would only leave powder for the lid mounted one. How does this work,I assume it does not dump the powder on top of the load when the lid is closed as that would gives clumps.
I love the nesting agitator idea, the handwash one does look very gentle. I have used a dual agitator machine, a Servis twin tub, on this the top part removed leaving only the vanes at the bottom, though I can't remember ever using this feature.
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Post# 14363-2/26/2002-18:59 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers (Frigidaire vs Asko)
MESSAGE: My Frigidaire experience is very different from yours Rich. Perhaps it is the specific model. I have the Gallery Professional model. I also have an Asko 1555. I would rate them about the same for noise level - basically I can't hear them unless I'm right next to them. I might even rate the Frigidaire slightly quieter.
My Frigidaire definately has forced air drying. You can see the fan in the door - and it shoots steam halfway across the room during the drying cycle. (You can't hear the fan on either the Frigidaire or the Asko).
Both clean great.
Neither has needed repairs.
Of course the Frigidaire cost less than half what I paid for the Asko -- but then the Asko has a light in the tub and a knife rack.
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Post# 14364-2/26/2002-18:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: And the dryer is a dead giveaway of the GE design - save for the control panel. Keep in mind though that GE did not begin using the dual agitators in GE badged machines until around 1990.. the beginning of the end...........
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Post# 14365-2/26/2002-19:01 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: I have tried the TJ's brand of chocolates and was also quite pleased. There should be a way for you to get your hands on some Kirk's....... perhaps a website?
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Post# 14366-2/26/2002-19:17 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (dispensers & agitators)
MESSAGE: That box is a detergent dispenser that it used to automatically dispense detergent into the wash cycle after a soak cycle. That way the user wouldn’t have to return to the washer after an automatic soak to add more detergent. The 1947 GE AW-6 washer had a very similar dispenser.
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Post# 14367-2/26/2002-19:20 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: In bubbles' defence, I don't think he meant that Euro washers are overpriced IN EUROPE. HE meant that here in Australia European appliances are generally very expensive, even for basic versions. I don't however agree with his general dismissal of Euro technology/design. But European appliances are designed for European houses and tastes, they sometimes fail to make changes to their design to better reflect the different situation in their export markets. In Australia most houses have generously sized seperate laundry rooms, so larger machines for bigger capacity sell well. Most Aussies wash in cold water, so heaters are largely unwanted. Of course, some people choose the European version exactly BECAUSE of these differences. There are Aussies with tiny laundries or a washer in the bathroom, there are Aussies who want a washer to heat its water. Variety is the spice of life.
In Australia the term "made in Europe" is often used as a way of claiming/implying that the product is of the highest design and quality, and thus worth a huge price. European appliances = quality and exclusivity. Of course we all here know that Europe makes its fair share of crap, just like USA, Australia and Asian countries make good and crap products too.
In Australian marketing, made in USA = tough and dependable, not as hi-tech but long lasting. So US stuff sells for quite a premium too. But we all know about GE top loaders, don't we... but it still commands a premium price in Aus.
Best wishes
Chris
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Post# 14368-2/26/2002-19:36 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Switched Reluctance Motors)
MESSAGE: Thanks Sudsmaster.
I have never heard of switched reluctance motors, I have assumed that they always had permanent magnets. It's a new concept to me.
What actually is "reluctance" in an electrical sense??
Perhaps stepper motors can be designed with or without permanent magnets? Some stepper motors definitely DO have PM's. The F&P Smart Drive has permanent magnets around its disc. Oatley Electronics in Australia (oatleyelectronics.com) have small stepper motor kits to experiment with.
Perhaps the motor in the earlier F&P, the Gentle Annie, is a switched reluctance motor. I haven't yet pulled one apart. It has two sets of windings, each a three phase winding. One set of windings is used for wash, the other is used for spin. the windings are electronically switched like stepper motors are. The motor has a tiny pulley and the agitator has a large one, so motor speeds are high in the gentle annie. It spins at 1000 rpm so at a rough guess the motor would be doing 12000 rpm. The smart drives of course, the agitator shaft is the motor shaft, so motor speed = agitator speed.
Thanks for the info.
Chris.
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Post# 14369-2/26/2002-19:45 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (reply to post 14223 - arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Your link mentioned the closure of Hoover's factory at Meadowbank, where the Hoover FL was made.
So guess what else was made there at Meadowbank???
Chris.
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Post# 14370-2/26/2002-19:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: FWIW, I've tried using my Zanussi dishwasher on hot fill connection, and it seemed to work very well. I couldn't see any difference in the wash efficiency, but did save around 15 minutes per cycle, which was a big advantage. Not sure if I actually saved much energy, as the model I have only uses 19 litres of water for a complete wash cycle, and therefore doesn't have much to heat anyway.
Since then, I've switched back to using cold fill, as I now use Finish tablets, which contain enzymes and work better on a 50*C wash from a cold start. Before that, I was using regular Finish powder, which is better suited to normal high-temperature washing. Therefore, I think it really depends on the type of detergent you use.
You could always rig your dishwasher connection to both the hot and cold supplies, using a Y-piece. Then you can control whether you use hot or cold water by turning the appropriate tap on or off. Might be worth a try!
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Post# 14371-2/26/2002-19:57 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: That looks like a really interesting washer - love the idea of the two-in-one agitator. I presume the device fitted to the underside of the lid is a dispenser to add detergent to the tub after the pre-soak cycle? It sounds like the lint filter works on a similar principle to the type used in direct-drive Whirlpool TLs.
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Post# 14372-2/26/2002-20:07 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (dispensers & agitators)
MESSAGE: Do you have any idea how this box opened after the pre-wash/soak cycle?
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Post# 14373-2/26/2002-20:10 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (dispensers & agitators)
MESSAGE: Left side bleach, which just funneled the liquid into the outer tub, not really a "true" dispenser, but allowed you to add it at the beginning of the cycle without having to wait for the agitation to start.
The dispenser on the right side would have been fabric softener, but I don't know how that worked, it may have been a container with a solenoid valve that emptied into the outer tub at the start of the rinse cycle fill.
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Post# 14374-2/26/2002-20:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: This was a recirculating filter, but channeled into a ring around the top of the wash basket. When the water spun out of the tub during drain, it would carry most of the lint out and then a spray rinse would flush it again. I remember most GE style Hotpoints with the filter ring had the fill flume directed into the filter ring, thereby making the spray rinse ineffective. Most of the water was thrown out of the filter ring and into the outer tub, never reaching the clothes load at all.
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Post# 14375-2/26/2002-20:24 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: As much as I like to see what's happening inside a washer, I'd have to agree with you about the lack of a window on a Neptune. When it actually comes to using the washer on a daily basis, it's something you don't really think about. I rarely watch my Bosch as it runs, other than the occasional quick glance, because real life dictates otherwise. I'm too busy doing other things to sit myself down in front of it and watch every single cycle.
Perhaps Maytag could add a small sight glass, say a few inches wide, to the door of the Neptune, seeing as a full-size window is unworkable. Maybe a tasteful oval shape, to match the "hood ornament" they put on the top slant of the door. While they're at it, a pushbutton which illuminates the drum for a few seconds, so you can take a quick peek through the sight glass just to check how things are coming along.
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Post# 14376-2/26/2002-20:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: On the whole, I think you're going to pay over the odds for anything which is even only slightly "unusual" in your particular market. And let's not forget that products which sell in huge quantities are often cheaper. Imported products sometimes only appeal to a certain niche market, and sell in fewer quantities as a result. That often translates into a higher purchase price.
Country of origin is used for marketing purposes here in the UK, too:
German made = great engineering and attention to detail; appeals to technology lovers.
Italian made = sleek styling; appeals to the "lifestyle conscious" (Zanussi in particular use this marketing tactic).
US made = BIG, dependable, unfussy; appeals to mainly to men, from what I've noticed, and those with little time for frills and gimmicks.
British made = affordable, geared to the needs of Mr & Mrs Average; appeals to patriotic types, and those who just want the job done without anything special in terms of features.
The Dyson washer, of course, fits into all of the above categories. It's high-tech, big, a must-have in terms of styling, and British made. People really seem to like it for all those reasons.
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Post# 14377-2/26/2002-21:07 ||| jgp57 (dearborn michigan)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (maytag)
MESSAGE: i have used a neptune for about two years i like it very much the only concern i have is mold around the door. this can happen if you dont clean the door seal area.jgp57
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Post# 14378-2/26/2002-21:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Ah, I see what you mean now. Kind of like the Filter Flo (aka Filter Clean in the UK), only it cleans itself centrifugally during the spin cycle, rather than being scraped clean by the user.
That does indeed sound like a rather ineffective spray rinse design. Even without seeing one, I can imagine how the water would just bounce right off the spinning filter ring. In effect, I suppose it just flushed the water straight down the drain, without it actually doing any good.
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Post# 14379-2/26/2002-21:46 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: Oh sure, I could order direct from Kirk's. But that takes all the fun out of it. Plus, the price you quoted from TJ's is cheaper!
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Post# 14380-2/26/2002-21:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Thanks Kirk. I think you're the first person to actually agree with me on this one. Although I have also proposed a sight window (or a small tv camera) as a window substitute, I hadn't thought of the oval design, that sounds idea. It might have to be offset though, as the vent tube and steel counterbalance plate take up the center of the door interior.
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Post# 14381-2/26/2002-22:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (maytag)
MESSAGE: Never had a mold problem with mine. You might call Maytag and tell them about the mold problem. They have a free upgrade kit, the PAH kit, which fixes this along with a few other problems. Just to make sure they don't hesitate, tell them you also hear a screeching sound when the machine is draining.
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Post# 14382-2/26/2002-22:30 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
ABC-O-Matic washer action
MESSAGE: Did anyone else notice a resemblance between the ABC-O-Matic's rollover action and that of a Frigidaire Pulsator or JetCone agitator?
Uncanny! :)
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Post# 14383-2/26/2002-22:35 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kitchen aid dishwashers
MESSAGE: Phillippe, Frigidaire (and only their TOL models) are the only brand I know of that has forced air drying anymore).
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Post# 14384-2/26/2002-22:39 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (my perspective)
MESSAGE: It's not hot air, it's a breath of fresh air. Only the guy behind the statements is ur ......
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Post# 14385-2/26/2002-00:04 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Programmes & Cycles)
MESSAGE: Hi Herr Miele.
Given your formula a top load Hoover 750LB, (a trypical 3 cycle top loader) Has 33 cycles!
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Post# 14386-2/26/2002-00:11 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: All the more reason why it is so sad the Hoover Electra is no longer with us. Just think perhaps if Hoover wasnt always going through restructures at the hands of new owners what it could of dont with the Electra. Consider front loaders ARE becoming more popular, no doubt Hoover would of made a bigger model.
As for the heater part I know a lot of people who are buying front loaders are taking advantage about the heater part. They cas sanitise different things etc.
But just like anywhere it takes a lot to change peoples laundry habits to a front loader and the Hoover was always the best compromise, feature, time performance and cost.
I love top loaders too. My forst love of washing macfhines came from my Nans Wilkins Service twin tub. I love different agitator designs and the ABC - What a show. But for all practical purposes tumble action is the way to go. Im converted!
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Post# 14387-2/27/2002-03:20 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action
MESSAGE: Hi,
I certainly noticed that the ABC produced a very good roll-over that did look similar to what I saw on a Frigidaire video. Watching the agitator motion before the wash, I did not expect that sort of roll-over, I had expected it to just stir the clothes around.
I am not familiar enough with TLs so I did not know whether this was unusual or whether many do it. The TL type that I have used most was a Hotpoint twin tub with a spiralator, and I dont remember it having a roll-over action like the ABC or Frigidaire.
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Post# 14388-2/27/2002-03:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Suds,
I am with you, having used a basic mechanical control Neptune, I loved it. I have never known a washer so quiet, I had to lift the dispenser lid and put my ear to it, just to hear it running. The mech-control Neptune is a fabulous looking washer, I think better looking that the LCD panel ones.
A window in the door would be cool, I love the idea of drum lighting like you have.
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Post# 14389-2/27/2002-03:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Your right when I think about it, don't watch the washer on a daily basis, like you say just a glance in to check on progress as I walk by. However, I do find the window very useful when washing things that need special attention, like using non-default settings. For instance, the window means that I can check that I have got the water level high enough.
I love your idea of a light that you can turn on from the control panel to see inside during the wash. This would be useful on any FL, so much easier and less nerdy than shining a torch (flashlight) through the window on those occassions that you really need to be able to see what is happening.
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Post# 14390-2/27/2002-04:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: HI Louis,
I am going to have to check in the supermarket for non-enzyme DW detergent. For a couple of years now, I have used Ecover tablets which have enzymes. I had an old bottle of store brand non-compact powder, so I checked that and it does have enzymes, I was surprised.
I will report back after I have checked the shops.
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Post# 14391-2/27/2002-04:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Kirk,
We have our own example of a 2 in 1 agitator here in the UK. The Servis twin tub from the early 80s had a similar agitator. On this, the top half removed, taking the vertical vanes away and leaving the horizontal vanes at the bottom. I have done a web search for a picture, but to no avail.
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Post# 14392-2/27/2002-04:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
The Y connector to control hot and cold fill is exactly what I have done with my washer, works very well too, unless I forget to switch back after fill then I get hot rinses. I had thought of using this on the DW so I could do a cold pre-rinse.
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Post# 14393-2/27/2002-04:33 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: All of Hoovers products were made at Meadowbank. Top and Front load washers, twin tubs and vacuum cleaners.
Is there anything else exciting I didnt know about?
I remember the Hoover factory because when crossing the bridge over the Parramatta river from Rhodes/Concord on trips up north, I was always greeted by a huge building with HOOVER written on it. I always wanted to visit it as a child.
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Post# 14394-2/27/2002-04:39 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to # 14386, Hi arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh,
Thanks for your other post a few days back and the link, it was interesting reading.
I do agree that it is a shame that we are producing less and less in this country. I know Hoover, at this point, has only its top-loading washers on offer. When you visit their website, they don't even list their floor care products. They must be waiting for something. Maybe, since Maytag now has a fully-owned subsidiary in Oz, they will buy back the Hoover brand name? That would be the only thing to make any real sense. I gather that any future Hoover horizontals will be imports, fat chance of anything locally produced unfortunately.
I do remember the Hoover front-loader that you discussed in previous posts. Must admit that I wasn't impressed, it was, as you said, quite basic. I remember the early eighties models still had enamel drums, which is not such a good idea for front-loaders, too much tumbling of metal buttons and zippers against the enamel.
My family actually owned a f/l Hoover (don't remember the model no.) in Germany and we were spoilt. It was a beaut machine, with detergent dispenser, 4.5 kg capacity, stainless steel interior and 1000 rpm, going back to 1972. We also had the matching dryer to go with it, which was vented to the outside.
The Simpson front-loader is made somewhere in eastern Europe, so future f/l Hoovers will probably be the same. I reckon that eventually both Hoover and Simpson top-loaders will very likely end up coming from somewhere in Asia, that would also seem a very plausible future direction. Why have Australians gainfully employed? It makes absolutely no sense does it?
I must say that Simpson have a nice product with the Enduro, Encore and Enviro? washers. They are a better quality machine to the Delta models that were unleashed on the unsuspecting public during the eighties. What a shocker they were, all plastic with a cardboard (or pressed wood shavings? or some other water-absorbent)backing. I nearly fell over when I saw that. Simpson used to make beautiful machines prior to that, even American style pidgeon pairs with matching full-size dryers, and I loved the control panels of their old fluid drive automatics and semi-automatics. Wood grain panels and ivory buttons with a slide-along program indicator. I also found the vertically ribbed wash basket design really great. They were very beautiful machines.
As you may have gathered, I am a convert to top-loaders and if you read my rather lengthy post # 14361, I went into tirades about why.
You did say that large capacity machines are unnecessary, because they are usually not used to full capacity. I live in a six person household with one very young child and my six kilo Kleenmaid gets filled up to the brim with regular frequency. In my opinion, any households, with three or more people, are better served buying machines that have a capacity > than 5 kilos, everything else is just mucking around. My next machine is going to be even bigger.
I also understand that water restrictions are a reality in Australia, but neither Port Macquarie nor Coffs Harbour will run out of water. The waterboards there should busy themselves in finding workable solutions rather than telling the public to stop using water, that is not what they are paid to do. Water is a renewable resource and not a blackmailing tool to extract more money for decreased services - which is another current and very worrying trend with our government and service institutions (they are abusing green issues for propaganda purposes motivated purely by pecuniary agendas). The people they employ are now all graduates, more interested in ripping off the public than finding workable and ingenious solutons to problems. "When in doubt, put up the price!" Yeah right, my butt!
I gurantee you that, even if 90% of households in Oz continue to use top-loaders well into the next decades, this will not make any significant contribution to any water-shortages that we may experience from time to time. Oz is a nation of droughts and floods - that is how it has always been - no need for 'gobal warming' scare tactics here. I think that other more effective solutions are at hand to save water, rather than villifying top-loaders - shame on you arrrooohhh, lol.
Top-loaders have also been improved over the last ten years in terms of resource consumption and performance. My six kilo machine uses about 150 litres all up. There are still many front-loaders which use only marginally less, requiring between 20 and 25 litres per fill (multiply by 5 for a normal cycle and you get pretty close to 140). There are other more important concerns that should be addressed before we condemn top-loaders to the scrap heap.
I will never relinquish anyway - no tumblers in my house, unless its a Neptune with window, lol.
Lets face it, no matter how many windows you put into a washing machine, front-loaders will never offer the same conveniences and features of good quality top-loaders. As long as there are people like me, there will be a market for these wonderful machines.
Front-loaders, in my view, are mainly geared for single or two person households. Which are located in overpriced inner-city apartments, with paper-thin walls or rising damp, bad plumbing and not enough space to swing a cat. Anyway, the most prudent choice for water conservation are twin-tubs, but I can't see our young green-conscious people using those. They might get ribbed by their mates and get soap suds on their sensitive hands.
I am being a little tongue in cheek here arrrhhhoo, so don't take everything I say here too seriously or personal.
Catch ya later
Mr-bubbles
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Post# 14395-2/27/2002-04:49 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Clothes Care)
MESSAGE: My Sister is a prime example of that.
She had to hand wash items by herself on one occasion when Mummy darling wasnt there to do it for her and she came and asked me why the fabric softener went funny when she poured it into soapy water. When I explained that you put it in the rinse water she looked horrified at me. She has no idea about vacuuming either. We got a new vacuum cleaner and because it was so strong the suction she turned the power down low!!!! She hasnt vacuumed since.
I would hate to see the state of her house when she moves out one day. At least she can cook. She has that going for her. I burn two minute noodles.
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Post# 14396-2/27/2002-05:29 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to # 14386, Hi arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: I come from Bankstown, so dont have any illusions about me being a pouncy yuppie. Those sort look at you like you have a disease when they find out you come from such a place at Bankstown. Like how do we survive with out any trendy restarunts and cafes and theatres etc? We go to their suburbs of course!!!!
The Simpson front loader is made by Gorenje of Slovenia and the Hoover is by Beko in Turkey. The Hoover and Simpson top loaders are now all produced in the same Adelaide factory, and are all Simpson mechanicals. The difference with the Hoover range is that its wash bowl and mechanism is mounted to the bade frame (the BOSS system they advertise) while the Simpson is a top suspended machine. The bottom mounting in the Hoover definately makes the machine look so much more solid in the store, and No doubt smoother running in operation that a top mounted machine. I dont know about them being replaced with Asian machines. F&P, Hoover and Simpson take about 60% of the washer market combined. Asian machines despite their price and looks just dont really catch on like you would expect. I dont think people like impellers. Hitachi made agiator machines in the late 80's early 90's but reverted to impellers again.
Remember also too that people have been warning the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are about to die as long as I can remember but they are still here and selling strong. Buying Australian is still important too a lot of people and if an industry like that would pull out all together there would be an enormous out cry. Fisher and Paykel has also spend a lot of money on building an Australian factory in Queensland.
Hoover Floorcare is an entirely separate company. Email wasnt interested in purchasing Hoovers vacuum cleaners operation. The Upright Hoovers are imported from the States we get the Windtunnel models. There are also some Korean made barrel types. The EX Bug have been replaced but offered nice features I thought. 1600 and a power head for about $500. For some reason though places like Grace Bros and Retravision dont stock Hoover vacuums, while you can easily find them in Godfreys (of course) Harvey Norman, David Jones and Bing Lee.
The Hoover front loader I am thinking about was the Electra series, which had a stainless steel drum, temperature control buttons, rinse hold feature and the OPTION of a heater.
Yes I am sure that Governments can find a better solution to handling out resources but I wont hold my breath for that one. I just know I would prefer to use 60 or 70 litres in a front loader and have a minute more in the shower every morning. The thirstiest front loader is a Neptune at 100 litres. The next being LG at 80. They too have dropped their water consumption over the years. My mum washed for a family of five in a medium size Simpson Delta 10 for years just fine. My Aunty washed for seven in a Simpson Minimatic. I too love the old Simpsons. Tehre was a seventies model that featured rocker switches for water level/temp etc, instead of knobs. I loved that machine. I LOVE washing machines of all kinds full stop. I would just purchase for myself a front loader.
Even when I have a family I am sure our needs will be catered for by a larger capacity front loader. LG's 7kg models are very popular. The Maytag Neptune I am sure will inspire imitators sooner or later.
You also say the style and design of front loaders hasnt changed. Not that much has changed with Top loaders either. They too have white knobs on white panels and a square lid on top. They dont get any unglier either than the current GE, on the other hand the Maytag Atlantis is extremly stylish.
Our fellow American members aren't really enourmoured with the current crop of top loaders. Many of them own Front loading Neptunes, Frigemores and Kenmore HE3ts. Maytag has sold a million + Neptunes and goodness knows how many more Frigemores have been sold.
I think that it is great that there is a choice for everyone. Everyone is free to do what they want. I personally feel that a tumbler is better but of course would love to see one designed specifically for Australian Laundry habits.
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Post# 14397-2/27/2002-05:34 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (top load front load?)
MESSAGE: Unless of course you own an NEC air bubble machine.
Then it takes 90 minutes, plus untagling time. In the process you flush 260 litres of water down the drain. 70 - 80 litres more than any other top loader.
I would love to see what an air bubble machine washed like though!!!!!
Generally though I like the style of those machines. I just dont know why they cant make a full agitator. It wouldnt take much. Its amazing how the absence of a centre post can make so much tangling. Hitachi made agitator machines but now its gone back to impellers.
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Post# 14398-2/27/2002-05:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (The Case for Euro appliances)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
Hope you are well too and enjoying the beach. Am I well? don't ask - Sunday morning 3 hours in the emergency department, Monday scheduled hospital stay for diagnostics (could have been serious but all clear - yay!!!) Monday evening doctors for shots following from Sunday's emergency visit. Getting better now though, this is why I have been so slow replying to posts.
Well, this has turned out to be a very long post, I started replying last night, but had to give up and go to bed. Sorry about the length, but you gave me a very long post to reply to. I doubt we are going to agree on many points, but it is great fun to argue them out, and I learn so much in the process. I think I may now beat Kathy in the wind-bag of teh year award that she proposed.
I'll take you points in turn.
I read your post about TL dishwashers, I have never seen that design before that you described, sounds very good, I could be convinced.
I too am planning to buy a Smeg cooker, the A1.1 opera in stainless steel, hope it cooks as well as it looks.
And now, I present the case for Euro appliances.
I guess Germany would have a smaller appliance choice than the US. Germany has only a quarter of the population, so economics would dictate less choice.
I don't know about German TL automatics, but in the UK Hotpoint made a TL auto that had a very good reputation - Hotpoint's last decent machine.
Miele and Bosch are white, use water and electricity, but do the job well, what more does one want? Actually, one of the cheap brands makes appliances in silver, dark blue, dark green and yellow to match popular kitchen colours, so options are available. Hotpoint, despite all else about the company, make very pretty washers with pastel shaded control panels. A window in the door - well you can pay more and have a washer with a solid door, but I prefer to be able to see what is happening durring the wash. The solid doors are on premium priced machines as they help reduce noise.
Most Euro manufacturers offer a TL machine, though these are still tumble action. These are typically much narrower so are useful when space is even scarcer.
The Dyson is revolutionary, in looks as well as action, and Euro land was first with this, someone will prove me wrong now as most new ideas are old. Dyson also pioneered new technology with the cyclone vacuum cleaner, that they then licensed to Hoover in the US. Dyson have developed a robot vacuum cleaner, though I don't think it has reached teh market yet. There is also the Titan Monotub, with a removable tub that doubles as a washing basket - recalled due to dramatic failure in use - but still a revolutionary Euro first, link below. Zanussi made that egg shapped fridge, and they have those trendy new IZ washers.
Euro apps not changed much in 20 years, well Miele has added a true handwash cycle, very similar to the new wetclean dry cleaning machines, I am testing a piece of dryclean only wool cloth in it before I buy a load for chair covers, so far results are good. Miele has added PC update, to allow new cycles to be added to the machine. Ariston developed a washer that connected to the internet - don't know why though. Zanussi developed Jetsystem so so that clothes are showered as well as dropped into the water, followed by other Euro manufacturers adding waterfall baffles to the tubs to achieve a similar effect without pumping. Euro machines have advanced control over ballance for spinning, overfoaming, precise temperature, profiled wash temperatures and wash time at temperature selected. Manufacturers have also reduced water and electricity useage, whilst improving results, and not always at the expense of very long cycle times - Miele gets an A rate wash on its short wash of approx 1 hour.
I dont understand why you say tumble washers are inflexible, try washing a down filled item in a TL and watch it float, no prob in a FL. Pillows, duvet covers, trainers (Sneakers), slippers, small duvets (I use a giant in the launderette for a king size), curtains, blinds, sofa cover, chair covers, dust sheets, plastic shower curtain (labelled do not wash - washes fine)cleaning rags hygenically boiled, dry clean only cloth (OK I'm still experimenting with this one), heavy rubber backed door mats (I wash 3 at a time), the machines are flexible and hold plenty, Euro standard is now 11 or 13LB, with some at 15lb. I regularly wash single items, in a FL it need not be emergencies only due to the tiny water use - often less than handwashing an item.
Altering cycles - well I have already posted that I worked out that my Miele has 677 possible cycle combinations, but occasionally, there is not the option that I want, so I start one cycle and move to another. A recent example, washing a large sofa cover, I wanted a min iron wash with max water level in wash and rinse, the machine offered this for rinse only, it offers low or med water only min iron wash, so I put it on delicates to fill to max, cancelled the programme and selected min iron. Same way to repeat a cycle part, skipping stages is easy too, same with my previous Euro AEG.
Add or remove items, easy with the better Euro FL machines, just press door open, so long as water is below the door and not too hot, the door opens (cheap machines do not have this feature and would dive me mad). If the door won't open, pull the emergency release.
Breakdown mid cycle - actually happened to me on Saturday. OK, teh Miele did not break, but the timerswitch to which it was connected broke. I had a chair cover soaking in max water level, so I used the emergency drain tap at the front of teh machine to drain it, 2.5 buckets full, pulled the emergency door release and got the cover out, very easy.
More problems and breakdowns, quite likely, Euro machines are more complex and wear may be greater with the very fast spin speeds, up to 1800 on AEG and 1600 on others. There is no clutch though, so may be swings and roundabouts.
More costly, well the cheapest Euro machines here are about $300, so comparble to the cheapest washers in US. Some US TLs are over $1000, which is more than I paid for a Miele. I guess if Australian machines were sold in Euroland, they would be expensive. The shipping costs have to be met, exchange rate, import taxes etc.
We have covered cycles already, when a cycle is considered the wash action and temperature is ignored, most Euro machines would be see as having only a few cycles, cottons, min iron, delicate, wool handwash. Euro machines only look like they have lots of cycles as each will be repeated on the control for each temperature setting.
Why would a large wool blanket unballance a tumbler, I have regularly washed large heavy wool blankets in all 3 FLs that I have owned, never had any problem. Right now, my Miele is fast spinning 3 heavy rubber backed cotton door mats, 40*60cm each, absolutely no problem. Why would a suede jacket not be washable in a FL (aside from the fact that suede is supposedly not washable), a sinlge large item will maybe cause the machine to spin slower, rather than unballance it. OK, I admit that my experiences are only with top end euro FLs, I have avoided the cheap ones as I too would not trust them to ballance properly. FLs have spin only cycles, usually with a choice of speed and time, so no different to TLs there.
Soaking is easy in a FL too. On a cheaper one without a soak cycle one can do as you do, fill it on a high wash turn off and leave. On all 3 machines that I have owned, there has been a soak cycle, heated and maintained at warm with periodic gentle tumbling. On the Miele I can selct 30 mins to 2 hours, and teh wash automatically follows. On my Creda I could select 1 - 9 hours, though I had to reset it for a wash. The AEG kept the clothes in soak til I decided that it was enough and reset for a wash. I agree that not much these days is washable over 60C, and a boil wash is harsh on fabric, but I like a boil wash for tea-towels and cleaning cloths to make sure that they are sanitary, no chlorine bleach needed then.
We have a wide coice of detergent in Europe, bio, non bio, with with and without oxygen bleach, optical brighteners, perfumes, softener, crease release stuff, anti-pilling enzyme, colourfast stuff. Maybe that your rellies like to use an ecological detergent, as I do. My main choice is ecover www.ecover.com, no bleach, perfume, brightener, enzymes etc. I add separate oxygen bleach to whites, wash them in hot 60C water with no colours and my whites are, to my mind, brilliant, though I sometimes wonder whether a shirt someone is wearing is white that has greyed, or a pastel that has faded. My mum taught me to keep whites nice - she loved to look at other peoples washing lines and make very rude comments about their grey whites - 'Hm, that's automatic white for you' or worse 'Hmmph, that's launderette! white for you' I was cautioned against owning anything white after I left home as I would be using launderettes, no prob though, I soaked in a bucket before going to the launderette - great thing was, so did the BF when I met him, his mother had teh same concerns about whites. We have used oxygen bleach in laundry in Europe for decades, maybe why we accept longer cycles - I can not remember chlorine bleach ever being popular in laundry - most people here would only think to put it down the toilet.
Life expectancy - well older euro machines form say 20-30 years ago were more solidly made, newer machines do tend to be very flimsy and plasticy. We only expect to get 7 years from a washer, so you are probably right here.
I have never used a US DW, so cannot compare and will graciously bow to you experience. I have used a Euro DW for over 10 years and it gets dishes way cleaner than most people do by hand. In UK, DW penetration is only about 20%, I put it down to the protestant work ethic (aka martyrdom) so there is plenty of hand washed dishes for comparison. Polyprop may be as good, but ss looks so much more stylish. US machine may be bigger inside, but don't many have some tower thing that comes up from the bottom, preventing you from loading in the centre of teh lower basket. Most Euro machines had a funnel in the centre of the top basket to get the water to the middle spray arm, but recently, led I think by Bosch, this has been repleced in some TOL machines by a direct water connection to the back of the tub. This allows loading in all parts of the top basket.
I have never had my spray arms clog or need cleaning, though, in the early years of the machine, I did get a clog in the sump pipework. He Who Knows Best informed me that I did not scrape enough crud of the plates. The engineer confirmed that I should scrape plates first, and also do a monthly maintenance wash - empty tub, full detergent and long hot wash.
I take your point about water wastage with pre-rinsing, but I only scrape the solid food off. I do soak oven dishes with burnt on food, without this the DW does usually leave some burnt residue.
I do very much agree with you about the superior US door locking system. The accident that you describe with your nephew could have been very serious, this is a major shortfall of euro machines. My Bosch has a pause button that you can press to stop the machine before opening the door, but how would a 2 year old know to do that, and it still exposes said kid to hot cautic water in the machine, plus sharp knives and glass, much better to lock the little darlings out in the first place.
Well, I wonder if anyone has made it this far, really I am worse than Jilly Bloody Cooper. I guess that manufacturers make for their home market, if their machines sell elsewhere its a bonus. Euro machines are ideal for the Euro market and will suit a few people in US and Oz, likewise US machines suit US conditions and will only suit a few people in Europe.
It sounds like Oz has similar conditions to US, in terms of space and house size, but I would be more concerned about water useage in Oz than in US.
Well this has been fun, I must away to do some work now. Take care.
*****
Post# 14399-2/27/2002-05:54 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (British Houses)
MESSAGE: Hi Herr Meile.
I must admit I am a euro freek. I love European cars too. They are so more affordable than they used to be. No I am not a pouncy show off either, Ive already posted I come from real working class stock.
I know what your are saying about British homes though! My uncle has worked for Bryants, McAlpine and Wimpey and has given me lots of glossy brochures over the years. I am always looking at their websites too. The bed room sized make me wanna cry. But I do love the cottage design on the outside. However because they are smaller they seem to make better use of any spare space.
In Australia we had a trend for new houses to be built in the traditional Federation style. Very ornate with lots of timberwork and finials on the gables and stained glass windows. A reconstruction never looks quite like the original though.
I wanted to be an architect but I HATED technical drawing at school. My dream job of course would be a washing machine designer but I dont think there are too many positions vacant for those!
*****
Post# 14400-2/27/2002-07:23 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: The other product fom Meadowbank was....
...drumroll...
The Hoover Keymatic.
I have 2 instruction booklets from Keymatics.
On the back cover they have a line drawing of the Meadowbank factory including the big HOOVER signs overhead. The address is Cnr. Rothesay Ave and Belmore St, Meadowbank, NSW.
Inside the cover are photos of "other famous HOOVER products" including a Hoover iron, upright vac (convertible), floor polisher, hovercraft canister vac (constellation), and a twin tub washer.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14401-2/27/2002-07:53 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action (Whirlpool/Roper comes close)
MESSAGE: My parents have a Roper washer, a product of Whirlpool with a 90-degree stroke agitator that agitates much faster than most others. It, too, produces a similar rollover action, even though it's a similar straight-vein vertical axis design.
*****
Post# 14402-2/27/2002-07:54 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: You're guess is as good as mine, it must have a magic key. Lets see how many idea's we can come up with how this thing opens...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/hotpoint600/lst?.dir=/1974+Hotpoint&.view=t
*****
Post# 14403-2/27/2002-07:54 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Not Wesinghouse at all, just Aussie washer stuff)
MESSAGE: Mr Bubbles
Aussie made Hoover front loaders always had stainless steel drums. The previous ones with enamel drums were imported from the UK.
This is the lineage with that model:
Earliest - can't remember model no but it was not 400 series. Silver control panel. Enamel drum. Made in Tydfir, Wales.
Next was 455 with black control panel. Same mechanically. Still imported. Still enamel drum.
Then the first Aussie one - the Zodiac 460 and 465. If it ends in 0 it has no heater. Heater ones end in 5. 460 series was cheapened for Aussie market - no dispenser,beige stick on control panel label instead of a moulded plastic panel. Different door lock. Still uses UK motor/control/timer. Stainless inner drum, enamel outer drum .
Zodiac 470/475 - my favourite Zodiac. Reverts to moulded plastic control panel but no dispenser. Most have stainless inner drum, enamel outer drum, but last of 470/475's have both drums in stainless. Still use UK motor and controller but timer is Aussie made. Aussie timer gives shorter wash cycles, otherwise the same programme (wash, four rinses, short spin, fifth rinse, long spin).
480/485 - change to induction motor sourced from Italy. Quieter, more reliable, terribly slow spin, shakes around on spin as it never gets above that critical speed beyond which vibration seems to smooth out. Stainless inner & outer drums. Cabinets are all beige. Previously all were white. My least favourite.
490/495 - back to white cabinets. Grey control panel. Changed from poly-Vee belt to ordinary v-belt. (cheaper). Still no dispenser.
Then the Electra-economiser series. Faster spins due to different pulley size and electronic control, but same motor as 480 and 490 series. A dispenser returns at last - first Aussie-made with dispenser. Push-buttons to select hot/warm/cold wash, spin/hold and heater on heater-equipped models. The last Electra's dropped the "economiser" part of the name. The model number of 1000 was prominent on the front implying a 1000 spin but it was really only 800rpm. (about the same as the old UK-sourced models)
It is quite common to find models which should have enamel bowl with stainless and the reverse, due to repairs and reconditioning. Upgrading to stainless is a good move, the enamel ones rust pretty well.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14404-2/27/2002-08:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: Very cool brochure - thanks for posting.
Judging by the fill flume arrangement on the left side of the tub, I would say that there must have been some sort of water flow change to direct into the dispenser box, maybe similar in valve construction to the Dispensall, althought that was done with the recirculating water, I think. I wish I'd gotten to play with this washer as a kid!
*****
Post# 14405-2/27/2002-08:39 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (sticking up for front loaders)
MESSAGE: And here comes Chris wielding a big stick...
You make some pretty wild assertions about front loaders and their users.
I have given front loaders to several people with large size top loaders that had died. Two were "6kg" Hoovers - a 500 series and a 600 series. (basically the same machine, and a good TL too.) They were replaced with in one case a 4.5kg Indesit and the other a 4.5kg Hoover Zodiac 480. Both people commented how they were amazed how much MORE they could fit in the little FL than they could in their bigger rated TL. I have observed the same myself. You can get 6 or 7 kg FL's from LG, Miele, Bosch, Whirlpool, Bendix and others.
Few front loaders use 20 to 25 litres per fill. Try 12 to 15 litres per fill. Wash and four rinses is about 60 litres. You couldn't even wash in a TL with that, let alone rinse.
Choice mag some years ago got stuck into Kleenmaid over their claimed capacity. Their TL rated variously as 6 and 7 kg depending on what ad you read tested out at 5kg only. They had a photo of the machine with a 7kg load - it piled up to the height of the control panel.
You have every right to purchase a TL but please don't vilify or mock those of us who ARE concerned about water use. The population of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are growing fast and our PER PERSON water use is still escalating. Some of us object to more forests being flooded to make more dams so others don't have to change their wasteful habits. I live in the hills near Apollo Bay, a small town with a rapidly growing population and huge increase in tourist numbers. Last summer Apollo Bay came within a couple of weeks of running out of water. Barwon Water had to set up emergency pumps to transfer water from a nearby stream to keep the supply basin from running dry. The tourists still had their spa baths, though... And this is the wettest location in the state, but the infrastructure necessary to supply more water to the town isn't there. The studies are going on furiously now, (a wet year) but it appears so far some giant tanks plus WATER CONSERVATION are the affordable answer. The area is prone to landslip so more dams aren't feasible.
Twin tubs use MORE water per kilo of clothes than most front loaders, that's one reason why they are disappearing.
I am a "green conscious person" living in a fairly red-neck area and I do get really sick of hearing people sneering at greenies/green conscious people,putting people down for caring more about their environment and the future than themselves, and attributing comments and attitudes to the greenies that the greenie concerned has never uttered.
Sorry if I am jumping down your throat (or your keyboard) but I have copped a fair bit of this crap here in the last week so you have (probably inadvertently)touched a raw nerve.
Best Wishes
Chris.
*****
Post# 14406-2/27/2002-08:51 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: I'm with Gansky1, I guess there is a stream of water going through the dispenser at the right moment.
Does anyone actually KNOW the right answer?
Uni's ref to a "magic key" reminds me of a friend, a fellow washing machine afficionado, who explained semiconductors (transistors, FETs, silicone chips and so on) in a cute way...
"these devices are little black boxes filled with magic smoke. The different devices have different types of magic smoke. It is very important that the magic smoke stays sealed in the little box. If the device is damaged in any way ( eg overvoltage or overcurrent) then the box breaks and you can see the magic smoke leak out. Then it doesn't work any more."
Chris.
With credit to Brendan.
*****
Post# 14407-2/27/2002-09:07 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action
MESSAGE: Joe the ABC's rollover is different from a Frigidaire Pulsator, as the ABC rollover goes toward the agitator but also goes round and round the tub in a counter-clockwise fashion.
When the Frigidaire wing opens (boy that's going to be a lot of work) you will see the rollover of a Frigidaire is towards the agitator only.
*****
Post# 14408-2/27/2002-09:20 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: I bet you're right Greg. If you blow up the first page of that Hotpoint Brochure and look at the picture in the lower left hand corner, there is quite a fancy fill flume assembly there. I bet it has some kind of solenoid diverter built into it. Notice how there is a little black tube going into part of the flume that sprays the filter ring, I wonder if that is part of the bleach or softener dispenser assemblies?
*****
Post# 14409-2/27/2002-09:32 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Hotpoint)
MESSAGE: Thanks Robert - this is great, they probably went to the rear opening lid shortly after that because that is the one we had with the same looking control panel. With the handwash Adj but it also had a Adj mounted fabric softner dispenser.
Peter
*****
Post# 14410-2/27/2002-09:47 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT:
Hotpoint POD
MESSAGE: Imagine, setting up this machine with a pre-wash, 10hr soak,
then to automatically go to wash and 2nd rinse. This could
possibly tie up your machine for at least 12 hours LOL.
Cannot imagine what you would need a 10 hour soak for.
The hot soak water would be cold. Oh well, just something
to chew on.
*****
Post# 14411-2/27/2002-09:53 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT:
Hotpoint POD
MESSAGE: As far as the detergent disp. goes. My best friends
grandmother had a 74 or 75 Kenmore with a dispenser
mounted to the side of the washer opening. I remember
trying to think of how this worked. I never did get to
try it out. I could have because this machine was still in use as of 2 years ago. He has since got new ones.
*****
Post# 14412-2/27/2002-11:00 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: The way it looks, it must be loaded with powder detergent then the cover is set back into place, when it's time to wash the main cover swings down dumping the detergent into the basket, released by the magnet soleniod.
I never seen this model before.
My cousin had a hotpoint, rear opening GE lid, but it was the lower end of the POD. It had three cycles, three water level and three water temps all cold rinses. The agitator was a six vaned, three main vanes with three 1" scrubbers at the base. I had a chance to play with the machine and I could not see how this agitator cleaned any clothes because the roll over was non-existent! GE spiral Activator had more power than this straight vane....
I wonder how GE can make an agitator and not test it for a full load to roll over?
*****
Post# 14413-2/27/2002-11:06 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action
MESSAGE: The only washers I know that would have the same roll over action like the ABC-O-Matic is the White Westinghouse and Frigidaire with the Tri-Wash System or GE Activator agitator.
*****
Post# 14414-2/27/2002-11:17 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action (Well, it's been years. . . :))
MESSAGE: It's been years since I've seen a Frigidaire in action but aside from the orbiting action in the ABC-O-Matic, the rolling action was at least reminiscent.
As they way, the time to worry about getting old is when people appear to be messing up the sentences of their endings. :)
*****
Post# 14415-2/27/2002-11:22 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
February 27 Picture of the Day (Maytag Halo of Heat Dryer)
MESSAGE: Which temperature setting do you use for a baby, and is it better to use a fabric softener sheet or a liquid softener in the final rinse? :)
*****
Post# 14416-2/27/2002-12:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Clothes Care)
MESSAGE: Oh, sisters, arn't they wonderfull, such a source of amusement. How old was your sister when this happened?
I can tell 3 amusing stories about my sister and laundry -
1 - Her aged 15, comes back from one holiday, and the parents have gone away, I am staying home alone and she is travelling to join them the next day. Her, 'all my clothes are dirty and I need them for the next holiday'; me 'wash them'; 'don't know how'; 'use the machine'; don't know how it works and I really need them, will you do them?'. SO no guesses for who stood over the old twinny, and due to the ugency in which they were needed risked the wrath of the old man by using the dryer - he read the meter before leaving and again on return to make sure I did not use too much electricity. Anyway, there is all her clothes washed, dryed and folded, she decided that they needed ironing. Needless to say, they remained there unironed and she took other clothes.
2 Her age 16, needing to handwash a top and not knowing how. I did not fall for that one again. I stood by, giving step by step directions, put the plug in, run in some water add detergent etc. After washing she needed to dry it, put it in the spinner says I, she could not open the spinner, well it had a really complicated brake lever that you had to move through 90 degrees to clear the lid.
3 - Her about 18, parents have bought an autowasher now. Her standing by it looking puzzled, Dad asks whats wrong. Did not know how to work the washer. Dad asks what she has put in, gets the reply whites so Dad sets a boil wash. Well the clothes were white and pastel and included an acryrlic sweater that Mum had handknitted, you can imagine the results and Mum's language.
She runs her home know and has become a bril homemaker, juggling a full time job with 3 kids and keeping a nice home.
*****
Post# 14417-2/27/2002-12:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (British Houses)
MESSAGE: Bedrooms in new British house, hmmmmph closets you mean.
A while ago I decided we needed to move to a bigger house, our has only 2 bedrooms and I wanted 3. An agent sent me details on a newish 3 bed house and told me that the rooms were all a good size. Beds 1 and 2 were 13' by 8', yes 8 feet wide. Bed 3 was 6' by 6.5', would make a nice small closet or en-suite bog, bugger all use for anything else.
My house is 100 years old, and alothough only a 2 bed, at 950 sq ft is comparatively big, bed 1 is 16' by 13' and bed 2 is 13' square. I looked at a 4 bed new house and realised that it was smaller than my house, that is how bad they are here, and why we have teeny little appliances.
*****
Post# 14418-2/27/2002-12:18 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: Gizmo,
Can you scan and post those instruction manuals some time, please, please.
Hoover made cool irons, had a great 50s style about them, I love teh constellation vac too, fascinated me as a kid. The floor polisher looks great, though I have never seen a real one, only pics and teh old Hoover Junior cleaner is a design classic don't you think.
*****
Post# 14419-2/27/2002-13:16 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hotpoint POD (Kenmore Dispenser)
MESSAGE: Well Bruce I can you this, on the Kenmores that had the side mounted detergent dispensers, when the machine starts to wash and you have selected the maximum wash time of any cycle, wash water would flow through the dispenser flushing out the detergent for the first 2 to 4 miutes of the wash cycle and then shut off. I have seen this operate on a friends machine and he had a 1971 800 series Kenmore with this feature.
*****
Post# 14420-2/27/2002-14:27 ||| Peterh770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (British Houses)
MESSAGE: That reminds me of a very old Genesis song "Get 'Em Out By Friday" (on the Foxtrot ablum). Peter Gabriel singing:
This is an announcement from Genetic Control
"It is my sad duty to inform you
Of a four foot restriction
On all humanoid height"
I hear the directors of Genetic Control
have been buying all the properties
that have recently been sold
Taking risks oh so bold
They say now the people will be shorter in height
They can fit twice as many in the same building site
They say it's all right.
Beginning with tenants in the town of Harlow
In the interest of humanity, they've been told they must go
Told they must go, go, go, go
Now there's an album to listen to on Friday night, havining pizza and doing laundry, Jason!
LINK: http://songs.hut.ru/g/genesis/foxtrot.72.html
*****
Post# 14421-2/27/2002-14:35 ||| Peterh770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action (Automagic)
MESSAGE: I think the Philco Automagic is closest to the ABC. The load kinda swirls around and then gets sucked under. It looks like a gentler, less splashy version of the ABC.
Glenn, can you post the link to your convention movies? (My arm is the star in one of them!)
-ph
*****
Post# 14422-2/27/2002-14:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Switched Reluctance Motors)
MESSAGE: I don't know much about motortechnology, but I do know that my Philips washer had a Permanent Magnet motor and it had a control to regulate the spinspeed between 120 and 850 rpm. I loved letting it start at 120 rpm and then slowly speed it up.
*****
Post# 14423-2/27/2002-14:43 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: If you ask the manager perhaps they can order it for you. If you really cannot get any cooperation, let me know and I can always ship some to you.
*****
Post# 14424-2/27/2002-14:58 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer (Question of the Day)
MESSAGE: Did you notice that in that picture that the washer is spinning? In a later Hotpoint my mother had, the fill flume faced the other (counterclockwise) direction - same direction as the spin, and sprayed into the filter ring. This one appears to be spraying clockwise into the counterclockwise motion of the tub - would have been a very splashy show!
*****
Post# 14425-2/27/2002-15:03 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hotpoint POD
MESSAGE: This machine used 50 gallons of water in a Normal cycle - the "12 Hour Upgrade" cycle would use 100 gallons. If you had particularly low water pressure, this washer could be running for days!
*****
Post# 14426-2/27/2002-15:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action (Automagic Action)
MESSAGE: Here's the link to the page with the Automagic videos. (There are links to all the pics on the Members Links page.)
Peter's arm is featured in the video "Automagic Action" -- 4th down on the left column.
LINK: http://users.wcnet.net/dadoes/minne/fridaynight.htm
*****
Post# 14427-2/27/2002-16:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Shining a torch through the window? I have to admit that I've never done that... even though I live alone, and wouldn't have to run the risk of getting funny looks from someone else!
How much energy do these drum illumination bulbs actually use, anyway? It can't possibly be all that much - maybe having one switched on permanently during a wash cycle wouldn't add much extra to the energy consumption of the washer.
*****
Post# 14428-2/27/2002-16:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: That's one thing I forgot to mention; the Neptune is exceptionally quiet, more so than any other washer I've ever used. The only noise mine made was a "gloop-gloop" noise during the wash (I think that was the fluid bubbling around in the tub balance ring), and a very quiet hum during the spin.
When the new Neptunes were launched, I couldn't stand the look of the wavy control panel. Now I'm used to it, I think it looks rather smart. I'm going to wait for the UK launch, and see if I can get a half-decent staff discount on one. If not, I'll just have to carry on dreaming LOL.
*****
Post# 14429-2/27/2002-16:16 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hotpoint POD (Hotpoint Lady Executive)
MESSAGE: I remember some GE style Hotpoints with the left opening lid that had a small, ribbed plastic washboard in place of the detergent dispenser - no reason for ring around the collar with that handy non-automatic feature!
*****
Post# 14430-2/27/2002-16:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: I did hear about that one, but unfortunately it was a little before my time, so I've never seen one. The only twin tub still on the market by the time I got into sales was the Hotpoint Supermatic, which is no more. There was also a retro-style Servis, but it was pulled very quickly, apparently due to a string of design faults. We only had that one listed in our pricing file for about two months before it disappeared for good. As far as I know, it didn't have any form of 2-in-1 agitator.
*****
Post# 14431-2/27/2002-16:19 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Whats wrong with Euro?)
MESSAGE: Yep, cold pre-rinse, then switch to hot for the main wash and rinses. I imagine that would work pretty well, and give the best of both worlds.
*****
Post# 14432-2/27/2002-16:41 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: ABC-O-Matic washer action (Whirlpool/Roper comes close)
MESSAGE: I had a direct-drive Kenmore...same thing as the Estate, Roper, and Whirlpool...and the only time you can get that kind of rollover is when you put half a load in the machine with a full water level.
*****
Post# 14433-2/27/2002-16:42 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: My grandparents only ever had Hoover Juniors. They never, ever bought a new vacuum - it was always off to the vac shop to buy a reconditioned Junior. There must be loads still in use, as we sell the H1 Junior bags by the truckload. My job at work is to order vac spares, and that's one of our best selling lines.
We do get a lot of little old ladies in our store, who say they've had their Junior for something like 30-odd years. They pick out the Turbopower Junior to replace it, and I'm left thinking to myself, there's no way THAT is going to last as long. The old ones seemed to run forever.
*****
Post# 14434-2/27/2002-17:44 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Yep Kirk, this Servis TT would definitely have been before you time. I was using it in 84 - 85, it was probably new around 80 81. This one was very modern in its syling, white case with brown lids, surrounds and controls. Lids were square with rounded corners as were the knobs. The spinner had a handbrake over the lid that swung through 90 degrees, over the lid to start spinning and back flush to the control panel to brake. Under the square spinner lid was a white round cover with a catch to slow you down so that the cylinder had stopped spinning by the time you got to it. Overall the machine was a piece bigger than the Hotpoint TT.
I think the best time using a TT was when I was lucky enough to have 2 at the same time, Hotpoint and Servis, with room for both. I would run both together to get laundry done in half the time but twice the fun.
Have you played with a TT, they are great fun to play with once in a while, but a PITA if you have to do all your laundry in them.
*****
Post# 14435-2/27/2002-17:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Though I love Miele, I am jealous of the fact that Neptunes are so amazingly quiet, even spinning. My little Miele is way noisier, both washing and spinning. I think the loudest noise the Neptune made was the water rushing in for the fill.
Have you checked out UK Maytag's scratch & dent policy. If your happy with this route, it can be a good way to get expensive appliances cheaply.
Oh, before I forget, last Saturday I saw that narrow Bosch you told me about, in a Co-Op supermarket of all places. It's a great design for places a standard machine won't fit.
*****
Post# 14436-2/27/2002-17:58 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: OK. Maybe we could trade Kirk's for STPP!
*****
Post# 14437-2/27/2002-17:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I don't shine a torch in often, only when I am washing something new and want to see if colour is leaching, I also scoop a glass of wash water out to double check. I also do it if I am washing something unusual, like a non-washable shower cutain and want to check all is well, or to check if the load is saturated already, so I can switch the water back to cold. He who must takes the P when he catches me, but hey, he takes the P most of the time anyway.
*****
Post# 14438-2/27/2002-18:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I *think* the bulb in the Neptune washer is 10 watts. Not all that much if it was on only during the times the machine is actually running. I'll have to double check this evening. Might as well find out so I can stock some spares...
*****
Post# 14439-2/27/2002-18:05 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: The newest Neptunes upgraded the 40 watt drain pump to an 80 watt model. So it's a bit noisier than the older mechanical control machines' pumps. However, I have definitely noticed that the Neptune 7500 pump has gotten a lot quieter as time has gone on. This quieter pump with time phenom has also been noted by HE3t owners...
Maybe the pumps are all made by Grace Bros. "It will quiet down with wear!"... LOL...
The high speed spin however is a bit noticible. It does most of its spin at 800 rpm, then ramps up to 1000 rpm for maybe the last 30 seconds or so. I think the older Neptunes did a max of 800 rpm, so maybe they did most of their spinning at 600 rpm and ramped up to 800 rpm at the finish?
*****
Post# 14440-2/27/2002-18:06 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: "Takes the P"?
Translation, please...
*****
Post# 14441-2/27/2002-18:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Its a politer version of takes the pi$$, do you not use this expression in US? I thought it universal, it means to make fun of someone in a slightly cruel way.
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Post# 14442-2/27/2002-18:21 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: I'm Free!!!
Another Fan, I love that show. Who is your favourite Character, mine is Mrs Slocumb (never realised how rude that name is til I tried to spell it).
In similar stlye to her, when I told colleagues (cow-orkers) that I was getting a cat, one of them commented that he never thought he would see the day that I stroked a pussy.
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Post# 14443-2/27/2002-18:22 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD Hotpoint washer
MESSAGE: Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to try a TT out for myself. My parents did have one when I was very young, and I vaguely remember my mum using it. But I hadn't started doing my own laundry at that stage... couldn't even see into the thing unless I was sitting on the worktop at the time :o)
Perhaps in the future, if I end up moving somewhere a little bigger, I might see if I can pick up a TT, which I could roll out every now and then for a change. What I would give to have a house with a cellar again!
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Post# 14444-2/27/2002-18:30 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
The perfect washer......
MESSAGE: ain't so perfect
LINK: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg0218123319275.html
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Post# 14445-2/27/2002-18:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I have to admit that my Bosch gets a little noisy during the spin cycle. It's virtually silent during the wash, but gives off a rather pronounced jet-engine noise on faster spin speeds. One of my pals has the same model, and his is the same. The Maxx iT, which is the replacement model for my machine, is extremely quiet during the spin. In fact, all the Maxx models seem to be quite good in this respect.
Now you mention it, the water fill in the Neptune probably was the loudest noise it made. I seem to remember it was more a soft trickling noise, like the pre-Candy Hoover FLs used to make. Most new machines seem to make a loud "spray" noise during fill, but the Neptune was very easy on the ear.
That slim-depth Bosch Maxx looks rather weird at first, don't you think? That's the impression I got when I first saw it. But I think it's a really clever idea, and much better than ordinary compact-style washers. I reckon it would be especially handy for those who need to install the washer in a small bathroom, for example.
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Post# 14446-2/27/2002-18:34 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I keep my flat lit up like a lighthouse, so that's probably why I've never felt compelled to reach for the torch. Not that I'd know where it was anyway, so god help me if there was a power cut.
You know, it seems that some of us in life are destined to have the mickey taken out of us. I often feel like the court jester too, sometimes, so I know where you're coming from LOL.
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Post# 14447-2/27/2002-18:36 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: 10 watts is virtually nothing when all's said and done, especially since the average Neptune cycle is something like 40 minutes from what I recall. It's not like it would be burning for hours on end each time.
Perhaps we ought to get in touch with Maytag and tell them what we want to see on the next generation models!
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Post# 14448-2/27/2002-18:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I remember the Neptune fill a quite a loud whoosh, especially if the disenser was open so I could watch the fill. May be that there was high water pressure.
The slim Bosch Maxx, maybe I did think it a little wierd, it certainly caught my attention immediately. It will be great in some locations, maybe allow some people to have a washer who previously could not fit one. The TL narrow stles are good too, for differet shapped lack of space, if you get what I mean.
Any way, goodnight, I off to bed.
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Post# 14449-2/27/2002-18:46 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: The MAH3000 only ramped up to an 800 rpm spin if you pushed in the Max Extract button. Doesn't sound like much, but spun quite well thanks to that wide tub.
What's the reason behind the pump upgrade? Is it just to improve the pump head, so the washer can drain into a taller standpipe?
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Post# 14450-2/27/2002-18:57 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: **snort**
Fnarr, fnarr!
One of my favourites, too. Never liked it when it was showing several years back, but now I find it hilarious. Probably because I now know what all the double-entendres and innuendoes mean... and that's exactly the sort of comedy I like. Clean just doesn't cut it!
Cow-orker? Is that a euphamism for when the vet... you know LOL.
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Post# 14451-2/27/2002-18:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances ("
Taking the P"
)
MESSAGE: Nope, I don't believe we septics use that phrase, "take the p".
We do say we may be "taking a leak" when we refer to the act of urination, or even "taking a piss". Then there's getting pissed (drunk) or being pissed off (very angry). But nothing in there that I know to convey a mocking tone. I don't even think we have an equivalent expression for "making fun of someone in a slightly cruel way".
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Post# 14452-2/27/2002-19:03 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: More than likely the water pressure did have something to do with it. I don't know if the plumbing itself would have any effect, either - my parents' Zanussi makes a loud fill noise, and they have low water pressure. A pal with the same machine has very high water pressure, only his is virtually silent during fill... most odd!
The H-axis TLs are quite clever, in that they pack a full wash load into such a small machine. Rumour has it that Bosch are bringing out a full-width version with American-sized capacity, but I've not heard anything on that one yet for a long time. Would be interesting to see, though.
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Post# 14453-2/27/2002-19:06 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I don't *think* the pump upgrade enhanced the drain height at all, I think Maytag did it to improve reliability. Apparently the older 40 watt pumps were more prone to failure.
I'll have to check the service manual when I get home. Not that it's all that trustworthy. It occasionally contradicts itself when discussing upgrades. Such as, in the MAH4000, a recirculating pump was added to improve detergent dissolving and distribution. Then, in the 5500b/7500 machines, the recirculating pump was removed to improve detergent dissolving and distribution. Reminds me of Honda's reasoning behind going from 180 to 360 back to 180 degree crankshafts in their V4 motorcycle motors. All the changes were supposed to improve exhaust scavenging... LOL!
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Post# 14454-2/27/2002-19:08 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: Of course everyone loves Mrs Slocumb's pussy. But you have to like Mr. Humphries as well - after all, he's neither one way nor the other.
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Post# 14455-2/27/2002-19:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (water noise)
MESSAGE: Water noise can be dependent upon the type of piping used in the home's plumbing... it's related to velocity vs. pipe inner diameter. Copper piping is more noisy than steel or plastic, as well. I got that much from web surfing on replacing my galvanized piping to the kitchen sink - the hot is slowing to a very annoying trickle. It's currently 60 year old galvanized so it's certainly due for an update. I may just replace that segment with new galvanized - it should do the trick until I'm ready to redo the whole system with copper.
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Post# 14456-2/27/2002-19:18 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification on that one. Sometimes it's hard to work out why manufacturers make certain changes to their products.
Sounds like Honda are as indecisive as Hoover. Over here, they had beater bars on their vacuums for years, then decided to go to a bristle-only brush "to prolong carpet life". Now they've gone back to the beater bars, and give the same reason for the switch back. Makes you wonder if it really is true, or if it's just a case of whatever sounds best in the brochure.
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Post# 14457-2/27/2002-20:46 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
Hotpoint POD, detergent dispenser, et al
MESSAGE: I had one of these TOL Hotpoints once, and they did indeed have a water inlet flume with a solenoid diverter. This was primarily used with the new (at that time) enzmye soak cycles, which, to be effective, required an extended soak cycle for the enzymes to "eat" the stains off the clothes. Then the cycle added powdered detergent, and completed the cycle in the normal manner. Actually, these machines are rare now, and were quite a good washer......I loved it when I had it, I sold it when still in college, and got a Rapidry 1000 to take its place......! Jimmy
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Post# 14457-2/27/2002-20:46 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kirk's Castile Soap)
MESSAGE: The trade deal is a great idea, but I can get STPP easily. I will have to think of something that I really cannot find here - shouldn't be too hard to do!!!!
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Post# 14458-2/27/2002-20:50 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (water noise)
MESSAGE: Remember, Rich what "Cosmo" the plumber (the late Vincent Gardenia) said about copper pipe in the movie "Moonstruck":
" ....and then there's copper, which is the only pipe I use. It costs money - - - it costs money because it saves money."
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Post# 14459-2/27/2002-20:55 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
Post 14457
MESSAGE: I am a bit confused - two posts with the same number (14457), same text, but different titles and authors (me and Jimmy(Filter-Flo)). I wrote the post that is shown, but could this be because both of us were posting at the identical moment?
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Post# 14460-2/27/2002-21:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Copper vs. steel)
MESSAGE: Oh yes, copper is the best, long term. But for this particular run I figure galvanized will be a lot quicker. This way I don't have to tear apart the walls, or be incited to redo all the galvanized. I also am set up to do 1/2" galvanized - have the threading equipment and moreover, the workshop has several cabinets packed full of galvanized fittings, left behind by the previous owner.
What I'd really like to do is stainless steel threaded piping. That's even better than copper; completely nontoxic and more resistant to acids etc. There is a small amount of it here, but I've had a difficult time locating a supplier. The run under the sidewalk to the water meter is stainless; that will likely never have to be replaced. But to be realistic I'll probably have to settle for copper.
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Post# 14461-2/27/2002-21:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Post 14457
MESSAGE: Must be some gremlins - maybe from GE - in the machine!
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Post# 14462-2/27/2002-23:26 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: You would love to come to Sydney and visit our very own Grace Bros!!!!
My Aunty burst out laughing when we took her to one!!
I always thought it was Mrs Slocombe
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Post# 14463-2/27/2002-23:41 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (sticking up for front loaders)
MESSAGE: I am right behind you Chris!
Not in that way of corse!!!!
I would not describe myself as a devout greenie but when places have their water resaviours at 40% its time to do something ourselves rather than sitting around and waiting for govt. depts. to get their act together! Its about being responsible for ones self, rather than waiting for someone else to do something. I am a big believer in that and in not being wasteful like leaving lights on needlessly etc.
There are other ways to save water around the house but a FL is definately one of the easiest ways to cut back.
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Post# 14464-2/27/2002-00:05 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Clothes Care)
MESSAGE: So your dad reads the electricity metre every day too! What a laugh! So does my Grandmother! Must be an English thing.
My Sister was aged 20! Yes by now she really should know better! My brother is the worst. After Mum and Dad being in England for 6 weeks you should of seen the mountain of ironing we acumalated. My sister and i sorted it out to take to the laundromat to iron. My brother was horrified that we were going to spend money on that. He doesnt like to spend money my brother. He also raved on about how Mum would say we were laze. We said we are too busy working and hvae no time to do it and he said he would iron it himself. He iron three shirts and told us to take it to the laundromant.
Mum was so impressed when she found out she found a lady to do the ironing for her. She says she wished she did that years ago. She works most days of the week and ironing takes so much time.
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Post# 14465-2/28/2002-02:35 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: I loved it as a kid, it was probably showing first time round then. I did not get the double entendres, but enjoyed it at face value. As an adult, I enjoy the show even more.
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Post# 14466-2/28/2002-02:42 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances
MESSAGE: We use all this P. phrases in the UK, along with 'p. useless' - not very good, 'p.ing about' being silly or ineffectual, 'piece of p.' - very easy, 'eyes like p.holes in the snow' - small tired eyes, 'like a streak of p.' - very thin, 'weak as p. or weak as gnats' - weak or very weak, 'wouldn't give you the steam of his p.' - mean. I am sure that there are others. I learnt all these as a kid from my parents, just realised how course they are and where I get it from.
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Post# 14467-2/28/2002-05:51 ||| scottdamit (Bright Indiana)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: The old neptunes would go upto 800rpms for the entire spin cycle. After of course it did all of its checks and balances. I found that on my old one with larger loads it seldom would get to 800rpms. Sometimes it would never make it past 700rpms then the machine would try to speed up and would end up slowing back down because of the vibration. My new one is better about balancing and reaching higher spin speeds. It usally always gets to 800rpms and usally always will get to 1000rpms if I have it set to do as such.
SD
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Post# 14468-2/28/2002-06:05 ||| scottdamit (Bright Indiana)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Rich is correct they did upgrade the pump do to problems with the pump. this happened early on with the neptunes. I believe it happned around "series 34" on the old 3000. The max extract was a waste on the older machines. If you didnt have it on it would speed up to about 300rpms then stop, then go up to about 600rpms then stop, then it would go up to 800rpms if it was set to cotton/sturdy,then it would stop again, finally it would go up to 800 and stay there for the remainder of the spin. If you had max extract selected it would skip all of that stop and start and just go on to the 800rpms. On the new ones max extract means something there is a difference in the speeds.
SD
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Post# 14469-2/28/2002-07:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
Hotpoint POD,dispensers, etc. (Double Post weirdness)
MESSAGE: Wow, that double post is a strange one! I tried to reply to Filter-Flo's post, but it doesn't reconize that it's even there - goes automatically to Angus' post of the same number.
This was the last of the glory days for Hotpoint, you'd never believe there even was a Lady Executive by looking at the Hotpoint line today!
Jimmy, did the water flow into the detergent dispenser box flushing out the contents or did it open somehow when filling for the main wash?
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Post# 14470-2/28/2002-10:20 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
Caloric POD
MESSAGE: A Caloric washer, I never knew such a item was made. Wonder how many of those machines are around
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Post# 14471-2/28/2002-11:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to 14405, Hi Gizmo)
MESSAGE: G'day Gizmo,
Yeah alright I get your point, didn't mean to touch any raw nerves, but must admit that I am getting a bit sick of front-load nazies (not saying you are one) telling everybody what they should buy. I read somewhere that we even have a "Front Loading Washing Machine Association" out there trying to convert the public. All I can say to that is 'up your collective bums' - no one is going to convert me and I guarantee you, that I have used front-loaders long before (perhaps you and...) many of these other enthusiasts even knew they existed. My claims are based on personal experiences and they are certainly not wild.
I am not a wasteful person and consider myself environmentally conscientious. I just don't subscribe to these apparent quick-fixes, that ultimately amount to nothing anyway. My using a top-loader, instead of a tumbler, is not going to deplete our water supplies any faster. To set you straight, Waterboard records indicate that per capita water consumption in Sydney is still the same as it was in 1964, according to a news item that I watched a while ago.
The problem isn't per capita consumption, it is increasing populations in our major urban and some regional centers (although overall population-growth is actually negative). The easiest solution to face resulting challenges for the Waterboard, is to tell people to reduce their water consumption (duh!), instead of doing what they get paid to do. For example, they could be innovative and offer financial incentives to promote the installation of rain water tanks, (with every new suburban house being built or retro fitting also). Or perhaps offering rebates for people who want to install their own water recycling system or non-flush toilets. If there was a genuine interest in doing something serious about water, these would be far more potent solutions, rather than this nonsense about washing machines.
Our overpaid state governments and councils could do heaps to effect better water usage and conservation. Same with energy conservation through solar hot water heaters and solar electricity genration, but that would ultimately cut into their profits, which is not the idea. Environmentally friendly technologies have been around for yonks, but installation costs have remained high and as long as water and energy costs remain at levels that provide disincentives to become less reliant on utility companies, most people will not make that sort of investment.
Utility costs are stealthyly rising with regularity; an extra 8 or 10 percent here and there, every year, will ensure healthy profit margins and little reactivism from the public. Why do you think our electricity is being deregulated? I would guess its to negate state government's resonsibility to guarantee the uninterrupted flow of affordable electricity to consumers. Now our energy will be traded like any other commodity and supply and demand will determine its availability and cost - don't be surprised to see California-style power cuts. Who knows, water may be next.
So people are told some tale about the types of appliances that will apparently save them lots of money and the environment and blah blah. Of course the price increases will eventually negate any savings that people, such as yourself, thought you could make with your choice of purchase. That's what happened in Europe and our pollies/public service mob have their fingers on that pulse alright. They are busier than ever going to overseas conventions, where they pick up on more innovative ways to fleece us; and environemntalism has given them the ideal excuse.
Living in a rural area should prompt you to start thinking about making your own arrangements for water. If the Sydney Waterboard can't get off its ar*e to be pro-active, do you honestly think that your local water authority is going to be more effective - NOT! They will just continue to tell you about the things they can't do , whilst charging you more for their services - "Just don't use any water!"
Please don't call your fellow residents rednecks - just because they don't share your views. Don't think that the Greenie perspective is any more rounded and sensible than that of the average citizen. As with any agenda-driven issues motivated by political goals, people are naturally sceptical and that is very healthy. In their ignorance many Greenies believe that they are morally and culturally superior (not saying you are), to everybody who doesn't subscribe wholly to their agendas and they hate having to walk the same ground with us sceptics, lol.
Take the logging industry for example, with the stroke of a pen the Greens want to put thousands of people out of work without offering truely workable alternatives. Of course any crticism of and reactivism against this, is met with incredulity by them which goes to show how little they are connected to the reality of the rest of the community. The other thing that escapes many of the green persuasion, is the need for sustained and expanding economic activity - without which there simply wouldn't be any environmentalism anyway, because it costs money.
Germany is a very good example of Greenies in politics and on the rampage. They haven't actually done anything to really save the environment, apart from putting forward ideas like increasing the cost of petrol to 2.5 Euros a liter, just think what that would do to the average citizen and the economy. Naturally, Greenie Parliamentarians zip around in their nifty subsidized little Euro cars on taxpayer funded petrol. Their environmental policies have just introduced another environmental tax to be paid for by (you guessed it) the average, already much put upon citizens, for nothing more than to pass a law that outlaws the removal of graffiti inflicted on (amongst other buildings), 800 year old monuments by bored and misguided youths. In Germany, thanks to the ingenuity of the Greenies, grafiti is considered an artform now and has to be treated with utmost respect, puke! We are so lucky that here they are still on the political fringe.
I suppose considering the hygiene habits of the extreme tree hugging Greenies, washing machines and showers would probably be outlawed - should they ever gain political clout. Just imagine, we wouldn't have anything to discuss anymore. No more agitator vs drum, spin cycles, hand wash options, what a sad little world this would be. Oh, and gainfully employed people would be penalized for their greed and avarice with environmental taxes.
Anyway, Washing machines are not really the culprits here,its watering of gardens and lawns, flushing toilets, car washing and industrial water use that consumes most of this renewable resource. So don't get all worked up over top-loaders. As a matter of interest, my first Aussie built top loader was a 1980 Westinghouse Laundromat with suds save option, which I thought was pretty groovy and surely reduced my HEDONISTIC water consumption. I haven't seen any top-loaders with suds save lately, if they are still around they certainly aren't being advertised.
To tell you the truth, I don't like the idea of 10 to 15 litres per 5 or 6 kilos of clothes. I know how much water that is per fill, and the only way this technology gets to work is through very high spin speeds. That can't really be that good for clothes either. See, there is a trade-off everywhere. I would also venture to say that many of the consumption values given to consumers are approximations only. One has to remember that appliances are tested in laboratories and I doubt that such values would be achieved in an average household.
As for your statement regarding twin tubs, that would only be accurate if you changed the wash water for every kilo that you wash. Which is not how you are supposed to use a twin tub. It is meant to work along the lines of the 'recycled-suds' principle, where you wash your clothes using the same wash water for everything and use the spray rinse in the centrifuge after (e.g. 30 or 40 liter tub fill for six? or seven? kilos of clothing sounds pretty economical to me). Then you may do a full tub rinse for your entire wash, if this takes your fancy. Environmental concerns had nothing to do with the twin tub's demise, rather the lack of automated convenience. Most twin tubs use impellers, which are not that popular with Australian consumers.
By the way thanks for the other post regarding Hoover fronties manufactured in the UK. I wasn't aware of this and thought that these machines were Australian. Before we left Germany we actually owned a Hoover frontie, but that one had a s/s drum and I think was made in England, not sure though. It was great little washer though, I spent many hours watching the clothes go round and round, which was the reason I ended up in a neck brace and motivated my parents to opt for a top-loader once we had moved to the US. Neck braces were a lot more expensive in the US and the insurance didn't cover self-inflicted injuries. Anyway, I had discovered yoga by that stage and found new ways of achieving self-hypnosis through meditation.
Anyhow, t'was nice reading your posts, hope to exchange more views with you soon.
Take care
Mr-Bubbles (no, I don't have a bathtub in my back yard, anymore)
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Post# 14472-2/28/2002-12:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Clothes Care)
MESSAGE: Last winter, when our natural gas prices surged, our electricity rates increased, and we were faced with rolling blackouts in California, I started reading my electric and gas meters on a regular basis. Through a variety of measures, including insulating the attic, replacing my washer, dryer, two fridges, and unplugging a lot of vampire electronic loads when not absolutely needed, I was able to slash my electric consumption in half and my natural gas consumption by 30-50%. They are still not at the low levels in my previous residence, a much smaller house with fewer appliances etc, but it's still a significant conservation achievement. So I can understand bill payers who monitor their meters carefully, especially in places where energy costs are even higher than they are here in California.
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Post# 14473-2/28/2002-12:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Clothes Care)
MESSAGE: Yes, he reads it every day, in fact the tight old sod reads it twice a day. If he went out he would read it before going and on return. We then had to account, 'you've had that fire on again', which I either admitted or ran through everything, hairdryer, stereo lights til he was satisfied. After I left home, he removed the plug from the dryer so the others could not use it, like that would stop my brother.
He also hid the good coffee and left the cheap crap out, as he said we used too much, at one time he removed the handle from the hot bath tap so he could ration bath water, even tried rationing bog roll til his brother took the pi$$. I laugh about it now, but it embarassed and anneyed the hell out of me as a kid. Looking back, I realise that money was really tight and it was the only way we could eat and keep a roof over our heads, so I appreciate the old devil now.
Ironing, well I take shirts to the local ironing shop, about $1 apiece. I am too mean to pay $1 for pillowcases and teatowels and the over $3 for trousers (pants) so I do those, though I am considering a collection service to do the whole lot. If only my cleaning lady would spare me a couple more hours, she would do them, contracting out cleaning and ironing was the best thing I did. I am trying to convince He Who Must to contract out the garden, but he claims to enjoy doing it - so why is it not done! These jobs are so much cheaper to get done than I realised.
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Post# 14474-2/28/2002-13:00 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to 14405, Hi Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Hello Bubbles,
You have quite strong opinions and I like that, but I think you shouldn't loose touch with reality. Gas prices overhere in Europe are not 2.5 Euro, in Germany they pay around DM2.50 per liter which is more than 1.25 Euro. I guess you are mixing up Marks and Euros here.
Being from Europe I was always fascinated with American toploaders and since I visited last years washer convention in Minneapolis I love them. For their simplicity, their durability (the good ones) and for their washer drama. And if you have a toploader because you like them better than a frontloader, that is not going to hurt the environment. But looking to a whole country, changing to frontloaders saves a lot of water and believe me there are countries in which these savings really matter.
I had to laugh over your remark about hygiene habits of some Greenies, but at the same time you suggest that a suds saving system would be a good idea. Well, I tell you my wash water is not going to be used twice, although my laundry is never dirty!!!
Louis
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Post# 14475-2/28/2002-13:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Caloric POD
MESSAGE: I have seen and used Calor laundryette washers in UK, wonder if they are related. These are stainless steel FL washers.
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Post# 14476-2/28/2002-13:31 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you being Served, Again)
MESSAGE: Have any of you watched the sequel "Are you being Served, Again" ? I taped the 6 shows several years ago on PBS in Phoenix. Mr. Humphries ( Russ and my favorite character) begins to have some thoughts about the farmer's daughter. The 6 episodes were absolutely wonderful. Too bad there weren't more made. Even though we have seen the original shows many many times, we watch "Served" everynight on PBS here in South Dakota.
Bob
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Post# 14477-2/28/2002-14:25 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you being Served, Again)
MESSAGE: I also loved their 'teasling', the method they did their laundry. Anybody who knows the word of the teasling song? Quite a funny episode "and I'm unanimous in that".
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Post# 14478-2/28/2002-15:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to 14405, Hi Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Interesting post, Mr. Bubbles. Like Louis, I have to comment on a few misconceptions...
One, California no longer has rolling blackouts. We haven't had any since last summer. Guess what? Our statewide efforts to conserve, plus state power contracts, have resulted in a surplus of electricity. And our success with conservation had a part to play in collapse of the inflated energy market and the subsequent backruptcy of evil gougers like Enron.
As stated previously, in my own home I was able to slash my electric consumption 50% with more efficient appliances and other measures. I've done calculations on the combined savings from water, gas, electricity, and the lack of need to run to the laundromat for large bulky items, and have come to the conclusion that my Neptune 7500 will pay for itself in about 7 years. There's a good thread over on THS with plenty of good analysis on the return on investment of front loaders.
As for the smaller amount of water being used in a front loader vs a top loader, casusing damage to clothes, I believe you've that 180 degrees backwards. The more gentle action of a front loader results in longer garment life than a typcial top loader with a back and forth agitator.
Consider this: today over 30% of the world's population doesn't have enough water for minmum daily basic needs: that's only 13 gallons a day! You can save twice that much by doing a single load in a water efficient front loader vs. an inefficient top loader.
You're right, there are bigger water savings to be had from other areas, such as toilets or lawns. And in California, agriculture is the largest user by far of fresh, potable water. But that doesn't mean that one should not try to conserve laundry water at home as well as in the fields. It's too convenient for everyone to point the finger at the other guy instead of everyone doing their part to conserve.
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Post# 14479-2/28/2002-16:32 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hotpoint POD,dispensers, etc. (Double Post weirdness) (Twin Post Coning -----Which Twin(tub) Had The Toni?)
MESSAGE: Boy was that weird or what? Two posts with the same number! Angus and I scored a first! As I remember it, the lid was opened flat, the then plastic dispenser had a door that opened and you filled with detergent. You poured your powdered enzyme soak (Axion?) in the tub, and started the machine. It would run for a few minutes, the stop for a predetermined soak period. It would start up hours later, spin the water out, then start the normal cycle, with the flume diverted to add the preloaded detergent from the dispenser. It really worked great......... Jimmy
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Post# 14480-2/28/2002-16:33 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
OPPS! I meant Twin Post CLONING!
MESSAGE: sorry hit the wrong keys!
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Post# 14481-2/28/2002-18:20 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hotpoint POD,dispensers, etc. (Double Post weirdness) (sorry OT)
MESSAGE: Sorry OT
Fantastic, you had 'Which Twin has the Toni?' in US as well. I remember those adds in the UK, 70s maybe 80s.
As I have said before, the BF is a bit of a pi$$-taker and likes to give nicknames to people. In the area we used to live, we often saw an older man around, who had frizzy hair, reminiscent of a bad home perm job, and the BF decided that he be called 'Which twin has the Toni'.
To bring it back to appliances, we could consider perm machines, like the one in 'Theatre of Blood'
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Post# 14482-2/28/2002-18:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you being Served, Again)
MESSAGE: Hi Robby
You got me thinking for a while here, I had never heard of 'Are you being Served, Again', then your reference to teh farmer's daughter gave me a clue. A sequel was shown in the UK, but it was called 'Grace and Favour' I guess that the name was changed in the US if you don't have the expression grace and favour, usually applied to an appartment given along with a job or on retirement for which no rent is paid, ie grace and favour appartment.
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Post# 14483-2/28/2002-18:39 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Scott
Gosh, why all the spin then stop routine. Did the drum tumble around between the different spins? I must admit that I had not observed this on the old style Neptune I used, though I did not get to use it very many times.
My old AEG had a spin option called Variomatic, which spun slow, then tumbled teh creases out, spun faster, tumbled and so on til it achieve max speed of 1200. This resulted in dry crase free clothes, but the spin cycle alone took 30 mins, though it is one feature I wish my Miele had.
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Post# 14484-2/28/2002-18:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: Yep your right, I double checked and it is Mrs Slocombe, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth 'Betty' Jennifer Rachel Yiddell Abergavenny Slocombe according to the Internet Movie Database, www.imdb.com.
So what is your Grace Bros, a proper department store with grand ladies and queens? I just love the campery of real department stores.
Anyone else here familiar with Kenneth William's story about visiting Selfridge's with Maggie Smith, who upon being advised by a very grand sales lady that a brassier cost five guineas, shrieked 'five guineas, cheaper to have yer tits off'.
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Post# 14485-2/28/2002-18:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (dont forget plastic)
MESSAGE: When it comes to plumbing, I'm a heathen, its plastic all the way for me. No joints anywhere innaccesible, the easiest joints to make, easy to cut, love it. I have used copper and compression joints (threaded) are a pain, and I'm too chicken to try solder. I did get the on-view bits done in chromed copper pipe though.
Having a new water main installed to replace the 100 year old lead, tiny bore pipe shared with 5 houses, the water board mandate plastic from the street to the stopcock in the house. Water board uses plastic for its new mains too.
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Post# 14486-2/28/2002-19:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Well I never knew Hoover had dropped their beater bars, glad they are back though. They would have had to drop the wondeful 'beats as it sweeps as it cleans' slogan. Love that slogan, was it used worldwide?
The beater bars probably did more to agitate the dirt out of carpets than the brushes, I remember them working really well.
Thinking about your reply about Hoover Junior dustbags. Have you ever changed one of these, vile messy dirty job, the cleaner is a great design classic, but that bottom fill non-sealing bag, yuck.
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Post# 14487-2/28/2002-19:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Are you Being Served)
MESSAGE: But, he could be Rosy Bothways.
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Post# 14488-2/28/2002-19:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: That slogan was used in America, though our Hoovers have not had beater bars for some time, so perhaps it has been retired. Fortunately you can still get spare brushrolls with beater bars for the older machines, and if they've come back in the UK, perhaps they will here, too. Some may argue but I think beater bars are the way to go. I don't know anything about them wearing out carpets, and I'm not buying the story about them driving the dirt deeper into the carpet rather than lifting it out.
You have not lived, until you've changed a bottom fill bag or emptied a shakeout from an estate sale find whose bag is brick solid full to the point of explosion (laughing) take precautions to protect the surface before you do! :)
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Post# 14489-2/28/2002-19:15 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (uh-huh!)
MESSAGE: Rich, your comments about 'dull' pretty much sums it up for the 'mainstream' top load washer. I believe the reason for this is, because the current designs are pretty much in their 'last' years. Surely, manufacturers resources are now concentrated on new designs to meet the 2004 and very stringent 2007 water and energy use guidelines. Kinda like standard picture tube tv's VS HDTV flat screens etc.
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Post# 14490-2/28/2002-19:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
I love the idea of a full width euro tumble TL machine. As the current TL machine only occupy 75% of the space of a standard FL, we could see a 8kg, euro TL tumbler, though the drum would be wider with same diameter, so we miss the benefits of a grater diameter drum ie better extraction and wash action.
For those unfamiliar with the design, current euro TL machines are tumblers, they take the drum and rotate it to run front to back in the washer, the resultant machine is 45cm 18" wide, 60 cm 24" deep. Standard machines are 60cm square. The principal is the same as the old Launderall or the Staber.
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Post# 14491-2/28/2002-19:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I *think* the beats-as-it-sweeps-as-it-cleans slogan was used worldwide, but don't know for sure. I know they still had it in the bochure up til just a few years back, with the last of the Turbopower Plus series. Beater bars always work really well at drawing out sand and grit, especially if you have long pile carpets.
As for changing a Hoover Junior bag, I too have experienced that dubious pleasure. I borrowed an aunt's Junior when I first moved into my own place, before I purchased my own vacuum. They do a great job, but the bag fill design is numpty to say the least. I always found it easier to stand the cleaner on a chair, so I could pull the fill tube assembly downwards out of the cloth bag. That made it easier to swap the paper bag without spilling dust.
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Post# 14492-2/28/2002-19:43 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: That statement about beater bars driving dirt deeper into the carpet reminds me of a trick used by a Kirby rep who dropped by at my house once.
The lady asked me for some salt, which I fetched from the kitchen, and proceeded to sprinkle some onto my carpet. She then picked up one of the extension wands, and tapped the carpet with it, causing the salt to sink into the pile. And that, apparently, is why the Kirby doesn't have beater bars.
Of course, I could only roll my eyes in disbelief at this. They obviously think everyone is stupid enough to fall for this trick. She toned down some of her wilder claims once she found out I sell vacuums too, and therefore know the score on these things.
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Post# 14493-2/28/2002-19:46 ||| Quest44122 (Cleveland)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (beater bars)
MESSAGE: Hey, it is good to be back. Now I have a small collection of vacuum cleaners, nothing to covet, but it makes me happy. i have one machine with a beater bar, it is a Sanitaire. I am not high on Eureka products, but this machine is really exceptional. It has a metal base and a chrome beater/bursh bar. It lifts pile on deep piled carpets like few others. And honestly, I can use another machine, then vacuum the deep piled carpets with this one, and hear things being pulled out of the pile. This is especially true of the family room. I am at a loss as to why the beater bar was elimiated.
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Post# 14494-2/28/2002-19:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Surprisingly, though, H-axis top loaders are the least popular type of machine we sell. We sell far more of the American TLs in comparison, because people find them easier to use. It's the spring-loaded drum access flaps on the H-axis variety that put a lot of people off. They can take a little getting used to at first, and a lot of people just aren't interested in something they perceive to be "an extra hassle".
I always have to laugh when customers open the lid, rotate the drum a few times and get a puzzled look on their faces. They're wondering how on earth they're supposed to get the clothes in. I usually step in and show them, but by then, they've usually already made up their minds that they don't like the looks of it. Which is unfortunate, because this particular design gives the best of both worlds.
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Post# 14495-2/28/2002-20:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (beater bars)
MESSAGE: Well, my goodness Ed! How nice to "see" you!
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Post# 14496-2/28/2002-20:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (beater bars)
MESSAGE: Ed, the Sanitaire is used in most all commercial applications, and from my observation if it is not, it is sooner or later! It is the best type of machine for this purpose and does a great job on carpet as you say.
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Post# 14497-2/28/2002-21:17 ||| Quest44122 (Cleveland)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (beater bars)
MESSAGE: Hello Scott. It is really good to "see" you too.
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Post# 14498-2/28/2002-21:18 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (dont forget plastic)
MESSAGE: Oh well, soldering copper can't be all that difficult, or so I understand. I wouldn't use compression joints on anything permanent, myself. It's gotta be either threaded (real threads) or soldered or glued. I have worked with plastic plumbing pipes on my fish ponds and also on my irrigation systems. Once you get the hand of it, it's a cinch, although I don't care much for the fumes. I don't know if it's allowed by code in homes around here. They don't allow plastic drain pipes. I still would prefer copper over plastic, because it is somewhat stronger, more heat stable, and possibly less toxic than plastic.
When I redo the whole house, I'm planning on going up a step in pipe sizes - 1" main piping and then 5/8" or 3/4 to the various high throughput fixtures (showers, tubs, sinks, etc). The toilets will stay at 1/2 inches.
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Post# 14499-2/28/2002-21:20 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaires and Kirbies and Singers and Constellations and Celebrities)
MESSAGE: I'm not much on vacuums, I must confess. 8-)
But . . .
My mother had a Sanitaire for some years, until my sister up and got her a Kirby G6 for Christmas a couple years ago . . and insisted the three of us kids split the cost . . . YIKES, even a three-way split was $$$.
I have an el-cheapo Singer upright (don't know the model number -- auto-height, self-propelled, no attachments), bought on close-out for $85 at Wal-Mart back in 1987, I think it was.
And I have a Hoover cannister, orange, one of those flatter-type jobbies that floats on its exhaust. It's not a Constellation, I don't think -- that's the one that is a larger rounded affair, yes?
Aha! I just did a quick Google.com search -- mine is a Celebrity! Must be the "flamingo red" color.
One of my aunts had a Constellation.
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Post# 14500-2/28/2002-21:28 ||| quest44122 (Cleveland)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: Thanks, Scott, I really like the Sanitaire, but I am quite fond of all my vacuums, for different reasons of course. I just can't be monogomous in terms of vacuum cleaners, prefer a harem. lol
I am very fond of the Royal line and have several. I am having trouble with one and do not seem to be able to get it fixed. The brush stalls constantly and it never used to do that. I have changed the belt repeatedly, even had it done professionally, the result is the same.
Royal is made in Cleveland, and at their former location that had a service entrance at the back of the factory. There were a couple of guys there who had worked on Royals their entire lifetime, they each wore hats made out of newspaper. You get get anything fixed and fixed right. It appears that Royal has given up this service and now refers you to an authorized vac shop.
I am thinking of ditching this one and opting for one of their new models with the power drive. Have an older Concept Hoover and like the power drive feature.
Any thoughts on the Royal?
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Post# 14501-2/28/2002-21:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: I like older Royals, but I"m hearing that the newer ones use "Dirt Devil" motors now, and are quite noisy, so I dont know that I'd want a new one, but I do like the older ones. I did not realize they were offering one with power drive! Scott
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Post# 14502-2/28/2002-22:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Good to hear from you foraloysius,
Just to correct you before you get too carried away, I didn't say that a liter of petrol in Germany cost 2.5 Euro (approx. 5 Marks). What I meant was that the Greens there WANT the price to go to that level and they ARE doing their darndest to force the Govenrment's hands. I remember them making a big deal about it when I was last there in 1998. Anyway, I think that 1.5 Euro for a liter is too much.
Successive German governments have been taxing energy till the cows come home, because it makes such a good earner. Of course always with the justification that the revenue would be put to good use through developing alternative energy sources and so on - particularly since the oil embargoes of the seventies. But that was just political grandstanding as per usual. Germany is worse than Australia in being complacent about developing alternative fuel sources. High registration and fuel prices there have also not helped to reduce car ownership or traffic congestion and related environmental problems.
Here in Oz we now pay betwen 76 to 86 cents per liter and that is also too much. Since 9/11 crude prices have fallen and risen a little again, but remain around the US $20 mark per barrel. Our dollar is actually stronger against the Greenback now and realistically, that should reduce the cost of petrol to below 70 cents. In Canada they pay around 56 cents per liter and the Canadian dollar is pretty close to our currency in value, only marginally higher. But as per usual, the petrol industry here will not cut the consumers any slack. The overall plan, of course, is to desensitize people by moving the price ever closer to the psychological dollar mark per liter and to have it remain in that region.
What do you mean by calling top-loaders simplistic? - shame on you foraloysius! Have you looked at the latest control panels of Maytag and Whirlpool washers? There is nothing simplistic about them, nor were they during the 1970's and 80's. Also remember that microchip technology in appliances and soft touch controls have been around much longer in the US than in Europe, in fact it all started when I got there in the mid-seventies (same with video recorders, push button phones, ATM machines and ceramic cook tops) it all happned there long before Europa got the drift.
American washers that were produced in the sixties and seventies had a lot more to offer than anything available anywhere else. How many machines with infinite water levels, variable wash and spin speeds and automatic lint filters were available to the European public at affordable prices during the sixties and seventies? - none that I can remember. All machines used to have between 4 and 4.5 kilos and have virtually identical programming, (your boring 30, 45, 60 and 95 degree washes), maybe if you were lucky you could choose between two or three different spin speeds (which I suppose is something). How many washer/dryer combo front loaders were available in Europe prior to the seventies? Truth be told, before innovations hit Europe they were already an old hat in the US and that is a fact.
Currently Maytag and Frigidaire are offering the only front-loading models that address loading convenience through either drum tilt or optional pedestal, plus jumbo size capacity. Can't think of any European manufacturer ever coming up with bright ideas like that anytime, then again I suppose five or six kilo capacity for a Euro washer is pretty revolutionary. I suppose in the sixties and seventies people in Europe didn't have enough clothes to fill anything bigger than a four kilo machine (sorry I can't help myself, but its so true).
I remeber the arguments I used to have with some of my relatives in Germany, during visits, about the merit of daily showers and equally frequent clothing changes. Then and now we were used to wash at least one full load every day, which my relatives thought totally self-indulgent. They used to only have their Saturdy bath and that was the day they changed their clothes also (yuch!)So, laundry was only done every second week. I tried to have a daily wash using the shower attachment in the bathtub and nearly got lynched for it. Northern Euroepeans can be a little eccentric.
Manufacturing quality is also a big moot point here, this is where I get on my soap box and say that American household appliances were, and still are, of higher quality and more durable.
Suds-saving is actually not a bad idea since good detergents keep their potency. I used my suds save option a lot, naturally only on clothes that were very lightly soiled and it worked very well. If you give your clothes a good rinsing afterwards they come out as clean as if you had used a fresh fill for the wash cycle. Anyway, the suds save used to only return three quarters of the old fill, the rest would be a fresh top up to boost the temperature and I'd add a little extra detergent for extra cleaning umph. Clothes used to come out as clean as a whistle (hope you weren't implying that there was something wrong with suds recycling?).
See ya
Bubbles
P.S. Have you ever seen those dreadlocked and unwashed Greenies? I reckon they are a public health hazard, they can be locate from quite a distance, as I have discovered, just by being down-wind from them. Lets face it humanity has been striving for millennia to get out of the filth and these people are joyfully jumping straight back into it.
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Post# 14503-2/28/2002-22:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: I like older Royals too, especially the Queen Mother.
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Post# 14504-2/28/2002-23:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (No no Sudsdmaster - this can't be true!)
MESSAGE: Thirty percent of the world's popoulation didn't have enough water in the past, don't have it now, nor will they have it in the future. That is the way of the world and I am so over these arguments anyway. Have you been to Africa lately? I went to Zimbabwe, a couple of years back, travelling to the Ivory Coast and to South Africa - everything there that is bad is the white man's fault, but for the indigenous Africans to get off their collective butts to actually improve their lot is left to the few remaining white people that you can still find there. The educated indigenous Africans either bugger off to greener shores or exploit their own kind - just look at Mugabe and his cronies. Most other third world and developing nations are pretty much the same, (I have been around South East Asia too), they often aren't even that poor. It's just that their wealth distribution sucks. I still reckon the best solution is birth control and education anyway. Have fewer kids and there'll be more to go around for future generations. Also cultural and religious beliefs have a lot to do with poor resourcefulness and creativity, not the argument of top-loader versus front-loader and what types of appliances are politically correct in the developed world. People in the West have some really interesting viewpoints concerning the developing and third world. Particularly when it comes to this perceived victimization of such nations because of our wealth and life styles. They don't do anything in those countries that they don't want to do either.
I hate having my choices curtailed by the opinions of other people. If manufacturers stop producing US style top-loaders do really think that this will improve our collective lifestyles or the lot of the world? I can only see my freedom of choice disappearing.
I am glad to hear that your State's utility providers have finally gotten their act together, what happened in California was nothing short of disgusting. Something had to be done, complacency would have been political suicide for your state politicians and they had to come up with some deal obviously.
I didn't say that less water damaged clothes. I said that very high spin speeds are used in some European machines that use very little water, in fact, such little water that clothes are actually only moistened and the only way to get an effective wash happening is to have spin speeds of more than 1000 rpm. What I am saying is that this can't be good for clothes either and it does make it harder to iron out the creases that have set during the spin.
By the way, I have never had problems with my agitator machine damaging clothes.
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Post# 14505-2/28/2002-23:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (No no Sudsdmaster - this can't be true!)
MESSAGE: Last time I checked, high spin speeds were used to extract water from clothes, not to produce a more effective wash. What on earth does a 1000+ rpm spin speed have anything to do with washing efficiency?
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Post# 14506-2/28/2002-23:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Look at it this way, if you don't saturate your clothes, even though the tumble action will loosen the dirt, the only way that dirt is efectively removed is through a very fast spin - what is so hard to understand about that?
By European standards the Neptune is actually not that economical, but principly the amnount of water that the clothes are tumbled through also helps to remove dirt from clothes. Top loaders also work on the principle that having clothes fully immersed in the water removes the dirt through the agitator movement and the waterflowing through the fabric.
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Post# 14507-2/28/2002-00:09 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Wrong, the high spin is not there to remove the dirt. The dirt is removed during the wash cycle tumbling. The spins in between are not high speed. There are several rinses before the final high speed spin. These rinses remove the soapy water plus the dirt, yes, but that's essentially what all rinse cycles are supposed to do, including top loaders.
Please don't try to justify the waste of water in a top loader by co-opting the Neptune's water levels. The Neptune cleans by tumbling the clothes in and out of a small pool of water, just like the Miele and other euro front loaders. It does not clean by immersing the clothes in a large volume of water like a top loader.
When it comes to water conservation, traditional top loaders are of course at a big disadvantage. The only way they can conserve is by reducing the amount of water used for the rinsing, by using spray rinses. Not for me thanks.
As for 1000+ rpm spin speeds being damaging to clothes, someone needs to tell owners of Unimatic 1140's that their machine's high spin speeds is wearing out their clothing.
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Post# 14508-2/28/2002-00:16 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: I guess I've never seen any washer (tl or fl) not saturate clothes --- though I've heard stories about the Calypso.
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Post# 14509-2/28/2002-00:27 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Perhaps he's talking about designs such as that LG Electronics machine that repeatedly showers the load and spins it at high speed.
Except for very delicate or sheer items that may be crushed or forced into the perforations, I don't think high spin speeds would damage clothing. The individual item don't actually move during spin, they are held stationary against the basket.
My F&P ramps up to 700 RPM for a few seconds on every cycle (I think), even Delicate, toward the end of the first spin, for better extraction before the deep rinse. Of course, 700 RPM isn't 1200 or 1600 as the Euro frontloaders can do.
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Post# 14510-2/28/2002-01:49 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: According to others who post on this board, the Neptune uses 100 liters of water for a complete cycle. Most Euro machines apparently use around 80 or less? Well, that still means that it uses more doesn't it? This has nothing to do with co-opting.
Look at it this way, when you have a 10 or 12 pound load and your machine fills with 10 or 15 liters (3 to four gallons) of water you don't get deep saturation to the same degree that you would with a machine like the Neptune, which I am sure uses more than that per fill. All that happens is that the soapy solution is sufficient in volume to completely wet the clothes. The rubbing and tumbling action loosens the dirt with the help of the detergent. Unlike the Neptune which also sends waterfalls over the clothes by its specially designed baffles and has enough water in its tub to fully saturate clothes, so that water is also pushed much more liberally through the fabric. That is why the Neptune doesnt need to spin so fast, because the dirt is actually suspended in the wash solution at the botom of the machine. The high spins are necessary to more effectively extract the water and dirt from the clothes in some other f/l machines, as the dirt isn't suspended in the actual wash solution at the bottom, but needs to be extractd from the fabric itself. This is naturally followed by shallow rinse fills, which repeat the process. The emphasis here is to optimize the function of the high speed spin in soap and soil removal. In principle this is almost like a spray rinse. If you don't want to take it from me talk to the experts that come up with these ideas. I have also heard that there is now a machine out in Europe that supposedly only uses 15 liters of water for a complete wash and rinse of, I think, 5 kilos? If anyone else knows of this, let me know what machine this is.
Anyway, this is how it was explained to me by somebody who supposedly knew, so I didn't co-opt or pull this out of my a**e.
Of course very fast spins are no good for clothes, even if it just means more cumbersome ironing. I think 600 to 800 rpm is fine and would probably also require less power.
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Post# 14511-3/1/2002-02:06 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Perhaps, Glenn, but that LG is a top loader, not a front loader!
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Post# 14512-3/1/2002-02:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Yes, the Neptune uses about 25 gallons per load. But it also has 50% more capacity than euro front loaders, so the 20% difference in water consumption is perfectly normal and does not constitute an endorsement for total immersion ala top loader action. All modern front loaders have auto-sensing water levels, where as the clothes take up water, more water is added to maintain enough of a pool of water in the machine to thoroughly saturate the load. This stuff about "merely moisten" is BS.
A top loader's agitator is the source of harshness on clothes with that format. Many front loader users have noted less lint in the dryer after switching from a top loader to a front loader.
The high spin speed of a front loader would only be a concern for very delicate fabrics. These can be washed on the delicate cycle with not only has even more gentle tumbling patterns and/or speeds, but also lower spin speeds. Such delicates should not be washed at all in a typcical top loader.
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Post# 14513-3/1/2002-03:12 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT:
THS revisited
MESSAGE: This is getting to sound much like That Home Site. Pages and pages of TL vs FL! There are vintage TL's and vintage FL's and we love them all.
Eddy
*****
Post# 14514-3/1/2002-03:27 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Top-loaders rule!)
MESSAGE: Yeah, but what happens when you, or somebody else, accidentally throws in a non-colorfast item with your colorfasts? You can't even check up on that whilst your 'fancy machine' is in progress, can you? You will basically not find out until its too late, will you? This could very well mean the untimely replacement of your wardrobe and in this case, I doubt that your machine will have paid for itself in seven years. Lets hope that never happens to you.
At least with my wonderful top-loader I can nip things like that in the butt. And I do wash very delicate items in my machine, which doesn't even have a slower wash speed. I just turn such items inside out and pop them into a washbag - no problemo.
*****
Post# 14515-3/1/2002-03:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: I am sick to death of these bloody top-loading fascists with their 'improved water consumption' and more efficient this and that. Bottom line is, that front-loaders will never replace top-loaders. They rate too high with most people in the convenience stakes. The few savings one can make, with one of those fronties, are negligible in comparison to the convenience and performance of a good quality, full-sized top-loading dream.
Sudsmaster doesn't realize that I am not a front-loader virgin, I used those before I got put onto top-loading automatics a long time ago and long before Sudsy there would have considered buying one. Although, I must admit that if I were forced to pick a front loader it would probably be a Neptune. Just hope that should this ever happen (hope not) they will have a window.
*****
Post# 14516-3/1/2002-03:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances ("
nip in the butt???"
)
MESSAGE: What an interesting attempt. I can pause the Neptune at any point in the cycle, even during a spin, and check. And it's just as easy to mix colorfast with noncolorfast in a top loader and miss the fact until it's too late. I believe Rachel did that on an episode of Friends in a laundromat top loader. Maybe she didn't have the requisite butt-nipping expertise.
*****
Post# 14517-3/1/2002-03:43 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Yes, nip in the butt - yo better take heed!)
MESSAGE: I don't watch friends, they all have ADD anyway.
*****
Post# 14518-3/1/2002-03:51 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: So sorry, Mr. Bubbles, that you are finding the facts about front loaders to be so indigestible. But I don't think that's any excuse to be calling people nasty names or making uninformed assumptions about their experiences.
I'm glad you like your top loader, and I know there are many here and elsewhere that prefer them. I like to gaze upon the agitated waters from time to time, myself. The only point that others and I have been trying to make is that front loaders are more water and energy efficient, and generally result in cleaner and longer lasting clothes. If to you all that is not worth the perceived greater convenience of a top loader, hey, go for it, enjoy your top loader. I don't think anyone in any country is outlawing top loaders. I just think that eventually in the USA as has happened in Europe, front loaders will become the more common machine because of their various real benefits.
If you can supply us with proof of a front loading political party staging goon raids on top loader installations, or putting top loaders in concentration camps, then perhaps I'd agree with you.
*****
Post# 14519-3/1/2002-04:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: Unpalatable? Did you look that up in the dictionary? What goes through your mind as you kneel in front of your Neptune? Perhaps you should stick your head in there and deactivate the safety switch and put it on spin, that'll sort you out.
Are you implying that my clothes are not as clean as yours or that I run around in rags?
I don't usually call people names and I don't make assumptions.
*****
Post# 14520-3/1/2002-04:03 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: You sell those Neptunes don't you?
*****
Post# 14521-3/1/2002-04:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!!
MESSAGE: Sorry to have taken so long in replying to your post.
Firstly, I wanted to say that I am very sorry about your spoilt weekend. Happy though, that whatever the problem was, it was only a false alarm. Hope you treated yourself to something nice to make up for the scare.
The beach was good, thank you. We are now moving into autumn and I think the really hot weather is pretty much over till next summer. Not that Sydney gets exceptionally hot weather with any great frequency, this place can actually be quite cool, even at the height of summer.
Well, I was very impressed by the descriptions of your front loading machines. As I have stated before the front-loading Hoover, that my parents owned, had the standard 4.5 kilo capacity, there were no larger machines at that time. Not really big enough to wash king or queen sized dooners. I managed to fit one of our woolen blankets once, but it got waterlogged and so heavy that the drum began to bounce around and trying to extract the water by spining, was simply out of the question. So I had to forward the timer to finish and wait five minutes before I could open the door and, of course, had a bit of a wet old time in removing the offending article.That seems to be the problem sometimes with large articles, they may fit into the machine, but once they get wet, become too heavy for the appliance.
You said that you wash your sneakers and tennis shoes in your washer? Doesn't that make an awful racket? I would have thought that the uneven distribution of the shoes would make the drum bounce around also. I know that most tumblers now come with a half-fill option, but I remember that underloading our machine made it unbalance during spins and the washing effectiveness was compromised.
I do agree with your views in general. Different markets have different preferences and so on. You are quite right that full-sized American washers are a little too big and thirsty for the average European household. I am sure that during the fifties and sixties particularly, very few people would have bought American TLS in England. They must have been quite expensive and the installation and space requirements simply didn't exist in most households. The same applies to Germany. People didn't actually go out and spend up on luxury consumer items until the late sixties anyway - not much happened during the fifties and most of the sixties. The consumer boom set in around 69/70. That was when you began to notice color tvs, washers, small appliances, stereos etc. in more homes. Prior to that, people were not very cashed up and their tastes modest. By 1969/1970 most agitator washers were off the shelves in Germany and top-loaders were either automatic or semi-automatic horizontals.
Mum got her first dishwasher (Bosch), in 1971 and did she cop a ribbing from my aunts in particular. Dishwashers didn't gain in popularity as quickly as other appliances. My Aunts told mum in no uncertain terms, that handwashing dishes was 'quicker and better', that she had 'wasted her money', that she was 'a few cents short of a dollar' and they were quite concerned that she might get bored with herself too. Funnily enough all of them now have dishwashers themselves.
Out of interest, my maternal grandparents were living in Astoria Park in New York in the 50's and nan already had all the major appliances; e.g. DW, Washer and dryer(all Kenmore by the way), built-in cabinets and wall oven with timer plus an electric cooktop with fan hood. She also had a tv built into the wall opposite the breakfast nook, which was quite state of the art for the time. Certainly a contrast to your average German household of the fifties or sixites.
I get very frustrated with our marketplace here. Arrrooohhh reckons that we have this amazing choice and to a certain degree he is right. The only thing is that our market is very fickle and often a great product finds its way onto the shelves and then its gone the next day. This can actually cause difficulties with warranty support as I have found out in person, but have also heard tales of other people's mishaps.
I already mentioned my American GE dishwasher to you, which I only replaced a couple of years back, because the trades people weren't familiar with the model and couldn't or wouldn't fix it, even though their company represented the brand. Another lady I know of had purchased an American fridge with the compressor on top (brand escapes me right now). It broke down after only two years and because the line had been discontinued, she had to wait several months to get the replacement part. In effect, she had to buy a new fridge to tide her over.
Rebadging of products is another really annoying thing. Arrrooohhh and I have already had a discussion about this. I get really peeved when European or Asian made appliances are sold under US brand names. We have got all the major European companies represented here already, so I don't see why we can't get US made appliances anymore. Washers and fridges we do, but cookers, dishwashers and what ever else we don't.
Take steam irons, I like them with thumb controls, which used to be 90% of irons 15 years ago. Now all the Australian irons are made by, what appears to be, the one supplier, somewhere in China. They all look very much the same and they all have the temp control under the handle (which I can't stand). Black and Decker used to sell their Quick'n'Easy and Light'n'Easy range, which had the feature that I liked and I still use both of them. But the line has been discontinued by B&D. The only iron that still has the thumb control is called 'Professional Series' marketed here by Mistral and in the US by B&D. Who knows how long that will be available before its discontinued.
The bottom line is that Europhiles like arrrooohhh can get their rocks off, whilst appliance connoisseurs like me get nothing. Life really sucks sometimes. I think I'll have to move to the US if my luck doesn't pick up.
By the way, a couple of days ago there was a post regarding percolators. My Russel Hobbs percolator is my pride and joy. It wipes floor with drip machines.
See ya
bubbles
*****
Post# 14522-3/1/2002-05:54 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: Yes, Herr-Miele, I will post them one day. I have a 56kbps modem that gets 33kbps connections if i'm lucky, and i'm still unsure about scanning and stuff. I have a scanner but haven't had much success yet.
I love the Yahoo photo albums that other members haver but I haven't a clue how to set one up myself. Could others tell me to do it please?
Chris.
*****
Post# 14523-3/1/2002-05:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Switched Reluctance Motors)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis.
My little Philips TL tumble washer has the same control. Doesn't it sound great to wind the spin speed up slowly?
These little motors are great, it's a pity the circuitry that drives them is so crude and inefficient. I would like to redesign the speed controller to improve the efficiency but I have only a thousand or so more important tasks ahead at present...
Chris.
*****
Post# 14524-3/1/2002-06:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: After having recieved so much pleasure from this club. I am very proud to present something to share with you all.
Its the Choice 1971 Austomatic Washing Machine Test! YAY!
Its onle the profiles of the 9 machines tested however. The WHole article is 27 pages and it took me three days just to get this much up. It is interesting reading though so I will get it up ASAP.
In the meantime Enjoy. You shall also see too what must of been the worlds last ever orbital Kelvinator.
LINK: http://au.photos.yahoo.com/bc/arrrooohhh/lst?&.dir=/Choice+1971&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 14525-3/1/2002-06:13 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Oh No!)
MESSAGE: It comes up as restriced. How do I change that?
*****
Post# 14526-3/1/2002-06:15 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: Just go into yahoo, click on photos and follow the steps. I had no idea so I just played around till something happended.
*****
Post# 14527-3/1/2002-06:17 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Oh No!)
MESSAGE: Fixed it! Sorry about the needless posts.
*****
Post# 14528-3/1/2002-07:08 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Perhaps we're arguing semantics. "All that happens is that the soapy solution is sufficient in volume to completely wet the clothes" -- I believe that IS the definition of saturate.
*****
Post# 14529-3/1/2002-07:10 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited
MESSAGE: I second that!
*****
Post# 14530-3/1/2002-07:13 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (abuse)
MESSAGE: Dear Bubbles
This is a discussion page about VINTAGE APPLIANCES. It is not a forum to abuse those who have diferent politics to you.
I am quite friendly with some of the "dreadlocked unwashed greenies" you scorn. Some of them have been trying to protect magnificent forests about to be logged within a couple of km from my home. They have taken time off work or uni do do something they believe in. They sometimes appear unwashed because they have been in the forest continuously for a week or more. I have had some come to my home for a cuppa and a break, and to have a hot shower which they greatly apppreciated. You tell me not to refer to some people in my area as rednecks. Have you met the people I am talking about? Have you had them screaming their hate in your face as I have? I wasn't referrring to all the locals, most people around here are fantastic. But some are complete turkeys.
In another post you refer to washers using 15 liters per wash. I think you will find this is 15 litres per FILL. That is a fill to wash and several fills to rinse. The Neptune uses more water because it is a bigger washer - takes more kilos of clothes. The water use per kilo is similar to smaller Euro ones.
When you take into account the small load size of most twin tub washers, they use more water PER KILO than an front loader, even if you re-use the water. A Hoover TT only washes about 2.5 kg and uses about 40 litres. Even if you get two loads out of a wash fill, that is 40 litres for 5 kg and you haven't rinsed the clothes yet...
You tell me I should have tanks and shouldn't rely on local water utilities. I do. My property is only connected to telephone. My water comes from rainwater tanks. My sewage is treated onsite. My power comes from solar panels and a wind generator. My hot water comes from solar and a wood fire. And before you mention it, I only burn plantation wood. I put my money where my mouth is.
Yes, there is a front load washing machine association. It is just a group of manufacturers/importers of front load washers marketing their products. It is not some scary group of front load Nazis. They produce a leaflet about how their products can save water, power and detergent.
I am not a front load Nazi either. I have two washers in my laundry, an Asko FL and a Fisher & Paykel TL. They are both excellent machines. I use them at different times of the year depending whether I need to save water or power. My favourite washers of all are top loading tumble washers. Nobody is trying to stop you owning/using/buying a top loader if that is what you prefer. You seem to think they are, and resort to a lot of ignorant BS to defent your position from the imaginary attack.
Your fellow washine machine afficionado.
Also proud Greens Party member.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14531-3/1/2002-07:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: This is great - thanks for posting them! It's interesting to see the different models and the US/OZ mix of brands.
A water heating Frigidaire! Do you know where the heating elements were in this machine? I'm curious how they would have heated water in a solid basket washer.
*****
Post# 14532-3/1/2002-07:40 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Thanks Arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Thanks for posting this Arrrooohhh.
Do any of you Frigidaire experts know what name the Frigidaire shown there would be in the US? (rollermatic/unimatic/rapidry etc?)
This basically the machine my family had when I was growing up. We had a more basic version, single speed, no heater. The only options were water temperatures. I would love to get my hands on one again, even though it was a despised machine in our family. I am convinced it had a fault from day 1, it used to get wildly out of balance at EVERY spin. It would trip the OOB cut-out (manual reset) and after a few tries it would trip the motor reset (manual reset after several minutes to cool down). Eventually when it was going again it would shake the house, every window in the house would rattle. And it was a solid house, Dad was a builder. It was serviced several times, taken away and rebuilt once, but it ALWAYS misbehaved on spin for fifteen years or so. In its last year the pump died, I was a teenager by then and getting a bit mechanically minded. I put the pump from our old long-discarded swimming pool underneath, and connected it in place of the washer's own pump. It plugged separately into the mains, we switched it on with each load. It ran continuously through the cycle, as it was a solid basket machine the pump was only given any water to pump when the machine spun the water over the sides of the inner tub (basket).
I had no idea that the orbital Kelvinators were sold here. The only Kelvinator washers I have seen were just Simpson clones. And in the 80's Goldstar crappy impeller washers were sold with Kelvinator badges. So there is another machine for me to watch out for at the recycling centres.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14533-3/1/2002-07:48 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: Wow, that's an interesting question.
I would guess that it was in the base of the outer tub.
I think (alarm alarm - just guesswork here) that water level would be sensed by a pressure switch in the outer tub. The fill would be directed to the inner tub. When it was full and overflowing the water would begin to accumulate in the outer tub. once the water had reached the height in the outer tub to contact the base of the inner tub, heating the water in the inner tub would gradually conduct heat to the inner tub. OR if the water is recirculated, you could heat the water in the outer tub, and it would be pumped to the inner tub. I know our machine did seem to recirculate water - there was some sort of aperture at the back through which you could see a thin stream of water during wash. I don't recall ever seeing water going back into the inner tub, though. Ours had a lid safety switch which operated on all cycles, but I soon learned to press the lever down...
Chris.
*****
Post# 14534-3/1/2002-07:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
Semi Auto versions.
MESSAGE: Here is an ad from this week's Melbourne Trading Post:
Frigidaire 750 Semi-Auto. Good Condition. $60.
It reminded me of these semi-auto washers from the sixties and early seventies. Frigidaire and Whirlpool had them, and others too. They were a cheapened version of Automatic models also available. They had a clockwork timer (15 or 20 minute) plus a manual cycle selector. (wash/pump/spin) They had no water level control, if you left the tap on they would flood. My partner's family had a Whirlpool. Same as US belt drive Whirlpools. Flooding was a REGULAR occurrence. Frigidaire's version was just wash/spin, it had no seperate pump out of course. There were Kelvinator versions too, I have no idea if they were orbital or not. And other brands. I have never seen these referred to on this site, I wonder if they were made in the US or if the "semi-auto" was a peculiarly Aussie version of these essentially US designed machines.
Sorry, I'm not going to rescue it, it is 3.5 hours drive away, and my partner will kill me if I come home with another washer. We have had some new additions lately. Nothing interesting.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14535-3/1/2002-08:01 ||| gizmo (Great Ocea)
SUBJECT:
MESSAGE:
*****
Post# 14536-3/1/2002-08:09 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Top-loaders rule!)
MESSAGE: The expression is "nip it in the BUD", not in the butt.
It refers to getting a problem solved whilst it is still small (bud stage of a flower) rather than letting it blossom into someting bigger or worse.
Yes, I'm a pedant too.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14537-3/1/2002-08:26 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
"Shampoo Action" LIVES!
MESSAGE: Whirlpool calls it "Catalyst", and front-loading washers made by Electrolux Home Products and sold under the Frigidaire, Kenmore and GE brands start the Heavy soil Cottons cycle by rotating the drum while the washer fills, allowing concentrated water and detergent to work into the fibers before being diluted by the rest of the water for the main wash. (On the Medium and Light soil settings of the Cotton cycle and in all other cycles, the drum doesn't start rotating until AFTER the washer has completely filled.)
Everything old is new again, as the song goes. :)
*****
Post# 14538-3/1/2002-08:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Thanks mate!)
MESSAGE: Nice little English lesson there gizmo, you're obviously a man of many talents. Although, I intentionally used the word 'butt' as in buttend, buttock - you know.
Yeah mate seems like you are a bit pedantic.
Take it easy and don't have a cow.
*****
Post# 14539-3/1/2002-09:19 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Wow!)
MESSAGE: Tremendeous effort arrrooohhh!
How many of the 27 pages are you planning on placing in your photo album? Do you have even earlier and perhaps later consumer reports? (I'm being greedy here, but I love this). It would be great if one could get hold of any colored brochures, for any of these machines, showing both inside and out.
Aren't these machines beautiful? Apart from that English made Bendix, three months full warranty and nine months part replacement only, no freight or labor costs included? At nearly $500, that sounds positively dodgy. For such a reputable company that actually surprises me.
*****
Post# 14540-3/1/2002-10:19 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (WOW that was fun)
MESSAGE: WOW arrrooohhh, this is just fascinating, thank you. You can see some common traits between the American and Australian washers, but there are some obvious major differences too! I would love to see pictures of these machines as well as pictures of their interiors. As an American who has never been to Australia (hope to rectify that sometime soon) I had no idea that your automatics were so similar to ours. I also didn’t realize that Australia had so many Australian made top loaders too! It’s so very fun looking at those pictures, it’s sort of like the difference between our countries spoken accents. We recognize each other and can understand the language, but there is something decidedly different about them which makes them interesting. I wonder how much Craters and Freighters would charge me to ship an Aussie washer-LOL. I want one or ten!
WOW, I’m just dying to read the other pages in the Choice Magazine Article. It would also be very interesting to see some Australian women’s magazine ads for these machines. If you boys from Down Under want to send me some more of these articles I can scan these pages at high resolution and stitch them together rather quickly with PhotoShop and return them safely to you. I would be very careful with them and get them back to you guys quickly. It would be nice to add the entire Choice Articles to our own Appliance Rating Article Library from our Home page, and it would be also nice to have some of the ads for these Australian Beauties in the Picture of the Day module.
As for the water heating Frigidaire, I don’t think they could have the heating element inside the solid wash tub. It would have been very expensive to rig up electrical wiring connections that could spin (and not be ripped off of the stationary terminals or tangle the wires up. I would bet that it used some kind of recirculation system and heated the water in the outer tub.
*****
Post# 14541-3/1/2002-10:46 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (Really)
MESSAGE: Thanks Eddy. I do agree with you and we do love them all. Each machine has its strength and its weaknesses, not one to be built yet is best at everything, but that really doesn't matter anyway. I have 20 automatic washers (18 topies and 2 fronties), 2 combos, and 3 dryers hooked up to water and power at the moment and I use them all. I have also used at one point or another most of today's modern washers at friend’s houses on numerous occasions. To be honest, I just don't see that much of a difference between any of them. If you don't believe me, try hooking up 20 of them (both vintage and modern) side by side and using them consistently, you'll see what I mean. Before anyone goes screaming and yelling and carrying on about one specific washing machine or type of washing machine being the only thing that should be made because its so great, I suggest doing real side by side comparisons and not doing comparisons from old memories. Do share your comparisons with us, but in reality do these comparisons for yourself because your opinion is not going to be shared by everyone, they will find something else and that’s what makes the world go round.
*****
Post# 14542-3/1/2002-11:19 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: Sorry to bust your bubble, but no, I don't sell Neptunes, and I rarely find the need to kneel before the Neptune. I never used the word "unpalatable" either.
As for your other comments, no further public comment.
*****
Post# 14543-3/1/2002-11:33 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Thanks Arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: At 710 RPM it could be a 2 speed Multimatic or a Rollermatic. I suspect its a Rollermatic being produced in 1971.
*****
Post# 14544-3/1/2002-12:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (numpty & great vac site)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
I love that 'numpty' word you use. I have never heard it before, is is local to your area?
Hoover Juniors did work well, they are a dirt air design, like the Kirby. Dirty air is blown into the bag by the fan, with a short path so a less powerfull motor is needed, but fans may break if you pick up a coin or nail. Newer design uprights use the clean aiy system, more like a cylinder vac, and teh fan sucks air into the bag, so is filtered before hitting teh fan. Apologies if you know this, but I find it interesting. A great vacuum site that explains much about vac technology is ristenbatt, link below.
LINK: http://www.ristenbatt.com/index.html
*****
Post# 14545-3/1/2002-12:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
I understand your keenness for US style appilinces, they do have so much to offer, but you do seem very anti euro machines, which too have a lot to offer, albeit different things. You describe good experiences with a Hoover Euro machine, yet still seem totally opposed to them, I understand that you do not want one in your home, but the feel I get from your posts is that your distaste for these machines goes wider than that. Why do you describe or 30, 40 60 and 95 washes as boring - what is boring about a boil wash? I would have thought that many washer afficionados who have only esperienced US style hot washes would enjoy experienceing a boil wash. For accuracy, as well as these temps, my Miele offers cold, 50 and 75 washes, cold being heated to 20 if needed, so I get the cold warm and hot of the US style along with several additional choices.
Personally, I have had poor experiences with US sytle TLs, used in laundryettes here. I have posted about these experiences, but did not decry the technology in general, instead, I am interested in how these machines work and how to get the best from them. I know how euro FLs work and how to get teh best, so I post about this so that others who may be interested can learn, or enlighten me further.
On pedestal options, the Whirlpool Duet is made in Germany by Bauknecht, though it is not yet available in europe.
North Europeans, well yes you have a point here, we can seem odd to the rest of the world. Your comments on hygiene were spot on up til 20 years ago. I started showering daily in the early 80s, prior to this weekly baths and hair wash was considered normal - grosseroonie! My parents were appalled when I first started washing my hair daily, we had blazing rows. Now though, daily showers and clothes changes are far more common, though there are still many people from whom one keeps ones distance, I doubt this is any different to anywhere else though.
Suds saving, yes I agree, having used twin tubs, I satisfactorily got several loads out of each batch, start with hot for whites, pass through lights to darks and heavy soils and it was never a prob. The TT used a ton of water in rinsing though.
*****
Post# 14546-3/1/2002-12:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: You can have her, the rest of them too.
After Goddess Diana (I loved that woman) died and they showed no emotion, my republican (UK not US use of the word here) tendencies stregthened.
*****
Post# 14547-3/1/2002-12:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (No no Sudsdmaster - this can't be true!)
MESSAGE: Hi again Bubbles,
OK, fast spins can crease, but that it what a dryer is for, or an ironing service. Some euro machines use a spin tumble spin routine, I have posted recently about this on my AEG, that reduces creases. Without a fast spin, longer or hotter is needed in the dryer, this adds to the wear factor too.
FLs dont just moisten, they saturate a load, they just dont have much surplus water beyond that needed for saturation. They force the water through the fabric, the technology is the same principal as bashing your clothes on rocks, only more gentle, they shower the clothes as well. Fast spins do not sid teh wash performance, though they do aid rinsing.
None of my comments are denigrating TLs, just trying to put the ballance of the FL picture that you painted.
*****
Post# 14548-3/1/2002-13:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Suds,
I think Bubbles has a point here. My Miele does a high speed, 1000 spin between wash and rinses, and 1100 at the end. In a FL, approx 1/3 of the water per fill is held by the load and 2/3 is free in the drum, so I figure that 1/3 of the dirt is suspended in the clothes water and 50% will be removed in the spin. A TL will work exactly the same, some dirt will be in the water held by the clothes, just different fractions.
I agree that high spins do not damage clothes, my old TT did 3500.
*****
Post# 14549-3/1/2002-13:32 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: I absolutely agree with you Herr-Miele. A high-speed spin between the wash and spin is very important for proper rinsing. I absolutely do see a difference in the "clear-ness" of the rinse water between my 500rpm spinning machines and my 1000+ spinning machines. But I'm going to put my technology where my mouth is and prove this to Applianceville. More to come-stayed tuned for a video demonstation boyz.
But, again, in the big scheme of things, when all is said and done and I'm wearing the clothes, I can't tell any difference between a 500 rpm and 1000 rpm article of clothing.
I also am positive that high speed spinning doesn't damage clothes. I'm sitting here at my job wearing a 7 year old button-down shirt that has been spun in the Unimatic for over 6 years and it shows absolutely now signs of wear, that goes for all my clothes. I hate to shop and spend money on clothes so I wouldn't use any machine that I thought would wear my clothes quicker. I don't believe that any of my machines cause undue wear on my clothes.
*****
Post# 14550-3/1/2002-13:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Hi Uni,
Looking forward to that vid. What about the girlz though, dont forget them.
I think that the final result, whether 500 or 1000 interim spins would be slight, and would mainly only effect sufferers of very bad eczema using very strong detergents.
I once read that a washer caused 3% of wear on clothes, the dryer 2% and the rest was wearing them. I think hot, especially boil washing causes most wear.
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Post# 14551-3/1/2002-14:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited
MESSAGE: point taken, I will retire from it for now.
Can I check though, its not just vintage here is it, the site is called clasic, and clasic can include newer stuff.
I love TLs and FLs, new and old, they are all fascinating in their own ways.
*****
Post# 14552-3/1/2002-14:10 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Very true herr, I did mean boyz and girlz and everyone in between.
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Post# 14553-3/1/2002-14:38 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (1971 Washers!)
MESSAGE: Arrrooohhh - Thanks much this is a great link
Peter
*****
Post# 14554-3/1/2002-15:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Robert, that may be true of top loaders, which have only one rinse. And then I would expect it would only affect rinsing ability, not the ability to remove dirt from clothes. But with a front loader with multiple rinses, I don't believe a high speed spin after the wash and between each rinse will make enough of a difference to justify the extra energy or time required to get up to that spin speed. The issue here is how much water remains in the clothes at each low to medium speed spin, vs. how much is in the rinsing pool. Multiply that by two, or three, or even four or more rinses in a typical front loader, and the dilution of the remaining detergent in the clothes becomes very great. There may be a 10 to 20 % difference in remaining moisture content between a low speed spin and a high speed spin. What's the total remaining water content in a load that only gets a low speed spin between wash and rinse? A pint? A quart? Still a lot less than the five gallons in the first rinse. Perhaps a dilution factor of 20 for each rinse. That is 20 times 20 times 20 for a three rinse cycle, or a dilution factor of 8,000 for a front loader's rinses. What's the dilution factor for a similar load in a top loader with a single rinse? Maybe 100-200. Big difference.
Anyway, I look forward to your testing. Can you include your Frigmore in the testing? If you can wrestle it away from Neal, that is? :-)
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Post# 14555-3/1/2002-15:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: I was being rather tongue in cheek of course.
Then again, our republican system has not always resulted in the most impressive leaders the world has known.
It must be rather strange to be born into the royal family and instantly be subject to that peculiar set of benefits and restrictions. I'm not sure a constitutional monarchy is at all that bad an idea - you can compartmentalize the regal nonsense and pretty know what to expect out of that area. Over here, we've had various presidents either attempting to assume a royal aura (Nixon) or having it bestowed upon them by a star-struck public (JFK), and the result has not always been best for the actual administration of the government. People seem to have a need to idolize someone, whether it be an elected official, a hereditary royal, or a Hollywood screen star.
Take the object(s) of idolatry away and you have a royal vacuum. Which leads us back to the original, somewhat more appropriate topic: Royal Vacuums... :-)
Being a Californian, I prefer Eureka!
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Post# 14556-3/1/2002-16:08 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Another thing I have discovered through the club and my own experiences is that the need for slow speed spins for your average run of the mill perm press clothes is a fallicy. I think I actually tend to get better results with them spinning them fast than not. Only time it might be helpful is in the case of a "drip dry" sweater or something.
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Post# 14557-3/1/2002-16:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Herr-Miele, do you boil wash your whites? Use profile washes and etc.? I don't know if I've ever asked you what you do with your colors and etc? Do you use the quick cycle, or ?
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Post# 14558-3/1/2002-16:17 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Hi Rich, actually while I cant give you any specific numeric percentages from my experiences I believe the difference in the remaining moisture content in the clothing is much greater than 10% to 20% from only spinning the wash on low speed. I do believe though that if modern front loaders would use high speed spin between the wash and the rinse they wouldn’t need so many rinses. While they probably wouldn’t save any more water by doing this high speed spin, because more water would be needed to saturate the drier clothing during the rinse, but they would save on the time it take to complete the cycle.
As for my “test” I’m simply going to show a large load and I’m going to use three times the recommended amount of detergent and run it through a normal cycle with 10 minutes of wash time selected. Using that much detergent is going to make the washer over suds to the point that the suds are pouring out of the top of the machine and then the machine will spin out the water and suds at very high speed. In the video I’ll show clips of scenes from every part of this cycle. I’ll let Applianceville decided for yourselves what the rinse water looks like.
Rich I would do this test in a Frigmore but I don’t have one, the closest thing I have to that is a 1979 Westinghouse Front Loader that Neal uses. Besides I really don’t know if a front loader could handle three times the amount of recommended detergent. It might, but I bet it need to use a lot more water to rinse away those suds. Although it would be fun to see what happens. Maybe on of you guys could try it after I do the video.
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Post# 14559-3/1/2002-17:24 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hullo Herr-Miele )
MESSAGE: Herr-Miele,
Post 14521 was actually meant for you and progresses from the previous posts we have sent to each other. The one that you just responded to was aimed at foraloysius and the little exchange that we had. Do pay attention next time please.
I know you are not bagging out on top-loaders, what makes you think that I should have this impression though? I do actually read what you write and understand it. As far as my posts to other respondents on this site are concerned - I also often ponder the spoon in my coffee cup. Don't you enjoy a good stir once in a while?
I don't 'hate' European appliances, I'm far too busy in my life to waste such powerful emotions on plastic.
Read post 14521 and things may become clearer.
Good day to you too
Bubbles
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Post# 14560-3/1/2002-17:34 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (This is war Eddy! )
MESSAGE: Gawd, you are a cutie aren't you Sudsie!
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Post# 14561-3/1/2002-18:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: In my short time using a Unimatic, I have noticed no clothes/fiber damage from either spinning or agitation. In fact, I think it's more gentle than conventional oscillating agitation. I'm not sure how one would judge damage resulting from faster spins, guess you'd have to start by using one! You'd be a convert, I'm sure!
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Post# 14562-3/1/2002-18:18 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sanitaire and others)
MESSAGE: ha-ha...thats sounds like soemthing Bob Appnut would say.
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Post# 14563-3/1/2002-18:21 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: arrrooohhh --
You might try scanning at a lower resolution, so the images aren't quite so large -- that will make for faster uploading for you, and downloading when the pictures are viewed.
I find that scanning at 100 DPI is generally sufficient for a nicely-viewable image at 1024x768 on a 19" monitor. For something with small text, perhaps 150 DPI would be better.
*****
Post# 14564-3/1/2002-18:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (numpty & great vac site)
MESSAGE: Excellent site - thanks for the link. I just bought a Miele Solaris Electro-Plus for home use and love it!
*****
Post# 14565-3/1/2002-18:51 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (numpty & great vac site)
MESSAGE: You're welcome,
I shall have to look up the model you have. In the UK, the Miele electrohead is called the Revolution. I have a Miele Solution which has an air driven brushroll and a soft wood floor brush. Great vacs, enjoy it.
*****
Post# 14566-3/1/2002-18:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: To follow up, the RMC difference between the low speed spin (about 500 rpm) of the Neptune 7500 between washes and rinses, and the high speed spin (about 1000 rpm) at the final spin, is about 20%. That is, the high speed spin should give a standard RMC of about 32%, and the low speed spin a standard RMC of about 50%. Now, that's a huge difference in terms of drying times, where all the moisture needs to be removed. But it's a trivial difference in terms of rinsing when multiple rinses are used (as in most front loaders). That's because that 20% difference in RMC translates to about 1 pint of water. With multiple rinses that means instead of a 1:8,000 dilution factor, maybe there's a 1:6,000 dilution factor. Still more than enough!
LINK: http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/codes_standards/rules/cwrule/clwshr_rule.pdf
*****
Post# 14567-3/1/2002-19:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
Thnks for your conmments about my weekend. Glad you enjoyed the beach, I am still envious.
To answer your question about sneakers, I have not worn these for ages, so have not washed them in my Miele, though I have washed sneakers in my AEG and Creda with no problems, no jumping or banging. I have washed heavy rubber backed door mats in the Miele, in fact I was my door mats every week or 2nd week. I have only used TOL machines, BOL probably would give the problems you describe.
The info you give about your family's appliances is very interesting.
I have said in another post that I will drop out from these TL/FL threads, I too don't want to se this become like THS. SO I hope you understand that it is nothing personal, but I am excusing myself from these threads now. I have enjoyed our discusions and am sure we will come back to them some other time.
I am sorry if you are pissed at me for responding to your reply to Louis, but hey this is a public forum and anyone replies if they have a contribution they wish to make, email is a better forum for one on one. Glad to note that you don't hate euro appliances and had picked up that I was not denigrating TLs.
Yes, I too enjoy a good stir, but personally I dont think this an appropriate place, especially as I am new here and still sussing what is acceptable - I think I have pushed boundaries enough with some of my language in other posts.
G'day and take care.
*****
Post# 14568-3/1/2002-19:31 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited (everyone has their own opinion)
MESSAGE: I hate to stick my nose into this little debate, but, here goes:
I respect your opinion that a top loader is more convenient and that convenience outweighes the energy use advatages of a h-axis machine.
But, I do not feel the same as you do. I have owned many top loaders and now own a front loader (Electrolux made Kenmore). I would NEVER go back to a top loader. First of all, I don't think a top loader is any more convenient. I don't have to bend over any more than I do when loading/unloading the dryer. In fact, clothing comes out of my front loader much easier than when I had to try and yank heavy wet clothing, twisted in knots, around a huge agitator with vanes going every which way. I much prefer the light, "fluffed" clothes I get now. They easily come out one at a time...much easier on the back than trying to get a load of intertwined jeans out my old top loader. I prefer the way my clothes are now in every category...less wrinkles, rinsed better, and spun drier.
And that is my personal opinion. And only my opinion. There is no right or wrong. People that cannot accept it if someone doesn't hold the same view as they do should just be silent.
I love vintage top loaders. I wish I owned a Frigidaire Unimatic...maybe someday I will. But I would never buy myself a new top loader over a new front loader...I don't see the advantage, even if I can get a top loader for $288. But anyone else can and I'll congratulate you on your purchase if that is what you want. Because everyone has the right to their own opinion and we all need to respect each other's opinion, even if we do not personally agree with it.
I steer clear of THS...a few too many self-righteous nuts loose there ranting and raving and spewing out mis-information and non-facts.
Rich
*****
Post# 14569-3/1/2002-19:42 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: Thanks, Aarrough! That will make some great Friday evening reading. I appreciate you taking the time to share thsi with us.
Rich
*****
Post# 14570-3/1/2002-19:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (numpty & great vac site)
MESSAGE: "Numpty" isn't a word used often in England, but you will hear it more in Scotland. I'm three-quarters Scots, from my crude calculations, which probably explains my regular use of the word. I don't have the accent, though, as I never lived there long enough. With my father in the Navy, I spent my childhood moving around constantly, and never stayed anywhere long enough to pick up the local accents.
The direct air vacuums are fantastic at carpet cleaning, in my opinion. Some of them can have rather poor hose suction (Junior, Turbopower etc.), but that isn't the primary function of these cleaners. The Kirby, on the other hand, really does have quite good hose suction, due to the larger fan and motor. With the 12-foot hose, I think it works great as a canister vac. Only downside is, Kirby make a really crummy carpet/floor head, which is obscene considering the purchase price.
*****
Post# 14571-3/1/2002-19:53 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sudsy-Math to me.)
MESSAGE: Sounds interesting Rich, too bad I don't understand it. Looks like fuzzy math to me or should I say "Sudsy-Math".
With all due respect, if a word is worth one word and if a picture is worth a thousand words, a video of real life is worth a million words. :)
Stay tuned.
*****
Post# 14572-3/1/2002-20:02 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Grosseroonie - now I like that word! Mind if I pinch it? LOL
With regards to different types of washers, I think it's important to remember that everyone has different needs and expectations, hence the reason why there are so many different choices available. I own a front loader at the moment, because I don't have room for anything else, and my water is metered. But I do prefer top loaders. I know they guzzle water, but it's just my personal preference. And there's nothing wrong with liking something just for the sake of it.
Did you really have blazing rows over hair-washing, of all things? Just the idea of that sounds rather humourous! I take a bath twice a day, and always change out of my work uniform as soon as I get home. I know people who take a bath once a week, and make a work shirt last a few days, and you'd never catch me doing that in a million years. Yuck!
*****
Post# 14573-3/1/2002-21:37 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: Who can identify the top-loading dishwasher that used to appear on the set of the earlier b/w 'Bewitched' show. This particular t/l dw had a window in its front panel (unusual), raised rear-mounted controls and was part of Samantha's kitchen inventory for only a few episodes. It also seemed wider than other top-loading dishwashers of time. It may have been a prop designed specifically for the show's set, although I doubt it somehow. If anyone knows anything about this mystery appliance, I would be very happy to read about it.
I have never seen this model anywhere else and it captivated my curiosity from the first time I noticed it, when still I was a wee little bairn watching the show.
*****
Post# 14574-3/1/2002-22:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!!
MESSAGE: Sorry Herr-Miele,
I didn't realize that I was making you feel uncomfortable. It wasn't my intention to put you in a spot by expressig my personal views, which is what everybody else seems to be doing here also, unless I am missing something. I don't mean to upset, but in all my posts I have always maintained that what I say, is based on my personal opinions and experiences. I know I am a little forthright sometimes and my opinions don't always run paralel to other's viewpoints in this forum, but 'that's life'.
I noticed that I am not the only repondent here, who appears to become a little emotionally involved when broaching certain issues (I am not referring to your responses either). How does the saying go "people in glasshouses...".
I am not p***ed at you for reading the other post, I know that this is a public forum. I was just being a bit cheeky. As an Englishman, I am sure, you can appreciate this.
Take it easy and toodles
bubbles
*****
Post# 14575-3/1/2002-22:23 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sudsy-Math to me.)
MESSAGE: Well let me put it more simply. I have no doubt that the 1140 rpm spin between wash and rinse on your Unimatic will prove to be most effective in getting rid of the triple sudsing you propose. Contrary to our transplanted Australian's assertions, a top loader needs a high speed spin between wash and rinse because it only gets one rinse.
However, I doubt that your triple sudsing will prove anything more than that it's a bad idea to oversuds a front loader :-). Theory (and some experience) leads me to believe that the multiple rinses of a front loader make the speed of the spin between wash and rinse much less critical than it would be in a single rinse top loader.
*****
Post# 14576-3/1/2002-23:01 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Sudsy-Math to me.)
MESSAGE: So what spin speed do you propose is adequate for top-loaders?
I know the F&P t/l spins at 1000 rpm plus our Aussie Hoovers go up to between 800 or 900 rpm, which I think is sufficient. I simply don't see any justification for sustained spins that are much faster than that, it must require quite a lot of electricity and must also increase wear and tear on the appliance. My Kleenmaid (SQ) machine does a little over 700 rpm and there is no notable soap residue using one spray and one deep-fill rinse for a full load. Only when I launder VERY dirty clothes do I double up on the deep rinse.
I have removed clothes from Miele machines that spun at above 1000 rpm and didn't like the way clothes were almost fused together, a crow bar would have been handy. It made removing them quite difficult, since the opening of the machine was small. You try to pull out one thing and everything else is stuck to it and you end up with this big clump that you need to separate by sticking your arms through the tiny port hole. Otherwise I'd manage to pull out one thing and another item would be pulled out at the same time and fall on the floor - very annoying.
By the way Sudsie, I've never had a transplant, explain yourself mate.
Cheers Big Ears
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Post# 14577-3/1/2002-23:28 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: OK guys, now...
Rich I do agree its not a good idea to oversuds a front loader, but I'm still not convinced that high speed spinning between the wash and the rinse isn't the most effective way way to rinse. But I'm up for the challenge, please prove me wrong with more than just fancy numbers, do it in real life and with images. And if oversudsing a front loader kills it, then maybe its not the perfect machine after all.
and as for you Bubbles, enough with the "agitating" of the club for one day please. Thank you. And if a washer is built well enough it can spin at any speed without any detrimental effect on it.
Now lets turn all this borderline bickering into a friendly challenge that's fun for everyone in Applianceville shall we...
LINK: http://www.classicappliances.com/Challenge.htm
*****
Post# 14578-3/1/2002-00:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Oh, I agree that a high speed spin between wash and rinse is beneficial, it's just more beneficial for a single-rinse type of machine than a multiple rinse type of machine. That's all I'm a-sayin'!
Oh, and I've downloaded and watched the rinse cycle! Fantastic! (and that amount of sudsing would be normal for the wash cycle in a front loader!!!). I don't care about who wins what argument here, I just love the sound of that Unimatic!
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Post# 14579-3/1/2002-00:14 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I do understand what you're saying Rich. Glad you enjoyed the video clips, they are so much fun to watch.
I think we need more video clips of washers in action, I'll have to work on that. And if you guys out there want to film your machines and send me a tape, I will be thrilled to digitzie the video and place it in our library.
Isn't the internet totally cool!
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Post# 14580-3/1/2002-00:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I'd love to send you some videos - I just got a "Dazzle" that I can hook up to my Hi-8, but ... it might be a little boring - just the solid Neptune door, ya know :-)
*****
Post# 14581-3/2/2002-04:50 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: The only downside of this type of washer is that you can't see what is happening in the drum. Nevertheless I have a weak spot for them. Overhere in Holland the American toploaders aren't sold, so people who need or want a toploader buy the H-axis type. Strangely enough in France this is the most popular type of washing machine, but you hardly see them in Italy.
There were also H-axis toploaders with a window in the lid, so you could monitor the amount of suds. The picture shows a washer dryer combo with such a window.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+favourite+appliances&.src=ph&.dnm=Thomson+washerdryer+combo.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bfavourite%2bappliances%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 14582-3/2/2002-05:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
No, you have not made me uncomfortable, in fact personally I enjoy your posts and these spats. But I do agree with the person who said that if were are not carefull, these TL/FL threads will become too dominant and this site will become another THS. I know that I am as much in this as anyone else, so I just want to do my bit, by bowing out for now.
Glad you weren't pi**ed at me either.
What's toodles, we say toodle-pip or ta-raa for goodbye.
Toodle-pip for now.
*****
Post# 14583-3/2/2002-05:26 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: Hi again Bubbles,
I'm back again. Sorry but I don't have a cluse what DW it is, I don't remember noticing it and I love that show. Do youhave any pics or links to it?
*****
Post# 14584-3/2/2002-05:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Bubbles,
Is this still about washers? I guess you have some other issues with Europe as well.
This site is about vintage washers and I love many of them, both frontloaders and toploaders. I am not here to determine whether you should use a frontloader or a toploader, if you are happy with your toploader than please stick to it. This club is not about saving a few liters water, I just bought an old Miele that uses plenty and I did three loads in it this week.
I do find BOL toploaders really simplistic, there are still toploaders on the market that don't even have a temperature control, you set the temperatures by opening and closing the valves and some of them have only two water levels. A BOL Euro washer always has an automatic water level control and sometimes a small load button, besides that they always have temperatures of 30, 40, 60 and 95 degrees Celcius, most BOL infinite temperature controls. Besides that I guess those washes are as boring as a hot, a warm or a cold wash, if you find things boring about washing. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but I am very content with using the European system.
As for features on European washers, in that time most German washers (AEG, Constructa, Bosch, Miele, Siemens, Bauknecht, Matura, Zanker) had automatic water level control (only the Fisher and Paykel toploader has that), variable washrythms and spinspeeds. Most of them had selfcleaning lintfilters in the seventies or eighties, except for Miele (they were always on the safe side for a long time). Besides that European washers had automatic softener dispensers that put the softener in the right rinse, unlike the toploaders that put the softener in after the first spin.
As for loading capacity, my mother bought a Bosch frontloader in 1966 that had a capacity of 5.5 kg. BTW, loading capacity was not determined by the amount of laundry people had, but by the European standard sizes for appliances, which is 85cm x 60cm x 60cm (max). Although my mother's Bosch was wider, most washers had this size and therefor the inner space was limited. Our closest neighbours had a Constructa with a capacity of 6 kg. Some of my aunts and a friend's mother also had such a machine. It was a Constructa 'kochautomat', a machine that really could boil the laundry at 100C. And those washers were used many more times than once a week!
I do admit that some Europeans are indeed eccentric, we all know the story about the Swiss farmer that comes down the mountain barefoot in spring to get his yearly bath, but hygiene standards in the environment where I come from were higher than you describe.
Now back to washers. I remember that overhere the Microchip was introduced. I think it was Bosch who was first. Like in the US the first microchip washers had problems. Europe might have been a little later, but nowadays I think there are more frontloaders with microchip technology than toploaders. Most US toploaders still have timers, but German frontloaders almost all have microchips. And the Italians are following except for the BOL brands. I love hearing a timer click though.
In the sixties the washer dryer combo was introduced here, they were available. I remember Matura and Bosch having combo's. The link leads to a few pictures of a Bosch washer/dryer combo from that decade. It looks exactly like my mother's Bosch that I mentioned before, only she didn't have a combo, but just a washer. I remember though that most people didn't like them because they took so long to do a full load and they didn't like the use of water for condensation.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst?&.dir=/Bosch+1960s+washer+dryer+combo&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 14585-3/2/2002-05:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G-force calculator?)
MESSAGE: The thing is G-forces ofcourse, not spinspeed. Toploaders have a wider drum and therefor their spin is a little more effective at the same speed than frontloaders.
BTW, I lost the link to the G-force calculator, does anyone still have it?
*****
Post# 14586-3/2/2002-05:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Do you mean that my non-spinning Miele H-axis toploader doesn't clean? And I was so impressed by how it performed for such an old washer!
Doesn't the Neptune hold a little more laundry than a Miele?
Louis
*****
Post# 14587-3/2/2002-06:07 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Switched Reluctance Motors)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris, speeding up the Philips was really wonderful. In a blonde moment I got rid of it because the separate temperature control was broken and it was a very expensive electronic part. I should have had it repaired and saved it for my collection to be. Later, during the short period when it was Philips Whirlpool, a 1100rpm toploader was introduced, I see them now and then, but I don't like the appearance as much as the one I had. Because I can't get enough of looking at it's pictures, here's the link again.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+favourite+appliances&.dnm=Philips+washer+brochure.JPG&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14588-3/2/2002-06:09 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: Thank you so much for putting this up. I will take time for it later and indulge into it ;-)
*****
Post# 14589-3/2/2002-06:43 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Philips TL tumble washers)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis.
That is very similar to mine. I think mine is newer than that. The first one I had had a smoky perspex control panel - the control markings were behind the smoky/clear perspex. The control panel is on a 45 degree angle. It was a very smart looking little washer. It had an enamelled steel outer drum, inner drum Stainless steel.
The second one I got has the control panel in brown plastic with the control markings painted on - it looks cheaper than the earlier one. It has a horizontal control panel. It has a plastic outer tub. I think it spins faster but I'm not sure. I will check. I only still have the later one. I also have a spare motor.
I don't speak Dutch but I love reading that text anyway. I go weak at the knees for a Dutch accent. An old friend of mine was an Aussie girl with an Aussie father and a Dutch mother. She used to tell me the only Dutch she could say was "hog et het heerme" or something like that. She used to ham up the accent something terrrible. SBS tv in Aus is a TV station that has mainly foreign language programs. They have shown the Flodders series of movies which I thought were a riot.
Best wishes.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14590-3/2/2002-06:45 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: And using chlorine bleach.
*****
Post# 14591-3/2/2002-06:57 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Thanks mate!)
MESSAGE: Dear Mr-Bubbles
I have waved the big stick, now let me extend the olive branch. It was a bit pathetic of me to pick you up on that.
I apologize for that.
I have had a bad week. My partner is running as a Greens candidate in the local government election. We have been getting some nasty crap from people I had thought were friends despite our different views on some issues. Yesterday we went to our the garage on the block where we are building a new house. The garage had been broken into and we have had a few thousand dollars worth of tools, generator and a firefighting pump stolen. It is not insured as we don't yet live there. I was looking forward to catching up with washing machine friends in the evening, your posts including jibes about Greenies really made my day, I hope you can see that.
Best Wishes
Chris.
*****
Post# 14592-3/2/2002-07:01 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Oh no, don't say that.
I have just bought my first bottle of Chlorine bleach to get my white work shirts really white.
I have also started separating my whites from my coloured clothes for the first time. Yes, I am seeing a difference.
Inspired by all you washing machine experts.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14593-3/2/2002-07:04 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Philips TL tumble washers)
MESSAGE: Hi again Chris,
The Philips washers you are describing indeed sound newer to me. As far as I know the ones with the 1100rpm spinspeed all had white control panels with the controls under a lid and little windows that showed how the controls were set. If you have a different model I would love to see a picture of it!!
I can't make anything out of your dutch sentence. I find those accents really horrible. I believe some people at the convention last year were a little disappointed that I didn't have more of an accent LOL. The Flodder movies are hilarious, I like the first one best.
Regards,
Louis
*****
Post# 14594-3/2/2002-07:09 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (whiter whites)
MESSAGE: Oh my, a greenie with chlorine bleach LOL!! If you want to get your whites white, but not damaged, use oxygen bleach. It's much more friendly for your clothes but takes longer too work. I have done some really wonderful things with bleaching that way. If you have items that need to be made white again, just put some oxygen bleach or detergent containing it in a bucket, put some really hot water on it (over 60C or 140F) to really boost it up. You can add warm water later to get the temperature down. Put the item in the bucket at let it soak for 1-8 hours.
Louis
*****
Post# 14595-3/2/2002-07:23 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (whiter whites)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the advice.
Yes, it was a struggle to buy chloring bleach!!!:)
I have to keep it hidden in the laundry cupboard in case any of my greenie mates find it. Maybe I should make up a fake label with some herbal ingredients...I promise not to buy any more, I'll get some oxygen bleach instead.
I'm off to my padded cell for a good night's sleep.
Take care.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14596-3/2/2002-09:32 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: The Dazzle Video Transfer system is a great tool Rich! I used to use that for all of the cyber video I did, but I recently got a new internal video card called that does both TV and Video capture all in one.
How about some filter-flo videos to add your GE washer in the Cyber Museum? They would be a wonderful addition sometime.
*****
Post# 14597-3/2/2002-10:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
The Staber Washer
MESSAGE: I am surprised that with so many h-axis fans, no one has actually mentioned anything about the Staber washer. I think it is the first top-loading h-axis machine built in the US which, on the outside, looks like a traditional top-loader, has similar dimensions and appears to offer the same types of cycles, spin speeds and cycle times. It is supposed to have 18 pounds load capacity and use between 12 and 16 gallons per cycle depending on whether one does a full or half-load wash. What I find interesting about this machine most of all, is the hexagonal stainless steel washtub and stainless steel outer tub.
Does anyone here have any experience with this washer? It looks quite straight forward and solid. I gather that this washer is referred to as the 'System 2000', because of the timing of its launch on the American market?
For anyone who hasn't heard of this product and may be curious about it, I have attached the link to its website below.
LINK: http://www.staber.com/
*****
Post# 14598-3/2/2002-10:56 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Well, how about some footage of a new Frigemore? Or does the machine have to be vintage? Next wash, I'll start the camera rolling and you'll get a whole cycle, blue towels and all. It does spin at 1050rpm.
*****
Post# 14599-3/2/2002-11:01 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: EXCELLENT!!!!!!!
First the ABC, now the WCI-58. Oh you are a bad boy, oversudsing that washer like that. I remember when I used to oversuds my mom's Kenmore the rinse cycle looked like a Normal suds wash and the 2nd rinse still had suds. 1140rpm and overflow makes the difference.
Are you taking requests? How about some videos of you 57 Lady K?
Thanks again!
*****
Post# 14600-3/2/2002-11:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Yes, thanks Robert, the Filter Flo is at the top of my list for video-to-computer transfer. Unfortunately I didn't take any video when I did the photo shoot in the garden last fall. We're having lovely warm dry weather right now, so maybe I could trop the old girl out ot the courtyard once more this weekend for a session in the sun. I just have to figure out which cam corder battery, if any, will still hold a charge! :-)
I could take some shots of the suds level in the Neptune, but I'm a bit leery of oversudsing it. It sits in between my kitchen and family room. Although it's on a vinyl floor, I still don't like to make it leak sudsy water out through its crevices. One of these days I'm going to fashion a window door for it, though, and maybe even hot wire the light switch.
*****
Post# 14601-3/2/2002-11:22 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I'd like to see a few oversudsing Bendixes. It would bring back so many childhood memories!
*****
Post# 14602-3/2/2002-11:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G'day Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Hi mate,
Oxygen bleach, that is stuff like Nappisan isn't it? If so, don't use it in your machines, it supposedly reacts with stainless steel (particularly if you do an overnight soak). You should use a plastic bowl or bucket. It also wouldn't be any good in your ASKO, because your clothes need to be fully immersed in the solution and the tumble action may oversuds the machine.
If you want my advice, for what its worth, use a phosphate detergent in your front loader and choose the hottest program that your clothes can stand (preferably the 95 degree cycle, which your ASKO should have).
Chlorine bleach is marvellous for stain removal, disinfecting and whitening, but it makes fabrics brittle over time if you put too much in and use it frequently. For a full 6 kilo load in my T/L Kleenmaid, I pour a measured cup (250 ml), when I am ready to start the cycle. Naturally I use the bleach dispenser, don't add bleach directly onto your clothes (you probably already knew that). I normally begin by adding my regular enzyme (phosphate free) detergent to the wash, and running a hot-fill. I let the machine agitate for a couple of minutes and then turn it off for a 1 or 2 hour soak. Your F&P machine, if its a recent model, should have a really good soak cycle with intermittent agitation. Then I simply add the bleach and allow the machine to complete the cycle ( I double the rinses though, to get rid of the chlorine odor). Check with the manufacturer's instructions regarding the mixing of chlorine bleach with your detergent, in some cases this can actually damage clothes.
If you don't really want to use bleach, try those blueing agents from your local supermarket. They put a blue hue into your whites to make 'em look whiter. You usually add those during the final rinse and I don't know how well they'd work in a front-loader. I have only used them once or twice, but from memory I think they work. Direct sunlight is the chemical-free method for brightening and bleaching your whites (particularly linen), although the result may not be immediately apparent. You just need a clean surface over which you can lay them out to catch the sun.
Just make sure that you sort your clothes according to the highest temp. they can be washed at. Linen and cottons you can usually bring to the boil, but with mixed (synthetic/organic fibre) fabrics, even if it says hot washable, it is best not to go beyond 60 degrees. Such whites can actually become yellow if you wash them too hot.
See how it goes.
Sorry to hear about the break-in, I hope you are insured against your losses.
BTW, I acept your olive branch most graciously and humbly.
Bubbles
*****
Post# 14603-3/2/2002-11:43 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Hi Robert...great clips of the 58 Unimatic! Since I have both a video cam and a front loader with a window, I'll join the challenge and do the same test in my Kenmore. It does not have an "suds-sensor" so we'll see if the extra detergent strangles it. I have a feeling which machine is going to come out ahead when it comes to dealing with removing suds, but it will be fun to do this. ;-)
What kind of detergent should I use? Regular or low-suds? I was thinking of putting six Surf tablets in with a load of towels and see what happens.
Rich
*****
Post# 14604-3/2/2002-11:52 ||| jgp57 (dearborn michigan)
SUBJECT:
laugh
MESSAGE: thank you to all the people who make me laugh. this is like the only place in the world where i can always find a dose of humor. i wonder what that says about me? jgp57
*****
Post# 14605-3/2/2002-11:53 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Thanks Arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Wow! Do I read this correctly - a Frigidaire top-loader fom the early 70s with an internal heater? That sounds terrific (in spite of almost an hour and a half to heat the water). By the way -- what does "water heating not as fully automatic as other machines tested" mean?
It also lists a pilot light under controls. Does this have the same meaning as in America - a continuously buring small gas jet used to light a gas burner? Or does this mean something like an "on" indicator light?
*****
Post# 14606-3/2/2002-12:08 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!!
MESSAGE: Pardon my ignorance - but I am misreading this or do all top loaders in Australia have internal heaters? I've never seen a top loader with one before.
The GE and Westinghouse both took over 2 hours to heat the water - but it's still a cool thing.
*****
Post# 14607-3/2/2002-12:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: laugh
MESSAGE: Well, that's great! If you're laughing, that means you're having fun, and that is, after all, why we are here!
*****
Post# 14608-3/2/2002-12:23 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: I know we talked about this dishwasher a long time ago on the club, so I had to email a friend and refresh my memory again! (My mind is a sieve!)
That was a D&M built dishwasher with a window installed for demonstration in stores. D&M built top loading dishwashers for Frigidaire, Robert (Unimatic1140) has one in his collection, here's a pic of his. There are also more pics of it running in the convention photo links.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire&.src=ph&.dnm=1959+Frig+Portable+Dishwasher.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14609-3/2/2002-12:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: I'm sure you are correct - at least when drying in a dryer. The heat and tumble of the dryer should remove any wrinkles from the washer. I think the idea was more about line drying (though not sure if it's really much benefit there either). At least one washer manual I had described the PP cycle as reducing wrinkling WHEN LINE DRYING the load.
*****
Post# 14610-3/2/2002-12:29 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Another option is to use take water from each rinse and do a PH test (an aquarium PH test kit should do). This is basically the same thing that Asko uses in their displays. In theory, we could each test our own machines and compare results allowing us to test more machines rinsing effectiveness. The trick would be to get the PH in the wash to a standardized level and ensure we used similarly full loads.
*****
Post# 14611-3/2/2002-12:37 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: The pilot light would have been a small light on the control panel to indicate the machine was running. Consumer reports thought these were a silly notion. With most washers, and especially a Frigidaire rollermatic, if you were close enough to the machine to see the light, you could hear it running.
*****
Post# 14612-3/2/2002-12:51 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!!
MESSAGE: Bubbles,
As an observer of this discussion I would have to say that to me it felt rather hostile. Some of your posts appeared to go beyond a difference of opinion (not that yours were the only ones). Perhaps that was not your intent. I wonder if some if the issue may be related to differences in language and culture. For the last several years I have been part of a "virtual" work team based in UK/US/Australia. Early on there were several communication problems. One issue in particular the Americans felt personally attacked sometimes in discussions with team members from Australia. It took a while to realize that it wasn't indended but something in the use of language between the 2 (or 3) countries caused this misunderstanding. Once everyone was aware of the issue it disappeared.
Not sure if that is applicable here, just something to think about.
BTW - I love a good difference of opinion. As long as they are about the issue and not each other they can be fun. Sometimes people even convince me to change my opinion (but not that often :)
*****
Post# 14613-3/2/2002-12:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G'day Gizmo)
MESSAGE: I never heard that oxygen bleach would react with stainless steel, it is used in every regular detergent here, I guess washing machines with stainless steel drums would look very bad after a few years. The downside of oxygen bleach is that it takes much longer to get the maximum result, so soaking in a bucket is probably the best.
People who are on eco systems (and I believe Chris is) should be careful with phosphate detergent. If they use too much it can cause in having too much algae in the system.
Detergent with enzymes can be used best in warm washes (around 105F), on higher temperatures the enzymes don't work anymore.
Louis
*****
Post# 14614-3/2/2002-12:58 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: laugh
MESSAGE: :-)
*****
Post# 14615-3/2/2002-13:22 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: Well, if you were hearing-impaired in a dark room....
*****
Post# 14616-3/2/2002-13:49 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: Maybe, but the vibration of the machine on the floor would tip you off before you got near it too! ;-)
*****
Post# 14617-3/2/2002-13:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Yep, I reckon Louis is right and Chlorine will be very harsh on fabric. I also have heard that it can cause a yellowish tinge to whites. Oxygen bleach is much kinder, though needs longer contact or very hot water.
Oxygen is fine on stainless steel, nearly all euro machines have ss drums, some have ss tubs too, and many (most) powders contain oxygen bleach. We have been doing it like this in europe for years and our drums don't corrode.
Glad you are separating whites from colours, you mean tha you did not do that before tsk tsk. I was brought up believing that to be a crime beyond comprehension, don't worry, I won't tell Mum.
*****
Post# 14618-3/2/2002-13:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis
Last time I called Miele, I asked about the best temps for enzyme and they told me that different ones work best at different temps, also that most modern bio-detergents contain 3 enzymes -
30C 85F amalyase - starch
40-50C 105-120F lipase - fats / oils
50-60C 120-140F protease - proteins.
above 60C - all denatured
I am dubious that there would be much enzyme activity at 60C (140F), so would stick with 40 or 50, 105-120 myself whenI need enzyme based detergents. Usually, I manage with non-bio, but I do use 60C for many washes.
*****
Post# 14619-3/2/2002-14:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G'day Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
You may have a point about Napisan, as it may contain other chemicals that corrode ss, or may not contain teh right inhibitors. Euro powders contain oxygen bleach, sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate, but they contain corrosion inhibitors too. I add pure sodioum percarbonate (Ecover) bleach to my whites, but the ecover powder that I use with it also as the inhibitor in.
*****
Post# 14620-3/2/2002-14:33 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: perhaps you also had a neurological problem that resulted in a loss of sensitivity to vibration.
A somewhat specialized market, but, it could happen.
*****
Post# 14621-3/2/2002-17:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G'day Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Louis,
I also have never heard of oxygen bleach attacking stainless steel. Metallurgically speaking, stainless steel's Achilles' heel is its vulnerability to the element chlorine. It takes a special type of stainless alloy to stand up to the chlorine present in seawater also in the living body; in medical appliations titanium is often preferred due to its non-reactivity.
What do you mean by "eco system"? I reckon that a normal septic system should be ok with phosphates; there is no light in a septic tank and hence no chance for algae to grow. The bacteria should be happy with it, which is what is wanted. The phosphates will help the bacteria thrive because it will help prevent the pH in the septic system from getting too acid (bacteria produce acid and grow better in basic conditions). Also, the amount of phosphate contributed by laundry to a septic system is minor compared to that in human waste. Also, phosphates do not migrate well in soils, so there should not be a problem with run-off from the drain field. Certainly phosphates are a lot less deleterious to a septic system than chlorine or a host of other cleaning substitutes.
*****
Post# 14622-3/2/2002-17:37 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Forgive me laundrophiles for I have sinned, and I continue to sin on an almost weekly basis.
I routinely wash light colored perm press dress shirts (white with black, gray, blue, or brown stripes or checks, for example) with my other whites. I use 130F water and of course Sears HE with colorsafe bleach alternative (oxygen) and of course 33% STPP. The whites come out sparkling clean and the shirts keep their press very nicely. I'm able to monitor my dryer temperature, and in the perm press dry cycle the drum temp gets up to 150F. So I'm not worried about the 130F hot wash harming the perm press dress shirts in any way.
Of course dark colors go in a separate load. I suspect, but have no rigourous proof, that STPP helps prevent color dye transfer. I've recently acquired a large number of black cotton crew socks (slighlty more fashionable than my previous supply of white crew socks) and black jeans. I don't want to be putting my light colored dress shirts in with those.
I mix these things because I don't generate enough laundry to fill the Neptune with small white items, and I don't have enought light colored dress shirts to launder separately on a weekly basis. The sheets, mattress pad, and blue towels get washed separately, of course. At first I was worried that I'd get limp shirts, but that doesn't seem to be a problem.
Is there some laundry equivalent of Hail Mary that I need to recite to atone for my washday sin of mixing whites with lights?
Cheers.
*****
Post# 14623-3/2/2002-17:41 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: Interesting!
For what it's worth, human saliva contains amylase. In my uncouth youth, I have successfully removed tomato sauce stains from my shirt fronts by ... chewing on the spot. Discreetely, of course. Now that I have phosphates and a Neptune, I no longer feel the need to nibble on my clothing. ;-)
Sears HE claims it has dual enzymes. I'm guessing these are protease and lipase, but it might be protease and amylase. I'd lean in favor of the lipase, however, since carbs are so water soluble but oils of course are not.
*****
Post# 14624-3/2/2002-17:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: Perhaps the indicator light is handy during those brief pauses in the washer operation, between the wash and rinse, for example.
On another slightly related note, the power switch I put in for the outlet for my Neptunes to save 10 watts in between wash loads, is too close to the light switch for the laundry closet. Periodically I find I switch off the power to the washer while it's in operation, instead of the light. Fortunately the Neptune has enough smarts and after flashing an error message, it resumes right where it was before it was so rudely interrupted.
*****
Post# 14625-3/2/2002-18:04 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Staber Washer
MESSAGE: The Staber has been discussed to a degree. Jetcone has one.
*****
Post# 14626-3/2/2002-18:24 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I haven't seen the "Sudsy Challenge" videos yet . . . will fetch then on the office LAN . . . should be a blast. 8-)
I bought a small box (12 tablets) of Wisk tablets a few days ago. I'm not particularly impressed. I figured one tablet should be sufficient for a load at the lowest water level, but the water doesn't even feel "slippery," nor does it with two tablets for a medium or medium/high load. I just did a fairly large load of towels/socks/sheets, which the F&P handled on the medium/high water level, and used three tablets, and got NO suds, although the water was slippery in this case. I'd probably have to use the whole box to get enough suds for a valid suds/rinse test.
*****
Post# 14627-3/2/2002-18:26 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
Your youth could have been much more uncouth.
*****
Post# 14628-3/2/2002-18:32 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: That's what the wise and thrifty Whirlpool dealer I worked with during high school said -- use the PP cycle if line-drying, otherwise the cool-down is a waste of water.
(But I still use my PP cycle sometimes.)
*****
Post# 14629-3/2/2002-19:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Ahh Suds, but sinning is such fun. If you really want to atone I guess you ould read alound the entire Tide.com web site.
I have been looking for the magic number whereby polyester softens had wrinles set in, I know it is above 50C 122F and below 60C 140F. 50C is the most commonly recomended temp for perm press polycotton in the UK. I once ruined some by washing at 60C by mistake, those crinkles will not budge even on ironing.
My physics is not great, but I am guessing that with a dryer air temp of 150F (65C), the clothes are at a lower temp due to latent heat of vapourisation. Don't dryers reduce their temps as the load drys to as to protect from overheating and heat-set wrinkles?
PS, I hope you did not wear your previous white socks with grey leather shoes.
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Post# 14630-3/2/2002-19:07 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: HI Scott,
I find the idea of a slow spin for PP odd, when often the machine in question, if a modern TL, only has a fast spin of 700, though the larger tub piulling more Gs is a factor too.
My Miele reduces the spin to a short 900 spin for PP, though I usually reset to a long 1100 spin. I think the cooldown probably is important if using hot 50C 120F water, as at these temps the polester is soft and will hold creases as it cools in the spin before the rinse.
Is your 1960 Frigidaire a 1140 spin model?
Is
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Post# 14631-3/2/2002-19:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Hi Uni,
I think that you are right about remianing moisture content RMC between fast and slow spins.
Saddo that I am, I did chart several loads, nearly all high speed, but I found one that is relevant. These loads were weighed on reasonably accurate postal scales.
A load of polyester fleece tops washed in delicate cycle with a short 600 spin weighed 2915g, after one long 1100 spin - 2260g and after a second long 1100 spin 2190g. After drying the load was 1755g. I make the RMCS, 66%, 29% and 25%.
I am willing to repeat this experiment with cotton, say towels, when I next wash towels on Wednesday, if I remember, and will post again.
I have downloaded your challenge videos and am looking forward to watching them.
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Post# 14632-3/2/2002-19:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I suppose, in a way, the H-axis top loaders are the European equivalent to the Neptune. Nothing much to see, they just work away in the background and get the job done.
The idea of a window lid on a H-axis TL is a good one. I bet there was a lot of splashing at the beginning of the spin cycles!
*****
Post# 14633-3/2/2002-19:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Glenn, how were the results with what you washed in these tablets? Do you have hard water? I have been using them for about a year now and have actually been quite pleased with them. I get good cleaning results and one tablet does it nicely in a standard capacity washer. I also tried Surf tablets down at Rich's and really liked those too. One tablet works just great for a load in there. I have soft water and I'm sure Rich does too.
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Post# 14634-3/2/2002-19:41 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Staber Washer (No Service)
MESSAGE: One of the biggest drawbacks to these machines is that Staber has no service network, the customer/owner must perform service work themselves or find someone handy to do it for them. I think the machine had some "normal" bugs to work out when first intro'ed, don't know what their work has been like lately.
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Post# 14635-3/2/2002-19:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Wisk is HE compatible, so there won't be any suds - even with the whole box you might get some, but if you want to do a sudsy challenge, just grab some Tide!
Don't know why you weren't getting a slippery feel to the water with two tabs, usually one in the standard capacity machines is sufficient for me (with STPP added for softening of water) but I rarely get more than a few bubbles on the top of the water. What is your water like?
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Post# 14636-3/2/2002-19:47 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Herr Miele, my Frigdaire is a Multimatic, rather than Unimatic, so it spins at 850 RPM, and its slow spin speed is 330 RPM. Even at 850 RPM, there is an incredible difference in extraction qualiy from the typical American toploader with its 500-600 or so RPMs. I've had fine results with all fabrics using the fast spin, I have only a few nicer sweaters I slow spin (or remove a little early) and then dry flat on racks. I believe Robert washes all types of fabrics with good results in his 1140 Unimatics, which are a single speed machine and always spin at 1140.
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Post# 14637-3/2/2002-19:49 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I also use Calgon in the water and have very little if any suds. That's what makes them nice to use in the Frigmore machines too.
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Post# 14638-3/2/2002-19:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: A window lid on a top-loading horizontal doesn't sound too exciting. All you'll see is a revolving drum with perforations zooming past. It would probably just make me dizzy and puke.
You don't get to observe the actual wash action, which is right there if you have a window on your front loader. This is also what you get to see if you override the safety cut-out under the lid of a conventional t/l. There is nothing more soothing than watching the roll-over action of a stylish SQ straight vane agitator.
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Post# 14639-3/2/2002-20:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Chlorine bleach - can't stand the stuff, and won't have it in my house. The smell makes me feel sick to the pit of my stomach.
Oxygen bleach, however, is a different matter. I'm a huge fan of the stuff when it comes to laundry, and have been really pleased with the results. It's especially useful for whites which can only withstand a warm wash. Things like white socks and Fred Perry polo shirts go in on a 40*C wash with detergent and some Ace oxygen bleach, and come out spotless first time. I also find it's good for reviving tired colours.
Only one thing, if you spill Ace on your hand, your skin turns white almost instantly. Upon reading the label, I see it's active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide, which explains the rapid whitening effect. I suppose adding peroxide bought from the chemist would have the same effect on your laundry.
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Post# 14640-3/2/2002-20:12 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (G'day Gizmo)
MESSAGE: The stuff 'Nappisan'that I mentioned in my other post is a diaper soaking agent that is also safe to use on colored clothes. Its active ingredient is sodium percarbonate - is that what oxygen bleach is? On the container the manufacturer states that clothing items with metal buttons, zippers and other metal items should not be in contact with the solution for more than an hour at a time. I assume that also means the stainless steel (metal) interior of my machine. The reaction is described as either rusting or discoloration. I don't think I want to try it out to see whether or not it does cause a reaction with my machine's tub.
Anyway, I have given Gizmo lots of other handy tips (post 14602), on how to get his whites nice and bright, oxygen bleach is but one way.
For what its worth, I am an Amway man and have been for the last 25 years. I am sure some of you will snigger now and say "well, that figures". But I don't care and I am proud of the deteregent that I use - so there :-(.
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Post# 14641-3/2/2002-20:17 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: So what did you do when sucking on thoses stains provded ineffective? Did you rip them out with your teeth. Was it only red sauce stains that you sucked on or did you suck on white sauce too?
I had to ask this Sudsie its your own fault.
*****
Post# 14642-3/2/2002-20:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Thanks Arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Yes they did Ed,
This feature predates effective cold water detergents and was probably introduced for thoses consumers who didn't have a large enough hot water systems able to feed a full load. Maybe also because a lot of Europeans came here right after the war (oops, am I allowed to mention it?). Manufacturers may have wanted to include a feature that would appeal to them, I am only guessing though.
I haven't come accross any top-loaders with heaters since the 1980's.
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Post# 14643-3/2/2002-20:39 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: Thanks Gansky1,
But the machine in unimatic's photo album looks different. The one in the show had a raised rear-mounted control panel like that portable dishwasher in the 'Westinghouse Opportunity Days' advertisement. It also seemed to be broader. Anyway, thanks for your suggestion, it is very much appreciated. This question of mine may have to remain a mystery for all times.
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Post# 14644-3/2/2002-20:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: I also have a feeling that the top basket was circular and not square.
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Post# 14645-3/2/2002-20:46 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: I reckon these on/of indicator (pilot)lights were probably there for aesthetic reasons. Then again, they may have wanted to cater to deaf people (I am an optimist), who couldn't hear the machine's operating noise and had to rely on visual clues instead.
I always liked stuff like that to look at. Little colored lights are so pretty.
*****
Post# 14646-3/2/2002-20:49 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Perhaps I've never qualified as a priest (as if!!!), but I forgive you for your sins.
But only because I'm guilty of doing exactly the same thing :o)
Seriously, though, I don't see where the problem is. Colourfast pastels often go in with my whites. The dyes aren't dark, and they don't run, so therefore they're not going to affect my whites. You soon pick up a sense of which items in your wardrobe are safe to wash together, and it becomes almost intuitive.
When it comes to sorting, I usually separate everything as follows:
Whites and/or pastels
Bright colours
Dark colours (heavy wash)
Dark colours (creasables & "best stuff")
Towels
Denims
Hand-washables
Works pretty well for me, and everything seems to get the best care that way. It's not very often my clothes wear poorly, as I'm quite careful about how everything gets washed. The only time things don't come out too well is if I make an error of judgement when it comes down to what can and can't go in the dryer. Unfortunately, more and more clothes now say not to tumble dry on the care label, and one has to decide whether they really mean that, or if the manufacturer is being over-cautious. Usually the latter, but sometimes I do get caught out :o(
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Post# 14647-3/2/2002-21:00 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: Reminds me of an experiment I did in chemistry while I was at school. We filled visking tubing (a semi-permeable membrane, which looks like an, erm... "prophylactic") with a starch solution, then added an amylase solution to mimic the action of saliva.
The visking tubing was then hung in a beaker of water, which was maintained at around 45*C, and as the starch was broken down into glucose (I think?), the smaller molecules passed through the tubing and into the water. Testing the water in the beaker with Benedict's solution confirmed that the starch had broken down completely. This was when I was 14, but I still remember it, as it was so interesting.
We also did the "egg test"; hard-boil an egg, take the shell off, and sit it in a glass jar. Fill jar with a solution of warm water and laundry detergent, and the egg disappears after a few days. Shows how efficient the enzymes really are.
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Post# 14648-3/2/2002-21:16 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: I rather enjoy watching a top loader go through its paces, too. It's just a pity that the manufacturers often insist on making the lid switch cut out on the wash as well as the spin. The current Whirlpool TLs now do this, whereas they used to only stop if the lid was opened during the spin. Luckily, the lid switch is easy to fool by jamming something in it. And I suppose it could be rewired to bypass it altogether. That's what I'll do if I ever have the space for one. I've already opened the floor model at work to see how it's done ;o)
The Maytag Atlantis is impossible to watch, unless you pop the top panel open. Even jamming or rewiring the switch won't do it - there's a protector fuse to stop you doing just that! Very nice machine, but I couldn't see myself opening the cabinet every time I wanted to watch what was going on.
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Post# 14649-3/2/2002-21:33 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Hi Ed)
MESSAGE: Can I call you Ed? Too late, already did anyway.
You've got a very interesting point here. I woud say though, that misinterpretations on message forums like this one are very likely, because the visual clues, that make up our normal person to person communications, are missing. So, if one is a little more colorful with their written expressions, it can easily convey aggression etc., where only lighthearted banter is intended. Remember too, that we all enter this forum with our personal values, which makes us judge what others do without often really understanding their intent. You know that a face can tell a thousand stories just on its own, so in its absence a lot of information is lost.
You are also right about cultural differences in communication etiquette among English speaking societies. To use a couple of generalized perceptions, Americans are often perceived as being either too boisterous, opinionated and loud know-it-alls(especially your bloody news programs on cable, except ABC), or really anal ("don't touch me or I am gonna (shoot)sue your butt off!"), rarely inbetween. The English are generally perceived as whingeing whiners, with something larger than a cork up their hinies, who could use more frequent full-body showers, especially when they live in warm places like Oz. I don't know how Australians are perceived, maybe you can help with that one. It is always harder to see yourself through other's eyes. But these perceptions, no matter how incorrect, are so commonly held, that our subconscious works on these asumptions whether we want to admit to this or not.
In a virtual work team there would also be limited visual contact eliminating the all-important visual clues that people get from each other. Also, you have to remember that you are describing professional communications, which I would expect, place the participants under greater competitive pressure.
Aussies are generally straight shooters, who say things very economically. With overly loquatious Americans and chatty poms, this can be very unsettling and be interpreted as blatant hostility or dislike. I also find that Australians are not as verbally accomplished as the English or Americans. Eloquence is not our national strong point (I am sure I'll get shot down for this, but that is my honest opinion). All one needs to do is watch and listen to those real-life shows that are all the rage right now and compare between the different nationalities.
*****
Post# 14650-3/2/2002-21:56 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Neptune not boring)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Yeah, I suppose even if you managed to get a Neptune to run with the door open, you would have to cover the opening with perspex or something similar. Otherwise the washig experience will actively incorporate the observer. It sounds all too complicated to do anyway, that I think its probably just easier to down-load Maytag's animated demo gifts, showing the baffles at work. Maybe soon Maytag will incorporate a small window, although looking at the door design, - its purpose is to keep clothes where all the wash action is. In order not to remove the downward slope of the door's inside and to keep clothes sliding back into the drum, the window opening on the inside of the door would run somewhat perpendicular to the opening on the outside. The view, as I imagine it, would really be of the upper part of the wash chamber. One probably wouldn't get to see much action that way anyway. The only way Maytag could achieve a clearer view, would be to adopt the old Westy cabinet style, where the top part of the machine containing the door, is placed at the same angle as the drum.
I just hope that Maytag retains the tilt-drum design purely for the fact that it is different to all other fronties currently on the market. It does look so much easier to load and bigger than other h-axis machines.
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Post# 14651-3/2/2002-23:25 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: I would think typical 3% hydrogen peroxide would be too weak to have any effect once diluted in the wash water. Wonder what the strength of the Ace is.
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Post# 14652-3/2/2002-23:33 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Enzyme Temps)
MESSAGE: Actually, I had heard about this trick years ago. Enzymes in saliva will break down food stains - hadn't heard the specific enzyme, but will take Suds word for it. In any case, I've done it too and it does work. And not just on red sauce stains.
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Post# 14653-3/2/2002-23:37 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (One hot machine)
MESSAGE: I want one!
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Post# 14654-3/2/2002-23:38 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the....
MESSAGE: I remember that this was disussed here sometime back. I think the conclusion was it as a Frigidaire.
*****
Post# 14655-3/2/2002-00:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Hi Ed)
MESSAGE: Sure,call me Ed.
I agree with you about visual clues, but interestingly, for us, we do get together several time each year, and sometimes have people in other areas for extended periods. When things came to a head (and got worked out) we were actually together in the UK.
I think your perceptions are correct (well, correct that the perceptions are there - well, you know what I mean). Later, talking to the Australians they said they were somewhat on the defensive because in discussions the Americans expected to get their way because we're, well, Americans (and everyone knows that we always have the answer and are quite willing to share). The Brits expected to get their way because, well, everyone else is just a colony. Therefore, the Australians felt they were at a disadvantage in disscussions and became rather defensive.
As for American perceptions of Aussies, well, we tend to view them (in my experience anyway) as fun-loving and crude. Very down to earth.
Of course these are all biases we have without a lot of basis in fact. It surprised me, for example, that of the 3 countries we've discussed, the only one where ties were a big deal was Australia (and they were rather anal about them). And there I was with nothing but shorts and a funny hat.
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Post# 14656-3/2/2002-00:34 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Kenmore maybe?)
MESSAGE: We'll it sort of looks like a Kenmore dishwasher, actually it looks very much like a Kenmore dishwasher. Also they have a Maytag washer and dryer on this set too. I'm surprised being sponsored by GM-Chevrolet from the very beginning that they wouldn't have Frigidaire appliances, even in the Pilot episode. Wait a minute, maybe the pilot episode was filmed before they closed the deal with Chevrolet as the sponsor. That's probably it.
Anyway, take a closer look at the dishwasher, what do you guys think? I bet if it is a Kenmore, it's a store display model, because I'm sure they never marketed a dw with a front panel window.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Z_quick&.dnm=Front+of+Bewitched+Dishwasher.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
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Post# 14657-3/2/2002-00:37 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: Bewitched was sponsored by GM and until the later episodes of the show, the appliances used were all Frigidaire. If I have the year of the pilot episodes, I can scan and post pics of the dishwasher models from the Frigidaire lines. There were many different models of dishwashers produced by D&M, some large and some smaller, I only used the photo of Robert's as it was easily accessible, and a good example of an early design, not as the definite model used in the show. I saw a Frigidaire dishwasher similar to what you are talking about (wider and deeper) at a thrift store a few weeks ago, but there were other models that had a larger "backsplash" too. Let me know the year and we'll find it!
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Post# 14658-3/2/2002-00:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Kenmore maybe?)
MESSAGE: Well! There's a picture!
That certainly looks like a Roto Rack in there!
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Post# 14659-3/2/2002-00:40 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Kenmore maybe?)
MESSAGE: They DID have Frigidaire appliances in later episodes (at least for some seasons).
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Post# 14660-3/2/2002-00:49 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Kenmore maybe?)
MESSAGE: Looks like there may have been a window in the top too?
What a fun machine that must have been to watch in the store - I always wanted one of those clear tank Maytags, just for fun!
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Post# 14661-3/3/2002-02:19 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Oh unimatic you are a gem!)
MESSAGE: And I was right about the top basket being round. It has been numerous years since I have seen this image. Well, at least my memory still serves me weel.
Thanks again. I suppose it would have been nice to have the window as a permanent feature for people like us. Other people, who are less enthusiastic about appliances, would probably find looking at unwashed dishes sitting in there unpalatable.
I would love to have a machine like that.
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Post# 14662-3/3/2002-02:28 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Thanks Arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Hoover manufactured a top loadaer with a heater till the late nineties when it was neutured by email/southcorp.
People back then would of boiled clothes in a copper so hot water washing was strongly entreched. On most older australian homes the laundry was often a lean to on the rear of the house off the back verandah. They were often not connected to the hot water supply, just the cold. Thats another reason why suds savers were so common on our machines too. People used a gas or electric copper to heat the water and syphon it into the machine with the suds saver, enabling a hot or warm wash.
The Frigidaire heater was not as automatic because you had to wait till the machine filled with water before you could select the heating option. When I scan the rest of the article you will find that they testers were quite picky!
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Post# 14663-3/3/2002-02:48 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: I am sure a DD whirly must inflict more wear than 3%!!!
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Post# 14664-3/3/2002-02:48 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Thank you Gansky, I'll take you up on that)
MESSAGE: Well, the very first season 'Bewitched' started in 1964, but episode #1 was actually recorded in late 1963.
I am jealous, our thrift shops don't ever have such gems when I go looking, otherwise I would start my own collection. For some reason or other, vintage appliances are very hard to find.
I would be most greatful if you could post some of those catalogue pictures in your album.
Your devoted fan
bubbles
*****
Post# 14665-3/3/2002-03:26 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (For the record.)
MESSAGE: I know this has moved on but I feel I should set somethings straight. First of all I am not a socks and sandles wearing europhile who is just sucked into things bearing the phrase "European designed" or other stuff like that. I am more intelligent than to be sucked into mindless sales pitches. At the same time you could be called an Americophile (is there such a word?) You have used expressions liek hinie. Thats not an everyday australian expression. I am more likely to have my bum spanked than have my hinie whooped!!! (LOL)
You say you also want to go to the US to excapse the Australian applianced situation and escape the invasion of Europeans. If that isnt showing a bias the US products then I dont know what is.
I have not responded to your comments about things like coocking appliances. I am not knowledgeable in this area. I would probably agree than Euro cookware is probably not entriely suitable to Australian kitchens. If I was buying new kitched appliances I would very likely choose Chef or Westinghouse as these are manufactured in Australia and I want to support Australian industry as much as posible. The same goes for refrigerators.
But my comments still stand on front loaders. Its not one eyed fanatiscim but having looked at the situation and feeling honestly the a tuble action machine to be the most suitable option. This also started with my comments regarding the demise if the Hoover Electra Aust made FL. That was a machine most suitable for the was we wash with regard to cycle times choices and temp options. Top loaders are never going to disappear. All my experiences with washing machines growing up were with top loaders. I have nor been decrying that all top loaders should be rounded up for scrap metal.
Then there is the issue about rebadging. I have no problems with Euro whirlpool products as I said they are manufactured by Whirlpool. Whirlpool is more than a US company but a world wide comapany manufactureing in US, South america, Europe and Asia. Considering poor exchange rates between the US and Aust dollars Whirlpool is no doubt going to take the most economical route.
Also what makes you think that you are more an appliance connoisseur than myself. I have loved washing machines all my life. Thats why i love this site! I like washing machines regardless wether they are top loaders or front loaders. My comments and opinions on which is more suitable is not based on a political agenda or ffashion or being a yuppie. Neither have I made wild declarations like "Top Loaders Rule!!" As we have discussed on this site before (as a group) that the perfect washing machine does not exist. Remember too that Front loaders are the under dog in our market. The are only 30% of our market and a draatic increase yes but remember people buy applainces out of habit and will buy a new Simpson or Hoover or even F&P when their old one has died. Why because they always have an dtheir parents have before them. The Front Loader promotion committee is there to get people to consider the alternative and increase recognicion in the market place.
There will always be a choice for both camps.
Now that is all I am going to say futher on the matter. i enjoy this club too much to see flame wars going on and personal attacks which is what this tread has become.
*****
Post# 14666-3/3/2002-03:31 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Thanks mate!)
MESSAGE: Sorry to hear about all your trouble.
Hang in there!
*****
Post# 14667-3/3/2002-03:44 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Let me explain about those ties )
MESSAGE: The tie thing is a left-over of the eighties' rationalization and restructuring era. During that period, stringent formal dress codes were being re-introduced into corporate and public service organizations. Employees were being scared into submission by the relentless push towards downsizing and rationalizing, so a more conservative approach to the workplace took hold.
This was in contrast to the seventies and early eighties, where everything was more relaxed and male office workers used to turn up to work in shorts, collared shirts, wearing knee-high socks and sandals. In some cases ties were considered optional also. A neat business shirt could be worn with open collar and the first button undone. If you had a particularly well developed and hairy chest and you worked with a large female or gay clientele, you were encouraged to leave the second and third shirt buttons open. Later during the eighties,after extensive consultancy surveys into efective business image creation and presentation, particularly in line with skyrocketing urbane real estate values and the emergence of alfresco dining, did the designer (or immitation designer) suit become more widespread and deemed as the only acceptable form of business attire.
The use of Prozac, in conjunction with laxatives, has become widespread amongst professionals in corporate and public service orgs. This has helped to facilitate a new and revolutionary approach to creating a more conducive work place environment. Weekly or bi-weekly 'mufti days' (where employees are allowed to turn up wearing smart-casual), are now being trialled. This is to glean if a casual dress code can lull employees into a false sense of security about the stability of their employment situation and companies are able to extract increased co-operation and performance from them as a result. This is also why free cookies, coffee and jelly beans are being re-introduced into the coffee room. It has been found that companies can save a signifficant proportion in staff related remuneration expenditure, if they opt for these psychological sweeteners that make employees feel more appreciated and wanted by their employer. Although, performing sexual favors for ones superiors is still found to accellerate ones employment prospects and promotional opportunities, as long as one keeps abreast with efective techniques that keep the competition at bay.
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Post# 14668-3/3/2002-03:47 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited
MESSAGE: I know its called classic appliances. But this is one of the few places to discuss appliances at all, regardless of new or old. I like seeing hwat is new but the archivist is me aslo is very keen on seeing the past preserved. The museum is such a great feature. I have been watch the ABC videos all week!
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Post# 14669-3/3/2002-03:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Geez settle down arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: Don't think you've noticed that I've moved on. I suggest you do the same and don't get your knickers all tied up - we don't want this to be turned into another THS thing do we?
*****
Post# 14670-3/3/2002-04:03 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: Wouldnt it be cool if one of these machines were made with a perspex drum so you could see the washing action? It would be a very unique and excinting prospect I am sure.
I really like those top load tumble machines. But the inability to watch the wash action is a drawback. Kleenmaid make a hybrid machine that has rated very highly in reviews. It is very expensive however.
LINK: http://www.kleenmaid.com.au/innovative_features/topload_features.html
*****
Post# 14671-3/3/2002-04:09 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Geez settle down arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: I know I just wanted to say my piece as I felt I have been misrepresented or misquoted.
I havent been able to check this site this weekend I have been so busy. Me and my westie/bogan/beven/goodna friends went to Balmoral to watch Shakespear by the sea and get some culture.
Ahh the sea, so much more restfull than the drive by shootings that go on in my street.
ANyway I am busy uploading more pages of the choice test so check them out soon!
*****
Post# 14672-3/3/2002-04:11 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I suppose a top view through a see-thru lid and perspex drum would be interesting. Although there would have to be an internal light source, otherwise one wouldn't see much. The opening is very small. A Staber washer, on the other hand, would probably be more suited to such an idea. Especially since it doesn't have as high a spin speed as the Kleenmaid hybrids.
*****
Post# 14673-3/3/2002-04:13 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: An impeller machine is just the thing one needs if they really want their undies in a tangle! LOL!
*****
Post# 14674-3/3/2002-04:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: Are you bagging out on impeller machines?
*****
Post# 14675-3/3/2002-04:19 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: The kleenmaid is not that small when you look at it in the metal. It seems quite reasonable. Its a fascinaitng machine and I would love to llok at it in some detail. The problem is kleenmaid sales people. They are like car salesmen. They just wont leave you alone if you walk into there stores. I always look and choose a moment when its quite busy looking.
*****
Post# 14676-3/3/2002-04:25 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: Heavens no!
I do find them very interesting. People in general though seem to think they are great and then say they dont like them when they get them into use.
I would so badly love to have a Hoover Keymatic and that too is an impeller machine. A front loading tilted tub impeller machine! Talk about a split personality!
*****
Post# 14677-3/3/2002-04:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I will not comment anymore for fear of being controversial. These machines serve their purpose, but as you said, are too expensive to be taken seriously by the public. Especially since there is such a huge array of alternatives available at more attractive prices. I would actually think that a washer like the LG turbo drum would be far more interesting to observe - but that is jut my view. Do you actually know how effective the LG t/l turbo drum washer is? What sort of consumer reviews, if any, has it received? I wsa told by a sales person that, although it is supposed to fit 8 kg of dry weight, its washing effectiveness is actually compromised if filled to the rim and about 6 or 7 kilos is ideal.
*****
Post# 14678-3/3/2002-04:37 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: The LG Turbo Drum DD ( the one with no impeller, just the drum) Is the most fascinating washing machine to watch that is made today! (Unfortunately no more obital ABC style machines are made anymore) It too is expensive and i havent seen any reviews for it or know of anyones personal experiences with it. Maybe it just takes clothes for a bit of a ride but what a show! A lot of stores have a demo model set up. Keep looking out for one. Once again it doesnt really save energy or water. Its just "different". But I like different!
There were rumours of Whirlpool producing a hybrid machine like the Kleenmaid for the American market. It would of been full 60cm width and have and enourmous capacity but they came out with the Calypso instead.
Bendix makes a hybrid machine too which is much cheaper. It has another door though so access isnt as easy as the kleenmaid machine.
*****
Post# 14679-3/3/2002-04:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: I have never seen a keymatic and would love to. I heard it looked a little like a cement mixer? Did it have a clear lid so one could observe the washing action? Obviously the lid had to be watertight.
Teh only impeller machines I came accross were European and that was in the sixties. My grandmother had one (don't know what brand) and when her clothes were all shredded and tangled she knew that her clothes were clean. I think that a lot of German impeller machines did not alternate the oscillation and that is why these machines were so rough on clothes.
I have used one of those Japanese made automatic impeller washers at a holiday unit in Cairns and didn't find it that bad. But there is that psychological thing about clothes being torn to bits by this very fast spinning disk. These machines are actually prone to tangel more than other types of agitator washers.
Just out of interest, the Japanese don't like tall agitators, they prefer impellers. A Japanese friend of mine always used to get her clothes tangled around the tall agitator of my machine and she used to get really upset. She'd whinge about it and tried totell me that Japanese machines were better - there you can see how it is with human perceptions. We covet what we know and are familiar with.
*****
Post# 14680-3/3/2002-04:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: Those are great! It absolutely would have NEVER crossed my mind that those top-loaders were made with built-in water heaters! Fascinating to compare the differences with the U.S. models.
*****
Post# 14681-3/3/2002-04:45 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: Thats so funny what you say about the Japanese. Hitachi produced impellers in the 70/80's, then switched to agitators and back to impellers in the late 90's. They made this really sleek model. Its controls were hidden behind a smokey plastic cover and looked very sexy. Even Choice made comments on its looks in a review where it was one of the recommended machines.
Gizmo had two keymatics. he can tell you all about it.
I am going to bed now. Have fun everybody.
*****
Post# 14682-3/3/2002-04:46 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I think Whirlpool (USA) may have backed off because of the limited success of the Staber, which is an American made hybrid that looks like and gives the same capacity, programs and options of a traditional top-loader. Anyway, I think that over there, like here, the market isn't ready. Especially if the Whirlpool hybrid was similar to European models and significantly more expensive than a normal t/l.
Have you actually checked out the Staber washer? If hybrids have any chance of gaining a following here, I would gues that the Staber washer would be the preferred model. I find its hexagonal wash drum really cool. Why do Americans always come up with stuff like this?
*****
Post# 14683-3/3/2002-04:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: THS revisited
MESSAGE: YEp, I too love the vintage machines and devour the posts, pics and videos. I don't post so much on those threads as I know so little about vintage machines, when I do post it is usually to ask questions. I post where I can contribute so as to gibe something back to the group, but that is mainly on modern euro style machines and laundry technologies.
The museum is great, I love the consumer reports too. I am looking forward to reading the Australian Choice reports that I downloaded last night that someone,(sorry I forget whom), kindly posted.
*****
Post# 14684-3/3/2002-04:48 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: still more to come!
The 1963 test was the best! It took a whole issue and a half! I am only going to post the machine profiles for that one!
I also have a Womens Weekly advertisement for a Hoover from 1969, Simpson, Westinghouse and the Hoover Keymatic!!! Will post those soon too, but the copies are not as good as for choice.
*****
Post# 14685-3/3/2002-04:51 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I have seen the staber and its very interesting.
I think the problem with the staber is its not an easy machine to buy. You cant walk into sears and buy one. Over on THS there have been some interesting comments about it. I have gotten the impression that you have to order it direct from Staber. I might be wrong but I am sure someone will correct me.
Too much posting going on right now!! (Yawn)
*****
Post# 14686-3/3/2002-04:52 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I have seen the staber and its very interesting.
I think the problem with the staber is its not an easy machine to buy. You cant walk into sears and buy one. Over on THS there have been some interesting comments about it. I have gotten the impression that you have to order it direct from Staber. I might be wrong but I am sure someone will correct me.
Too much posting going on right now!! (Yawn)
*****
Post# 14687-3/3/2002-04:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: okay, you have a good sleep now and we'll caht again. Want to ask you more about those choice reviews next time.
Sweet dreams (of bubbles and splashes, lol)
*****
Post# 14688-3/3/2002-05:12 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Keymatic picture)
MESSAGE: Here's a picture of the Hoover Keymatic
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.dnm=Hoover+Keymatic+manual.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14689-3/3/2002-05:17 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: Whirlpool had a design for a 'hybrid' washer. The link goes to a patent drawing of it.
I don't think the hexagonal drum is very special, what do you think are the pro's? It takes more space between the outer and the inner drum, so your capacity is less than it would be with a round drum. Would you buy a toploader with a hexagonal tub?
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.dnm=Whirlpool+H-axis+drawing.JPG&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14690-3/3/2002-05:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: I love advertisements, even when the copies are not as good as the Choice test you are sharing. Keep the good stuff coming!!!
*****
Post# 14691-3/3/2002-05:36 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: Silly question foraloysius, you know exactly what I would buy and it wouldn't be an h-axis top-loader (regardless of the style of drum). I am actually wondering why they did this hexagonal design, you are right about increased volume if it were cylindrical, although it seems to be pretty large capacity already. Actually, looking at the web site for Staber I didn't see any baffles inside the drums (could be wrong there) so maybe that is why they opted for the hexagon shape? I should send them an e-mail and ask them. I do think though that the overall design of this machine may actually hold greater appeal to the American and, perhaps, Australian consumer, simply by virtue of its likeness to the other style of top loader. I don't even know how long these machines have been in production. Once they iron out all the little bugs and problems, I think they could easily have a winner on their hands. Yet, I think I would prefer to buy the Neptune if I had to get a tumble washer. And hopefully (never start a sentence with 'and' foraloysius - it's bad English), by that time the Neptune will have a window to keep me occupied for hours on end.
*****
Post# 14692-3/3/2002-05:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Whirlpool hybrid washer
MESSAGE: Thanks for that link foraloysius,
The drawing does look very much like an American style machine. Again I think they must have done consumer research and found that the time isn't right.
I am actually quite curious about the Calypso, which Whirlpool Australia will not be bringing here apparently. When I asked them why, they gave me some spiel about conversion to 240 V interfering with the electronic controls - which is humbug. I told 'em that the electronic touch controls and the microchip run on 12 volts not 110 or 240 and that they were full of it.
I presume that the American controls would not really appeal to the Australian consumer, people here still prefer rotary knobs, but all they would have to do is install a control panel with rotary dials.
I just like the idea of being able to wash very large bulky items like seat cushions for example, which won't fit into either regular t/l or f/l machines. Of course I want to perv on the agitator action doing a Carmen Miranda, that would be so kewl.
*****
Post# 14693-3/3/2002-05:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Thay skin whitening is actually a type of burn, albeit a mild one. Bleaching is oxidation of things, and burning is oxidation, so one can think of bleaching as flame-free burning. Really is best not to get that stuff on the skin, if you do, rinse immediately and thoroughly.
As a stupid teenager, I used to spend hours with the stuff on my scalp and hair, no lasting damage (mmm), but it was agony, suffering to be a bottle blonde.
*****
Post# 14694-3/3/2002-06:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: Hotpoint made a TL agitator machine in the UK, that had a built in heater. It could do boil washes, though must have been mucho time and electricity. It was the last good Hotpoint machine, and was discontinued - help me here Kirk or Louis, in I think early 80s.
Generally TLs are less in need of heaters as teh great volume of water will hold its heat for the short wash time, whereas smaller size FLs more commonly need them as the small volume of water would cool too much in the long wash time.
*****
Post# 14695-3/3/2002-06:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
I too get pi$$ed at manufacturers wash labels. I figure many just come up with a delicate type label and put it in everything, saving costs on running tests on each product line, further saving costs by only having one lable to print and attach. Must admit, I tend to look at teh fabric, construction and colour and decide cycle and drying myself
*****
Post# 14696-3/3/2002-06:21 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Not gas pilot...)
MESSAGE: The pilot light in this case was to indicate that the HEATER was on. No noise, no vibration, the only other way you could tell the heater was on was the furious whizzing of the electricity meter. (it would have been a 2400 watt heater) Hence the light...It was likely that they were not thermostat controlled, just heat till you switch it off.
The Hoover Zodiac front loaders had a pilot light that just indicated that the machine was on. The door interlock was slow on these machines, it would often take fifteen seconds or so from turning on till something happened. I think the pilot light was a simple way of indicating " yes, yes, I am switched on and will do something shortly, don't go and phone the service department".
Chris.
*****
Post# 14697-3/3/2002-06:30 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Sorry Sudsmaster, from my vague understanding of Catholicism you can't get forgiveness until you have a contrite heart and change your ways. If you stubbornly and deliberately continue to mix coloured clothes and white clothes you cannot be forgiven. (Well that is how the Melbourne Catholic churches have responded to rainbow-sash wearing gay catholics.)
Best wishes
Fellow sinner
ex-catholic
ex-pentecostal
Chris.
*****
Post# 14698-3/3/2002-06:37 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Ties)
MESSAGE: All this talk of ties on a Washing machine site, I must tell you a story told to me by my partner's uncle. The Uncle had just bought a brand new Hoovermatic twin tub washer. (It was some years ago) He raved to his workmates about how great the little machine was. A workmate took his advice and bought one of his own. He really got into it, and started taking things out of his wardrobe to keep washing. He eventually took out all his ties and washed a load of ties. The Hoovermatic has an impeller in the side, with a continuous turning action, it never reverses. In a couple of minutes the ties were so hopelessly tangled that after half an hour trying to untangle them they were all thrown in the rubbish bin.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14699-3/3/2002-06:45 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Keymatic)
MESSAGE: I have had a couple of Keymatics. They are VERY different and immense fun, more entertaining to take off the back panel and watch the works. Unfortunately they wash really poorly though the spin is very good. Yes, the inner drum looks like a tiny perforated aqua cement mixer drum. If you bypass the door switch you can watch it tumbling with the door open. The water level never gets above the door opening, and the tumble is slow and gentle so it barely splashes. You could do a whole cycle with the door open,in fact I often did. I no longer have one, but I am keeping my eyes open for one again. Just for fun, not for washing clothes.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14700-3/3/2002-06:46 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I meant to ask you if you would buy a V-axis toploader with a hexagonal drum.
*****
Post# 14701-3/3/2002-06:51 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: I think that it must have been much later, I think in the late nineties, since I have seen both their toploader and their twintub on their website a few years ago.
*****
Post# 14702-3/3/2002-07:00 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Kleenmaid top loading tumble washer)
MESSAGE: These little Kleenmaids are amazing. They are possibly my favourite washer. (today, anyway.)
I used to work in a restaurant opposite a Kleenmaid showroom. A salesman from Kleenmaid ate there once, we chatted about my interest in Solar power. I was designing my current power system at the time, I mentioned that I was investigating the most efficient washer for solar power. Some machines don't work at all on inverters, others use too much power. He was really interested, as he was thinking of moving to a solar powered house too.
He invited me to the showroom to bring a meter to measure power consumption.
Kleenmaid stores are set up to demonstrate their product against the opposition. They have all major brands set up on working display, and use them to knock their opposition and demonstrate the supposed superiority of their own product. I have severe doubts about the ethics of this, but anyway...
The Kleenmaid Front Loader (by Gorenje) was labelled max watts 200. Washing it actually consumed 4.5 amps at 240v which is over 1000 watts. (yeah I know, power factors, but it's still lots more than 200w)
The Fisher and Paykel (which they denigrated for its plastic lid and thinner sheetmetal) used varying 100 to 250 watts washing, 360 watts when spinning at 1000rpm. (labelled max watts 175)
The little Kleenmaid by Brandt used less than 100 watts washing or spinning. It used so little power I couldn't believe it. It has a heater but it can be switched out.
But I can't get to grips with the price. I will just have to wait till someone throws it out with a minor fault.... Dreaming is free.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14703-3/3/2002-07:02 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Picture time again, I found a picture of the last UK Hotpoint toploader. I got it from their website and saved it on my disk at November 4th 1998.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=Hotpoint+TL.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bPhoto%2bAlbum%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14704-3/3/2002-07:10 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Shower rinse...)
MESSAGE: In one of my sillier moments when investigating my little Philips TLFL I opened the lid whilst it was tumbling. Actually it was pumping out before spin. The fault with this machine was the lid lock/switch had burned out. As this model was never sold here parts aren't available so I initially bypassed the switch. Later I made up a switch to cut power when the lid is opened, but it doesn't lock down any more.
So anyway... I opened the lid and watched the drum going around as it was pumping out. Of course the machine changed into spin....I got drenched in about two seconds.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14705-3/3/2002-07:11 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Shower rinse...)
MESSAGE: In one of my sillier moments when investigating my little Philips TLFL I opened the lid whilst it was tumbling. Actually it was pumping out before spin. The fault with this machine was the lid lock/switch had burned out. As this model was never sold here parts aren't available so I initially bypassed the switch. Later I made up a switch to cut power when the lid is opened, but it doesn't lock down any more.
So anyway... I opened the lid and watched the drum going around as it was pumping out. Of course the machine changed into spin....I got drenched in about two seconds.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14706-3/3/2002-07:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Shower rinse...)
MESSAGE: It was easy to trip the lid switch with these machines. You just had to put the switch down with a screwdriver and it stayed in that position so you didn't have to keep it down. I did that once when it changing from rinse to spin..........
*****
Post# 14707-3/3/2002-07:26 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Glenn - I don't particulaly like the Wisk tablets either, but more because of the fragrance. They are designed to be low sudsing and are HE compatible as are the Surf Tablets. They may not be the best choice for the "sudsy challenge" - perhaps if you could get your hands on a vintage box of Cheer or Rinso Blue....................
*****
Post# 14708-3/3/2002-07:32 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Scott - I have also tried and liked the Surf Tablets. They seem to clean quite well and rinse easily. I also use some STPP - though my water is relatively soft. Tried the Wisk tablets but don't care much for the fragrance, especially the ones with color bleach. I have found a few small boxes of FAB powder at a small market near where I live - no small feat since Colgate does not distribute their powdered detergents here in the Northeast anymore. I am quite pleased with the results of the FAB. It is now a low suds product and thank God they have made the fragrance more subtle. The most recent FAB powders before they went back to a low suds formula had a horrible sweet fragrance that you could smell from miles away even after a few rinses.........
*****
Post# 14709-3/3/2002-07:35 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: I believe it was 1964 or 1965......
*****
Post# 14710-3/3/2002-08:56 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: I checked the bottle, but it doesn't say what the concentration is, so that's anyone's guess. The dosage is only 100 ml in a standard front loader, which isn't a lot, but it seems to work really well, so I can only assume it has a fair bit of "oomph" to it.
*****
Post# 14711-3/3/2002-09:24 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT:
Windowed-lid ABC-O-Matic: Demo model?
MESSAGE: The advertisement for the ABC-O-Matic in the Appliance Cyber Museum shows a machine with a solid steel lid while Unimatic 1140's machine has a window in the lid. Is this a modification for demonstrations or was the production version also available with the window in the lid?
*****
Post# 14712-3/3/2002-09:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (tangles)
MESSAGE: And sometimes we want what others have. That's why you can sell European machines at a premium in America and American machines at a premium in Europe.
*****
Post# 14713-3/3/2002-09:27 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: Never thought of it like that. Still, not all that often I get any on my skin. Only when I'm spotting a stain with it, and it seeps through the fabric onto my hand. But I always make sure I rinse it off, as I'm a nail-biter, and wouldn't want it in my mouth.
As for bleaching hair, that's something I've never done, as I shave all my hair right off. A skinhead cut suits me nicely, as it doesn't need any attention in the mornings. I'm far too lazy to be vain LOL.
*****
Post# 14714-3/3/2002-09:29 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: The Staber is such a specialized product here that I would be most Americans have never heard of it.
*****
Post# 14715-3/3/2002-09:31 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: Yes, you have to buy direct. That of course means you have to know it exists. Most Americans know it exists by seeing it in a store.
*****
Post# 14716-3/3/2002-09:33 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Keymatic picture)
MESSAGE: Do you have any images of pages past the cover? I would love to see more on this machine.
*****
Post# 14717-3/3/2002-09:34 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: The very first episode of Bewitched (with the see-thru dishwasher) was the pilot and that was filmed in late '63 and '64. It was aired on the ABC television network on Thursday night, September 17, 1964. In the second episode (the next week) they moved into their new house (with beautiful Frigidaire appliances) in Westport, CT.
If you look closely at the pilot episode you can see that Elizabeth Montgomery was pregnant during the filming.
*****
Post# 14718-3/3/2002-09:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (Thank you Gansky, I'll take you up on that)
MESSAGE: Finally, I have a fan - if you start a club for me, I'll pay for the web server! ;-)
I'll see what I can find of interest in the Frigidaire books of interest in the dishwasher category - hopefully the scanner will cooperate!
*****
Post# 14719-3/3/2002-09:36 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Windowed-lid ABC-O-Matic: Demo model?
MESSAGE: Nope, mine is the slightly more expensive ABC model with the see-thru window lid. I was soooo very lucky to find this machine at an estate sale a couple of years ago. I paid $25 for it. The woman apparently didn't like automatics and was still using her wringer washer, so while the ABC was definately used, it wasn't used all the much and was in pristine condition.
*****
Post# 14720-3/3/2002-09:37 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: Early 80s? Good lord, no! I was still selling this washer around '98 - '99 or so. We still get people asking for them today, so it's unfortunate that Hotpoint decided to pull the plug on it. Their twin tub was discontinued about a year later, and I believe they closed one of their factories as a result.
If this washer was still produced today, I would buy one. Of course, it used tons of water and energy. But it was a real pleasure to use. I always liked the recirculating filter tray, which also doubled as a detergent dispenser. And, of course, by pressing the Economy Wash button, you could deactivate the heater to save all that energy.
Perhaps when I have more room, this is another washer I'll have to put on my list. You still see loads of them in secondhand shops, and all the parts are still available. They always lasted for years, in fact I know someone who bought theirs in the 70s, and still uses it daily.
*****
Post# 14721-3/3/2002-09:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Keymatic picture)
MESSAGE: No, I'm sorry. I bid on a Keymatic once and this photo was sent to me. I didn't buy it, too expensive and no room for it at that time.
Louis
*****
Post# 14722-3/3/2002-09:41 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hybrids)
MESSAGE: I can't find it now, but the Staber web site used to have information on why the hexagonal shape. They said it was to generate turbulance in the water pool to aid in the washing. Not sure about the baffles - I can't find any pictures of the inside of the drum.
*****
Post# 14723-3/3/2002-09:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: You're spot on. I read an article once that said manufacturers have to pay for their garments to be tested, and to save cost, they just err on the side of caution and put a delicate label on things. Another reason why so many things say to dry clean only.
I get most of my clothes from Next - love their stuff - but nearly everything says "Do Not Tumble Dry" on the label. Like you, I assess the fabric myself, and decide from there. I've had a couple of disasters, but usually most things come out just fine. Same goes for dry-clean items... most are perfectly OK to go through the washer.
*****
Post# 14724-3/3/2002-09:51 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Ties)
MESSAGE: Washing ties? Easy. Roll them up, and place each one inside a sock. Twist the "leg" of the sock to keep the tie inside, and pull it back over the toe-end to keep it there. I find it helps to stop ties going out of shape during the wash.
*****
Post# 14725-3/3/2002-09:55 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: In my opinion, the best washer ever made. Certainly the last decent washer Hotpoint UK ever produced. Geez, I would love to have one of those.
I do have an operating manual for one of these washers. I don't have a scanner, but I'm thinking of buying one of those HP print/scan/copy all-in-ones soon. If I do, I'll scan the booklet and post it for all to see.
*****
Post# 14726-3/3/2002-10:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (CL & O2)
MESSAGE: The 3% H2O2 used as a medical antiseptic is unlikely to cause skin whitening. However the stronger peroxide solutions used in hair bleaching (30%, I believe) can bleach hair, so I'm not surprised it can bleach skin. I believe the hair bleaching procedure involves softening up the hair keratin sheath first with lye, so the peroxide can get inside and whiten the color bearing molecules which are inside the hair.
*****
Post# 14727-3/3/2002-10:08 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Staber drum)
MESSAGE: Again it's picture time! I found (oh miracle, I have over 3000 appliances pictures on my computer!) a picture that shows a bit of the inside of the Staber drum. It looks to me that there is a baffle in there. I guess there must be three in them, one in every other corner.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=Staber.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bPhoto%2bAlbum%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14728-3/3/2002-10:12 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: I would LOVE to read that manual!!
*****
Post# 14729-3/3/2002-10:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: I'll see what I can do for ya :o) Something tells me you'll like it - just like a US-style top loader (it is related to the old GEs, after all), but with a full heating capability, and multiple deep rinses. Total perfection, in my opinion!
*****
Post# 14730-3/3/2002-10:40 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED!
MESSAGE: Look at this page out of the 1963 Sears Catalog (Spring-Summer edition). Then compare that to the previous picture captured right from Bewitched (two pictures back in the photo album).
I bet this dishwasher was taken right off the sales floor of a Hollywood Sears Store!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Z_quick&.dnm=1963+Sears+Catalog+SpringSum.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14731-3/3/2002-12:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Kirk / Louis
98, was it really so late it was dicontinued. I was about to ask why Hotpoint discontinued their last decent washer, then remembered, it is Hotpoint we are talking about.
I too would love to read that manual Kirk.
Louis, loved your picture, but was sorry it did not have teh woodgrain effect worktop that I fondly remember.
Thanks both
*****
Post# 14732-3/3/2002-12:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Ties)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Thanks for teh tie washing tip. I DO hope that it does not work on silk ties, I have just sent my favourite one to Oxfam, due to a tiny mark that the drycleaner could not remove.
*****
Post# 14733-3/3/2002-13:02 ||| Geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Besides Fab powder and Surf tabs, can anyone give me a low-suds liquid besides Tide HE???
*****
Post# 14734-3/3/2002-13:50 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Wisk HE is the only other liquid I know of that's HE compatible.
Wisk tabs and Purex tabs are also HE compatible.
You can find several others from outside the US that you can sometimes mail order.
*****
Post# 14735-3/3/2002-14:22 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Wow, Louis, you always find kewl pictures!
*****
Post# 14736-3/3/2002-14:36 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Wisk Tabs)
MESSAGE: Yup, the scent is a little too sweet or something.
Surf Tabs being low-sudsing strikes me kinda funny. I remember "classic" Surf powder to be very high sudsing!
No vintage detergents around here that I've seen in years, but I can find something that'll work, I'm sure. HEB Bravo (local chain) doesn't say "HE compatible" unless I'm missing it somewhere on the box. I don't get much suds with a normal dose, but double or triple might do it.
*****
Post# 14737-3/3/2002-15:00 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Appliance Files!)
MESSAGE: I have 4,588 files in my "official" Classic Appliances folder. 3.5 GB. There's a bit more in other folders strewn about, but some of that is probably duplicates.
*****
Post# 14738-3/3/2002-15:01 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Appliance Files!)
MESSAGE: I have 4,588 files in my "official" Classic Appliances folder. 3.5 GB. There's a bit more in other folders strewn about, but some of that is probably duplicates.
*****
Post# 14739-3/3/2002-15:13 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Appliance Files!)
MESSAGE: I can't beat that. As a matter of fact my hard drives are almost full. I'd better start looking for a solution for this problem!!
*****
Post# 14740-3/3/2002-15:31 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Well I have a surplus of Wisk HE liquid that you could have for free for the price of shipping. I hate it!
Sears HE liquid isn't bad.
The various natural soap liquid products really are that low sudsing, but they will work on lightly soiled loads if you are careful to keep the amount down. I'm referring to Fresh Breeze liquid. Just got some Eco liquid at Trader Joes but haven't tried or tested it yet.
*****
Post# 14741-3/3/2002-15:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: I just picked up a Seagate 80 GB Barracuda IV ATA drive for US$99! ($149 minus a $50 rebate). Now I just have to finish the hot water plumbing under the house and install the drive in the computer...
Hard drives are generally VERY cheap. I remember when they cost $100 per megabyte. Now they are close to $1 per gigabyte!
*****
Post# 14742-3/3/2002-15:38 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Probably discontinued because of the high water and energy consumption. Although the fact that they lasted too long might have had something to do with things, too.
The later model had a white/grey speckled worktop. The worktop came as standard with the top loader, but was an optional extra on the twin tub.
*****
Post# 14743-3/3/2002-15:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
Fun with plumbing
MESSAGE: OK, I've been spending the day under hose replacing a run of galvanized water pipe. The hot water to the kitchen sink has slowed to an unacceptable trickle... since eventually I plan to redo the whole house in copper, I decided to just replace a short section of the current system with more galvanized.
A couple of interesting things:
The galvanized water pipe at Home Depot is made in Korea.
They say not to clean out rust from inside an existing galvanized pipe, but I did it anyway. After all this is a temp fix. I tested the flow through the cleaned section of pipe and it's pretty good now.
Naturally the existing vertical pipe to the sink broke off at the elbow underneath the floor as I was trying to remove the elbow. But I was able to cleanly cut off the stub and rethread it.
I'm on a late lunch break. I'll be checking back in later when I finish the job. It will be so nice to have good water pressure at the sink and dishwasher. Knock on redwood!
*****
Post# 14744-3/3/2002-15:40 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Ties)
MESSAGE: It beats the traditional method of putting tacking stitches into the tie in order to stop the insides bunching up and going out of shape. I don't even have a needle and thread in the house, but the sock method works just as well.
*****
Post# 14745-3/3/2002-16:01 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: A disk drive that requires a hot water supply? Does it wash clothes too? Perhaps load up Oracle for a heavy duty wash.
*****
Post# 14746-3/3/2002-17:43 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: It also has a great spin speed. 7200rpms should get your clothes dry.
*****
Post# 14747-3/3/2002-18:53 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT:
RE: Fun with plumbing
MESSAGE: Oh THAT kind of plumbing.......
*****
Post# 14748-3/3/2002-19:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Sorry to be so late replying. The figures I had seen were in the UK so would refer to our little FL washers, so I guess you could be right.
*****
Post# 14749-3/3/2002-19:30 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
A Very Exciting New Find...........
MESSAGE: Hi All,
I went out on an appliance call yesterday. Someone redoing an old house removed the Tappan Gas wall oven and gave it to me. Very nice and friendly people, it was in their garage, but they asked me if I wanted to see the renovations on the house. So they showed me around, and when we got to the basement, I gasped! A FOODARAMA! I flipped! Im sure they thought I was crazy, but they gave it to me! They told me it still worked, and I plugged it in, and sure enough it did! But upon closer look, its not a Kelvinator, but its sibling LEONARD! I never even knew American Motors made a Foodaram with the LEONARD name on it. But here it was, in the flesh so to speak, with a big "L" on the freezer door, and the Leonard crest on the frige side. The Breakfast Bar is still all intact as are all the shelves and crispers, both lights still worked, and of course the famous 'unrefrigerated' banana bin was still there. The only thing bad is the refrigerator handle is broken, but it was there stashed inside. Anyone have a spare? Its the same as the Kelvinator model..........I didnt have my camera with me, as I didnt know I would find such an exciting item! I will get some pics when I pic it up next week! Im so thrilled! Now, .....as Hillary Brook says........My family can eat better,,,,,Live better........IT's All Kelvinator!!!! Jimmy
*****
Post# 14750-3/3/2002-19:34 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Assisted passage - oh-er!)
MESSAGE: Bubbles,
Of course you may mention the Assisted Passage scheme. I believe it cost £10 from the UK to Australia. A close relie of my grandfather went to Canada as a young kid on one of these schemes. If the Govt still did it, I would get the hell out of this cold damp isle, to somewhere with a climate rather than weather.
*****
Post# 14751-3/3/2002-20:27 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED! (Dishwasher!)
MESSAGE: Robert - I remember watching Bewitched and remember seeing that dishwasher. It would be nice if they were all made that way, even today. But was the window a sears exclusive ot TOL model or something - does anyone know?
Peter
*****
Post# 14752-3/3/2002-20:42 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED! (Dishwasher!)
MESSAGE: The window was never offered, it was a sales floor demo model only.
*****
Post# 14753-3/3/2002-20:45 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (overdose of detergent)
MESSAGE: Jon Charles (Jetcone) just sent me some small videos (all under 1mb) from his experiment of "overdose of detergent" oversudsing action from his mid 1960's Frigidaire Rollermatic Washer...
LINK: http://classicappliances.com/temp-stuff.htm
*****
Post# 14754-3/3/2002-21:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, if this is the Filter Flo type washer, I wonder if perhaps it was discontinued around about the mid 1990s, when that design was also discontinued (very unfortunately) in America. Mikey has just obtained a reconditioned one and is enjoying using it very much.
QEOM
*****
Post# 14755-3/3/2002-21:27 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Thank you, Your Majesty, it is fun to see what this machine looks like.
QEOM
*****
Post# 14756-3/3/2002-21:32 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Wow, I hadn't thought about Fab in a long time, I did use that for a period of time in the 80s but it was never particularly easy to find so I think I just moved on back to Tide or whatever.
I really liked the Surf Tablets too at Rich's and would definitely use them. I have quite a few Wisk Tablets (I don't notice much scent, but they're not bleach ones and I'm not particularly sensitive) as we had a really good sale on them at the local grocery a while back.
Scott
*****
Post# 14757-3/3/2002-21:33 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Silly Plumbing!)
MESSAGE: Oh you sillies! That'll teach me to mention more than one topic at a time in a post... ;-)
I am happy to report that the operation was a success, but the patient may die...
Yep, I finally got the sink hot water up to a minimally acceptable flow rate (had to attach a garden hose to pipe stub under the sink and flush it out repeatedly!
The galvanized all went in pretty much as planned. OK, the old galvanized did break off under the kitchen, but like I said I was able to rethread it. All my new galvanized pipe fits perfectly and doesn't leak.
However, an old dielectric union that joins the hot galvanized supply to the copper run to the laundry closet had a bad solder joint. When I tightened up the union, the solder gave a bit and now there's a very slow drip there. Nothing to worry too much about, but I'll have to learn how to sweat copper next weekend after all. Maybe sooner... I've got a bucket down there, and if the leak shows signs of increasing I'll just cap that section off... I can do without laundry for a few days...
I'm beat to a pulp, have a mild cough and of course scrambling around under the house in a 2 1/2 foot crawl space isn't like lying in the sun on a beach in Hawaii.
The pipe stub under the sink to the dishwasher is deteriorating pretty badly, so I think I may be redoing all the plumbing in this place sooner than I expected. Might as well replace the water heater while I'm at it. Got my eye on a nice 12 year 50 gallon Maytag that's quite energy efficient.
*****
Post# 14758-3/3/2002-21:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: There was a really nice one of these at an estate sale last summer I kind of wish I had bought. I know Robert saw it too and has a picture of it. I'll look and see if I can find it sometime.
*****
Post# 14759-3/3/2002-21:35 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Windowed-lid ABC-O-Matic: Demo model?
MESSAGE: I think they were sold both ways, and the window lid models had a "G" (glass) suffix in their model numbers.
*****
Post# 14760-3/3/2002-21:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Choice tests)
MESSAGE: Kirk, Mikey (Chestermikeuk) just bought a reconditioned one of these machines and is enjoying using it thoroughly. I can't wait to see it!
*****
Post# 14761-3/3/2002-21:44 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: What is it about the Wisk HE liquid you don't like Suds?
*****
Post# 14762-3/3/2002-21:51 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I hate the smell, and it doesn't clean very well, in my experience. It is also too sudsy.
It worked better with STPP but mixing powder and liquid in the dispenser is not a great idea.
*****
Post# 14763-3/3/2002-22:06 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: Here are the pictures of that estate sale dishwasher that is at least similar to the Bewitched one.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/estatesale4/vwp?.dir=/Estate+Sale+Saturday+July+14+2001&.src=ph&.dnm=14+Lady+Kenmore+Dishwasher.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/estatesale4/lst%3f%26.dir=/Estate%2bSale%2bSaturday%2bJuly%2b14%2b2001%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14764-3/3/2002-22:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (just in case that first link fails...)
MESSAGE: try this one.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/estatesale4/vwp?.dir=/Estate+Sale+Saturday+July+14+2001&.src=ph&.dnm=14+Lady+Kenmore+Dishwasher.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/estatesale4/lst%3f%26.dir=/Estate%2bSale%2bSaturday%2bJuly%2b14%2b2001%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14765-3/3/2002-22:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED! (Thanks Unitmatic)
MESSAGE: That most definitely is the dishwasher. Obviously the model in the show was a demo machine. As I mentioned before, most people aren't interested in watching the washaction, that's why we are so special.
This model must have been a little gem in the kitchen performance wise, since it washed on two levels rather than one. I suppose the top basket was turned by the water action from the impeller below, which was in principle how my grandmothers 1954 Kenmore would have operated. I am particularly impressed with the self-cleaning filter feature, even now there are so many dishwashers that don't offer this. I just love the way this machine looks. I used to be such a snob about Kenmore, I always viewed it as the Sears discount brand - silly how one can be so deluded.
Thanks again ulimatic
*****
Post# 14766-3/3/2002-22:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED! (Thanks Unitmatic)
MESSAGE: That most definitely is the dishwasher. Obviously the model in the show was a demo machine. As I mentioned before, most people aren't interested in watching the washaction, that's why we are so special.
This model must have been a little gem in the kitchen performance wise, since it washed on two levels rather than one. I suppose the top basket was turned by the water action from the impeller below, which was in principle how my grandmothers 1954 Kenmore would have operated. I am particularly impressed with the self-cleaning filter feature, even now there are so many dishwashers that don't offer this. I just love the way this machine looks. I used to be such a snob about Kenmore, I always viewed it as the Sears discount brand - silly how one can be so deluded.
Thanks again unimatic
*****
Post# 14767-3/3/2002-22:30 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Bewitched Dishwasher Mystery SOLVED! (Thanks Unimatic)
MESSAGE: That most definitely is the dishwasher. Obviously the model in the show was a demo machine. As I mentioned before, most people aren't interested in watching the washaction, that's why we are so special.
This model must have been a little gem in the kitchen performance wise, since it washed on two levels rather than one. I suppose the top basket was turned by the water action from the impeller below, which was in principle how my grandmothers 1954 Kenmore would have operated. I am particularly impressed with the self-cleaning filter feature, even now there are so many dishwashers that don't offer this. I just love the way this machine looks. I used to be such a snob about Kenmore, I always viewed it as the Sears discount brand - silly how one can be so deluded.
Thanks again unimatic
*****
Post# 14768-3/3/2002-22:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
OOPS, Everybody, especially unimatic - please DISREGARD POSTS 14765 & 66
MESSAGE: A minor glitch people. Just ignore it.
*****
Post# 14769-3/3/2002-22:41 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Re: Suds Challenge
MESSAGE: I couldn't do it. My detergent wouldn't co-operate. I used my Amway SA8 'with Gelzyme' liquid detergent, four times the amount than was recommended by the manufacturer and there still were no suds. I would pour half the bottle in if the stuff wasn't so expensive. An ounce of SA8 costs more than the same amount of cocaine (I don't use that stuff by the way - makes me sneeze too much). So, you can understand that I will give it a miss.
*****
Post# 14770-3/3/2002-23:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (overdose of detergent)
MESSAGE: How fun!
What was that in the washer in the "Jet Action Revealed" clip -- a cat?
*****
Post# 14771-3/3/2002-23:06 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Frigidaire Vintage Tide Soap Cake)
MESSAGE: I love soap cakes - especially those with vintage Tide made in a Frigidaire!
We didn't overdose this one either - just soft water and Tide!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/wi57controltower/vwp?.dir=/My+first+Unimatic+-+The+WI-57&.src=ph&.dnm=Our+first+load+in+the+WI-57.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/wi57controltower/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bfirst%2bUnimatic%2b-%2bThe%2bWI-57%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14772-3/3/2002-23:19 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Jetcone overdose)
MESSAGE: That is just too much fun . . . the an-ti-ci-pation of waiting for the mountain of suds to finally fall in during the first spin.
There's a light coating of suds on the rinse water, but why does the water look so dirty/brown?
(Did the cat survive?)
*****
Post# 14773-3/3/2002-23:23 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: The new 10K rpm drives are even better...
*****
Post# 14774-3/3/2002-23:41 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: Why stop there? Seagate's Cheetah does 15,000 rpm. But I believe it's scsi only.
*****
Post# 14775-3/3/2002-00:38 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I have both Purex and Wisk tabs. I do like the Purex tabs very much but they leave white spots on dark clothes even in warm water. The wisk tabs i have found to be highly sudsing and they too dont dissolve well, The only thing I use powder for is whites and the white shower curtain and other white things so i use Tide w\Bleach powder for those items, everything else I use liquid for. Well heres the problem, i have an old Whirlpool with the Mondo Super Surgilator that when i wash anything below a large water level setting it thrashes the water around so violently that by the time 5 minutes passes i have a whole tub rediculously full of thick suds. even when i use less detergent. Someone said above that they dont like Tide HE and someone said they dont like Wisk HE would it matter if im only using it for darks?? what do you think??
*****
Post# 14776-3/4/2002-04:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Pinch away, be my guest, I love the word too.
Hair wash rows - yep, for one -'if you start washing your hair every day, you will always have to wash it every day'- turned out to be true, but so what! 'you'll make it more greasy' - it was greasy enough to fry chips as a teenager, so it needed washing frequently to keep the grease away - I do accept that theie may be come truth to this agument, but its too grosseroonie not to wash it, 'what time were you washing your hair last night? - I could hear the water running'.
And the worse - I bought horror of horrors, a push-on shower spray, to make hair washing easier. This was viewed with such disgust and suspicion, 'I don't know why you can't wash your hair in the bath like everyone else!'
Sorry to be so late responding, still catching up.
*****
Post# 14777-3/4/2002-04:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Sorry this is so late, I am still catching up with old posts.
I do use the long boil wash, every Wednesday, after my cleaning lady has visited. I boil cleaning cloths, tea-towels, cleaning towels and kitchen towels. Actually, confession time here - these items are not all white!, some of my cleaning towels are blue and some green, they are very old bathroom towels, that have been used and washed thousands of times before being consigned to cleaning towels - also because this is a cleaning load, I don't worry about it being that white - just sanitised. I do a pre-wash for this load, using a separate 50C min iron cycle rather than the auto-prewash cycle. This is so I can wash the synthetic mop-head in the prewash, remove the mop and continue the boil wash. I use lots of sodium percarbonate in both washes to aid sanitising and stain removal.
I wash my real whites, shirts, t-shirts, sheets, underwear, separately in a 60C cotton wash, with lots of oxygen bleach. Usually I use the long cycle and often add a 2 hour soak.
Jeans load - 60C. Cotton bedding, 60C. Towels - 60C. All separate loads. Brights and darks, I often mix, and wash in 40C cotton or 50C min iron followed by separate fast spin. All loads in this para are washed in Ecover powder, a non-bio plant based soap and detergent pwder with no bleach. If I get a bio stain, I use ecover bio tablets which contain bleach, or Persil colour liquid - though I hate the smell. Usually I would press the 'short' button for these loads, reducing the cycle to 1 hour with 2 rinses.
Coloured undies - 50C min iron, followed by separate fast spin, with Ecover non bio powder and lots of oxygen bleach to sanitise. 50C is the hotest safe wash, I believe, for elastic in the waist-bands.
I use the 40C quick (30Min) wash for navy and black clothes, separated. I use Ecover non-bio liquid for these, so that there is no waiting for powder to disolve, also seems to keep black, black. I use teh quick wash, as these are very small loads, usually 1 t-shirt each, sometimes 2.
Wool socks and sweaters in the 40C wool wash, with Ecover wool liquid.
All cycles above 40C, on the Miele, are profiled, heating to 40C for about 15 mins then continuing to full temp. As I use non-bio powder, I do not get much benefit from this. I also have rigged my cold-fill-only Miele to take hot water - I manually operate the valves to blend the water. Unless, I have a bio-stain, I fill everything except wool on full hot. DUe to the small volume of water, the resultant fill is probably around 40C anyway, so the machine waits (profile)til heating up to full temp.
All loads except the one with the mop, get ecover fabric conditioner. I only use about 1/4 of the recomended dose of detergent and conditioner.
I usually line dry or use a clothes horse (rack) for drying, to save electricity (cost and environment), but I put the laundry in the dryer for 10 mins with no heat to decrease it. Once dry on he line or rack, it gets 10 mins warm tumble followed by 10 mins cool-down tumble, which airs, softens and decreases it. If i do need to tumble dry, the wash gets a second fast spin to extract as much water as possible. Unless I am in a real rush, I then tumble dry on low (even cotton), I think it minimises crease and saves electricty. When in a bit of a rush, I tumble on high til just damp, then switch to low till fully dry (helps that I have a sensor dryer - most in UK are basic timer models).
This is probably far more info than any one wants - sorry I got carried away, but hey it may interest someone.
*****
Post# 14778-3/4/2002-05:30 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Just how closely related is it to the GE?
I know an appliance graveyard that has one of these Hotpoint TL's, they were never sold here in Aus so they are a real oddity here. But GE's were assembled here for years and are still sold here, imported. Do you think transmission parts from the older GE top loaders (US style) might fit? If I thought I could get parts I might adopt that Hotpoint. Though the other half would murder me...
Chris.
*****
Post# 14779-3/4/2002-06:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Meadowbank.)
MESSAGE: Hi CHris,
I'm still catching up here. I am really looking forward to seeing those Keymatic manuals. Thanks very much.
*****
Post# 14780-3/4/2002-06:12 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: Chris,
I may have posted this before -
If you sign up to the appliance repair group at Yahoo, Ian Tilley who runs the group knows plenty about Hotpoint TLs, they are his favourite machine. He is a washer repairman, so knows his stuff. I only read that group, and dont post there, so would not be known.
The group is very strongly UK based, info about Australian and US machines is very limited, but the UK Hotpoint TL wouldn't be a prob.
LINK: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/appliance-repair/
*****
Post# 14781-3/4/2002-07:01 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Who can identify the.... (What year was the pilot??)
MESSAGE: Thanks for posting that Scott. The upper rack was missing, that's why I didn't buy that if I remember correctly. I'm not sure if that machine is earlier or later than our '63 Bewitched DW.
*****
Post# 14782-3/4/2002-07:06 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (A good hard drive is easy to find...)
MESSAGE: I a few weeks ago I bought a new Western Digital 120gb (7200rpm) hard drive. It works wonderful, I installed it as a second drive so now I have 160gb total capacity. Video work takes up a lot of hard drive space.
*****
Post# 14783-3/4/2002-07:07 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Wisk Tabs)
MESSAGE: Actually, Glen, the Surf powders and liquids are very good sudsers. And let us not forget FAB liquids. If you have access to Ariel powder, that might be a good choice also, along with Dreft liquid.......
*****
Post# 14784-3/4/2002-07:11 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: A Very Exciting New Find...........
MESSAGE: Jimmy - what a wonderful find. And an unusual one also!! Congratulations!! I didn't know that Hillary Brooke was the Kelvinator spokesperson- I thought she was just on the old Abbott and Costello shows......
*****
Post# 14785-3/4/2002-07:13 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: A Very Exciting New Find...........
MESSAGE: Wow, congrats Jimmy! That must have been quite a refrigerator to schlepp home.
*****
Post# 14786-3/4/2002-07:15 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: I have to agree with Rich - the Wisk HE does an OK job on normal or lightly soiled clothes, but has a tough time with really dirty and stained things even with some pretreating. Also, I originally liked the fragrance but after a few bottles, it became bothersome. MAybe because when it was introduced, there were so few choices for HE products. Now that there are more choices that perform better, poor old Wisk takes a backseat.................
*****
Post# 14787-3/4/2002-07:27 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Geoff, for years I had the same problem with my old GE filter-flo. The constantly recirculating water and fast short stroke agitation made mountains of suds. Even now with my Amana, it can be a problem with low water level. I have used Tide HE powder. Though the fragrance is slightly stronger than I would like, it does a good job and is lower sudsing. A question though, why wouldn't you use Surf Tablets? They too are low suds and clean very well. The purple (floral) has a very light scent and leaves almost no fragrance in the clothes. I do not have any problems with dissolving, since I use very warm water on most of my things.
You mentioned FAB powder in your last post. Is FAB available to you? I ask because I see you too are in Connecticut and Colgate has told me FAB powders are no longer available in the Northeast.... So I would be interested to know if you have seen them in a store near you. Just where in CT are you?
Another option for you is a Colgate powder called Fresh Start. It is not available in stores anymore but can be obtained by the case through a distribution website "dei-services.com". It has always been a low suds powder - - you may remember that it came in a plastic bottle. I understand that regular FAB powder also is available through this website. So you have at least a few options.....
*****
Post# 14788-3/4/2002-07:29 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Wisk Tabs)
MESSAGE: Glenn - just thought of something - if you have a Mexican market near you, you could try to find a bottle of "Vel Rosita" for fine washables. Use plenty of it in hot softened water and you can have suds for days................
*****
Post# 14789-3/4/2002-08:52 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Hi Herr-Miele)
MESSAGE: You are quite right Herr-Miele,
The 'Assisted Passage' deal was one of those long-established Commonwealth incentives to ensure the spreading of the English gene pool throughout the Commonwealth. I don't know if other Europeans got the 10 pound deal also - I always thought that this was particularly aimed at white British subjects. I think it finished in the 60's, but if you know better, tell me.
You probably also know that during the 1920's and 30's social and genetic engineering concepts were being developed throughout the West. In the 1930's Australia was considered an experimental study ground to develop policies that would improve the health and social harmony of future British societies around the Commonwealth. I think social scientists of the time were researching the life-style differences between the Old Country and Australia to establish why Aussies were brawnier and healthier than their continental cousins. I think the 'White Australia' immigration policy was motivatd by such ideas, to ensure that the British gene pool remained relatively pure and unaffected by the interracial mixing of genes. It actually remained part of our immigration policy until the late 1970's. Although, it wasn't as stringently enforced after the end of WWII for economic, as well as social reasons.
I do know that, after the war, Australia experienced a severe labour shortage and initiated similar sponsorship deals in other European countries, to effectively and quickly solve this problem. I suppose for most of the twentieth century Australia's attractiveness was surpassed by the US. America was considerably closer to the European continent and had captured the imagination of most jaded Europeans of that time.
Straight after WWII, the US clamped down on immigration and introduced a whole new range of criteria that immigrants and refugees had to meet, before they were allowed a visa.
I actually spoke to my neighbour yesterday about this very issue. She is 86 and originally from Latvia and came here in 1945. I asked her why she decided to come here instead of North America. She said that her perception of the time was unfavorable of the US (she used the word arrogant), Canada was too cold, she didn't like the English (meddlesome and pompous imperialists she called them), but she saw Australia as this very young nation of still untapped potential that was going to make its own way, separate from England (and she is right). I can just imagine what life would have been like at that time - probably a little wild and rough around the edges, like the Wild West almost. Australia in the 40's and 50's was still pioneering material.
As you already know, the golden years are gone, even though we beat the Canadians last year in the UN survey list placing us at the No.1 spot for places to live in the world.
I am sure the others are already mumbling under their breath, asking themselves what all this has to do with washing machines. All I can say is, that had white man not immigrated here, washing machines probably wouldn't have made it to Oz.
Hope you get your teeth into this Herr-Miele.
Ta Ta for now
bubbles
*****
Post# 14790-3/4/2002-09:18 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hello foraloysius)
MESSAGE: My mother had one of those push-on shower spray thingies. I could never be bothered with using it, as it took an hour of fiddling with the taps in order to get the temperature right. I just held my breath and dunked my head under the water to rinse off :o)
I will never, ever let myself grow hair longer than a #1 crop again... I'm just far too lazy to look after it!
*****
Post# 14791-3/4/2002-09:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (UK Hotpoint toploader)
MESSAGE: I'm not entirely sure if the parts are interchangeable, as I've never seen a US-made GE in the flesh. The basic design is very similar, however, so it's a possibility.
*****
Post# 14792-3/4/2002-12:12 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Suds Challenge
MESSAGE: Amway SA8 will NOT suds. When I was in the Amway business I had some and tried and tried and tried to make it even suds, much less oversuds in my mom's small capacity Maytag and it wouldn't do it.
I'm going to try to overdose my Frigemore this Friday with clothes in it and make some video. I did it without any clothes and I got suds halfway up the window. It took all 4 rinses to get all the suds out of the drum. I'm gonna try again with some Tide (shouldn't be too hard to do) and video the results. The spins between the rinses are vital for suds removal.
The Frigemore did a good job of removing a half full drum of suds. By the 4th (final) rinse they were gone. This time, we'll have clothes in there so it may be interesting.
*****
Post# 14793-3/4/2002-12:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Spares)
MESSAGE: Chris, Kirk's reply to you made a lightbulb go off for me. If you look at Hotpoint UK's service website, link below, you can find exploded diagrams of teh TL washers and their parts. This may allow you to see if they are the same as GE.
To get the pics, select browse (I guess you could directly enter the model no, but I did not have it), hotpoint, washing machines, scroll to the bottom choose next, scroll down and choose a TL model No, I chose 1507. Once the part listing has appeared, click details to see the pics.
Hope this helps.
LINK: http://www.theservicecentre.co.uk
*****
Post# 14794-3/4/2002-12:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Hi Herr-Miele)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
It's quite fascinating stuff, how teh world has moved on, you just can't imagine such policies these days.
Yep, I too was wondering what it had to do with apps, 8 out of 10 for you serve there.
Anyway, I must away to see to some laundry. Wool socks just finished, dark cottons about to go in.
*****
Post# 14795-3/4/2002-13:18 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Very Interesting)
MESSAGE: That was a very interesting site to look at Herr-Miele. I looked at both the UK Hotpoint model 1507 and the 1509 and what is very interesting is I see a couple of parts from pre-1995 American GE's, but I also see MANY parts from the last of the solid-basket hotpoint's of the mid-1970's. I also see plenty of parts that I don't recognize. The transmission and clutch are very old Hotpoint like, but not exactly. This machine seems to have kept the mechanical design of our old Hotpoints and changed it into a modern perforated basket designed machine!
*****
Post# 14796-3/4/2002-13:57 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: That is all very interesting! Thanks!
*****
Post# 14797-3/4/2002-14:13 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (HE deteregent choices)
MESSAGE: Hi Geoff
Well, we all have our favorite detergents, huh? I'd suggest trying some and see what you think. I think either one those detergents would do a very good job on your colors.
I use Wisk HE over Tide HE. Why? Because Tide HE costs a lot more. Wisk HE is the same price as regular Wisk and can often be found on sale at the local market. I have never seen Tide HE on sale...although Tide's other formulas are often marked down.
I like Wisk HE...it does a great job for me and by the end of the cycle I cannot smell the fragrance on the clothes. Tide HE did a good job too, but I found it sudsed a lot more than Wisk did. I'm not knocking Tide HE, but if two products do the same job in my estimation, I'll go for the less expensive brand. I used Surf tabs w/bleach for white loads.
I'm just speaking from my experience. The clothes in our family, as a rule, don't get that dirty. So I don't have any laundry "challenges" as some folks might. If you have greasy, muddy, and stained clothes, then it may be a different story.
Rich
P.S. Our supermarket was out of Wisk HE for three weeks. I finally asked the manager about it because I was afraid they were dropping it. She said that they couldn't get any from their warehouse...their whole SoCal network was out of it. She assured me it would be back in as soon as they could get some and said it was a very good seller. So I guess others like it too. (Of course, California is probably ahead of the curve in the HE washing machine market, which may account for more HE detergent being used here.)
*****
Post# 14798-3/4/2002-16:10 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: ACHTUNG!!! HERR-MIELE!!! (Spares)
MESSAGE: Thanks for adding that - I completely forgot to mention it. We use the GDA websites every day at work, but they still slipped my mind.
I think virtually all the parts to those machines are still available. Wonder if Hotpoint have service manuals available? Should I ever be blessed with more space, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of these machines and fixing it up myself.
*****
Post# 14799-3/4/2002-16:39 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Look at the pictures in this vintage Bendix advertisement ...it looks like it has a drop-down door, rather than side-swing. I've never seen a Bendix like that. It says the ad is from 1938. Anyone???
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1077278619
*****
Post# 14800-3/4/2002-18:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Perhaps you should check again )
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles,
I never heard of a machine that can do a full wash and rinses in 15 litres, as someone else has commented on a small FL, 10-15 litres per fill is more common.
Checking my Miele manual, 5kg cottons - 52 litres for wash and 3 rinses. Wool/handwash cycle only 25 litres for wash and 2 rinses, though the max load is 1kg on this cycle - tell my double size heavy wool blankets that - I bet they make it take more than 25 litres!. Still its nice to know that when I chuck a single wool sweater in, I am using no more water than doing it by hand.
For the sake of completness, delicates (3 rinses) uses a high level fill and takes 75 litres, min iron (PP) uses 58 litres for low level wash and 3 medium level rinses. The manual only quotes a 40C PP, so no cooldown, I don't know how much extra is used for cooldown on the hot PP cycles.
*****
Post# 14801-3/4/2002-18:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (NEC air bubble)
MESSAGE: Hi,
I did a web search for this and found the machine, see below, but th eweb site gives so little info. I am guessing from your comments that these are impellor machines, but what is teh air bubble and what purpose is it supposed to serve.
I must admit that I dont understand why impellors cause so many problems, do teh impellors spin very fast. I briefly used a Hoover twin tub, which has an impellor on its side wall, if I remember correctly, it did not spin very fast and it did not reverse. I don't remember tangling being a problem.
LINK: http://www.nec.com.au/he/WASHING.htm
*****
Post# 14802-3/4/2002-18:30 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Hi Rich, that is the Deluxe cabinet version of the very first 1938 Bendix automatic washer. It is extremely rare, to say the least, in the 21st century.
*****
Post# 14803-3/4/2002-19:39 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT:
Bosch-Siemens U. S. Plant Expansion
MESSAGE: HFN newsweekly 2.18.02 By Gerry Beatty
NEW BERN, North Carolina-BSH Home Appliances Corp. is aiming to be a billion-dollar company within three or four years.
Already a growth enterprise, Bosch-Siemens American subsidiary expects an upward curve when a huge plant expansion here becomes operative. "Our first goal is 5% market share," said Hans-Peter Haase, BSH's chief executive officer and president. How soon? "As early as possible," he declared.
The strategy is called 20-20. He defined a fifth of the appliance market as upscale, and BSH wants a fifth of that segment. It's already achieved that in dishwashers.
"We sold 200,000 last year," built at the plant here, he told HFN shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday. We are an American dishwasher."
Bosch-Siemens claims it supplanted General Electric a year ago as the world's third largest maker of appliances (behind Electrolux and Whirlpool). 'To be a global company, we have to have a footprint in the American market," the largest one, said Haase, who is also one of Bosch-Siemens' five managing directors. Having him run BSH shows how important the corporation thinks the United States is. It's been nearly 11 years since Bosch moved into the American market with a dishwasher at the Kitchen/Bath show. In the interim, the company acquired Gaggenau and Thermador, giving it three distinct upscale brands.
The plant here, with about 150,000 square feet, began making dishwashers in 1997. It has since added electronic cooktops-Thermador last year, Bosch last week-and ventilation. Other core white goods except refrigerators, come from Europe.
Production will become domestic thanks to the two-step expansion here: 500,000 square feet initially budgeted at $154 million. "It's the largest single investment of BSH ever outside of Germany," said Michael Rockstroh, senior vice president of marketing.
When phase one concludes late next year, BSH will begin by adding its first ranges for the United States under the Bosch brand. Washers and dryers will follow in 2004. Further enlargement within five years from now will increase capacity for all these products.
Thermador cooking products also come from plants in Vernon, California and LaFollette, Tennesee. Gaggenau is strictly German made.
The inevitable question about refrigeration recurred. First this complex expansion "needs to be managed," said Rockstroh. "Refrigeration will come-in 200X." Intimating he knew what the final digit is, but wasn't ready to commit to a public timetable, he explained that development of refrigeration "is at the level of maturity that we are not comfortable yet. It hurts" not to be in the catagory, but there are other priorities.
"our strategy is to become a full-line company," Rockstroh said. "We need time to prepare a strategy," noted Haase. America has a lot of channels that need to be supplied. It needs to be thought out."
All three white-goods brands are getting a makeover this year. By December 31, 80% of the SKUs will be 2002 debutants, said Rockstroh. All of the new products will be at the Kitchen and Bath show, he added.
The company unveiled small kitchen appliances at the Gourmet Products Show last year and vacuum cleaners at the International Housewares Show last month. They come from a separate corporate entity in Europe. In the United States, BSH created a small appliance division last month.
"I was a little surprised by the success of the vacuum cleaners at the Housewares Show," said Haase. But production will remain in Europe for the forseeable future because "we have all the knowledge in Germany."
*****
Post# 14804-3/4/2002-19:44 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (HE deteregent choices)
MESSAGE: Rich - Do the Surf tabs really come with a "bleach alternative"?? Are you pleased with the results?? I have not seen those at all here in the Northeast - but then, it is almost impossible to find any of the Surf tabs at all. Once in a great while I will score some regular Surf tabs at a KMart 30 miles from me, but that is about all I can find. I have asked the grocery managers of the two dominant chains here - Stop&Shop and Shaw's and both have told me it is not available through their wholesaler............
*****
Post# 14805-3/4/2002-20:12 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Surf tabs)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus
I use the Surf tabs in the green and orange box that says "Original Scent with Active Oxygen." So it has an oxygen type bleaching system...I think it does a fantastic job on whites...they dazzle. My son has solid white towels in his bath and I can use two tablets on them with very little suds and clear rinsing results. I like using them...reminds me of my mom using Salvo in her 57 Westy Laundromat.
*****
Post# 14806-3/4/2002-21:11 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Availability of Surf Tabs)
MESSAGE: angus,
Ilive about (depending where you live in fairfield)10 (more or less)miles away from you. I have found Surf tablets aplenty at X-Pect Discounts in Milford also at Big Kmart. I BELIEVE, im not positive, that surf tablets are less than $3.00 at X-pect. They do sell them in a lot of places in Milford, i think possibly even at ShopRite! Hope this helps you!!
*****
Post# 14807-3/4/2002-22:01 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: A Very Exciting New Find...........
MESSAGE: Hillary Brook was also on an I LOVE LUCY episode, when Lucy was in England and went on a fox hunt. Hillary kept flirting with Ricky, and made Lucy mad. Hillary: "Ricky is such as prize......" Lucy: "Yes, and that prize belongs in MY box of Cracker Jack!" Jimmy
*****
Post# 14808-3/4/2002-22:10 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Thats the same model Bendix that I have! Wow, its rare? I got mine at an estate sale. The mother of the man I bought it from had just died. He told me he had won it in a contest for being a paperboy in 1939, and that his mother would never use it, but preferred her wringer. I guess it had never been used! Its a bolt down, and I hooked it up when I got it about 10 yrs ago, and it leaked, as the seals were dried out. Its one of my favorite machines, you just cant beat a Bendix!
*****
Post# 14809-3/4/2002-22:14 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
Norge
MESSAGE: Today I came across a Norge washer on the streets of Manhattan, two cycle automatic, solid basket. From what I could see, the control panel needs a new glass panel and a replacement drive belt: model # 231-181-0
Is this machine worth saving, for I'm not too familiar with the Norge line of washers?
*****
Post# 14810-3/4/2002-22:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (NEC air bubble)
MESSAGE: Hi Herr-Miele,
I think the air-bubbles thing is just another gimmick designed to sell an otherwise ordinary product. Although, I must admit that some of the more recent impeller designs have become a little more interesting. The LG not only has the turbo drum (without impeller), but they also sell a 'punch' agitator model. With this machine the impeller virtually covers the entire bottom of the drum, and it has four smaller impellers embedded in it. I assume that when the large impeller turns clockwise, the smaller ones go anti-clockwise and the entire process alternates. This obviously delivers greater water turbulence (hence punch).
Regarding the air bubbles, I came accross that type of machine about three or four years ago, for the first time ever. I believe it was Korean made and called the 'Omega washer'. Perhaps arrrhhhooo or gizmo can help out here. I saw this machine only once at David Jones, Castle Hill. The machine's impeller also had a very large diameter and its surface was shaped oddly, with strange lumps, bumps and jets to generate the air bubble effect. The machine that I looked at was a demonstration model, with a clear lid to show off the washing process that looked remarkably like that of an ordinary impeller machine. Its controls were rear mounted and completely electronic. From vague memory I also think its cycle times were longer than those of conventional agitator washers, more like a front-loader's actually. Although, the impeller oscillated, the wash action was meant to be gentler because of the impeller's unusual design, hence the prolonged washing times. The bubble action was meant to penetrate more deeply into the fabric and also enhance the detergent's effectiveness through 'enhanced oxygenation?' - it all sounded so familiar.
I went through the entire demo and sales spiel, but left the store relatively unimpressed, even though it was a nice looking machine.
*****
Post# 14811-3/4/2002-22:44 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (Reply to #14800)
MESSAGE: Well, mein Herr,
Now, I only vaguely recall hearing about such a machine myself. That is why I placed a question mark at the end of the sentence. It was a radio program that I happened to listen to a while ago and the presenter may have had his info wrong, anyway, I was quite incrdulous when I heard what I thought sounded like "a machine that only uses 15 litres of water for an entire wash."
The post that you got this from was actually more of a 'tongue in cheek' response to a couple of Sudsmaster's posts that preceeded #14510. He was just so serious, that I had to up the ante a little.
*****
Post# 14812-3/4/2002-23:52 ||| spiralator60 (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT:
RE: HERE IT IS!!! (Question to Harry)
MESSAGE: Thanks so much for posting the profiles! I really enjoyed reading through them. One question, though. What is the difference between a rating of "Good" and "Adequate" when describing the washing and extraction ability of the machines? What did the Choice staff use as a standard? I know that this is probably covered in great detail in the article, but I'm really curious!
*****
Post# 14813-3/4/2002-23:57 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Hi Jimmy
Rare? I guess so! It sounds like you have the very first automatic washing machine made...the deluxe model yet! Can you post pictures of it?
Rich
*****
Post# 14814-3/5/2002-06:24 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Rich,
I took some pics and sent them to Robert. Hopefully he can post them for me. Its just getting ready to be moved to my new house; for a washer that had never been used, it sure has some mileage on it! Jimmy
*****
Post# 14815-3/5/2002-07:02 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: A Very Exciting New Find...........
MESSAGE: Thanks, Jimmy - for years I knew I recognized her, but never made the connection that she was Hillary Brooke!!!
*****
Post# 14816-3/5/2002-07:02 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: Larry, that is a rather rare machine, especially a solid basket Norge. I would definately pick that one up if you can. Any solid basket washer is worth saving these days, but a solid basket Norge is REALLY rare. The drive belt is a standard hardware store belt so that will be easy for you to fix.
*****
Post# 14817-3/5/2002-07:06 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: Does it look like it is from the 50's or 60's?? Might it be a Timeline?? A Dispensomat?? I would think the solid basket identifies it as an earlier model.... It might certainly be worth saving - you just do not see Norges around at all..... I would say grab it - but this may be a better question for the technical experts here.........
*****
Post# 14818-3/5/2002-07:12 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Wow, great pictures Jimmy, thanks for sending them. I will post them for everyone later on in the day.
*****
Post# 14819-3/5/2002-07:20 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Surf tabs)
MESSAGE: Do the surf tabs dissolve better than the Purex tabs? The Purex works great but they leave flakes in the machine.
Life ain't nuthin' but washers and coasters
*****
Post# 14820-3/5/2002-07:27 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Air bubble)
MESSAGE: The latest Choice mag included the Omega Air injection washer.
It rated second last, only beating the Samsung Triflow, also an impeller washer. The Omega is made in Korea by Daewoo. The oOmega air injection rated second best for dirt removal (beaten only by Fisher and Paykel) but rated worst for spin efficiency, poorly for gentleness, energy and water efficiency.
I believe that air is pumped in under the impeller, which has holes in it to let the air through. A sad gimmick in my view.
The problem with impellers is that if the machine is even slightly overloaded the clothes on the bottom are thrashed whilst those on top hardly move at all. Their poor water efficiency stems from them needing to be lightly loaded. There must be lots of water to allow the clothes to move freely.
Earlier ones used a small diameter inpeller spinning fast (spin speed), later ones use a reduction gearbox underneath to drive a much larger inpeller at about one-seventh spin speed. This has helped to reduce tangling. Many machines have an impeller with a full height centre post, these are called a pul-gitator. I first saw them on Hitachis, then on Hoover Premiers and Simpson Genesis. Now virtually all Australian top loaders use a pul-gitator. Even the F&P smart drive is arguably a pul-gitator. A true agitator moves in an arc of less than 360 degrees, turned by a reciprocating gearbox. Pul-gitators, depending on the design, may move two or three revolutions each way, driven by a motor reversing to change agitation direction. Most Aussie ones do about a single revolution each way. The F&P does a different arc depending on the fill level, program and decisions its little brain makes along the way. Hitachi went from impellers to pul-gitators and now back to impellers.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14821-3/5/2002-07:47 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT:
RE: A Very Exciting New Find........... (Hillary Brooks)
MESSAGE: Hi Guys
Didn't she also play on "My Little Margie" as Vern Albright's love interest?
Bob
*****
Post# 14822-3/5/2002-08:05 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: I don't think it's neither. It has a 6" control panel face from the cabinet to the top of the console. It doesn't have a Dispensomat, just a normal 4 vane agitator without the burping feature.....
I'll see if I could get a friend to help me salvage this beast.
*****
Post# 14823-3/5/2002-08:38 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Speed Queen would fill the bill)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob, I got a chance to watch the sudsy challenge and it was very good. The Frigidaire did a good job with the challenge, it just hummed along doing its thing. I rememeber working in a lanudromat for a few years while in high school and they were Speed Queen machines. Well, I can tell you even though they didn't spin as fast as the Frigidaire does, they operated on the same principle with an overflow rinse before the first spin and all during the rinse phase. I do remember some customers putting too much detergent in them too, as suds would start to come out of the sides of lids during the overflow rinse at the end of the wash. But it never phased them, they went on to the spin portion of the cycle as it was nothing just like your frigidaire did. And then on to the rinse cycle with very similar results. I don't have this type of machine to video to try it, but I remember very well that they never poured suds onto the floor during the first spin withan overload of suds. Another machine with a good design!
*****
Post# 14824-3/5/2002-09:18 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Speed Queen would fill the bill)
MESSAGE: Hi Doug,
You are definately remembering correctly about those Speed Queens. The coin-op versions of vintage Speed Queen's spin at almost 800rpm which was plenty of speed to get rid of all those mounds suds!
BTW, I go by Uni or Robert, Appnut is our local Applianceville "Bob".
*****
Post# 14825-3/5/2002-09:24 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
Low Sudsing Dash - POD
MESSAGE: Did anyone notice what leading washer brand was missing from the list of manufacturer's listed in today's Dash advertisement in the Picture of the Day?
That's because Frigidaire did not recommend using any low sudings detergent because they were more expensive and less effective back then. I've seen Frigidaire advertise the fact that there is no need to use any of those "Expensive Low Suders" in a high speed spinning washer.
Of course proof of this can be seen in the Sudsy Challenge Video :)
*****
Post# 14826-3/5/2002-09:25 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Here are the pictures)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful '38 Bendix washer Jimmy. As promised it's now later in the day...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/filterflow1947/lst?&.dir=/1938+Bendix+Deluxe&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 14827-3/5/2002-10:25 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: I would salvage this if at all possible. Norge machines are so rare that this would be a real find! Puzzled about the control panel though - is it a rotary dial or a horizontal thing that looks like a ruler?? I assume the 4 vane agitator is the traditional Norge "Wave-Agitator" with the lid that opens to the rear. I am going to be real nosy now and ask what condition were the cabinet and tub in?? And more importantly, in what neighborhood did you find it?? Keep us posted.......
*****
Post# 14828-3/5/2002-10:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: What I'm puzzled about is if this Norge washer has a four-vane agitator, but does not have a burp-up-a-lator style lint filter, this washer might be very old, like my '56 Norge. I'm not sure, but I had assumed that all Norge washers from the late 50's on had the lint-filter agitator.
A Solid Basket Norge is a very RARE find, but it might even be more rare if this washer is a 1950's machine. This could be a very important find!
*****
Post# 14829-3/5/2002-10:49 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Some Pictures for Reference)
MESSAGE: Here is a link to a few photos of my 1956 Norge...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/lst?.dir=/Norge&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140%3fc%26.flabel=fld3%26.src=ph
*****
Post# 14830-3/5/2002-10:49 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge
MESSAGE: To start, it's on the west side of manhattan in the midtown area, the lid opens to the rear and the control panel is a rotary dial timer.
The cabinet is in fair (no dents) to poor condition because of scratches, as for the inner basket it looks OK. I'm not quite sure of the suspension because it was laying on its back.
*****
Post# 14831-3/5/2002-10:58 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Some Pictures for Reference)
MESSAGE: The inner basket is in the color of dark grey from what I could see because of poor lighting, the agitator is molded almost like the maytag, without the extra fins on the top of the agitator like what's in your photo.
I just hope that it's still there when I swing by there later this afternoon/tonight and I hope it could be transported by the trunk of my car, wish me luck.......
*****
Post# 14832-3/5/2002-11:16 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Some Pictures for Reference)
MESSAGE: How exciting, Larry I find its best to stretch out a little bit before trying to lift or canterlever that machine into a car or jeep, helps save your back. The Norge washers were relatively thin machines (25" or 27") so hopefully it should fit in your trunk.
Keep us posted, this is very exciting.
*****
Post# 14833-3/5/2002-11:48 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Here are the pictures)
MESSAGE: Thank Jimmy and Robert for sharing the pictures. Wow, the age is quite impressive. I didn't even know that automatic frontloaders were that old! What a treasure to own!
Louis
*****
Post# 14834-3/5/2002-11:57 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge (Surf tabs)
MESSAGE: Hi Jason
I've never used Purex tabs, but the Surf tabs disolve just fine. In fact, if I use just one tab on light soil loads, I put it in the dispenser and it completely disolves during the wash fill.
Rich
*****
Post# 14835-3/5/2002-12:04 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Here are the pictures)
MESSAGE: Wow! Great pictures! That machine is a real gem!! Thanks for posting, Robert. Hey Jimmy...what make of vacuum is that next to the washer?
Rich
*****
Post# 14836-3/5/2002-12:09 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge agitator)
MESSAGE: My aunt had a 1962 Norge solid basket washer with the burpilator filter. After about two years, she had the agitator replaced. The filter kept sucking up socks and handkerchiefs into it. The repairman put in a Norge four-vane wave agitator without a filter. He told my aunt that he replaced many burp-up filter agitators with the older model agitator for that reason.
*****
Post# 14837-3/5/2002-12:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Burping)
MESSAGE: Hi,
I am showing my ignorance again, but what is a burp-up filter please, how does it work? I would love to see a ppicture, if anyone can point me in teh right direction.
Many thanks
*****
Post# 14838-3/5/2002-12:43 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door?
MESSAGE: Jimmy / Robert
Thanks very much foor taking andposting these pictures. That washer is just stunning. I love the design around and below the door. The cabinet shape is quite lovely, very elegant.
Thanks guys.
*****
Post# 14839-3/5/2002-12:44 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Burp Away)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
The Norge Burp-a-lator (not its real name of course) has a lint filter that sucks water up through the agitator column and spits it out into a removable filter pan at the top of the agitator.
Here are some Burp-a-lator action shots I took a while back. I temporary replaced the agitator in my Norge with the filter-tator!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/miscbrands00/lst?.dir=/Norge+Burp-a-lator&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/miscbrands00/lst%3f.dir=/Norge%2bBurp-a-lator%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 14840-3/5/2002-12:56 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Robert,
What are the RPM on the Norges spin cycle?
And do you know how many strokes per minuets during agitation?
*****
Post# 14841-3/5/2002-12:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Robert,
I finally got to watch these videos last night. I was impressed, that Frigidaire really is a great washer. I wish we had them in the UK, I would love one. Watching any agiator is great fun, but that pulsator is just something else, I love it. The spin and suds removal was terrific.
I noticed that the pulsator pulled right down when in fast spin, is this the clutch or the centrifugal force, or some other reason? I also noticed that the basket gives little twirl at the start of the wash and rinse, I am guessing this is just the force of the water moving, but it looks good.
Thanks again.
*****
Post# 14842-3/5/2002-13:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Burp Away)
MESSAGE: Robert,
I do remember seeing these some time ago. Thanks for reminding me and explaining how it works. What a great idea isn't it.
What is its real name?
*****
Post# 14843-3/5/2002-13:06 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Here are the pictures)
MESSAGE: Hmmm. That could be the same model my mom had in the 50's... I remember the gray gasket... I really have to ask her about this. We're having a family reunion at Easter so maybe I can jog her memory then, along with that of my siblings.
*****
Post# 14844-3/5/2002-14:01 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge filtering action)
MESSAGE: Robert,
Very nice shots of the Norge filtering in action. Wasn't quite sure of how that worked. I thought it was done in similar fashion to the GE filterflo design, but its action is quite different. Boy I am learning something new all the time, its great!! Thanks for the action shots.
*****
Post# 14845-3/5/2002-14:11 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge)
MESSAGE: Robert am I correct to assume the their is not a pump that that makes the filter work? Is it the water action? My grandmother had a 73' Signature which was the same as a Norge. I liked the washer & it seemed to be a very powerful machine. It had the burpup filter with the softner dispenser on top of it. The only thing I realy didn't like about the machine was the big clunks it made after it started to drain going into spin. (I know some do like that sound). On those older Norge models with a solid tub I don't remember them making those clunking sounds. I had a Aunt that had one of those from about 63' before they went to the bigger performated tub. I remember it had a real great overflow rinse.
Peter
*****
Post# 14846-3/5/2002-14:28 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
eBay Serivs
MESSAGE: For you Servis fans in the UK...
-ph
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1078634158
*****
Post# 14847-3/5/2002-14:28 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
eBay Servis
MESSAGE: For you Servis fans in the UK...
-ph
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1078634158
*****
Post# 14848-3/5/2002-14:46 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Some Pictures for Reference)
MESSAGE: Excellent pictures, Robert! Without the filter, that agitator gives sort of a "lint-chaser ring" effect by back splashing water towards the drain holes, huh? Bet that was fun to watch during the overflow.
*****
Post# 14849-3/5/2002-15:53 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: The spin speed on a Norge is around 625rpm, I'm not sure about the washing speed, I'll have to look that up at home tonight.
*****
Post# 14850-3/5/2002-16:04 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Glad you enjoyed the videos Rich. The Unimatic is definately a one of a kind machine in many ways.
The tub "twirl" right as the washer starts to agitate is caused by the clutch torque spring unwinding. Once this spring unwinds, the side of the spring grabs onto the transmission housing and holds the brake and tub assemblies stationary.
On some Unimatics the agitator moves slighly just as the motor is coming up to speed and it is cutting out the start winding. It does this because as the start windings are de-energized the power of the motor is weakened but the tub isn't quite up to full speed yet. This causes a slight braking action for less than 1 second and sometimes the agitator moves like it does during the brake cycle. If you would like, study for a few moments this diagram I made about how the Unimatic Transmission works during agitation...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/frigidaire1140/vwp?.dir=/WI-57+Restoration&.dnm=Unimatic+Mechanism+Pulsation.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14851-3/5/2002-16:07 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Lint Filter Agitator)
MESSAGE: Lint Filter Agitator I believe.
*****
Post# 14852-3/5/2002-16:08 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter, nope the early Norges have the Ker-Klunk sound too.
*****
Post# 14853-3/5/2002-18:20 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Thanks Robert
It really is quite complicated, but the diamgram did help a lot. I like the cam system for making the pulsator move up and down, that bit seemed quite simple to me.
TL machines are fascinating, but they do seem very complex mechanically, at least to me at this stage of my learning.
The mechanics seem to take up a lot of room under the tub, what has happened to shrink the mechanics to allow the later larger tubs? From the consumder reports I saw that most of the older washers had an 8lb load, whereas modern TLs seem to average about 18lb.
*****
Post# 14854-3/5/2002-18:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (NEC air bubble)
MESSAGE: Thanks Bubbles,
It does sound like a gimmick, though of course oxygen is a bleaching agent, but I reckon there would be too little O2 actually contacting stains to have much of that effect.
I like teh sound of that punch agitator, 5 impellors in one, it will either clean well, or tangle to hell, but would be a site to see, especially in action.
*****
Post# 14855-3/5/2002-19:00 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Vacuum next to the Bendis is............)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich, That vacuum is a Regina Model 50 that I found in a basement of an old drugstore in Jersey........I redid the motor and cord, it works great!. Jimmy
*****
Post# 14856-3/5/2002-19:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Air bubble)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
Thanks for describing the problem with impellors. I guess that it was less of a problem in teh Hoover TT as it has a relatively narrow ub, so that no fabric would be that far from the impellor, whereas I understand that these Asian impellor machines have quite deep tubs. The large tub combined with no agitator must make people think that they can put large loads in.
I wonder how the Calypso scores on this. It claims to allow large bulky items to be washed, and it is surely a type of impellor.
Those pul-gitators sound interesting. Is the centre post usally plain, like the recent POD Hotpoint's hadwash adj or do they usually have vanes? Isn't a longer stroke supposed to reduce wear on clothes, Amana have trumpeted their 210 degree, so this should be a plus for these.
*****
Post# 14857-3/5/2002-20:17 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge agitator)
MESSAGE: OK I am going to sound terribly uninformed about this but I need clarification. This "burp-up" filter thing that is discussed -am I correct in assuming that the water is recirculated up, through and out of the top of the agitator? If so, I guess this is what Hotpoint would have called their "Fountain Filter" on the older solid basket, pre GE design machines.............
*****
Post# 14858-3/5/2002-20:25 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Oooooooh, that's a cool washer!)
MESSAGE: Thanks Robert - were you off today?
Jimmy, I didn't realize when you told me about this machine before that it was the squared "Deluxe" model, I was thinking the little round one. I am stunned at how good of shape it looks to be in for it's age! What a beautiful specimen that is. How badly dried are the seals? It would be quite a sight to see that little guy up and running again.
I won the brochure for that model today and will scan and post for everyone when it comes. I think it will be interesting to see the marketing strategies employed to lure a family into investing in a technology so new - and a great deal of money at that.
Thanks Jimmy - keep the pictures coming!
*****
Post# 14859-3/5/2002-20:31 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Robert, if I remember the Timeline correctly, didn't the agitation have a longer slower stroke than most other machines? So even if the strokes per minute were fewer than other machines they would have been as effective or more effective and gentler too, no???
*****
Post# 14860-3/5/2002-20:32 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
"Burp- Up" FIlter
MESSAGE: Well, I guess the pics of Robert's Norge answered my questions........
*****
Post# 14861-3/5/2002-20:47 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (impellers)
MESSAGE: Pul-gitators are as varible in design as more conventional agitators. The earliest one I am aware of was on Hitachis, which were also sold here as a GE 600N. They had a very slender centre postwith almost no vanes on the post. The lower bit had six or eight fine vanes. The GE versions had the words "agitator action" on the front, which distinguished them from the earlier version, otherwise identical, which had a small diameter impeller. Both machines looked cheap but seem in the long run to have been particularly reliable.
The Aussie ones were virtually copies of the Jap versions which were eating into their sales of small true agitator type machines, such as the Simpson Minimatic and Delta, and the Hoover front loading Zodiac. Hoover Premier and Simpson Genesis were the first Aussie machines of this type, both had severe teething troubles but seem to be reasonably OK now.
The gentleness seems to be a function of the speed and length of the stroke. (pardon me??) The Simpsons have a gearbox reduction of only 4 to 1, this means fast agitation speed and slower spin speed. They have tended to rate poorly in Choice tests. The Hoover Premiers had a 7-to-1 reduction, this allows a slower agitation stroke and wider diameter pul-gitator, and a faster spin speed. The F&P has a direct drive electronically controlled motor, so ne gearbox is necessary and agitation and spin speed are determined only by motor speed.
In choice tests the general overall rankings tend to be front loaders highest, then pul-gitator machines, then ordinary agitator machines, then impeller machines last. Of course this is a wild generalization, there is plenty of overlap.
I can't remember where I came across the term "pul-gitator" but it was in a manufacturers sales lit, I don't know how correct a term it is. But it seems a useful distinction from impeller (also called pulsator, though they don't pulsate) and agitator machines. F&P definately call theirs an agitator. The F&P one is wide enough to put your hand down inside it to undo the wingnut holding the agitator.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14862-3/5/2002-20:48 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Low Sudsing Dash - POD (It's true!)
MESSAGE: Frigidaire is the best with the "bubble cakes" than most other machines.
Did you also notice the man in front of the Westinghouse playing with the cycle knob? Maybe a secret washer fan...
*****
Post# 14863-3/5/2002-21:15 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Low Sudsing Dash - POD
MESSAGE: Robert, of course I immediately noticed the absence of Frigidaire. But I assumed what marketing actually pointed out in their ads--one of which I've never seen.
*****
Post# 14864-3/5/2002-21:28 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Here are the pictures)
MESSAGE: Thanks Jimmy & Robert for sharing the pics. A truly sexy washer. Although I wish the cycle timer knob had had a better quality photo pic instead of the glare so that I could read the timer better. Bob
*****
Post# 14865-3/5/2002-21:29 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Oooooooh, that's a cool washer!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Yes, this machine is in great shape. It does not leak too badly, just a little around the pump seals and sump. Will be an easy fix. Glad you got the brochure for it on ebay, I saw it and thought it was great. Will get some more pics of my collection soon. Trainguy was here from PA a couple of weeks ago, and was kind enought to help me move some of my Westinghouse machines to my new house....Thanks Rich!!!!
*****
Post# 14866-3/5/2002-21:41 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Low Sudsing Dash - POD (It's true!)
MESSAGE: I dunno greg, those strategically placed knobs of the dials of the westy were kinda erotic. Maybe he was missing his wife during the day LOL.
*****
Post# 14867-3/5/2002-21:43 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Oooooooh, that's a cool washer!)
MESSAGE: Jimmy, were you able to write in the contract of the house sale to keep the HOtpoiknt appliances from the old house (down the road) like I suggeseted?
*****
Post# 14868-3/5/2002-22:00 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
Welcome Home Norge
MESSAGE: I got it! :-))
It's in the basement waiting for me to fix. I thought it would not fit in my trunk of my car, but it did!
Thank you Robert, Angus and all for helping me make the right desision to bring this gem home away from home!
Last night when I set eyes on this machine, it was just looking for a person who would love her and bring her back to life! I just hope that I can!
The agitator has holes at the base and slots on the shaft itself. So It maybe a Burp-a-lator after all. Still, I'm not quite sure if it is one.
She will need a new power cord and other things to get her back in good running condition. Someone just didn't like me to bring her home in semi-good shape, so they cut the cord and try to end her life in the metal heavens from up above.(Recycling truck cometh in the morning)
Thanks again...
I'm going to need a camera so I can post these new finds.....
Larry
*****
Post# 14869-3/5/2002-22:36 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Sudsy Challenge
MESSAGE: Rich look at the diagram of early Unimatic Cutaways in the link below. As you can see most of the space of the washer is taken up by the cabinet or outer tub to catch the water that is quickly spun out of the tub.
Later, large capacity washers had an outer tub which is only slightly larger than the spin basket as it does not have to have a basin to catch the water, it drains the water slowly as the tub spun...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire&.dnm=Early+Frigidaire+Washer+Chart.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14870-3/5/2002-22:37 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Norge agitator)
MESSAGE: That is correct Anthony, the Fountain Filter operated on the same principle.
*****
Post# 14871-3/5/2002-22:39 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: drop-down bendix door? (Oooooooh, that's a cool washer!)
MESSAGE: No, I was just being naughty at work again. I have two computers on my desk so while one is running very boring reports, the other can be hard at work doing fun stuff.
*****
Post# 14872-3/5/2002-22:40 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Yes I would agree with that assesment Anthony.
*****
Post# 14873-3/5/2002-22:44 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge
MESSAGE: WOW, Congratulations Larry! This is just wonderful. You and I are the only two people in the entire world that we know of who has a solid basket Norge! Congrats. If the agitator has holes in it, its definately a burp-up Filter! I have complete repair information for solid basket Norge washers if you need.
Do you know how to replace the electrical cord?
Did you have any help moving it?
This is very EXCITING! Can't wait to see some pictures, what's the model #.
*****
Post# 14874-3/5/2002-22:49 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: I just looked up the specs on the vintage Norge. The agitation is 52 strokes per minute at 200 degrees. The spin speed is 620rpm.
*****
Post# 14875-3/5/2002-23:20 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Pulgitators)
MESSAGE: Hoover called its agitator/whatever a Power Pulse Agitator. It had 3 vanes that started at the top of the agitator and went straight down the shaft without flaring out or spiraling. When it hit the base it flared out along the skirt at about 45degree angle. On the premier it featured a perforated shaft with the lint filter inside the shaft. On the large Elite models it was a soldi shaft with a self cleaning lint filter.
Simpsons agitator was three large base fins along the skirt and four ear like vanes protruding from the centre post. It then changed to six vanes three with little ears at the top of the shaft and continuing straight down the shaft while the other three flared out as they went down. On large and snall models the lint filter was inside of the agitator
Simpson changed the shape of its agitators with each model change. Hoover didnt. I think the Hoover washed better and was not as rough on clothes. It appeared to do about 2 1/2 revolotions before turning while on the Simpson it was about 1 1/2.
Hitachi used the term Pulgitator.
What ever they call them the centre shaft really makes a huge difference in tangling. I think another reason for the high water use of the asian machines is that they rinse two, three, even four times with a total change of water, whereas the SImpson and Hoovers and F&P would spray rinse, deep rinse and spray rinse again. I always found our SImpson to rinse quite satisfactory. The Whirlpool we have doesnt spray rinse between wash and spin, but sprays after the rinse cycle. A spray before the rinse would be much more effective I believe. The rinsing is not as great for most thinks ok but certainly not for towels.
The best wash action for an agitator would have to be the Amana's 210 degree stroke. i belive the Atlantis has a 155 degree stroke, which would be pretty good but no one is allowed to see that thanks to its double lid switch.
*****
Post# 14876-3/5/2002-23:22 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: The later norge desings I have heard were good spinners? I this so? What are the spins speeds on the Maytag Atlanis and Performa PAV models?
Inquiring minds need to know!
Thanx
*****
Post# 14877-3/5/2002-23:40 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (NEC air bubble)
MESSAGE: The Omega is widely available still. It is made by Daewoo who also make the NEC machines. The NEC look like LG's with their front control pannel and fold up lid while the Omega poses as a Heavy Duty machine with an upright rear control panel and a metal lid and top. It looks kinda like a previous shape Whirlpol but with all electronic controls.
The Punch+3 Lg impeller is just a gimmick too. The little puslators do nothing to affect the water turbulence but just ride around. The Punch comes from its centre stub that is suppose to go up and down, producing a vertical water current to prevent tangling. Hitachi has the same thing to and calls it the "Pulse" and Samsung calls theirs the magic hand. It seems to me that Asian made machines must have some kind of gimmick to differentiate their machine from the competition.
*****
Post# 14878-3/6/2002-02:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Pulgitators)
MESSAGE: Wow, Chris & Harry
Thanks for that, a wealth of information. I have seen conventional agitators discussed here before, but not this type. There really is so much to washer technology and so much variety.
I would have thought the pul-gitators work best when the post has vanes to encourage roll-over to bring the clothes at the top down for some agitation. The stright post machines, I can see how they reduce tangling, but I guess that they would do no more to bring the top clothes down for cleaning than a normal impellor type.
I am surprised at the ammount of rinsing in these Asian machines, is that to make up for poor agitation performance, or is water so freely available in their home countries. It does sound very wasteful.
What a shame that multi-impellor washer does not have teh little impellors turning independantly, that would have been quite a sight.
*****
Post# 14879-3/6/2002-04:53 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Even though 52 SPM. is a little slow, but it makes up with the large vanes for cleaning ability.
Thanks for looking it up and is there a place I can get a repair manual for the Norge Line? My summer will be filled repairing this and a Golden Harvest Kenmore.
*****
Post# 14880-3/6/2002-05:15 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: What a smashing washer that is! So many options and I love the Dispensall! How was the lid of the Dispensall shut? With a magnet? And what is the button for next to the timer? Is there anybody on the club who owns one?
Louis
*****
Post# 14881-3/6/2002-05:15 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
(POD)
MESSAGE: Whatever happened to the GE Dispensall?
Was this the only model of GE that had the multi dispenser?
Are a few of these machines floating around and still working, I just need to know!
Help an agitated friend out......
Also, no one has said anything about the Gibson Fabric-matic washers. Does anyone have one of these in their collection?
Fill us in.......
*****
Post# 14882-3/6/2002-06:36 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge
MESSAGE: Congratulations, Larry - I cannot wait for pictures. As Robert said, this is an important find!!! Once it is up and running, perhaps some of us New York area members can pay a personal visit to see it live and up close...
*****
Post# 14883-3/6/2002-06:40 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Larry - I recently won a Norge washer master parts and repair manual covering models from 1933 to 1955. Depending on the model and year, this might help you out and you are welcome to borrow it if you need. Robert also offered help in this area....
*****
Post# 14884-3/6/2002-07:24 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: There is lots of repair information around in the club - Robert will have some, I have some and I'm sure there's more too. Keep an eye out on Ebay for the Repair Master series of books for for automatic washers. There were books for nearly every manufacturer. They are well written and illustrated to make repairs much easier in most cases. I have one of these for the Norge machines and can scan sections that you need as you get more into the restoration and find out what the washer needs.
Congrats on a great find! Will you be able to post pictures?
*****
Post# 14885-3/6/2002-07:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: I don't know if there's anyone out there who owns one, they weren't around for very long as they didn't work very well. There was a diverter valve inside the machine that diverted the recirculating filter-flo stream into the different sections of the Dispensall. There is a small latch on the front of the dispenser lid that held it down. I don't think you could open the main lid after the dispensers were filled for fear of spilling the contents. The button next to the timer was the "mini-quick" cycle that washed, rinsed and damp-dried clothes in about 10 minutes - using the mini-basket tub. That button probably engaged a different escapement in the timer, making it run faster. I think there was a cycle on the dial that was marked "mini-quick" too. I only ever saw one of these in a home, and it wasn't running so I never did see the dispenser working.
*****
Post# 14886-3/6/2002-07:52 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: Good concept: Big problem. Once you fill the dispensers, you have to wash with the lid down. A machine like this one that forbids lifting the lid would discourage young appliance enthusiasts from being able to watch. :-(
*****
Post# 14887-3/6/2002-08:05 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: Louis, in addition to what has been posted alredy, this machine's dispensing system was a nightmare in hard water environments particular. As for the switch on the control panel, it was for mini-quick on or off. If memory serves me correctly, the programmed soack cycle section was used for either mini-quick cycle (with switch on) or programmed soak cycle (with switch off position). I almost bought one as a closeout of model yer in April, 1978 when I got my GE, but decided against it. 1977 or 1978 was the last year of production of the Dispensall model.
*****
Post# 14888-3/6/2002-09:19 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge (YAY!!!)
MESSAGE: Congrats, Larry! Sounds like with a little work and guidance, you'll have this baby up and running in no time. Can't wait for the pics!
-ph
*****
Post# 14889-3/6/2002-09:22 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer (up or down, yawn anyway)
MESSAGE: I beleive this machine had the impotent straight vane agitator. Even with the lid up, you'd be yawning at the lack of washing action.
I think the mini-quick separate cycle came on other models. I think it was less expensive to put a quick cycle on the timer, probably in place of part of the soak cycle, than it was to have a 2 speed timer.
-ph
*****
Post# 14890-3/6/2002-09:28 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: (POD)
MESSAGE: Gibson... Oh dear... A Franklin tranmission machine. I think you may be hard pressed to find someone who even kind of wanted one of these. Was the Gibson Fabric-matic a push button model with tons of buttons to wash an entire wardrobe?
-ph
*****
Post# 14891-3/6/2002-09:42 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: I wouldn't call Calypso an impeller machine. An impeller in our world is more of a pseudo-agitator, or an agitation method of moving clothes submerged in water. Calypso is more of a wash plate, since it completely covers the bottom of the wash tub and the load is not submerged. The purpose is agitation, but it is much more in the same model of a front loader. The bouncing kind of mimics the clothes being dropped in a FL, and the vanes on the plate help move the load about for more even washing.
-ph
*****
Post# 14892-3/6/2002-09:49 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
new member recruitment
MESSAGE: I had a call last night from a gentleman who got my number from a used appliance shop in the city. You know you are going to have a good conversation when it starts off with "I don't know if you can help me, but I'm looking for a Frigidaire washer with the 1000 rpm spin."
Long story short, he's looking for one to use, since his "natural gas bill is not getting lower." He remembers his grandmothers Frigidaire with the double rinse, he remembers his other grandmother's Maytag AMP, he has a Kenmore wringer from 1940's in his garage. He knew the term "Rollermatic" and knows the 1-18's, but was enthralled when I told him about the Unimatic and Pulsamatic. In my estimation, he's just one short leap away from being a collector. He was amazed there is a club that does this!
I told him he'd might could get a Rapidry out of me, but only AFTER I get one for myself!
-ph
*****
Post# 14893-3/6/2002-09:55 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment
MESSAGE: Just reading this really put a smile on my face!
:-))
*****
Post# 14894-3/6/2002-09:56 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Agitate speed)
MESSAGE: Robert,
Might the wash speed on your Timeline be a bit slower than 52 spm due to the leaking transmission? What is the project timeline for the Norge restoration?
-ph
*****
Post# 14895-3/6/2002-10:00 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: (POD)
MESSAGE: Peter,
From what I could remember from `` Let's make a deal" and `` The price is right" way back in the late 70's and early 80's the Gibson machine was very similar to the Kelvinators before WCI took them over. I think the timer was to the far right, on the left was the water level, on the right of that was the temperature controls and in the center was the Fabric-matic dial in the center.
I'm not sure how it was put into use, but when I fine time to go to the main library here in Brooklyn one day before summer, I will see if they have any books on this machine, or old Consumers Reports.
*****
Post# 14896-3/6/2002-10:07 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Spin speed)
MESSAGE: Thanks gansky1,
as soon as I get a digital camera.
*****
Post# 14897-3/6/2002-10:20 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge (Good Luck with the Norge)
MESSAGE: Larry, Good Luck with the Norge! I hope its nothing major and its something minor which would be great. Hope you get it up and running real soon. And have fun with it!!
*****
Post# 14898-3/6/2002-10:26 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: I guess I have fallen for it's appearance, not for what's inside ;-) All these features make a wonderful picture though.
Louis
*****
Post# 14899-3/6/2002-11:07 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge (Good Luck with the Norge)
MESSAGE: Thanks, I let you guys know as soon as it gets warmer, the basement is like a walk in freezer without the compressor! lol.
*****
Post# 14900-3/6/2002-11:32 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Norge (Agitate speed)
MESSAGE: Maybe, but I really don't think so since I only noticed that agitation was slowing down when a lot of oil started leaking. That was at the same point that the spin also slowed down, all due to oil on the drive belt. I used that machine four about 4 years before the leaking started.
I plan on starting the restoration of the '56 Norge in the spring, probably April.
*****
Post# 14901-3/6/2002-12:42 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter
Thanks, I had not realised that the Calypso did not submerge the load. I knew it used catalyst action, ie concentrated sopay water to satuarate teh load and sprayed this about, but I thought that after a few minutes it filled right up.
As it is mimicing a FL action, does it have cycle times significantly longer that most TL machines? From this group I have learnt that large FLs can use a shorter cycle that small FLs, as clothes are dropped a greater distance, but I would think that the bouncing would not drop clothes a great distance.
Do any older machines use this action, or is it really new?
Sorry many questions. I am trying to give back to the group, and am currently doing the RMC tests that I promised and will report these later.
*****
Post# 14902-3/6/2002-14:33 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: Well, it finally happened. My friend at the local appliance emporium called me this morning with a Frigidaire find. It is a white "Gold Crown" series 1-18 - model #W3T22/ serial #42ED-0033. My initial cosmetic inspection evidenced the following:
- Overall the machine looks good and appears that it was not too beat up. The cabinet is in fairly good shape with some slight discoloration and a few scratches. No rust however - remarkable for this area! And he would only take $10. for the machine.
- The tub seems to be fine - no chips or rust and the power cord is still attached. It still has the original fabric softener dispenser which is a large flat round disc that screws onto the top of the agitator. It has a hole in the middle with a plastic cap. Very annoying - must be removed before you can get into the tub...... but an interesting feature nonetheless.....
- Immediate needs are: a new agitator - there is a big piece broken off the existing one. Interesting though, they must have continued to use the machine since the edges where the break occurred are worn smooth and are not jagged. It will also probably need a new lint filter - the existing one has a broken tab and does not snap into place. Of course it will need all new hoses as all of those are missing, and the lid needs those rubber dots on the edges so that it doesn't bang against the cabinet when it closes.
- All control knobs are attached, but there is no users manual...
Now I just have to figure out if it works or not and what to do about it. Can any of you tell me the age of this machine from the model/serial #'s?? I would guess late 70's....
Also, where do I go for necessary parts and repair manuals? I suspect this may not be easy, especially the agitator. As you may know, I am a complete repair novice and this looks like a promising machine, so I want to do it right. Any sources, insight or advice you can give me would be incredibly helpful. BTW, can I lay this down to transport it in the back of my old Saab or do I need to move it in an upright position??
Also observed today were a late 70's GE extra large capacity dryer with the huge door (model DDE8200PCH). I forgot how big those cabinets really were. I am fond of that style, but am not sure if this one is worth saving. And a beautiful 4 burner Magee gas range with the gas heater on the side. This thing was in magnificent shape. Probably from the mid 1950's but CLEAN inside and out - porcelain, oven and burners. Alas, I have no room for another range and I don't have access to gas anyway, but it was worth noting.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but wanted to make sure I gave as many details as possible. I appreciate your thoughts and ideas..........
*****
Post# 14903-3/6/2002-14:47 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
Philco Appliance Brochure
MESSAGE: I have also come across a 1965 Philco Appliance brochure with some interesting pictures. I should have the photos scanned in for everyone's enjoyment. It features TV's, stereo, refrigerators, ranges and laundry. The laundry section however only pictures one model - the very elusive Custom Imperial washer(model W2F8) and dryer (model D6F8), along with a Duomatic(model C7F8). What I found interesting is that the Custom Imperial was introduced in 1965 but that is the exact machine my friend had and I remember when his family got it new in late 1967. I guess it is possible that the model style did not change for a few years. Can't wait to share this with all of you - this really is a remarkable looking machine - very handsome. I wonder what the possibilities of finding one of these really is......
*****
Post# 14904-3/6/2002-15:30 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (YAY!!!)
MESSAGE: Congrats! As the transporter of many 1-18's you will have no problems laying it down -- on its side, with something absorbent under it. You use the side to protect the front and the things protuding from the back. The machine is quite light and if you tip it over, you can shove it into the car easily. That's how I do it in my RAV4.
Not sure about that model number. How many knobs and what options do they do?
The later model 1-18's have a single row of holes around the "slope" from the bottom of the basket to the sides. Later models also have the flow-thru filter, and the safety switch in the middle rear of the lid opening. They may also have a brushed aluminum background to the option and cycle indicators on the console, rather than a black background.
Here's what I do with mine: When you get it home, take off the front panel, and see if you can move the belt around in each direction. If the mechanism doesn't bind up, plug the machine in, set it for spin and see how it works. If no problem, connect up water, set it to low water level and slow speed, and start it up, watching underneath for leaks (and seeing how the mechanism works for agitation. I find it erotic!). If no leaks, set it for normal speed and check again. If no leaks, let it get to spin and make sure it drains. If so far so good, then you are almost there. Then try it with a high water level and some rags, checking for leaking.
If no leaking, then you might have a keeper, and further mechanical investigations will have to happen (like removing the wash tub to check the condition of the outer tub).
Let us know what you find out!
-ph
*****
Post# 14905-3/6/2002-15:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: Hi Angus,
Congratulations on your find. I hope this is a keeper. I used Steve B's 1-18 and I really liked it. If the machine is OK, I'm sure you will like it.
Louis
*****
Post# 14906-3/6/2002-16:26 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: WOW, its been quite a week so far in Applianceville for finding great machines.
Anthony you should definately get this machine to play with. You don't have to keep it if you don't want to, but it will be a wonderful machine for you to learn from. Not to mention it will be so much fun to wash in!
Congratulations!
*****
Post# 14907-3/6/2002-16:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Philco Appliance Brochure (Fabulous!)
MESSAGE: Eagerly anticipating!
*****
Post# 14908-3/6/2002-16:53 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (1/18)
MESSAGE: Best Of Luck - the 1/18 is my favorate washer. My Aunt had a '74 in Poppy - what a machine.
Peter
*****
Post# 14909-3/6/2002-17:23 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: This is good news to the ears and this is one of the best weeks of vintage appliances history! Good luck with your new find!
Keep us posted! :-))
*****
Post# 14910-3/6/2002-17:44 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: (POD)
MESSAGE: ...and don't forget the exclusive Gibson "Vacudry" system, whatever that means...
Was Gibson a name that was only started at that time? I have never seen a vintage Gibson ad of any kind, although I think there is a Gibson version of "Frigmore" today.
*****
Post# 14911-3/6/2002-18:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (Hi Peter)
MESSAGE: Is there a growing demand in the US for older, reconditioned washers, by people who are not satisfied with the performance of today's machines?
This is the impression I am getting from reading your post.
*****
Post# 14912-3/6/2002-18:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: (POD) (vacudry)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
I think I can help with vacudry. I was recently browsing Surgilators web site looking at Janney Semple Hill & Co brochure, link below. At the bottom of teh page, one of eth dryer's features is 'vacuum fluffed clothes' it explains that the sir is sucked through the cabinet, as I guess opposed to being blown through. Cant see it makes that much difference myself, though I guess it helps stop lint exscaping through small air leaks. I thought most dryers worked on suck rather than blow - Oh, I'm blushing now.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/surgilator/vwp?.dir=/Janney+Semple+Hill+%26+Co.&.dnm=TOL+Features+1956.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14913-3/6/2002-18:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Lover of Germanic Laundry Appliances (Herr-Miele),
Regardign the Calypso, the washplate system that is used in this machine, is supposed to reduce water usage and improve wash performance signifficantly, according to Whirlpool's (USA) claims. This was (and maybe still is), backed by a money-back guarantee if customers can prove that these claims are incorrect (who would ever dare?). Although, historically every new washer that hits the market has such claims attached to it. I would love for someone in this forum with experience in Calypso washing and overall performance to give an unadulterated opinion, please. I have the sneaking suspicion that this (new?) washplate technology may be prone to regular mechanical break-downs, perhaps? Do clothing articles get snagged between the washplate and the drum wall when the plate is thrashing about wildly?
I mentioned in an earlier post that Whirlpool Australia is not planning on bringing the Calypso here. They did not give a valid reason why, though I would have thought that with improved performance , increased capacity for bulky items and better water economy they could have a winner for the Aussie market. I suppose appliance importers work in mysterious ways - perhaps they are waiting for the US$ to drop or our $ to go up. The Calypso is a little more expensive than usual at about US$1200 retail. Naturally, you would have to double that in Australia to $2400 and add a little on top for import costs etc. I can see why Whirly has reservations about bringing it here. Yet, the Maytag Neptune initially cost AU$3500 when it first came out. Now they retail at around AU$2600 - still too costly for most people, even though it is the largest domestic fl machine on the market here.
NB - Regarding some previous comments made about the Amana washer applying a 210 degree stroke, that is actually Speed Queen's claim to fame. In fact, the Speed Queen washers that are sold in Oz (as Kleenmaid), look almost identical to the current Amana washer. Identical control panel, drum, agitator - the only thing different is the cabinet. The Amana has a higher kickboard than the Speed Queen. Must now be one and the same company? Who knows!
That is my contribution for now Mein Herr.
Cheers big ears
bubbles
*****
Post# 14914-3/6/2002-18:36 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Here's a link to the description of Calypso wash motion. I thought it used to have an animation, but can't find it.
LINK: http://calypso.whirlpool.com/calypso/calypso.asp
*****
Post# 14915-3/6/2002-18:39 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Ah - found it on the Kenmore site.
LINK: http://www.sears.com/sr/kenmore/elite/km_spotprod.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0672881242.1015461439@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccegadceigmlkkdcehgcemgdffmdfim.0&vertical=Kenmore&cat=Laundry&CategoryDCC=Laundry&Spotlight=3
*****
Post# 14916-3/6/2002-18:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: (POD) (vacudry)
MESSAGE: interesting; thanks!
*****
Post# 14917-3/6/2002-18:59 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: I think the designated start for the Mini-Quick cycle is in the Normal cycle section - I blew the picture up, but it's still hard to make out. There is a "Delicate" setting on the Perm Press cycle and another setting in normal, but no other designation in the soak cycle except for pre-wash.
Was the model you were looking at still an Americana badged machine? I thought the Americana machine was around '76 coinciding with the US bicentennial and then a panel change to the wood-grain look in 1978. I have an ad around here somewhere for a '78 GE, should dig that up.
*****
Post# 14918-3/6/2002-19:02 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer (Boring washer life...)
MESSAGE: I don't remember the straight vane agitator being THAT bad, but it was all we had growing up, besides the '81 Maytag, so there wasn't a lot of wash action in my life to judge! I was thrilled to see a Kenmore or Whirlpool from time to time, to give you an idea.....
I do remember the Mini-Quick cycle on later machines as well and it was a separate cycle on the timer.
*****
Post# 14919-3/6/2002-19:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RMCs)
MESSAGE: Hi all,
I promised to post some actual recorded RMCs from my towels wash today.
So you can double check my maths, I will give the weights in grams.
Dry - 3645g recorder after wash and tumble dry on the extra dry cycle, which took 1h 20m on high heat including the 10 min cool-down. Euro dryers are not fast.
Spin 1a 1100rpm long (6 min) 6500g 78% cotton cycle
Spin 2a 1100rpm long 6105g 67% separate spin cycle
Spin 1b 600rpm long 7625g 109% separate spin cycle
Spin 2b 600rpm long 7175g 97% separate spin cycle
Spin 1c 900rpm short 8255g 126% - pp cycle
Spin 1d 600rpm short 9103g 150% - delicate cycle
Between each batch of spins, a,b,c,d, I re-saturated teh load by selecting delicate cold, which gives a high level fill and allowed it to agitate for a minute or 2.
Spins 1b and 2b were 2nd spin cycles selected after the first spin had finished, so as to see how an even longer spin would affect results.
The long spins are about 6 minutes total, starting with a slower speed and ramping up to full. The speeds shown are teh machines stated max for that cycle, it may spin slower if its little heart desires for example if the load can not be properly ballanced.
The short spins are about 5 mins total cycle time, but spin time is actually 3 bursts of about 20 seconds. The rest of the time the drum turns in a distribution mode or just sits doing nothing. I guess this is a bonus on reall delicate stuff, lace and lingerie, butsince I don't have anything that delicate, I usuall reset for a long fast spin if I use these cycles. These spins were taken on the pp and delicate cycle by forwarding the cycle stage.
The load was all towels, 2 large bath sheets and 11 hand towels. There was room for more, but that was all that I had in need of laundering. My last recorded towel load gave RMCs of 66% after spin 1 and 59% after spin 2 on a load size of 4250g after drying, so a larger load seems to give better extraction.
My Miele's rated extraction is 55% RMC for cotton. I guess towels hold water better than flat cotton. Previous recorded RMS for flat cotton have been as low as 50% spin 1 and 46% spin 2 on heavy denim cotton bedding. Still I would have liked to have seen a better extraction performance than above.
What is interesting is to look at the vintage consumer reports, the 1140 Frigidaire avhieved, if I remember correctly, 36% RMC, trouncing a 2001 Miele.
For info, the towels were given a 60C cotton wash, 3 rinses, with about 20g (2 level table spoons) ecover detergent and about 7ml (1/2 teaspoon) ecover fabric conditioner.
I think I have included all details. I will let someone else do the rinse dilution maths if anyone wants, my brain is all but dead now.
*****
Post# 14920-3/6/2002-19:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment
MESSAGE: What sort of washer does your new friend have now? You may have some competition in the area now!
*****
Post# 14921-3/6/2002-19:26 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (1973-74)
MESSAGE: W3T22 was a 1973-74 vintage.
The shop you found this at may have some parts around - rollers and pump parts were pretty common, maybe some agitators too? If you start making some calls around to small "mom and pop" appliance service companies, you might find what you need. You should be able to use that agitator as long as the break is smooth and won't cause any snags while running - not perfect, but it will work. You can lay the machine on it's side without hurting it for the trip home. Peter's suggested testing should give you an idea if it works or not, once the weather is warm, I do most of this in the garage or outside so I don't have water everwhere in case of some leaking. Hook it up with a garden hose and give it whirl - a fun machine to play with even if you don't want to keep it!
Congrats and enjoy!
*****
Post# 14922-3/6/2002-20:02 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (1973-74)
MESSAGE: Thanks Greg. Actually the place that found it for me was a new appliance store - I know the guy in the warehouse so he called me as soon as the delivery guys pulled this out of someone's house. So I need to start making some calls. Will I need a specific parts list? And it looks like this will have to reside in the garage for a while anyway..... our laundry area is going to be redone soon.......
Now to find the Philco Custom Imperial.....
*****
Post# 14923-3/6/2002-21:54 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: My present just arrived from Ohio. I had not seen it, only had it described to me over the phone. It is a WI-65 Frigidaire Imperial Rapidry 1000. It has 6 push buttons, a water level switch, 2nd rinse switch, and a lighted console. It is in mint condition with the blue-green console, and solid tub. Porcelin is like new. It's a beauty. Took pics and will download in a couple of days. Just did my first load and the clothes are dryer than my F&P does them. This is so exciting!!!
It's my first vintage washer ... no longer a virgin!
*****
Post# 14924-3/6/2002-22:04 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: Having used a WCI65 for many years, I know you will really love the machine, as you would just about any GM Frigidaire. Enjoy!
*****
Post# 14925-3/6/2002-22:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
Eco Liquid Laundry Detergent
MESSAGE: I just did some loads of washable leather garden gloves plus some jeans, and then sheets and a mattress pad in my Neptune, using Ecos brand "Ultra Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent". The ingredients listed are:
Plant based surfactants, Soap Bark, Chamoile, Horsetail (plant not animal), Lavender, Roesemary, Cellulose Optical Brighener, Soy based fabric softener, essential oils of magnolias & lilies.
The leather gloves came out cleaner than they went in, but still stained by garden soil. They were very soiled, though. The sheets/mattress pad came out better, with a nice fragrance and a soft feel.
Next time I wash garden gloves I'll try adding some STPP first and then the Ecos liquid detergent. It should help remove the ground in soil but not be too harsh on the leather.
The bottle states "Great for front loading machines too!" and advises to use about 1 ounce for front loaders, and 2 ounces for top loaders. There was some oversudsing with the small load of gloves and jeans, but no oversudsing with the sheets. I added about 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) for the gloves load, and about 1.5 ounces for the load of sheets.
Although my initial impression was that this was a natural soap, it isn't. It apparently contains synthetic surfactants that are derived from plant ingredients, which would account for the lack of soap scum and its ability to produce a good lather in my moderately hard water. The Ecos cost US$9.99 for a 1 gallon/64 use bottle. I found it at Trader Joes.
*****
Post# 14926-3/6/2002-23:45 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment
MESSAGE: Yeah, another Frigidaire FAN!!! The pulse quickens!!!
*****
Post# 14927-3/6/2002-23:47 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Welcome Home Norge (Good Luck with the Norge)
MESSAGE: Larry congratulations on such a "solid" find.
*****
Post# 14928-3/6/2002-23:51 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: Greg, congratulations on the 1/18 find. It still has promise with the club's help. And gansky1 may be interested in that GE dryer.
*****
Post# 14929-3/6/2002-23:59 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: No Greg, the close out model I saw was of the "older" style panel. It was more of a brushed metallic scnario rather than wood grained, which was what mmine for 1978 was.
*****
Post# 14930-3/6/2002-00:04 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: Congratulations. I'm sure JasonL will wanna come over and play with the authentic frigidaire now.
*****
Post# 14931-3/6/2002-00:19 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!! (Yay!!)
MESSAGE: Congratulations on the first load!! We'd love to have pics of your new baby, is this your first Frigidaire?
*****
Post# 14932-3/7/2002-07:03 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RMCs)
MESSAGE: Interesting info Rich, how did you do your measurements? With a scale? Also, what does RMC stand for and how did you figure out the percentage?
*****
Post# 14933-3/7/2002-07:06 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (1973-74)
MESSAGE: If you hook it up with a garden hose, hook the hose up to the cold side of the water valve and be sure to put a cap on the hot water side, otherwise water will spray out of the hot side. You can get these outdoor faucet caps at any hardware store.
*****
Post# 14934-3/7/2002-07:08 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: How wonderful Todd! Congratulations, sound like a beautiful machine. I can't wait to see the pictures. Welcome to the world of up and down agitation, you wont go back!
*****
Post# 14935-3/7/2002-07:09 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: Yesterday's POD was from '74.
*****
Post# 14936-3/7/2002-07:14 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer
MESSAGE: 74!!?? Ugh, I'm getting old....
*****
Post# 14937-3/7/2002-09:46 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (Hi Peter)
MESSAGE: No, Bub, I don't think it is like that. To read the threads over at THS, you'd think we're in a state of revolt. Most people really could care less. They buy their washer, it breaks, they trash it and buy another. It's a rare person that thinks about it at all.
When people do think about it, they look forward, not back. Most people are looking to the newer stuff or the Euro imported stuff. They might remember Mom's washer lasting 30 years, but they don't want to find that old thing because it's already lasted 30 years and will probably break soon anyway.
Having old vintage stoves and refrigerators is very trendy and big business for that niche market. I've voiced my concerns that our little hobby of classic washer and dryer restoration may be the next big vogue trend. Yeah, good thing we are in this early, but I'm afraid that what the world views as Krusher fodder may become a real costly commodity.
Going back to our new friend, no, I think he just wants a machine that spins fast. He's boarderline to being a collector in that he remembers machines and knows what he wants, but I don't think he's one to dive in like some of us...
-ph
*****
Post# 14938-3/7/2002-09:53 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Jason HQOTS has a Calypso and can comment on its performance. He actually quite pleased with it.
On the other hand, the money back guarantee works quite well. Our 2 Sears outlet stores here in the Atlanta area are bursting at the seams with returned Calypsos, with the HEt3 close behind. On the other hand, you rarely find Frigemores in the outlets, and when you do, there are significantly fewer than the Calypso and the HE3t (5 compared to 50).
-ph
*****
Post# 14939-3/7/2002-09:57 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: POD, GE Americana washer (Boring washer life...)
MESSAGE: Well, in the GE large capacity machines, the original straigh vane had 4 tall vanes and 8 little ones - like about an inch tall - around the base. The later ones had 4 tall vanes that "bulked out" about 6 inches tall at the bottom, more like the SQ agitator. I'm sure the later one did much better just for the sheer size of the vanes.
-ph
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Post# 14940-3/7/2002-10:01 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: Wonderful! Does it have the round timer window or the square one? Great machine!
-ph
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Post# 14941-3/7/2002-10:03 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18 (1973-74)
MESSAGE: Or get a Y-connector hose, usually found with the other washer hoses at the hardware store...
-ph
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Post# 14942-3/7/2002-10:34 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (Hi Peter)
MESSAGE: Yes, but basic economics says that before vintage automatic washers become a "vogue trend" there has to be some sort of "demand". I have not seen any sign of any type of a growing demand for our beautiful machines.
*****
Post# 14943-3/7/2002-10:51 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Philco Appliance Brochure (Fabulous!)
MESSAGE: I second that!!!!
*****
Post# 14944-3/7/2002-12:33 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT:
the first "mini-basket"?
MESSAGE: Check out this old ad for the 1948 Horton wringer washer with a "mini-basket." The agitator had to be removed to use this one...it didn't slip over the agitator like GE's did decades later. If Horton had designed it to slip over the agitator, it could have worked like the one Hotpoint automatics had for a while that allowed you to wash two small loads of clothes at the same time with different water temps and laundry additives in each one.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/golittlesport/vwp?.dir=/Further+Vintage+Advertisements&.src=ph&.dnm=Horton+wringer+mini-basket.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/golittlesport/lst%3f%26.dir=/Further%2bVintage%2bAdvertisements%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 14945-3/7/2002-13:41 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: the first "mini-basket"?
MESSAGE: I wonder how long the machine lasted before the spline of the shaft was stript because of the weight of the water and basket?
*****
Post# 14946-3/7/2002-14:49 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT:
Miss Electric Chicken
MESSAGE: Hello Boys,
I've been away for a while but I thought I'd drop by applianceville, to see how you're all doing and because I have a question for you-all.
I found a truly fabulous old Westinghouse Roaster Oven that must predate WWII. Instead of the cover plate I'm used to, it has a aluminum plate with a very stylized deco sort of woman holding a platter with some sort of bird on it (hence the nickname Miss Electric Chicken)
She heats well and all that, but her insert pan is a bit corroded. It's black enamel, so it's hard to tell if it's rust or what, but I'd like to just get a new one so I can show it off at the next potluck.
Does anybody have an extra insert lying around that they'd be willing to part with? I've been scouring the thrift shops, but you can't find them for love or money.
Thanks!
Dan
*****
Post# 14947-3/7/2002-18:27 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Pulgitators)
MESSAGE: Perhaps I'm wrong on this one, but I'm sure the Speed Queen commercial top loaders use the same agitation stroke as the Amana. I've used a Speed Queen on about a dozen visits to the launderette, and found that they do a really good job, even when I filled the tub to capacity with denims or towels.
The Speed Queen seems to rinse well, too, maybe because the water runs down from the entire circumference of the tub ring during the spray rinse. Not sure if the Amana works on the same system, as there's no mention of it on their website.
*****
Post# 14948-3/7/2002-18:31 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!! (A good year)
MESSAGE: Does anyone have any pics or liturature from the '65 models? I'm pretty sure that's the year of the machine we had as a kid (round timer window). I miss it... (seems like you never see that model year)
*****
Post# 14949-3/7/2002-18:49 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT:
"qoutable quote" lesson for life
MESSAGE: Heard this one today at lunch. Just something to think about: Flatter me; and I may not believe you, Criticize me; and I may not like you, Encourage me; and I'll never forget you!
*****
Post# 14950-3/7/2002-19:44 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Pulgitators)
MESSAGE: The Amana spray rinse does not cover the circumference of the tub. It sprays from the fill tube which is stationary at the back of the tub. Of course this is on a newer "Goodman built" not a "Raytheon built Amana"....
*****
Post# 14951-3/7/2002-20:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Pulgitators)
MESSAGE: From what I can tell, the Speed Queens and Amanas are similar in some ways, but different in others. I just noticed, from looking at the websites, that the Speed Queen is the smaller of the two, both in physical size and capacity. So obviously the Amana has been "domesticated" to provide the capacity required by the average consumer.
*****
Post# 14952-3/7/2002-21:08 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: The Raytheon fill flume was fixed in the back of the tub, but directed right into the ring. The ring changed to a more slanted design in later years since it's introduction in 1980'ish. When the machine is spinning, I don't see how much water is actually getting into the clothes basket through that spinning filter ring, much like the Hotpoint and GE models of the same filter concept. I've watched the spray rinse and only a few splashes of water are coming through, and then only to the top-most clothes in the basket. I guess it cleans the ring quite well, but there's hardly a need to do that when there was not even a recirculating pump on newer machines - none of the ones I've seen lately have any recirculating filter at all.
What are the new Amana models like? Did they change the fill flume to spray directly into the basket instead of through the "filter" ring?
*****
Post# 14953-3/7/2002-22:52 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
Why Jill Clark is a Gibson Girl....
MESSAGE: Here's a scan of an ad for Gibson Washers with the Fabriguide dial in the center. This may be a later model than we were talking about the other day, but doesn't that "double scrub" washing action sound divine? All without using any more hot water or detergent - and a cheap, weak clutch!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Ads+Articles+Brochures&.dnm=The+Gibson+Girl.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14954-3/7/2002-23:10 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!! (WCI 65)
MESSAGE: You can see one picture in the Wanted section of the club and here's another scan of an ad too.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Ads+Articles+Brochures&.dnm=Frigidaire+WCI+65.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t
*****
Post# 14955-3/7/2002-23:11 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (Hi Peter)
MESSAGE: Thanks Peter,
I think you surmise the general attitude towards washers (and appliances in general) accurately. Most people just aren't interested and that is probably also why the industry can repackage old ideas as new ones. People generally have short memories about most things that surround them in their daily lives and if you asked the average person out there what type of fridge or washer their mom used to have, they'd probably be stumped.
Just out of interest, about 15 to 20 years ago, there used to be a bit of an industry in re-conditioning and selling used appliances, particularly washers and fridges. Many electricians used to run such outlets as a sideline business, selling their spruced-up items for a neat little profit with a 6 month warranty attached. Surprisingly, they used to turn over quite a bit of merchandise. Now this sort of thing has virtually disappeared.
Yuppie culture too is changing attitudes towards homemaking and the things that people buy over here. Vintage stoves and fridges haven't taken off yet, but I think that this will be a growing specialty market also (we are usually a couple of years behind the US with such trends). There is a guy in Sydney, who re-conditions old fridges (1940's to 50's) and turns them into functional art objects with murals and wild electric color schemes.
Hostess style ranges, the 40" wide types, from the 70's and before, are now so rare that there definitely will be a growing demand for them. Retro styling is a trend thing and people don't necessarily want the newest and latest, but something that is more individulistic. I think it also has to do with creating comfort zones with the things that we have known as children.
I am planning on creating my very own vintage 1970's style kitchen - all timber with a vintage 40" electric St George Hostess Range. I have been keeping my eyes peeled everywhere, but can't find any that are in good enough knick to restore. All the good ones, that I have come accross, are still in use and their owners will be damned before parting with them.
Life is a challenge.
Bubbles
*****
Post# 14956-3/7/2002-23:19 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: the first "mini-basket"?
MESSAGE: Montgomery Wards had one like this in 1969, called the "Tini-Tub," but it slipped over the agitator and could be used simultaneously with clothes washing in the lower portion of the tub.
*****
Post# 14957-3/7/2002-00:03 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Am I missing something? If there is no recirculating pump, now did the filter work?
*****
Post# 14958-3/7/2002-01:50 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: Yes Robert, the best forms of washing are pulsating agitators and front loading washers as far as I'm concerned. The most gentle of any laundry process.
*****
Post# 14959-3/7/2002-01:52 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
Hi.... Its Good To be Back!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Everyone
Thanks for all your messages and support over the past month, its what makes this club so special.....
Look forward to catching up with all the news and new appliances, and a special "HELLO" to all our new members, and I hear we have new members from UK as well....
I see we have convention details posted, looking forward to seeing you all there....(Jason ,will post details to you now!!!)
To our new friends, if you fancy being part of the "Washarama Party" get your tickets booked....its soooo much fun, and where else could you meet likeminded friends and historic appliances that you can use!!!!
Cheers for now, Mike
*****
Post# 14960-3/8/2002-02:40 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: Finally got a UK made Hotpoint TL washer, FAB machine to use...
This model first appeared in the early 70`s, ( the other previous auto TL British machine was the Servis MK22 which made its debut in 1963...
It has not changed its design and style in all the years of production up to the 90`s except for upgraded power transmission, clutch and programmer, plus Temp Contol Modules liked to tub thermostats and Thermistors etc. The first models used a "Timeline" programmer with variable temp control & various options, water fill etc...
This model is the 9605w, made in 1989,(looks like the pic Louis posted) 22inches wide, 10lb cotton load, Filter Flo with filter pan which doubles a detergent dispenser....
The programmer is like the FL`s set programmes linked to the timer with various options....the main difference I note over the US machines is the temperature options, instead of cold/cool/warm/hot etc this has precise defined temps linked to the wash programme... so I can go from cold through 30,40,50,60,70,85,90, & 95nr boil...just like the new FL`s.
The difference is on fill, it doesnt fill through the Filter Flow Flume, it mixes in the outer tub to control the temp and then adjusts with the built in heater if needed, which sits in a well in the polypropylene outer tub, then flows through to the inner tub through the holes in the vitreous enamelled spintub.
The agi is the "Famous Spiraclean" same as the twin tubs, not changed in all the years of production, turning 180d stroke at 74 oscilation per min (more vigerous than the Servis). The programmer covers all the nine international wash-care label codes, then has the following options...
1/2 LOAD, SHORT SPIN - which lowers the revs and shortens the time, RINSE HOLD - for adding conditioner, GENTLE ACTION -reduces agitation on/off etc, HEAVY SOIL/SUPERWASH - all Hotpoint machines are programmed for low energy use, i.e. each defined wash programme is automatically programmed 10d under the set temp, so if you select prog 5 40d wash, will do this at 30 unless you select Heavy Soil or Superwash to take it to the correct temp.... and ECONOMY which enables you to use your own hot water and cuts out the heater (which is great now I have the new Worcester/Bosch big combi next to it, can wack up the boiler temp and dial in steaming hot water...
AND... of course the SPIN SPEED which is 1050 revs!!! But I`m sure I can make a few tweeks to take it to 1150 just for Roberts sake!!!! LOL
Have used the steamy boil wash with of course LUX SOAP FLAKES which we can still get here, but production has been stopped finally at christmas, so busy buying up any I see.... really takes you back seeing the steam rising and the smell wafting through the house....
So thats me for now, feel the need of a Lux Flake wash, hope to update the photos this weekend...
Cheers, Mike
*****
Post# 14961-3/8/2002-04:45 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
Kenmore
MESSAGE: While looking in gansky1's photo albums, I came across one page of a sears catalog which had the machine my parents used for 15 years of my life. We could of held onto that machine much longer if we would of changed the motor than listening to the repair man suggesting that we should replace the machine instead if fixing this avocado Kenmore!
Even though it said portable, by all means it was a standard in that 24" box. It held at least 12-14 lbs. of clothes, 1 water level, 2 wash and spin speed, three cycles: Normal, Delicate, Permanent Press with the exclusive 2 partial drain and fill while agitating cool down cycle.
Boy do I miss the sound that kenmore makes when it goes into the spin cycle!
And also, we had a portable electric dryer that is still in use today by my cousin who lives in the same building. The only thing that was changed on the dryer was the lint filter and the door latch. Otherwise, everything else is still intact.
Larry
*****
Post# 14962-3/8/2002-04:58 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT:
RE: Kenmore
MESSAGE: I forgot to add the link:
It's the first machine.......
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Ads+Articles+Brochures&.dnm=%2768+KM+18lb+Washer.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 14963-3/8/2002-05:57 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: Hi Mr-Bubbles.
What is a hostess style range?
I have recently seen a couple of Simpson Fabulous 400 ranges advertised in the Trading Post, they are the stainless steel ones with the pull-out hotplates. They would be the same as the Tappan fabulous stoves from the US. The first stove my patents had was a Simpson-Tappan fom 1958. I guess it was Tappan technology made under license by Simpson. It had a waist-high griller (broiler) in the usual Aussie style, not below the oven like I understand is normal for US stoves.
They replaced it in the late 70's or early 80's with a Westinghouse stove which although a TOL was a piece of crap. It had solid hotplates which overheated regardless of the setting, the top panel buckled so that the hotplates sat at all angles, and the oven door never sealed from new, and never got fixed despite several service calls. It lasted less than half the life of the Simpson-Tappan.
Chris.
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Post# 14964-3/8/2002-06:10 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Kleenmaid)
MESSAGE: Your reference to the Speed Queen/Kleenmaid reminded me...I saw a Kleenmaid for sale in a second hand store in Colac. It was beige in colour, it looked vaguely familiar but I have never seen one of this model before...I opened the lid, there was a "Super-Surgilator" inside. It was Whirlpool. It was labelled "Made in Brazil" on the back. I guess it looked late 80's in style. Would anyone know or like to hazard a guess if Whirlpool sold off the plant to make its belt-drive models to a Brazilian company?? I know of several cars made in Soviet countries that were transplanted obsolete Western-European designs, and Daewoo made superseded Opels for a while too. But I have never heard of this happening in appliances before.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14965-3/8/2002-06:12 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken
MESSAGE: So what's a potluck?
Chris
*****
Post# 14966-3/8/2002-06:19 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: First Find : an honest to goodness 1-18
MESSAGE: Good luck with your exciting find.
When I was an exchange student in Chicago area my host mom had a Frigidaire which I think was a 1-18. I was really impressed with it. Everything came out clean and it never once went off-balance in the whole year I was there. A big advance over the Aussie-made Frigidaire my family had previously.
...Reminds me of the host-mom's laundry habits. She said she hated sorting laundry so it had to be all colour-coded. Each male in the house had socks and undies in a certain colour. Blue, grey and green were already taken so she bough me all new stuff in black. My own socks and undies I had brought from Aus stayed in the suitcase for the entire stay!
Chris.
Chris.
*****
Post# 14967-3/8/2002-06:46 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (oops)
MESSAGE: oops, that was the first stove my PARENTS had, not my patents...
Chris.
*****
Post# 14968-3/8/2002-07:02 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (broiler)
MESSAGE: In US style gas stoves/ovens you are correct that the broiler is usually under the oven (using the same gas ring. For electric it's in the same oven, seperate element on top.
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Post# 14969-3/8/2002-07:08 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken (Potlucks)
MESSAGE: A potluck is a dinner party where each guest brings part of the meal. Some hosts keep it pretty free form (you end up with 30 deserts or, worse, 30 bags of dinner rolls the guests picked up on the way). Other hosts are more strict ("you will bring banana pudding with whipped cream and be sure there are at least 2 vanilla wafers per person. Oh, and be sure the bananas aren't too ripe or they will dissolve. Oh, but be sure they aren't too green or they won't be sweet. Why don't you use my grandmother's recipie, here's a copy. Perhaps you should do a trial run the day before and let me check it out"). Avoid potlucks at Martha Stewart's house.
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Post# 14970-3/8/2002-07:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken (Potluck again)
MESSAGE: I should mention that the considerate host assigns a category to the guest and leaves the actual dish to the guest's discretion. It is customary, however, for the guest to tell the host what he/she will bring. The host then replies "oh, that sounds wonderful" - and based on the tone of voice the guest knows whether or not to suggest something else.
You need to bring dessert.
I think I'll bring my famous cherry and spinach pie
oh, that sounds wonderfull.
Or, I could bring a nice minced meat soufle
oh, that sounds wonderfull.
...er...I could go to the bakery and spend a weeks salary on a 7-layer german chocolate cake.
Oooohhhh, THAT sounds wonderfull.
*****
Post# 14971-3/8/2002-07:57 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: It's finally here!!!
MESSAGE: Peter,
It has the round timer window
*****
Post# 14972-3/8/2002-08:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo,
I am sure you remember those big ranges, with dual ovens, four, five or six hotplates and plenty of room to cook with more than two or three pots at the same time. They came with nice, big splash-backs, the electric ones had their controls rear-mounted and the grill was inside one of the ovens. They often had rotisseries, timers and all the other mod cons that were available at the time. St George made a beautiful one with 5 hotplates right up to the late eighties, before they went bust. There used to be one at one of the places where I worked, they had a catering kitchen for corporate functions and I fell in love with it. It had the two ovens, one larger, the other a little smaller, one warming and a storage drawer and the splash-back was in woodgrain with nice, black and chrome buttons. It also had a rotisserie and the elements were monotubes.
I have heard these types of stoves referred to as hostess ranges and, I guess, the word stuck.
Our first cooking appliance in Oz, was a Simpson black glass cook top with solid hotplates. With that came a Chef electric oven and grill with black glass doors. Both were good appliances. In between then and where I am now, I have cooked on numerous stoves, including an old Frigidaire that dated back to the early seventies and was one of those 30" wide US style ranges with radiant coil hotplates and a grill inside the oven. Now I own a Smeg stainless steel cooktop (12 years old), with four gas burners and two solid electric hotplates (which I hardly ever use). My oven is a grey glass Westinghouse fan-forced gas number with grill underneath.
I am reasonably happy with the Smeg cooktop, its adequate. The electric hotplates, even though I rarely use them and follow the recommended maintenance instructions, using that black stuff that one is supposed to smear on them, are rusting away slowly. The auto igniters for the gas burners have failed, all but one. The actual potstands are my greatest point of dissatisfaction. There are two sitting side by side, covering all four burners. Their design makes them just fit into my dishwasher and they don't provide stable support with smaller pots and my Bessemer wok. It's as if the manufacturer tried to save on materials when they designed these potstands.
My preference for cooking is gas, but if I don't have that choice, as wiht my house in Cairns, I prefer radiant or monotube electric elements. I am not too enamoured of solid hotplates for the reasons that you have stated, the fact that they are too slow and they end up looking shoddy after only a couple of years, plus they are difficult and expensive to fix.
Ceramic cook tops (both induction and halogen), leave me totally cold. I don't like the way induction heats, even though it is instantaneous, plus I would have to get rid of my Bessemer cookware and that's not an option. I don't like the look and I reckon they are unsuited to real heavy-duty cooking. They are also very expensive to repair and no matter what the sales people tell you, the glass surface will scratch and stain.
I remeber ceramic cook tops hitting it big in the US during the mid to late seventies. Lots of people went back to standard coil hotplates in the end.
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Post# 14973-3/8/2002-08:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (G'day Pete)
MESSAGE: So, why do you think so many people return the Calypso and HEt3 washers? Are they really that crappy or is it that people don't like the technology? What's your opinion?
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Post# 14974-3/8/2002-08:55 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Here's how SQ has filled for the last year or so...
LINK: http://speedqueen.com/vend/products/Prod_top.htm
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Post# 14975-3/8/2002-09:26 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (G'day Pete)
MESSAGE: Oh dear... An opinion challenge... Here's where we all degenerate into name calling and hate postings. Ah, what the heck...
IMHO, the Calypso is the most fantastic washer to hit the market ever! It saves water, spins great, and cleans better than the little China man in the laundry on the corner. But the American philistines wash everything on the Heavy Duty cycle with 2 or 3 scoops of Sun, a half gallon of Clorox and 2 or 3 caps of Downy Mountain Rain, so it doesn't work and they return it. Not to mention that we just have no table manners, covering ourselves in all kinds of drips, dribbles and condiments. Add to that that we habitually roll in mud puddles and tar every chance we get. We are just so filthy a people that the poor Calypso cannot stand a chance. Thousands of these poor abandoned machines are just crying to be adopted by people who really know what they are doing.
Also, IMHO, the HE3t is the next best thing since slice bagel chips! The reason this machine is returned is because us poor Americans, from years of inbreeding, are just sooo sensitive to vibrations that we cannot tolerate a front loader when it goes into spin. Our bones are brittle like tooth picks, our spines like jello. It's a wonder that there's even a market for personal gratification devices, you'd think an American that used one would end up in intensive care! Only the most hearty of us live in California and can survive 2.0 earthquakes. So a washer goes into spin and our poor brains get so rattled, we just have to return them and get a more stable top loader.
Excuse me now while I go lay down and rest...
-ph
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Post# 14976-3/8/2002-10:20 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Thanks Pete)
MESSAGE: Hmmm?! Never considered the HE3t to be a personal gratification device. Perhaps, people should be advised to sit on them when they go into spin? Do you think that might increase their popularity? Maybe they should do the same with the Calypso, but open the lid before they sit down? Well, there is some food for thought.
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Post# 14977-3/8/2002-10:48 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (G'day Pete)
MESSAGE: Oh my gay stars!!!
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Post# 14978-3/8/2002-11:45 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Yes, Greg - the fill flume on my Amana is now directed directly into the basket.
*****
Post# 14979-3/8/2002-11:47 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE:
MESSAGE: Yes, Greg - the fill flume on my Amana is now directed directly into the basket.
*****
Post# 14980-3/8/2002-11:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Definitely different than the new Amana..........
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Post# 14981-3/8/2002-12:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Any ideas how that stainless steel basket gets on with bleach. In a recent discussion about bleach, someone pointed out that the weakness of SS was chlorine bleach. This made me figure that this was why US washers used porcelain or plastic baskets, whereas most Euro washers use SS as chloring bleach is not a popular aditive in Europe.
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Post# 14982-3/8/2002-12:43 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed
Thanks for the info and link. I did look at it on the day you posted, but it was so late I had to go to bed, so please accept my appologies for responding so late.
The Calypso certainly has a very interesting action. Has anyone herte actually used one? I shall have to brave THS to see what they think of it. I can imagine it working very well on small loads or very lightly soiled loads, but just cannot understand how it could work well on a very dirty or large load of say 20 bath towels as the video claims. Watching the video, there is quite a full load of whites, and the laundry at the top only seems to be wobbling around rather than agitating like a TL or falling like a FL.
The info suggest that the Calypso washer only performs one spray rinse as standard, with the option to add a second spray rinse.
I would love to try out one of these machines and really out it through its paces. Would be interesting to see it perform on 20 bath towels, a rug or a large thick cushion.
The machine does look very good in its black version.
Is this a waaher that allows you to watch its action with the lid up or one of those spoil-sports machines that dictate lid down?
Thanks again
Rich
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Post# 14983-3/8/2002-12:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (G'day Pete)
MESSAGE: LOL!
However, IMHO, a decent washer should be able to handle the dirtiest stuff one can stuff in it. You're right about the improper use of high sudsing detergents, though. The correct detergent makes a huge difference, especially in a high efficiency machine.
Add to that the fact that Whirlpool and Sears released faulty versions of both washers first time out. The Calypso had pump problems, as I recall. And the HE3t seems to have had electronic control problems. These problems seem to have been addressed, but there's nothing like a buggy first release to rev up the nay-sayers.
Oh, and here in California a 2.0 quake doesn't even merit attention in the news. Anything under 4 is a baby quake. Six and above, these command some respect. My Neptune might register .0001.
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Post# 14984-3/8/2002-12:52 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: The susceptability of stainless steel to chlorine is probably one reason why American washers do not have stainless outer tubs. However, it's not a big issue for perforated inner tubs or drums. That's because when a chlorine solution dries on stainless steel, the chlorine becomes ever more concentrated as the water evaporates away. This results in a pinpoint of corrosion, and, eventually, a pinhole leak. One more hole in a perforated drum won't make much difference, but it would be quite bad in an outer tub or outer drum.
This is a big issue for homebrew makers of beer, who caution their peers to either be very careful to rinse out all traces of chlorine from their pressure vessels after disinfection, or to use some other form of disinfection. A pinhole leak in a closed container under pressure must not be too much fun!
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Post# 14985-3/8/2002-12:55 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: The Calypso will stop with the lid up. However, dealer demo models have window lids. If I owned a Calypso I'd do everything I could to get one of those dealer lids.
It seems that people at THS either love or hate their Calypso washers. There doesn't seem to be much middle ground. I suspect, like Jason says, that it's a matter of those who take care, read the instructions, and use proper detergents and procedures, will get good results.
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Post# 14986-3/8/2002-13:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (campy music)
MESSAGE: Hi Bub
I must be such a dizzy queen, reading your post made not one but 2 very camp songs pop into my head -
'Hi Lover of Germanic Laundry Appliances' Instantly I thought of 'Lover of the Russian Queen' a line from Rasputin by the great (well I liked them) Boney M. Apparantly they are still very popular in Germany.
'That is my contribution for now Mein Herr.' My mind started singing 'Farewell mein liebe Herr' from Mein Herr in Cabaret as sung by Liza Minnelli.
Well, I am looking forward to reading the other contributions to this thread. I too wonder how the Calypso does not trap clothes between plate and basket, I am assuming a rubber bellows type of affair. I would also be interested in seeing the mechanism that causes the action, I guess there are some good cams in there.
My appologies for quoting 210 degrees as Amana rather than SQ, so much too learn.
Cheers big ears, well I never knew that was said anywhere but blighty.
See you later Bub
Rich
LINK: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000005KOH001002/102-0317262-2683376
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Post# 14987-3/8/2002-13:13 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso construction)
MESSAGE: At the introduction of the Calypso, I raised the question over on THS of trapping clothes between the nutation plate and the sides of the tub, and the response was, it doesn't happen. The Calypso has a rubber flange, about 1/2 wide, between the edge of the nutation plate and the sides of the inner tub. After having seen the machine in stores, I would agree that it would be very unlikely for anything to get lodged there. This is one area where I also haven't seen any complaints from Calypso owners.
*****
Post# 14988-3/8/2002-13:13 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: Rich,
Do you know how this works? Actually I never heard about chlorine bleach corroding stainless steel. I was always told that using chlorine bleach in European frontloaders was not advised because of the built in heater. Together with detergent and heating the water to high temperatures, chlorine bleach could cause dangerous fumes. I know people who use chlorine bleach to clean stainless steel. And doesn't the Neptune have a stainless steel drum and the possibility to use bleach?
Louis
PS: Cleaning out pressure vessels after disinfection is ofcourse especially necessary because of the bad taste the beer would get from a bit of chlorine residu!
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Post# 14989-3/8/2002-13:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: Louis,
The Neptune has a stainless steel inner drum, and a plastic outer drum. So does the HE3t/Duet. Since the inner drum is already perforated on purpose, a few pinholes won't make a big difference.
When you ask how it is supposed to happen, I'm not sure what is unclear. It's a fairly well established fact that stainless steel is susceptable to chlorine; one need only do some web searching for the metallurgical discussions. I could see the problem in a euro washer occuring if someone added the bleach directly to the drum, or if it leaked out of the dispenser, some time before the actual wash cycle started. This could give the chlorine bleach solution a chance to evaporate, concentrate, and attack the stainless outer drum.
I had not heard of the fumes issue, that sounds reasonable as well, however I know that fumes are an issue if chlorine bleach is mixed with ammonia or acids. Perhaps high heat liberates chlorine gas. I don't use chlorine bleach in my Neptune 7500; since I started using STPP my whites get quite clean without the need for chlorine.
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Post# 14990-3/8/2002-13:53 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: Here is a link with a good discussion of what makes stainless steel corrosion-resistant and why one should not clean it with chlorine-containing solutions.
LINK: http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixB.html
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Post# 14991-3/8/2002-14:34 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hi.... Its Good To be Back!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Mike, welcome back, its so nice to see you here again! Looking forward to you seeing at this years convention!
*****
Post# 14992-3/8/2002-14:39 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hey Rich and everyone here is my humble opinion on the Calypso. I got to use a few of those machines last December.
Whirlpool gets an A++ for creativity and ingenuity. It had been over 20 years in the washing machine industry since American manufacturers actually designed something different, the last big change was the Dual-Action Agitator in 1976. As for the cleaning ability of the Calypso, the machine appears to work rather well, but with such a high concentration of detergent I can’t see how it could not be a great cleaner. Using so little water, the machine is more of a chemical cleaner, than a mechanical cleaner. It certainly doesn’t rinse anywhere near as well as a vintage solid-basket washer, but in the 21st century, saving water is more of a concern for most people than excellent rinsing ability. The machine was a lot of fun to watch, high in the drama department. My only real complaint of the machine is 800rpm is inexcusable in this day and age for a top spin speed and it only spins at 400rpm between the wash and rinses, otherwise I think it’s a very good design. Saving water is a good thing, but saving energy on drying time should also be a top priority.
As for the demo window-lid that would be very hard to get as it says right on the lid “not for resale”. But the lid switch on the Calypso is very easy to jump electrically. One thing to note about the lid switch on this washer, it remembers whether the lid has been opened after the cycle is complete and it wont let you start another wash until the lid switch has been tripped to prove that you’ve emptied and re-loaded the washer. So you have two options, you can attach a toggle switch to briefly toggle the lid switch on and off, or you can simply unplug and re-plug the washer back in to the wall socket.
Here are pictures of us using the Calypso last year, we overrode the flood switch which senses whether the washer has filled up with too much water so we could rise the water level in the machine for some extra drama.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/whirlpool525/vwp?.dir=/Whirlpool+Calypso&.dnm=Calypso+Standard+Washing.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
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Post# 14993-3/8/2002-14:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Hi.... Its Good To be Back!!!
MESSAGE: Welcome back, Mike!
Kirk
*****
Post# 14994-3/8/2002-14:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Great photos of the Calypso in action, Robert! Thanks.
On the rinsing... it's not necessary to use large amounts of water to get good rinsing... many front loaders use less than half the water of a top loader but rinse better, because they do multiple rinses with spins in between. The water changes are the key - each additional water change dilutes the soap and dirt from the wash water many times more than what just a single large water change can accomplish, no matter how fast the spins. Just my opinion, I suppose ;-).
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Post# 14995-3/8/2002-14:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: Lucky boy! That's my all-time favourite washer, and I would give my right arm to have one of those. Just the sound it makes as it churns away is enough to keep me captivated for hours... perhaps I should get out more LOL.
Did the 9605 really start production in 1989? I was selling that exact same model up until it was discontinued about '98 or '99 (can't remember exactly), so that was an exceptionally long run. Not surprising, though. People always swear by them, and are incredibly disappointed when they realise they can no longer buy one as a replacement.
Glad to hear you're enjoying it - hold onto that one, it's a goodie!
*****
Post# 14996-3/8/2002-15:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Just a guess, but perhaps they can get away with using stainless steel because of the short cycle times. The contact time in a Euro FL would be longer, therefore the bleach would be more likely to cause the SS to deteriorate.
I've also heard that heat and bleach don't go well together. Of course, American TLs don't have a heater. The newer Neptune has a stainless steel drum and heater, but apparently doesn't dump the bleach until the heating phase has finished.
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Post# 14997-3/8/2002-15:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Actually it's not a good idea to expose fabrics to hot chlorine bleach solution anyway... the amount of chlorine that would be appropriate for a lukewarm solution might be too much in a very hot solution.
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Post# 14998-3/8/2002-15:24 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Now THAT is a washer just made to be watched. They really should consider manufacturing a window lid version, so consumers can see for themselves how efficient it is. A lot of folks might be mildly impressed by the sales blurb, but people are very rarely convinced unless they have the proof right in front of their eyes. If I was able to see my washer bouncing and splashing my clothes around like that, I'd feel pretty confident that it was doing a good job.
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Post# 14999-3/8/2002-15:24 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: I understand Rich and I’m sure there is some validity to the dulution factor you speak of. But “in the laundry field” (meaning my basement with 22 washers) that has not been my experience. I'm just basing my opinion on having a number of machines lined up to do comparisons with. I don't believe my front loaders rinse as well because the smell of detergent in the clothes after the final spin is completed is much stronger out of my front loaders than out of my top loaders and I use less detergent in the front loaders. The little Bendix and Whirlpool combo win the white ribbon for “worst rinsers” in my basement, those machines actually cause me to have slightly itchy jeans, and the WP combo has three separate rinses. The slant-front Westinghouse is definitely a much better rinser and the Philco is the best of my front loaders, but they still don’t rinse as well as a my top loaders.
I have also tried the same test that they do in the Ad Detergent commercial in our video library. I've washed towels in both my front loaders and top loaders and when I place the towels back into a clear tub of water the front loader definately has milker color water than the top loaders. Try this experiment with your Neptune and your GE and let us know what you find. :)
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Post# 15000-3/8/2002-15:25 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Mechanically speaking, I'm kind of jazzed by the fact that the Calypso has a u-joint.
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Post# 15001-3/8/2002-15:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: That makes sense. Over here, bleach bottles instruct users to soak whites in a COLD bleach solution. And usually a very weak one at that; a couple of capfuls to a bucket of water. Of course, that is if you are so inclined as to use bleach for this purpose. The only things people really tend to soak in bleach are dishcloths.
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Post# 15002-3/8/2002-15:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing: Top vs Front loader)
MESSAGE: Interesting comments, Robert. I'm wondering if your results might be reflecting how far front loaders may have progressed since vintage days. Maybe your vintage front loaders don't do any spins between wash and rinses? Or perhaps they don't drain the outer tub as completely as more modern models?
I won't be able to set up a rinsing comparison between the Neptune and Filterflo for a few weeks. I'm recovering from a weeklong bout with the flu and next weekend I'm going on a week-long business trip. If I am able to do any mechanical work this weekend, it will be to fix a drip in the plumbing under the house.
I'm also wondering if the residual scent you notice is because the fragrance is more concentrated in the front loader, and the fragrance compounds are designed to bind to fabrics and resist rinsing.
*****
Post# 15003-3/8/2002-15:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: I think the next potential big advance in washing systems will be to use ozone to disinfect. This is already being used in commercial laundry systems, and you can purchase a small device for home use that will produce ozonated water about a liter at a time. This ozonated water can be used to disinfect, and its action is instant, whereas a chlorine bleach solution can take a couple of hours for complete disinfection (according to the ozone device's claims). The drawback is that the ozone device takes about 30 minutes to produce that liter of special water. I suppose a home washer could have a special tank to produce and store a few gallons of ozonated water for one of the rinses.
*****
Post# 15004-3/8/2002-15:56 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Well Rich I can tell you that my vintage front loaders all spin after the wash and between all the rinses, the only exception is the Westinghouse, it does spin after the wash cycle but between the first and second rinse it does not spin, just drains out completely. Also the pumps in vintage front loaders work very well, so well that you have to be careful of flying drain hoses, so they do drain their outer tubs completely.
As for the stronger scent, if fragrance compounds are made to bind to fabrics shouldn't they bind just as well in a top loader then?
It would be interesting to really find out who rinses the best I wonder what test could be done to truly tell?
*****
Post# 15005-3/8/2002-16:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: I like that! It reminds me of a Frigidaire!
*****
Post# 15006-3/8/2002-16:14 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: I see a water hose putting more water in the washer...I know where you were, LOL.
*****
Post# 15007-3/8/2002-16:16 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Also Kirk, I don't think American washers with heaters heat the water very hot, I think it's mostly to keep the already hot water from getting cold. Unfortunately American machines don't do boil washes. :-(
*****
Post# 15008-3/8/2002-16:19 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Ozonated water? What, no pretty purple lamps? :-(
*****
Post# 15009-3/8/2002-16:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen fill)
MESSAGE: Very kewl!
*****
Post# 15010-3/8/2002-16:45 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Bleach and SS baskets)
MESSAGE: There's nothing in my F&P manual warning against the use of chlorine bleach. The instructions say to pour it down the agitator shaft along with the detergent. (Maybe it's fake ss?)
*****
Post# 15011-3/8/2002-16:56 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Perhaps plunge a towel into a bucket of water after the cycle completes and do a pH analysis?
*****
Post# 15012-3/8/2002-17:34 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Your statement about the lack of full heating capabilities in American washers made me think of something; why don't manufacturers produce a gas-heated washer? For those with a gas supply in their laundry room, it would be a logical solution. I don't know if a single gas line could supply both a washer and a dryer at the same time, but if it was possible, it would solve a lot of problems.
Imagine being able to do a boil-wash, without being restricted by outlet voltage - not to mention the fact that gas would naturally be a cheaper fuel source for starters. Sounds like a no-brainer to me, and I'm surprised there isn't currently anything on offer to take advantage of this.
*****
Post# 15013-3/8/2002-17:38 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: Thanx!
*****
Post# 15014-3/8/2002-17:54 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT:
Interesting Exchange at Local Appliance Dealers
MESSAGE: Today was an interesting appliance day. I was talking to another local (new) appliance dealer today and for the first time, I sensed some excitement on his part over vintage appliances. He is the son of the founder and they have been in the business over 50 years. He was kind enough to give me the name of one of his retired service technicians who was factory trained by and specialized in Frigidaire repairs. He suggested that this guy at the very least probably had a fair supply of older parts, and "could probably repair the machine in his sleep". That was very encouraging. He also has started a collection of old refrigerators, mostly I believe Monitor tops - a bit too old for my taste. But he did describe a great find to me. A customer just gave him her never used 40 year old Frigidaire refrigerator - apparently one of the first frost-free models. Apparently she won it in a contest, didn't need it, put it in the basement still in the carton and with all manuals, etc.. and forgot about it until she decided to sell her house. Now why can we not have that kind of luck????
Actually, the idea of vintage laundry equipment seemed to appeal to him - although he did say that it never occurred to him that washers and dryers would have the same appeal as ranges or refrigerators.
I look at it this way - I made a friend here and he may be a very good source of washers- especially if he appreciates this stuff himself. Next I ask him if I can peruse his storage area.........
Now for the disappointing portion. A different local dealer, unfortunately in my town had a very different reaction to the news about my Frigidaire. He thought it was the stupidest thing he ever heard and told me that those Frigidaire machines were "never any damn good" - They "ripped the clothes to shreds and hopped all over the room". He simply couldn't understand what anyone would want with one of "those" when he could sell me a brand new machine - loaded for $400. He also offered me all the 10 year old Maytags I wanted and a few "plastic GE's". I guess some people will just never get it.........
*****
Post# 15015-3/8/2002-18:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: What a great idea! I do wonder too why that is/would be, particularly since many of our household water heaters run on gas. Many years ago, we did have washers with gas engines for people who didn't have electricity. A woman friend of my parents who is well into her 80s was telling me about having had one. Noisy!
*****
Post# 15016-3/8/2002-18:16 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Interesting Exchange at Local Appliance Dealers
MESSAGE: What a fun and interesting day! There was a woman on THS some time ago now that had gotten a solid tub Frigidaire washer that never was out of the box. The woman had bought both a washer and dryer and was going to save the washer til hers stopped working, only it never did, then all these years later she died and the second woman bought the house with it. Its fun when something like that happens.
As for appliance dealer no. 2, for whatever reason there is/was a small but vocal group who just don't get the Frigidaire way of doing laundry. Were there even the slightest hint of clothing damage, poor washability or poor machine durability, my mother certainly never would have owned 3 of them, not to mention so many of our other relatives and neighbors...
*****
Post# 15017-3/8/2002-18:21 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: Love that movie (Cabaret), adore Liza Minelli and my fave song in it is "money makes the world go round".
Well, I guess we share a common heritage, so don't be too surprised if we occasionally borrow some of your phrases.
*****
Post# 15018-3/8/2002-18:44 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Natural gas to heat water)
MESSAGE: I think this would be great idea. Back in the 60's...I think..there were Preway dishwashers that used gas to heat the water. Don't know how good the machines were or how the water heating part was accomplished. However, technology has come a long way since then so why wouldn't it be possible to use gas to heat water for washers. If Whirlpool can produce and market an oven that refrigerates food until it is time to cook it, nothing seems impossible.
Bob
*****
Post# 15019-3/8/2002-18:55 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (G'day Pete)
MESSAGE: At the risk of entering dangerous territory, it sounds like you are saying that Calypsos can't handle the dirt levels that other machines can.
As to the HE3t, your explanation does not account for the apparent discrepency in the number of HE3ts returned vs other front loaders, like Frigemores (based on the original post).
*****
Post# 15020-3/8/2002-18:56 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: I guess that heating and boiling a full wash would simply take too long. A boil wash in a Euro font-loader takes the better part of two hours and that means continually heating up between ten and 20 liters (three to five gallons), of water whilst it tumbles.
I doubt that most Americans and Aussies would have the patience to wait for a two hour boil wash to finish. Also considering that most modern fabrics are not designed to be boiled, either because they are not colorfast beyond 140 degrees F or the material can't handle it. Our care instructions don't give precise temperatures and if they do , hot wash means 140 degrees max. So sorting clothes accordingly would simply mean too much guess work unless it was a full load of white towels or linen sheets only.
I must admit that I fondly remember the smell of boiled washing from my early childhood years. It is a very effective way of disinfecting and removing stains, particularly if the clothes are immersed in cold water that is then heated, whilst the machine tumbles. In those days (1960's), people still used to buy stove top boilers for clothes, because they either didn't have a machine that boiled or they had no access to laundry facilities with a full-sized copper kettle. Of course this involved a lot of heavy lifting and the possibility of scalding.
*****
Post# 15021-3/8/2002-19:09 ||| HQOTS (Florida)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Natural gas to heat water)
MESSAGE: The original Kenmore Combos heated the water either with an element or a gas burner. The problem with the gas ones is that the flame is too hard on the porcelian and the tub would rust.
*****
Post# 15022-3/8/2002-19:11 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
I love this idea. A little window so you could see teh gas flames would be cool. The heater could be either right under the tub, or probably an in-line heater with the water re-circ pumped through it.
I suspect that commercial gas models are available.
I am sure that a domestic gas line could supply both washer and dryer together. I have a 22mm pipe to my 24kWh boiler (furnace) and a 15mm pipe to the stove that continues to the laundry room. My basic maths suggests that the 15mm pipe should carry about 2/3 as much gas as the 22mm, so should easily deliver about 15kWh worth of gas, could well be a lot more as I doubt that the 22mm to the boiler is anywhere near its limit.
With maybe 10kWh of gas heat, a boil wash capable TL would be feasible, I guess the lid really should lock on that cycle, though TTs did not lock.
Probably would not catch on in UK, gas dryers have never caught on here. I had gas put to the dryer location in case I ever get a gas dryer, but Miele is holding out on launching their domestic gas dryer, and I don't fancy the cheap ones that are available - flimsy and no programmed sensor drying.
Does tha panel think gas TL, or even gas FL washer might catch on in US or Oz, any interest in heated washers there?
*****
Post# 15023-3/8/2002-19:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Natural gas to heat water)
MESSAGE: That's right, I forgot that washer does that.
*****
Post# 15024-3/8/2002-19:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: Hi again Bubs
I can do that wash in 1h 26m.
Or so says my Miele manual, that is 95C wash, cold fill 'short' option selected. As I use hot fill for most washes, I guess I could do it even quicker.
Seriously you are right about it being great for disinfecting. Don't commercial washers use a boil wash for thermal disinfection, think hospital and care home sheets, I'll spare the graphic details. I have seen pictures of some commercial washer with 2 doors, one front the other back, dirty laundry in one side, clean out the other to aid sanitary conditions.
Lovely memory, coppers, in your last paragraph. In teh UK, we called the large containers for boiling laundry water 'coppers'. The only one I ever saw used was actaull galvanised iron and gas heated. The original ones were coper and built into a brick surround in the corner of the was house or scullery, and heated by a coal or wood fire underneath. I guess the water was also used for the old tin baths.
I would love to see photos of my house when it was brand new, all mod cons, outside flush lavatory (toliet), copper for hot water and laundry, built in coal range for cooking, a cold slab in the pantry for keeping food fresh and gas lighting in all rooms. I only removed the gas pipes 2 years ago.
You're right about the smell of a boil wash, it is a smell all of its own, you don't get it much with an auto washer unless you open the soap drawer.
*****
Post# 15025-3/8/2002-19:45 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: Ohh Bubbles, and I had thought you all butch, now I find out you like Cabaret and Liza, you'll be telling me next that you are a Judy fan.
I doubt I could pick a favourite from Cabaret, I love Money makes the world go round, Mein Herr, Willcommen,Bienvenue Welcome. I really love 'Tomorrow belongs to me', I find the contrast of such a beautiful sounding song, with its words and the Nazi imagery very powerful and unsettling.
I always figure that if anyone wants to confirm that I'm gay, they only need peek at my CD collection, Abba, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, Bette Midler, Ute Lemper, Erasure, Pet Shop Boys and so it goes.
I shall be in trouble for posting all this an no appliance mention, so here is a titbit - A new dryer has been launched in the UK with an A rate for energy, very low electricty use. It is made by Crosslee, which I believe is Europes largest dryer manufacturer. It gets its A rating by turning the heater off, and it takes 8 hours - yes 8 hours to dry a load. I can dry stuff quicker than that on a clothes horse with a small fan blowing on it.
LINK: http://www.crosslee.co.uk/cl847.html
*****
Post# 15026-3/8/2002-20:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: The best thing about a gas heated washer would be that a FL version would be dirt cheap to operate, and a TL would be much more affordable. And, while not everything can be boiled, it's nice to have the flexibility of being able to select a high temperature for the occasions when you need it.
The in-line heater sounds like a good idea - rather like what you find on the better dishwashers. Could even be part of a recirculating filter or spray system.
I know what you mean about the gas dryers available over here. The White Knight models are quite wobbly around the doors and control panels, hence we don't sell that many. If anyone does choose to go with gas, nine times out of ten it's the big Whirlpool US dryer. But nearly everyone automatically goes for a regular electric dryer.
*****
Post# 15027-3/8/2002-20:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: My grandmother used a copper many years ago for laundry and filling the tin bath. She used to hold a piece of burning paper in a long pair of tongs in order to light it, so the blowback didn't singe her eyebrows! No wonder she thought all her birthdays came in one when she upgraded to a twin tub.
*****
Post# 15028-3/8/2002-20:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: Erasure is a dead giveaway. I sussed out one of my pals when I saw said CD on the shelf in his living room LOL.
That A-rated dryer has been a major pain in the butt for us. No matter how much we explain the way it works, people just don't *get* the concept. Needless to say, most of them were returned, and we no longer stock it. It's basically just a dryer with an Air Fluff setting, only they hype it up a bit more.
*****
Post# 15029-3/8/2002-20:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Early non-automatic motorized washers used to be gas heated. I imagine most of them were operated outdoors, or under a lean-to, to avoid problems incurred by open flames, exhausting fumes, gas leaks etc.
*****
Post# 15030-3/8/2002-20:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: Yes, it would be nice, but probably won't ever happen. That's because of the possibility of an unbalanced washer starting to hop across the floor, ripping its gas supply line out of its fixture and resulting in a major conflagration. The lawyers just wouldn't let it happen.
*****
Post# 15031-3/8/2002-20:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Vintage WP)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
I am so excited, can I come back to the Calypso later. Whilst checking out your Calypso link, being a nosey so and so, I took a peek at what else was in the album. What did I find, a restoration of a 1952 Whirlpool.
This looks like the exact washer featured in the 1952 film, 'Mother Takes a Holiday'. If any of you have not seen this, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Its a big download, 90Meg, 300 meg or 800 meg depending on your chosen format, for the 2 parts, link below and about half way down the page. This is a great site all, Robert has posted it recently too. I think I found this site and film by following a llink from the ironrite page, ironrite.com, some good film on this page too.
The 52 WP is so beautiful, I love the front shape, the rounded console and the controls.
In picture 3 of the restoration, what is a snubber please, I have not heard of this, nor can I guess from the pic.
I love the float valve in pic 6. My Bosch DW has just such a beast on underneath to switch off if it floods. I guess this is standard on DWs, but I found it xciting to see it on a washer fill control system rather than the usual pressure switch.
Pic 9 shows a great shot of the spin basket, I never realised they were double walled, what is the benefit of this. I had imagined a single wall, like a bowl where the water would flood over into the tub.
Pics 3 and 22, a germicidal lamp in a washer. We recently discussed them in dryers, but I never knew that some washers had them, they really thought of everything.
You see machines like this and really see why the vintage machines are so exciting and interesting.
Sorry again for being so nosey, but I do love that machine so I am glad I did peek. Do enjoy the film, I guess some of you will have already seen it.
Rich
LINK: http://www.archive.org/movies/list_K-O.html
*****
Post# 15032-3/8/2002-22:37 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Re: Heated washers and dryers
MESSAGE: I still think that the only heated washers, that have any kind of appeal to domestic consumers, are the European front-loaders. People will buy a Miele, Bosch or Asko etc., based on reputation and are prepared to adjust their laundry habbits accordingly, because that is the type of product they choose. Those consumers that prefer to buy Australian, American or Asian will probably not place much value on heated washing machines and European style cycles. I think my 5 cents worth in post #15020 gives a relatively accurate assessment.
As far as gas driers are concerned, they enjoy limited popularity. Maytag has actually stopped availability of its full-sized domestic gas dryers and only offers the electric types to domestic consumers. The only driers they now offer here, are the Neptune and Atlantis - no more matching driers for the Performa washers. Kleenmaid, on the other hand, still offer both gas and electric dryers for their t/l SQ machines. Main reasons for the limited popularity is cost and space. American dryers retail for aprox. $1500, too much for most Aussies, who are used to a small capacity electric dryer that usually hangs over ones t/l washer and is only used on rainy days (approximate cost $300).
The only prob with those dryeres is the venting, they blow all the lint and moisture into the laundry and are very uneconomical if used frequently. Most have a 4 to 5 kilo capacity, which is less than what most t/l washers will take.
I have a small Hoover Appollo dryer (5kg) capacity, which really sucks the juice and takes absolutely ages to dry. When I upgrade to the larger SQ washer, I will get the matching 10 kg dryer as well. I am just not sure whether I'll choose the gas or the electric, yet. Our utility market has only recently ben deregulated and at this point the savings between gas and electric are minimal. Installation cost may be the deciding factor for me. New gas line to laundry (involving drilling holes through walls, plastering and repainting) vs. installing a 15 amp power point. The dryer will be underneath the laundry window, so outside venting will not present a big problem. The drying cost of a full 10 kg load is estimated at 50 cents and gas is supposedly half of that, according to Kleenmaid. Either way, drying time will be reduced to an hour for double the amount of laundry that I can dry in my current machine.
I suppose Maytag still offer domestic sized commercial gas dryers for laundromat type set-ups. Surprisingly, the commercial laundromat market has so far resisted the change-over to front-loading washers. Even the US has been much quicker to change. I know of only one laundromat that was opened in the last couple of years using f/l machines in all of Sydney.
*****
Post# 15033-3/8/2002-22:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers
MESSAGE: Bubbles, interestingly enough gas dryers are quite popular in America, though I'm not sure if gas or electric sells more. Here, they generally cost about $50 more to buy, but are less expensive to operate than their electric counterparts.
*****
Post# 15034-3/8/2002-22:50 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (1952 Whirlpool)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
Please be nosy, enjoy the albums. I have so many Yahoo Albums out there I’ve sort of lost track.
I originally posted “Mother Takes a Holiday” for the club a few months back, so many members have already seen this wonderful movie. My '52 Whirlpool is the same washer as was featured in that movie.
Anyway, I agree the ‘52 Whirlpool is a beautiful machine. It was Whirlpool’s 2nd automatic washer design. The Whirlpool design was the first top-loader to use a perforated spin tub and a stationary outer tub to act as a bowl to hold the water, just like a front loader. That particular design’s biggest advantages over the solid tub washers are better sand disposal and the ability to have a large capacity tub. But design biggest disadvantages are higher water usage in the dead zone between the tubs and major suds-locking. Eventually all washers went to this design to allow for large capacity machines.
A snubber is a device to reasonably control vibration, it uses downward pressure to add resistance against the wobbling tub. Today, most modern washers use shock absorbers for snubbers.
As for germicidal lamps, both Whirlpool and Kenmore used them in the washers in the 50's, while most other brands were only using them in their dryers. Here is my ‘57 Lady Kenmore in action with its germicidal bulb, you can see the bulb's blue glow...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kenmore525/vwp?.dir=/1957+Lady+Kenmore+Restoration+Part+1&.dnm=First+Real+Wash+2.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 15035-3/8/2002-23:11 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Scott,)
MESSAGE: Pidgeon pair washer/dryer arrangements have been around for decades in the US and are also much cheaper than here. Although, Simpson (very old and Aussie brand) used ot produce large matching US style dryers for its full-size t/l machines, they stopped doing that during the late 70's early 80's.
Even though most homes and apartments have separate laundry facilities with hot and cold water connections and a laundry tub, they usually don't allow for a full-sized dryer that matches a family size machine. The most popular place to put a dryer here, is to hang it above the washer.
*****
Post# 15036-3/8/2002-23:13 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Interesting Exchange at Local Appliance Dealers
MESSAGE: Sounds like you had a
good day over all Anthony. Don't worry about the "
other" dealer, its obvious that his only drive is to make easy cash as he obviously wasn't listening to anything you were saying. I have run into many an appliance people like that, but its the few that actually listen that become gold mines, such as my
favorite appliance recycler.
*****
Post# 15037-3/8/2002-23:58 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS!
MESSAGE: I’ve changed the program code of Applianceville so the posting program will not strip out less than (<) and greater than (>) signs anymore. I did this to allow the use of HTML codes within your post just like we can do at THS. Those of you who are familiar with writing HTML code will find this new feature convenient for adding multiple links directly into your posts. For you HTML beginners it will allow you to underline or italicize words or make phrases otherwise stand out.
Here is an example, This is a test
of a specific phrase.
Notice how the words
of a specific are showing in italics. The way I was able to italize the phrase "of a specific" was simple, just type the sentence in this format:
This is a test <i>of a specific</i> word.
You see its very simple, to turn on the italics, you surround the word, phrase or sentence with an italics on and off commands.
Here are some other commands to surround words or phrases with:
<u> Underline On
</u> Underline Off
<BIG> Larger Font On
</BIG> Larger Font Off
There are many other commands that can be used too. More to come on this.
*****
Post# 15038-3/8/2002-00:20 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
I'm really not that familiar with the Calypso, but am fascinated by the concept. Like you, I have a hard time picturing how it could do a good job of cleaning a big load - but since I haven't used one, I don't deny it can.
After looking at THS, it would appear that the opinion is split with no one in the middle. They either love it or hate it.
This is one of the machines that does not allow you to open the lid while running by use of an interlock switch.
*****
Post# 15039-3/8/2002-00:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: I was at Best Buy the other day and they had a Calypso with a window lid, and posted instructions on how to run the demo ---- but no power.
Still haven't seen the thing work.
*****
Post# 15040-3/8/2002-00:29 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (To Add Links)
MESSAGE: To add links right inside a paragraph or
my link to Iowa Washing as shown in this sentence following this format:
<A HREF=http://www.maytag.com/ TARGET=blank>my link to Iowa Washing</a>
Don't use any quotation (") marks in the command.
Of course you can still use the URL Link to share box as always, this new feature will just allow for multiple links in a posting.
*****
Post# 15041-3/8/2002-00:31 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Stainless Steel and Chlorine)
MESSAGE: The neptune, hettie, and frigemore machines all have SS drums and bleach dispensers.
I have used chlorine bleach in my Frigidaire for several years with no noticeable problem.
*****
Post# 15042-3/8/2002-00:40 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: The contact time would be rather short. On the frigemore and hettie (not sure about Neptune) the bleach is added to the first rinse, so contact time is reduced.
*****
Post# 15043-3/8/2002-00:47 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Yes, I've seen the countertop ozinators -- they certainly don't mention the hour on the box!
If the machine used a tank, wouldn't the water loose it's ozination between loads?
*****
Post# 15044-3/8/2002-00:52 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Sharper Image is now selling an electronic air cleaner with germicidal protection (pretty purple lamp).
*****
Post# 15045-3/8/2002-00:56 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Yes, but you would have to be careful to start with the same PH in the wash water. Or would that be biased toward fl machines since they typically start at a higher ph (more concentrated detergent)? Maybe a standardized load and detergent amount. You would also want to start with all new towels - run them through a cycle with no detergent first (wouldn't want residual detergent to get into the experiment). Finally, you would want to be sure the bucket contained a standardised amount of water.
*****
Post# 15046-3/9/2002-02:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Well don't
you know how to make a girl's day! ;-)
*****
Post# 15047-3/9/2002-02:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Yes, so the ozonated water would have to be made freshly for each load. That's why it would likely be added to a rinse rather than the wash. While the machine was washing, it could also be preparing the ozonated water for the sanitizing rinse.
*****
Post# 15048-3/9/2002-02:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: When I was young we lived next to a dentist. They had a Constructa 'kochautomat', a machine that really boiled the wash. So it wasn't on 95C, but really 100C. I believe it stopped for a while and you could see the wash boiling. They used that cycle for towels etc. from the dental practice but also for whites. I remember some other people had a similar machine. I haven't seen one in ages, I don't think they lasted very long although Constructa made very good machines before they became part of BSH (Bosch and Siemens).
Louis
*****
Post# 15049-3/9/2002-02:44 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: I believe the TOL Miele vented dryers have that option too, but I they haven't chosen that cycle to get the energy rating.
BTW, perhaps we all should post our pictures somewhere, would be nice to know the faces behind all the people here.
Louis
*****
Post# 15050-3/9/2002-02:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Scott,)
MESSAGE: I've seen that on 'Neighbours'!
*****
Post# 15051-3/9/2002-03:01 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (just testing)
MESSAGE:
I'd like to try that!
*****
Post# 15052-3/9/2002-03:06 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: This is a picture of how you can manipulate the lid switch of the Calypso, so if you have one without a window you can still watch it working. The next picture shows the lid with the window.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysiusconvention/vwp?.dir=/The+trip&.dnm=09+Manipulating+the+lid+switch.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
*****
Post# 15053-3/9/2002-03:10 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (just testing)
MESSAGE: OK, it's been a while since I played with this stuff....
*****
Post# 15054-3/9/2002-04:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Scott,)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I have seen you use 'pidgeon pair' here before, and forgot to ask what it means. From reading this, and Loius' reply, I am guesing it means a small dryer hung over a large washer, as in Jim and Helen's laundry on Neighbours - yes its been a long time since I stopped watching the programme.
*****
Post# 15055-3/9/2002-05:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
Miele do indeed have a similar feature, it is called the 'enegry save' option but it is slightly different to the Crosslee White Knight dryer. Crosslee's dryer switches the heater off totally so that an A rate can be guaranteed. whereas the Miele 'energy save' option will keep the heater off so long as the ambient air temperature is sufficiently warm. If air temp is too low, the heater comes back on, thus an A rate cycle could not be guaranteed.
Although I like a certain degree of inteligence in an appliance, sometimes, I just want the machine to do exactly what I programme in.
I wonder hw fast realistically, one could get a dryer to dry a load in the absence of heat. Crosslee's 8 hours is rather silly, uprating the fan would speed things, but there must be practical limits, power draw, vent size, noise etc.
*****
Post# 15056-3/9/2002-05:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
Thanks for the pics. I love the stainless steel fascia and trim on that demo calypso. I would rather like a Calypso to play with, but would definitely want a demo model now.
*****
Post# 15057-3/9/2002-05:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
I didn't know the exact details of how the Miele energy save option works, I hadn't dived into this yet. I think all the owner manuals are on the dutch site, at least those of the washers are. I will do some 'research'!
When I lived downstairs and still had the Zanker dryer, I was thinking of putting it in the garden and disconnecting the heating element for summer use. I hate line dryed towels, too hard. I decided against it since I didn't want to bother the neighbours with a dryer that runs for hours.
Louis
*****
Post# 15058-3/9/2002-05:44 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I reckon you're right about about poeple only soaking dishcloths in bleach. Actually, I wish more poeple would, don't you hate it when you go to someones house and the dishcloth is grey or brown and scrunched up by the sink and no DW, grosseroonie and time to politely decline a cup of tea. I must admit that I don't bleach my dishcloths, but then I have dozens and only use each one once, then it goes for a boil wash. I only use dishcloths for cleaning, wiping counters etc, I use a nylon brush for teh few things that need hand dishwashing, and then I put the washing-up brush in the DW.
Actually, I remember a friend of mine who soaked blood stained butchers aprons and chefs whites in a mix of chloringe bleach, biotex (biological pre soak) cheap detergent and warm water, before boil washing them in a TT. The came clean, but he never figured that the bleach would kill the bio enzymes, so it was a waste of money really.
*****
Post# 15059-3/9/2002-06:08 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: No Herr-Miele,
Pidgeon pair refers to your standard US style washer/dryer laundry pair. Two appliances that are deigned to match each other in look plus capacity, and are placed next to each other. Here in Oz this style of laundry set up is available, but not as wide-spread due to cost and space considerations.
Stacked laundry centers were available through Maytag, as an alternative, a few years ago. But they didn't gain in popularity, even though the dryers were fixed on top of and properly matched in size to the washers and vented to the outside. Again, I think that this particular product style did not meet with Australian consumer expectations and was probably viewed as too bulky and expensive. I remember that Hitachy also had a stacked laundry center out over here during the early to mid eighties. Naturally it was much smaller in size and capacity than the Maytag and, although, a little on the plastiky side, a relatively interesting set-up.
Kleenmaid are trying very hard to educate the public about full-sized dryers that match their SQ washers, through presenting it as the 'Laundry in the cupboard' set up, requiring only 2 square meters in space. In the more affluent suburbs, where houses are a little larger, they are finding it easier to sell this type of laundry set up.
The dryer fixed to the wall above the washing machine is more commonly found. Line drying is still more popular amongst suburban households and dryers are usually only used on rainy days, or in an emergency.
*****
Post# 15060-3/9/2002-06:10 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: I remember Rich making a comment on his 7500 Neppie, the bleach is added at the end of the wash cycle after the heater has been turned off. I believe the last 2 or 4 minutes.
*****
Post# 15061-3/9/2002-06:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Be careful about placing your washing-up brush in the dishwasher. The bristles may actually fall out due to the heat that is generated in the machine and find their way into the wash mechanism. I came across this, when I picked up my GE Platemate portable dishwasher. The lady whom I got it from, must have done exactly the same thing. I found out about it, because I took the machine apart before I used it, to make sure everything was in working order and to give it a good clean out. I found all these plastic bristles (obviously from a washing up brush) inside the water recirculation mechanism. So I gathered that she used to clean her washing-up brush in her dishwasher. (I wonder if she also cooked her turkey in there, lol!)
*****
Post# 15062-3/9/2002-06:23 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Robert, not to be blashpheming here, but did the "extra water added, filled 3/4" calypso remind you at all of you ABC-O-Matic and it's magic moment of shampoo washing? Just curious since we've seen the "real" thing.
*****
Post# 15063-3/9/2002-06:30 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed
The FL would not necessarily have a more concentrated liquor. I understand that one uses say a cup to a cup and a half of detergent in a TL, this is 200 - 300 ml, whereas I use typically 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons 15 - 30 ml in my FL.
I have updated my profile and decided to become Rich2 to avoid confusion with the other Rich, well it confused me.
Rich2
*****
Post# 15064-3/9/2002-06:32 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers
MESSAGE: Scott, I've read somewhere a couple of times that electric dryers outsell gas ones now. Main reassons, people just don't "think" when buying a new dryer; proliferation of so many all-electric houses in the 70s & early 80s; and proliferation of apartment complexes, at least here in the south, that have washer & dryer connections, but the dryer always has to be electric.
*****
Post# 15065-3/9/2002-06:33 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I have noticed that over time the DW does indeed loosen teh bristles. I am not too concerned though as the filters are so fine, loose bristles just get caught.
Thanks for being concerned.
Rich2
*****
Post# 15066-3/9/2002-06:34 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
The Titan Washer
MESSAGE: I just saw this program on the Fox Lifestyle channel about modern desing and there was this segment about the Titan washer. It was a European style tilt-drum washer, with a removable polypropylene drum that featured also as a dirty laundry basket. The wash system was based on tumbling the clothes and a continuous shower spray (not unlike the old Whirlpool combo washer), which is emitted through jets in the baffles (they gave an on-camera demo).
It also comes with an extra large opening and fits under your standard European counter top. They didn't go into technical specs.,like spin speed and so on, but said that the cycle programming was kept relatively simple and reflected public preferences, based on extensive surveys. In fact, one of the comments I made about the unnecessary number of prgrams in German F/L washers, particularly those in the higher price regions, was reflected almost word for word by the designers of this new machine.
I was very impressed with this machine, because to load and empty it, one only needs to open the door and pop in or lift out the basket, how so very clever.
*****
Post# 15067-3/9/2002-06:35 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Well, actually Rich2, if the
truth be told, you'd be Rich3 and Suds would be Rich2. Golittlesport is our original Rich in the group. But with all the knowledge and fun here, we're just abundantly Rich no matter how you slice it.
*****
Post# 15068-3/9/2002-06:38 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Thanks Bubs,
I am surprised that space is such a constraint in Oz, your average square acres per person would blows ours right out.
I too love line drying, but get so little chance. I do use my dryers cool tumble to de-crease and fluff things before I put them on the line and too air them through after, so I would definitely want matched appliance sizes.
*****
Post# 15069-3/9/2002-06:42 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob,
Guess what, I changed profile again, now Richtoo. I prefer the pun in this to Rich3. I guess Suds' and Golittlesport's mums had great taste too.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15070-3/9/2002-06:43 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: A while ago I came across a recipe for salmon in the dishwasher. I don't think I saved it.
*****
Post# 15071-3/9/2002-06:46 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Rich,
I don't think it's a good idea to call yourself Rich2. There is only one of you! And besides that, I think you were the 3rd Rich to join this club.
Louis
*****
Post# 15072-3/9/2002-06:56 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Ahh Louis, but I'm a Gemini. I always joke that means I am a 2 faced barsteward.
I have rechanged the name,
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15073-3/9/2002-07:00 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Titan Washer
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I have seen this beast in a shop, wonderful plastc gimmick, but at least it's different. I have posted teh link before, below.
I think it was Louis who posted links to either the Guardian or BBC web sites giving news stories about how the washer shook itself to bits in homes.
LINK: http://www.monotub.co.uk/
*****
Post# 15074-3/9/2002-07:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Well, it all boils down to cost. Houses in places like Sydney and Melbourne are not cheap and space is at a premium. If you look at most of our newer suburban developments, houses have become bigger, but the blocks they are built on have shrunk. A quarter acre used to be the standard size for a suburban block of land. Now the average size is approximately 400 to 500 square meters.
In most of the new suburbs you can easily shake hands with your neighbors over the fence, whilst both of you are inside your houses. Housing has become so expensive that most young people either stay at home with their parents longer or they buy real estate that is miles away from Sydney. People here commute to work, travelling 200 kms in some instances, both ways. For many this is the only way they can afford their own home. Apartment living (for rent and often shared), is becoming more popular and wide-spread throughout Sydney and Melbourne in particular. It holds an attraction with younger people, who want to be close to work, the gym, their favorite restaurants and night clubs. Though, it is very expensive and I don't think that most inner-city apartments offer value for money.
*****
Post# 15075-3/9/2002-07:03 ||| Herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
Have you tried fluffing your washed towels in teh coold-down cycle before line drying. The resulting towels are still not as soft as fully tumble dried towels, but they are much less like the sheets of card that fully line dried towels become.
*****
Post# 15076-3/9/2002-07:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Ad test)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
I too just had to do the Ad test after watching the video, thanks for posting these. On a cycle with 2 rinses, I am pleased to report that the Add test water was crystal clean.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15077-3/9/2002-07:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (silly me)
MESSAGE:
Silly me had posted before Bob's comment LOL
*****
Post# 15078-3/9/2002-07:18 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT:
Fluffy towels
MESSAGE: To get fluffy towels, I line-dry mine until they are almost dry. Then I pop them in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes and, voila, fluffy towels.
I would actually prefer to machine dry everything, particularly in summer. Too many bugs like to build a home in or take a nibble from my clothes, particularly if I leave them out over night.
*****
Post# 15079-3/9/2002-07:18 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: The Titan Washer
MESSAGE: I don't know who it was, but it wasn't me. Mike had ordered one, but there were problems with it, that is all I know.
Louis
*****
Post# 15080-3/9/2002-07:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Thank you
Richtoo, I will try that sometime in summer.
Louis
*****
Post# 15081-3/9/2002-07:22 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (1952 Whirlpool)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert
Thanks for confirming it is the same washer and telling me what a snubber is.
I am glad that many have seen Mother takes a holiday, it is just great.
What is suds-locking, sorry another question.
You did a great job on that Lady Kenmore, it looks like new. I shall have to look through the pictures properly some time, there are so many.
Cheers
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15082-3/9/2002-07:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi again Robert
Thanks for the pics and comments about the Calypso. I agree with the A++ for ingenuity. The pics of the wash plate are particularly interesting. The centre post comes up much higher than I had imagined.
Interesting point about it being a chemical rather than mechanical cleaner, I had not thought of it like that before. I would have expected to reduce the detergent as water is less, but your comment suggests that one would use as much detergent as a standard TL.
I don't understand why more people don't give rinsing a higher priority. Eczema and allergies are so much more common these days.
In Europe, washers are rated A - G for washing, energy use and spinning efficiency. Energy is usually quoted in kWh as well, and water use is directly quoted in litres rather than rated A-G. However, no test of rinsing ability is given. It would be good to see this added, as manufactuers may go for a good wash rate and low water use at the expense of rinsing ability.
That Calypso lid sound just too clever for its own good.
*****
Post# 15083-3/9/2002-07:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
TOL washers don't dance accross the floor, well I can only really talk about FLs here . The spin ballance systems achieve a good ballance in most loads, if this is not possible, the machines spin slower.
Washers could be anchored back to the wall with a chain. This is common practice on UK stoves to protect the flexible gas line when pulling out the stove for cleaning.
*****
Post# 15084-3/9/2002-07:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Yes I noticed Robert filling the washer with a hose.
This reminded me of when I got my first washer, a Creda electronic control 1250 spin FL in 86. We were living in a rented flat and the landlord would not allow me to add the plumbing for the washer in case I screwed it up. So I had to wait a couple of weeks till he could send his maintenance man around to plumb it in.
Durring this time I still used the washer, filling it from a shampoo spray hose through the soap drawer and draining it into the sink. I had to listed out for the spins so I could run back in to fill it for rinses. I guess for those weeks it was a semi-automatic. Still it beat the hell of schlepping the laundryette.
*****
Post# 15085-3/9/2002-07:54 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Living Air)
MESSAGE: I have an Ecoquest Living Air X15. It's an expensive SOB but it produces ozone as well as ionization. No purple lamp but the air in my house smells fresh Also good for my allergies too. This machine predates the Ionic Breeze. Also, it's a tabletop unit while the Ionic Breeze is a floor standing model.
*****
Post# 15086-3/9/2002-07:58 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Wouldn't ozonated water also have bleaching properties?
*****
Post# 15087-3/9/2002-08:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
Welcome back. To introduce myself, I am Herr Miele or Richtoo, one of the new boyz who joined whilst you were away.
I have posted several times on the UK Hotpoint TL washer, though I am not very familiar with it. You are truly lucky to have one, I would rather like one but don't have room.
I have used a hotpoint TT and Service TT many more times than I can remember, great machines. I have also used a Hoover impellor TT a time or 2. I loved teh Hotpoint Filter/dispenser, fascinated me as a kid. And the spiralator certainly does a great job.
Thanks for the detailed description of the Hotpoint cycles. WHen you say all HPs reduce the temp unless you add superwash, do you mean their new FLs as well?
Lux, what a shame it has been discontinued, I did not know this. I have never used Luz, but will get some if I can, my grandmother used it for handwashing. Is scum a problem with Lux, I have very soft water so it should be OK.
Great to meet you and congrats on the Hotpoint TL.
*****
Post# 15088-3/9/2002-08:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Disinfection)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed
I was thinking that too, it must bleach. Ozone is O3 that breaks down into O2 and O. The free oxygen molecule is a very effective bleach. Likewise, peroxide H2O2 breaks down to H2O and O for bleaching.
Still at least it would be so called colour safe oxygen bleach. Personally, I don't truct any bleach on colours and only add it if really essential for stain removal.
*****
Post# 15089-3/9/2002-08:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Thanks Pete)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
You are naughty. Bet at least now I know why the Calypso centre post is corwscrew shaped.
Being innocent abroad, I thought that 'personal gratification device' meant a bar of chocolate.
*****
Post# 15090-3/9/2002-09:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: Hey Bubs,
Sound like you got a 'poncy yuppy' EUROPEAN cooktop in that Smeg!!!!! Ohh and after all you have said.
Really though, I am glad that you do like someting European, we not all bad really.
*****
Post# 15091-3/9/2002-09:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken (Martha Stewart & Dame Edna.)
MESSAGE: But Ed, a potluck at Martha Stewert's could be the most fun. A little subtle subversion can be the best fun. You could turn up with a banana cream cake a la Dame Edna, with all teh bananas whole, and sticking up and out in a very sugestive fashion. Or maybe bring some genuine Nivea Cream chocolates for after dinner.
Richtoo (I am liking this name)
*****
Post# 15092-3/9/2002-09:48 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
Easy Spindrier Washer
MESSAGE: Here's a beauty just waiting for a good home - looks to be in wonderful shape too.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1081914999
*****
Post# 15093-3/9/2002-09:52 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Rinsing Tests)
MESSAGE: Well, it depends on the size of the load (which depends on the size of the machine). HE detergents usually recommend a similar amount in a large fl (say a Neptune or Hettie) as a tl. I know that there are different opinions here, but since that is what is recommended by the manufacturers I would argue that it is typical (if not correct) usage.
In any case, there was a rather lengthy discussion about such a test in the chat room last night, and issues such as this seems to indicate that it would be difficult to devise a test that everyone considered fair. If you are just measuring rinsing you could start with a standardized wash solution, but in reality the solution concentration is probably different between different machines (fl vs tl). Therefore they dont really start rinsing from the same place. So perhaps you test the end result only - test the whole washing methodology. But then issues such as how much detergent do you use in an fl come into play. In the end, it's a religious war.
For what it's worth, for large loads I use a full scoop of Fab in my Frigidaire front-loader with good washing and rinsing results. Others will disagree.
*****
Post# 15094-3/9/2002-09:55 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers
MESSAGE: Yes, new homes in this area, even if they have gas, rarely have gas jets in the utility. And certainly almost all multi-family housing is all electric here. I think another reason is that electric is universal -- if you move later you know you can use the electric dryer.
*****
Post# 15095-3/9/2002-10:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RMCs)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
RMC is residual moisture content, my appologies for not explainig the abreviation, I had seen someone else post it here so figured it was understood.
I use an old electronic postage scale. I put my laundry basket on and tare it (re-zero). I weigh the load after spin, then again after tumble dry on the extra dry setting so as to get a true dry weight.
I subtract the spun weight from dry weight to get the weight of water in the load, conveniently, 1ml or water weighs 1g, 1 litre weighs 1kg, I love metric.
I divide the weight of water by the dry weight of the load to get the percentage. I figure this way is probably right as I get results broadly consistent with the Miele brochure claim of 55% RMC for my model.
I have just repeated teh experiment with a much bigger towel load, 2 towelling robes, 2 bath sheets and 6 hand towels, so as I can check out my theory that a larger load may spin more efficiently due to the weight of the load causing a larger G force. Waiting for my terminally slow euro dryer to finish so I can get the dry weight.
This could be fun, others could post RMCs for different loads and washers. Would love to get the RMC for a Spin-X.
*****
Post# 15096-3/9/2002-11:41 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Much of what you say is true for America too - with a few subtle differences. In addition to the trends you mention, many companies are moving out to the suburbs - or building their own suburbs. There have been a number of corporate planned communities pop up over the last 10-15 years.
In the suburbs the homes have become larger, but the lots smaller. Houses take up most of the lot. Sometimes they play a "trick" and set the house far back on the lot so it looks like it has a reasonable yard, but the back yard is the size of a broom closet. I have friends that have installed swimming pools in back - you open the back door and literally jump into the pool.
There are also changing trends as to the use of space in homes. After the shrinking kitchens of the '60s and '70s, they are now reasonably sized. Laundry facilities are being moved into living spaces (off the kitchen usually, but I've seen them as rooms off the den or family room too) as opposed to garages and basements.
Here also, you see a trend toward urbanization in the younger crowd. Apartments and condominiums in urban areas are quite expensive for the space you get. And combined with the corporate trend to move out of the cities, you often find people who revers-commute (drive out of the city to work). I fall into this last category, though I bought my condominium when it was still unfashionable to live in the city (and thus not very expensive).
*****
Post# 15097-3/9/2002-11:57 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Living Air)
MESSAGE: There is, actually, a tabletop version of the Ionic Breeze.
LINK: http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?pid=37143300&pcatid=22&catid=22
*****
Post# 15098-3/9/2002-12:02 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken (Most embarassing potluck)
MESSAGE: Well, one time I was assigned dessert, so I went to the market and bought a cream pie out of the display case. It looked beautiful. Upon cutting it, however, the host exclaimed "Mint! Looks yummy!" I had to explain that it was not mint, but coconut and had apparently grown mold... Upon returning it to the market, they asked if I wanted another one. I decided to keep the pie and called the health department.
*****
Post# 15099-3/9/2002-12:30 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: So then, Your Majesty, a "Kochautomat" is not to be confused with a "Washautomaten" or an "Aufwasmachine?"
*****
Post# 15100-3/9/2002-12:30 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Fluffy towels
MESSAGE: mr. Bubbles, does this result in ants in your pants??? Watch out for bee stings form your shorts!! LOL.
*****
Post# 15101-3/9/2002-12:33 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: Remember comments have been made here about the gas heated Whirlpool and Lady Kenmore early w/d combos that Sears wouldn't allow installation of said machines in trailers due to instability of flooring and possiblity of gas line being broken due to vibration from machine on its whopping 200-250 rpm spin speed.
*****
Post# 15102-3/9/2002-12:35 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Hullo Mein Herr,)
MESSAGE: I agree, herr-miele, I believe I have heard talk of some American brands that limit one's temperature selections and so forth as well...not for me! Hot washes, warm rinses, nice hot dryer for heavy, sturdy things, they all work for me! ;-)
*****
Post# 15103-3/9/2002-12:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: I know *I* sure hate that! Dish cloths need proper care, and one must also be cognizant that there comes a time when it is perfectly proper to bid these old friends farewell to make way for newer models!
*****
Post# 15104-3/9/2002-12:41 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
Welcome to the club from me, glad we have more UK bods for us to discuss stuff, I started working in electrical retail from 1978 to 1990 selling major whitegoods, sales trainer & merchandiser for Philips as was then, I sure from your age profile you wont remember the good old AWB096 & AWB098`s + D153`s....takes me back....
The Hotpoint TL has indeed had a great run, no major changes exept for cosmetics, major change was from the Timeline programmer to the rotary like the FL autos...
If my memory serves me right, the production years are:
1507 = late 60`s to 1970
1509 = 72
15690 = 78 purple controls
15792 = 80
96700 = 84 new programmer
96702 = 84 Almond
9600 = 86
9604 = 88
9605 = 89/89 onwards
All I need to find now to compare is a Servis All-Fabric MK41 Top Loader my dream machine.....
Cheers, Mike
*****
Post# 15105-3/9/2002-12:43 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: Easy Spindrier Washer (Go On-Just One More!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Would make a lovely comparison test for the Hoover`s...
I`m sure you can find a corner....
Mike
*****
Post# 15106-3/9/2002-12:44 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Ed, I know you & my sister patty don't have the same friends. But it must be the same Plano neighbourhood LOL. What I think doesn't help is the tradition in Dallas to have rear-entry garages, which make for smaller back yards too. Patty's friends pool literally was right off the patio door. Just enough room left for the fence that butted against the "drive" that led from the alley to the garage at the back. Hardly any gren grass in the back yard and this was a very small pool. The front yard wan't too big either, it was on a cul-de-sac. And the house was your typical 2-story Plano 3500-4500 sq. ft. house.
*****
Post# 15107-3/9/2002-12:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers
MESSAGE: That makes sense Bob. All electric houses are very rare in this part of the country because of our climate and the prohibitive cost of electric heat. Thus, there are more homes that have gas available to them, so the gas dryer might be used slightly more here, which could skew my thinking.
The $50 less initial cost and no special installation is probably attractive to a lot of folks, and I'm sure electric dryers have gotten more efficient over the years as well.
*****
Post# 15108-3/9/2002-12:45 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Miss Electric Chicken (Most embarassing potluck)
MESSAGE: Ooh Ed, do we need to call you Marvin Zindler Jr.???
*****
Post# 15109-3/9/2002-12:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: westinghouse appliances (RMCs)
MESSAGE: To reply to my own post, I have finished drying the load and can give the results using long fast spins 1100 as-
dry 5060g (Oh dear, I overloaded my 5kg Miele)
spin 1 8790g 74%
spin 2 8455g 67%
I guess I will have to accept that my beloved Miele does not like spinning towels.
*****
Post# 15110-3/9/2002-13:03 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
Gas Washers -"Washes With Electric Boils By Gas"
MESSAGE: Servis and a couple of other British makes had gas heated washers in the 60`s here, the unit was promoted as a "ServisAire" gas burner and fitted to a number of electric single tub wringer machines and a Twin Tub...
My Aunt had a Servis MK11 TwinTub in Cream, the burner unit swung out from the side cabinet under the enamel washtub and was connected to the gas supply with a pushtwist connector, rather like the old gas pokers used for lighting fires...
These products were marketed with the slogan "Washes With Electric & Boils By Gas"
*****
Post# 15111-3/9/2002-13:06 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, is fabric softener a commonly used product in Europe? While there is definitely a difference between the texture of towels line and machine dried, we find that use of fabric softener makes this less pronounced.
QEOM
*****
Post# 15112-3/9/2002-13:09 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Living Air)
MESSAGE: Sounds great Jason, and do be sure and check out today's POD if you have not already. I think you will really like it.
*****
Post# 15113-3/9/2002-13:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles, could you please explain the term "Oz" as it is used here?
*****
Post# 15114-3/9/2002-13:17 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Easy Spindrier Washer
MESSAGE: What a beautiful example Greg! For our European/abroad friends, although the "twin tub" washer never had the popularity here that it did in the UK and some other places, this was the most popular and widely sold style here. The mother of my friends in Arizona had one of these when he was growing up.
*****
Post# 15115-3/9/2002-13:24 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (& Lux Flake Wash)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich
Glad you have joined I`m sure you`ll find the club & members as well as photos, vids and discussions a treasure as I do...and if you get the chance to attend the convention doooooo!!!I went for the first time last year, what an experience!!!
Just started to use the Hotpoint TL and experiment with it, found the perfect size plastic pen to fit in the lid catch so I can watch the spin... 1050 certainly does it!!!!
Always had Servis machines in my family, grew up with a Servis MK11 twinny and later the first 308 auto with matching 213 dryer...
The Spiralator wash action is great to watch it pushes the clothes to the sided and back to the middle as well as rolling them over and around, hadnt noticed before that the agi is broken into three equal sections which is perfect for balancing & dividing the clothes ready for spin....
The one thing it doesnt do a spin-drain or throw-drain, well not automatically!!! if you advance the timer it will and I must say it balances the clothes against the sides even more...
I`m sure the new Hotpoints must promote the "LE" low energy machines, they where the first to do this, will check that one out, or perhaps Kirk will know...
The last pack of Lux Flakes I found had a big coupon on the back with 50p off Persil Black which seems to have replaces it, the flakes where meant for woolens, but I`ve onlu used it on a hot steamy whites wash where it did a brill job and wafted loads of steamy scented suds through the house...
Cheers for now, Mike
*****
Post# 15116-3/9/2002-13:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: And just think, you could be Louis XXI... ;-)
*****
Post# 15117-3/9/2002-13:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: A quarter acre used to be the standard for US suburban homes, at least that's what my parents bought in 1950 for all of $10,000, including home. Now, here in California, it seems like most of the homes are built on 1/6 acre lots. When I found this 1/3 acre lot & bungalow a few years ago, I jumped on it. Land is nice. I can close the front gate on a Friday afternoon and really not need to venture out except for supplies or entertainment until I have to go back to work Monday morning. Lots of garden and appliances to keep me busy... lol... not to mention all the fixin' up.
*****
Post# 15118-3/9/2002-13:39 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed, I wonder if that is another regional difference between your area and, say, the midwest. Both our houses and lots are much larger here than in the past. In the suburbs of my youth, the standard lot size was 1/3 to 1/2 acre and homes were in the 1500-2000 square foot range (sorry I don't know what this translates to in metric for our friends abroad). Today at least here, most single family lots are a minimum of 2 acres, though the houses themselves are exponentially larger, probably in the 3-4000 square foot range, just as in your case, so probably the lot doesn't look as large once you get that big ol' house on it.
Everyone must have their preferences and reasoning for things they want or need to do, but it seems odd to me with the focus so far removed from the concept of "home" and all things domestic today, that people would actually want or have larger homes, and with today's traffic situation I can't imagine having to deal with "commuting" but people seem willing to do it now more than ever. Unless I'm going on a day trip or it's a special occasion or destination, for everyday things like work, groceries and the like, if its more than 5 or 10 minutes away, it's too far.
I think part of the way I see the world comes from the somewhat atypical suburb I lived in, which is built on the pattern of a small town with a main street and a grid of residential streets on either side. Nothing was ever more than a few minutes or few blocks away, and you could walk everywhere. There are the typical suburban subdivisions outside this immediate area as well, but you were still in close proximity to a lot, and it was easy to get around then. Same holds true for my current city apartment, which is just a block off a busy commercial street and 5 minutes from the center of downtown. Very convenient.
*****
Post# 15119-3/9/2002-13:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: "Oz" is a nickname for Australia.
*****
Post# 15120-3/9/2002-13:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Wow, lots are huge out there in Minnesota. Out here a 2 acre lot would be considered a ranch.
*****
Post# 15121-3/9/2002-13:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (QEOM?)
MESSAGE: QEOM?
Queen Elizabeth's Old Mum?
Queers Everywhere Only Moan?
I gotta know please, what does it stand for.
*****
Post# 15122-3/9/2002-13:57 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: new member recruitment (hostess ranges)
MESSAGE: oic, thank you!
*****
Post# 15123-3/9/2002-13:59 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (QEOM?)
MESSAGE: Queen Elizabeth of Minnesota. Just a little acronym, like some of the others you may notice around, that we royals use to greet one another. ;-)
*****
Post# 15124-3/9/2002-14:19 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: Hmm, your Majesty, I'm afraid you are confusing a few languages here. In Germany they have
Waschautomaten and
Geschirrspüler (mind the capitals!) and in the Netherlands we have
wasmachines and
afwasmachines (washers and dishwashers). The word
Kochautomat is German and in Dutch it would be
kookautomaat And indeed they are not to be confused.
QLOTOC
*****
Post# 15125-3/9/2002-14:28 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, we do have fabric softener in many fragrances and for several causes (some are especially for easy ironing), but we don't really like them. We use them in sweaters etc. to give them a real fluffy feeling, but on towels, dishtowels and all other linens that are supposed to take up moist or water we hate using them because they seem to block the absorption to a certain degree. We have noticed however that other people like them and use them widely.
QLOTOC
*****
Post# 15126-3/9/2002-14:36 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Louis is actually my middlename, If I want to distinguish myself from other Louis' I can always use my first name or both instead using a number. Besides that I also love to use the name Luigi on occasion which I was given here. And if I really want to stand out there is still foraloysius, a name that I haven't come across yet.
L.
*****
Post# 15127-3/9/2002-14:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (QEOM?)
MESSAGE: Like QLOTOC
Queen Louise Of The Old Continent
*****
Post# 15128-3/9/2002-14:48 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (gas heated)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob
Was the gas heater used for only the dryer on these combo machines, or the water as well????
I remember seeing the jet pump on Roberts whirly combi machine at the convention, what goes around comes around!!!!
Mike
*****
Post# 15129-3/9/2002-14:54 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
Are you saying that with the use of conditioner the towels are less fluffy???
Now then would that be out of a gas v electric or vented v condensor...LOL
Mike ( sorry couldnt resist that one!!!)
*****
Post# 15130-3/9/2002-15:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: I think our dear friend Scott is hanging with a VERY wealthy crowd, but if we are talking about homes in the 4000 square foot range(1/2 to million dollar+ prices,) you might find some developments offering 2+ acre lots. Usually, I see those developments billed as "mini-ranches", allowing horses, etc. as the owner desires. Here, the average homebuyer will generally see 1/6 - 1/4 acre is more standard. My parent's new 1400 sq. ft. home is built on a 1/6 acre lot. My home, built in '52, is on a 1/2 an acre which is considered by many living in the city to be quite large and quite a luxury in an era of tiny lots and little to no yards.
*****
Post# 15131-3/9/2002-15:15 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (What?? No Quotes??!)
MESSAGE: LOL, that's gonna throw me off-kilter!
*****
Post# 15132-3/9/2002-15:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (boiling)
MESSAGE: Thank you, Your Majesty, for that explanation. Sometimes in our quest to learn new things, we absorb things so fast that it's just too much for our pretty little blonde head, hence the helpfulness of friends like you!
QEOM
*****
Post# 15133-3/9/2002-15:29 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: We have to agree with you; while we do regularly use this product on clothing items, we generally skip it for linens for the same reasons you mention.
QEOM
*****
Post# 15134-3/9/2002-15:33 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: I was quite pleased with my latest electric bill of $56, after at least two
cold snaps (such as they are in Texas) dipping into the 20s.
*****
Post# 15135-3/9/2002-15:36 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (Late welcome back!)
MESSAGE: Mikey! Wonderful to have you back!
*****
Post# 15136-3/9/2002-15:48 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: OMG! If I froze myself in the dark, I couldn't get my electric bill down to $56! The hot bubble baths alone use that much power...
*****
Post# 15137-3/9/2002-15:50 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Well, Greg is right in that I'm talking about an upper bracket home, but I think what I'm describing is just kind of the way things have evolved here. With our climate and high cost of housing, perhaps the "middle of the road" bracket people are wanting less outside maintenance and to see more of their money/value go toward their actual living space (hence the popularity of planned developments), than the land their home sits on, though Greg's climate is not that much different. Nobody builds new, "average" modest sized single family detached homes like Greg's or his parent's here, and they haven't for a long time, you can't buy one anywhere, at any price. If you're talking new, you either live in a planned development (townhouse/condo, which by nature have little or no yard) or a 3-4000 square foot "McMansion" on a big lot, there is nothing inbetween, unless of course you buy an existing home where there are many more choices. Many of the new suburbs here do not allow lots under 2 acres. These new homes are located in places where only farms or summer homes would have existed when I was a child.
*****
Post# 15138-3/9/2002-15:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT:
RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: LOLOLOLOL
*****
Post# 15139-3/9/2002-16:05 ||| surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT:
RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: I remember my Grandma used to have a Hotpoint toploader for about 35 years before she got a Hotpoint frontload in 1994. We always used to be fascinated by it because, as we lived in Britain, we had never seen anything of its kind before; we were all used to frontloaders. It had the Timeline control, and I think it had Filter Flow too.
She has now recently replaced her Hotpoint 1994 800 Aquarius washing machine with a Zanussi Jetsystem, and when watching this washer I noticed that this had a design very much like the Filter Flow design or the infamous Whirlpool 60's combo, where water continuosly showers onto the laundry, being sprayed rather than dipped in a pool of water. She has the 1400rpm model.
When looking at new washers a few years ago, I saw the 9605 Hotpoint topload, just out of interest, but couldn't get it because I have my washer under the counter in the kitchen, so I got a Hotpoint Aquarius model.
In my opinion, Hotpoint make total rubbish frontloaders, but the toploaders were the best around. Only topload washers available here now are Whirlpools, Admirals and Maytags. I'll keep looking in the local second hand appliance shop down the road, they're often selling off vintage stuff.
*****
Post# 15140-3/9/2002-16:07 ||| surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT:
Anyone have vids of Miele's in action?
MESSAGE: Just haven't seen one working ever in my life. If so, post a link to them. Or make one, if you own a Miele, you lucky things.
*****
Post# 15141-3/9/2002-16:18 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: Today I got back the pictures of the old Miele I bought recently. As you may remember this is a small H-axis toploader that doesn't spin. I made some detailed pictures of it since many of you might see such a machine for the first time. Enjoy the pictures.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst?&.dir=/Miele+Automatic+400&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 15142-3/9/2002-16:26 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT:
RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (To Add Links)
MESSAGE: Do you have to be that specific with using capitals? You start with a capital
A and end with a small a?
*****
Post# 15143-3/9/2002-16:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: How fun! Thank you for sharing these new pictures! How long does the washing phase take in this machine? Do I understand correctly that the clothes are washed and rinsed with no manual intervention except to transfer to the spinner?
*****
Post# 15144-3/9/2002-16:30 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Mikey, must be my blondness showing again, but you completely lost me! ;-)
*****
Post# 15145-3/9/2002-16:31 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action?
MESSAGE: Unfortunately I can't afford a video camera yet. It would be great to have some Miele captures.
Louis
*****
Post# 15146-3/9/2002-16:38 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: I haven't taken the time yet, but I think a full cycle takes about 1-1/2 hour. Yes, you don't need to interfere until the load is rinsed and needs to be transferred to the spinner. Ofcourse it uses lots of water to get a good rinse result. On the regular cycles it uses 6 rinses with a high water level. This water usage is the main reason why they have disappeared. Because of the absence of the spin cycle they lasted very long. Also because of that they didn't need a suspension so they were relatively cheap.
Louis
*****
Post# 15147-3/9/2002-16:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: I bet you have been bleaching your hair again lately LOL
*****
Post# 15148-3/9/2002-18:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: This is very cool Louis! It looks like it holds quite a bit for it's size too. Does it reverse-tumble like the full size versions?
*****
Post# 15149-3/9/2002-18:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: It's amazing to hear that there are few "starter homes" available in that area. I've always been stunned at how many of this type of home (along with the mid-size or "2nd step" and the McMansions too) are being built all the time around here. The small starters are as common in developments as bread and butter, I would think there would be a lot of money to be made in this market. Perhaps I should be a builder!
My sister in Denver brought a magazine/brochure about the new development planned for the old Stapleton airport land in the center of the city. They are building a "planned community" with townhomes, apartments and single family homes starting at $90,000 (truly a bargain for Denver) along with shopping, schools and commercial office spaces and a huge park/public area. Not many cities get the opportunity to develop this much land in an urban area, hope they do it well. It looked very nice in the brochure though.
*****
Post# 15150-3/9/2002-19:02 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Ah, but does not "Louis XXI" convey a certain royal aura, which you so richly deserve?
(As far as I can tell, the pretenders to the French throne pretty much petered out by Louis XX, so I think you could be the Lucky Louis Twenty-One:-)
*****
Post# 15151-3/9/2002-19:03 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (QEOM?)
MESSAGE: Oh, pardon me. Louise XXI!
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Post# 15152-3/9/2002-19:05 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: Hey Greg, nice to hear you like it. It indeed tumbles both ways and since it is on casters and has no suspension it rocks a bit forward and backward now and then. And the wheels squeak a bit. I love this machine!
Louis
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Post# 15153-3/9/2002-19:10 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification. It does make sense that a royal Minnesotan personage would have a different perspective on lot size.
My humble abode was constructed in '41, just before the war hit the US. It's an interesting mix of rough-cut beams, plaster and lathe, stucco, wood siding, knob-and-tube wiring, etc. It had an addition put on in the 60's and the kitchen remodeled in the 70's, at which time it acquired a new electrical distribution system with romex, conduit, and armoured cable, along with a full GE kitchen done in Harvest. At the time I bought it, the house itself was of minor interest to me. What sold me was the lot size and the 1,000 sq foot detached workshop. The lot is large for an area bordering downtown, and the workshop is a wonder.
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Post# 15154-3/9/2002-19:14 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: 'Richly deserve', I guess that means you think I deserve it?
There are still some pretenders to the throne left and they are conservative catholics, I think they can do without a heathen that was brought up protestant and has jewish roots and turned out to be gay and besides that has a thing for something common like washing machines. Number I to XX would be turning in their graves. LOL!
Luigi
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Post# 15155-3/9/2002-19:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (QEOM?)
MESSAGE: Read my previous post. Since I'm here incognito you may skip the XXI.
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Post# 15156-3/9/2002-19:20 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: I forgot to add: the orignal lot here was about 1/3 acre. Sometime in the 50's or 60's the owners purchased some land from a neighboring factory and doubled the size of the lot. It's at the end of a cul-de-sac, so from the street it looks like a small house and lot. Once you the inside the gate, though, it just keeps on going...
The shop would be great for a washer museum, except it's not quite plumbed for it.
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Post# 15157-3/9/2002-19:22 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: I believe the proper perspective would be to say,
"Number I to XX would be _tumbling_ in their graves."
;-)
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Post# 15158-3/9/2002-19:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
Thank you for posting these pics. The washer is in very nice condition. I did not realise how small it was in you previous pic, its so cute.
I hope you don't have a water meter, 6 high level rinses would be so expensive.
I know I have asked before, but I have forgotten, does it fill automatically or do you have to use a hose like a twin tub?
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Post# 15159-3/9/2002-20:52 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (& Lux Flake Wash)
MESSAGE: Mike - are Lux flakes widely available in supermarkets there? I am asking because they have not been unavailable here for years - in fact, Lever has eliminated the Lux brand completely along with Lifebuoy and Rinso- shameful if you ask me since these were respected brands for over 75 years. Anyway, a catalog called the Vermont Country Store has recently advertised that they sell UK Lux flakes. Two small boxes cost $11.00US. To add insult to injury, they also started carrying the UK Lifebuoy for approximately $1.50 for a 3 ounce bar. Funny, when Lever US manufactured Lifebuoy it was sold in packages of three 4.5 ounce bars for $1.39US. Quite a difference..............
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Post# 15160-3/9/2002-20:59 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Easy Spindrier Washer
MESSAGE: Wow! An Easy...I would love to play with one of those. It brings back memories of helping my aunt do her wash in an Easy. My grandmother had one for a while too. That is a beauty...it looks to be very late 50's or early 60's by the agitator and the controls. If Cleveland wasn't so far away, I'd pay him the $1.25 a mile and meet him halfway.
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Post# 15161-3/9/2002-21:28 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Speed Queen/Amana washers)
MESSAGE: Grosseroonie indeed! More than likely, that dishcloth contains more bacteria than the average toilet bowl.
As I've said before, I don't keep bleach in the house, as the smell goes straight to the pit of my stomach and makes me feel incredibly sick. But then, I don't wash anything up by hand, so I don't have a dishcloth to deal with. And as for surface cleaning, I use J-cloths, which are basically semi-disposable and can be thrown out after a day'scleaning.
With regards to those bloodstained butchers' aprons you mentioned, more than likely it would have been possible to skip the bleach and presoak agent altogether. A biological detergent in a twin tub, starting from cold and working up to a boil wash, would take care of stains and germs in one go.
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Post# 15162-3/9/2002-21:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Dishcloths and sponges)
MESSAGE: Actually I think sponges are a bit worse than dishcloths. Dishcloths can be laundered, which will remove 99% of the bacteria. Sponges not only cannot be laundered, but their crevices and inner spaces are ideal bacteria and mold incubators. The only way to really clean a sponge is to boil it, and who wants to have a pot full of foul smelling sponges bubbling away on their stove?
At least a dishcloth can be washed out and hung up to dry.
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Post# 15163-3/9/2002-21:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: The energy-police would severely chastise me for this, but I use my dryer all year round for this very reason. In summer, line drying can be even faster than tumble drying, and it's always free. But I've just become used to the softness you get from a dryer, and now use it for every load I wash. I think I'm the only resident in the block who doesn't have a clothesline on the balcony. My mother was horrified to see me using my dryer in the middle of a heatwave, but that's just the way I like to do things.
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Post# 15164-3/9/2002-22:03 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: My pal had a Philips AWB096 until recently. He purchased it about 20 years ago, when he was working as an electrical engineering graduate for Philips. He replaced it about a year ago with a Zanussi Jetsystem when he was refitting his kitchen, in order to have matching appliances. But the Philips was still in full working order even then, and never once had a service call. The only quirk it had was a very quiet squeak from the bearings at the end of the spin cycle, although this never affected its operation.
As for the Hotpoint top loader, I've never once had a service request one one in five years of electrical sales. And we really did sell a lot of them when they were available. Since it was discontinued a few years back, we've sold ZERO of the new H-axis Hotpoint TLs. Most folks decide to buy secondhand when they learn new ones are no longer available, and I can't say I blame them to be honest.
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Post# 15165-3/9/2002-22:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Ummm... I have a confession to make. I use Downy Enhancer and Bounce in combination for virtually every load. That's major overkill where most people are concerned, but I do enjoy the extra softness. And, being the complete philistine I am, I do enjoy a pronounced softener scent on my clothing as well. I know a lot of people really don't like their clothes to be heavily perfumed, but growing up with a mother who was very generous with the softener has resulted in me being a fragrance junkie.
Another favourite is Bold detergent (the one in the green carton). It softens quite well, and leaves quite a strong fragrance behind. Quite fresh, without being sickly-sweet.
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Post# 15166-3/9/2002-22:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (& Lux Flake Wash)
MESSAGE: No, the current Hotpoints (WMA series) run the programme at the normal wash temperatures. Same goes for the previous WM series, too. The only adjustment available is by a variable temperature control on selected models. The 9605 top loader was the last Hotpoint to use reduced temperatures by default, which could be increased by pressing the Heavy Soil button.
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Post# 15167-3/9/2002-22:19 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: I'm with you on this one. To me, travelling time is wasted time. But then, I've been spoiled by living where I can walk to work within 20 minutes. Only downside to this is that it's too convenient for them to call me in at short notice when they're understaffed.
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Post# 15168-3/9/2002-22:36 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Dishcloths and sponges)
MESSAGE: Perhaps I wasn't specific enough. A J-cloth is a synthetic cloth, quite thin but fairly robust. They're OK to use several times, but definitely don't have the lasting power of a regular dishcloth. I tend to break out a fresh one when I'm having a cleaning spree, then throw it out at the end of the day. But they do wash quite satisfactorily, and seem to withstand bleaching if that's what you want to do with them. And, despite being synthetic, they come out pretty well after being boil washed. I just choose to take advantage of their semi-disposable nature, and replace them when I've finished using them.
As for sponges, I often wash them. The one I keep in the bathroom gets thrown into the washer once a week on a 60*C cycle with a load of towels, and comes out like new. Of course, I don't keep the same sponge for months on end - no matter how clean I can get it, I still like to replace it quite often.
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Post# 15169-3/9/2002-23:01 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Calypso)
MESSAGE: Maybe a little bit Bob, but not really.
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Post# 15170-3/9/2002-23:04 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Ad test)
MESSAGE: Fabulous, YAY for clear rinses!
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Post# 15171-3/9/2002-23:08 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (1952 Whirlpool)
MESSAGE: A suds-lock is simply a friction drag caused by too much suds between the spin tub and the outer tub which prevents the spin tub from reaching full speed.
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Post# 15172-3/9/2002-23:23 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (To Add Links)
MESSAGE: I'm not sure Louis, experiment and see what happens.
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Post# 15173-3/9/2002-23:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Dishcloths and sponges)
MESSAGE: Suds, I bet the J Cloth is similar to our "Handi Wipes".
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Post# 15174-3/9/2002-23:36 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Scott have you been to the east of Nicollet Avenue recently? There are tons of new little single-family starter houses going up along the new Hiawatha Elevated Transit Line. Many of them are really cute and thankfully they keep the 1920's feel of the city neighborhoods in their design. What about all those new 1000-1500sqft single family houses going up on Park and Portland Avenues. Of course you cannot buy a starter house for $80,000 anymore, but you can't do that in any other large American city now anyway, those days are over unfortunately.
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Post# 15175-3/9/2002-23:40 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Wow, I can only think of two clotheslines in about a 20 block radius.
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Post# 15176-3/9/2002-23:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (To Add Links)
MESSAGE: case doesn't matter with html code...
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Post# 15177-3/9/2002-00:03 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Dishcloths and sponges)
MESSAGE: Oh, yes, I wasn't worried about J cloth. I just wanted to rant about sponges ;-)
I didn't know you could machine wash sponges. A long time ago I read that washing them would cause them to disintegrate. I think I tried washing a sponge anyway in the Whirlpool belt drive and it didn't fare too well, either. But maybe a front loader would be gentler. Still, I think a supply of wash cloths, where a dirty one is immediately replaced with a fresh one and all get hot washed on a regular basis, is still more sanitary than a few sponges. Can't beat a big sponge for sopping up big spills, though!
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Post# 15178-3/9/2002-00:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Ed,)
MESSAGE: Actually, reverse commuting is also a growing trend here, as many corporations avoid the premium rental fees by moving away from the CBD. My area in particular, has experienced a signifficant amount of growth in the past ten years, due to the development of large industrial parks. The other real estate trend that is now a very fast growth market, is closed estate living. Where you buy into an estate that is walled in, with 24/365 security. You buy house off a plan and share in the cost of maintaining communal recreation facilities. By the same token, maintenance of ones property is also included in the annual body corporate fees (which are pretty steep), to maintain a high standard of appearance.
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Post# 15179-3/9/2002-00:19 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, absolutely, I'm very happy that they're building some nice new homes in the city, I haven't seen the ones you mentioned in person but was reading about some in the newspaper or someplace one day, and some people that had moved into them. I'm glad you pointed them out and reminded me of them. I like the fact the the twin cities have largely kept their central "city limit" areas very livable, and that there are people who continue investing in and living in them, and I hope (and believe) that the new train line will open up many doors in a city that is already a good thing. Think what a convenience that train will be for residents and visitors alike! I hope the system will grow beyond its original route as well.
I hadn't really thought of or took into consideration the two actual cities in my observation, I think when I think of the cities and the closer in suburbs, those areas I've been most familiar with in my life, I tend to think more of our existing housing stock, since you don't see new homes being built quite as often here, as most of the area is developed. But paging through the "Parade of Homes" magazine for example, and the homes built in the far out so-called upcoming areas and in thinking of the past, I see no evidence that either the homes or the lots in those areas are getting smaller, only larger. The planned townhome/condo developments seem the most popular option with people looking for middle of the range pricing and square footage in a new home in the suburbs.
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Post# 15180-3/9/2002-01:14 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: I haven't seen a clothesline in years. Most neighborhoods here have deed restrictions against them.
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Post# 15181-3/9/2002-01:14 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: Isn't it interesting what traditions are kept in different cities. In Vancouver too and the surrounding cities, no matter where you go, it may be 2 houses per block that DON'T have a clothesline! Even on the coldest days here you can see laundry adorning lines all over. And, what's even more drole is that on the west coast we get WAY more rain than most.
Eddy
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Post# 15182-3/9/2002-01:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Ed,)
MESSAGE: We use the term "gated community" to describe that. Although usually individual maitenance is left to the homeowner. Frequently the homeowner's association, however, has significant power to levy fines, etc. if your property isn't kept up to standards (and can forclose if the fines aren't paid).
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Post# 15183-3/9/2002-01:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: My neighbor and I both have umbrella type clothes lines. She uses hers far more than I do though. I mostly use it for sheets and bedding when the weather is nice and breezy. Love that smell of fresh, line dried sheets - nothing else can compare!
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Post# 15184-3/9/2002-01:48 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album
MESSAGE: Richtoo,
I have a water meter....
Yes, it fills automatically and it has two water levels. The low level is used for the prewash and mainwash in the regular and permanent press cycle. The delicate cycle and the rinses are all on high level.
We call this machine 'halfautomaat' the German 'Halbautomat' which means it's half automatic. Everything goes automatically until it's time to spin the laundry.
Louis
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Post# 15185-3/9/2002-01:49 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: Because of deregulation, mine went down $12 from comparable usage in December. But, I won't hold my breath long for this. ha ha--can anyone say California?
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Post# 15186-3/9/2002-01:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: I think dryers are a wonderful thing, but I don't understand why so few people line-dry today. Any clothesline restrictions like those Ed mentioned would be a definite deal breaker for me. That has got to be the most absurd thing I have ever heard.
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Post# 15187-3/9/2002-01:51 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: Ed, remember he doesn't have high ceilings, 2 stories, isn't home much,only does a couple of loads of wash a week, and has an 18 seer heat pump.
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Post# 15188-3/9/2002-01:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: There has been some re-development of abandoned land in the "inner city" areas here too, mostly for government funded housing projects in lower income areas in an effort to revitalize these areas into desirable, family neighborhoods again. For the most part, they have been successful although several scandals involving fraud and waste seem to plauge the best intentions. There has also been a huge surge in our downtown residential development, so much so that two new schools are slated for construction to start this spring. Our burbs are expanding exponentially as well, new homes starting every day in all price ranges. Here's the plastic shower and press-board siding - have a nice life...
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Post# 15189-3/9/2002-01:57 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album (forgot to tell)
MESSAGE: You can see the high water level in one of the pictures. It looks really high, I think it's the angle I took the picture under, but the water level is still a bit under the axis.
Louis
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Post# 15190-3/9/2002-01:57 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Robert, you have starter homes in extreme suburbs of Houston and Dallas for around $80 to $85,000.
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Post# 15191-3/10/2002-02:02 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: It has stayed around $1100 kilowatt hours for the past three months and has been $92, $80, and $82.
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Post# 15192-3/10/2002-02:05 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: There was just an article in the paper today about a new adults only complex in Omaha. Sounds like a nice place. I was very surprised when I visited how close the home values are there to here. They have information about that Denver airport thing all over the new Denver airport, that was interesting to read of the reuse of the old one. Their housing is overpriced too; my friend that lives there, their house has gone up almost $150,000 in 3 years. In Arizona, the houses are expensive (except for some reason where my parents live; it's nice but they only paid $64,000 for their house) but the apartments are cheap, and most of them pay for all your utilities. I'm not sure why the differential, but I guess it's ok with me!
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Post# 15193-3/10/2002-02:13 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: Can anyone say Enron?
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Post# 15194-3/10/2002-02:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: This is what they're doing in Denver. I think it's great, glad as I am that Minneapolis decided against moving their airport in the middle of nowhere.
LINK: http://www.stapletondenver.com/default.asp
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Post# 15195-3/10/2002-02:19 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: HTML Codes Now Can Be Used In Applianceville just like at THS! (To Add Links)
MESSAGE: AFAIAA, html code is not case-sensitive, and is generally written in lower-case.
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Post# 15196-3/10/2002-02:30 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Home Trends)
MESSAGE: There are no clothesline restrictions in my neighborhood, to my knowledge. My elderly neighbor has one, but most of the houses don't -- I don't.
My "starter house," about 6 years old when I bought it in 1991, was less than $60K, including the lot. It's not especially large, but is three bedroom, two bath. My yard takes a bit less than an hour to mow and trim properly -- anybody wanna buy a yard?
There are five new houses under construction on my street, three on one end, two on the other, all close to the size of mine, maybe a bit larger. There are some rather large homes in other areas, however. One built within the last year on the outskirts of town, I call it "the mansion on the pasture."
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Post# 15197-3/10/2002-02:37 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: Actually, my family room does have a vaulted ceiling, but just that one room. The heat pump is more like 14.65 SEER, I think, and the auxiliary strips are locked-out above 20°F ambients (except during defrost). Heat is 62°F for at least 10 hours on weekdays when I'm gone (no setback on Sat/Sun), but the recovery back to 71°F occurs around 10 p.m., kinda in the chill-of-the-night. My water heater is on 145° or thereabouts, and I tend to take long showers or full bubble-soaks.
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Post# 15198-3/10/2002-02:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Time/Date Stamps on Posts
MESSAGE: The date appears to be lagging two hours behind the time. Has that always been the case and I just now noticed, or has something changed in the last day?
Post # 15176 - 3/9/2002, 23:50
Post # 15177 - 3/9/2002, 00:03
Post # 15191 - 3/10/2002, 02:02
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Post# 15199-3/10/2002-02:53 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Time/Date Stamps on Posts
MESSAGE: post 15198 shows a time of 2:44 which is about 10 minutes ago. Looks ok from here.
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Post# 15200-3/10/2002-05:08 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: I find it hard to believe that you can be forbidden from owning a clothesline. I live in the wettest part of the state, with over two metres per year annual rainfall. It is often said of the area, "it rains for nine months of the year, and for the other three it drips off the trees." I have not once used a dryer in the two years plus I have lived here. Both the Asko and the F&P spin really well, for wet weather I have clothes lines under the carport. After a day there most things are almost dry, even in rainy weather. I finish off overnight on a clothes horse in the house. When our new house nearby is finished we will build a greenhouse for vegetable growing, I will put some lines up in there.
No dryer for me...
Without wanting to tread on TOO many toes, one must wonder about the priorities of a country which constitutionally guarantees the right to carry a gun but allows clotheslines to be forbidden???
:)
Chris.
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Post# 15201-3/10/2002-09:11 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Oh I agree Scott, those new houses in the far suburbs are HUGE. Actually I love living in the city, otherwise one of thoese 4000sq suburban houses would be perfect, I could double the washer collection! Come to think of it I better just stay put LOL.
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Post# 15202-3/10/2002-09:17 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: I won't arugue about the priorities, but I will try to explain the rationale (on the clotheslines, as for guns, you're on your own). The idea is to protect property value by keeping neighborhood appearance to a set standard. The same deed restrictions usually also restrict parking cars in your yard and (on mine anyway) strip mining.
In areas with homeowners associations (such as gated communities and condominiums), things are even more restrictive. Often the HOA has to approve color choices of exterior paint, landscaping visible from the front, or roofing material and color. There was a case in a nearby suburb several years ago in which a homeowner reroofed his house in a color the HOA didn't like (and didn't ask permision first as he was required to do). They tried to forclose on him. He ended up changing the roof a second time (at his expense). I was on the board of a condominum where someone decided to change his windows out for ones with green tint - it made the whole building look terrible. We made him change them back (at his expense).
Areas that are declared "historical districts" are usually that much worse.
There are good and bad to these things - and I know people on both sides of the issue (like a Calypso, there is no one who is neutral). As a kid I remember my parents trying to sell a home in an area with no such restrictions and a neighbor who left broken cars in their back yard. The restrictions can, in fact, protect your investment. I have 3 rental properties, all have some deed restrictions, 2 (condominiums) have HOAs. Overall, as long as they are reasonable I think they prevent the neighborhood from sliding downward. On the other hand...
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Post# 15203-3/10/2002-09:18 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Electric heat)
MESSAGE: My house is about 1600 sq. ft. Family room has aboutg 10 ft. high ceilings. Rest of house is 8 or 9 feet. Old water heater only had one element working. Set on about 135 or so. New one should impact, make expense lower since I can set it for various conditions since I don't run washer or dishwasher every day. My 1984 heat pump is quite inefficient by todays standrds. Set back during day is 55, but doesn't get that low. It recovers to 70 degrees and is on all night and all the time during weekends. Summer setting is 80. I do anywhere from 14 to 19 loads of wash a month. Don't take too long a showers & shut water off during lather periods. Run dw about 2-3 timews a week and cook pretty regularly. New water heater energy tag says will be $160/year to $180/year less to operate. My 22 year old fridge costs $120 a year to operate based on todays electric rates, new one comparable would be $40. I don't even wanna think about reduction is operational costs for a new heat pump. The money just isn't there to gete an 18 seer system yet. But that Trane will arrive some day. As will the 1050 rpm front loader to reduce dryer time. I also have double paned insulated windows, unusual for houses in my price range, but even here makes a difference. I don't think my house is considered a "starter" home, but it's by no means luxurious. It's a well-built, brick home.
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Post# 15204-3/10/2002-09:26 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: Thre's nary a clothes line in sight in my neighborhood. Plus, in my part of the subdivision, the land is kinda rolling so one could see other yard's laundry flapping in da breeze. When I was unemployed for so long, I just hung stuff in the garage during the summer and the retained heat there had stuff dry in a flash. (Hmm, maybe that's why so many people DON'T park their cars in their garages, which I hate personally, looks tacky). My parents subdivision have quite a few property owner's restrictions and the values have remained quite high and a very desired subdivision even after 40 years. I'm not sure my subdivision has a lot of restrictions, there's no HOA, but there appears to be an "unwritten" code of conduct around here. What do ya expect from living in small town texas. As for gun racks, well, bubba has dem in his pick up.
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Post# 15205-3/10/2002-09:29 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Time/Date Stamps on Posts
MESSAGE: I think that has always been the case Glenn. It's one of those minor bugs that are on my to-do list. The biggest change I'm thinking of implementing is writing code for a preview button on the posts so we can see what they will look like and if the links will work before we actually post them.
My biggest challenge to doing any major code changes now that we are up and running is its hard to test the code with everyone posting and using the system at the same time. At some point I will have to bring down the system for a day to do some upgrades.
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Post# 15206-3/10/2002-09:31 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: No treading here Chris, many of us do "wonder".
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Post# 15207-3/10/2002-09:34 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (2 acres???)
MESSAGE: Oh go for it Robert. As Greg says, you basement is the "cathedral" high-church of washerdom collection as far as aesthetics and layout. Move to one of those new 4000 sq. ft. houses and with doubled space, we'd call it the "Vatican" of washerdom collection. If I could afford a bigger house, I'd have one built with at least two or 3 plumbing sites in the laundry room and at least an additional 240 connection for a second dryer.
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Post# 15208-3/10/2002-10:52 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: LOL, well, two points. One, US gun laws are not as simple as they may seem. While the Federal Constitution does have an amendment that affirms the rights of "the people" to bear arms, this has been variously interpreted by both federal courts, congress, and the states. In the broadest sense, this is seen as perhaps giving one the right to carry unloaded muzzle loading 18th century musket in a fourth of July parade. Some authorities aver that this amendment's reference to "a well-armed militia" means that the only people the amendment intended to guarantee the right to are those who belong to a state sponsored milita (as opposed to the federal armed forces). In any case, the gun laws vary wildly from state to state. While its relatively easy to get a permit to carry a weapon in Utah and Texas, it's nearly impossible for an ordinary citizen legally to do same in California and many other states. And even in Utah and Texas, one cannot carry a weapon into most public buildings - you have to check them at the door. The laws concerning weapons in California are very convoluted and complex. For example, a magazine loaded with cartridges in the same vicinity as the matching gun is considered a loaded weapon, and one can be subject to very serious charges and punishment if one is found in possession outside of one's home with such an arrangement. And even inside one's own home, if one does not properly secure guns and ammo, and a child is injured as a result, one can be charged and imprisoned. A lot of these laws, of course, make sense from a safety point of view, but it's generally not the Wild West, at least not legally speaking. Naturally just about every US city has an area where people carry concealed loaded automatic weapons, but these are usually criminal acts.
Second, as far as I know, the covenants governing clothes lines are not the result of public laws, but rather, civil legal agreements between citizens and other citizens or corporations. These are economic agreements subject to economic, not criminal, sanctions - you can't go to jail for stringing a clothesline in your back yard anywhere in the USA.
All this talk makes me wonder if perhaps it's time for me to string a formal clothesline with pulleys, etc. in my yard. We generlly get at least six months of dry weather every year, and it just doesn't make sense to run dryer year-round. I've held off doing so because I know my neighbor would make some comment about it - but there's no legal reason why I couldn't do it. I do have a small area where I can hang things like comforters that never seem to dry completely in the Neptune dryer, but it would be nice to have a setup where I could hang stuff
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Post# 15209-3/10/2002-13:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Shamefully, I have absolutely no clue what amount of electricity I use each month. I noticed a jump when I started using that Asko and boiling everything I could, but normally I don't pay any attention to the amount I use. Our rates are very low (see link for rates) compared to many other areas of the country. Typically, my electric bill in the winter doesn't run over $40; gas and water combined, rarely over $90. Summer gas & water runs less than $40 typically and electric sometimes hits $100 with a/c and dryers running.
LINK: http://www.oppd.com/athome/resrates.htm
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Post# 15210-3/10/2002-17:38 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire dryer belt advice needed
MESSAGE: I just cracked open my new DIA-2 dryer, and best I can tell, all I need is a new motor-to-idler belt. Now I know that I can take the belt into my local hardware store to compare it to a new belt, but does anyone know what generic V-belt would be the best replacement for a Frigidaire part 7529550DF, such as an 4L500?
Pics to follow soon (I don't have my diskette adaptor for my memory stick with me). It's an electric Imperial, 1962-63 model, white, looks good inside and out, door seals tight, uses a pushbutton to open. Front needs a paint job, but porcelain top and control panel are in very good shape. Now to find a 62-63 WIA. Didn't our old friend Buick8 have a 62 WIA?
On a different note, the slant front WH dryer I found a month ago is Krusher bound. The drum is very badly worn, the cabinet has lots of rust and the control panel paint is badly flaking off. It could be restored, but why bother when there are soooooo many other projects awaiting me...
-ph
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Post# 15211-3/10/2002-17:52 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: What a dream..........
MESSAGE: What are the chances of finding some of the machine that we dream of having in a basement collection?
Well, sometime ago I said I wanted a White Westinghouse front loader and sometimes dreams does come true! There was a White Westinghouse right here in my neck the hood waiting for me! It's a avocado WW laundromat with the weigh to save door that I got my best friend to help me drag into the basement!
Lets see, she needs a new belt, it has a slightly rusted inner basket, the gasket looks OK, but a little cleaning wouldn't hurt! The top is missing since it must had a dryer mounted on top. Oh my, I just don't know what else she needs but my summer is going to be one busy one fixing these vintage machines. Now if I just find a 1-18, I would stop picking up some of these strays and be satified unless its a Kenmore 800........
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Post# 15212-3/10/2002-18:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Suds Lock)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
Thaks for explaining. Actually, I thought I had created my own suds-lock today. I put my sheer curtains in to wash, they were very grubby, yet I only did them a few weeks ago.
I selected 40C (105F) PP selecting the 600 low spin and adding a prewash to rinse out the dust. I put 1 tablespoon detergent for prewash and 2 tablespoons for main, adding 1 tablespoon oxygen bleach to main wash and a half for the prewash. When I looked in the drum was solid with suds, looked like a TL soapcake. The Miele had detected the oversuds and was doing its tiny agitation with huge pauses to try to clear it, but this was so bad, it would never have cleared, none had spilled out. I had to select drain, then a high rinse fill with vinegar, drain again, add high rinse water with softener before the suds cleared.
The curtains looked great after.
Just remembered, after your suds challenge, I should have tried to spin, though the machine may have refused to enter a spin cycle in those conditions.
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Post# 15213-3/10/2002-19:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Caller display can be a blessing, and only 75p per month.
Richtoo
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Post# 15214-3/10/2002-19:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I am so opposite on this one, I hate my clothes to smell of detergent or conditioner fragrances, which is partly why I use such small doses. The Ecover products I use are very lightly scented with essential oils, but I only use 1 teaspoon of conditioner. I have experiemented and any less and the clothes are not soft, but that is the least I need for softness. Likewise I use very lightly scented, again with essential oils, soap, shampoo and deoderant.
Likewise my house is cleaned with ecover products, I love their floor soap, which has is a linseed oil soap and smells just like putty.
I also worry that too many highly scented things will clash with my chosen aftershave which is also applied very sparingly, as in a bottle lasts a couple of years.
I suffer on the detergent aisle in teh supermarket as I find the fragrances overpowering, likewise perfume departments in stores.
I must confess that Bounce is one of those products that I just do not understand. I did try it when it first came out, but did not see the point of it.
Have you tried Persil Black Velvet yet, I am guessing that you will love it. Scent is way too strong for my likeing, but it cleaned my sofa cover very well. Miele sent me a free sample when I called to ask advice about the best programming options to wash this.
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Post# 15215-3/10/2002-19:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action?
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator,
Same as Louis, I do not have a video camera. I only have a modern Miele, do you want video of vintage machines?
I guess you have seen your Mum's Miele so will have already seen a new one in action.
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Post# 15216-3/10/2002-19:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Re: The term pidgeon pair)
MESSAGE: Not sure if caller display is available on my NTL line. In any case, I've solved the problem by unplugging the phone on my day off. If friends or family want to contact me, they now call my mobile instead. The landline is for MY use only!
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Post# 15217-3/10/2002-19:37 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: HAH! Thank God for dear old imperfect New England. No one in my neighborhood would dare speak out against clotheslines. We all have them and use them summer and winter!! I know that it is a growing trend, especially in some of the tonier new developments to prohibit clotheslines, but I could not imagine anything worse. In fact i8n 37 years in this neighborhood only one person complained about my line. And of course it was my ex. At the time he was renting a cottage on my neighbor's property and he felt it was a terrible hardship having to look at our line on a daily basis.... tell you anything?????
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Post# 15218-3/10/2002-19:49 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: Ed - I agree that there should be limits, but there is a huge difference bewtween someone leaving junk cars in their yard and a harmless clothesline. Here in the Northesast some developments see clotheslines as very blue collar and declasse. That whole business about homeowners'associations having to approve landscaping and paint color choices is a complete complete turn off to me because to me it is just another form of snobbery. Like I said - I don't believe that anyone should neglect their property or let it get run down or use it as the town dump. But stil - this reminds me a bit of Orwell's "1984". What's next for these types of developments? Regulation on what types of foods can be cooked so the exhaust doesn't bother the neighbors? Genetic programming of your offspring so a single redhead will not throw off the color balance of the neighborhood? I know, I know I am being dramatic, but I do wonder where this stuff stops.......
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Post# 15219-3/10/2002-19:49 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: Ed - I agree that there should be limits, but there is a huge difference bewtween someone leaving junk cars in their yard and a harmless clothesline. Here in the Northesast some developments see clotheslines as very blue collar and declasse. That whole business about homeowners'associations having to approve landscaping and paint color choices is a complete complete turn off to me because to me it is just another form of snobbery. Like I said - I don't believe that anyone should neglect their property or let it get run down or use it as the town dump. But stil - this reminds me a bit of Orwell's "1984". What's next for these types of developments? Regulation on what types of foods can be cooked so the exhaust doesn't bother the neighbors? Genetic programming of your offspring so a single redhead will not throw off the color balance of the neighborhood? I know, I know I am being dramatic, but I do wonder where this stuff stops.......
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Post# 15220-3/10/2002-19:50 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Ed - I agree that there should be limits, but there is a huge difference bewtween someone leaving junk cars in their yard and a harmless clothesline. Here in the Northesast some developments see clotheslines as very blue collar and declasse. That whole business about homeowners'associations having to approve landscaping and paint color choices is a complete complete turn off to me because to me it is just another form of snobbery. Like I said - I don't beli
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Post# 15221-3/10/2002-20:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: To be honest, I try to use as little detergent as possible. Just enough to get the clothes clean, and no more. For the most part, I tend to use an extra rinse on all cycles, just to be sure it's completely rinsed out. As for fabric softener, I just fill the cap to the lowest line. Whereas I do like the smell to be noticeable, I don't like it to be overpowering. There's a fine line between the two, which even I do not cross LOL.
I do find Bounce makes a noticeable difference on denims - nothing worse than stiff jeans. Works pretty good on towels as well, for which I don't use liquid fabric softener. For most fabrics, though, the main benefit is the scent. I've always liked it, as it takes me back to when my mother used it while I was growing up. They say smell is the strongest sense when it comes to evoking memories.
As of yet, I haven't tried Persil Black Velvet. In the past, I've used the ordinary Persil liquids, and quite liked them. Usually, I'm an Ariel guy through and through, but must say I'm not too keen on their liquid. Tends to oversuds way too easily, unless you're very careful about the dosage, and has an artificial, chemical-like scent which I find quite unpleasant. Persil seems to fare much better in both respects.
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Post# 15222-3/10/2002-20:48 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: My word, Greg, Californians would kill for those kinds of rates. You folks actually pay less per kilowatthour (kWh) the more you use!
For comparison, we start out at about 12 cents/kWh. Any kilowatthours I (and most other Californians) use above about 450 kWh/month, gets billed at 20 cents per kWh. your comparable rate would be 6.88 cents/kWh, going down to an astounding low of 2.94 cents for amounts over 750 kWh!!!
Can I send some NiMH D cell batteries to you to be recharged?
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Post# 15223-3/10/2002-20:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Suds Lock)
MESSAGE: I think I once encountered suds-lock on my '83 wigwag Whirlpool top loader. I didn't know what was happening, only that it wasn't spinning worth a farthing. As I recall, there were a bit too much suds at the same time. Such is the case I think with most men using washers - it's a hit or miss kind of thing.
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Post# 15224-3/10/2002-20:55 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: Ecover sounds like the Ecos liquid detergent I recently found. I've been using it for a few loads and so far I really like the scent of the mix of lavender, rosemary, magnolia, and lily.
Here's an online source in the UK:
LINK: http://www.greenbrands.co.uk/Shop%20Files/index.html?target=toc.html
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Post# 15225-3/10/2002-20:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: It tells me you were probably well worth rid of that creep!
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Post# 15226-3/10/2002-21:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Guns and clotheslines - this is for you Gizmo)
MESSAGE: I have to contribute my 2 cents worth here. Firstly, I think it is a little un-American to prohibit clotheslines in people's backyards. Land rates are so damn expensive over there, that I would probably feel it my constitutioinal right to defend my clothesline with a gun against overly officious councils (or whatever you call them there)and nosey neighbors.
Clotheslines do come in many different shapes and varieties, many retractable and quite attractive. I also don't see how property values can be adversely affected by hanging out ones washing on clothesline in ones backyard. Okay, if I ran a Chineses laundry operation from my domestic premises, perhaps, but this is just so 'Peyton Place'.
As far as guns are concerned, everyone should have one. Look at it this way, even though we have more restrictive gun laws than the US, Australia's international track record for violent gun crimes and murders is one of the worst.
Under our laws, we don't even have the right to defend ourselves and our families against an assailant in our own homes. The best that we are allowed to do, is to beg and plead. Whatever physical force is used against an assailant, as soon as it causes as much as a bruise, one will very likely find oneself at court, defending against an assault charge. I also think it wrong that we are not allowed to carry mace or pepper spray.
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Post# 15227-3/10/2002-21:12 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: WOW, that's a lot. Twelve cents is incredible; twenty just boggles the mind. Our rates are about the same as Greg's, and there are all manner of special rates you can get for air conditioning and this and that. I'm not sure if it's always the same or goes down after a certain number of Kwh since I don't use that many even in summer.
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Post# 15228-3/10/2002-21:18 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Well, I hope this helps explain why I, like so many other Californians, am doing everything I can to conserve electricity in the home. I've been able to cut my usage from 1,000 kWh/month to less than 500 kWh/month. Of course, it cost me about $5000 in new appliances last winter.
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Post# 15229-3/10/2002-21:21 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Guns and clotheslines - this is for you Gizmo)
MESSAGE: Hmmm...too bad you have to be a naturalized citizen to be President. You have some great ideas Bubbles and I would vote for you!
Anybody every broke into my house they'd wish all they *got* was a bruise! You are right about gun control laws as they pertain to law abiding citizens and those not. Like booze, drugs or anything else, if criminals want them bad enough they will get them somehow, some way.
At those electric rates I hope clotheslines are allowed in Suds' neighborhood! LOL
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Post# 15230-3/10/2002-21:24 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Wow, that's great Suds for a whole house! I use more than that for my 1 BR apt, and usually about 900 at air conditioning time. My refrigerator is old so that probably uses a fair amount.
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Post# 15231-3/10/2002-21:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Thanks, Scott.
Your fridge might account for about 80 kWh/month of that. VCR's and other electronic equipment can use up to 20 watts 24x7, just by being plugged in, not even turned on!
I don't have any incandescent lamps left that I use, other than those that can't be replaced by CFL's, such as in some fridge areas (and I've even found some very small CFL's for some refrigerator sockets!). I unplug my entertainment center when it's not in use, as well as my whole computer system in the office. Lots of things like that. I figure the new appliances are saving me about 250 kWh/month, which works out to maybe $600/year. The CFL's, better insulation, and switching off equipment when it's not needed must be making up the rest of the 250 kWh/month I'm saving.
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Post# 15232-3/10/2002-21:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: My $56.97 bill (which is the bottom-line total after all taxes and line-item adjustments) is for 718 KWH, which works out to $0.079345 per KWH.
The bill before that was $78.04, 957 KWH, which is $0.081546 per KWH.
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Post# 15233-3/10/2002-22:04 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Well, that is a new record for me - - posting the same message three times (well actually 2 1/2)... Sorry for that. My computer seems to have gotten hung up somehow.......
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Post# 15234-3/10/2002-22:07 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Soft towels)
MESSAGE: So true - although there were some good points........ And of course I forgot to mention that most of the time he would hang all of HIS clothes on MY line.... go figure.....
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Post# 15235-3/10/2002-22:24 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire dryer belt advice needed
MESSAGE: Peter do you mean DIA-62? Here this might help...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Z_quick&.dnm=Frigidaire+Belts.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
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Post# 15236-3/10/2002-22:32 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: My non-summer electric bill is rarely over $40 and I use mostly electric dryers, with our rates I don't have much incentive to use the little Bendix gas dryer more than any other electric dryer. My highest bill is usually in June, July and August when the AC is going, but even then its only about $75-$80.
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Post# 15237-3/10/2002-22:46 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: But Robert, you have 1140rpm spins. I noticed $20-30 sliced off of my electric bill when I bought my Frigemore. Less drying time and less loads. Colors take about 35mins to dry and towels about 40-45 (depends on load size). With DD Whirlpool it used to be 45/55 (yikes!).
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Post# 15238-3/10/2002-23:12 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: That's great Jason! A very nice savings!
*****
Post# 15239-3/10/2002-23:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: I'm not necessarily advocating any of these restrictions, just explaining the logic behind them. It is certainly something to consider when purchasing property. I personally like a reasonable amount of oversight, but agree that HOAs often go too far.
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Post# 15240-3/10/2002-23:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: I have some Persil Black Velvet and like it pretty well. It is a bit higher sudsing than I expected, but still reasonable.
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Post# 15241-3/10/2002-23:22 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I visited my parents this evening. Their latest bill was $64. Their house is considerably larger than mine. Three full baths (but only the two of them there, except when the grandkid visits on the occasional weekend). Three refrigerators, chest freezer, TWO 40-gal water heaters (one might be 50-gal).
Dad said their heat pump sometimes ran just about continuously at night during the recent cold spells.
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Post# 15242-3/10/2002-23:41 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: F&P Suds Test
MESSAGE: I tried.
Load of towels. Three scoops of Purex powder. Medium water level, on which there isn't much splashing. Very little suds, if any at all. So I added water to medium-high, where the upper fins contribute to some splashing. Still no appreciable sudsing.
So I added another scoop.
And another.
Five scoops of Purex powder.
Finally some suds, but nothing near what a Unimatic or Rapidry would generate.
The suds pretty much disappeared upon drain.
The deep rinse was a touch cloudy (when usually it isn't at all), but nothing to write home about.
I have some video, but it's mostly pointless. Blah.
No, my water is NOT that hard. I get nice bubbles for a bath. Hmmmm . . . perhaps I should try bubble bath or dishwashing liquid in the F&P?
8-)
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Post# 15243-3/10/2002-23:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: html "bold" tag
MESSAGE: Has no effect, because the post text already appears in bold.
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Post# 15244-3/11/2002-04:05 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (clothes lines)
MESSAGE: Ed I'm glad your deed restrictions prevent you from stripping outside.
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Post# 15245-3/11/2002-10:50 ||| surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action?
MESSAGE: It's actually my grandma's who has the new Miele, and I've seen her new Miele (its the W844, I think), but I haven't actually it in operation yet, and she lives about 200 miles away, so it's not just a case of popping round the corner. Anyway, pics and/or videos of any Miele, new or old, in action, would be great. Louis, I like the pics of the Miele 400 you've posted on your website.
I think I am in a similar situation to both Herr Miele and Louis, but the other way round; I have a new camcorder, but I would love to get a new Miele pair to replace my 4 year old Hotpoint washer and 14 year old Hotpoint dryer. Only thing is money, a Miele pair over here costs about £1500. Well, at least it's basically the only thing we get cheaper over here than America.
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Post# 15246-3/11/2002-12:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Suds Lock)
MESSAGE: Mieles are not very good with sudslocks, I now and then have problems with sudslocks especially when I do an all towel load on 140F with Ariel. Of the dutch detergents I think Ariel is rather sudsy with certain combinations, I've tried other detergents, but I didn't experience sudslocks with them. Doing a spincycle makes it worse, it really whips up the foam. Adding fabric softener works very good.
Louis
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Post# 15247-3/11/2002-12:28 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire dryer belt advice needed
MESSAGE: Thanks, Robert! The DIA-2 comes directly from the plate inside the dryer door. Pics to come soon...
-ph
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Post# 15248-3/11/2002-12:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action?
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator,
I guess you want TOL Miele, W939WPS 1600 spin £1,182.99
T689 dryer £863.99, prices from hed.co.uk.
I have the W829 washer 600/1100 spins, one up from BOL when I bought it last year for £480 from a local supplier. I figure that BOL Mieles are built to the same quality as their TOL machines, just less options. I did work out how many options my washer has some time ago, it was over 300. I plan to get a T490 dryer if my AEG brea\ksdown, or I give in to the Miele temptation.
It is possible to get a Miele set for about £860, a quick search turned up hed.co.uk with -
T490 dryer £363.99
W827 1000 spin £499.99
W863 1100/600 spin £545.99
Out of curiosity I checked the Hotpoint prices, cheapest set £417, dearest £828, only a touch less than BOL Miele, though at this price the HP dryer is condensor and the Miele vented, HP 1600 spin and Miele 1000 spin.
If you really want the TOL MIele, just keep looking at the Dyson and the Miele's cost just won't seem so bad.
LINK: http://www.hed.co.uk/
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Post# 15249-3/11/2002-12:55 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: What a difference in preferences again. I like most of my laundry to be soft, but I like my jeans to be really stiff. I especially like them when they are linedryed without softener. I also like my bedlinens to linedryed outside and without softener.
Louis
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Post# 15250-3/11/2002-13:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Ecover)
MESSAGE: Here's the link to the Ecover site.
LINK: http://www.ecover.be/
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Post# 15251-3/11/2002-13:51 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: Wow not me Louis, for my Jeans I use extra softener, I like them to be really soft. Most other items I use the standard amount of softener, except for towels, I like them to be softener free.
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Post# 15252-3/11/2002-13:55 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I guess that a big part of it goes to airconditioning? We hardly have airconditioning here and we use much less energy. I believe I use around 2200 kWh/year and I'm not frugal with electricity. Besides that is ofcourse my use of natural gas which almost all houses overhere are connected to. I used around 1200 cubic metres/year, heaven knows how much that is in American standards.
Louis
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Post# 15253-3/11/2002-14:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: I like clothes soft, bed linen soft, but with pillowcases ironed smooth and crisp - if I had the time I would iron all the bedlinen. I am thinking about paying a ironing service to do it, I currently send shirts out for ironing.
I really like table linen, napkins and placemats ironed very stiff and crisp and sometimes use a liquid synthetic starch, Dylon or Globright. I am thinking of trying old fashioned powder starch.
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Post# 15254-3/11/2002-14:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
I am going wrong somewhere, I use that much electricity every quarter, don't know where it goes. I use 42,000 kWh of gas a year, but don't know what that is in cubic metres of US units.
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Post# 15255-3/11/2002-14:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (ironing the bed linens)
MESSAGE: I have two rotary ironers and there was a time that I used to iron all the bed linens on one of them, but that was quite a while ago....
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Post# 15256-3/11/2002-14:42 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: That's only about 183 kWh/month, which in the USA for a house would be very frugal. You would be will under our "lifeline allowance" of about 325 kWh/month, up to which point the rates are the lowest. But perhaps it's not too much for an apartment. I know my electricity consumption was a lot less when I lived in a smaller house, and even less when I lived in an apartment. It would be interesting to see what my electric bills were, say, in 1978... But I think I may have discarded those records by now. I know where the extra energy is going: I have two fridges now, and both are larger than what I had in the past; the fish pond pumps run all the time; there's a well pump; there's forced air gas heating; there's a dishwasher, dryer, and washer (in '78 I had one small fridge, that was it). And then in '78 none of my electronic stuff seemed to have standby power losses. Today all the various gadgets and charges etc. I have would consume about 1200 kWh/year if I left them plugged in all the time!
By the way, our electricity is supplied by a public utility, just like in Minnesota and Nebraska. However rates here have always been higher than elsewhere in the USA. I'm not sure why this is, but it probably has to do with our more stringent air quality requirements, the lack of sufficient natural gas within the state to meet our combined heating and generating needs, etc (supply and demand). Of course, in the past year our rates have gone up even more, from a top rate of US$.14/kWh to US$.20/kWh. Just curious, how much do you pay per kWh in Holland?
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Post# 15257-3/11/2002-14:49 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: The Ecos liquid laundry detergent has a built in soy-based fabric softener. It seems to leaves fabrics reasonably soft without a greasy feel, and it doesn't seem to affect the absorption capacity of towels, either.
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Post# 15258-3/11/2002-15:15 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I pay 9.58 eurocent for 1 kWh. That is $0.083346/kWh.
I used to have all my equipment on stand by while I knew it took energy. I stopped doing that when I read TV's etc. on stand by are one of the main reasons for domestic fires.
Electricity overhere still is supplied by public utilities, there are several in the Netherlands. Since the beginning of last year we can change to another supplier if we want. We also have green electricity that is produced by eco friendly sources like windmills etc. Below 10.000 kWh/year it is the same price as regular electricity.
Louis
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Post# 15259-3/11/2002-15:16 ||| surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Pairs I'd like)
MESSAGE: I'd actually like the new W435WPS washing machine, the one with the honeycomb drum an 1400rpm spin speed, and the matching dryer. If I get them, the washer will cost me £790 and the dryer £590. Otherwise, I'll either get the 866/490 pair for £550/£410 or the 310/240 for £630/£510. I prefer the 435 pair because of the time delay start. If not, I'll get the Bosch Maxx IT pair. (all with 1400 speeds). I don't like the touchpad controls on the TOL Miele, and also it doesn't have a see through door.
Just out of interest, my washing machine is a 4 year old Hotpoint 1200rpm Aquarius WM64 (with the horrible shaped door) and a 15 year old Hotpoint Reversomatic 9324 dryer. I also have an AEG Oko Favorit 5040 dishwasher.
I checked my grandma's Miele washer model on the internet and it is the 864.
I hate the Dyson washing machine but like my Dyson DC03 vacuum cleaner - it is way better than my old Hoover.
Do you have any pics of your Miele?
The link has the full Miele range in stock. I bought my Neff oven/hob/extractor from there, and they were the cheapest and most reliable around.
LINK: www.we-sell-it.co.uk
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Post# 15260-3/11/2002-16:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Hmm... $.083 for Dutch juice vs. $.12 for California power. Well, I think something is definitely amiss in California if we are paying 50% to 100% more for electricity than the citizens of Holland! Can I misquote Shakespeare and suspect that "Something is rotten in California"? LOL!
Last summer I seriously considered investing $30,000 to put in a solar-electric generating system, augmented by small (four foot) wind powered generators. I realized that it was more economic to do all I could to conserve first, though. $5,000 for more effient appliances to cut my electric consumption in half was worth $15,000 in solar equipment costs.
On unplugging TV's etc... I think you should keep on unplugging them, but... my understanding is that most new TV's (made in the past 15 years at least) do not present the same hazard as much older units. The older units actually pre-warmed the picture tube so that it came on faster. This produced significant heat etc and was the fire hazard when large amounts of dust would accumulate and ignite from the heat. Newer TV's, at least all the ones I've bought in the past 10 years or so, do not pre-warm the picture tube, so they don't present the same kind of hazard. But I think you should still unplug your TV/VCR etc when not in use, to save electricity.
I have meaured the standby power consumption of my TV's and even though they are not particularly new (the oldest is about 10 years old), none of them consume more than a couple of watts when in standby mode. That wattage is consumed so that they are awake enough to responde to an infrared remote control command to turn on fully. I have some VCR's, however, about five years old, that use 10 watts a piece when simply plugged in. Add to that some other video equipment and the receiver, and I measured a current draw of 27 watts for the whole entertainment center when I wasn't even using it! My solution was to get a radio-controlled power switch. Itself it consumes less than a watt. I have the entertainment center connected to the remote power unit, and when I'm through being entertained for the night I shut it all down. The VCR clocks of course go beserk but I've learned to live with that slight inconvenience.
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Post# 15261-3/11/2002-16:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I remember that Suds! Our 1965 Danish Modern Magnavox color console did that. The top of the cabinet was hot all the time, even if the TV hadn't been on for some time!
I think that television saw the service man more than anything else in our house, although it lasted quite a while once they had basically replaced every part in it at least once, although it was in the formal living room and not used nearly as much as the other ones. A salesman told us years later that the combination of color tv and the tube technology used at the time was not a good marriage.
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Post# 15262-3/11/2002-16:43 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: One thing I really like is starched bedlinens. It's just like slipping into bed in a posh hotel, which unfortunately, I don't get to do all that often LOL. Normally I use spray starch, so it doesn't take much longer than ironing them the usual way. I did buy a bottle of liquid starch, which goes into the final rinse, but later noticed that you can't use a dryer afterwards. So, I haven't tried that out yet.
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Post# 15263-3/11/2002-18:39 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Good Ironing is Dry Ironing!)
MESSAGE: As you may have guessed, of course I have a mangle. An Ironrite to be exact. I loved the videos on operating the machine. Most of the literature is geared the same way. The poor housewife is tired, shoddy dress, bad hair, etc. Until she gets her new Ironrite!
I too enjoy starching my shirts. I just hate to keep buying them back each week at the laundry. This afternoon, after reading your post, I made up a batch of Faultless Hot Starch to do my shirts. As I'm typing this, my Ironrite is heating up.
North of Las Vegas is a small farming town called Overton. It looks liked it dropped from the Midwest and landed in the middle of our desert. While there a while back, I went into their main grocery store. I wandered down the laundry aisle and found a few boxes of the Faultless starch.
I've successfully used cornstarch for hot starching as well. Just boil a couple of quarts of water. Mix about 5-6 good tablespoons to a paste. Then add this paste to the hot water, stir very well, or you'll get lumps! And those lumps just look nasty if you miss one and iron over it and squash it into your shirt. If you should wind up with lumps, just strain through a fine strainer or some cheesecloth. The solution will look just a bit cloudy. Add another quart or so of cool water. Then dip items to be starched into it, wring out and let dry. Dampen, then iron as normal.
What I tried this afternoon was taking my dry, clean shirts, put them through a final rinse in my Frigidaire F/L, on a high speed spin. If items are damp, they absorb the warm starch solution better. Did the starch thing, then put them back in the machine. I turned the timer dial to the final rinse. On this machine and setting, it's getting ready for the high speed spin, thus no additional water is added to the tub. The shirts came out damp dry. Just about 5 minutes in the dryer and now they're ready to iron.
Ok, gonna settle into my Ironrite "Health" chair and get to mangling!!
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Post# 15264-3/11/2002-18:53 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Good Ironing is Dry Ironing!)
MESSAGE: Ready now to iron her husband's shirts, Mary sits down in her Ironrite health chair. Next, she... ;-)
Thank you for the starching tips Iron! I'll have to look and see but I don't think my store offers anything but spray starch these days. I bet you could maybefind some starch on the net though...if not, this corn starch idea sounds like a great one! I never would have thought of that!
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Post# 15265-3/11/2002-20:12 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Good Ironing is Dry Ironing!)
MESSAGE: and here it is!
LINK: http://www.agelong.com/Store.asp?Department=HOME+PRODUCTS&theProd=Original+Faultless+Dry+Starch+White&Page=NOPAGE
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Post# 15266-3/11/2002-20:16 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Fragrance)
MESSAGE: Robert, I was like you--no softener in towels--too unabsorbant over time. But with Downey Enhancer, it's far more tolerable. I just don't use full amount on towels, but still have some softeness.
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Post# 15267-3/11/2002-20:24 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Luigi, I'm now paying about $0.075 to $0.08 cents/kwh here in texas now for my utility company, based upon last week's bill. Our generatinng equipment uses natural gas to produce the energy. When gas prices were so high a year ago, it was 10 cents/kwh.
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Post# 15268-3/11/2002-21:42 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Starch Update)
MESSAGE: The ironing came out great...no unsightly blotches! And thanks for this great link. I think I'll place an order for some of the blue starch they have. Now, if I could only find Satina, my world would be complete!
I must say, the finish to the shirts is much different with the hot starch than the spray starch. I do use both, depending on what I'm ironing. I find very dark articles will show marks if you use a heavy starch solution on it. Those seem to work better with the spray. When I use the spray, I'll do all my shirts, then folded, place overnight in the refrigerator. It seems to distribute the moisture more evenly, thus making for better ironing.
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Post# 15269-3/11/2002-21:55 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Starch Update)
MESSAGE: my mom and grandma used to stick dampened stuff in the refrigerator too! :)
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Post# 15270-3/11/2002-21:56 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Starch Update)
MESSAGE: What is Satina? Another type of fabric finish?
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Post# 15271-3/11/2002-22:44 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (G'day Sudsmaster , yes I too love using energy!)
MESSAGE: All that talk about energy consumption has made me curious and I have stolen another peek at my gas and electricity bills as a result. I think I had a bit of a discourse about alternative (more green), energy generation with Gizmo, not too far back.
Here in Oz, people in remote rural settings have been availing themselves of solar power for hot water and electricity generation for quite some time. You can even buy your own little hydro-power plant, if you have a fast running creek in your backyard. I have seen this in tropical Queensland, particularly the Daintry region, where there is no articulated power. Residents are utilizing all types of power generation methods (although diesel driven generators are still the most common form). I have a Cyclone shed up there, that I am renting out to the local elementary school teacher. All her energy needs for her fridge, cooking and lighting, are provided through propane gas. She doesn't have a tv, but uses one of those wind-up radios. For her laundry she usually travels to one of the nearby hotels, to use their coin-op laundry equipment - I suppose handwashing is a dead craft.
In urban settings there is still very little incentive to go the alternative way. I suppose being a home owner, one has to pay the council rates and be connected to all the main utilities. There now is an organization that offers consumer advice on alternative power generation and savings, and utility deregulation will supposedly also bring about growth in the green power generation stakes, but it still is a matter of time. Solar cells for electricity are rather costly and the savings would only be realized over a very long time span - reducing the financial appeal. Solar hot water (even though we have nearly 300 days of sunshine in Sydney) still needs to be boosted by either gas or electricity, and has actually dropped in popularity. There used to be more roof top solar hot water systems around in the eighties, than there are today.
Now, to get on to my energy usage, my last electricity bill (which comes every two months), states that I used 2082 kWh over 66 days. One kWh is charged at AU$0.106 (US$0.05)and hopefully, if I shop around between the dozen or so providers, I should get an even better deal, because my bill currently hovers around the AU$250 mark.
Gas is billed quarterly and its consumption measured in megajoules. My last bill came to AU$189.70, having used 16,683 MJ, charged at 1.1371 cents per Megajoule, plus a AU$26.92 supply fee. I use more in winter and have used as much as 24,000 MJ over a three month period. Our rates have also gone up, we used to have a base rate and an economy rate, where we paid less, if we used more. Electricity used to work on that principle too, many years ago.
Water is also charged quarterly and costs around 93.38 cents per kiloliter (approx. 264 gallons). My domestic consumption is around 150 kiloliters (approximately 39,630 gallons), over a three month period - give or take by 20 or 30 kl's. My last water bill came to AU$143 plus the quarterly service fee of AU$19 and sewerage fee of AU$80. So, it all adds up as you can see. Just as a point of interest, Queenslanders didn't have to pay for water until three years ago, them were the days.
Well, that's my story, hope it didn't put you to sleep.
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Post# 15272-3/11/2002-22:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: The way to go is dryer sheets. I use Softly and love the way things smell when they come out of the dryer. When I line dry, its liquid conditioner and lots of it. There is nothing more awful than hard towels, bedsheets, t-shirts and jeans, yuch! I have very soft and supple skin and can feel a pea under a layer of three matresses.
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Post# 15273-3/11/2002-23:32 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: This conversation has gone in so many directions I am confused where to post.
All i know is I just took the washing off our clothesline and there is nothing like the smell and feel of sun dryed washing.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!
I also loathe fabric softener. I also like my towels good hard and stiff. Like sand paper. There is nothing like a good rub down with a hard towel after a shower to invigorate you and get one ready to face the day!
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Post# 15274-3/11/2002-23:41 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (More washday chemistry)
MESSAGE: Satina was another ironing aid. It came in a small box. They were sqares of what appeared to be blue wax. You melted it in the hot starch solution to make your ironing easier for those that hand ironed. As I recall you'd use one or two little squares for your starch solution. I can remember my mom using it. It reminded me of blue, waxy Hershey's candy.
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Post# 15275-3/11/2002-00:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Cornstarch & laundry)
MESSAGE: Back when I had time on my hands, I experimented with making my own starch with food grade cornstarch. It worked just fine. But it's been about 6 years since I ironed my own dress shirts. I went back to perm press.
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Post# 15276-3/11/2002-00:50 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: 2200 kwh/year? I just got my power bill for last month - 2190 kwh (but it was a cold month).
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Post# 15277-3/11/2002-01:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (More washday chemistry)
MESSAGE: Very cool!
I was in the grocery tonight and they carry a liquid starch called "Sta Flo". I believe there was also once a pink fabric softener called "Sta Puf" or some such thing.
I am wondering now about Niagara, if they are still around. I didn't see the powder but I'll have to check the spray cans next time. It doesn't come up on the net.
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Post# 15278-3/11/2002-01:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (G'day Sudsmaster , yes I too love using energy!)
MESSAGE: God I love Australia! $.05/kwh! What do the providers use for fuel? When I was there I didn't notice gasoline being very inexpensive, so I would guess they are not using a petroleum based source.
Here we now have choices of providers. I switched to a wind farm several months ago. Current rate is $.092/kwh (US).
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Post# 15279-3/12/2002-02:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (liquid starch)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
If its the liquid stach that looks and smells like teh marvin rubber solution glue used in schools, Dylon or Globright brand, then starched items can go through the dryer. One or 2 provisos through. If you tumble fully dry and then steam iron, the starching will be less crisp than if ironed from damp, the same happens if you line dry till fully dry, you can add extra starch to the rinse to counteract this if you want. Alternatively, tumble till iron-damp and iron straight away. I have used both methods and they are fine.
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Post# 15280-3/12/2002-05:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING! (Arrrooohhh - You are not talking about...)
MESSAGE: You are not talking about towels mate, You've got something completely different on your mind you dirty bugger.
Gotta get up a lot earlier to put one over me mate.
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Post# 15281-3/12/2002-05:44 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (Late welcome back!)
MESSAGE: Hi Glen
Thanks.... whats been happening with you any more "Big Drama Movies"
Mike
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Post# 15282-3/12/2002-05:52 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator
Welcome to the club from me, good to see more UK input, the Hotpoints being put through its paces as we speak, trouble is I stand there for the whole wash and dont get any work done...which is my excuse and I sticking to it..LOL
I went to the convention at Roberts last year and saw the 60`s Whirlpool Combi, what a great machine, that jet does a perfect arc from the bottom of the drum, unlike the Zanussi which is from the top...
Although I must say the machine i really fell in love with was the 57 Lady Kenmore complete with Ozone lamp, what a beauty!!!
Cheers, Mike
p.s.What part of UK are you from
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Post# 15283-3/12/2002-05:55 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album (New Apartment Needed!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis
What a great little machine and so portable, do you use it at the sink or plumb it into you main washer connections??
Looks like you should have kept the flat below for your "Washer Emporium"
Mike
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Post# 15284-3/12/2002-06:14 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (& Lux Flake Wash)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus
I`m busy buying up all the packs of soap flakes I can find at the moment, as an article appeared in the newspapers before Christmas saying that the brand was being axed after more than 100yrs of production....It is made at a local factory in Warrington, Cheshire...
The forrunner of Lux Flakes was of course Sunlight Soap which started production in 1885 at Port Sunlight,Wirral, Cheshire, which is one of the headquarters of Lever Brothers...
The Lux product was created in 1899 when an employee of Lever Brothers discovered how a thin sheet of soap culd be turned into flakes....Initially known as Sunlight Flakes, the name was changed to Lux in 1900.
Exports to America could not keep up with demand and a separate factory was set up their in 1907.
The last packets I found had savings coupons for the new Persil Black liquid powder, which I suppose is their equivilant.So wish me luck!!!
Mike
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Post# 15285-3/12/2002-07:28 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Good Ironing is Dry Ironing!)
MESSAGE: Scott - you should be able to find liquid starch at your major grocery or WalMart. The national brand available is Sta-Flo (Purex/Dial). For you folks on the west coast - the Sta Flo brand has replaced the old Purex "Vano" brand. Since Purex/Dial acquired the parent company of StaFlo (Staley's), and the market for liquid starch is so small, the brands were consolidated into the one with more national distribution. Vano has always been a regional brand and not available east of Arizona.
Here in the Northeast we also have a small regional brand called Linit as well as a powdered brand called Argo Gloss.
I remember years ago while working in Kingman, Arizona - 3 hours from everywhere, I had my shirts done at a Frigidaire coin op laundry where they starched the shirts with a mixture of Elmers Glue and water. Never did learn the proportions, though........
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Post# 15286-3/12/2002-07:31 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (Starch Update)
MESSAGE:
As did mine - and I still do, it makes a great difference....
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Post# 15287-3/12/2002-07:32 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: I know, I also love the crispness and body of line dried everything.........
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Post# 15288-3/12/2002-07:34 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (More washday chemistry)
MESSAGE: Yes, StaPuf still exists and was a sister brand to StaFlo. It is no longer pink - and it is now a Purex/Dial product. Available in most WalMarts and some major supermarkets.......
*****
Post# 15289-3/12/2002-07:43 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!! (& Lux Flake Wash)
MESSAGE: Good luck with your search for Lux Flakes, Mike. I may have to order some from that Vermont Country Store before it is too late, although that price just about kills me. The same thing happened here in the US with Instant Fels Naptha. For years it was a heavy duty soap, then Purex turned it into a bargain detergent formula then discontinued it completely. It is still sold in bar form as a pretreater and household soap - strangely effective for washing your skin if you contract poisin ivy. So I must grind up bars at a time if I wish to wash certain things in soap. It is great for woolens.......... I guess the same is also true for Ivory Snow (Fairy Snow I believe in the UK). Dear old Procter and Gamble made it a detergent about 8 years ago.....
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Post# 15290-3/12/2002-11:47 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I believe that it should be:"Something is rotten in the state of California".
I was told that the newer TV's still harbor the risk to start a fire. It has to do with getting dust into the equipment and the electronics warming up a bit. Temperatures can rise to high and melt a cable or so. At least that is what a fireman said. Nevertheless I hate reprogramming the clocks of the VCR's, so they stay stand by. But they are relatively new.
Louis
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Post# 15291-3/12/2002-12:08 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: I hate dryer sheets, the ones that are on the market overhere in the Netherlands all have a horrible smell. I will reconsider after they come with a decent scent.
Louis
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Post# 15292-3/12/2002-12:15 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Yesterday I finally got the powerbill over the last ten months in the old apartment and it even appeared to be less. The last ten months I used 1581 kWh, so over 12 months that would be 1897.2 kWh. But you have to consider that I heat and cook with gas and I don't have airconditioning. The hot water also comes from the central heating boiler, so that is gas too. The water in the washers are ofcourse heated by electricity.
Louis
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Post# 15293-3/12/2002-12:27 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old Miele picture album (New Apartment Needed!!!)
MESSAGE: Hey Mike,
I connected the little Miele to the plumbing that was meant for my AEG. The AEG is down, the motor is burnt and the push buttons are broken. I am thinking about what to do with it. The little Miele needed a new water hose, it was leaking a bit. The drain hose is OK. I mailed Miele and they told me that it was manufactured somewhere between 1967 and 1969. So it's over 30 years old. And I think it never had a repair. Just the new hose I put on it. Really amazing don't you think?
The apartment downstairs had wooden floors, so it wasn't very suitable for the big laundryroom I am dreaming of.
Louis
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Post# 15294-3/12/2002-13:12 ||| surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Hotpoint TL In Action, We say Yay!!!!
MESSAGE: I'm from the East Midlands
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Post# 15295-3/12/2002-13:33 ||| Surgilator (uk)
SUBJECT: For chestermikeuk
MESSAGE: Hi chestermikeuk,
Just out of interest, what are the current appliances you own at the moment?
from surgilator
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Post# 15296-3/12/2002-13:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: Yep, the smell of line dried sheets, why do they smell so good. Although line drying has its drawbacks, such as birds leaving their calling card, I have even had them drop black-currants on my washing.
*****
Post# 15297-3/12/2002-15:02 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Yes, of course, you're right about the Shakespeare. I was in such a state about your low relatively low electric rates, that I forgot to add a state to the quotation.
I think modern VCR's are actually more of a standby fire hazard than TV's. The VCR's I've measured in my home use 5-10 watts standby. The TV's use 2 watts or less. However, slowly, electronics manufacturers are catching on, and I'm seeing "Energystar" logos on newer VCR's, which I believe indicates they will use 1 watt or less when on standby. You can usually tell if an electronic unit is using more than a watt on standby. If the cabinet or chassis feels warm to the touch after it's been off for a few hours, then it's probably using about five or more watts. That's enough to add up over time, and worth disabling when not needed.
*****
Post# 15298-3/12/2002-15:05 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: And then there's that secret windmill powered electricity generator you have on the roof of your apartment building...
;-)
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Post# 15299-3/12/2002-17:43 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Both VCR's are icecold, so I guess no problem here. The thing that irritated me more was the cable modem. The people of the cable company told me to let it on for 24 hours/day. Ofcourse I didn't do that. I was once phoned, they couldn't reach my modem. I just told them that I wasn't online. They said again it would be better to leave it on and I gave them a piece of my mind. I haven't heard from them since. And I never have a problem with getting a connection, by the time the computer has started the modem has found the server.
Louis
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Post# 15300-3/12/2002-17:45 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: which is ofcourse next to my solar panels....
;-)
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Post# 15301-3/12/2002-19:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator,
Wouldn't we all love a new honeycomb Miele. I must say, I was surprised at how inexpensive, comparatively (thinking Dyson), it is. I was expecting the honeycombs to be much more expensive, £1000 minimum. Do go for a honeycomb so you can give us first hand details about it. I agree about the lack of a porthole on the TOL Miele, a definite drawback, and they charge more for it!
The link you posted has excellent Miele prices, I will seriously consider this site when we buy the new DW - though I am having second thoughts about Miele DW, due to the max 30cm 12" plate size (32cm on some models). We want to buy some of that very large restaurant style crockery, so I will have to check sizes first. I may have to go for a Bosch with back-spray. Their prices for Smeg, range and fridge/freezer did not seem so competitive though.
You request for pics of my Miele has prompted me to upload a few that I have taken. Yesterday I took a pic of it in fast spin, following a quick wash of one black t-shirt. I think the foam on the door is from the softener. The pic makes the drum look stationary, whereas it was going at 1100rpm.
I have also uploaded 2 pics of the filter, promised long ago, and taken a couple of weeks ago, but I did not know how to upload to yahoo, easy once I bothered to find out how. I have also posted a pic of the emergency drain in action. This was not from the time that the electrical timer that controlled the electrical supply to the machine failed, it was purely taken to demonstrate the facility. I did this shot after washing to pre-shrink a large piece of new bright purple cotton fabric that I bought in IKEA to make dining chair covers. The rinse water is still holding a pink colour to it in the pic.
A question to the panel anout file sharing on yahoo, I have set the album to public so it says shared with everyone when I look, whereas most albums that I look at from here say shared with friends. Have I chosen the wrong setting? How does 'shared with friends work'?
Although I do not have a video camera, I do have a stills only digital camera, so can take more pics. Let me know if you have any particular requests for angles, close-ups or action shots - ohh err missus - and I will try to oblige. I will try to remember to clean the washer door first though, that chrome porthole looks awful in the pic, I had not noticed those smears before I took it.
I had thought about scanning the Miele brochure if anyone is interested, so that you can read about all the behind the scenes programming that the manual and website does not tell you about. This was such a loveley surprise that I could make the machine do so many different things.
Well, I am trying for the windbag of the year again, so I had better shut up and say goodnight.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/herr_miele/lst?.dir=/My+Photos&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/herr_miele/lst%3f.dir=/My%2bPhotos%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15302-3/12/2002-19:10 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: I enjoyed the pics of your machine - Yahoo will always say "shared with friends" when you choose the public option in setting it up.
Can you snap some pics of your dryer too? After using the Asko for a while, I am curious about the other Euro brands as well.
My friend Don and Michael have the Asko set now, they like it so far except when Don added Biz to a boil wash with water softener and detergent and it poured suds out of the dispenser drawer. He was all flustered because he couldn't get it to stop. "Oops, I forgot to tell you....."
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Post# 15303-3/12/2002-19:19 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
You probably don't remember asking, but I did promise to get back to you. I have found a store own brand liquid gel that did not list enzymes, whereas their powder and tablets did list enzymes in its ingredients. I have also found a TOL Brand 'Finish' whose liquid gel does not list enzymes, again their powder and tablets did.
I have emailed Finish to clarify that the liquid gel does not contain enzymes, but they have not replied.
Even ecover, which I normally use contains enzymes.
LINK: http://www.finish.co.uk/
*****
Post# 15304-3/12/2002-19:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
So glad you're here, there are so few posts this evening, I was wondering where everyone was, and what I was missing?
I'll be glad to snap the AEG dryer, any particular requests, or I can just take what angles I figure.
Euro-style gossip - Did you know that Maytag is re-badging Askos to sell as Euro-style Maytags in the UK? - AEG was a great brand, when it was German, but know it is Italian (Merloni) and its new machines are basically Zanussis - Titans shake themselves to bits. I am sure that there is more, soome of the other Euros may chime in.
What is Biz, a water softener? Don't worry anbout suds from the soap drawer, it is a little known euro secret, our washers are so clever they automatically wash your laundry floor sometimes, a quick wipe with a towel and the floor is like new. A slug of fabric softener washed in with a jug of cold water usually de-suds the drum.
*****
Post# 15305-3/12/2002-20:53 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Ed, I just checked my usage. From 1/31-3/1, it was 1074 KWHs. That includes around 20 loads of wash and me running the heat all night long at 70 degrees plus the artificial man (electric blanket at near highest setting on both sides of the bed). And I run the dw every 3 days now. Hmm, heat pumps rule!! Oh and I checked, my cost/kwh is $0.076.
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Post# 15306-3/12/2002-21:10 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING!
MESSAGE: I've heard it been said dryer sheets are bad here for the electronic moisture sensors in dryers here. And can clog up lint (fluff) filters). Thus, I don't use them. I prefer liquids. And I would rather not dry off with a towel if it hasn't been tumble dried. My skin isn't into rough harshness, personally I love soft cuddly (furry) things against my skin.
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Post# 15307-3/12/2002-21:12 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I wonder if here in the U.S., because we have to "step-down" our basic electrical needs to 110 volts rather than standard 220/240 volts through out the house like in european countries, we create wasted energy and inefficiency by doing this.
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Post# 15308-3/12/2002-21:21 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Luigi, the cable company just wants to ask the modem, "Are you Being Served?"
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Post# 15309-3/12/2002-22:04 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Bob,
Well, no, we really are not wasting electrical energy by using 110 volts instead of 220 volts. What our lower voltage does require, however, is a thicker copper wire to carry the same maximum amount of power as a 220 volt european circuit would require. That is, a 220 volt 15 amp european circuit could have wiring 1/2 the gauge that an American 110 volt 15 amp circuit would require.
Where it gets somewhat confusing is that American 220 volt circuits use two hot wires, as opposed to a single hot wire in a European 220 volt circuit. Each American hot wire is 110 volts, 180 degrees out of phase with each other, which gives a net voltage of 220. No copper is saved because each wire still needs to sized twice as big as a 220 volt wire would. However, the American dual hot wire 220 volt circuit can carry twice as much power as a 110 volt single hot wire circuit. That is why it is used for appliances.
The higher European voltage might be considered slightly more dangerous to humans than 110 volts. But either one can hurt or even kill you if applied in a certain manner. Some people may consider the voltage and frequency differences between American and European electricity standards as being emblematic of the cultural differences: the Europeans assume that people will exercise a little more caution and respect for electrical wiring in exchange for conserving a natural resource - copper. And they are content to move at a slightly more relaxed rate (50 cycles per second vs. the American standard of 60 cycles per second). On the American side, it's more a matter of "copper is cheap", "junior will stick his finger in the light socket", and perhaps, "faster is better". I don't know if I buy into these sorts of generalizations but it's interesting to ponder.
*****
Post# 15310-3/12/2002-23:35 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: What is the distribution voltage in the U.S. vs. Europe? Transformers use a small amount of power, and if the distribution voltage is closer to the 220 that is fed into the homes, perhaps there is less loss from step-down transformers on the European system.
The local electric cooperative refers to the loss from transformers and other line devices as line loss, and the power they use at their office is supposedly included in that figure. There is a bit of rivalry between neighboring cooperatives regarding line loss.
*****
Post# 15311-3/12/2002-23:59 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (liquid starch)
MESSAGE: In that case, I'll give it a go. The bottle I have is Dylon brand, which goes into the final rinse in place of fabric softener. If it works well on bedlinens, I might even try using it on shirts.
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Post# 15312-3/12/2002-00:06 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: My cable-modem man told me to leave it on all the time as they (a.k.a. "Big Brother") check periodically for access security at my port to the internet. Big Bro wants to make sure nobody can access files on my computer via that line (except them ;-) and that it should be left on all the time. The box is slightly warm to the touch all the time. It would be interesting to know how much I would save by turning off and unplugging everything for a month, but my "to do" list is already too long.
*****
Post# 15313-3/12/2002-00:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: Take a sniff of the Finish Liquid Gel, and you'll find out the answer for yourself. Quite a pronounced bleach smell, although you can't actually detect it on your dishes after washing.
I have spilled some of this over myself once when I was loading my dishwasher, and within a few seconds, there was a bleach mark on my jeans. It must be pretty strong stuff to work that quickly.
*****
Post# 15314-3/12/2002-00:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: LOL - hope they don't catch on too big over here, my cleaning business would fold! Biz is an enzyme additive/pre-soak compound which does tend to foam in the water heating front loaders, I got my laundry room floor washed once too!
Any pics you think would be interesting of the dryer, dishwasher, etc. would be fun. Pictures are part of the fun and a good way to get to "know" those far away - at least the appliances anyway!
Interesting about the Maytag/Asko affair, heaven forbid they actually come up with an orginal product - getting more like GE all the time. I had heard about the Titans, bad way to start out a new line, a reputation like that may never be overcome in what sounds like a competitive market.
*****
Post# 15315-3/12/2002-00:16 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Nooo, AEG isn't owned by Merloni. It's part of the Electrolux group. Still made in Germany, but now the tub and drum is similar to those used on the Zanussi models. For all intents and purposes, though, it's still an AEG, not just a rebadging job.
AEG washer-dryers and built-in laundry appliances ARE rebadged Zanussis, however, and have been for several years.
*****
Post# 15316-3/12/2002-00:49 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Hi all,
Thought you might like to know the latest happenings at Hotpoint UK. The rep visited our store yesterday, and it's not good news.
Up until recently, GDA was owned 50/50 by GE and Marconi. Merloni of Italy, who manufacture the Ariston and Indesit brands (yuk) recently bought Marconi's share in the company.
Last week, I heard that Bosch have lost the contract to produce Hotpoint dishwashers. In future, they will be sourced from Merloni. So, in effect, they will be rebadged Aristons and Indesits. I can't believe they've switched from a quality product to total crap. No doubt the retail prices won't reflect the drop in quality, and will stay as high as they were.
The Hotpoint rep who visited yesterday gave more bad news. GE has sold the remaining 50% share of GDA to Merloni. Apparently, GE have been trying to get rid of it for years, and were only too happy to sell up. We don't know as of yet whether the GE brand will disappear altogether from the UK, or if it will operate independently from GDA as a stand-alone brand.
The rep also informed us that, eventually, all production will be moved to Italy. Each time he goes to the head office in Peterborough, there are more and more empty desks. He's already handed in hs notice, too, and will be the new Siemens rep as of next week. People are deserting the company like rats on a sinking ship. Makes me wonder if, eventually, they'll shut the Peterborough site down, and operate from Merloni's UK headquarters.
I pass through Peterborough very regularly on my travels to and from Cambridge, and have seen the GDA site. It's absolutely massive, and employs huge numbers of people. Wonder what's going to happen to them all?
We've been talking about this at work today, and honestly can't believe it's happening. Hotpoint are really shooting themselves in the foot over this. But, they'll probably just continue to ride on the back of their brand name, like they have done for the past few years. If it says Hotpoint on the front, people will automatically assume it's as good as the one they bought 20 years ago.
*****
Post# 15317-3/13/2002-07:22 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: While not the exact same background scenario, the end result (terrible quality and trading off on a respected brand name) is very much like what happened to Frigidaire years ago and what GE here in the US is doing to themselves now. Sad, but even the appliance dealers in my area now steer you away from GE and Frigidaire immediately (except for FL washers). How do you even begin to repair the damage to quality and reputation??
*****
Post# 15318-3/13/2002-09:50 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich, great shots, thanks for sharing. Using Yahoo photos is very easy.
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Post# 15319-3/13/2002-09:50 ||| Surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi herr miele
Thanks for posting the pics of your miele, i saw the same model in my local comet store today, my grandma's is the version that's sold in currys, the 1200rpm one. compared them both (comet and currys are bang next door to each other in my local retail park) and there appeared to be no difference, and different spin speed selections (600/1100 verses 600/900/1200) and the spin performance (C verses B). But still, i like both machines. I'll go for a 1400rpm version though, because i prefer a faster spin speed, and i'm not even satisified with a 1200rpm spin i have at the moment. I've decided that the pair I'd like would be the 435/253, because of the honeycomb drum and the delay timer, but moneywise it'll be the 866/490 or Bosch Maxx IT pair. I'm not impressed with AEGs anymore, hearing that their now made with Zanussi parts, that's put me off a bit.
From Surgilator
p.s. how old is your Miele and your AEG dryer?
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Post# 15320-3/13/2002-09:56 ||| Surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: You mean they going to produce even more rubbish products than they are now? Their quality has gone down a lot over the past few years, my grandms's old 1994 hotpoint aquarius was still running well with no repairs (she handed it down to my sister when she got a new zanussi when she moved house), whereas my 1998 hotpoint aquarius has had 8 repairs in the last 4 years. I called a local (multiple brand) serviceman out and he said that the newer Hotpoints are just rubbish compared to the 10 year old + ones. I wouldn't be surprised if Hotpoints are already being produced by Merloni, I mean, they have the same shaped doors as no one else but Ariston!
from Surgilator
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Post# 15321-3/13/2002-10:59 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi again herr miele
Another question; just out of interest, which direction does the Miele turn during the spin cycle? My Hotpoint seems to spin anti clockwise during the first spin cycle between the wash and the 1st rinse, but during the rinse 1/rinse 2 spin cycle, rinse 2/rinse 3 spin cycle, rinse 3/rinse 4 rinse cycle and the final spin, it turns clockwise.
Also, would you be able to take pictures of the normal water level, the water plus water level, and the soak water level for me. I just want to see how high they are. Also, does your washer have a spray system during rinsing and washing like the Zanussi Jetsystem and AEG's ART system?
And is it true with Miele that you can't select more than one function on the top option button, the one with Soak, Prewash and short? i.e, can you select a short wash with a soak before, or just one only?
Oh, and last question, do you know how to upload film pictures onto Yahoo? I guess you use the scanner, but that's all I know!
From surgilator
P.s. and, one more LAST question, could you send pics of your other appliances too.
P.P.S Sorry to bombard you with loads of questions, but I really really like Miele's, only that I can't afford one at the moment, just got a new camcorder, TV, video recorder, DVD player, had Sky Digital installed and ntl:broadband installed. Oh well, one can dream about owning a Miele laundry pair.
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Post# 15322-3/13/2002-12:07 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: I know that dryer!!! Thanks for sharing your pictures.
The filter looks more like the one on my AEG than the one on my W715. It was about time that Miele improved the filter, they were about the last one to have a self cleaning one.
I would love a picture of the control panel so I can read the english text that is on it. I only have seen Mieles with text in German and Dutch.
Louis
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Post# 15323-3/13/2002-12:28 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: I actually remembered asking you. This must be the same stuff that is sold in Holland under the brandname Calgonit. It is produced by the manufacturer of Calgon, Reckitt Benkiser. The product range is not as wide as the Fresh range in the UK. Main product is the powerball tab.
I haven't used their product in ages, I didn't like their powder years ago. I changed to Sun powder which is manufactured by Lever. Unfortunately they took the powder from the market and at the moment I'm using the last bit of it. A german drugstore that has shops overhere in Holland still sells a powder and I'm going to try that.
Louis
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Post# 15324-3/13/2002-12:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: AEG is part of Electrolux, like Zanussi, Marynen, Zanker and some other brands.
*****
Post# 15325-3/13/2002-12:34 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Well, I didn't like them to keep asking if my modem was free, so I turned it off. That will serve them right!!!
*****
Post# 15326-3/13/2002-12:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis
Yep, it is a Reckitt Benkiser product. I have never used it but they do a powerball or something with a ball tablet. We did have (still have?) Sun DW detergent in the UK. I prefer a powder so I can control dosage, liquid seems so messy. My preferred brand Ecover did a DW powder many years ago, but stopped it, for years they had no DW product, but in teh last couple of years they have sold DW tablets. As I have soft water, and don't like paying too much for detergent, I cut the tabs in half. A bit of a pain, but I still get great results.
Richtoo
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Post# 15327-3/13/2002-12:43 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi again Louis,
I know you know that dryer, we share great taste.
I have taken loads of Miele and AEG pics just now including the control panels. I hope to post some later tonight.
Richtoo
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Post# 15328-3/13/2002-12:45 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: I was told that the 60 cycles is better because the 50 cycles makes people to hold on to the electric source if they are getting in contact with electricity. It seems that the 50 cycles is more in line with a rythm in the human body. With 60 cycles people seem to be able to let go of the source they are in touch with. Now, I don't know if this is true, I heard it only recently for the first time, but if it is true, I can understand why 60 cycles would be better.
But if it's not true, I could understand the 60 cycles being in line with the standard time increments of 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute.
Just a few thoughts,
Louis
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Post# 15329-3/13/2002-12:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Besides the control panel, both their toploading H-axis washers pretty much look the same to me. Do you know more about this?
Louis
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Post# 15330-3/13/2002-12:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: Hi again Richtoo,
Does Sun still sell the compact powder in the UK. Overhere in Holland Sun is the one with the oldfashioned no-enzyme product, it's a non-compact powder. I too prefer the powders for the easy way to control the dosage. I hate cutting tabs in two, I always make a mess of such a job, most of the time because I'm in a hurry.
Louis
*****
Post# 15331-3/13/2002-13:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg,
May I call you Surg?
What an embarass de riche you request. Still I am happy to oblige a boy who knows what he wants. I will take the shots you want, but it may be a few days till I get it all done. I have taken the normal cotton/pp wash level, which I will try to post later. The pic does not show very well the level in relation to the drum, but it captures nicely that I forgot to check the drum was empty before adding the next load, not one but 2 towels left in there that should have been in the dryer - I guess the excitement of taking pics was too great.
Do you know, I don't know which way it spins, I will try to watch carefully.
Miele has shower baffles which scoop up and shower water, like Bosch and my old AEG, the water shower is passive rather than pumped like the Zanussi Jetsystem.
What other apps do you want to see? I am hoping to get a Waring blender soon, modern but classic.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15332-3/13/2002-14:08 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi herr miele,
Call me anything you like, as long as it's not rude! I wouldn't mind seeing something like your dishwasher and dryer. I will take pics of my appliances soon, as soon as a) I get a new scanner (mine broke tonight) and I get my camera back from the repair shop. I would post pics of my washer, dryer and dishwasher when I get these things done.
My Hotpoint has the similar paddles, it has a wash and shower system as they call it, called "Aquarius Wash System Plus". On my Hotpoint, the water level is usually up to the lip where the rubber seal touches the door during washing and the first two rinses, and the water level during the last two rinses is halfway up the door.
Sorry about asking you all these questions, but I want to get as much research as I can before I buy, or dream of buying. It just shows how much I'd like a Miele! And I don't mind about not seeing the photos straight away. You've probably got another 20 years time to do it in anyway, according to the brochure!
from Surg
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Post# 15333-3/13/2002-16:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: And of course, the worst thing is, one their reputation is ruined, they'll never get it back. Even if a different company buys them out again in the future, turns them around and improves the quality, mud sticks.
*****
Post# 15334-3/13/2002-16:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: The current Hotpoints are still made in the UK (Wales, to be exact), but had a total redesign a few years back. The current WMA series is, believe it or not, even worse than the prior WM series.
My parents had a WM61, which used to eat carbon brushes. We were looking at two or three sets every year. It also unbalanced very easily, to the point where it snapped a shock absorber once during the spin cycle. The motor finally died when the machine was just under five years old, by which time they'd had enough. They replaced it with one of the new touch-button Zanussi Jetsystem machines, and have been very pleased with it.
Our local repairer said the same as yours. Basically, newer Hotpoints are OK if you do two or three washes a week, but anything more than that is considered "heavy use", and will kill it quickly. Like myself, my parents do usually do as many as two or three washes a day, so it was no wonder it conked out so soon.
A colleague of mine has a Hotpoint which is 18 years old, and still going strong. She's eagerly waiting for it to die, because she really wants a Whirlpool top loader. But, seeing as it still works so well, she can't justify getting rid of it yet.
I still think they should bring back the 9605 top loader...
*****
Post# 15335-3/13/2002-16:22 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Louis,
I'm not quite sure what you mean. Are you referring to an AEG or Merloni-produced top loader? Only reason I ask is because there's no such thing as any of those in the UK right now. AEG used to offer one here, but that was several years ago, before I was in the business.
*****
Post# 15336-3/13/2002-16:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Those Waring blenders look so cool. Kind of like the Kirby of blenders, styling-wise. And they crush ice, too! I've never had a blender which can do that :o( It would be the next best thing to having a Slush Puppie machine in the kitchen :o)
Oh, I really do need to grow up LOL.
*****
Post# 15337-3/13/2002-16:33 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't too clear about it, I meant the AEG and the Zanussi toploaders. The only differences between them seem to be the controlpanels.
Louis
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Post# 15338-3/13/2002-16:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification, Louis. As I mentioned, Electrolux no longer offer an AEG top loader here, just a Zanussi. I presume they are available in other European countries, though?
I wouldn't be surprised if the two brands did share a similar design, however. AEG rebadge Zanussi washer dryers and built-in laundry appliances, so perhaps they do the same thing with their top loader, for those markets where it is available.
Oh, while we're talking about Elux-made top loaders... until recently, there was a Zanussi Jetsystem TL available here. I looked it over thoroughly, but nowhere could I see the nozzle where the water sprayed out onto the laundry. Any idea of where it was, and how this design worked? The drum is enclosed, and turns as one piece, so I can't see how they could pump water into it through a jet nozzle. I've done a fair bit of head-scratching over this one. Suppose it's all academic now, as their current TL isn't a Jetsystem, but these things still make one wonder.
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Post# 15339-3/13/2002-18:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Oh Kirk, don't grow uo, its very overated. I am decades older than you and I have no intention of growing up.
Yep the Waring blenders are cool, I want a Kitchen Aid mixer, but their blender does not look as good as the Waring. I guess getting the Dualit toaster started me on classic smal appliances. Did anyone notice Delia using a Kitchen Aid hand mixer? (Delia Smith doyenne of UK Cookery TV and books and Norwich Football Club, our very own Julia but somewhat younger)
Richtoo
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Post# 15340-3/13/2002-18:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Good lord, you would think that the monopolies and mergers commission would have something to say. This will give Merloni a huge share of the UK market.
Richtoo
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Post# 15341-3/13/2002-18:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg,
I'll call you a taxi!!! Sorry very lame joke, but its late.
I have up loaded the water level pic for you, it shows the cottons / pp normal level, and my badly unsorted load. The pic does not show it well, but water level is about 1" below the drum rim, it takes about 6 litres to reach this point plus whatever the load soaks up.
I will add some DW pics when I get chance, I will have to clean around the door seals first though as my cleaning lady misses those - lifes tough. I have taken some dryer, control, drum and action shots and need to edit and upload. The action shots are a bit of a bugger, as I have to press the door catch in, the red light switch in the door cavity and press start, so the camera angles are a little squiffy, also the load spirals out of the drum after about 2 revs.
You may ask as many questions as you want, I am happy to help, and I guess some of the others will chime in too. You can regale us with Hotpoint Horror stories, do you have a link to a pic of your HP model, so I can see which horrible door shape you mean.
Richtoo
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/herr_miele
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Post# 15342-3/13/2002-18:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
I am not sure that Sun is still sold in the UK, I don't recall seeing it for a while, I will keep a look out and report back.
I cut up a dozen or so tablets at a time and keep them in a small plastic box for convenience.
RANT WARNING
I really hate these modern tablets, how in hell's name are they easier and less messy? You have to touch the damn things, so have to rinse hands after, well I do, I have eczema. When I get DW powder it is an a bottle from which I pour, no touching the powder. Washing powder is in a box from which I scoop, no touching powder. Those silly little tablets are plastic wrapped, which is wasteful, and then I have to go to the bin to chuck the wrap. It's a PITA to control dosage, buggering about cutting the things up. The washer tabs end up whole and sitting on the door gasket, so I have to open it up and puch it back in - I have know it re-apear on the gasket again after this; so noe, if I use a laundry tab, I have to squish it back into powder first, more buggering about. And they cost more. Unfortunately, mu preferred brand Ecover, only does DW tabs and enzyme laundry detergent in tabs, luckily its non-bio powder is still a powder.
Sorry all of you who like tablets, but they don't work for me.
*****
Post# 15343-3/13/2002-19:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (timer pic uploaded)
MESSAGE: Hi again Louis
I have uploaded 2 pics for you, my Miele control dial, and the option button control panel, with English text - enjoy.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/herr_miele
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Post# 15344-3/13/2002-19:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Well, growing up is allowed, as long as it's done disgracefully :o)
I did consider getting a KitchenAid mixer, but the local cookshop only had the basic model in stock, priced at £350. Seeing as I could get a staff discount on the Bosch Concept kitchen machine, I went that route instead. It's very nice, but of course, doesn't have the classic appeal of the KitchenAid.
My mother used to have a Delia Smith cookery book, but never even used it once, and ended up giving it away. The bible in our house was the Good Housekeeping cookery book, from the mid 70s, which they still have, and have promised to leave me in their will LOL.
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Post# 15345-3/13/2002-19:06 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Switching Rants)
MESSAGE: Well, I completely agree with you about tablets, but I have found one application in which they work very well. I have the need to lock up a house for sometimes 6 months. It's in a relatively high humidity environment. I would have to throw away the laundry detergent and dishwasher powder each time and buy fresh when I return. Now I just buy the individually wrapped tablets and they are fine for long periods of storage. Other than that, I hate them too. But they are still better than liquid dishwasher detergent.
Now for my rant:
The liquid dw detergent is a horrible waste. It stops pouring or being squeezed out when there is still about half a bottle left. You cant rinse the bottle out because then it's too thin to stay in the dispenser. What's the purpose anyway? How difficult was it to pour powder out of a box? This is a solution looking for a problem. I just don't get it.
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Post# 15346-3/13/2002-19:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Apparently, it had to go through the approval process first, but it must have passed if this was the effect. I wonder how Merloni rank in size now, compared to the other appliance giants? GDA were always at the top of the heap, with Merloni at #3, so neither of them were exactly small to begin with.
*****
Post# 15347-3/13/2002-19:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: HI again Surg,
I knew I had missed one of your points when I replied earlier, I even double checked beofre hitting post. My memory.
Yep, it's right, on the top option button, you can select soak, prewash or short. The rationale is that if somethingis so dirty as to need a soak or prewash, it is too dirty for a short wash. Personally I think that is tosh, when I wash door mats, they have a lot of loose dirt, but are not so stained as such, so I need a prewash to rinse away the loose dirt but a short wash suffices. I manage this if I am around when teh prewash finishes by manually re-setting to a short wash, if I am not there it does a long wash.
Do you know about the Miele behind-the-scenes programming that you can do, altering soak time, water level, wash action and making the water-plus button perform different functions, making the soap drawer work for big-box powder, adding cool-down to the 75C and 95C cotton cycles? I did not know about this before I bought the machine, it was a brilliant surprise.
You gotta go Miele, there is so much to play with. Hope Kirk's got his ears shut, but I noticed that Bosch don't even have a 50C temp option on their machines. Not really knocking Bosch, I love my Bosch DW.
*****
Post# 15348-3/13/2002-19:16 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Switching Rants)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
Liquid DW stuff - totally agree. Have you noticed how it runs back down the outside of the bottle making a sticky noxious mess?
The power of marketing or what?
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15349-3/13/2002-19:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I thought it was growing old not up that had to be disgracefull!
John Lewis have the basic Kitche Aid mixer at £229, the chrome is about £350 I think. My local kitchen shop wants £159 for the Waring Blender so I am shopping around. Is the Bosch concept the built in motor unit? That is a very cool idea, I rather like it.
In deffence of Delia, my copy of 'The Cookery Course' became so disgusting, grease stained and pages falling out that I have chucked it out and bought it again in the larger illustrated version, I like to think that this is a credit to Delia. My Mum's bible was (Spelling) Margarite Pattern, who was popular during the war I think.
*****
Post# 15350-3/13/2002-19:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: NOTHING is better than having a Slush Puppie machine in the kitchen!
*****
Post# 15351-3/13/2002-19:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
Well if you are a speed queen, why not go all the way and get the 1800 honeycomb, you don't really need to eat or pay the mortgage do you. I do agree about fast spins, having used a 3500 spin twin tub, I find automatics very slow, I got the 1100 as it was all I could afford at the time.
My Miele is 12 months old and the AEG is 8 years.
I looked at an AEG manual on the serviceforce website, and was not impressed at the installation instructions - pull this tape, remove this bracket, tip the machine on its back and pull a load of polystyrene out of its bottom. My proper AEG washer had one big bruiser of a transit braket on the back to remove, that was all.
LINK: www.serviceforce.co.uk
*****
Post# 15352-3/13/2002-19:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
You are welcome, and yes, once I plucked up courage, I found yahoo very easy. I got a long way to go to reach the standard you set, but thanks for the encouragement.
*****
Post# 15353-3/13/2002-19:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Red face here)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I see Louis picked this up too.
I guess I have assumed that Merloni and Electrolux are the same, ooops. I was fooled by seeing a German factory on the Merloni map.
Where are Electrolux Zanussi and other brands made?
*****
Post# 15354-3/13/2002-19:34 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Switching Rants)
MESSAGE: Don't get me started - yuck!
*****
Post# 15355-3/13/2002-19:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
You got a cleaning business. I love cleaning - well the technology and theory, I prefer to have someone else do it. In my work, I have been contract manager for several cleaning contracts. I managed to get trained in high speed burnishing which I really enjoyed. Managed to take a few cleaners by surprise when they clearly did not believe my claim that I could operate the machine, till I showed them.
Thanks for the info on Biz, sound like our Bio-Tex.
I will do some DW pics amd post them, but it may be a few days or so.
Richtoo
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Post# 15356-3/13/2002-19:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (DW non-enzyme detergent)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Thanks, I will try next time I am in store. No enymes there then!
Richtoo
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Post# 15357-3/13/2002-19:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (liquid starch)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Remember the fragrance discussions, well I actually rather like the smell of the Dylon liquid starch.
A tip, watch it on darks, it can leave rather suspicious white stains.
*****
Post# 15358-3/13/2002-19:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Sun is still available here. If I remember correctly, the tablets contain their own water softener, so you don't need to use salt, and a bottle of rinse aid is included in the carton.
My Zanussi dishwasher doesn't like powdered detergent; before it dissolves, it's abrasive enough to grind away at the axis of the spray arms, causing them to sieze up and require replacement. You can actually hear it grinding the plastic down when the wash first starts. At the moment I'm using Finish tablets, and miss being able to adjust the dosage, so I'm planning on going back to liquid once my stockpile has been used up.
Re: laundry tablets, I presume you mean Persil? They do exactly the same thing in my washer, and usually bounce themselves free during the rinse cycle, much to my annoyance. Ariel tablets are better, because they dissolve instantly as soon as water runs into the machine, but again, you can't adjust the dosage easily.
Have you tried the liquid capsules yet? Must say I'm not terribly keen on them. The Ariel Liquitabs tend to suds up too easily, while the Persil Capsules just pong, IMO. You can't beat powder or liquid, providing you're not too lazy to measure it properly, that is.
*****
Post# 15359-3/13/2002-20:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Oi! I heard that!
You're not the first person to point this out to me, actually. My official sales patter is, "It's done like that to encourage people to use 40*C instead, therefore saving energy." Which is probably true, come to think of it, although people do still like having the 50*C option there regardless.
Glad you like the Bosch dishwasher. As much as I like my Zanussi, if I was able to turn the clock back, I'd have gone for a Bosch instead. The nice "clunk" as the door closes still impresses me - they're really well built. Imagine my distaste when I recently saw a Servis dishwasher, with a not-so-subtle copy of the Bosch filter assembly and curved spray arms. My face actually wrinkled up at the sight of it.
*****
Post# 15360-3/13/2002-20:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: That's a good price for the KitchenAid. We haven't got a John Lewis in Lincoln (we haven't got anything in this toilet of a town, but I digress), and the nearest ones I can get to are in Peterborough and Cambridge. But, too late now, I suppose!
Bosch do make a built-in version of the Concept, which sells for around £500, if I remember correctly. They also do a freestanding version in stainless steel, costing - wait for it - £600! I may be a keen cook, but I'm not THAT keen. The one I have is the freestanding MUM7150GB in white, with liquidiser and food processor, which was £229.
My mother has a Marguerite Patten cookery book, too, stashed away somewhere in her kitchen. She has several different books, but only ever uses the Good Housekeeping one for some reason. It's a little dated, but still a very good book regardless.
*****
Post# 15361-3/13/2002-20:16 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Already looked into that one, but unfortunately, they only loan them out to businesses, and don't offer them for sale. My world collapsed around me when I found that out LOL.
*****
Post# 15362-3/13/2002-20:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: That's exactly how you install a Zanussi. They all have polystyrene blocks on either side of the tub, which you yank out by pulling on the plastic wrapping. Must be due to the redesign, which incorporates the Zanussi tub, drum and door seal.
*****
Post# 15363-3/13/2002-20:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Red face here)
MESSAGE: Zanussi is all made in Italy, as far as I'm aware. The absolute BOL Zanussi washer, along with the Tricity Bendix models, are made in a different factory to the higher models.
AEG is still made in Germany. The washer dryers and built-in laundry appliances, being rebadged Zanussis, presumably come from Italy.
I **think** Tricity Bendix and Parkinson Cowan cookers are made in the UK, but honestly can't remember for sure. Not sure about the built-in cooking appliances. All the Elux brands are the same across the board, except for styling differences.
As for vacuums, most uprights are made in the USA by Eureka, with a couple of the newer ones coming from China. The canisters come from Hungary and China, and possibly Sweden in the case of TOL models.
*****
Post# 15364-3/13/2002-20:37 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GE to introduce a new washer. Renewed focus & emphasis on appliances (liquid starch)
MESSAGE: Yes, it's a kind of outdoorsy-type scent. Not heavy like some fabric softeners and detergents tend to be.
I think, just to be sure, I'll dilute the starch in warm water, and then pour it into the washer as it fills for the final rinse. My bedlinen is in very dark shades of navy and burgundy, and would show every single splodge if it didn't dissolve fully.
*****
Post# 15365-3/13/2002-23:23 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: Hmm, I hadn't heard that 60 cycles was any safer than 50 in terms of elecrocution. It was my understanding that both would encourage one to let go, wheras a DC current would not encourage a release.
I have heard that 60 cycles can be more damaging because it intereacts more with our own frequencies, but I have forgotten the details and I'm not sure if that was a pseudoscience rumor or not.
*****
Post# 15366-3/13/2002-23:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Public Utilities Rock!)
MESSAGE: My understanding is that the European system distributes high voltage power to neighborhood distribtuion substations at 11 kV. These substations convert the voltage to 220 and send it to homes in the neighborhood. The American system uses substations to convert high voltage to 7.2 kV. Then, there are additional transformers at homes or groups of homes on a block that step this down to one or more (typically two) 110 volt circuits for delivery to the homes.
I would expect that the power losses attributible to converting 7.2 kV to 110 v at the residential transformer vs. the losses incurred by converting 11 kV to 220 volts would be relatively insiginificant. There are compromises in each system - the line losses incurred by the euro system sending 220 volts for longer distances than the 110 volts of the American system might be offset by less total transformer loss. In either system my assumption is that conductors and other electrical components are sized and designed to minimize power loss at all voltages of all stages. But perhaps someone with electric utility knowledge needs to provide more information.
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Post# 15367-3/13/2002-00:42 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: All these mergers and take overs are evil. We will end up with one giant corparation ruling the world!
I figure if everything is made by the same people, you might as well just buy the brand name you like best. Be it Hoover Hotpoint or Ariston.
Are the Aristons really that bad? They are on sale in Australia and from what i gather getting rather popular. They do look very nice, the doors are solid and open nicely as do the controls. The percieved quality is definately quite high!
But they are similar in price to Bosch. I do prefer Bosch and it has a good reputation.
*****
Post# 15368-3/13/2002-00:44 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING! (Arrrooohhh - You are not talking about...)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles!
Trust me the only thing rubbing against my body is definately a towel. The Seridan ones are the best. The driglo towels in th ecupboard are way to soft and fuzzy, but they are made in Australia unlike the target towels which are my favourote because they are stiffest!
As for the women in my life please dont get me started on my dissapointing track record!
*****
Post# 15369-3/13/2002-00:44 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: SOFT AND FLUFFY EVERYTHING! (The contents of my linen cupboard)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles!
Trust me the only thing rubbing against my body is definately a towel. The Seridan ones are the best. The driglo towels in th ecupboard are way to soft and fuzzy, but they are made in Australia unlike the target towels which are my favourote because they are stiffest!
As for the women in my life please dont get me started on my dissapointing track record!
*****
Post# 15370-3/13/2002-00:46 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Hi ChestermikeUK
MESSAGE: Hi Chestermike!
Glad to see you back online!
Good to see the UK contingent growing too.
*****
Post# 15371-3/14/2002-02:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (DW spray arms)
MESSAGE: HI Kirk,
Thanks for all your replies, lots of interesting info.
I would have a problem missing the 50C cycle off a machine. 40C washes are fine for bio users, but non-bio users appreciate the hotter washes.
Another problem is that, particularly with very low water washers, at 40C and below, one can get a problem with body fats not being disolved into hot water, and sticking to the drum and tub, which is rather grosseroonie. This one of teh reasons manufacturers advise the occassional hot maintenance wash.
The Bosch DW is great. Mine does not have the curved spray arms, it is an 1989 model, one below the very TOL I think.
Do you think the curved spray arms make a real difference? What about Smeg's orbital spray arm, with the little spray arm on the end of the big one, I can imagine that this would help get the water intop every nook and cranny.
I shall have to look out the Servis DW. Like Hotpoint, Servis used to be a very good brand, nice heavy solid strong well designed machines.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15372-3/14/2002-06:42 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: While I've had the problem you describe of having the tablets sit on the door gasket, I haven't had it with Persil -- maybe because of the little mesh bag. On the other other hand, I do hear them bouncing around for a minute or so.
The persil liquid capsules seem to be a nice solution. Liquid detergent in dissolvable plastic bags. You don't touch the detergent, no mess, dissolves quickly. Of course, you have to like liquid laundry detergent.
*****
Post# 15373-3/14/2002-06:47 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Slush Puppie)
MESSAGE: Well, I've got the next best thing -- a 4 Slush Puppie machines right outside of my office. And a nice selection of Vita-pup!
LINK: http://www.slushpuppie.co.uk/
*****
Post# 15374-3/14/2002-09:34 ||| Rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Hi all! and Jet cones...
MESSAGE: Hello!
I just ran across this site and had no idea people collected this stuff...it's great! I noticed someone here has a handle of "Jet Cone"...isn't that the vertical agitator Frigidaire from the 70's? Is there any interest in these things? I have one of those..77 vintage...that ran perfect for 20 years, then I started to have problems. I tried to get people to fix it, but they all said they wouldnt' touch it. Seemed to get a scary reaction from them...like they are haunted or something! So I bought a new motor for it because the spin was slow, but that wasnt't the problem. Apparently, something in the transmission has tightened up. I've kept it anyway, thinking someday I could fix it, because it was the best washer I ever used. Anybody have any comments on these things?
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Post# 15375-3/14/2002-09:50 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (the 1-18 rescue mission continues...)
MESSAGE: Hey RM! Welcome to the club!
Yes, that machine is worth keeping and trying to fix. There are a number of us Frigidaire aficionados that can help you out. Please post the model of the machine (from the top of the control panel), and any pics if you can. Slow spin could be as simple as a loose belt or a worn spin roller. Is it/was it very noisy, besides the classic throaty sound that 1-18 washers make?
-ph
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Post# 15376-3/14/2002-10:05 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (the 1-18 rescue mission continues...)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the reply! Well, I relegated it to a dark storage shed on some adjoining property I have after I gave up trying to fix it, so I'll have to take a walk and get the model number. It's brown, and I just recently retired the matching DEC-5 dryer, a model number I remember easily from all the drum rollers I bought over the years, only because I got tired of replacing drum rollers!
The washer was making much more mechanical dragging noise in the spin cycle than it ever used to. I checked all the obvious stuff first, the best I could, and narrowed it to the transmission itself. I restore cars as a hobby, and this was my first attempt at doing anything with an appliance! But I sure would like to see it work again...can't stand the thought of hauling it away. My new Neptune can't touch the job this one did as far as cleaning clothes. Especially since I have an extra perfectly good motor for it. I even bought years ago, supposedly, the last NOS transmission in existence for one of these things and I still have that in the box. Looks a bit beyond my skill level to replace it. What a great group here! Thanks
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Post# 15377-3/14/2002-10:14 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Hi from the Surgilator! I disagree with you there about Lincoln, Lincoln is cool! I've lived here all my life and I find it a nice place to live. We don't exactly have big dept stores like John Lewis, but we have enough electrical stores to survive by; Comet, Currys, Lincoln Co Op, Powerhouse, Allders, the opening on 28th March B & Q Warehouse is going to sell appliances, several Euronics centres, MFI, you know. But I bet nobody else has a city the size of Lincoln with five McDonalds in town. There's one on Outer Circle Road, at the Moorland Centre, on the A46 roundabout opposite Pennells, at the Cornhill, and opposite Toys R Us. Or three Burger Kings, one at the Hykeham Roundabout, one in the Waterside Centre, and one next to Toys R Us. Which cook shop did you try out in Lincoln?
from Surg
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Post# 15378-3/14/2002-10:16 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Well, I just checked my file cabinet, and lo and behold, I have all the original manuals for it and the dryer. It's a
WC-6....
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Post# 15379-3/14/2002-10:27 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: I will do when I get both my scanner and camera working again. But it is the same shape as the current Hotpoint and Ariston range.
I looked at a Hotpoint and Miele side by side in Comet lastnight, and did notice the quality difference between them both! I twisted the Hotpoints programme selection dial, and it felt so flimsy that it was going to snap off as soon as you turned it! I tried to compare drum size differences, but the Miele seemed to be broken as the door button didn't work, I pushed it in but the door wouldn't open. It probably still had water in the drum from testing or something. But the Hotpoint drum also felt flimsy when turning it around, it didn't turn smoothly.
I also looked at a Blomberg 1500rpm model, what do people think to this? Kirk, this is in our local Comet at the right hand side section next to the Zanussi IZ I think, next to the washing machine sales desk. (I believe you live in Lincoln too!) Any opinions? It just seemed quite reasonable for an AAA machine at that price. Seems to be made in Germany too.
Anyhows, it's just started to rain and I need to take my laundry in, so see ya in a mo!
From surg
LINK: http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/49_757974.html
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Post# 15380-3/14/2002-10:37 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (DW spray arms)
MESSAGE: Hi herr Miele!
Phew, just got it in! My AEG dishwasher has straight spray arms, and used to have a metal lower arm until I had to replace it with a new one that's now plastic, and a plastic top arm. I didn't realise they were actually called arms until just now, I call them blades. Lastnight when my dishwasher was on, I opened it quickly to see what it looked like inside when washing and mine seems to have a system where the water is pumped through the bottom arm then through the top arm - this is probably to save water or something.
What cycles does everybody elses have, mine has a Pre Rinse cycle, Normal 65 with Prewash, Normal 65 Without Prewash, Bio 50 with Prewash, Bio 50 without Prewash, and Quick 50. Mine has a dial for programme selection, an on/off button with light and a Bio 50 button. Mine also has a drying system where it has a hot rinse, then drains the water, then uses the hot air from the rinse to dry the dishes, where the moisture is taken out through a fan whilst the fan blows the hot air around. I think it's called Turbo drying or something.
From your applianceamaniac friend surg
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Post# 15381-3/14/2002-10:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: The Zanussi toploaders are available in the Netherlands. I recently saw the Zanussi and the AEG side by side and the only difference I saw was the control panel. The AEG has an electronic control and the Zanussi has a timer with a separate control for the temperature and I think a third one for the spinspeed.
I don't know how the Jetsystem toploader worked, they weren't sold very much overhere I think, at least I hardly saw them around at the appliance dealers.
Louis
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Post# 15382-3/14/2002-10:53 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Jetaction)
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club. It is the best washer ever. In my openion nothing washed like it.
Peter
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Post# 15383-3/14/2002-10:57 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Delia)
MESSAGE: I saw Delia using a KitchenAid handmixer and I was wondering why she had changed from the Braun to the KitchenAid. She still has the Braun foodprocessor.
She is online too
Louis
LINK: http://www.deliaonline.com/
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Post# 15384-3/14/2002-11:07 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (timer pic uploaded)
MESSAGE: Thank you Richtoo, makes it much easier to talk about the cycles. I didn't come across minimum-iron before, I only knew permanent press.
Louis
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Post# 15385-3/14/2002-11:17 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (the ever popular WC-6)
MESSAGE: Boy, that WC-6 was certainly a popular model! I have at least 4 of them in various states of break down in the restoration process. More to come...
-ph
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Post# 15386-3/14/2002-11:20 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (How to win friends...)
MESSAGE: LOLOLOLOLOL!!! "My new Neptune can't touch the job this one did as far as cleaning clothes." Here we go!
Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night!
-ph
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Post# 15387-3/14/2002-11:35 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Thank you for the link, so much to explore there!
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Post# 15388-3/14/2002-11:38 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Geesh...a new member here and already I may have stepped into a pile of ......uh....er.....dirty laundry! Yea, that's it! Dirty laundry! Was it the mention of the word "Neptune" or the inevitable comparison, at least to me, to the dreaded WC-6 that will put this board into...shall we say....the "spin cycle"? I can't wait to find out! It's like waiting for tomorrow's edition of As the World Turns....or would that be As the Tub Turns? The "soap opera" continues.....omg...this may be more fun than old cars! Certainly more humor opportunities! Whee!
RM (now in "cool down" cycle, thankfully)
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Post# 15389-3/14/2002-11:40 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: I am mostly a fan of Ariel powder, but since they were on sale I bought some Ariel Liquitabs. They did seem to suds a little, but nothing too serious I think, though I haven't tried a towels only load yet. The smell is different than the powder and much stronger.
Louis
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Post# 15390-3/14/2002-11:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hey Surg,
The door button of the Miele works electronically, so when it isn't connected it doesn't work. However there is a safety latch behind the small door that covers the filter too.
Louis
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Post# 15391-3/14/2002-13:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg / Louis,
If you want to get into a Miele in the shop, you need to pull the emergency door release that Lious speaks of. To get to this, open the soap drawer, and on the left side of the back of the front panel of the soap drawer there is a yellow key. Pull this off its catch and use it to open the filter door. At the top of the filter door is a small grey pull tab pull this and the door springs open.
I have photo'd all this and will try to upload later tonight.
The great advantage of this door system is that the door will open immediately the wash finishes, no waiting for teh heated thing to cool down as on some washers. The door will actaully open any time in the cycle so long as water level is below the door, water is less than 50C and the machine is not in spin, very handy.
All my washers have had immediate door releases, those waiting for godot machines would seriously pi$$ me off.
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Post# 15392-3/14/2002-13:20 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Welcome to the club)
MESSAGE: Hello RM and welcome to the club. I can't agree with you more. In my humble opinion GM-Frigidaire washers were the best automatic washers to have been made to date, at least in Performance, Styling and Drama.
We have lots of repair manuals and information to help you out during your restoration of the washer.
While I haven't worked on any Frigidaire washers from the 1970's, I've have rebuilt Unimatic, Pulsamatic and Multimatic washers model from the 1940's thru the 1960's. They can be a challenge, but once you have the restored they work wonderfully for years to come. I can say this because I have a basement full of them, all restored. If you go to the members link section (from our home page) you can see photos of some of our members collections. Here is a link to a picture of some of my Frigidaire washers...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/1+-+Me+%26+My+Collection&.dnm=The+Frigidaire+Shrine.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
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Post# 15393-3/14/2002-13:40 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: My god damn H**p***t has a really annoying system on the way the door opens. It opens 1 minute after the machine is switched off - whatever stage it's in. You can add stuff this way, but waiting that 1 minute seems like a century! My H**p***t is also quite dangerous, because of this 1 minute and unlock system, when the timer moves on from the 1200rpm spin to the stop position, activates the message saying "Unlock the door in 1 minute". However, after one minute, the machine is still slowing down from the fast spin for another good 20 seconds, meaning you can open the door when the washers still at a high enough speed to rip your arm off! Apparently, this isn't a problem with 1000rpm and under models as they have enough time to slow down.
My H**p***t also has a 'special' spinning system, but it ain't half noisy! This is the excerpt from the manual:
"Pulse Spin
This unique feature only to Hotpoint is a gentler way to treat the machine and your laundry. The spin cycle steps up speeds gradually to protect laundry. First, it rotates the clothes back and forth at tumbling speed to distribute (yeah, right!) the washload, then spins at 400rpm for 3 seconds to level out the laundry. The drum then enters the distributing speed at 100rpm, then steps into the spin cycle, first at 400rpm for 10 seconds, then 600rpm for 10 seconds, then 800rpm for 30 seconds, then 1000rpm for 3 minutes. At the end a 20 second 1200rpm burst extracts the remaning water out of the laundry. The machine then turns to the off position."
So there! I have a quality washing machine that can spin at 1200rpm for a whole 20 seconds!
from surg
p.s. I bet louis's washing machine can only spin at 1400rpm for about 3 minutes! (LOL)
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Post# 15394-3/14/2002-14:07 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (OMG......)
MESSAGE: Unimatic....your collection leaves me speechless!...or maybe in this case....typeless! Awesome...I had no idea people did this stuff. This makes explaining my garages full of cars a whole lot easier! lol
rm
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Post# 15395-3/14/2002-14:17 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club, and hopefully the others will "behave". LOL Your 1-18 is a wonderful washer and it sounds like you have the things you need to get it running right, and there are plenty of people here to help! I like frontloaders too, but there is just nothing like a Frigidaire.
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Post# 15396-3/14/2002-14:34 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club - always good to have another Frigidaire fan about! I also have a 1-18 (nickname for the 70's washer line) which in fact, needs some work too. I'm going to try and get to that in the next couple of weeks and will post pictures of the process which should help you get familiar with how it's all put together. If you've worked on cars, the washer should be no big deal for you.
If you have a new mechanism for this machine, you will have a nearly brand new machine when you are done working on it. Several of us have repair manuals and instructions that we can scan and post for you to help in the tear-down and restoration steps. Let us know when you are ready to start!
Enjoy the member links in the club Links section - there are lots of beautiful appliances out there!
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Post# 15397-3/14/2002-14:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (OMG......)
MESSAGE: We'll thanks RM. Six years ago I started collecting these beautiful machines. At that time I had absoultely no mechanical experience, but I knew that in order to have a truly unique collection, the machines had to operate as closely to their original state as possible. So having collected the repair manuals since I was a kid I started actually reading them (as opposed to just looking at the pictures) and tinkering with the machines and I found them relatively easy to work on even for a novice like me.
As Greg says, if you work on cars, washing machines will be a piece of cake for you!
Now I'm starting to read and learn more about vintage electronics as I would like to be able to restore vintage Television sets as well as I can restore washers, I have a lot to learn about this subject though as 1950's tv's are definately more complicated. But if there's a will there is a way.
I can't wait to hear more about your first washer restoration.
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Post# 15398-3/14/2002-15:07 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: You made me curious so I a measured the time of the separate spin cycle. It starts for 1.5 minute at 900rpm and then goes for 1.5 minute into 1100rpm. And then it spins about 3 minutes at 1400rpm. There is about twenty years between my Automatic 400 and my W715, but the 1.5 minute increments the timer on the oldest machine still were standard for the electronics on the later ones.
Louis
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Post# 15399-3/14/2002-15:12 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Don't worry about it - everyone has their opinion on washers and dryers and all are respected here. Some may think our fascination with these old (and new) classics is silly, but we find them exciting and a way of keeping an often neglected field of American (and European!) industrial history alive and running.
Happy washing! Greg
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Post# 15400-3/14/2002-15:17 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: Louis
What's also strange about my Hotpoint is that it spins anti clockwise during the spin between the wash and the first rinse, but for all the other rinse cycles it spins anticlockwise. I've also read somewhere that a washing machine should spin towards the opposite side of where the detergent dispenser is, i.e, if a dispenser is on the right, the drum should spin clockwise, whereas if it's on the left, it should spin anti clockwise. This is so suds can't be spun out through the detergent dispenser. Seems strange though seeming as mine has the dispenser on the left it should spin clockwise.
Does your Miele do anything like this?
Surgilator
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Post# 15401-3/14/2002-15:20 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: Sorry, just read my post and the last sentence didn't make sense. It should read:
"Seems strange though seeming as mine has the dispenser on the left that it spins clockwise"
Surgilator
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Post# 15402-3/14/2002-16:15 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: Surgilator
My Miele indeed always spins clockwise, but I don't know if this has something to do with the soapdispenser. My AEG also spun clockwise, but had the soapdispenser on the right side.
Louis
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Post# 15403-3/14/2002-16:43 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Can anyone tell me how to center the tub on one of these?
I do not have any manuals and it looks like it could be complicated. I also have a noise when agitating. On each
pulse of the agitator it makes a knocking sound.
I realise that this is not much to go on but if someone
might tell me where to start it would be great.
thanks.
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Post# 15404-3/14/2002-16:46 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: The Aristons do have a very solid door - you can safely grab it and use it as a handle to turn the entire machine over - but in general, the reliability is pretty poor. We stopped carrying all Merloni products at our store a long while ago, because they're just too troublesome. And the service backup is a nightmare.
I think one of the reasons Merloni had its eye on GDA is because of their service network. GDA have more engineers than anyone else here, and their service is generally recognised in the business as being amongst the best. That's something Merloni has sorely needed in recent years.
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Post# 15405-3/14/2002-16:51 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Thanks gansky for supplying me with a little of the proper "lingo". So I have a 1-18? Somehow I feel better about saying that than inviting someone over to see my "Jet Cone"! Now, since you all think I should restore it, I guess I better get someone over to help me bring it back from it's dark, dank shed and into the garage. I've got a new digital camera and can shoot some pics of it if anyone would like to see it. It's been so long, I can't remember at what state I left it in...seems like I took something loose at the bottom of the transmission, but I can't remember. By the way, is the matching DEC-5 dryer worth saving? It still works, but I just got tired of replacing the drum rollers, so I replaced it. It's outside sitting under a shed with the firewood.
Oh, I just remembered. One of the service guys who I spoke to on the phone about fixing this washer told me that the reason people were afraid to work on these things is because some people had lost fingers fooling with them. Old wive's tale?
Thanks for all the info...I hope sitting in the shed hasn't done it any harm these last few years. Never thought I'd get excited about a washer restoration!
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Post# 15406-3/14/2002-17:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (DW spray arms)
MESSAGE: Your point about body fats dissolving during the wash is exactly the reason why I've never in my life used a cold wash. I suppose it's fine for refreshing clothes that have been sitting in a musty cupboard or suchlike, but I certainly wouldn't want to rely on it to do my everyday laundry. It's no different to washing greasy pots and pans in cold water - yuk!
I usually run a maintenance wash once a month. At the same time, I scrub out the dispenser cavity, wash down the door seal and check the coin trap. Keeps things running smoothly, and stops any nasty pongs before they develop.
To be honest, I'm not sure if the curved spray arms on the Bosch dishwashers make much difference. AEG use something similar, too. I've never seen a Smeg dishwasher, but I think I get your meaning when you describe the system they use - sounds rather clever.
By all means, keep an eye out for the Servis dishwasher, but don't expect great things from it. It really is cack! Doesn't even regenerate the water softener automatically... you have to select a special regeneration programme yourself. Like the rest of their product line, it's rather basic and not all that robust, either.
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Post# 15407-3/14/2002-17:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: Persil tablets are exactly the ones I have this problem with. They just park themselves on the door seal, mesh bag and all. Ariel tablets don't have this problem, because they go into the dispenser drawer, and dissolve as the water flows in.
The capsules are a nice idea for those who prefer a liquid. You do have to be careful not to overload your washer, though, otherwise the film doesn't break down completely, and leaves big, gummy blobs on your laundry. People who cram their washers full to bursting point won't get on with them.
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Post# 15408-3/14/2002-17:37 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: Are the Persil tablets larger than the other brands, is that what causes the problem? I mean, is that why putting it into the drawer is not an option? We used tabs at Rich's house in the Frigidaire f/l and it worked just great.
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Post# 15409-3/14/2002-18:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surg,
Hope I didn't offend you with my comments. Everyone else seems to love it here, so I think I'm the odd one out in all honesty. For what it's worth, I'm not local to the area, and have never managed to feel at home here, hence the reason why I'm a bit like a fish out of water. All going well job-wise, I may be upping sticks altogether and moving soon, anyway... watch this space!
Not only is Lincoln the McDonalds capital of Britain, but it also has a huge number of pubs. No wonder they decided to build the university here! Last I heard, there were more pubs in Lincoln than there are days in the year.
By the way, the cookshop I tried was the little one on Steep Hill (can't remember what it's called). That was about a year ago, and the only time I've seen a KitchenAid stocked locally. Not sure if anyone else around here has started selling them since.
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Post# 15410-3/14/2002-18:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Of course we'd like to see it.
You say you have the manuals too - if you have a scanner, scan them as well.
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Post# 15411-3/14/2002-18:30 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: Ok, I know it's my turn to step into it, but here goes....
I use cold washes for most of my shirts and pants. My experience is that it keeps the colors bright. A good detergent in proper doses should be able to deal with body fats just fine in cold water (assuming room temperature, not almost freezing).
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Post# 15412-3/14/2002-18:32 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: No, they aren't any larger. Just probably a bit harder to dissolve. I put them in the mesh bag in a Frigidaire f/l and it takes them a minute of tumbling to completely dissolve.
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Post# 15413-3/14/2002-18:33 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: The Miele won't open unless it's plugged into a power socket. That button works electrically to release the latch. You can, however, open the door by tugging the release tab behind the pump access flap. I'm sure Mr Too will elaborate on this :o)
I can tell by looking at that Blomberg washer that it's made by Brandt. Although it's made in Germany, Brandt is a French company, and used to go by the brand name Ocean over here. They switched to the Brandt name because it sounds more German, and is supposed to appeal to consumers more.
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Post# 15414-3/14/2002-18:35 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (St. Delia)
MESSAGE: How marvelous! I didn't know she had a web site. I love her. She's the one who taught me how to make great ice cream without the mess of an ice cream freezer.
And an added bonus - I went to the web site and a little washing machine started bouncing around with the caption "is your washing machine acting strange?"
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Post# 15415-3/14/2002-18:38 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Yeah, there ar ea FEW neppie fans here, but Frigidaire GM washers RULE!!!!
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Post# 15416-3/14/2002-18:40 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Welcome RM to the club. And yes, certainly lots of humor here. I'm the mast of puns. So watch out!!!!
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Post# 15417-3/14/2002-18:40 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (St. Delia)
MESSAGE: Ed, Louis,
I am so thrilled, I did not know that St Delia was an international star de cuisine.
I just love her, she makes cooking so easy and appealing, yet she is about as cack-handed as Julia, making her so human and unintentionally funny. And her recipes really do work.
Richtoo, Delia and Julia fan
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Post# 15418-3/14/2002-18:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Yes, quite the master bater eh Bob.
Richtoo
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Post# 15419-3/14/2002-18:42 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Sorry, that was so cheap, you gave it away, I just could not resist.
Richtoo
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Post# 15420-3/14/2002-18:43 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (scans of 1-18 manuals?)
MESSAGE: Hi washrfreak! Oh yes, I bought these new and I keep everything! So there's really an interest in seeing the owner's manuals? Wow...I"m stunned! Yes, I do have a scanner. What would you like to see and where would I put them? I'm pretty new at posting photos on the net, but I'd be happy to scan whatever is of interest.
rm
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Post# 15421-3/14/2002-18:46 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Uh oh, you may get hoooked on restoring old washers now!!!! Look at it this way, it's a full cycle process, restore cars, wash the clothes you dirty to restore the cars in in vintage machines. Next comes vintage range to cook food on and redfridgerator.
*****
Post# 15422-3/14/2002-18:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
I guess that is why cold detergents are not marketed here in UK, our cold water is so very cold most of the year, just like our cacky weather.
I tried cold washes for a while on my Creda, but was not pleased with the results so switched back to warm and hot.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15423-3/14/2002-18:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (DW spray arms)
MESSAGE: My Zanussi used to have two metal spray arms. It now has a plastic one at the top, which was replaced after the original was worn down by the powdered detergent I was using. Funnily enough, the top basket now seems to wash more evenly than it did originally. Perhaps it's because the plastic arms allow them to mould the spray holes more precisely.
The programmes on my dishwasher aren't named individually. "A" is the intensive wash, "B" is the normal wash, and "C" is the quick wash. They all run at 65*C, unless you press the 50*C or 45*C button as appropriate. There's a chart on the top of the door which tells you the settings you need depending on the type of load and the degree of soiling. My model also has a separate cold pre-wash cycle, although I can't recall ever using that.
*****
Post# 15424-3/14/2002-18:48 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: It was cheap and tawdry & I loved it. Keep it cumming. LOL
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Post# 15425-3/14/2002-18:49 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: The Zanussi top loader sold here now has the touch-button controls. Very smart looking indeed - the control panel is shaped rather like that on the Fisher & Paykel. The previous Jetsystem model had the dial controls.
*****
Post# 15426-3/14/2002-18:49 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (scans of 1-18 manuals?)
MESSAGE: SCAN BOTH MANUALS PLEASE RM. Someone else here will give you directions on where to upt the images. I just ahve to run out for a few hours so I can't give the details. Bob We're obsessed with every detail.
*****
Post# 15427-3/14/2002-18:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: You'll notice it more on the high temperature washes. The suds went halfway up the door on my washer, and I've got pretty hard water where I live. Usually, I stick to Ariel powder, which doesn't suds much at all.
*****
Post# 15428-3/14/2002-18:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (& UK slang swearing)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
You are dedicated to maintenance of your Bosch, I don't clean my apps often enough.
There is a pic on the Smeg website showing the orbital system, link below. It seems kind of groovy.
I'm not expecting much of the Servis, they are very cheap n cheerful these days. Pity they used to be so strong and solid.
Love that word 'cack', also like its variants, cacky, cacka, cacky-pants, also love the Liverpudlian word shite.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.smeguk.com/Inglese/SPECS/UKSTX2feat.htm
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Post# 15429-3/14/2002-19:04 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (scans of 1-18 manuals?)
MESSAGE: I'll have what appnut is having....except...make mine a double!
rm
*****
Post# 15430-3/14/2002-19:07 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I have only used Ecover tablets. I bought these as they are bio, and sometimes I need bio power, but they also include bleach so are not great for colours. They are supposed to be put into a little net bag, but that is more faffing about.
I have not tried liquitabs, that word alone reminds me of something dirty, I am just not keen on the idea of them, seems to me like manufacturers inventing solutions to non-problems to increase their profits.
I might try 'Down to Earth' powder for my bio needs, but I am not thrilled with this product, as although it is plant based detergent, it does contain TAED and optical brighteners.
I try to avoid excess chemicals for lots of reasons in, environmental, health, animal testing, perfume overload, skin sensitivity, developing world issues, rejection of modern corporate marketing etc. I am not hard line about any of this, I just try to do my bit, and do occassionally buy products that I don't fully sit with my beliefs or from companies that I don't much care for.
(I am not passing any judgements on others choices here, just explaining my personal reasons for some of my purchasing decisions, not seeking to get into debates about environmentalism or ethical consumerism, I really am not hard line enough to argue about it. Funny how I avoid things like this for health and yet I smoke like a chimney)
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15431-3/14/2002-19:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Sir,
Methinks your spelling worse than mine!!!!!!!!!
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15432-3/14/2002-19:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: Persil tabs are actually smaller than Ariel tabs. They dissolve very slowly (over the space of several minutes), which is why they can't be used in the dispenser drawer. Ariel tablets, on the other hand, crumble and dissolve as soon as water hits them, and flush straight out of the dispenser.
*****
Post# 15433-3/14/2002-19:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: I notice that cold washes tend to be more of an American thing. Over here, warm is most common, although the supermarket shelves are full of bleach-free detergents to prevent colours fading. I suppose it's just a case of there being two different ways to take care of the same scenario.
*****
Post# 15434-3/14/2002-19:15 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: If word EVER gets out....
MESSAGE: that I'm seriously considering posting pictures of my dead washing machine and scans of it's 25 year old owner's manual. ...well, I shudder to think. I wonder if I can type with a bag on my head....while in a straightjacket?
I wouldn't be surprised if this were grounds for insanity in my state..
Of course, the fact that I've kept it for 6 or 7 years after it died won't look too good on the report either. It lasted longer than my wife, and certainly was more troublefree...
rm
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Post# 15435-3/14/2002-19:36 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (DW spray arms)
MESSAGE: You just got what in where Surg? Inquiring minds need to know.
I have just posted my DW pics to yahoo, especially for you and Greg.
My 1989 Bosch SMS6011 has intensive 65C, normal 65, normal 50, quick 50, glasses 40 and pre rinse. The extra button with a triangle above is a pause button, the idea is that you press that before opening the door so that the water stops. Try teaching that to a 2 year old, as the door will open anyway.
Above the timer dial is power on light, cycle progress indicator (wash, rinse & dry) this springs back to the start position with a cute twanging noise when the cycle has finished, salt light and rinse aid light.
Drying is heated, final rinse is heated, drains away and the heater comes on. No fan and no steam escapes.
Usage on Normal 65 is 22 litre and 1.6 dooberries of elctricity (there's another word for Kirk), this was very good consumption for its day. New Bosch DW use 14 litre and 1.05 dooberries for normal 65, so 50% reduction on both counts.
Enjoy those pics, and I really must away to bed, very tedious day at work tomorrow.
Richtoo
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/herr_miele
*****
Post# 15436-3/14/2002-19:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out....
MESSAGE: Hi RM,
And welcome to the maddest, but friendliest corner of the internet. Straightjackets optional.
I have been here a while and love it, but visit in secret, I have not plucked up courage to come out yet.
Looking forward to seing your pics.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15437-3/14/2002-19:43 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (& UK slang swearing)
MESSAGE: The only appliance I don't take time to clean is the oven. This is so embarassing to admit, but I can't even see through the glass door any longer. Not at all like me to be so disgusting, as I'm usually very clean and tidy. But oven cleaning is the worst chore on Earth, and I can't bring myself to do it. More than likely, I'll just leave it until it's beyond saving, and then replace it with a pyrolytic model.
Thanks for the link to the Smeg website. The orbital system is exactly what I imagined from your description.
As for the cusswords, I'm terrible for letting expletives slip when I'm not supposed to. Did you happen to see that TV documentary recently about the guy with Tourette's syndrome? I actually found it extremely funny, as did most of my colleages.
*****
Post# 15438-3/14/2002-19:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out.... (posting pics and stuff)
MESSAGE: Dude, it's OK.
I have saved on my hard drive more than 3.5 GB of pictures, scanned brochures, user manuals, and video clips that have been provided by our ever-so-prolific group.
Just do it. 8-)
*****
Post# 15439-3/14/2002-19:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Mr Too has already elaborated, and he will even post pics of the filter door key and the emergency pull when he is not so knackered (tired in case Oz and US dont have knackered, though I bet Oz does).
I like that Mr Too, made me think of 'Oh Mr Wu', 10 out of 10 for who know link to appliances there.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15440-3/14/2002-19:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: How on earth does "Liquitabs" sound dirty?! Am I missing something here, or is it just how your mind works? LOL
I did try the Down To Earth powder once, when it was on promo at the local supermarket. Be careful, it foams like crazy. In the end, I had to use it for handwashing, during which it made a 4" thick layer of suds on top of the water in the sink. Probably great if you want to use it in a top loader, though.
*****
Post# 15441-3/14/2002-19:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (& UK slang swearing)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk O'Cacky Oven
Well I could have said cavity!!!
Glad you got the link.
I did not see the Tourette's programme, butI reckon I must have it. Every other word is eff, especially when I am driving, I am very fond of the b-word as in 'never mind the b-locks, but you won't remember punk.
Richtoo
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Post# 15442-3/14/2002-19:55 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: World's Fair related Pictures of the Day?
MESSAGE: Does anyone have any appliance advertising related to the 1939-1940 and 1964-1965 New York World's Fairs? Westinghouse had a major exhibit at the 1939-40 Fair and GM's New Futurama at the 1964-65 Fair had several Frigidaire showcases. Even photos taken by family members would be neat to see.
If you have 'em, let's see 'em as Pictures of the Day! :)
*****
Post# 15443-3/14/2002-19:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: GDA (Hotpoint) need the best service network.
*****
Post# 15444-3/14/2002-20:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
You obviously have not read alt.tasteless. Just admitting here that I have read that group on several ocsasions is probably telling too much about how my mind works.
Alt.tasteless has its own language and liquitabs reminds me of their word liqui**its, meaning, well how am I going to spell the proper word, its practically unspellable, but it starts with d and ends in rear, oh it starts there too.
I am being much too naughty now, I must be tired.
I'll be back and I promise to behave.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15445-3/14/2002-20:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (My Miele Pics)
MESSAGE: Ah, you'd obviously already beaten me to it. I usually log on rather late each night, and respond to posts in the order I see them, hence the reason I didn't see your reply first. But I guess those are the consequences I must face for being nocturnal!
*****
Post# 15446-3/14/2002-20:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (& UK slang swearing)
MESSAGE: Perhaps I'd better go and clean that oven now, in that case!
Yes, punk was a little before my time, although I do remember the tail-end of it, before it went by the wayside so to speak. The local punks used to hang around the shops near where we lived, and I used to stare in awe at their mohicans. I was only about five years old at the time, but still remember it vividly.
*****
Post# 15447-3/14/2002-20:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Bad news from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Hehehehe - very true!
*****
Post# 15448-3/14/2002-20:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Perhaps I shouldn't have asked after all! But at least I know now what you were getting at, and that it wasn't just a case of me living a sheltered life.
*****
Post# 15449-3/14/2002-22:25 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Hi Bruce,
The knocking sounds is caused by what we call Cone Hop. When the upper and lower cones of the agitator wear with age a space developes between them, simply remove the agitator, seperate the dark and light blue cones. Then place a few large rubber washers between the two cones and re-install which should quiet down the machine.
As for the tub hanging slightly off center that is a problem that developes with 27" Frigidaire solid basket washers (1961-1969) after they get really old. You have two choices, the easy WAY is to replace the counter balance spring with a stronger one, the hard one but more original is to replace the rubber mechanism support.
*****
Post# 15450-3/14/2002-22:30 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (model number found!)
MESSAGE: Sounds like an old wives tale to me RM, but any machine with moving parts can be dangerous if you're not careful and use some basic common sense. Repairmen didn't like to service Frigidaire appliances because the mechanisms kept being re-designed, that of course meant that they needed to do their homework to keep up with the technology, and they didn't want to do that. Hmmmm I could only imagine what would happen to me in my job if I took on that same kind of attitude (Flintstone You're Fired!)
*****
Post# 15451-3/14/2002-22:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out.... (Time for your meds!)
MESSAGE: Just wait, it gets better! Soon you'll be trudging through waist high weeds in some junkyard hunting for even older machines (and parts) to play with, then the real fun begins...
*****
Post# 15452-3/14/2002-22:34 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out....
MESSAGE: Don't worry RM, the rest of the world will get over it, trust me they do.
*****
Post# 15453-3/14/2002-22:42 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out.... (posting pics and stuff)
MESSAGE: Meet Applianceville's very own Big Brother....
What else have you been saving about us, Glenn?
Nice color!
*****
Post# 15454-3/14/2002-22:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire wcdatn 67' (Hippity Hoppity Cones)
MESSAGE: The cone-hop is an easy fix with the large rubber washers - available at any hardware store. 2" with 1/2" round opening should do the trick. I used 2 of them stacked and it worked perfectly.
If it's not the cones hopping - then you probably have a bad agitate arm or bad coupling from the arm to the agitator shaft. Keep us posted.
Good to see you posting - do you have any way to post pics of your machines?
*****
Post# 15455-3/14/2002-23:00 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out.... (posting pics and stuff)
MESSAGE: Hmmm. Well, I do have a few sessions saved from the chat room, but not all of them. I sometimes forget.
I also have all of the Applianceville posting archives. That's an on-going process, of course.
More color!
*****
Post# 15456-3/14/2002-23:37 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (St. Delia)
MESSAGE: She's on in the states if you look for her. I also have brought her books back from the UK.
The most entertaining, however, has to be Nathalie Dupree. She manages to coat herself in flour, cock up everything, exclaim "well, this will work better for you", then pull a beautiful finished product (prepared earlier) out at the end.
*****
Post# 15457-3/14/2002-23:39 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (scans of 1-18 manuals?)
MESSAGE: Cool!
The common way of doing it is to use a free Yahoo account.
*****
Post# 15458-3/14/2002-23:42 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: I was disappointed on my Asko that it didn't have a "slightly heated" cold cycle. It had tap cold then 30C. 20C would have been about right.
*****
Post# 15459-3/14/2002-23:49 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out....
MESSAGE: You'll have plenty of good company.
*****
Post# 15460-3/14/2002-23:51 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: If word EVER gets out....
MESSAGE: Well, coming out of the closet is one thing, coming out of the laundry room quite another. Not nearly as accepted...
*****
Post# 15461-3/14/2002-23:59 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: World's Fair related Pictures of the Day?
MESSAGE: I have a Frigidaire folder from the 1965 fair. I'll see what I can do about scanning it.
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Post# 15462-3/14/2002-00:29 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: World's Fair related Pictures of the Day?
MESSAGE: Try this
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/edhomko/vwp?.dir=/&.src=ph&.dnm=1965+Worlds+Fair+Folder.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/edhomko/lst%3f%26.dir=/%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15463-3/14/2002-00:30 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (scans of 1-18 manuals?)
MESSAGE: And BTW, the dryer IS WORTH SALVAGING. A matched set and you're the original owner. RARE.
*****
Post# 15464-3/14/2002-00:30 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
Yep, cold (tepid)washing is popular over here for the same reason. It really does seem to preserve colors best. Unlike Europe, most of our detergents are geared towards cold washing and they work very well. I suppose it has to do with our different wash culture. Here, most people will completely change their outfits daily and launder as frequently. Unless one works in a really grimy job or sweats excessively, clothes really don't get that dirty and only need to be freshened up. Washing more frequently also means that dirt doesn't get much of a chance to set in the fabric, which often happens if one tends to collect clothes over a week or two (which is what I do quite often and then prefer to use a hot or warm wash with extensive soaking).
I find that using Amway (don't laugh), actually preserves colors in warm washes and works beautifully in tepid water also. It really doesn't leave soap residue, as do many of the other (supermarket) detergents, which tends to build up under the agitator and around the outer tub. I have used Amway for a very long time and often tried other brands for comparison, finding that there really isn't anything that compares in, both, quality and performance (no, I dont sell the stuff either). I use the SA8 enzyme powder and the SA8 Liquid Gel (mainly for pre-treatment and wool/delicates), both without phosphates. Believe it or not, but a 6 and a bit lb pack of SA8 powder lasts me about half a year and I wash for six people in a 13 lb washer. A packet costs about AU$50 (US$25 approx.), so not too bad over time.
*****
Post# 15465-3/14/2002-00:53 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: I know that there is a large difference of opinion on temperature usage. In the US, warm is pretty much the standard most people use. I use cold for anything bright. At work we often give people polos or golf shirts for projects, so often a number of people will have exactly the same shirts that are the same age. People notice that mine usually look much "newer" and brighter after some time. The difference can be quite stunning.
*****
Post# 15466-3/14/2002-01:14 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: In Australia cold water wasing is very popluar. But I would guess that cold tap water in Australia is much warmer (and softer) that European tap water and also many parts of the US.
As Mr Bubbles has said most people wash their clothes after wearing them once.
Its always a good idea to leave the lid or door open for a while no matter what type of washer you have and what temp you wash in.
*****
Post# 15467-3/15/2002-02:46 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Cold Power)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
Your post reminded me that Miele heat cold water to 20C, so maybe I should give it a try again. I am still worried that fats would be a problem unless I used a lot of detergent, one reason I like hot and warm is that I can cut right back on detergent.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15468-3/15/2002-02:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (cycle names)
MESSAGE: Hi Loius,
Glad you liked th pics.
I think that permanent press, is the US wording. I used to wonder what perm press was on laundryette washers, made me think of permed hair. In the Uk the cycle is often 'easy care', or less often, 'minimum iron' as on the Miele.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15469-3/15/2002-03:21 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Off-Topic Public Service Announcement
MESSAGE: There is a new virus going around, masquerading as a security update announcement from Microsoft, advising to run an attached "Internet Security Update" file Q216309.EXE or something similar.
DO NOT run the file! It is a virus.
Microsoft DOES NOT send update files to end-users via e-mail. Security updates and patches are obtained from Microsoft by going to either Windows Update or Microsoft Security and downloading them yourself.
*****
Post# 15470-3/15/2002-03:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Sudsmaster)
MESSAGE: Your explanations regarding the differences in voltage between the US and Europe is very interesting. When I lived in the US, I never noticed (or cared), that homes had access to 220 v. I always assumed that all US homes only operated their appliances at 110 v. What types of appliances would operate on the higher voltage - electric ranges, aircons. furnaces etc? Do all homes have dual circuits, providing both 110 - 220 v?
I don't understand why, in Australia, we have 240 - 250 volts, 50 hertz. What would be the benefit of our current vs 110 v (60 Hz?) in the US? Why isn't there a world-wid standard, countries operate on either 110, 220 or 240/50 vs, so why the differences?
I am truly curious, so if you have the answers, I'd love to hear them.
*****
Post# 15471-3/15/2002-05:03 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Thanks for your sugestions. The sound of the knocking seems
to be coming from the bottom of the machine so I think
it may be the arm and/or coupling. Can anyone provide these
parts for me and send me the instructions on how to do this?
Thank
*****
Post# 15472-3/15/2002-05:47 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (now the challenge...)
MESSAGE: I'll have to get a couple of friends over to help me bring these things back over here and into a nice clean garage..The scary thing was that until a few days ago, I was considering getting them to help me take them to the "recycling center"!i.e. dump.
Question: How much beer do I need to give them so that they will have no memory of what they helped me do?
And another question..in collector cars, the more original the better...original paint...original tires...that kind of stuff, even if some of it is not perfect. Same criteria apply here? I know the top of the dryer is pretty scratched up from setting stuff on it, but I seem to remember the rest of it and the entire washer are pretty decent paint wise...if you consider brown paint decent! What was I thinking when I bought these things? lol
rm
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Post# 15473-3/15/2002-06:12 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: Hi Mr.B,
I have read an explanation, no guarantees about its accuracy. I read it in Electronics Australia magazine, I think.
When Mr. Edison first started selling his electric power (in New York??) some many years ago he decided that 110 volt was the way to go as it is considered the voltage above which death by electrocution is likely. Below 110v it is/was believed electrocution is unlikely. His system used 110v DC. DC suffers from severe line loss - the end user had to be close to the power station or there was voltage drop in the transmission lines. DC doesn't go through transformers so he had to generate nearby the user at the final voltage of 110v. So his system used lots of small local power stations which kept his costs up.
Westinghouse arrived on the scene generating AC with their new equipment. As they used AC they could generate at a higher voltage and step down with a transformer near the user to the final voltage, still of 110v but now AC. Most appliances of the time were usable on either AC or DC. Being AC it was possible to use one larger generator (power station) and transmit by high voltage to a greater area, and step it down to final voltage at each distribution area. This was a lower cost method so Westinghouse could undercut Edison. Edison responded rather desperately by having public demonstrations of how "dangerous" AC was by publicly electrocuting chickens, dogs and other animals with Westinghouse's supply. In the end AC won.
Electricity arrived a little later in Europe and AC was adopted due to its better economics. The supply voltage was doubled to 220v as this allowed larger distribution points to be served by each final transformer, and allowed the use of smaller wires. (Better economics)
I have no clues about 50 or 60 Hz or the difference between 220/240v, but as a cynic I would guess that it was mainly trying to keep separate markets so that cheaper imports from other countries could be excluded.
Apparently the 220v and 240v countries have come to an agreement and at some stage in the near future all will become 230v. Appliances are usually designed for +/- 10% variation so all will work OK on 230v.
Western Australia used to have 250v but they were beaten into submission some years ago and are now 240v.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15474-3/15/2002-06:27 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts??
MESSAGE: Boy, I sure love using that new "1-18" technical washer lingo!
On a serious note..only because it's still coffee time and not yet beer time, is it possible to even think of repairing the original transmission in my washer? I seem to remember it sounded like a bearing or something had tightened up and was loading the motor in spin mode. The one guy that I got to actually come pick up the washer and the new transmission I got for it, kept it for a while, then told me the new transmission wasn't the right one for my washer. But I've had a suspicion ever since that he just didnt' want to fool with it. If anyone has a service manual for a WC-6, I can get the part number off the box of the new transmission and maybe you can tell me if I have the right one or not. But I'd really prefer to at least try to fix the original one first, since it seems like a "minor" problem.
By the way, is there a chat room "schedule"? I'd love to chat with a few Frigidaire fans as I'll have lots of questions when I get this thing back home and opened up.
Thanks everyone for the welcome too!
rm
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Post# 15475-3/15/2002-07:02 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (cashews... bless you!)
MESSAGE: The transmission (mechanism, in Frigidaire lingo) is a series of rollers. When the motor turns one way, it pulls the rollers into contact with it for agitating, and when it reverses, it pulls the spin rollers in contact. Maybe you just need a new spin roller, which could be kinda easy to do, but maybe you need tub bearings, which could be more challenging.
Where in VA are you? There's a pocket of Frigidaire experts in DC that might could help you...
-ph
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Post# 15476-3/15/2002-07:16 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (cashews... bless you!)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter!
Well, it agitated just fine, best I remember. Hmmm...spin rollers...wouldn't it be nice if that was it? How deep into the "mechanism" do I have to go to get to them? Can you still get these kinds of parts?
I live about 10 miles west of Richmond, btw. Kind of in the sticks, where no one complains that my DEC-5 dryer is sitting outside under a roof next to my firewood! But after all, it is brown, so it blends in.....
rm
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Post# 15477-3/15/2002-07:23 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Hi Sudsmaster)
MESSAGE: List is rather short: air cond (central, not room), heat (central), water heater, range, clothes dryer. A/C, heat, and water heater are hard wired and do not "plug in" to a receptical. The range and dryer recepticals are different (from each other as well as from 110V). I have lived in several places that had range recepticals in the laundry (range handles higher amps) - perhaps this is the reason that it is customary to buy the power cord for a dryer seperately. Although I've heard that installers now won't install dryers into range recepticals.
All modern homes are wired for 220, but some older homes are not. 110V recepticals are three pronged - hot, neutral, ground (earth), though most items just use hot and neutral.
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Post# 15478-3/15/2002-07:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Sorry)
MESSAGE: Ooops - answered a question that wasn't addressed to me. Sorry about that.
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Post# 15479-3/15/2002-07:30 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: Yes, as it happens, I was watching a documentary last night on Niagra Falls power plants. This was apparently where the showdown occured. Another key figure was Tesla - he's the advocate of AC. Westinghouse partnered with him and provided financing. They also mentioned that Edison electrocuted an elephant to prove his point about the dangers of AC at one point.
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Post# 15480-3/15/2002-07:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts??
MESSAGE: If you post the part number of that tranny you have-or a picture would be even better, we'll be able to tell you what machine it's for.
What did the spin cycle sound like - was it dragging and slow or did it come up to speed but very loudly, like a roaring?
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Post# 15481-3/15/2002-07:32 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts??
MESSAGE: The chat room tends to get busy around 10 or 11 PM central time and goes to the wee hours. I have also noticed that the chat room seems to be hoppin about the time our UK and Australian friends are furiously posting - but they never join the party.
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Post# 15482-3/15/2002-07:38 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts??
MESSAGE: As I remember, it was dragging and slow, so I figured it was the motor and replaced that. Of course, that didn't do it. I'll go out to the garage and see if I can find that transmission and post the number this morning. I remember paying some big bucks for that thing, something like $350, and I had to get a friend who worked for an appliance repair place to order it for me. The distributor I had bought all my drum rollers for the dryer from over the years, said he couldn't sell me a transmission, even if he had one. More voodoo about this machine.
rm
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Post# 15483-3/15/2002-07:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: wcdatn 67' (Rollermatic assembly pics - )
MESSAGE: Hi Bruce- (and RM; your machine is somewhat similar to this too)
Well, if the noise is coming from below and you are sure it's not the cones, this picture may help you understand how that machine transmits the motor revolution into the mechanism and converts it to the vertical stroke of the agitator. At the bottom, you'll see the agitate arm and the bell shaped coupler to the agitate shaft which goes up into the tub and the agitator is attached to. This picture is from a 2 speed model without Rapidry, so inside yours, you will see more rollers, but the agitate arm is all were concerned with right now. In the following pictures, you can see the arm removed from the machine and opened up for a little better understanding of how it works. Check your machine's arm to make sure the coupling is tight to the agitator shaft and that there is no "up and down" play in the ball end of the arm (under the coupler) It may be that this assembly just needs to be tightened, with any luck!
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Post# 15484-3/15/2002-07:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: wcdatn 67' (Rollermatic assembly pics-)
MESSAGE: OK here's the pictures:
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire&.src=ph&.dnm=Rollermatic+Mechanism.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15485-3/15/2002-08:14 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (part number on "
mechanism"
found)
MESSAGE: Ok...I ventured into this outbuilding for the first time in about five years..yikes!
But the washer is still there, and other than being covered with dust, seems to be ok. I found the "mechanism" in it's original box and the number is 5308011364. Correct for a WC-6?
Thanks
rm
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Post# 15486-3/15/2002-08:57 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Bruce and RM, next week when I have more time I will do some scans of some Frigidaire service manuals which should help you both.
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Post# 15487-3/15/2002-11:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (chat room)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed
I have looked into the chat room loads of times, but only once found anyone there, so I gave up. If the other Euro boyz are using the chat room, I shall try it again.
Really though, I am spending far too much time on this site, as I love it, but I am not getting other stuff done, so I ought to ration my time a bit, the chat room will only make time pressures worse.
In a quandry
Richtoo
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Post# 15488-3/15/2002-11:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I am fairly sure that Europe became 230V a few months back. Of course our electrickery has not really changed. What has changed is smart-ass definitions of the supply voltage; eg UK used to be 240V +/- 6V, we are now 230 +10V / -6V which covers the 240V supplied to UK and 220V suplied in other countries.
NB, I think my +V -V figures are right, but I am doing this from memory which fades with age, so I am open to correction.
Richtoo
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Post# 15489-3/15/2002-11:19 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: wcdatn 67' (Greg looks cute)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
This probably is not considered good form, but I just had to say that you look so cute in pic 23.
PS, I think the word has slightly different meaning between UK and US, and it is a rather nice meaning in the UK sense that I am using, I couldn't think of a better word to use.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15490-3/15/2002-11:42 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (Uh oh....)
MESSAGE: Greg,
Don't forget Australian industrial history, or you might get your wrists smacked by someone, though I could not possibly think who.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15491-3/15/2002-11:46 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: The important thing to remember is that US 220/240 voltage is nothing like European or Australian 220/240 voltage. In Europe the voltage is generated by the difference between a 220 to 240 volt hot wire and neutral (which eventually is connected to ground). In the USA, the 220 to 240 voltage is generated by the difference between two 110-120 volt hot wires. These 110 volt wires are 180 degrees out of phase with each other, so that the peak of the cycle of one wire corresponds to the trough of the cycle of the other wire. The difference between these peaks and troughs is 220-240 volts. I give a range because that's usually the tolerance of circuits and what power companies are "allowed" to provide to the consumer. (Although in california I understand that 115 volts is about the minimum allowed by law). Again, a building's wiring will introduce additional voltage drop, as can heavy demand within the building.
In the USA, as I previously mentioned, the 220/240 voltage is used to power larger appliances, such as ranges, ovens, electric clothes dryers, etc. However there is no savings in copper conductors with the US system, whereas the European 220 volt circuits get away with using 1/2 as much copper for the same power and distance. That's the main benefit of the European system. Scrimping on copper. America has lots of copper mines, so maybe that's why we didn't care so much about conserving the metal.
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Post# 15492-3/15/2002-12:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Magical mystery tour)
MESSAGE: Surg,
When I bought my AEG, the saleswoman told me she was the Hotpoint rep, right after I had just said that I did not want one of those flimsy things pointing to the HP that cost nearly as much as the AEG I wanted.
She told me that the AEG Variomatic spin was like the HP Pulse spin, from your description of HP's pulse spin, there is no comparison. I cannot give accurate timings and speeds for AEG variomatic spin, but it distributed, short slowish spin, re-distributed, burst of spin, etc. Basically each burst of spin got faster and longer with the drum tumbling to decrease the load between each spin. The cycle ended in a long, several minute period of the fastest spin, 1200 on my 645 model. The entire spin cycle took 25 - 30 minutes, as lomg as a US TL complete cycle, but left the load very dry and crease free. It is one feature that I really miss on my Miele.
You description of HPs pulse is more like a steady ramp up to full speed. I have noticed that some German manufacturers used to claim that lesser makes might claim a fast speed but did not hold it for long, whereas the German washers held top spin for so many minutes. I used to think it just marketing guff, but sounds like they were right.
You are so going to love Miele if you get one. I upgraded from real AEG, so it was not such a leap, but I still love it. From HP to Miele, well!
Richtoo
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Post# 15493-3/15/2002-12:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
Similar to your 220 accros to live (hot) wires, we have a 3 phase elctricity system. It is very rare in domestic situations, but common in commercial and industry. Tapping across 2 of the 3 phases gives 415V. Why 415V, well its the square root of something or other, I don't understand it really.
The domestic supply is actually one of the 3 phases with neutral. Neighbouring houses will likely be on different phases, so one must take care if knocking 2 houses into one. UK colours its phases red, yellow and blue. Europe has similar system but uses different colours.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15494-3/15/2002-12:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: New DW, Miele Emergency release and dryer pics
MESSAGE: Hi All,
In response to various requests and posts, I have uploaded emergency drain and door release pics for my Miele W829, a new album for Bosch SMS 6011 dishwasher, and an album for my AEG lavatherm 330 dryer, including an action shot.
Hey all, this is my first virgin post. I have never pressed that button before.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15495-3/15/2002-12:56 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (220v household items)
MESSAGE: Large-capacity room air conditioners are sometimes 220v, especially if they have heat capability.
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Post# 15496-3/15/2002-13:03 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (3-phase electric)
MESSAGE: There is also 3-phase here, but how it compares to yours, I don't know. It's more for industrial/commerical applications than homes, but my parents do have a 3-phase a/c-heating system (house was built in 1972).
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Post# 15497-3/15/2002-13:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: We also have 3 phase power to industrial and commerical customers. I believe the phases are 120 degrees out from each other, and a typical voltage is over 400, but beyond that I'm even less informed.
Our residential 220 outlets used to be three wire- hot, hot, and neutral. Newer codes require four wire outlets: hot, hot, neutral, and ground. I believe the neutral was used to derive 110 volts for those parts of large appliances that use 110 volt circuits (such as lighting, small motors, or auxiliarly outlets).
*****
Post# 15498-3/15/2002-15:31 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Capsules)
MESSAGE: Thanks Kirk, that's too bad. Maybe they should do something to them to change that, especially since I'm guessing the vast majority of Persil users have frontloaders. I don't know that I'd be too enamored with that whole mesh bag idea; in that case I"d probably stick to powder.
*****
Post# 15499-3/15/2002-15:37 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Thanks Uni (Robert) for supplying use with much needed
information. I would contact Jet-Cone in Melrose but he
is hard to get ahold of. I figured I would try here first.
The machine I have is in wonderful shape and would like to
rebuild it, although I don't want to mess with a machine
that runs well otherwise. I would like to put a new solonoid
on it as it can be noisy. I was told that I might find this at
an appliance parts store?
Thanks again
*****
Post# 15500-3/15/2002-16:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: I haven't seen that model overhere yet, I will keep my eyes open.
*****
Post# 15501-3/15/2002-16:53 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: I have had a sudslock using Ariel powder on an all towels load. I think it sudses more than Dixan or Persil.
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Post# 15502-3/15/2002-17:02 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (3-phase electric)
MESSAGE: Wow, I don't think I've ever seen 3phase in domestic use. It used to be quite common for large computer systems, though I haven't seen it much in a while.
*****
Post# 15503-3/15/2002-17:03 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: Rich, what would typical applications of the 4 wire approach be? I don't think I've ever seen a 4 prong plug.
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Post# 15504-3/15/2002-17:36 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (now the challenge...)
MESSAGE: No beer until they have helped you. They must accept this while they are sober!! Then a couple of sixes (Corona, Moretti or Bud??)and a few pizzas and you are set!! You cannot believe the amount of ribbing I have taken for my interest in vintage washers. And some of it was not particularly nice. The main thing to remember is that you have a piece of history that cannot ever be duplicated. No company today would take the time, effort and expense to engineer and build a product as unique as those Frigidaires - even down to the "brown paint"!!!
*****
Post# 15505-3/15/2002-17:43 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: I'm afraid there's no way they'd accept the deal if they are sober....gotta get 'em liquored up before I mention it.
By the way, I've been perusing some of the members photo albums at Yahoo...I even set one up myself, and if I can figure out how to upload pictures to it, I'll do so.
I did notice one thing...I hardly see any brown washers in these albums...am I the only one with bad taste? Are brown ones somewhat rare?
rm
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Post# 15506-3/15/2002-18:02 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6?
MESSAGE: Is this the correct part number for the entire mechanism for a WC-6? If it is....I'm in Fat City!! If it isn't, I gotta fix the one I have....and put out a contract on the clown that sold me this one!
rm
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Post# 15507-3/15/2002-18:14 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: I don't know that they're necessarily rare, but it has been some time since they have been popular, so a lot of them are probably gone. Far as those collectors with vintage machines, maybe it's just been the luck of the draw that there have not been more coppertone ones. I do know one collector that is a member here that has a very nice coppertone 1-18 set, and our neighbor lady down the street had a coppertone Custom Deluxe (solid tub) for years. After that she had an avacado 1-18 set. I was actually kind of surprised to hear they were still offering it at the time you bought yours.
The pink, turquoise and yellow colors have always been my favorite, but the copper and avacado are getting far enough back now that they are interesting again too. And of course I like the (Frigidaire only) poppy red color. I must have od'd on harvest gold the first time around cuz I still don't like that, LOL.
An email friend of mine told me that they had a "brick red" 1959 Maytag for many years; I finally figured out he must have been talking about coppertone.
*****
Post# 15508-3/15/2002-18:38 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott!
I'm not sure I'd call these "coppertone"...wasn't that kind of a shaded color with some metallic in it? Calling them coppertone would be kind. These suckers are BROWN..pure and simple! But if that's what Frigidaire called "coppertone" in 1977, then coppertone it will be!
Geesh...the learning curve here is steep indeed!
rm
*****
Post# 15509-3/15/2002-19:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Hi does it look something like the machine in the link? I *think* that's what's coppertone (or Aztec Copper, as Frigidaire called it). The only other brown derivatives I know of unless I missed something, was Almond and Honey Beige (which I think was gone by the time 1-18s were around; it is a much paler shade than coppertone, but not as pale as almond).
I do seem to remember that Frigidaire did some weird things with colors on certain models of 1-18s, i.e., some did not have the "shading effect", etc. Anybody else have ideas or recollections on this? I think I read about it in some of Gansky's documentation.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_1953/vwp?.dir=/Mr.+Brown+II&.src=ph&.dnm=Angle+Shot.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_1953/lst%3f%26.dir=/Mr.%2bBrown%2bII%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15510-3/15/2002-19:10 ||| Rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Scott...it might be the photos, but mine are quite a bit darker. Yours look to have a bit of copper color in them, which mine don't have. And I definitely have no shading.
OK, that did it...I'll try to shoot some pics tomorrow in their current location and condition as long as no one comes after me for appliance abuse, and attempt to upload to Yahoo. I've put the proper link, hopefully, to the Yahoo picture site on my profile page just now.
*****
Post# 15511-3/15/2002-20:53 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: My guess is that they are somewhat rare but probably also less popular than the lovely harvest gold that is out there. You see very little in coppertone or avocado and poppy red ( a Frigidaire exclusive) is practically non-existent......
*****
Post# 15512-3/15/2002-20:55 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Everybody called that color something different, but they were pretty much all the same color - - brown!!
*****
Post# 15513-3/15/2002-21:00 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Scott - what is the year of "Mr Brown"??
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Post# 15514-3/15/2002-21:10 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (chat room)
MESSAGE: Richtoo, I don't get much done here either. I read my online business sections then head for applianceville, the posts, the chat room. I don't have as much time for online "adult" entertainment anymore either. LOL
*****
Post# 15515-3/15/2002-21:18 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: RM, many of the early collectors in the club concentrated on washers form the 50s and early 60s. Thus, lots of white, turquoise,a nd pink appliances. Early 60s also saw the advent of coppertone/coffee "brown" appliances. It's not a popular color here among most of the boyz here but I loved it as a child. JasonL is partial to Avocado Green. I'm partial to Harvest Gold too, gansky seems to keep running into harvest gold and yellow and he hates that color. I wish we did find more coppertone. Maybe as we evolve to collecting machines from the 60s and early 70s you'll see more. But we still focus on 50s machines. The outstanding thig about your Frigidaires is that you are the original owner!!!!!
*****
Post# 15516-3/15/2002-21:20 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Steve 1/18 has a coppertone washer & dryer Frigiedaire set. (Hence my words to "Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Washer".
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Post# 15517-3/15/2002-21:39 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: You must not have gotten into my albums very far - I've had a number of Harvest Gold Frigidaire washers (I was beginning to think that was the only color they came in for a while!) and I've had a brown Speed Queen too.
*****
Post# 15518-3/15/2002-22:01 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: I don't know..."Mr. Brown" belongs to another member of the club who, come to think of it, I have not seen post for a little while. I just posted a link to his album because it was an example of a "brown" Frigidaire that I could think of. I think it was a later one, but I just don't remember. Maybe someone else will, or I will come across it!
*****
Post# 15519-3/15/2002-22:03 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Right Bob! Actually, that is his to where I posted the link, because it was a brown Frigidaire that I knew of! I wonder where he has been? I hadn't thought about it 'til now, but he hasn't been around for some time...
*****
Post# 15520-3/15/2002-22:22 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: RE: World's Fair related Pictures of the Day? (Very nice!)
MESSAGE: Those Frigidaire kitchens were probably something to behold firsthand. Too bad they don't make 'em like they used to (both appliances AND World's Fairs). :)
*****
Post# 15521-3/15/2002-22:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6?
MESSAGE: I don't have a parts book that shows that number, but most of my part info ends in the mid 70's so there may have been a complete mechanism kit later on. The number you gave 5308011364 would indicate to me that it is after the takeover of GM Frigidaire by WCI - which fits with your timeframe of purchase of the part. All Frigidaire part numbers were given a 530 prefix after the takeover. Does the mechanism resemble the pictures? I'll post a better picture of the 1-18 mechanism tonight.
A picture would be very helpful. Uploading photos to Yahoo albums is very easy - click on "add photo" and choose file on your computer (jpeg format) to upload. When you set up the album in Yahoo, make sure you choose "public" access so everyone can view the contents of the album. Once your photos are loaded, copy the link and post it to the club.
*****
Post# 15522-3/15/2002-22:49 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: 1-18 Rollermatic Mechaism Tech-Talk
MESSAGE: Here are a few scans from the 1-18 Tech-Talk repair manual. It should give you a fairly good idea of how it operates to produce the agitation that we are so crazy about.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/portawash/lst?.dir=/Frigidaire+1-18+Tech+Talk&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/portawash/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%2b1-18%2bTech%2bTalk%26.src=ph%26.view=t&.view=t
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Post# 15523-3/15/2002-23:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: Why but why???
MESSAGE: Why did Frigidaire discontinue the 'pulsator action' washer?
Judging by what so many of you have said in this forum, it appears to have been an excellent product with a widely established following of loyal consumers. I must admit, the wash action seems a lot gentler than, both, tumbling and backward/forward agitation. Obviously Frigidaire were on a winner with that style of washer, particularly since it was the only brand to use this technology.
In fact,it reminds me a little of my mom's manual cone agitator on a broomstick, which consisted of an outer cone and a spring-loaded inner cone. She would use it on a tub full of clothes by just pushing down on it, which would make it jump up, squeezing suds through the garments and making it very easy to maintain rapid up and down motion (keep your minds clean guys, I am talking about my mother here). Mom liked this contraption, as it was easier to use than a washboard and, according to her, much more gentle and effective. So, when I saw a 'pulse action' Frigidaire for the first time, it reminded me of mum's cone contraption on a stick.
In Australia I have only ever come across Frigidaire pulse action machines once - about 21 years ago in a laundromat (that doesn't exist anymore). We had just moved to our new house in south-western Sydney and had not purchased a washer, hence the laundromat. From memory, this laundromat was pretty old and the machines were solid tub 'pulse' models also, which, at that time, surprised me, as I had never seen a solid tub automatic before. The only other solid tub washer I have come across since, was a coin-op Speed Queen with ss interior (very sexy). Before then, when I lived in the US, I had never seen solid tub washers and was quite unaware of their existence.
As a matter of interest, were solid tub washers initially more popular with manufacturers, because they didn't require an inner and outer tub - therefore less costly to construct and simpler gear and seal technology?
Please educate me, my thirst is insatiable.
*****
Post# 15524-3/15/2002-00:28 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Thank you Gizmo, Ed and Sudsmaster for the info)
MESSAGE: It all makes a little more sense now and as you already pointed out (Gizmo), global standardization is obviously moving ahead. I wonder if the US will eventually follow suit or keep on its own course? According to Sudsmaster the supply of 220 v in the US is different to the rest of the globe. I would have thought that building up an articulated power supply system, which requires fewer resources, ought to be more desirable?
Could you guys imagine Edison (what a bitch) demonstrating his sales pitch on the Shopping Channel - ("watch this elephant writhe and fry, this could be you and your family with Westinghouse power!")? I am glad that people's attitudes have changed. Although, I reckon if he zapped himself, his kids/wife on life tv, he'd win the argument hands down, lol.
*****
Post# 15525-3/16/2002-05:01 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: I know that washer!!! While I stayed with Steve and Rhinnie I did a huge load in that washer. Click on the link to see the first of a few pictures that were taken by Steve.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_30813/vwp?.dir=/Louis+in+Augusta&.dnm=3+a+sorting+we+will+go.jpg&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_30813/vwp%3f.dir=/Louis%2bin%2bAugusta%26.dnm=02%2blet%2527s%2buncover%2bthese%2bwashers.jpg%26.src=ph
*****
Post# 15526-3/16/2002-05:09 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6?
MESSAGE: Yep, it has a WCI paper sticker stuck on the box with that part number. I have never even taken it out of the box since I bought it, so I'll do that today and post pictures of it along with the washer and dryer. Any excuse to use my new digital camera!
rm
*****
Post# 15527-3/16/2002-05:14 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: firing up 1-18 after many years?
MESSAGE: When I get my drunk friends over and they help me put the washer in my garage where I can work on it, can I fire it up without water attached to help me remember exactly what the problem was? Are there seals in there that need to run wet? Will I hurt anything? Are there any precautions I should take first?
rm
*****
Post# 15528-3/16/2002-05:16 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Australian washers...)
MESSAGE: Mr. Bubbles...
Inquiring minds want to know....do your washers down there also spin backwards??
rm
*****
Post# 15529-3/16/2002-06:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Repair original transmission on 1-18?... Am I.. uh...nuts?? (chat room)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob,
Who mentioned online "adult" entertainment, I am sure I didn't. I am but an innocent abroad, as a friend of mine likes to say 'all is pure to the pure of mind', usually before telling me I have the dirtiest mind of anyone she knows.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15530-3/16/2002-07:58 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11..
MESSAGE: Okay, I got the pictures up...now no laughing. I'm sure I got screwed on the supposedly correct mechanism I bought years ago..sure doesn't look right to me. I should have opened the box right after laying down the $350 bucks! Idiot!
But this now means, I gotta fix the mechanism that's in it, and I'm sure gonna need some help on that.
rm
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/rm23j8g/lst?.dir=/My+WC-6+project&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/rm23j8g/lst%3f.dir=/My%2bWC-6%2bproject%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 15531-3/16/2002-08:30 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Thank you Gizmo, Ed and Sudsmaster for the info)
MESSAGE: I think it's unlikely that America will ever join a global power standard. Because the supply is fundamentally different, it would be very difficult to convert. As someone pointed out, the 220/240 issue was resolved by mearly expanding the tolerances. That wouldn't work for America.
RANT WARNING!
On top of that, I don't think Americans are very happy with the idea of following global standards. We absolutely refuse to go metric, yet we love to travel, so it requires people to be somewhat comfortable in 2 systems. Then there's the mobile phone thing. Everyone is on one standard -- except North America (not sure about South America). So I keep two mobile phones - one for America and one for traveling.
Ugh
Off my soapbox now (Rainforest Fresh Fab).
*****
Post# 15532-3/16/2002-09:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Australian washers...)
MESSAGE: What's backwards to you?
*****
Post# 15533-3/16/2002-09:25 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: firing up 1-18 after many years?
MESSAGE: Wouldn't hurt to have water in the pump, but check to make sure the mechanism is moving freely by hand before you plug it in. Since it's been sitting for while, the drive belt may be a bit dry (you'll replace that later anyway) but be sure the pump isn't siezed before turning it on.
*****
Post# 15534-3/16/2002-09:26 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11..
MESSAGE: Well, to put it nicely, you could have bought a whole new White Westinghouse washer for the price of that part. Top of the line at that!
*****
Post# 15535-3/16/2002-09:34 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (All is not lost though.....)
MESSAGE: The good news is, you have something to barter with if you need to make the rounds to some appliance repair shops in the area. Maybe you could trade it for some rollers or other parts you find for your 1-18. That's a 1992 made unit, I see WCI/Electrolux top-loading washers in the junk pile all the time - now maybe you can help save one!
*****
Post# 15536-3/16/2002-09:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (color shading change - rm's 1-18 example)
MESSAGE: Yes, you are right Scott, there was a change to the painting method in the early 70's. They stopped doing the shading on the cabinet panels as they had done in the past - darker around the edges to just solid color like on this machine.
*****
Post# 15537-3/16/2002-10:15 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: wcdatn 67'
MESSAGE: Thanks for your post gansky. I have looked at the coupling and the agitate arm and do not find any play in the mechanism.
Maybe just a little but it seems pretty tight.
If I do try to tighten it abit, I cannot figure out how to do
this.
I did see one small screw with a locking washer at the
bottom of the arm, it looks like there should be two as there
is another hole on the opposite side. Should there be 2?
I have used silicone on the leak we discussed and seems to be holding up pretty well although I am still getting just a small little pittle on the floor. I cannot for the life of me figure out where it is coming from. I can assume that it is still coming from the spot that I fixed but does not feel wet to the touch. It looks like at some point I will take out the inner tub and repaire it properly from the inside.
thanks again
*****
Post# 15538-3/16/2002-10:17 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: Brown 1-18
MESSAGE: Great pics of the 70's pair. You don't see too many in color any more.
Keep us posted on the resto
*****
Post# 15539-3/16/2002-10:58 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11..
MESSAGE: That's how bad I wanted to fix it...not to mention the new motor I bought for it too trying to find the problem.
Hey, I was (should be) committed!
rm
*****
Post# 15540-3/16/2002-11:07 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Okay...what's my next step? (besides the obvious of drinking heavily)
MESSAGE: Let's say I get it over to the garage in a day or two. I'm supposed to hook up the cold water, I guess, to my garden hose at this point. I try to move the agitator up and down and try to spin the drum by hand first...then apply power, and start a cycle. Is that the recommended scenario?
Next step...what covers should I take off to observe where the problem might be? Should I have them off before I even try powering it?
Let's say, just for argument, that the problem seems to be a (the?) spin roller. Am I going to have to remove the whole mechanism from the machine, or how do I approach replacing said roller(s)?
Thanks for all the help so far...this could get funny!
rm
*****
Post# 15541-3/16/2002-12:20 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (110v/240v)
MESSAGE: The four wire 220 would have two hots, a neutral and a ground. It's required for new construction in most places. The fourth wire - the ground - adds more safety margin. Check over in the THS Electric Wiring forum for more info.
*****
Post# 15542-3/16/2002-12:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Thank you Gizmo, Ed and Sudsmaster for the info)
MESSAGE: Well, it's not just a US thing, Canada and Central America (and presumably South America) are also on the 110 volt system. Japan, also, in most places, although their version is slightly lower (110 is the target) and runs at 50 hz. However most simple appliances that don't rely on frequency or are built to adapt, will work on either Japanese or US power. (I bought a boombox in Japan, with all the controls labeled in Japanese; it works just fine on US 115/60 Hz power). I understand however that Japan also uses some rather odd other voltages and wiring, but I forget just where or how.
*****
Post# 15543-3/16/2002-12:37 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11..
MESSAGE: One way or the other, with the help of your friends here, that washer will run again! It looks to be in good shape all in all, sure glad you saved it!
*****
Post# 15544-3/16/2002-12:39 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (All is not lost though.....)
MESSAGE: So what you're saying then Greg is this idiot sold him a transmission for a fake Frigidaire! Geez some of these people are crooked...
*****
Post# 15545-3/16/2002-13:41 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (Thank you Gizmo, Ed and Sudsmaster for the info)
MESSAGE: Ed, you don't have to warn us about your rantings. When you get on your soap boax, it's Fab. Now, if there were part of a set of quadruplets, we'd have the Fab Four.
*****
Post# 15546-3/16/2002-14:13 ||| steved (Albany, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (wow!!!!)
MESSAGE: Geez, Greg, look.......our washers do come in other colors than Harvest Gold!!!!! SteveD
*****
Post# 15547-3/16/2002-14:58 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Yahoo Photos Change in Terms of Service
MESSAGE: Grab all the pics you can, soon as you can!
Those who have ISPs providing server space for a home page might look into making use of that space.
Beginning on March 25, 2002:
If you are a free member of Yahoo! Photos, public visitors to your account will no longer be able to access your uploaded high-resolution picture files. Your visitors will still be able to view and enjoy your picture albums and picture pages as they do currently.
Be assured, your high-resolution images and files will not be deleted or affected in any way. As the account owner, you will still have full access to them.
You and your visitors will continue to have the ability to order high-quality prints that use the high-resolution images. You will still be able to share your pictures publicly, with other Yahoo! IDs, and via email.
If you are a free member of Yahoo! Briefcase, public access to your uploaded files will no longer be available. You will still be able to share your files with other Yahoo! IDs and via email.
You can preserve all of these features for your Photos and Briefcase account by signing up now for Premium Storage.
If you have purchased Premium storage prior to March 25, you will not be affected by these changes.
*****
Post# 15548-3/16/2002-16:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Yahoo Photos Change in Terms of Service
MESSAGE: Glenn, maybe I'm having a blonde moment, but what do you suppose this means? In one breath they say your visitors will not be able to access your pictures, and in the next they say that they can, just as they do currently.
Signed, Confused
*****
Post# 15549-3/16/2002-16:51 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Yahoo Photos Change in Terms of Service
MESSAGE: Yes, it is rather unclear. I take it to mean:
Yahoo Photo Albums -- only the smaller "thumbnail" images will be publically viewable. The larger "hi-res" versions will have to be ordered/purchased in printed form. It's not clear if that restriction applies to everyone, or only to visitors who don't have their own Premium Services Yahoo account.
Yahoo Briefcase -- no public access to files, with the exception of other paid Yahoo members as above.
They say that pictures and files can still be emailed, but it isn't made clear if that means from within the photo album or briefcase, or if you must have a copy of the material outside your photo album or briefcase (stored on your computer) that you can send by way of your Yahoo email address. I guess I have a Yahoo email addy associated with my user profile for the old club, but I've never used it.
It sounds like they're trying to cut down on and charge for use of bandwith, not storage space. Hard drives (storage space) are very inexpensive nowadays, but bandwith is not.
*****
Post# 15550-3/16/2002-17:55 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Okay...what's my next step? (besides the obvious of drinking heavily)
MESSAGE: Although I am not even close to being a repair person, when I mentioned last week that I found a '73 or '74 1-18 (model #W3T-22) that my local appliance dealer pulled out of someone's basement, I asked the same question. One of the things Peter suggested to me is to remove the front panel, and try to see if the belts move freely. Robert, our Webmaster (Unimatic 1140) cautioned me to cap the hot water inlet valve on the machine if I hooked up only cold water so the water entering the machine would not spray back out of the open inlet valve. Of course I have done none of those things yet since I still have to get the machine and I have no original anything in the way of manuals. However, I was pleased that another local appliance dealer who has been in the business for over 50 years has as much interest in this stuff as we do. He has given me the name of one of his retired services whom he believes was the best GM Frigidaire mechanic in Connecticut. Apparently he lived, ate and breathed Frigidaire. So, this could be promising... So my point is simply this.....it looks like we will stop at nothing to have one of these remarkable machines up and running......
*****
Post# 15551-3/16/2002-17:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Yahoo Photos Change in Terms of Service
MESSAGE: If that is so, I don't understand why they are transferring all the clubs to groups. The groups generate more emailtraffic, while the clubs seem to take up more storage space. Anyway the good days are over I guess. Perhaps we could have a possibility to publish a few pictures. Perhaps a few pictures that we are talking about that will stay here for a week and then disappear again. Or should we start a mailinglist? Is there an alternative for Yahoo?
Louis
*****
Post# 15552-3/16/2002-18:28 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: SteveD!!!
MESSAGE: I received a lovely surprise in the mail today . . .
*****
Post# 15553-3/16/2002-19:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: SteveD!!!
MESSAGE: That is so cute! Send me a lovely surprise in the email and tell me how you did that! ;-)
*****
Post# 15554-3/16/2002-22:56 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT: Leonard Foodarama
MESSAGE: Hauled the Leonard Foodarama out of a basement in North Canton Ohio today. It was a four man job! Will send pics of it soon, its a fabulous machine with the Breakfast Bar and all......Still in need of a handle for the refrigerator door. Anyone have any leads? Jimmy
*****
Post# 15555-3/16/2002-23:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: POD 3/16
MESSAGE: Are these GE appliances? The dishwasher looks very familiar, just like the GE top loader I owned in my first pad.
*****
Post# 15556-3/16/2002-00:29 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: POD 3/16
MESSAGE: Yup.
*****
Post# 15557-3/17/2002-07:33 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (global voltage standards)
MESSAGE: I'm not sure that the comment, " the issue was resolved by merely expanding the tolerances" is the full picture. It may have been how the UK is handling it at present but from what I have read in Renew magazine, the mag of the Alternative Technology Association (of which I am a member, a group primarily concerned with solar'windpower, etc but also heavily into energy efficiency and power supply issues) Australia will actually change its supply standard voltage to 230v. The allowable variation will increase at the same time from 5% to 10%, so 240 will still be within specs. I have read from a computer repair tech (a soldering iron user, not a board swapper) that his workshop has dozens of dead computer power supplies, all due to apparent overvoltage. (you can tell by which components died) His theory is that they are selectable 110/220 volt units, when set to 220v and used on 240v, many components are running at or slightly over their rated voltage, and even a small spike or fluctuation knocks them off. He uses a 240 > 220 transformer at home and at work and says that the power supplies run noticeably cooler and use a little less current.
In Aus NEW transformer installations will, after some date, be set to 230v. Older transformers may not be reset for years, if ever, hence the need to keep 240v inside the allowable specs.
A friend used to live near the transformer of a long line that only served two properties, his house near the transformer and a farm up the hill some distance. He constantly blew light globes and over two years lost stereo, TV and other electronic stuff. Powercor refused to do anything. I measured his supply at wall at 256v. From memory that was the max allowable voltage so they didn't have to indemnify him for loss of appliances. He threatened legal action, it went nowhere but a tech came out and changed the transformer output to the next lower tap. No further problems. The farm up the hill had no problem with the change either.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15558-3/17/2002-07:41 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Re: Heated washers and dryers (global voltage standards)
MESSAGE: Oh, by the way, Selectronics, who make a fantastic range of inverters for solar power systems, have selectable 230/240v output on their SA series of inverters. They say to use 240v in Australian installations and 230v in New Zealand installations. So NZ may already be on 230v.
(an inverter is a gadget in solar power systems which converts the storage battery voltage of usually 12 or 24 volts to the local mains voltage - 110 in US, 240 here, thus allowing the use of ordinary "off the shelf" appliances )
Chris.
*****
Post# 15559-3/17/2002-07:48 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6?
MESSAGE: So if it is officially a WC-6, why is it called a 1-18?
Does the 1-18 actually drive through a rubber roller? That's what it looks like, I would have guessed that would have been prone to wear, slipping and flat spots. Are they reliable?
Yeah, I know, wash my mouth out with soap.
So the one my parents had in Aus, it was newer than a Unimatic and now it appears older than the 1-18. So what models came in between the two?
Chris.
*****
Post# 15560-3/17/2002-08:07 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: Maytag dishwasher innovation!
MESSAGE: 3.14.02......PR Newswire. Newton Iowa. Maytag's beloved repairman touted the world's first three-rack dishwasher, the high capacity Jetclean(R) II. A dishwasher that can clean it all.
Maytag combines flexibility with innovation in the new Jetclean II, the worlds firts three-rack dishwasher. One of a full new line of dishwashers from Maytag, it is the first unit that finally provides space for broiler pans, cookie sheets and other hard-to-wash items found in today's kitchen.
"Maytag is continually turning to its consumers to tell us how to improve our products," said Tony Hair, director of dishwasher product planning for Maytag. "We saw people struggling with hard-to-fit items like cookie sheets and lasagna pans, having to hand wash those dishes due to their size. By adding a third, flat rack, we've provided people with a flexible way to increase the capacity of the dishwasher. Now people can finally wash all their standard plates and glasses and still have room for a larger, tough item like a broiler pan."
While the same exterior size as a conventional dishwasher, Maytag has expanded the interior to accomodate the third, Flexload(TM) rack into the bottom of the dishwasher. The additional space is optimized with Maytag's new adjustable racks. With the push of a button, the top two racks in the Jetclean II adjust up and down to different heights. This allows owners to make the best use of the available space in teh dishwasher.
The new Maytag Jetclean II also improves cleaning by adding an industry-exclusive fourth wash arm. Models of the dishwasher will be available in black, white, bisque and stainless steel.
*****
Post# 15561-3/17/2002-10:48 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Okay...what's my next step? (besides the obvious of drinking heavily) (1-18 Rollermatic Insepection and Maitenance )
MESSAGE: I would start with a bucket of hot water dumped into the machine, hot water will help warm up the pump and the seals and gaskets and help them expand if needed. I think most of these are rubber, so it may not be necessary, but can't hurt and you can check the pump operation too.
Next remove the front cabinet panel and check around the pump and tub outlet (back left corner of cabinet-lots of hoses) for any leaks. Also check around the center of the mechanism for leaks as well. Plug in the washer and turn control dial to spin-normal speed. Once you start the machine, check to make sure the pump is working properly. These are strong pumps and it should pump out the water you added to the tub very quickly. The spin roller is driven by the motor drive shaft and makes contact with the spin wheel mounted to the shaft in the center of the mechanism. Make sure good contact is being made by the roller and the wheel and check to see if there is any slipping at this surface - causing a slow or intermittent spin. If you can narrow down what parts are not turning at full speed this will be helpful in determining what to do next. The following is good general maintenance and inspection procedure for the roller and wheel systems.
Unplug the washer and check the belt tension and the belt for wear. 1/2" of flex in the belt is sufficient. You can tighten or loosen the tension by loosening (not removing) the four motor mounting bolts, sliding the motor on it's mounting plate tightening one of the bolts when good tension is acheived to lock it in place. Tighten all of the bolts.
Turn the agitate and spin wheels (see photo again - agitate wheel in front, spin wheel in center) to make sure they are turning freely. These should be clean and bright. If not, you can use a mild cleaner to polish them, then clean all surfaces again with lighter fluid to remove all traces of cleaner. (The manual says to use Frigidaire porcelain cleaner, but this is no longer available, though you might find a similar cleaner for porcelain.)
The neoprene rollers are next to the wheels and may feel stiff when turning, but this is normal. (Spin roller is behind the agitate wheel - see picture again) They will loosen with use, but should feel solid - no wobble or play on their shafts, but still move freely in their spring loaded armatures. Check and clean the neoprene rollers. Vertical grooves, ridges of urethane build-up,etc. that cannot be removed with lighter fluid are defects and indicate replacement of the roller is necessary. Do not lubricate these rollers, shafts or wheels. Oil will glaze the surfaces and they won't make good contact and cause slipping. If necessary, you may add a DROP of lubricant to the roller mounting spring/slides, but be careful not to get any on the roller itself.
Start with this, and we'll move on if all of these things are OK. Sorry, there aren't really any fun pictures to go with this stuff, but you can reference back to the one I posted the other day for locating everything. Once you study the picture and diagrams of operation, it's fairly simple to see where all the parts are when you have your head in the cabinet. Remember not to put your hands into the mechanism or near the rollers while it's running - don't want to lose a digit, that would be even more difficult to explain to your friends!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/portawash/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire+1-18+Tech+Talk&.src=ph&.dnm=Mechanism+View+From+Front.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/portawash/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%2b1-18%2bTech%2bTalk%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 15562-3/17/2002-10:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (wow!!!!)
MESSAGE: I still have my doubts, I'll bet the gold was standard and white and other colors were special order from the factory!
*****
Post# 15563-3/17/2002-10:56 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Leonard Foodarama (Like moving a room!)
MESSAGE: When you post a picture of the handle, then we'll know what to look for when rooting around in the shops, I have no idea what they even looked like! Are you planning on using this in your house? That is one big refrigerator!
*****
Post# 15564-3/17/2002-11:07 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (Re-inventing the wheel - again!)
MESSAGE: The world's first three rack dishwasher! Yay for Maytag!
Excuse me? Miele who? (although technically, Miele calls their cutlery rack a "tray" so I guess.....)
A small article and a picture was in our paper yesterday - I couldn't see 3 racks from the picture though...
*****
Post# 15565-3/17/2002-11:46 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Okay...what's my next step? (besides the obvious of drinking heavily) (Thanks, gansky1!)
MESSAGE: So, from what you're saying...there is a chance..perhaps a small one...that I might not have to replace anything major? I do seem to remember the problem was the spin speed dragging.
I will get right on this procedure as soon as I can get some help getting it into my garage, hopefully this week. I'll shoot and post some pics of the mechanism in it's current state too.
This is more exciting than you know! Kinda like the Frankenstein movie...."It's alive!...It's alive!!!!"
thanks again
rm
*****
Post# 15566-3/17/2002-12:21 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: New Orleans wash-in YAY!
MESSAGE: Well, I got in touch with Todd and we will probably get together for a Rapidry wash-in next weekend. Pics and videos will follow. This will be two firsts for me. My first wash-in and also my first encounter with a Frigidaire. This will be cool.
*****
Post# 15567-3/17/2002-14:33 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (naughty gansky - are you picking on Maytag?)
MESSAGE: A friend of mine has one of those Mieles with the cutlery rack - it is total crap, designed for people with too much time on their hands. It also doesn't have four spray arms either, and its filtration system is forgettable too. I took one look at that cutlery tray and laughed my head off, German housewives must be desperately wanting for things to do.
I guarantee that the new Maytag Jetclean will pi** all over Miele (as most US dw machines do), and that the third tray will help accomodate larger, bulkier items and make this machine a joy to use for those of us, who want a real working dihwasher and not some overpriced yuppie toy.
Even though most American dishwashers had and still have (in many cases) an, either, extended or telescopic washtower in the center - I have always found them easier to load. Particularly with bulky items and mixed loads, as one would get in an average household. I like the size of the upper baskets, they are larger than those in Euro machines and provide additioal loading space for large plates and bulky items (at least in my GE machines). Not having a rotating washarm (in most cases) under the top basket, allows for taller items to be placed in the bottom basket too.
Then, of course, there is the filtration mechanism, but I won't go into that. I have a European style dishwasher now and it simply doesn't compare to the American machines that I had before.
A third tray may not necessarily be all that new an idea. Maybe it was already done twenty or thirty years ago (apart from the Miele, which in my opinion doesn't count). Though, I bet that if it was, it wouldn't have been European.
I don't care what ya'll think, but in my humble opinion, most European appliances are expensive gimmicks. I don't even like the way they look and they are not as durable as American and even Australian products.
*****
Post# 15568-3/17/2002-14:55 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11..
MESSAGE: RM, beautiful pair. Love the "brown" or whatever the true marketing name for the color was. Very masculine. A paired treasure to behold, restore, and use once again. PLUS A WINDOWED LID!!!!!
*****
Post# 15569-3/17/2002-15:08 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (wow!!!!)
MESSAGE: Well, wasn't the banking/financial system still based on the "gold" standard back then???
*****
Post# 15570-3/17/2002-17:01 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (Appnut?)
MESSAGE: Appnut...are you saying that I should feel especially proud because I have a windowed lid? I assumed they all had that.. Geesh, I'm feeling so special lately....I'll sleep much better tonight just knowing my lid is windowed!
(basking in the afterglow)
rm
*****
Post# 15571-3/17/2002-19:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: Hi arrrooohhh, thanks for Choice 71 scans
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh,
Thanks for scanning the Choice 71 articles. I really enjoyed the washer pages when you posted those, and whilst browsing around tonight, I found out you had uploaded more of the article. Thanks again, much enjoyed it.
Richtoo
LINK: http://au.photos.yahoo.com/bc/arrrooohhh/lst?&.dir=/Choice+1971&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 15572-3/17/2002-21:44 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (Appnut?)
MESSAGE: Yes, not all 1/18s had a windowed lid. Plus, yours is a brown pair. Not harvest gold!!!! It's an awesome machine. Enjoy the afterglow!!!!!
*****
Post# 15573-3/17/2002-22:38 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6?
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo.
After the Unimatic was the Multi Matic which has multiple wash/spinn speeds but the highest speen speed was about 700 rpm. The Rollermatic increased the spin speed back up to 1010 rpm.
Wow! I have learnt a lot.
*****
Post# 15574-3/17/2002-22:40 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi arrrooohhh, thanks for Choice 71 scans
MESSAGE: There is still more to come!
*****
Post# 15575-3/17/2002-23:23 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: History Of Frigidaire Washing Machines
MESSAGE: This is a post that Robert (unimatic1140) posted to the Yahoo club back in 2000 about the chronological history of the Frigidaire washer production. It contains a lot of good information about mechanisms, agitate/pulsate and spin speeds. I posted it to a photo album and will put it in the member links as well.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/wi57controltower/vwp?.dir=/History+Of+Frigidaire+Washing+Machines&.src=ph&.dnm=Washer+History+Part+1.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/wi57controltower/lst%3f%26.dir=/History%2bOf%2bFrigidaire%2bWashing%2bMachines%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 15576-3/17/2002-00:10 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: I cant wait to go to bed tonight....
MESSAGE: And sleep on my sheets that have been line dryed in the glorious Sydney Sunshine!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
And the suns energy didnt cost me a cent!
*****
Post# 15577-3/17/2002-00:14 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (naughty gansky - are you picking on Maytag?)
MESSAGE: Gansky is as free to bash maytag as you are to bash european appliances! Even more so as he is an American.
Maytag are not gods selflessly working to make our lifes easier, they are a company out to make a profit and market share.
*****
Post# 15578-3/17/2002-00:15 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in YAY!
MESSAGE: Woo! Hoo!
Cant wait to see the vids and hear the groovy soundtrack to go with it!
Have fun.
*****
Post# 15579-3/17/2002-00:17 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Yahoo Photos Change in Terms of Service
MESSAGE: Thank goodness (and Uni) for this site!
I am not very impressed with Yahoo Groups.
I know that there is MSN Photos. Dont know much about setting up one.
Its such a shame that we will eventually loose access to the wonderful pictures everyone has taken over the years.
*****
Post# 15580-3/17/2002-00:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (EXCUSE ME!!!)
MESSAGE: Gansky isn't the only one with opinions here, so don't get all worked up. It was Gansky who started this, not me. I simply felt compelled to contribute my views for some balance, which would be sadly lacking if it was all up to you and your Europhile mates.
And what would you know about Maytag anyway, huh?
*****
Post# 15581-3/17/2002-00:55 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6? (1-18)
MESSAGE: I believe they got the "1-18" name because that's written on the control panel (referring to the load size).
*****
Post# 15582-3/17/2002-01:04 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (EXCUSE ME!!!)
MESSAGE: Here we go again.
I have an opinion too and I just expressed it!
Live with it like i am.
I have used Maytag washing machines and dryers on plenty of occasions while on holiday. I have friends who have a Neptune and a very pleased with it.
*****
Post# 15583-3/17/2002-01:05 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6? (1-18)
MESSAGE: They 18 obviously refers to 18lbs, but what does the 1 stand for?
*****
Post# 15584-3/17/2002-01:06 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6? (1-18)
MESSAGE: 1 lb -- refering to it's ability to wash a large range of load sizes.
*****
Post# 15585-3/17/2002-01:11 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (EXCUSE ME!!!)
MESSAGE: When are you going to get off this Europhile nonsence too?
I might of "joked" about being a europhile. If liking Volkswagens and front loaders makes me a europhile so be it. What is wrong with someone who enjoys finer things in life like coffee or the theatre (while labels one a europhile or yuppie) or should i be a flannellette wearing bogan with a fosters permanently in one hand and driving a VK commodore?
I have stated before on many occasions and will state it again that when it comes to any appliance other that washing machines or vacuums cleaners I would always buy the Australian manufactured product.
Now i shall go and untwist my undies.
*****
Post# 15586-3/17/2002-01:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire part #5308011364 "mechanism"....WC-6? (1-18)
MESSAGE: Ohh! It makes such obvious sence!
On older washing machines here capacity never seemed to be a big issue, things were small, medium or large. Hoover in the 80's then started to louldy proclaim that you could wash 5 or 6 kgs of washing in its machine and other manufactures started following suit.
*****
Post# 15587-3/18/2002-04:59 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Anyone have vids of Miele's in action? (Great pics - Thanks!)
MESSAGE: It's one of the "Aquacycle" models - one step down from Jetsystem. Not sure if you have that particular line on the Dutch market, but it's the equivalent model to the 1100rpm non-Jetsystem touch control FL.
*****
Post# 15588-3/18/2002-05:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: westinghouse appliances (Tablets - a rant)
MESSAGE: Yes, I should have added that Ariel powder doesn't suds much, providing you're careful with the dosage. If you go even slightly over the top, it has a tendency to get out of control. Persil, on the other hand, is more forgiving.
*****
Post# 15589-3/18/2002-05:04 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation! (tutut arrrooohhh)
MESSAGE: God you are soooo sexy when you get angry like that. Hey, why don't you let me untwist those undies of yours? We could have a little person to person chat about 'philes', if you want?
*****
Post# 15590-3/18/2002-07:12 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi all! and Jet cones... (brown washers???)
MESSAGE: Thanks Scott!
I haven't been to yahoo in a while to see if my photos are still there.
I have 2 brown 1-18 sets (in running order and hooked up and eight (or so) 1-18's in various stages. A few have bad tubs, so if anyone is looking for other spare parts, you're more than welcome to them (first come, first served). Richmond Va is about 8 hrs by car, and I have room to put you up here.
Steve 1-18
*****
Post# 15591-3/18/2002-09:13 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Maytag dishwasher innovation!
MESSAGE: Yes, and it's 47 inches wide with 2 doors. It'll look stunning next to a Foodarama...
-ph
*****
Post# 15592-3/18/2002-10:30 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: History Of Frigidaire Washing Machines
MESSAGE: Thank you for sharing. I guess this is sort of a charter for this club.
Louis
*****
Post# 15593-3/18/2002-10:53 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Frig Twins get death sentence commuted! Film at 11.. (1/18)
MESSAGE: This is a real beauty - I was away for a few days & trying to catch up. Nice to come back to see something like this.
Good Luck
Peter
*****
Post# 15594-3/18/2002-11:52 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: First, does anyone know how to read belt types? For example, the 3L460, does the 460 refer to the diameter and the 3L the thickness?
Second, on my Frigidaire DIA, the idler pully is attached to a metal plate that is held against the rear panel by 2 brackets. The metal plate keeps slipping out of the brackets. I understand there should be some play in the idler, but shouldn't it be more secure to the back?
Thanks,
-ph
*****
Post# 15595-3/18/2002-12:53 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: Hi Peter,
In a 3L460 belt, the code means = 3 is the thickness of the belt, L460 means Length=460 of what ever unit of measure they measure belts in.
As for your second question I have no idea, probably something is loose or missing, you're going to have to experiment and check tech talk.
*****
Post# 15596-3/18/2002-13:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: Hey Kirk, The new Neptune's arriving in UK
MESSAGE: Kirk,
You might be interested. I just noticed on Maytag's UK site that the new Neptune is arriving in May. Apparantly it is the first washer with a brain, so no outrageous Maytag claims again there! Still, good to see it finally arrive, I really like the old mechanical Neptune, so look forward to seeing this one.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.maytag-uk.com/
*****
Post# 15597-3/18/2002-13:57 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: I think the 460 is the inches in circumference of the belt. When I went in to get a belt that had no markings on it, the guy measured around the circumference and came up with the number. (I.E. 460 would be 46.0" and 465 would be 46.5") The one I needed was like 35" measure and I got a 350 belt number.
*****
Post# 15598-3/18/2002-14:11 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: Refresh my memory, is this a 1-18 or 60's vintage? "DIA" was used in both lines.
*****
Post# 15599-3/18/2002-14:23 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: This is a 1963 Imperial machine, one step down from the Custom Imperial 'clamshell' console...
-ph
*****
Post# 15600-3/18/2002-15:16 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Hey Kirk, The new Neptune's arriving in UK
MESSAGE: No, and I realize you probably don't know this since you don't live in the US and probably aren't old enoughh, but *everybody* knows that the first washer with a brain was the Westinghouse Program Computer Laundromat, long about 1959 or 1960 *wink*
*****
Post# 15601-3/18/2002-15:43 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: "Rollermatic" terminology question....
MESSAGE: Before I tear into things...I like to be sure I'm using the correct lingo. Style is all important!
So from what I gather here, my 1977 vintage Frigidaire WC-6 aka 1-18, has what is called the "Rollermatic mechanism"? I'm learning so much here, my head is in spin cycle. I can't wait to get this thing inside where I can work on it.
One other question...is it a possiblity that in order to fix this washer with the dragging spin mode, I'm going to have to remove said "Rollermatic mechanism" entirely to work on it, or can I replace such things as spin rollers and things while in the machine?
Thanks again
rm
*****
Post# 15602-3/18/2002-16:21 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: "Rollermatic" terminology question....
MESSAGE: No, unless you have bearing issues I think you'll be able to work on the mechanism from underneath without removing the tub and tranny.
Later on in the week I will scan some repair information for you.
*****
Post# 15603-3/18/2002-16:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hey Kirk, The new Neptune's arriving in UK
MESSAGE: Damn! The Maytag UK website seems to be acting up at the moment, and gets stuck on the animated intro screen. I'll try again later, and with a bit of luck I'll be able to read the latest info on the new model.
*****
Post# 15604-3/18/2002-18:00 ||| TrainGuy (Southwestern Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: RE: Dryer info needed
MESSAGE: In addition to my DCIF-65, I also have 2 DD-64 dryers. If these would be similar to your '63, I could check them out or cut and paste a pic into an email. Sorry I don't know how to use Yahoo.
*****
Post# 15605-3/18/2002-21:59 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: POD Kelvinator
MESSAGE: Loved the pic of the day today. I have never seen on of these before from this era. It looks to me like an early 70's model. Is this correct?
The console styling seems like a semi-ripoff of the 70's 1-18
I love it
*****
Post# 15606-3/18/2002-22:12 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator
MESSAGE: It is a handsome machine. As I recall, there was discussion the last time this pic came up, that this is a WCI-made Kelvy.
*****
Post# 15607-3/18/2002-23:49 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator
MESSAGE: It always makes me laugh because everytime this machine comes up as POD it always stars a discussion. It very handsome but its a WCI machine underneath I am told. I am still dying to see what it looks like inside though. Ive heard it has a ribbed tub with only four rows of holes.
*****
Post# 15608-3/18/2002-00:11 ||| tumbleaction (Las Vegas, NV)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator (Kelvinator Washer)
MESSAGE: Remember that there really is no such thing as a "WCI" washer. All WCI designs were acquired from other companies. This washer--probably a Franklin design judging by the front service panel--was used by Kelvinator, Gibson, and some post-GM Frigidaire models.
*****
Post# 15609-3/18/2002-00:26 ||| oldappliancenut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: this is my 1st first post and I have pictures of my appliances and the new arrival is a 59 lady kenmore combo and link to the album
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/oldappliancenut/lst?.dir=/My+Photos&.view=t
*****
Post# 15610-3/18/2002-00:42 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club, Oldappliancenut! I enjoyed your pictures very much. Do you have all these machines hooked up?
*****
Post# 15611-3/18/2002-01:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hey Kirk, The new Neptune's arriving in UK
MESSAGE: Kirk,
There did not appear to be any details on the website, the new Neptune appeared in a pop up window and it said to contact your local dealer for info.
I noticed the site was acting up, after posting here, I tried to go back to look some more, but could not get in, I thought it just my pc.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15612-3/19/2002-06:53 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator
MESSAGE: I saw one in the Krusher pile a few months back. It wasn't 4 rows of ho's so much as 4 panels of perforations alternating with 4 solid panels, separated with a raised rib, I guess to help turn the clothes with the tub. It wasn't a very handsome machine at all.
-ph
*****
Post# 15613-3/19/2002-07:02 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: Welcome, Brian! You have a very nice collection, and that LK combo is the crowning jewel!
-ph
*****
Post# 15614-3/19/2002-07:50 ||| jaxcubb (Atlanta, Georgia)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: Wow! That's the same White Westy that I had about 14 years ago. Cool!
*****
Post# 15615-3/19/2002-08:42 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (Welcome!)
MESSAGE: You have a great collection
Welcome and this is the greatest club
Peter
*****
Post# 15616-3/19/2002-08:50 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (Big Welcome)
MESSAGE: Hi Brian, welcome to our club. Congrats on you new '59 Lady Kenmore Combo, she's a beauty. Where did you find her? Is it in working condition, that machine was a relatively simple combo to get going.
*****
Post# 15617-3/19/2002-11:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator (Welcome)
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club. You have some nice machines there. The Kenmore combo is really special. I was wondering if you are the first one on the club that has such a combo. Anyone?
Louis
*****
Post# 15618-3/19/2002-11:54 ||| oldappliancenut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (scott55405)
MESSAGE: no scott55405 not at the moment i do not have them all up and goin wish i did but my house needs a few xtras plugs LOL
*****
Post# 15619-3/19/2002-11:57 ||| oldappliancenut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (Unimatic1140 )
MESSAGE: I found her in the Paper she was 2 hrs away I went to look at her yesterday and I couildn't go home with out her so I loaded her in my trunk with many ropes and tiedowns LOL not sure if it works yet a transformer fell off from old age and the plug is a bit different from our 220v line
*****
Post# 15620-3/19/2002-12:36 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (Welcome to Classic Appliances, Oldappliancenut.....)
MESSAGE: What a nice album that you have put together. I like your collection of appliances. I am especially in love with that 1970's/1980's White Westinghouse F/L. I think that was the best looking one they made during that span. I also couldn't help but check out that 80 Series Dual-Action Agitator Kenmore that you also have in your album. That looks exactly like the Kenmore that I am using today. In fact, that IS my Kenmore.
And that 1959 Lady Kenmore W/D combo. Is that your first vintage piece of laundry gear??? And is there going to be more to come??
--Charles--
*****
Post# 15621-3/19/2002-14:12 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: GDA know their Hotpoint washers are not exactly reliable, read all about it.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/reports/reports_whotpoint.shtml
*****
Post# 15622-3/19/2002-15:57 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: So close yet so far...
MESSAGE: My heart skipped a beat, then sank...
-ph
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2010760947
*****
Post# 15623-3/19/2002-17:43 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Kelvinator (59 LK Combo)
MESSAGE: Luigi, John has one in his Virginia/West Virginia house--see my link in the members links for john's two houses, as well as Turbo's. Bob It wouldn't surprise me Cal has one also, but I don't exactly remember. We'll have to ask him at the convention this summer.
*****
Post# 15624-3/19/2002-17:47 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: So close yet so far...
MESSAGE: Perter, mine did too when I read the caption, then saw the photo
*****
Post# 15625-3/19/2002-19:42 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: Beautiful! Another treasure saved from the evil Krusher!
Congrats and enjoy.
*****
Post# 15626-3/19/2002-19:42 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo
MESSAGE: Beautiful! Another treasure saved from the evil Krusher!
Congrats and enjoy.
*****
Post# 15627-3/19/2002-19:43 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: So close yet so far...
MESSAGE: And no agitator to boot!
*****
Post# 15628-3/19/2002-19:48 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Ebay: A testimonial...
MESSAGE: This link is to an auction I won on ebay for some old appliance emblems. I mentioned in an email about the sale that I was looking for old appliances and parts, etc. They emailed back that all these appliances and "lots" more are still there. I called them and am going out to take a look at(and hopefully bring home) what they've got. The seller also told me that a buddy of his has an appliance store and will be happy to let me dig in his junk pile too and perhaps the part room if I'm interested. I'm not getting my hopes up too high, but a couple of those emblems had some neat things attached.
I'll be heading out there Saturday, wish me luck.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1082280328
*****
Post# 15629-3/19/2002-20:14 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT: Groovy Lady Kenmores in Portland OR
MESSAGE: Hey Everybody,
I was down wandering around Portland recently and went in a store called Habromania where they have a fabulous Lady Kenmore set from the late 50's. They are pink and look to be in pretty good physical condition, although I was told that the washer needs a new tranmission.
The store is relocating and drastically downsizing, so they are for sale. I instantly thought of you guys :-)
If anyone's interested, check 'em out. They are real beauties.
dan
*****
Post# 15630-3/19/2002-20:54 ||| oldappliancenut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (Welcome to Classic Appliances, Oldappliancenut.....)
MESSAGE: I'm still lookin for more machines lol so more to come maybe
*****
Post# 15631-3/19/2002-23:29 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Groovy Lady Kenmores in Portland OR
MESSAGE: Dan, do you have a vintage or modern w/d at your house? A pink w/d set might be just the thing for your groovy 50s pad! ;-)
*****
Post# 15632-3/20/2002-02:58 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Ebay: A testimonial...
MESSAGE: All these emblems for only $5.-, you are already a lucky devil! Don't forget your camera, we want a full report on this trip ofcourse! Would this be an Apex weekend?
Louis
*****
Post# 15633-3/20/2002-03:51 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 lady Kenmore combo (GE portable washer)
MESSAGE: Hi oldappliancenut.
That's a great collection you have there. I noticed the GE portable washer. They were sold here in Australia and were very popular in their day. The Aus ones were 240 volt of course. They were made in Japan, I think by Hitachi but I'm not sure about that. Were the US market ones made in Japan too?
Chris.
*****
Post# 15634-3/20/2002-07:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Ebay: A testimonial... (Collective energy for Apex!)
MESSAGE: Saturday, at 3 PM Central US time, everyone start chanting: APEX, APEX, APEX, APEX.......
Maybe it will work!
*****
Post# 15635-3/20/2002-09:56 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT: RE: Groovy Lady Kenmores in Portland OR (Servitude to Sears and the Flair that got away. )
MESSAGE: While the pink certainly caught my eye, I am just getting done paying Sears for the lovely front loader and matching dryer I bought last year. Besides, you know me - what a lot of you guys are to washers and dryers, I am to stoves. I just missed out on a FREE Frigidaire Flair, the loss of which almost caused me to take to take to my bed for a few days with a bottle of Amaretto. As it is, I have to train the other half to share this sort of information more readilly. Sheesh.
Oh well, Maybe it's for the best. It only had one oven. And where would I have put it? I couldn't dethrone the Hotpoint........
*****
Post# 15636-3/20/2002-13:02 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Ebay: A testimonial...
MESSAGE: WoW, how fun Greg! Keep us posted as to what you find, maybe he'll have some new oil pump kits!
*****
Post# 15637-3/20/2002-20:22 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: New Hispanic Discoveries
MESSAGE: Well, this past weekend in my unending search for the now discontinued "Lifebuoy" soap, I targeted the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. I covered Broadway between 135th and 158th streets. I did managed to score 9 3packs of Lifebuoy at a corner bodega and in the process found two new detergents I had never seen before. First I found something called "Hispano" - made by a small company in the Dominican Republic. The fragrance was quite strong and I didn't particularly care for it - also no ingredients were listed so I couldn't tell if it contained phosphates. More prevalent was a brand called "Omo Multi Activo". This is apparently made by Unilever in the Dominican Republic. A 200 gram bag was $.99 in the dollar store, but $1.49 in the C-Town supermarket. Again, the package had no ingredients listed, but very explicit directions for both hand and machine washing in both American and Japanese machines. I did buy a few bags of this. The scent was kind of strong - not unlike Tide with Bleach powder - but not unpleasant and the clothes dried with little scent. However, it sudsed madly - but rinsed pretty easily. Interesting - most of the stores in that neighborhood carry only Dominican products as opposed to a wider array of Hispanic products - for example, very little Ariel and absolutely NO Viva detergent.......
*****
Post# 15638-3/20/2002-20:33 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Ebay: A testimonial... (Collective energy for Apex!)
MESSAGE: Just think, it WILL BE the Apex of your trip.
*****
Post# 15639-3/20/2002-20:36 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Groovy Lady Kenmores in Portland OR (Servitude to Sears and the Flair that got away. )
MESSAGE: Dan I'm so sorry. I can already see your nostrilis Flair at the other half as you head to your bed with the Amaretto. (It also goes well with Vanilla Ice Cream!!!! either on top or mixed with a milk shake)!!!
*****
Post# 15640-3/20/2002-01:46 ||| oldappliancenut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: Plugged in the 59 Lady Kenmore
MESSAGE: Well all I got the transformer I needed and i plugged her in she spun and all but didn't try the dryer part....The Buzzer on it is sooooooo loud LOL but she needs belts to go through the wash cycle I'll keeps yas posted
*****
Post# 15641-3/21/2002-03:50 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Dear Members,
After much delay I have finally posted the 27 page report carried out on Automatic washing machines in 1963. I hope that the print is legible - I have had all sorts of difficulties in trying to scan them at a higher resolution and still be able to post them to my Yahoo album.
Greg
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mooney6au2000/lst?.dir=/Australian+Consumers%27+Association+report&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/mooney6au2000/vwp%3f.dir=/Australian%2bConsumers%2527%2bAssociation%2breport%26.dnm=Choicep-01.jpg%26.src=ph&.view=t
*****
Post# 15642-3/21/2002-07:53 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Choice 1963)
MESSAGE: Dear Greg,
Thanks HEAPS for posting this.
It is really interesting, I have never seen some of those washers and I thought I was pretty cluey on Aus washing machines.
The Hoover Keymatic is an early version - you can tell by the horizontal progress indicator. Most of them I have seen have a circular dial. Also the door latch is different - on the one tested the latch is on the door, you press it down to open. On the later ones the latch is on the body, you press a button in to open.
I never knew Stampco made an auto. I have seen one Stampco twin tub and Stampco wringer washers are still relatively common with mad old ladies. They never seem to wear out. The washers, not the ladies. Stampco stopped manufacturing decades ago but the company still lingered on until about five years ago or so. They still had a small factory in Clayton (suburb of Melbourne) repairing and reconditioning their surviving washers. (keeping the mad old ladies happy)
The Westinghouse front loaders - I have only seen one of these, it was for sale at a junk auction about ten years ago before I got bitten by the washer bug. Wish I had snapped it up.
And the Kelvinator orbital - I will have to scour the junkyards for one of those!!
Thanks again for your effort.
When you can, any chance of posting the tests?
Ta Greg, you have made my night.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15643-3/21/2002-09:48 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Thanks for all the hard work on the washer reports, fancy all those machines to choose from, I see the Keymatic gets a good review..
Some of the comments where straight out of the mouths of boffins...."this particular violent wash action" LOL
Looking forward to seeing the report of the "Wilkins Servis" TL
Cheers, Mike
*****
Post# 15644-3/21/2002-11:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Fabulous! That's how a magazine report should be, with plenty details and pictures of the controls.
*****
Post# 15645-3/21/2002-11:58 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Consumer! )
MESSAGE: Greg,
Thank you - I love reading this type of stuff.
Peter
*****
Post# 15646-3/21/2002-12:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (read before 25 March - Yahoo)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Thanks for posting these, I love these old reviews and really look forward to reading them. I am busy downloading and saving them in case the large shots are no longer accessible when Yahoo starts its new thing on 25 March.
Thanks again.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15647-3/21/2002-12:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (read before 25 March - Yahoo)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Thanks for posting these, I love these old reviews and really look forward to reading them. I am busy downloading and saving them in case the large shots are no longer accessible when Yahoo starts its new thing on 25 March.
Thanks again.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15648-3/21/2002-12:36 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Greg, thank you for your hard work in posting this information! This will be a great read, and to be able to see the sometimes very subtle differences between Australian and American machines.
Scott
*****
Post# 15649-3/21/2002-13:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: Hi,
Well its amazing what you learn on this group. I have started reading this brilliant article you posted and found out that you guys used pound shillings and pence in Australia, I never knew that.
I am just old enough to remember using old money in the UK, we changed to decimal in '71, though have still not fully converted to metric, should have done one big change over with the money. Still, the old money and imperial system are so quaint, though practically impossible to use (in my opinion - I can never remember all those old units and how many mickles mack a muckle)
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15650-3/21/2002-14:32 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: Thanks for that link, Rich. Everyone was talking about it at work the other day, but I never watch TV, and hence didn't see the programme.
Watchdog certainly like to sink their teeth into Hotpoint. Remember the report they did on their washer-dryers a few years ago, when there were complaints of shredded clothes? Customers still remark about that to this day, which proves that mud really does stick, even though that particular problem was ironed out long ago.
In all fairness to Hotpoint, the latest bunch of the WMA series seem to be OK, touch wood. Last year's lineup were troublesome, but since the new models were introduced, we've only had one single machine with a major problem (thankfully, they exchanged the machine pretty quickly). And, in my experience, Hotpoint are usually very good when it comes to service. I really do hope that they continue on this path, and that the Merloni takeover doesn't drag them down. When all's said and done, I still like the company, despite some of the mistakes they've made with certain products in the last few years.
*****
Post# 15651-3/21/2002-14:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: Funny thing is, I was brought up with metric, but prefer to use imperial for the most part. I always measure weights in pounds and ounces, and use feet and inches for linear measurements.
I'm split when it comes to liquid measurements. When cooking, it's fluid ounces, cups, pints and quarts for me. Outside the kitchen, I can only understand figures given in litres for some odd reason.
No wonder my maths teacher couldn't stand the sight of me when I was at school. Despite her best efforts, I always insisted on converting everything to imperial so I could understand it better. Something I still do to this day when someone gives me a figure in metric units.
*****
Post# 15652-3/21/2002-15:32 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
Do you work in an electrical shop, then? If so, which one?
From Surgilator
*****
Post# 15653-3/21/2002-16:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: Yep, I'm a store demonstrator for Bosch. My usual store is in Newark, so I have to catch the train each morning to go to work. However, I usually spend half the week in other areas, depending on where they want me - that can be as far afield as Spalding or Gainsborough. I'm actually employed by Bosch, and not by the stores themselves. Kind of like the setup Hoover had until a few years ago.
As things stand at the moment, I might not be doing this job much longer, as I've had an interview for a desk job at Peterborough police station. Should be hearing about that soon... until then, I'll carry on chewing my nails in nervous anticipation!
*****
Post# 15654-3/21/2002-17:41 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Plugged in the 59 Lady Kenmore (YAY)
MESSAGE: Everytime a washer is revived, an angel get his wings. Keep up the good work.
*****
Post# 15655-3/21/2002-20:07 ||| kennywhy (Detroit, Michigan)
SUBJECT: Need to get in touch with Leslie
MESSAGE: Hi guys,
I need to get in touch with Leslie (Magic Clean) from Florida. His web address in Member Profiles doesn't seem to work. If anyone has an updated email address for him, please let me know.
Leslie . . . if you're out there, please write back when you have a chance.
Thanks,
Ken (kennywhy@att.net)
*****
Post# 15656-3/21/2002-20:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: How on earth does one get a groovy job like that?
I am stuck in a boring library.
*****
Post# 15657-3/21/2002-20:10 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Yes Scott, especially between the Kelvinator and Frigidaire. Our Orbital Kelvy has a perforated tub for starter.
And that beautiful Keymatic. Three machines I would love to own, as well as a push button Simpson Fluid Drive and a 70's Rocker switch Simpson.
*****
Post# 15658-3/21/2002-20:14 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Chester mike their is a Wilkins Servis automatiuc top loader in my scann of the choice 1971 washing machine report. I will try and load the rest up tonight now that my assignments are out of the way...
*****
Post# 15659-3/21/2002-22:56 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: What year did Australia change from pounds to dollars?
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Post# 15660-3/21/2002-00:15 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: It was 1966.
Greg
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Post# 15661-3/21/2002-00:17 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Choice 1963)
MESSAGE: Chris,
Glad you liked the report. The actual tests are good reading also. I will do my best this weekend to post them. Some bedside reading to look forward to!!
Greg
*****
Post# 15662-3/21/2002-01:20 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Choice 1963)
MESSAGE: Hi Mooney! I am so glad you posted that article for us all to read. i have at home photocopies but only of the machine profiles. It was costing me a fortune on photocopies!!!
Once again a big thank you!
*****
Post# 15663-3/21/2002-01:26 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Hoover Windtunnel
MESSAGE: I am so excited!
Hoover has just released their Windtunnel upright bagless model!
Woo Hoo! After months and months of gogling at them on the internet they are now on sale here in my part of the world! $599 AUD. I am saving my pennies!
*****
Post# 15664-3/22/2002-05:29 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Its all Up!
MESSAGE: Finally I have completed posting the Choice 1971 test!
I am so glad all of you can get to see what Aussie washers are like. Especially the Simpson models as they aren't available overseas.
LINK: http://au.photos.yahoo.com/bc/arrrooohhh/lst?&.dir=/Choice+1971&.src=ph&.begin=9999&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//au.photos.yahoo.com/bc/arrrooohhh/lst%3f%26.dir=/Choice%2b1971%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15665-3/22/2002-05:57 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: We had funny old money until 1966, then dollars and cents. I don't remember the change as I was born in '63. I remember there was some discussion as to what the new currency was to be called - the Prime Minister was a mad-keen Royalist and wanted the new currency to be called the "Royal" in honour of Her Majesty. Fortunately we got dollars and cents.
We went metric in other things in 1974 (?). I was a matchbox collector at the time and Redheads matches had a series called "think Metric" which gave handy hints about getting your head around the Metric system. The government of the time passed some pretty heavy handed laws to help get the population used to metric quickly. Sale of measuring devices in imperial units was banned. My father was a carpenter, I can still hear him ranting about it. The Aus timber and building industry adopted a strange half-metric system where wood is sold in one-third metre units. A third of a metre is about equivalent to a foot. So the old carpenters simply got used to ordering a 2.4 metre instead of an eight foot. Bt you can't buy a metre of wood, you must choose .9 metre or 1.2 metre although it is priced by the metre.... Over twenty-five years later is still works that way...
Personally though I am thoroughly metric in almost everything except that I still pump up my car tyres to 32 psi, I have no idea what that would be in kilopascals. Dual-scale measuring devices were made legal again after a few years. I am building a house at present and it is fully how often I find myself thinking simultaneously in metric and imperial, such as saying to Dad I want a piece of 4"x2" pine 2.4 metres long. and worse.
You Americans may notice us Aussies give our timber (lumber) sizes the other way around - we say 4x2, not 2x4. and the "x" is pronounced "bee" as in four bee two. I spent a year in Chicago in 1982 as an exchange student and came back with an American accent, my father nearly collapsed when I referred to a "2x4", he said "you're in Australia now and no son of mine is going to call a four-bee-two a two by four!"
Chris.
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Post# 15666-3/22/2002-06:24 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Its all Up!
MESSAGE: Thanks arrrooohhh for your efforts. It's a great read.
To members in countries other than Australia - what do you recognize about these machines? (both the 63 and 71 articles)
I am particularly interested in what the origins of "Australian" brand name machines are. Eg "Malleys" washers of this time were Whirlpools. Later "Malleys Whirlpool" washers were actually rebadged Simpsons, not Whirlpool at all. But I bet that Simpson and Hoover top loaders were actually American designs. Simpsons in the sixties were "fluid drive" so does that suggest a Speed Queen connection??
Thanks folks.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15667-3/22/2002-07:46 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: POD Rube Goldberg washer
MESSAGE: I bet the first GE was a technician's nightmare. But it was rated #1 in CR and it had a high speed spin.
The Kenmore wigwag system looks tame compared to that.
*****
Post# 15668-3/22/2002-10:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Overhere in the Netherlands we also have Omo. It's a low sudsing detergent and I bet it's very different from the kind you bought. Omo is indeed owned by Unilever as All is. Both brands came on the market with a new detergent several years ago, but it got into a major disaster when the Dutch Consumer Organisation stated that it tore your clothes apart. It took years for them to recover from this. BTW, guess how we call Omo?
Louis
*****
Post# 15669-3/22/2002-10:22 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Groovy Lady Kenmores in Portland OR (Amaretto)
MESSAGE: Amaretto in hot chocolate is very tasty too!
*****
Post# 15670-3/22/2002-10:37 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!)
MESSAGE: Hey Greg,
Thanks for these wonderful Choice pages. No time to read now, but I will take my time studying this!
Louis
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Post# 15671-3/22/2002-10:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Its all Up!
MESSAGE: Even more reading material! Around thirty posts in two days, but so much to read!! I love this club!
*****
Post# 15672-3/22/2002-11:53 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: When I was in Australia, I picked up a box of Omo-matic. Omo came in several flavors with Omo-matic being the low sudsing, front loader variety.
Here's a link to Lever's list of laundry detergent brands by country.
LINK: http://www.persil.co.uk/persil_products/main_products_worldwide.html
*****
Post# 15673-3/22/2002-12:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hi,
Omo used to available in the UK, but I have not seen it for years. The name caused sniggers, and the brand image was that it was an old ladies detergent (very un-PC of me, sorry).
The Omo website www.omo.com shows it available in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and Finland.
The big (Unilever) seller in the UK is Persil, with Surf as Unilever's secondary value brand. Neither are shown on unilever.com, but are on unilver.co.uk Persil has 2 websites at www.persil.com (the history section is very interesting)and www.loveyourskin.co.uk Interestingly, the Omo logo shown on the link below is very similar to a logo Persil used a while ago in the UK. As Unilver is rationalising its brands, we may see more brands disappear. In the UK, Jif cream cleaner has become Cif, (pronounced Sif) which to me sounds to much like an abreviation for a 'social' disease.
P&G's big seller in the UK is Ariel, www.ariel-info.com Tide used to available in the UK, but was not activley marketed and I have not seen it for years. Ariel was the first in the UK to popularise bio detergent, and has only recently launched a non-bio.
If I remember correctly, the first bio Persil was New System Persil Automatic in 1983, which caused outcry in the media as non-bio was dropped. I see on the Persil website history section, that Persil Performance is omitted, is this a case of re-writing history. This was the Persil where the enzymes were so powerful, they ate the clothes - huge media outcry and a re-launch for Persil, must have been the same formulation as teh Dutch Omo to which Louis refers. Persil recovered very well, but I don't know how much market share was lost to P&G and how much it has made up. The plethora of Persil brands available today shows that there is still consumer confidence in the brand.
Well, I have surprised myself, just how much can one say about washing powder!
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.unilever.com/brands/unileverbrands/laundry/
*****
Post# 15674-3/22/2002-12:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
Wondeful, loved your post. Although I moan about the old system, I am a bit fond of it and do use it to an extent, especially in a dual way just like you.
We too have a hybrid system in the UK, our timber is also sold in 1.8m and 2.4m lengths, (6' and 8'). Legally, sales now have to me in metric, about time too. But I would still think of a 2 be 4, not a 50*100mm. Yes, we to say two be four, not four by two, we use a short be sound rather than a long bee, unless one is posh and says by.
I often still use imperial when cooking, but am trying very hard to get used to metric. I guess for me in theoretical matters metric is easier, due to the maths, but having been brought up with imperial when mum was teaching me cooking, I use imperial then, though I rejected Dad's imperial teaching in matters DIY and use metric then.
My parents still have not forgiven the loss of old money and still often convert back to shillings (or Bob as they were known), as in 14 bob (80p) for a loaf of bread, scandelous. Dad still thinks having 240 pence in a pound, and 480 ha'pennies, and 960 quarter pennies (whatever they were called) is a good thing. Personall, I consider small change, 1p and 2p to be a nuisance and would gladly see teh back of them, 5p as the smallest unit would work fine, even 5p is worth bog-all these days.
Richtoo
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Post# 15675-3/22/2002-12:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Its all Up!
MESSAGE: Hi,
Thank you. I enjoyed the previous pages you posted and am looking forward to these. I am downloading them as I type.
Thanks again
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15676-3/22/2002-14:45 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: That is because there is much to say about washing powders. It is generally a dreadfully neglected subject.....
Interesting strategies on Unilever's part - Here in the US, Surf is one its premier brands - originally introduced in the early 1950's to go up against P&G's Tide (note the nautical theme....). It disappeared in the early 1970's as did many brands with all of the negative attention given to phosphates. It was then reintroduced in the mid 1980's - very successfully in both powder and liquid formulas. Yet in Canada, Surf is the local bargain or "price sensitive brand".......
As far as "old lady" brands go, I think that Lever's Rinso (detergent - not soap)was one of those brands also. Until the phosphate outcry of the 1970's Rinso was a very competitive brand. Actually, Rinso White Soap peacefully coesxisted alongside Rinso Blue Detergent for years. Then in the early 1960's, the soap formula disappeared and Rinso Blue ultimately became Sunshine Rinso, then Rinso with Color Bleach. Once the phosphate madness hit, Rinso was relegated to that limbo known as "bargain or price sensitive" brand. Lever never really did anything to keep that brand alive. So it died a slow and painful death. By the late 1990s, you could only find Rinso in small supermarkets in lower income neighborhoods and the product itself became a dreadful high sudsing NON performer. It was finally discontinued in 2000.
Funny though, here in the US, Lever really does not spend much at all on advertising its brands, and neither does Colgate. It is as if they have accepted defeat by P&G..... Soon the whole world will be able to wash in nothing but Tide!! Kind of like soon America will only be able to shop in May Company owned department stores... Oh, sorry that has already happened... (Lord and Taylor, Robinson's-May, Kaufmann's, Filene's, Famous Barr, Meier & Frank, The Jones Store, L.S. Ayres, Foley's. And that is only a few....
Sorry, but I was on a roll - - now what was that about a lot to say about washing powder???????
*****
Post# 15677-3/22/2002-15:07 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Department Store Triumverate)
MESSAGE: Actually, there's three main department store Giants: May Company (as you mentioned) The Target/Marshal Fields conglomerate, and Federated (which are all Macy's with different names. Our Macy's are called the Bon Marche here in the hinterlands, but they all have Macy's price tags. It's only a matter of time that they go the way of Dayton's and Hudson's)
Very interesting stuff about the detergents/soaps scene, btw. I am still working my way through a bucket of Sears detergent someone gave me in 1908 ;-)
*****
Post# 15678-3/22/2002-15:31 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: There are quite a few differences between the UK and the continent. Overhere Persil, like Dixan, belongs to Henkel, a german manufacturer. Lever indeed sells Omo, All, Sunil and Robijn overhere. I guess Persil in the UK is the same as Omo overhere.
Sunil is a very old Dutch detergent, I still remember it being used in wringer washers. It had a very typical smell. Nowadays it's a cheap detergent.
Louis
*****
Post# 15679-3/22/2002-16:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (bargain brands)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus,
I'm short of time now, but would love to discuss the advertising strategies of bargain brand powders. In UK, the bargain brands - Surf (Lever) and Daz (P&G) have appalling TV adverts using C list minor celebs and sometimes members of the public from the target group - you can imagine (OK, so I'm a snob), but really! In one Daz advert, a rather unrefined woman sat holding a baby and commenting on her lovely white nappies (diapers), announcing how she used them on bofe (sic) ends of the baby. My grandfather commented on how it was a good thing that she was holding a baby else one might mistake her for a hod carrier on the local building site.
(Ashamed of how snobby I can be)
Richtoo
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Post# 15680-3/22/2002-17:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: We give up, Your Majesty. Why do they call the prodcut Omo?
:-)
*****
Post# 15681-3/22/2002-18:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: I'm going to be honest and say it has both good and bad points. The commission earned can be astronomical, and it's nice to specialise in something, rather than just selling everything a store stocks. On the other side of the coin, dealing with the public sucks, you spend the entire day standing on your feet, and the travelling eventually becomes a pain in the butt. Right now, I'm just about ready for a boring desk job LOL.
Best way to get into this line of work if you're interested is to contact the personnel department of the manufacturer you've got your eye on. Better still, contact the sales representative for your area, as they're the folks who are in charge of the demonstrator team.
*****
Post# 15682-3/22/2002-18:17 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: According to the Lever website, the only other place it sells Persil is France.
*****
Post# 15683-3/22/2002-18:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover Windtunnel
MESSAGE: The trade show I went to last year had these on display (the UK version is badged as Maytag rather than Hoover). I tried one out, and really liked it. Good suction and pick-up, and overall very satisfying to use. Only nitpick I could find was that it's messy to empty - but that's not unusual for a bagless vacuum. Nice piece of kit IMHO.
*****
Post# 15684-3/22/2002-18:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: That sounds familiar. Several years back, we had Persil Power in the UK, which was eventually withdrawn because the "Accelerator" ingredient was found to eat clothes. Proctor and Gamble made a meal of it all, and ran several newspaper ads which tore Unilever and the Persil brand to pieces.
*****
Post# 15685-3/22/2002-18:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: The Persil which ate clothes was called Persil Power. It came in a refillable plastic container with a pouring spout, which I thought was kind of groovy. Incidentally, my mother loved the stuff when it came out, and was disappointed when it was pulled from the shelves. The current Persil bio formulation is tagged as Persil Performance, and as far as I'm aware, there are no problems with it damaging clothes.
I wonder when Tide was pulled from the UK market? I remember my grandparents used to always use it, this must have been around '84-'85. When I was visiting the US a couple of years ago, I used liquid Tide when I was doing my laundry, and soon got addicted to the scent - much nicer than Ariel liquid, which just smells nasty IMO.
About Unilever ditching certain brands, I think it was about a year or two ago that they got rid of Radion, with the intent that consumers would switch to Surf instead. I hear they're also stopping production of Lux soap flakes now as well.
*****
Post# 15686-3/22/2002-19:36 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Department Store Triumverate)
MESSAGE: Yes, but I used May as the example as it seems that May is the biggest predator - they swallow up local and regional chains, get rid of "downtown" flagship stores and turn the remaining stores into clones of each other. I daresay you cannot tell if you are in a Foley's store in Houston or in a Filene's in Portland, Maine. In fact most major malls in the Us are anchored by at least one May store. Since Lord and Taylor is supposed to be their "carriage trade store", they usually include one of those with the main line department store. I am quite familiar with Federated Stores... I even remember Allied Stores the original parent of The Bon, Stern's and Bonwit Teller.
Did you say someone gave you Sears detergent from 1908?? That must be a new record............
*****
Post# 15687-3/22/2002-19:43 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Yes, Lever has completely shut down the Lux brand here in the US. They discontinued Lux Flakes and Lux dishwashing liquid years and years ago here, but Lux Beauty Soap was only discontinued last year.
*****
Post# 15688-3/23/2002-03:39 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: Choice mag 1964 - test results of all the machines
MESSAGE: I hope you all enjoy reading the 9 page report on washing performance. Interesting the way "the housewife" is frequently referred to. Washing wasn't something done by men in the 1960's.
These washing machines were incredibly expensive in those days - given that one pound became $2 in 1966, they were all around $450. Seven years later in the 1971 reports posted by arrrooohhh most of the machines were much less than this. I remember my parents saving for a long time to buy the Whirlpool in 1966.
enjoy
Greg
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mooney6au2000/lst?.dir=/Choice+magazine+1964&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/mooney6au2000/lst%3f.dir=/Choice%2bmagazine%2b1964%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15689-3/23/2002-03:42 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Its all Up!
MESSAGE: Many thanks arrrooohhh for sharing this detailed report with us. I was surprised at the "adequate" washing performance for a lot of the machines.
Greg
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Post# 15690-3/23/2002-05:52 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: Today's the day for the 1-18!
MESSAGE: Well, I finally talked some fool into coming over this morning in a bit to help me move the 1-18 into the garage. Of course, this would be the morning it's 12 degrees outside! I hope to open it up and have a look today or tomorrow, and will post the results of gansky's recommended test and start up procedure.
Oh boy, is this exciting!
rm
*****
Post# 15691-3/23/2002-06:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
My mistake, no slur on Persil Performance intended. There are / have been so many Persil formulations that it gets confusing, Persil Power, Persil Performance, New System Persil Automatic, Original Non-Bio Persil, Persil Black Velvet, Persil Capsules, Persil with Crease Release, Persil Revive, Persil Finesse (has this disappeared?), Persil Colour Care, Persil Silk & Wool, Persil Handwash & Twin Tub (I remember this as just Persil - contained soap and produced a loveley creamy lather in a Twin Tub and got whites realy white, the auto alternative was Persil Automatic and those were the only 2 Persils avaiable in the 70s).
Persil now comes in powder, tablets, liquid, capsules and as a 'dry-cleaning' product.
I must admit that I am rather fond of the brand. It was the only product my mother would use.
Long after Tide and Omo disappeared from supermarkets, I would occasionally see them in corner shops.
I remember Radion, never bought it though. I am sure that it was aimed at men, and the heavy perfume was to cope with really stinky clothes. The fluorescent orange packaging was the opposite of the eco-friendly movement that was gaining ground.
I guess you are too young to remember lever's Breeze. The first colour detergent, test marketed in the Midlands. Pastel Blue packaging, and adverts with fairies by a stream wafting pastel chiffon around - loved it. Never made a national launch though, as far as I know.
Richtoo
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Post# 15692-3/23/2002-06:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Choice mag 1964 - test results of all the machines
MESSAGE: HI Greg,
I am getting an album empty error message.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15693-3/23/2002-06:53 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Straying a bit from appliances...
In the kitchen I am definitely metric. I am a professional cook, but I only work part time as a relief cook when the main cook has her days off. She is younger than me but has many of her recipes in ounces ans stuff. When I first started there I had a mini hissy-fit about it. " How many years has this been a metric nation and she leaves me recipes in OUNCES!"
Aus abandoned its one and two cent coins some years ago. The five cent coin is the smallest currency. If you are paying by cheque or plastic card the exact amount stands, if you pay cash the amount is rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. If you were stingy enough you could win every time by paying cash where the total would be rounded down and paying with a card if the total would be rounded up. I'm not stingy enough to do it, but stingy enough to think it up.
Best Wishes
Chris.
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Post# 15694-3/23/2002-07:04 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Cordes small washer
MESSAGE: On the German eBay is a washer for sale from Cordes. Cordes was a German manufacturer that made pretty good commercial washer/extractors. Miele bought the company to get a share of that market, until then (I don't know exactly when they took over Miele) they had only the smaller commercial machines. Cordes now and then put a washer for consumers on the market and this is one of them. It's a toploading tumblewasher that spins too. Unfortunately the lid is damaged, but I think it's a very cute machine.
Louis
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1714997967
*****
Post# 15695-3/23/2002-09:42 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: Saturday, March 23 Picture of the Day (Easy 5-Temp Washer and Dryer)
MESSAGE: Is it just me, or does that in-the-lid lint filter look suspiciously like a toilet seat? One can only imagine the disaster that followed when someone made just such a mistake. :)
*****
Post# 15696-3/23/2002-09:56 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Today is the day for Rapidry
MESSAGE: That's right. The time has come for the first ever New Orleans wash-in featuring a 65 Rapidry. Pics and videos coming soon.
*****
Post# 15697-3/23/2002-10:51 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: RE: Today is the day for Rapidry (65' rapidry)
MESSAGE: Can't wait to see the pics Jason. Happy washing.
*****
Post# 15698-3/23/2002-13:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Australian Consumer Association reports of 1963 (finally!!) (Pounds shillings & pence)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
A chef having a hissy-fit, you don't say, what a surprise eh!
When visiting Turkey, where prices were in the hundreds of thousands of lire, in the supermarket small change was dealt with by offering you a sweet or biscuit instead of the change, added fun and worked well too.
*****
Post# 15699-3/23/2002-13:35 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: NEW "Vintage" Website
MESSAGE: Check this out everyone its new its old its cool! When will they be introducing washers????
jon
LINK: http://www.elmirastoveworks.com/
*****
Post# 15700-3/23/2002-13:49 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: RE: NEW "Vintage" Website (Laundromat lives? :))
MESSAGE: Since the word "Laundromat" has fallen into the public domain, what's to stop them from calling a vintage-styled front-loader by that name? :)
*****
Post# 15701-3/23/2002-15:25 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Breeze was also a Lever brand here in the US also. It was introduced along with Lever's Silver Dust as "premium packages" - Breeze contained a towel of some sort and Silver Dust originally contained towels, then switched to glasses, then back to towels. Silver Dust also disappeared in the early 1970's with all of that phosphate nonsense and Breeze became more and more difficult to find. Along with Rinso, Lever let this one die a slow death - it finally disappeared in the late 1980's.....
*****
Post# 15702-3/23/2002-16:21 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: Choice magazine reports 1964 - reposted
MESSAGE: Scans reposted.
Greg
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mooney6au2000/lst?&.dir=/Choice+magazine+1964&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 15703-3/23/2002-18:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Persil Finesse hasn't disappeared, it's just been renamed as Persil Silk & Wool. Since they changed the name, they also brought out a powder version - it was only available as a liquid at first. Never tried it, though, as I have no silk or wool to wash.
Radion was marketed specifically as an odour-shifting detergent. I did try it once when it was on sale, and you're right about the scent being rather heavy. Lever pulled it from the market sometime in the last year or so, with the intent being for consumers to switch to Surf instead. I notice that the Surf lineup now offers the same "Sunfresh" fragrance as Radion.
I *think* I remember my mother using Breeze - was this in the late '80s or very early '90s? We were living in Dorset at the time, so maybe the initial launched spilled over into certain parts of the South coast as well.
*****
Post# 15704-3/23/2002-20:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: HI Kirk,
I was using Breeze around 1986. It may have been test marketed elsewhere besides the Midlands. It was just the campest packaging and advert ever, shame it disappeared.
Thanks for the info on Radion and Persil Finesse, shame Lever changed Persil Finesse to Silk & Wool, finesse sounds just so raffiné whereas Silk & Wool is telling like it is, just like calling a spade a spade.
Do you think that there is any difference between premiium and value brands beside perfume? Although I have used mainly Ecover for some years now, I used to use Persil and Arial, and have occasionally used Daz and Surf and never really noticed much difference in end result; must admit that I was not such a laundrophile then and did not observe as well as I could.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15705-3/23/2002-20:12 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus
I don't understand what you mean by contained towels and glasses, is it that these were free gifts included in the box of detergent?
Did you use Breeze and were teh adverts like the UK ones, all fairies in the woods with pastel chiffon, as camp as pink chiffon tents?
Richtoo
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Post# 15706-3/23/2002-20:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Choice magazine reports 1964 - reposted
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Many thanks, I am downloading right now, I will savour these. These old reports are just fantastic.
Thanks again
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15707-3/23/2002-20:20 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Cordes small washer
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
Thanks for posting, sure is a cute washer.
The pic reminded me of a question I wanted to ask. We have seen you lovely little Miele semi-automatic top-load tumble washer which does not spin and so uses a separate spin dryer. I have seen somewhere, I think in your photo album, pictures of an AEG twin tub with tumble action. Do you know if the AEG tumble action twin tub is semi automatic like your little Miele, or is it completely manual like the UK agitator twin tubs that I have used?
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15708-3/23/2002-20:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
All the best with your job application, I hope it works out for you. I don't think I could cope with working around men in uniform all day, hope you fare better than I would, I would have to keep taking a lie down, though of course firemen are higher up the swoon stakes than cops.
Thinking of dream jobs, how many here vote for kit washer at a major football club, prefereably Manchester United, think Beckham.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15709-3/23/2002-21:23 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: OMG I'm a man now
MESSAGE: The New Orleans Wash-in was FABULOUS!! I arrived at tcox's house and I was shown right away to the wasshing machine. OMG, it's heavy and made of porcelain. I marvelled for a few minutes at the famous Jetcone and the cool lighted dial. I started the camera rolling and I videotaped an entire cycle. I can not get over the sound it makes. It's thunderous. It has a very deep tone to it and that pulse action has so much power, it's unbelievable! Frigemore vs. Rapidry?? RAPIDRY!!! The Frigemore spins it good but that rapidry kicks butt. I"m impressed. Now I need to get one. And yes, I will trade my Frigemore for one.
You people rule! I never thought anyone else loved washers like I do.
Well, I'm playing with my "new" toy. A 1974 Lady Kenmore portable. WHAT? That's right. It's a portable but it's TOL baby! And it works fine. Nothing wrong with it. Is the mechanism different from that of the bigger belt drive Kenmores? I can hear the little wigwag and it does grind click :-D .
This was an awesome day. Now it's time to playback the video.
*****
Post# 15710-3/23/2002-21:51 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo!
I am very sure that the Malleys company owned the right to produce Whirlpool machines in Australia. Whether it was a one off purchace or ongoing I dont know but we never got machines like the 18lb model. Just the one regular size. But the also put Malleys Whirlpool on small Japanese impeller machines and twin tubs too.
The Whirlpool name was dropped with the Simpson take over. The machine was just called the Malleys Aquarius. It had the old Whirlpool cabinet though with the Simpson insides. Oh if only I had hte brochures today that I had as a little kid. I rmember at this time Malleys had a version of the Minimatic but unlike Simpsons very basic model this one had push button temp selector and drip dry options as well as a gentle cycle. They also had army green colour interiors.
I read a very interesting article about the Malleys name and the take overs and such I will have to search for it again and post the link.
As for the Hoover design i know their was a Hoover top loader in America in the early seventies. I have no idea why it didnt suceed or what happened to it but i know it was made by Blackstone. Take a look at Unis blackstion album and tell me if this machine seems very familiar... The Hoover machine featured a lint filet at the back of the bowl as we are familar with while the blackstone uses a GE style filter.
What do you think?
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/blackstone600/lst?.dir=/1974+Blackstone+Sales+Literature&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/blackstone600/lst%3f.dir=/1974%2bBlackstone%2bSales%2bLiterature%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15711-3/23/2002-22:00 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Omo is very popluar in Australia.
I dont get any hidden meanings to its name though.
*****
Post# 15712-3/23/2002-22:19 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: I work in a library and I too stand in my feet all day and have to put up with really stupid members of the public. Like little old ladies who ask if i have read some trashy bodice ripper romance novel and if it was any good or not. i mean really! I am not going to read that trash and what are they thinking that a young man in his twenties would possibly ever want to?
I think that being in a store you would see all the latest in appliances. That would be good and I would love to talk appliances all day!
I would really prefer to be a washing machine designer!
*****
Post# 15713-3/23/2002-22:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: I'm pretty sure that, for the most part, the main difference between the premium and value brands IS the perfume. Apparently, the detergent manufacturers spend big money on developing the scents for their flagship brands, hence the higher selling price.
Like you, I've noticed that Surf seems to work just as well as Persil. Haven't tried it since they revised the fragrances, but I always thought the original variety smelled better than Persil. Daz, on the other hand, smells awful to me, so I avoid it like the plague.
One thing I have noticed is that, when manufacturers change their formulations, the scents become more and more sickly over time. I'm sure Persil and Ariel used to smell a whole lot better a few years ago.
*****
Post# 15714-3/23/2002-22:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the good wishes, Rich :o) As for the uniform thing, trust me, I wouldn't have any problems coping with that... call it one of the perks of the job LOL.
*****
Post# 15715-3/23/2002-23:12 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Towels and Glasses)
MESSAGE: Yes, the towels and glasses were in a separate small box packed inside the box of detergent. Larger size detergent boxes had larger towels and glasses -- washclothes, hand towels, bath towels or juice glasses, tumblers, and goblets.
I remember Breeze had towels and Duz had glasses.
*****
Post# 15716-3/23/2002-23:25 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG I'm a man now
MESSAGE: Jason, you're now no longer a Frigidaire virgin. You think this kicked ass, wait until you see and hear a unimatic 3-ringer in person.
*****
Post# 15717-3/23/2002-23:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog
MESSAGE: Bodice ripper? Sounds rather like a laundry day mishap than a book!
As for washing machine design, I reckon we could come up with something pretty close to perfection if we all put our heads together. Perhaps manufacturers should take note of the discussions we have here, to get more of an idea of what really makes a good washer.
*****
Post# 15718-3/23/2002-23:57 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Cordes small washer
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, we would agree with your assessment of this delightful little washer.
QEOM
*****
Post# 15719-3/23/2002-23:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: NEW "Vintage" Website
MESSAGE: Hi Jet! Don't you just love that refrigerator on that site? It would be great if they expanded to include washers!
How are you liking your Airway?
*****
Post# 15720-3/23/2002-00:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG I'm a man now
MESSAGE: Jason the washer you used today is very similar to that which I grew up with. I remember once upon a time in a land far away, almost *all* washers were heavy and made of porcelain!
I'm glad you enjoyed it and had a good time!
*****
Post# 15721-3/24/2002-04:57 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Cordes small washer
MESSAGE: Richtoo,
The AEG Turnamat (and Zanker Intimat, Miele Combinette, Philips, Marynen, Skandilux, Velo and Bosch twintubs) were all automatic machines. On the continent, especially in the Netherlands and Germany they were very popular. They were relatively cheap and very reliable. They were an improvement on the manual agitator twintubs that didn't get foot on the market overhere. They were sold until the early nineties. There is now only one model left, the Velo. The last AEG ones were quite modern, they had an Energy setting, a small load option etc. but they still were water guzzlers due to the fact that they used so much water for rinsing.
In my album are pictures of the AEG, Zanker (details) and the Miele twintub.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst?&.dir=/My+favourite+appliances&.src=ph&.begin=9999&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bfavourite%2bappliances%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15722-3/24/2002-05:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Cordes small washer
MESSAGE: Thanks Louis,
Automatic twin tubs, that is so cool, I just love the idea of these machines. I don't recall these ever being available in the UK. I can remember Hotpoint, Hoover and Servis twin tubs, had them all in the family, but all were agitator manual twinnies.
On UK twinnies, as well as filling and rinsing being manual, you also had to keep moving the spin drain hose from washtub to sink according to whether you wanted to return the wash suds, or drain away the rinse water. After the first boil wash, I would drain the suds, and return the cold rinse water to the wash tub to cool it for the light towels and sheets that went into the tub after the whites, thereafter I would save the suds and drain the rinse water, forget the hose was in the wash tub though and the floor got washed, which happened plenty of times.
Richtoo
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Post# 15723-3/24/2002-05:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hi
I guess then that you Ozzy guys must be more eloquant than your pommey cousins, many of who drop their aitches.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15724-3/24/2002-06:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Hi again,
That Blackstone washer and dryer look great, but why has the woman in the last picture put a bra over her head?
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15725-3/24/2002-06:19 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (My Beautiful Laundrette)
MESSAGE: This reminds me of the movie My Beautiful Laundrette where the Daniel Day-Lewis character (sorry, I can't remember his name) pronounced his boyfriend Omar's name as Omo. I don't know if it was a deliberate jokelet or just a quirk of an Aussie listening to that accent. (Not to mention perving on the gorgeous lads) Ther were two jokes in one there, (h)omo and the laundry powder brand, where the two gorgeous young gay men ran a laundromat. Not to mention what they got up to in the back office.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15726-3/24/2002-06:29 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Hi Arrrooohhh.
I might be wrong (it's gotta happen one day) but I think there was actually a Malleys Whirlpool that wasn't a Whirlpool. It was immediately before the Aquarius. The control panel was very Whirlpool-esque but the cabinet and works were all Simpson. I never did like those Simpsons. I suppose they will be "classics" soon but they never washed or spun well, and were often fairly temperamental. They seemed to work fairly poorly for a long time though - they were slow to completely die. I have two Simpson Delta 10's in my garage that need new bearings and seals, I think they will go to God soon as I need the room for other more deserving junk.
Was Simpson already a part of Email when Malleys joined in, or were Simpson/Malleys joined when Email swallowed them?
The agitator looks like the Hoover and the transmission is more or less right depending on how accurate the line drawings are, but the pump and cabinet/controls look all wrong. It might be a match but we need more evidence. Call Forensics.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15727-3/24/2002-06:38 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Yes, good luck with your app, Kirk.
Hope you get to work with Smithy and Ben look-alikes from The Bill (we are some time behind in episodes here) more than Reg clones.
You can't discuss football when you have Sydney and Melbourne Aussies around. They play Rugby in Sydney and Australian Rules Football in Melbourne. Up there in Syd the footballers are selected on the basis that the more like a bag of potatoes they look, the better they will play. Rugby players have no necks. Down here in Melbourne and surrounds the Aussie Rules boys are chosen to be tall, lean, athletic and gorgeous. There must be some queens on the selection panels!
Now this is certain to start a flame war...
An I actually can't stand football at all.
Chris.
*****
Post# 15728-3/24/2002-07:14 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: The box would contain a tea towel or a glass. It was like the toys in boxes of cereal. At one point I think most of our tea towels were from Breeze and our glasswear from Duz.
*****
Post# 15729-3/24/2002-07:16 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Hmmmm... get to play with washers all day... nice... perhaps a few other benefits as well.
*****
Post# 15730-3/24/2002-07:53 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Promised photos
MESSAGE: Let's get this Sunday off to a good start! I found my adapter, so here are the photos of the 1963 (?) DIA and the Westy dryer...
-ph
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/peterh770/vwp?.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=DIA+Introduction.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/peterh770/lst%3f%26.dir=/Yahoo!%2bPhoto%2bAlbum%26.src=ph%26.view=t
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Post# 15731-3/24/2002-09:58 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Same is true here in the US also. Every new improvement carries with it a stronger and stronger perfume - and most of it is revolting.......
*****
Post# 15732-3/24/2002-10:00 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Towels and Glasses)
MESSAGE: And for a while, Duz had stainless flatware inside, and something called Premium Duz had dinnerware. Silver Dust Blue had towels, switched to glasses then back to towels before being discontinued......
*****
Post# 15733-3/24/2002-10:12 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hey, Richtoo - The Breeze sold here in the US was marketed as a heavy duty detergent so no fairies and woods on those packages. The boxes were bright red with white or yellow letters. The towels and glasses that came in detergents like Breeze, Silver Dust Blue or Duz were enclosed in smaller boxes which were in the detergent. Therefore pictures of these items were on the front of the box. Of course because of the "free gift" you ended up with a box of detergent that was the same size as all others but contained much less detergent to make up for the room taken up by the glass or towel. And these detergents were as expensive or sometimes more so than products like Tide or Cheer. I remember that my mother did try Breeze and Silver Dust Blue, but she felt that she needed to use significantly more of these products to get the same cleaning results as she got with smaller amounts of Cheer, Fab or Ajax. She believed that these detergents contained more "filler" than other products - and in fact I remember that both Breeze and Silver Dust called for 1 1/2 - 2 cups for a normal load. So much for the "free gift".......
*****
Post# 15734-3/24/2002-12:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the good wishes, Gizmo! :o)
Didn't know that The Bill was broadcast in Australia. Sounds rather like the way we get our episodes of Neighbours - apparently, ours are about 18 months behind Australia's. Not that I watch it, I hasten to add LOL.
*****
Post# 15735-3/24/2002-12:05 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG I'm a man now
MESSAGE: Oh My Jason, Did you get a boner??
*****
Post# 15736-3/24/2002-12:08 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Tide liquid has quite a pleasant scent IMO - so good, in fact, I kept opening the bottle to take a sniff. I would have brought some back home with me, but it would oversuds in my FL washer.
Ariel especially seems to have quite a sweet, sickly scent. I don't think they changed the fragrance of high-suds Ariel Handwash, as it still smells exactly like low-suds Ariel used to a few years back. But I don't have much use for a high-suds detergent, so it's not all that often I get to enjoy the smell of it.
*****
Post# 15737-3/24/2002-13:13 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: For the pics: Go to pictures, new orleans wash-in
For the video: Go to videos
Enjoy :-D
LINK: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/kenmore800
*****
Post# 15738-3/24/2002-13:45 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Wow - I do believe that's the same model we had when I was young. And what a beaut she is. Looks like brand new. Thanks for the memories.
*****
Post# 15739-3/24/2002-14:08 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Hi Jason and Todd, how fun was that video!!! Glad you finally got to use a real live Frigidaire. I'll have to add your video to our library, was that you or Todd in the video?
*****
Post# 15740-3/24/2002-14:11 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Promised photos
MESSAGE: Great pics, Peter. I've never seen that westy dryer before, looks like its been used a bit.
*****
Post# 15741-3/24/2002-14:41 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: That's me working the Frigidaire toward the end. Thanks and go ahead and add it! It was fun yesterday and there will be more Frigiwashins in the future.
*****
Post# 15742-3/24/2002-15:17 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: A Lady Rescued from the Krusher
MESSAGE: It's my pleasure to introduce to you all to the newest member of my family: Little Lady. She's a 1977 Lady Kenmore Portable Washer. Todd couldn't find anyone to take her or he'd put her to scrap :-( , so I rescued her and now she's resting comfortably in the corner of my kitchen. She work beautifully and being the belt drive that she is, she knows how to "Click and grind". She can be seen in action at the link below. Go to the pics and the correct folder and see a video of her in the videos section.
Thanks again to Todd for letting me adopt Little Lady and to HQOTS for telling me her age (You're not supposed to ask a Lady ya know).
LINK: http://briefcase.yahoo.com
*****
Post# 15743-3/24/2002-15:40 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Jason, thatnks for the pics. Glad you were in the video, although ididn't see it. And thanks for pics of Tod's kitchen. Next time, get photos of each of you with the frigidaire!!!!!! and put some clothes in it!!!!!!
*****
Post# 15744-3/24/2002-17:33 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: I am camera shy, so Jason was the star of the show. That is, however, my cat in the video. Jason, thanks for coming over with your camera ... it was a fun time. PS...the cat wants royalties on his video debut.
*****
Post# 15745-3/24/2002-17:52 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
No flames from me, can't stand football either, just can't help drooloing over one or two of the players. My bf rather likes football and considers me to be some sort of phillistine due to the comments I make during a game - 'it's quite hypnotically boring isn't it?'; 'isn't it lovely how they mow the grass into such perfect squares?'; 'how much longer is this on?'; 'he's cute, I'd do him'; 'why do they have to wear such big baggy outfits, you can see almost no flesh?'; 'who's playing? - where's that then?'; 'what tournament is this? - are there going to be loads of games?'; 'oh, was that a goal'; 'isn't the season over yet?'; '90 minutes of boredom then they cut off just as it is getting interesting, why don't they show the showers?; 'how come they don't give each other propper kisses?'. I kid you not, these are all football comments I have come out with recently, I drive him spare.
I do quite like watching Aussie rules football, those outfits are rather skimpy!
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15746-3/24/2002-17:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Omo)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus,
Breeze was a heavy duty detergent in the UK too, though for colours rather than whites as it was bleach-free. I am fairly certain that it was the UK's first detergent specially for colours. Before Breeze came out, I used Dreft or Wisk liquid on colours. Wisk was the first liquid in the UK, I think that it has disappeared now.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15747-3/24/2002-18:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (My Beautiful Laundrette)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I love that film, Daniel Day-Lewis' character was Johnny. And I am sure the mis-pronunciation of Omar was deliberate.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15748-3/24/2002-19:23 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Thanks for the videos, Jason. I loved the clip of the LK portable, it looks like such a fun washer to play with. Hope you're enjoying it!
*****
Post# 15749-3/24/2002-19:30 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Don't feel left out, you're not the only one who isn't keen on football. As my father says, it's "20 men chasing after a bag o' wind, and two men trying tae catch it". Sums it up pretty accurately, I say LOL.
*****
Post# 15750-3/24/2002-19:37 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk!
MESSAGE: Well, I drove out to the junkyard this weekend and found just that, junk! What I was told by the wife about the appliance emblems on Ebay, turned out to not be quite accurate. Seems they actually came from a box of things bought at an auction a while ago. The appliances turned out to be more as I'd predicted to Bob(appnut) - a bunch of 70's Maytags and Kenmores that were scattered from here to kingdom come over 5 acres along with car bodies, and scrap metal piles from hell. The only thing I did find was a 1957 Philco washer, not really sure why I brought that home, probably so as not to come back completely emptyhanded! The buddy in town that had an appliance business turned out to be a barn/shed filled iwth mostly junk motors and no appliances there either. Anyway, it was a nice day and I got to see a part of the state that I'd never been to which was very beautiful. No Frigidaires, no parts, not even a wild goose! That's the way these things go, you have to shuck a lot of oysters to find the pearls!
I posted some pics of the arrivals this month, the delivery truck brought a 52 Filtrator and 58 Charcoal refrigerator from D.C. and a couple of weeks ago, I found a returned Calypso washer at Sears that I couldn't live without - so the month has been very good even if the weekend junkyard visit wasn't so great.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst?&.dir=/March+2002+Arrivals&.src=ph&.view=t&.last=1
*****
Post# 15751-3/24/2002-21:29 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: arghhhhh!! The server that Yahoo luck-of-the-draw selected for JasonL's pictures and videos is so damn slow, I can't even get the stuff to come in on a LAN connected to a T3.
*****
Post# 15752-3/24/2002-22:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk!
MESSAGE: Hi Greg, congrats on your new arrivals and glad you enjoyed the trip even it unfortunately did not yield much. What do you think of the Calypso machine? Does Sears routinely sell "returned" machines in their stores? Do you have to specially ask for them? I don't think I have ever seen them on the floor.
*****
Post# 15753-3/24/2002-22:23 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Well! Glad it's not only me. I can't get them to do a thing. I'll try again later and hopefully...
*****
Post# 15754-3/24/2002-22:53 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: 65' Frigidaire video and pics
MESSAGE: I can't get them up either.
The video won't even work.
Oh well, I'll try tomorrow. Maybe the system is taxed tonight.
*****
Post# 15755-3/24/2002-23:04 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: washer video
MESSAGE: we need more people posting video to the Cyber Museum.
I am going to do one myself with a couple of members in the area.
How do we do this again?
I'm kinda green when it comes to computers and digital stuff.
*****
Post# 15756-3/24/2002-23:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Promised photos
MESSAGE: Very nice looking dryer that Frigidaire - do you know the wattage rating? These had a lower air flow than newer dryers do now - made for nice fluffy towels.
That Westinghouse was cute, but looks like it was well utilized by it's owner! Thanks for the pics - good to see what everyone is working on.
*****
Post# 15757-3/24/2002-23:44 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Fun video - that certainly was a good washer to be your first experience, nice and fast and in beautiful shape too.
That portable is too cute - I don't think I've ever seen one of those running before. Glad you guys had a great time and thanks for the pics and videos!
*****
Post# 15758-3/24/2002-01:03 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: A Lady Rescued from the Krusher
MESSAGE: Jason, I had that same washer & matching dryer, in avocado green.
*****
Post# 15759-3/25/2002-04:51 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: I dont think you are wrong. I am very sure I know what machine you have in mind. It was just like a Whirlpool cabinet and the knobs were the same. It had an army green interior and a recirculating lint filter which I always though odd as there was a lint filter in the agitator post.
My Mum had a Delta 10 for years. I was always so disappointed she didnt have a Whirlpool or a Hoover. I know there is a rocker switch Simpson for sale in a local second hand shop I would just love to have it. I am sure that qualifies as a classic. Funny what you say though they age and slowly die. Ours went for a year or so not working properly but completing the whole cycle. Its replacement, a new pulgitator stule Delta 402 went fine and then exploded in a dramatic fashion, shorting the whole house.
*****
Post# 15760-3/25/2002-04:58 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Nothing to fear from me. Football largely leaves me cold. My brother follows it. We are Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs supporters as we live in the Bulldogs area of course! But my brother the real sports freak has defected and prefers AFL and the Swans. For Rugby he has defected to supporting Parramatta.
And of course I am happy when NSW beats those horrible brain dead Queenslanders in State of Origin.
Its true what you say about AFL players, they look like humans and are much more intelligent too than Rugby players. Only hideous houso chicks names Shazza get excited over rugby players. I hate the footy show with a passion.
The sport that really gets my family excited is Cricket I hate cricket. While the rest of them sit around and watch it I hop online and download washing machines in action!! LOL!
*****
Post# 15761-3/25/2002-04:58 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Got the job yet?
*****
Post# 15762-3/25/2002-06:28 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Tell me about it!
I love the washer. I have the matching gas dryer in brown (not coppertone). I also have a custom deluxe washer in the shop that needs a starting capacitor. If you could check yours and get me the numbers off of it , I'd appreciate that. I wouls like to get that machine running.
Steve 1-18
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_1953/lst?.dir=/Thanksgiving+Weekend+Finds&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_1953/lst%3f%26.dir=/%26.src=ph%26.view=t
*****
Post# 15763-3/25/2002-07:16 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (1970 Kenmore DW)
MESSAGE: My aunt had one and I remember pushing on the buttons. I loved the way they sounded "shhhCLICK!". I seem to remember the rack was round. It's a Klassic Kenmore.
*****
Post# 15764-3/25/2002-07:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: Remember arrrooohhh,
When the Poms talk about football, they mean soccer, not rules or league. Its that weird game where they chase after a round, black and white checkered ball (soccer ball not football) and they keep falling down all the time, suffering from sprained egos and index fingers. Soccer players are such prima donnas, in their little colored satin shorts, with their knee-high socks. Every time two opposing players pass each other within an inch or so, the ensuing wind turbulence knocks 'em flat and its time for a penalty - decent self-respecting Asutralians don't play that game, only wogs and poms do and they are all a bunch of poofs.
I love the footy show, it is actually very funny and spontaneous and the blokes are no dingbats either. It can be a bit rough, especially when they have near on-camera punch ups, but at least they don't have a cork up their hinies like those anal talkshow freakoids on the ABC, who think they are morally and culturally superior to all and sundry. I gurantee, that those neckless rugby players earn more in a month than you would in a whole year. Keep that in mind when you assess someones intelligence based on their physical appearance.
*****
Post# 15765-3/25/2002-09:19 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk!
MESSAGE: Greg,
I'd have brought back that Philco also. Isn't that the same one that's appeared in our POD recently? On your initial assessment, is it salvagable? It sure has some promise...
-ph
*****
Post# 15766-3/25/2002-10:59 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk!
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Sorry to hear that your trip was traveling through junkland. The Philco looks in a pretty bad shape, is it as bad as it looks? Ofcourse we want to hear your opinion on the Calypso.
Louis
*****
Post# 15767-3/25/2002-11:02 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: And I thought I was the only one! I am trying again now, since yesterday downloading took too long. The speed just got a little higher, from 67 bytes/sec up to 85 bytes/sec. My head is spinning!
*****
Post# 15768-3/25/2002-13:52 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: I started the two videos downloading yesterday evening, they were finished this morn, but I haven't watched them yet.
The still shots are coming in slowly. I have the 6 Kenmore pics. Working on number 7 of the Frigidaire set.
*****
Post# 15769-3/25/2002-14:40 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Check them, suddenly downloading the wash in movie started downloading really fast. In a few seconds it went from 25% to 100%, but it appeared to be only complete until the spin started. I think I will give up on these videos.
Louis
*****
Post# 15770-3/25/2002-15:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Good Luck Kirk)
MESSAGE: Still waiting to hear back from them at the moment, so I've got my fingers, toes and everything else crossed. I'll let you know how it goes as soon as I hear any news :o)
*****
Post# 15771-3/25/2002-15:22 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Why don't the videos work?)
MESSAGE: Every time I try to play any of the videos I get this message "no combination of filters could be found to render the stream." When I go to the Microsoft help page it rambles on about a 'registry key being missing or damaged', that I would have to do something with the Registry Editor (?) :o(, but that this is DANGEROUS and can upset my computer, having to (possibly) reinstall my operating system(?). It almost sounds as if my computer will blow up if I attempt to fix this problem.
Does anyone have any ideas what this means and what to do? I wish for the day when pc's will be truly user friendly.
*****
Post# 15772-3/25/2002-15:30 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (I'm sorry)
MESSAGE: I don't know why Yahoo doesn't want to work. We need to find another site that will let us store and share stuff over the net.
Maybe Robert can set up an FTP site for the members only and we can upload our videos.
The video was made using Windows Media Encoder Video for Broadband 256k. It works fine on my Win2000 box here at work. Try to download the newest version of WM. I can encode with Real but the video quality is bad at 256k.
Maybe I can start using DivX but I need to learn how to do it. Do you know how to use Divx Robert?
*****
Post# 15773-3/25/2002-15:43 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (I'm sorry)
MESSAGE: Thanks Jason,
I am soooo blond when it comes to pc's, I have RealOne player installed too, but don't know if and how I could play your videos on that - if at all. All the other stuff you were talking about, like 256k broadband and DivX, WM(?) (are you working on a Macintosh?), might as well be Chinese, I don't know waht you are talking about. I am just a stupid consumer, not a computer whiz - I just want to click my mouse and there it is (the video)!
*****
Post# 15774-3/25/2002-16:10 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: I just checked the video downloads. They didn't download completely. Both are 1.7 MB, about half the full size. Trying again, but it's moving very slow.
JasonL, can you email me the two clips?
dadoes-classicappliances@wcnet.net
*****
Post# 15775-3/25/2002-17:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Nevermind. I got the files! Haven't watched closely yet, but looks like a blast!
*****
Post# 15776-3/25/2002-18:16 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Why don't the videos work?)
MESSAGE: The Frigidaire washer video works fine for me (wish it was longer). The LadyK one, on the other hand, has a problem. It shows to be about 2 minutes, but stops after playing 22 seconds. No error messages, nothing - just stops.
*****
Post# 15777-3/25/2002-18:20 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Confused)
MESSAGE: Ok, the washer we had as a kid I seem to remember having all knobs like this '64 --- but definately had the round timer behind glass with the knob underneath of the '65. Does such a beast exist? Or is my memory failing?
*****
Post# 15778-3/25/2002-18:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: Bubbles,
I don't know the situation or use of the word in Oz, but in teh UK the 'W' word is considered extremely offensive and derogatory. Given that we 'puffs', want, demand, dererve and expect equality and acceptance, we ought to extend that equality and acceptance to others and not use such offensive language to denigrate them.
Forgive me if the word is not offensive in Oz use, but it certainly is here.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15779-3/25/2002-18:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Size matters)
MESSAGE: Ed, check the size of your download. If it appears too small, then this is what probably happened: you left-clicked on the video file instead of right-clicking on it. A left click will result in a server error (probably), and a corrupt truncated download file, and then when you try to download the file with a right click, the system will close the corrupt truncated file and think it's downloaded the whole thing.
The thing to do in this case is to delete the corrupt truncated file and then right click on the video file and save target. This should result in a full-figured download and complete washing ecstacy.
*****
Post# 15780-3/25/2002-18:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: I agree with your cautionary statement, however, I notice that in one episode of "Fawlty Towers", the "W" and the "N" words are used liberally, albeit by a senile old codger. I guess things have changed since the mid-80's, even in old Blighty ;-)
Here in most of the states, at least in California, the use of the "N" word in the workplace by a person not of color is sufficient to get one summarily fired. Out of the workplace it would probably be sufficient to get a thorough drubbing. Perhaps someday the use of the three-letter "F" word by a person not of an acute sense of color coordination will result in the same societal disapproval.
*****
Post# 15781-3/25/2002-18:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Nudity Warning)
MESSAGE: Hi,
I will take you r word about Australian rugby players, but take a peek at my link and see if I can change your mind about European rugby players. Would you really kick any of these French rugby players out of your bed with its 'sheets that have been line dryed in the glorious Sydney Sunshine!'
Nudity Warning, my rugby album has tasteful male nudity (taseful means no willy shots)
If you get the programme, you really must check out 'Footballers Wives' a recent mini hit on UK TV, so utterly crap it was compelling.
Seconded on cricket and washer videos.
Richtoo
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/herr_miele
*****
Post# 15782-3/25/2002-19:19 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Love the soundtrack for the Kenmore.
Play that funky Strauss, wash boy.
*****
Post# 15783-3/25/2002-19:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: HI Suds
Things sure have moved on since then in the UK, when watching old programmes one can be really shocked by teh language and stereotypes. These words are no longer in common usage, and if one needs to rerfer to the word, it is by abreviation. I have heard black people use the 'N' word, I guess to reclaim its power in teh same way as feminists reclaimed the 'C' word and some gay people reclaimed 'queer' (I am not too keen on queer, and am tryng to reclaim the word puff).
I can't think of teh 'F' word to which you refer.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15784-3/25/2002-19:36 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (music)
MESSAGE: The music is Also Sprach Zarathustra by Deodato and the Frigidaire video is Let There Be Drums by Sandy Nelson.
*****
Post# 15785-3/25/2002-19:37 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Hi Jason, well I was finally able to view your pictures here at work! Thanks for sharing them, looks like fun! Tcox, I like your machine, and your kitchen! Our Frigidaire was just like that, except it was the Custom Imperial, so all the auxiliary controls were pushbuttons, i.e., the only dial was for the timer, and it had dispensers in the control panel. Great machines!!
So someone had thrown out this little Lady portable? Who would throw out such a nice machine? That's just silly, and I'm glad you got it. I have one question though...what is up with that little box on the right rear of the cabinet? The models I remember had all their controls on the front. What fun to have your belt drive Sears!
*****
Post# 15786-3/25/2002-19:50 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Lady K Portable)
MESSAGE: tcox was trying to give it away but no one wanted her and ultimately he would've throw it out. I took it home, cleaned it up and it works beautifully. You're right, for living in the city of rust, it's in beautiful shape inside and out. The body and the bottom of the unit has NO rust. This was kept inside the house. The little box in the rear is the "conversion" to standard hookups (3/4" hoses) and it let you select water temps. Of course, I'm going back to the old way by capping one of the ports and coupling it back to the kitchen faucet. It's a fun machine to play with. A portable like that is a rare gem around here.
*****
Post# 15787-3/25/2002-19:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Lady K Portable)
MESSAGE: oic, that makes more sense. Well in any event, I'm glad the machine found a happy home. It really is a little gem!
*****
Post# 15788-3/25/2002-20:01 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Towels and Glasses)
MESSAGE: And didn't Dolly Parton and somebody (Porter Wagner?) used to advertise for Duz back in the Towels/Glassware days?
Boy, I hadn't thought of that in YEARS!
*****
Post# 15789-3/25/2002-20:04 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: Well, I was able to download the Frigidaire video, but when I went to play it, the whole thing freezes as soon as the "fill" starts so I get to see a whole 3 seconds......
*****
Post# 15790-3/25/2002-20:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Towels and Glasses)
MESSAGE: Dolly Parton????? Wow, I sure do not remember that..........
*****
Post# 15791-3/25/2002-20:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New Hispanic Discoveries (Towels and Glasses)
MESSAGE: Dolly Parton????? Wow, I sure do not remember that..........
*****
Post# 15792-3/25/2002-20:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (My my that sure is a large football...)
MESSAGE: R2,
The "F" word is the same term Brits use to refer to cigarettes. It's considered derogatory here. "Poof" is not so commonly used in the USA, although most people probably understand what it means. I remember back in the 60's or maybe the 70's there was a gay TV artist's collective in SF that called themselves "Queer Blue Light". Perhaps that was one of the first organized attempts to take the sting out of what usually was used as an insult.
There was an interesting TV show on the tube here last month, perhaps a repeat, that had a high school english teacher (white) trying to discuss the use of the "N" word by blacks vs. by whites with his mixed-race class, and getting into all sorts of hot water over it with his principal. Finally his principal (black) resolved the situation, more or less, by leading the discussion himself (he originally wanted it stopped).
Sticks and stones...
*****
Post# 15793-3/25/2002-20:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (music)
MESSAGE: Thanks. I figured you knew the original Also Sprach number was by Richard Strauss.
*****
Post# 15794-3/25/2002-20:59 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Confused)
MESSAGE: Ed, no you're not imagining things. My parents friends hgad a 1965 Turq Cust. Deluxe with the round timer behind the glass. Knobs for wash temp, rinse temp, regular/gentle speed, and finally water level normal/small. At this point in the line-up, I do NOT know what as imbetween this particular model and the model that Todd has with the buttons & 2 knobs. The next model up was all buttons with options for auto soak to wash, cold water wash option, cold rinse option, and 2nd rinse plus an option cancel button (this was the Cust. Imp). I do not remember our friends Turq being a 1010 rapid-dry, knew the diffrence between the sound & that of my mom's best friend having the Cust. Imperial and knew when it kicked in/kick ass to that final high-spin speed.
*****
Post# 15795-3/25/2002-21:02 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Confused)
MESSAGE: Ed, I remember receiving a "lesson" here that the first Frigidaire's shown on Samantha's set had the round timer under glass but a bit different button arrangement. It turns out, this was the absolute last of the multimatics. Stunned because I thought the control panel style didn't emerge until the new roller-matic mechanism but I learned something new here that day. And THAT was a 1964 model on the set.
*****
Post# 15796-3/25/2002-21:04 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: NEW "Vintage" Website (AirWay Heaven!)
MESSAGE: Scott:
I love my new AirWay! In fact so much I went and bought two more on ebay and have just finished restoring one to showroom condition. I took lots of pix for the club to see the whole process! Will post soon, have been very busy with learning Stereo Photography-(3D)- and how to set up auctions on ebay! Yikes my head feels like I'm back in college!
Jet
*****
Post# 15797-3/25/2002-21:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Confused)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob, Custom Deluxes don't have Rapidry. Only Custom Imperial and Imperial. Tcox's is an Imperial; ours was a Custom Imperial.
*****
Post# 15798-3/25/2002-21:47 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Subtle model differences)
MESSAGE: Sometimes the differences between models in a line can be so subtle to make one wonder why the bother. I was perusing (again) some KA sales literature from Magic Clean (don't know what year). 21 series dishwasher. There were three Superba models (Selectra, Classic, and Monterey), two Imperials (Selectra and just Imperial), and the Custom.
The Superba Selectra was electronic, of course.
The Superba Classic and Monterey appear to differ only in the console styling -- a woodgrain strip on the Classic, black/gray on the Monterey.
The Imperial Selectra was electronic, with 14-position upper rack. That was fun, didn't know there was one.
The Imperial had a rapid-advance timer! With 16-position upper rack. Hmmmm, no electronics, more rack positions.
The Custom had a standard timer with the same cycle selections as the Imperial above (and a 14-position upper rack, I think), more like the Imperial that I remember.
*****
Post# 15799-3/25/2002-21:49 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: OOOh! Are our sensibilities offended?
Mate, I've known Dorothy a hell of a lot longer than you could possibly imagine. We are still, after all these years, the best of friends. As far as what is and is not offensive in the UK is concerned, tell that to my (straight and not so straight)pommie mates, they are the ones who use this sort of language most liberally. Add this to the fact that they are still a whingeing bunch of sissies, who could still do with more frequent showering and that they like that poofy game 'soccer', I think I've got a pretty strong case for a substantial cut in immigration from the UK (lol). Anyway, I've been to limey-land and have experienced it in person, so I doubt there is very little I don't know about the poms and what offends them.
As far as my black mates are concerned, they are all a bunch of smelly bungs and I'm their faggot mate.
I don't discriminate, everybody gets treated the same by me - and, yes, I do like opera.
*****
Post# 15800-3/25/2002-21:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (G'day lover of Teutonic appliances (Herr-Miele, just to avoid misunderstandings))
MESSAGE: OOOh! Are our sensibilities offended?
Mate, I've known Dorothy a hell of a lot longer than you could possibly imagine. We are still, after all these years, the best of friends. As far as what is and is not offensive in the UK is concerned, tell that to my (straight and not so straight)pommie mates, they are the ones who use this sort of language most liberally. Add this to the fact that they are still a whingeing bunch of sissies, who could still do with more frequent showering and that they like that poofy game 'soccer', I think I've got a pretty strong case for a substantial cut in immigration from the UK (lol). Anyway, I've been to limey-land and have experienced it in person, so I doubt there is very little I don't know about the poms and what offends them.
As far as my black mates are concerned, they are all a bunch of smelly bungs and I'm their faggot mate.
I don't discriminate, everybody gets treated the same by me - and, yes, I do like opera.
*****
Post# 15801-3/25/2002-22:56 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: Fawlty goes back well before the mid-80's. Series 1 was in 1975 and Series 2 was in 1979. And the fact that the major was using such unacceptable words was part of the joke.
*****
Post# 15802-3/25/2002-22:57 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott & Louis -
In larger cities there are outlet stores that these machines go to for re-sale. Here in a smaller market, the machines end up on the sales floors. I'd seen them before at higher prices and this time they were less than half of sale price, so I couldn't resist - especially with the full warranty!
So far, I'm quite impressed with the performance of the machine. It does use a little more water than the new front loading HE washers. My concerns of being able to remove lint and debris from the wash loads were put to rest after a few tests. I didn't add two cups of sand to any of the test loads, but am impressed by it's handling of our "normal" sandbox surprises in pants pockets and the like. The rinsing seems to be quite adequate, but I usually set it (or reset after the first fill) for a warm rinse which is controlled by the machine at 75 F. I do wish the spins were faster between the rinses, but I have not noticed that to be a detriment to performance so far. The cycle sequences are quite interesting, one of my favorites is the Jeans/Colors cycle that uses more Catalyst spin-spraying combined with vigorous nutation and a fast final spin. One of the first dark colored loads I did in the Calypso did have some lint/detergent residue on a few items that had to be re-rinsed, but once I switched to a liquid HE detergent and sorted more carefully, those problems disappeared. Having not actually used the other HE choices on the market, I do think this is a very good choice for those wanting high efficiency combined with the performace qualities of a top-loader.
P.S. I really wanted the black one, but there were none of those to be found :(
*****
Post# 15803-3/25/2002-23:04 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (POTD Philco Washer)
MESSAGE: I haven't had time to go out and poke around in the Philco yet, it's been very busy the last couple of days and it's also very cold in the garage. I'll drag it out when the weather warms up and take some pics of the mechanism and get a better idea of how it looks. I've been fascinated by the ball point balance system in the Philco machines, so now I'll get to meet one up close and personal! I'm sure it will need a complete tear down and sandblasting-painting to bring it back to life. Did you notice the lid is painted aluminum? I have a couple of projects ahead of Phil, but who knows...someday!
*****
Post# 15804-3/25/2002-00:41 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: Well, I don't recall catching the Fawlty Tower series until the 80's. Perhaps it took a year or more for it to make its way to the US. And, I don't recall such racial epithets being used on American TV as a joke in the 70's, unless it was by a member of the relevant minority.
I also remember some derogatory references to the Irish in more than one episode of "Are You Being Served?". I found that fairly surprising.
Of course one can go to far with the ban on words. I think it's a shame that Twain's masterpiece, Huck Finn, can't be found on many school library shelves, especially since the humanist points Twain is trying to make far outshadow his use of the vernacular.
*****
Post# 15805-3/26/2002-02:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Have ypu managed to fix the lid switch so that you can watch the Calypso doing its thing? With a large load, is there any roll-over? I imagine that there would be very little.
I agree about the black one, it is very smart.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15806-3/26/2002-07:40 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: POD Deja Vu (Dual-Action)
MESSAGE: The Year: 1977
The Store: Sears & Roebuck in New Orleans east
I don't remember but I must've seen this ad or saw a commercial on TV but I heard that Sears had a new agitator in their Lady kenmore washers. One saturday my mom took me to Sears to do some shopping. Usually, she would bore me to death with men's shirts and sewing materials. Not this Saturday. I broke free and ran all across Sears towards the washing machines. When I got to the new Lady Kenmore, I flung open the lid and looked in amazement at this new agitator (I hadn't seen a Jetcone yet). I remember saying "This is the washer of the future!". Unfortunately, that prophecy came true for even Frigidaire washers today :-(
*****
Post# 15807-3/26/2002-07:49 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Look at what I got!
MESSAGE: Thanks to Ebay we can see and hear one of those little "Get The Most From Your Kenmore" records.
The record has some surface noise and some scratches. What do you expect from a cardboard record from the 60?
I can only imagine the beautiful machine that the record came with. Was it an 800? With Roto Swirl? Who knows.
LINK: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/kenmore800/lst?&.dir=/pictures/Lady+Kenmore+portable&.src=bc&.view=t&.begin=1&.order=&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/kenmore800/lst%3f%26.dir=/pictures/Lady%2bKenmore%2bportable%26.src=bc%26.view=t
*****
Post# 15808-3/26/2002-07:51 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look at what I got! (:-()
MESSAGE: Well, I tried. Yahoo sucks. When I'm logged in, I can see the mp3 file, if I'm not logged in (guest), the mp3 file is gone. GRRRRR!! Are there any alternatives to CRAPOO?
*****
Post# 15809-3/26/2002-11:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: NEW "Vintage" Website (AirWay Heaven!)
MESSAGE: Cool!!! I have a friend who has done quite a few things with Stereo Photography. We had dia shows a few times with these special glasses on.
Louis
*****
Post# 15810-3/26/2002-12:35 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: The videos have been removed???
-ph
*****
Post# 15811-3/26/2002-12:47 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video
MESSAGE: You ain't kiddin'. Yahoo removed them or something. That is mean. I'm gonna try to email the videos and the mp3 of the kenmore record to DADoes so he can post it. There must be something better out there than Yahoo.
*****
Post# 15812-3/26/2002-13:00 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: A'villers love them, techs hate them. Why? I know a guy who says "they suck" and when he owned his appliance store he "threw those MF'ers in the garbage" (to quote him without the expletives). Now we all know different and as I have learned last weekend, they are fine machines and worth cherishing. They clean and rinse better than any other machine out there. Yeah, ok, so they have a complex mechanism but there's enough knowledge out there to fix them and keep them running.
What is it about washers that nobody likes? There's antique stoves and refrigerators like crazy but for some reason, its taboo to collect washers. My mom who's known me all my life, who has seen me bolt through Sears many times to the washers and watched as I lifted each lid, called me "weird" the other day because I wanted to see a 65 Frigidaire. I saw a kid looking at the washers with some interest and his mom called " get away from those, come here!" Are we just from another planet or is the rest of the world out of balance? It is so wrong to anticipate laundry day like it's playtime? It is so bad for me to rejoice when it's Friday knowing I get to switch on my front loader and now my little washer? I don't think it is. Do you?
By the way, the guy's appliance shop was in California so if there's a junkyard full of Frigidaires, rescue as many as possible.
*****
Post# 15813-3/26/2002-14:26 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (webspace)
MESSAGE: I have 10megs of free webspace with my isp which is VERY limited but I can squeeze the vids in so yall can download them. If anyone knows of a good free webhosting that will accept big files, I'd appreciate it. Yahoo is definitely blocking non-images in their briefcase.
*****
Post# 15814-3/26/2002-14:55 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: I talked to an old retired appliance tech who worked for a Frigidaire and Maytag distributorship for years. He said that the reason techs hated them was because there were so many different mechanisms to learn, service, and keep parts on hand. There's the Unimatic, the Pulse-Matic, and 2 versions of the Roller-Matic. (Maytags only had two mechanisms. The helical drive and whatever that clanky solenoid POS was before that.) He did admit that he felt the Frigidaire washing performance and action was probably superior to any machine on the market. He and his wife still have a 1-18.
*****
Post# 15815-3/26/2002-15:24 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: I don't get it either Jason, but that just means that we all need to stick together, and don't ever worry about what other people think. People do and collect all different things, some of which I have to admit I find a bit odd, but once you have found your niche, you come to understand that whatever they're collecting is their "thing" and that's what makes them happy.
Far as the Frigidaire situation goes, the situation with repair people's feelings is as old as time. Fanfare covered it pretty well in his post; what he says is the way I understand it. I suppose it makes sense from a businessperson's perspective, but I hardly think it's a reason to bash a good machine. I have never run into a user who did not like these washers, and most lament the fact that they are no longer available. They can tangle if you don't load them properly, but that's operator error and the machine can't be blamed for that.
*****
Post# 15816-3/26/2002-15:39 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: I don't know why others can't get a grasp on it, or why they find the interest to be outright objectionable. Perhaps we have a refinement or evolution in our brains that allows us to appreciate a beautifully-designed and finely-tuned laundry or dishwashing mechanism.
Comments I've heard -
"Why is he loading it like that?? Just toss the stuff in!"
"You've already seen the balls bounce" (Calypso demo)
"I don't get it. It's a washing machine. You toss the clothes in, they slosh around for a while."
"You don't have to stand there and watch it."
"You already have a perfectly fine washing machine."
"Most people would show you their model cars or trains or whatever. If you go to his house, he'll show you his washing machine."
*****
Post# 15817-3/26/2002-15:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (webspace)
MESSAGE: That's what the Yahoo "Change of Service" says. Briefcase files are for personal storage only, and are no longer publically accessible. Photo albums provide public access to the small images only, unless the album owner (AND presumably the visitor) have signed up (paid) for Yahoo Premium Services.
Most ISPs do provide space for a home page, which can be used for anything that doesn't violate their terms of service. Perhaps they will provide more space for a nominal fee.
*****
Post# 15818-3/26/2002-19:11 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: New Orleans Wash-in and LadyK videos are here
MESSAGE: I set up a webpage on my ISP with my videos. The server is fast so you should have no problem..
Enjoy!!!
LINK: http://members.cox.net/rotoswirl
*****
Post# 15819-3/26/2002-19:19 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors. (It's OK)
MESSAGE: Well, in honor of my "friend"'s mean comments and Yahoo's piss-ant policy about sounds and videos, I did a nice little stress-relief wash in the Little Lady. I am able to load 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, and socks. That is MAX FULL for that machine. I wheeled her over to the sink, hooked her up (with a handy quick connect I got a Wal-Mart), and did some laundry. The turnover is ok but not great. The water was slippery and the clothes came out clean and soft. Of course, I did their final spin in the Frigemore and it only took 30 minutes to dry. What a fun little machine and useful for a small batch :-).
*****
Post# 15820-3/26/2002-19:26 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: That's what I don't get. People are proud to display a refrigerator or a stove but why not a washing machine? What's the difference? What makes it so "ugly" in the eyes of collectors. Is laundry supposed to be a bad thing? What's so "weird" about it? Robert has a beautiful collection and it's not any weirder than having a basement full of model trains or a garage full of vintage cars. I've seen pics of someone's garage full of old roller coaster cars (which I also admire).
*****
Post# 15821-3/26/2002-20:13 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: I don't know either - - I have struggled for years to understand this and I cannot come up with a good reason. I too have taken my share of nasty remarks about my interest. For Christ's sake people behave as if we were serial killers. I for one do not find our collective interest weird or unnatural at all. It certainly is no more unnatural than any other hobby.
I think most men have a masculine/feminine problem with any type of appliance interest. Amazing that they still stratify things related to appliances and the home to be "womens' stuff" and not appropriate for a "real man". I personally think we are operating at a higher level than the troglodytes who insult us. We are able after all to appreciate the mechanical wizardry of these machines as well as the physical aesthetics of the machine itself and the laundry process.
Besides, look at it this way - if everyone enjoyed our hobby, there would be almost no vintage machines for us!!!
*****
Post# 15822-3/26/2002-21:02 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans Wash-in and LadyK videos are here (Washin)
MESSAGE: Jason,
I got the Frigidaire to load down on my computer. I loved the video - It brings back many wonderful memories
Thanks,
Peter
*****
Post# 15823-3/26/2002-21:33 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: I too, was wondering if there would be adequate movement of the clothes being washed in the Calypso. This is a very interesting mechanism and how it moves the clothes about inside the tub is even more fascinating. Since the lower plate is nutating in essentially an orbital fashion, it moves the load in a circular pattern around the tub under the shower of water. While in the water shower, they tend to be "suspended" by the bouncing and the cushion of the water and move quite a lot. It's very difficult to explain in words, I should try to video the action - that would be much easier to see. It is a very gentle action, like a front-loader, and in many ways would be much like a spray/tumble system, just bouncing intead of tumbling. I understand Whirlpool has done extensive testing on the gentleness and wear issues and has found it to be even more gentle than a front load washer in delicate cycles.
*****
Post# 15824-3/26/2002-21:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look at what I got!
MESSAGE: Way cool!
Any chance you could digitize the audio and upload it to one of your web pages?
*****
Post# 15825-3/26/2002-22:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: I believe the Calypso has the most innovative washing mechanism since the GM Frigidaire. If I were to start a collection of modern machines that have potential as future classics, the Calypso would definitely be among those at the top of the list.
*****
Post# 15826-3/26/2002-00:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Deja Vu (Dual-Action)
MESSAGE: Hi Jason. I remember the first time I saw one of these too! It was 1989 and I was in David Jones.
Whirlpool had reappeared on the market after a hiatus in which it dispeared. (my self and Gizmo have been discussing Whirlpool, Malleys the company that made Whirlpool in Aus and their takeover by Simpsom ) I was in absoloute awe at this fatastic agitator. Now that I have one I am somewhat underwhelmed, though of course its still fun.
Since you have powers of prediction what else do you prohecy for washing machine future? LOL!
*****
Post# 15827-3/26/2002-00:10 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: I am absolutely fascinated by this machine. I am glad to hear you like it!
Its such a shame that Whirlpool has no plans to bring it to Australia.
*****
Post# 15828-3/26/2002-00:19 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (When is a football really a football? )
MESSAGE: "I gurantee, that those neckless rugby players earn more in a month than you would in a whole year. Keep that in mind when you assess someones intelligence based on their physical appearance."
I am really thrilled for them Mr Bubbles. I am not going to worship them just because they earn so much more money than me. What about all the doctors and scientists that do something useful they earn a lot more money than me.
As Kirks dad says its a bunch of grown men chasing after a ball and while its fun to watch and play sometimes it still leaves me cold. So does the footy show. I am not a big tv fan. Except the Weakest Link! I just love Cornelia!
Not that I am jealous of course. as the Proverb says "Give me neither poverty nor riches" I am very content with what I have.
*****
Post# 15829-3/27/2002-02:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Somebody didn't chant.....tsk, tsk, tsk! (Calypso Gets Acceptable Rating Here)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Would love to se some vids of this machine. We have seen th evid Robert made, but the Calypso is such an unusual and fascinating washer that more vids would be very much appreciated.
I doubt that Whirlpool plan to bring it to UK, I would certainly be a very interesting addition to our washer line up.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15830-3/27/2002-06:34 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: Don't wanna bust yer bubble or diss your taste in shows there arrrhhhooo, but old Cornhoolia needs a good plumbing job. She must easily have sixty years of sewerage backup just waiting to gush out. Right now she is letting it out in dribbles on that dimwit show 'The Meekest Stink', why doesn't someone just let it rip and give her some of her own medicine?
To me she epitomizes this rather sad little 'attitude' trend that has taken over much of Sydney's population. 'Personality, manners and politeness are out - superficiality, superciliousness, rudeness and stupidity are in.' It wouldn't be so bad if the people who indulge in this kind of behavior, to obviously hide their own inadequacies, actually had something interesting to say. Sadly, they usually don't.
The most unsettling thing about this trend, as I have discovered, is that many of the people who are seriously into giving attitude are so called educated professionals, most of whom are under 40. I think it has something to do with bad, overindulgent parenting and too much Prozac (but that is only my personal theory).
*****
Post# 15831-3/27/2002-06:45 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: "Personality, manners and politeness are out - superficiality, superciliousness, rudeness and stupidity are in.' It wouldn't be so bad if the people who indulge in this kind of behavior, to obviously hide their own inadequacies, actually had something interesting to say. Sadly, they usually don't."
So very true.
*****
Post# 15832-3/27/2002-07:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: My family has been more than grateful for the fact that I have this fascination with washing machines and laundry. I have made my mother's life easier over many years, and from the age of nine or ten I was basically in charge of my family's laundry, amongst other household tasks.
My parents used to own their own business and, although, they employed a housekeeper/cook, mom never let her near our home. We had an apartment above our business premises, where we'd spend the day (am to pm), but we would usually travel to our house to sleep. Mom, being as pedantic as she is, never liked how other people cleaned and wouldn't let anyone else near the house. She wasn't that strict about the business premises though. I remember that shortly after she had hired the cleaner, my mom got her to help out at the house once, but also remember her re-doing most of what the cleaner had done, afterwards. So it was decided that home duties were to be split between me and mom.
Because I showed such aptitude with laundry in particular, I was left in charge of that department and explored its possibilities from a tender age. This also gave me significant clout in deciding what types of appliances were purchased. In fact, our Hoover front-loader and matching dryer was my idea, cause mom initially wanted another h-axis top loader, but I applied my well-honed negotiation skills to convince her that a front-loader with window was to the detriment of better laundry outcomes in our home. Of course, it progressed from there to those fabulous automatic agitator washers, without which life just wouldn't be worth living.
*****
Post# 15833-3/27/2002-07:37 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: Testosterone and Frigid aires!
MESSAGE: Judging from the convention photos, there is nothing sissy about the virile residents of Applianceville. All I see is manly hunkyness, just dripping testosterone. True masculinity, manliness and character are trademarks of persons who are not afraid to stand out from the common throng and the members of Applianceville are the living testimony to this.
If washing machines are so feminine, why are most commercial laundries operated by males? Is it women or men who have and still do develop and design laundry appliances? How many male closet laundrophiles do you guys think are out there?
I reckon that heaps of blokes want to get into their wives' washing machines, but haven't got the guts to do so, for fear of being called sissies. But that is exactly what they are - gutless, spineless sissies, who are afraid to stand up to their wives' and dare to take over the washing machine for which they have probably worked their arses off.
Women have it all sown up, they can wear pants, become rocket scientists or WFW wrestlers, they can drive trucks and fly planes, but it is still men who actually invent these things.
I think women know they are on a roll and they are trying to subdue us men through sly mothering techniques, by which they instill into our subconscious psyche these rediculous sexist values. What is wrong with male home economists or a man presenting a quilting show on cable network tv?
Lets face it, most laundry commercials use males as givers of expert opinions on detergent performance. Anyway, in most families I reckon its the man who decides what kind of laundry and other appliances are purchased. I think there are lots of guys out here, who secretly sneak to the laundry at night, when everyone is asleep, to sniff the detergent and fondle the knobs on his wahsing machine.
*****
Post# 15834-3/27/2002-08:38 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans Wash-in and LadyK videos are here
MESSAGE: Too cool! I think I like your editing and sound skills better than the machines themselves! Excellent job!
-ph
*****
Post# 15835-3/27/2002-08:46 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: Appliances, PLEASE....
-ph
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Post# 15836-3/27/2002-09:06 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: Chill out Pete, puhleeeze!
*****
Post# 15837-3/27/2002-09:37 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires!
MESSAGE: I couldn't have said it better myself. I guess that's why I'm still single.
About those Frigidaires. The sound in my video doesn't do it justice. Until you have experienced one in real life, you really don't know. The machine is all manly. The agitation sound is like the hammer of Thor (the god, not the company). It sounds like an old car with a set of Flowmaster mufflers. And that up and down movement only enforces it's status as a manly washer. After all, men designed it. Whether the action be intentional or otherwise, make no mistake about it. It's got balls.
*****
Post# 15838-3/27/2002-11:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: So much irony it's paramagnetic.
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Post# 15839-3/27/2002-11:18 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Get More From Your Kenmore!
MESSAGE: MP3 conversion by JasonL.
LINK: http://216.88.255.195/jasonl/
*****
Post# 15840-3/27/2002-11:19 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires!
MESSAGE: Jason, there is a certain sense of fun and joy of life about you that comes through on these videos you make, and the fact that you can enjoy simple things like your pizza, music, and doing your laundry on Friday nights. Just keep being you, and I think in time you will find someone who will love and appreciate those qualities.
Thank you for setting up that website; it works very smoothly! I have never seen a portable Sears working before, so that was very interesting to me. Looks like it's basically just a miniaturized version of the big Sears machines. They still offer a portable, but I don't even know who makes it; I'm almost positive it is not a Whirlpool product. I know you have a limited time on your video, but I was wondering: does the washer spin spray 4 times like the big machines, or only once?
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Post# 15841-3/27/2002-11:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Get More From Your Kenmore!
MESSAGE: Thanks, Glen & Jason!
I'll give it an 89. It has a good beat and I can tap my foot to it.
*****
Post# 15842-3/27/2002-11:58 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: I think I counted 3 between the wash and the rinse, and another 3 after the rinse. It agitates gently like a belt-drive should. Rollover is ok at best. I was informed by Leslie (magic clean) that this is a 900rpm spinner. The tub is so small that the regular Kenmore 525 won't do. It extracts pretty good. better then my Whirlpool but still can't touch the Frigemore. In fact, I throw the load in the Frigemore for a final fast spin. It's a belt drive Kenmore. Same tranny and wigwag but different belt routing. Leslie says it looks like film threaded through a projector (yikes).
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Post# 15843-3/27/2002-11:59 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Get More From Your Kenmore!
MESSAGE: I want to take samples from the record and make a techno remix.
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Post# 15844-3/27/2002-12:47 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Thanks! Interesting to know of those differences! If only they'd made the regular Sears washers spin at 925 RPM!
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Post# 15845-3/27/2002-12:57 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: I knew those portable jobbies had a different belt arrangement. Isn't it a flat, serpentine belt instead of the traditional vee-belt, or am I wrong on that? I've seen service literature, but never one in-the-flesh. I had forgotten they spin so much faster. Did anyone notice that it spins counterclockwise?
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Post# 15846-3/27/2002-13:12 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: That was the first thing I noticed when I first turned it on. IT GOES BACKWARDS! (or counter-clockwise to be technical). I don't know what it looks like inside, I haven't opened it up yet. It has a heck of a suspension system, it does not shake with a good balanced load. The tub wiggles really fast but doesn't shake the whole machine. When the tub's empty, it will move back and forth with the wigwag.
Also, it fills and drains slower than a regular washer. After watching it drain in the sink I know why. A regular pump would overflow the sink.
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Post# 15847-3/27/2002-14:05 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (portable washer and 110v dryer)
MESSAGE: Did they have to offer the higher spin speed because the machine was paired with the 110v dryer?
-ph
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Post# 15848-3/27/2002-14:44 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: The misunderstanding of Frigidaire and their collectors.
MESSAGE: I dont think my mother has ever vacuumed the house!!!
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Post# 15849-3/27/2002-15:13 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans Wash-in and LadyK videos are here
MESSAGE: I have just downloaded the frigidarie video and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for downloading it for us!
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Post# 15850-3/27/2002-15:17 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (bubbles on Cornhoolia (this is for you arrrhhhooo))
MESSAGE: Point taken. Back to washers!
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Post# 15851-3/27/2002-16:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Scott,
That's a really good point. One thing most top loaders sorely lack are decent spin speeds. Frigidaires of years gone by had 1000+ rpm spin speeds, and the UK Hotpoint top loader spun at 1050 rpm, so it's not like it can't be done.
At the moment, Whirlpool UK state in their brochure that their TL washers spin at 625 rpm, which due to the large diameter of the tub, is equivalent to a Euro FL spinning at 950 rpm. That doesn't sound too bad when you put it like that. However, I don't believe for one second that it's impossible for them to engineer these washers to spin at 1000 or 1200 rpm, maybe even more. All just a matter of gear ratios, I presume, but I don't pretend to know anything about engineering, so I'll defer that issue to someone with more knowledge on the subject!
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Post# 15852-3/27/2002-17:04 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Get More From Your Kenmore!
MESSAGE: You could write an opera with it.
"Kenmore Rouge".
*****
Post# 15853-3/27/2002-17:07 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: It's an evil conspiracy between the corporate lawyers, peeping toms, and the utility companies to force the general public to put up with soggy laundry that takes forever to dry.
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Post# 15854-3/27/2002-17:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans Wash-in and LadyK videos are here
MESSAGE: Great videos Jason and no problems downloading them this time around. Loved your choice of music.
BTW, Whirlpool used to sell a portable not too dissimilar to your Kenmore during the seventies. I happened upon one eons ago in a seconds shop, buttaking it home never crossed my mind then (unfortunately).
*****
Post# 15855-3/27/2002-17:37 ||| Cammurray19 (Savannah, Georgia)
SUBJECT: RE: New Orleans wash-in pics and video (Lady Kenmore's Spin Cycle )
MESSAGE: Will you show me the pictures and the video?
LINK: With my girlfriend
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Post# 15856-3/27/2002-17:51 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Irony )
MESSAGE: Sudsie,
I am glad to see that you have a sense of humor.
*****
Post# 15857-3/27/2002-18:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Yes Ed)
MESSAGE: I too persevere every day, I fully understand where you are coming from. I wish life was just all major and minor appliances, imagine how wonderful things could be. Maybe in our next lives.
I feel that you and I are kindred souls floating in a paralel universe.
*****
Post# 15858-3/27/2002-19:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Based on the wider tub argument, how do Fisher & Paykel achieve their 1000 rpm spin speed? Their machines come in a variety of capacities, ranging from 11 to about 18 lbs. Yet, the outer dimensions of the different models show little variation. Their tubs don't appear much narrower or deeper than those of other machines, e.g. my SQ or even Whirlpool (not using measuring tape, only by visual estimate). I believe Hoover and Simpson's spinning speeds are also higher than those of US machines (800 or 900 rpm) and I think they manage to achieve this using (plastic?) gears (correct me if I am wrong Gizmo/arrrhhhooo).
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Post# 15859-3/27/2002-19:36 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Actually, that wouldn't surprise me in the slightest. I suppose more time in the dryer is a good thing as far as the electricity and gas companies are concerned.
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Post# 15860-3/27/2002-20:09 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires!
MESSAGE: Remember, too that their slogan was very butch - - "built and backed by GM".............
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Post# 15861-3/28/2002-06:40 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK - Hotpoint on BBC Watchdog (Gay rugby and other non-appliance related stuff )
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Boy, they don't make rugby players like that here!
Actually there was a thing on TV a night or two ago with a gay football team in Aus. Can't remember if it was thugby or proper footy. The club is called the Pooftas. (as far as I'm concerned the word is poofter, but what can you expect from footy players?) The segment finished with them using their bodies to spell out their team name P-O-O-F-T-A like US cheerleaders. What a hoot. There is an openly gay player in one of the Sydney Rugby League teams. He's a bit of OK, too. But he has a partner.
I feel a memory coming on...
In my previous job I was a cook trainer for a restaurant that hired lots of university students. I was always open about my sexuality and everybody there knew I was gay, in fifteen years there I never had any aggro from fellow staff, though I was denied promotion to management for a couple of years. (they were at least honest about their reasons)
One time I was training a young (straight) guy, we were clowning around a lot. He had just wiped a bench and I grabbed a spoon of sauce and put several splodges of sauce on his clean bench. With a big smile on his face he went bright red and yelled, "you ... you poofter!"
Then, "ooh, ooh, sorry, I didn't mean, um, ..."
We both had a good laugh about it.
Actually the same guy had a particularly nicely shaped butt and a young woman cook and I used to cook together and we would nudge and giggle to each other and make comments about what a great bum he had...At one stage she said, "if he's gay you have him, if he's straight I'll have him." They have now been maried for about ten years.
Yes, reclaiming the P-word would be a good thing, it takes the sting out of it when it's used as an insult.
Like the Dykes on Bikes who lead the Mardi Gras in Sydney each year.
Best Wishes
Chris.
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Post# 15862-3/28/2002-06:58 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (F&P spin)
MESSAGE: The Fisher and Paykel spins at 1000 rpm in all versions. The different capacity models are clearly different in size. The 5 kg version is quite slim compared to the 7kg and larger ones. I have a 7.5kg one and it spins REALLY hard. Subjectively I would say it spins dryer than my Asko at 1400 rpm, though I rarely use the 1400 on the Asko as it creases too much, makes too much noise, and I am concerned it is too hard on the motor. (Like many fast spin front loaders, my Asko makes the motor achieve its highest spin by bypassing a field winding in the motor. This works but makes the motor exceed its design max speed which accelerates brush wear. UK Hotpoints I have seen the commutator in the motor tends to fly apart on the 1200 and higher spins, requiring a new motor. The cheaper 800 rpm models never seem to have that problem.)
The F&P has direct drive, so motor speed is spin speed, no gearing involved.
The Hoover and Simpson use a belt drive, but the transmission is locked in spin so the gears aren't involved in the spin speed. Hoovers had plastic (nylon) gears, Simpson had metal gears, now they have merged who knows? The spin speed is a function of motor speed (1440 rpm) and the pulley sizes, so increasing spin speed is achieved by increasing the motor pulley or decreasing the drum pulley. Hoovers got over 800rpm but I think Simpson was always slower. Hoovers had 7-to-1 reduction so the agitator moved on wash at 1/7 the spin speed.
Simpson only had 4.5-to-1 as far as I know, so that meant a slower spin speed or it would agitate too fast. They may have altered the ratios in later models, I only get to play with machines old enough to have been thrown out. (though on Simpsons that isn't necessarily very old...)
Chris.
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Post# 15863-3/28/2002-12:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
I am sure that you are right and that TLs could be made to spin much faster. Below is a link to some mathmatical stuff about TL spin, I don't claim to be able to follow the maths in it, maybe someone could translate it into laymans terms as it loks very interesting.
Some observations I have gained about TL and FL spin-
Wider drum or basket equals greater force on teh clothes at any given spin speed. As TLs tend to have larger baskets than (Euro) FLs, a lower speed will give similar spin forces and results.
(Euro)FLs have variable speed motors that can gradully increase to max speed, whilst this is happening the load is loosing water and reducing its weight hence reducing teh overall force on the machine. I may be mistaken, but I think that (Most) TLs have single speed motors with gears to switch from wash to spin, thus the washer hits max spin very quickly, a high speed would give too great a force on the machine.
FLs can tumble to distribute the clothes before spin, if out of ballance (OOB) they can easily tumble to re-distribute the load. A TL cannot do this, so greater suspension would be required to cope with OOB loads, or the washer would either switch off and require manual intervention, or would need to re-fill and agitate to attempt to re-distribute.
Just my observations, happy to be challenged especially as my TL knowledge is next to nil and mainly theory rather than practise.
Really fast TLs would be great, imagine say 1800 revs in a good solid TL. They would have to be buit strongly to cope with all the pervs who would spend time sitting on it!
An interesting point to ponder - what is the theoretical max spin desirable for dryest possble clothes with safety to clothing and washer in mind and greatest optimisation for ebnergy efficiency, ignoring creasing. I have used a twin tub with 3500 spin, but the spin cylinder is very narrow, still spun very dry without tearing clothes, creased like buggery though.
Richtoo
LINK: http://helix.gatech.edu/Classes/ME2202/1999S3/Projects/Frederick/
*****
Post# 15864-3/28/2002-13:40 ||| joeekaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: What were Salvo and Vim, and what was the difference between them?
FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY!!
NO PRIZES, NO WAGERING ALLOWED!!
*****
Post# 15865-3/28/2002-15:30 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: Salvo (P&G) and Vim (Unilever) were tablet detergents from years ago (1960s or so). Not sure on the difference. Perhaps one was enzyme (Vim?) and one was not (Salvo?), or one had all-fabric bleach (Vim?) and one did not (Salvo?).
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Post# 15866-3/28/2002-15:33 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Spin Speeds)
MESSAGE: Top-loaders nowadays do have multi-speed motors. My KitchenAid had/has a true 3-speed motor, and steps through all three speeds (2 mins of each) in the final spin on Perm Press.
*****
Post# 15867-3/28/2002-15:42 ||| dalangdon (Seattle, WA)
SUBJECT: RE: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: I remember Salvo, but not Vim. These names all seem like they should have exclamation points, don't they. Who thinks them up?
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Post# 15868-3/28/2002-15:51 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Perhaps your point about unbalanced loads is the reason why the majority of top loaders have pretty slow spin speeds. Front loaders go up to 1800 rpm these days, but I doubt that would be possible if it wasn't for out of balance detection. Imagine an FL trying to go from 0-1800 rpm in two seconds flat, without distributing the load first!
I think that's one problem TLs will always have - not being able to do anything about an unbalanced load. Of course, the F&P can correct itself of this problem if set to do so, but I've never heard of any other TL doing this. Although, apparently, those washers which start to spin with a full tub of water tend to balance better than those which drain first and then start to spin afterwards.
As you may recall, I've previously mentioned a Philips FL one of my pals used to own. It used to go straight from a deep rinse to a full spin without draining first, and without doing any sort of distribution or balance check. Always spun very smoothly, perhaps due to the clothes "riding" the water during spin accelleration. That's my theory, anyway.
*****
Post# 15869-3/28/2002-17:51 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: There really is no reason that top loader's couldn't be designed for higher spin speeds. It might just take a little more design effort. For instance, a viscous drive instead of a solid clutch would help it not load the motor too severly. Coin-op laundries have had top-loading high speed extractors for years. Also, there are some manufacturers that make stand-alone extractors for home use, and they are top-loading.
Since the demise of the Frigidaire Jet-Cone washer, American laundy appliance manufacturers have only produced re-hashed, mundane washer designs from the 1950's, for top loaders. I had high hopes for the Calypso, but it still has a mediocre spin speed, and was unjustifiably expensive. Back and forth agitator machines should be classic appliances, (for us) not current offerings. Also, it is interesting to note, that plastic tub washers can't spin very fast due to the fact that the tubs tend to lose their "roundness" and warp at high speeds.
From strictly a performance standpoint, The General Motors Frigidaires still remain some of the best performing top-loading washers ever made. They did everything well.
*****
Post# 15870-3/28/2002-18:29 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Amen to all of that, fanfare! Hard to believe, isn't it, how far ahead of our time we were back then, only to slide so far in an age when just about anything should be possible...
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Post# 15871-3/28/2002-19:07 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: To give a UK answer, Salvo was a US detergent 'bomb' and Vim was (is still?) a scouring powder containing bleach. The other scouring powder brand was/is Ajax. Popular before non-scratch cream cleaners came to market.
Richtoo
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Post# 15872-3/28/2002-19:11 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Interesting point about plastic baskets and high speeds. The Monotub Titan inteh UK uses a plastic removeable basket and it spins at up to 1200. Though as others here have pointed out, it also shakes itself to bits.
On top-load extractors, what is the speed of laundryette extractors? Having used these, and domestic spin driers, both require careful loading to achieve ballance, and sometimes manual intervention to re-ballance the load, a feature undesirable in a fully automatic washer.
The more I see and hear of the Frigidaire machines, the more sorry that I am that these are no longer made, nor were available in the UK. I think that this is a TL washer I would really like. The early ones looked fantastic too.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.monotub.co.uk/spec.html
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Post# 15873-3/28/2002-19:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Do you think the UK will see a FL hit the magic 2k before teh end of the year? I do hope so.
How does the F&P re-ballance an oob load, is this the washer that refills and agitates? Do you know if any current TLs start to spin with a tub full of water or did this feature disapear with solid baskets? I would imagine that hitting full spin speed with a tub full of water is hard on the motor, having said that plenty of old machines have survived it and live to tell their tale.
I remember the discussion of Philips washers, interesting way for a FL to behave, seems rather unnecessary, but if it works.
Any news on the job, fingers still crossed here.
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15874-3/28/2002-19:19 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Spin Speeds)
MESSAGE: Does ramping up the speed like that help a TL to achieve a better ballanced spin or does it serve some other purpose?
Richtoo
*****
Post# 15875-3/28/2002-19:40 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: I don't think either contained enzymes (introduced before enzymes were added to detergents and probably faded away before that also) or all fabric bleach for that matter. I think the differences were that Vim tablets were blue and purported to be low sudsing. I cannot say that there were performance differences between the two, since my mother never used either one. I do recall that one of the other kids in our apartment bldg tried to eat one of the Vim tablets, though......
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Post# 15876-3/28/2002-19:44 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Nostalgic Laundry Detergent Trivia Question :)
MESSAGE: Brand names for all new products are developed very carefully. My ex was a partner in what can best be called a "brand and packaging identity agency". It is kind of like advertising, but all kinds of demographic studies, focus group studies and test marketing activities are conducted to determine what name and package will most attract the average American consumer. It is really quite involved and time consuming.................
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Post# 15877-3/28/2002-19:50 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Interesting comment on the GM Frigidaires doing everything well. I agree with that, but it reminds me of something I read recently. While in the New York Public Library I went through every Consumer REports washer and dryer review from 1958 to 1981. Some of the earlier articles were fascinating - a pain to read on microfilm, but.....
Anyway CR actually said in one of their issues that the Maytag topped their ratings, even though they didn't excel in any particular performance area. They just didn't have any "serious deficiencies".
*****
Post# 15878-3/28/2002-19:51 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Frigidaire Thunder)
MESSAGE: The Frigidaire is unlike any washer you'll ever see. It's all porcelain and I'm sure it has a very heavy counterweight or balance system because it's very steady when it spins. It's depressing to think that they don't make them anymore. But it's great that we're part of a club that cherishes these machines and I got to see one in person.
*****
Post# 15879-3/28/2002-19:54 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Stepped-Spin and F&P OOB Recovery)
MESSAGE: KA's purpose with the stepped-spin in PPress was/is to maximize extraction while minimizing crushing/wrinkling. A marketing tool, methinks. Even the Regular cycle started the final spin at medium speed (2 mins), then switched to high speed (4 mins).
However, my F&P sort of does the same thing -- all the spins on all cycles start at a slow speed and ramp up 300 RPM, then . . .
Normal / Heavy Duty
1st spin - one or two sprays at 300 RPM, ramp up to 700 RPM for a few seconds, coast down to 300 for several more sprays, ramp back to 700, then stop for the deep rinse
final spin - 300 RPM directly to 700 or 1000 (whichever is selected)
I don't know what happens if two deep rinses are selected, never tried it.
Perm Press / Delicate
1st spin - no sprays (due to the cool-down deep rinse that happens first), ramps up from 300 to 700 for a few seconds, then stop for deep rinse
final spin - 300 RPM only, but there's a moment at which it would normally ramp up to the final higher speed when the motor makes a tiny surge, then decides, nope, 300 RPM is all we're gonna do.
Woolens
1st spin - presumably the same as above, haven't yet run this cycle
final spin - the default is 700 RPM, although 1000 can be selected, so I assume is ramps up to 700 (or 1000) from 300, same as Normal and Heavy Duty
The F&P OOB recovery works by refilling and agitating to redistribute the load. It will only do this once per spin, then beep for help if it fails. The option is user-selectable, I currently have it disabled. I did have it enabled at first, and it did do it once, when washing a quilt. As I recall, it filled all the way to high. I don't know if that's the standard procedure to insure a good redistribution, or if that's what the auto water level came up with in that particular case.
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Post# 15880-3/28/2002-20:01 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Looks like CR had some "serious deficencies". From what I know the early Maytags didn't roll the clothes over and the spin was slow. The Kenmore Roto-Swirl :-D at least rolled the clothes a little bit, but nothing compared to the Frigidaires. And NO washer at the time had 1000+rpm spin. Correct me if I'm wrong now. I can take it.
Here's how I would line up washers (in the 50s) from best to worst. And this is IMHO.
1. Frigidaire - lotsa rollover, best rinsing, driest spin
2. Kelvinator/ABC - rolls over good, has a good overflow rinse, spin... well...
3. Kenmore :-D - ahhh... the grind, the click, the clunk... OK rollover, OK rinse, slow spin
3. GE - interesting Filter-Flo system, poor rollover, rinse, and spin
4. Maytag - well, at least it makes a nice CLUNK when it goes into spin
*****
Post# 15881-3/28/2002-20:42 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Hmmm... not sure whether or not we'll see a 2000 rpm spin by the end of this year, but I reckon it will be inevitable one day. Who'd have thought a few years ago we'd be seeing 1800 rpm FLs today? At the very least, it will be done for marketing purposes.
From what I read on the website, the F&P can be set to recover itself from an OOB condition, by refilling and agitating, before trying to spin again. Of course, this uses more water, so the option can be switched off.
The Maytag Atlantis starts to spin with a full tub of water - they call it the "Swirl-Away drain". I remember reading a post here once that said the drive belt on the Atlantis is designed to slip, therefore acting as a clutch of sorts. In other words, once the water level in the tub goes down, there's less resistance on the spinning basket, and the belt can grip the pulley better in order to ramp up to full spin speed.
Thanks for asking about the job; unfortunately, when I called today, I found that I've not been successful this time round. But, I'm going to keep on the lookout, and hopefully I'll get lucky sooner rather than later. Try, try and try again, as they say :o)
*****
Post# 15882-3/28/2002-20:57 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (belt clutch)
MESSAGE: Yes it does. My mom's Maytag, which is older than the atlantis, does this. You can hear the motor strain just a little and the belt slipping on the pulley, as the basket empties, the tub starts going faster and when the belt actually catches you'll hear it increase in pitch and it goes up to full speed. It's fun to watch.
*****
Post# 15883-3/28/2002-21:46 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: In regards to top loaders unbalancing, it truely is, in my experience, a very rare thing indeed. I must qualify that I am talking about full-sized washers, not small portable ones with plastic tubs. I know that some of the Asian machines for sale here use a water filled balancing ring that is fitted around the top of the washbowl like a collar. The ring is supposedly filled just before the machine begins to spin and I believe water continues to be added until the weight balances the drum. This apparently eliminates OOB altogether, even with the most seriously unbalanced load.
My Speed Queen uses the 'swirl away' rinse, that is now also used by Maytag, which usually takes care of distributing the load evenly enough for spinning. Speed Queen's suspension must be very tough, because a load has to be seriously bunched up before my machine will cut out. If there is a lesser distribution problem, once the spin picks up speed, the drum stabilizes sufficiently for the spin to be completed. In the twelve years that I have used my SQ, I can honestly say that the average number of OOB incidents occur perhaps twice or thrice a year, no more than that. I always found full-size TL machines very stable and solid, just like most of my partners ;op.
IMHO there appear to be more common unbalancing problems in front-loading machines, with bulky loads like heavy blankets, that have a tendency to roll up and bunch together during the tumble action. The problem is further compounded when the material becomes waterlogged and very heavy. Even though the dry item might fit into the machine, its wet weigth has turned out too heavy for the machine's capacity. I have had this problem with our Hoover fl many times in the distant past and more recently during my visits at an aunt's place in Germany, washing in her Miele. I found that large or bulky items also don't redistribute easily during the drain tumble just before the spin, often making manual intervention necessary during crisis OOB. Now I am not knocking front-loaders - so don't get any ideas there people, I am just telling you about MY experiences.
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Post# 15884-3/29/2002-03:56 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (belt clutch)
MESSAGE: Only thing I wonder is, will this eventually cause the belt to wear out? I suppose, in theory, it could, but then we sell the Atlantis at work, and none of our customers have ever needed a belt replacement, which seems to suggest otherwise.
Anyone know the spin speed of the Atlantis? I've never seen a published figure on this, but from trying one out, the spin performance seemed pretty impressive.
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Post# 15885-3/29/2002-04:16 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: Yep, I'd have to agree with you there actually. Whenever I've used a top loader, there's never even been the slightest hint of an unbalance. Even when washing heavy things like jackets, they always spun really smoothly.
The Whirlpool and Maytag TLs sold here have a balance ring around the top of the tub, only I believe these ones are filled with concrete. I think the weight of the ring is what keeps the tub steady, by acting as a sort of counterbalance.
As for front loaders, one thing I've noticed is that the newer machines fare a lot better when it comes to load balancing. My Bosch has never unbalanced once in all the time I've had it - not even pillows or a heavy blanket will faze it. My parents' Zanussi can take a couple of minutes to get into spin, as it's very sensitive and fussy about unbalanced loads. But as soon as it's satisfied that the load is distributed evenly, it spins really smoothly.
Their old Hotpoint, however, did a crappy job of balancing, and if three quick attempts didn't work out, it would just shut off. Sometimes, it didn't get it quite right, and would spin with a major unbalance, causing it to hop across the floor... that washer was very inconsistent with its operation in general. Thankfully, today's machines are much more refined, and a heck of a lot more intelligent.
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Post# 15886-3/29/2002-04:46 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: Hi there,
Which model does your aunt have? Is it already a classic Miele?
Louis
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Post# 15887-3/29/2002-05:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Sorry about the job, their loss. I am sure it won't take long for you to get a new job, you have many qualities valuable in the workplace, that come through clearly here, good communication and people skills, good analytical skills, enthusiasm, you will do well.
Thanks for the info about the F&P, seems deliciously ironic in a washer sold on its eco benefits.
I like the sound of the Atlantis slipping belt, such a simple and clever idea.
Who do you think will be first with a 2k spin, a German manufacturer who casn really achieve several mins at 2k, or Hotpoint, who may achive 2k for 3 seconds if there is no 'r;' in the month or 'y' in the day. Actually, I guess Dyson may do it first.
Richtoo
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Post# 15888-3/29/2002-05:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Jason - my only modification would be to switch the GE and Kenmore rankings. One of the observations was that Kenmore's wash action with the Roto Swirl and a full load was that while satisfactory, it was never one of the best. Also, you forgot to include Norge. Throughout the 50's that was always thought a good performer with excellent wash action..... I would have put Norge right behind Frigidaire...............
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Post# 15889-3/29/2002-06:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I think that Kirk is right that newer FLs have less problems with oob than older FLs, this has been my experience too. Though I have never had any problems at all with oob, just that my older machines took longer to get into spin with a less easily ballanced load than my new Miele does. The new Miele achieves top spin quickly whatever teh load, and it is very stable too.
Interesting info about the TLs, comming through all the threads is that oobis not much problem in TLs, so it would be good to see higher speeds - with the larger tubs, drying would be fantastic.
Richtoo
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Post# 15890-3/29/2002-06:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: R2,
My guess is that it will likely be AEG who bring out the first 2000 rpm washer. Miele now have an 1800 rpm model to compete against theirs, so it follows that AEG will try to top that now. I'm not sure if Dyson ever will, as they're quite proud of the fact that their bigger drum gives an A-rated spin at 1400 rpm instead of 1600 rpm or higher.
You know, I thought the same thing when I heard about the OOB recovery mode on the F&P. Still, it's a nice idea, and could be useful to those who aren't on a water meter. I think, overall, it's a very clever washer, and I'll definitely be giving it a serious look when it comes onto the UK market.
Kirk
P.S. Thanks for the kind words re: the job - in fact, it sounds like you could give a damn fine reference! LOL
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Post# 15891-3/29/2002-06:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: Now imagine a TOP loader spinning at 2000 rpm. You'd need a crowbar to peel your laundry from the sides of the basket, but the extraction would be unreal. 30 seconds in the dryer, and presto!
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Post# 15892-3/29/2002-07:09 ||| rm23j8g (Virginia)
SUBJECT: The Curse of the Frigidaire 1-18 continues!
MESSAGE: I am slowly coming to the realization that these machines are haunted...ever since moving my sick 1-18 from it's tomb to my garage, I have gotten sicker and sicker. Doctor says I have every respiratory infection there is except pneumonia...
Did I inhale some Frigidaire brown paint particles or is it just the aura?? Needless to say, when I am well again, I will approach this thing with caution...and perhaps some garlic.
Is an exorcism called for here?
rm
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Post# 15893-3/29/2002-07:31 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: I can't remember the last time I had an unbalanced load in one of my top loading washers. The 57 Frigidaire was a bit fussy when it first came, but it just needed rubber feet as it was sitting on a slick-painted floor, now it's steady as can be. About the only time you get a severly unbalanced load is if you are washing some large heavy items like a rug or floor mat. Loaded properly, most top loaders will complete the cycle without intervention.
I'm not sure what the Atlantis' spin speed it, I think I remember hearing something around 625-650 and with that large diameter basket, they do perform fairly well. Maytag has used the belt slipping method for years and I believe they have utilized this in the Atlantis/Norge made washers now as well. The motor in these machines is mounted on a sliding "carriage" as well, which under load, slides forward toward the drive pulley causing the belt to slip. As the weight of the water and clothes is gradually reduced, the motor moves back into normal postion and top speed is attained. Very few machines use the "swirl-away" draining now, most have a neutral drain period before spinning starts. I've been told this helps with balance too, clothes aren't sliding around the tub and more easily settle into a balanced pattern. Smaller loads can sometimes slide around in the swirl-away method and then would more likely tend to bunch on one side causing some unbalance, but for the most part top-loaders do quite well.
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Post# 15894-3/29/2002-07:31 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: ahh. I see. I just listed the machines that I've actually seen running on video and in person. Also, I could put GE before Kenmore (BLASPHEMY!) because GE's spin might be a little faster.
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Post# 15895-3/29/2002-07:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: In 1966, GE was one of the top rated machines. The spiral agitator in the older GE machines was actually quite effective at turning over the load and cleaing well.
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Post# 15896-3/29/2002-07:41 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable (About concrete rings)
MESSAGE: Just out of interest, my SQ machine has a horizontally placed flywheel, underneath the outer tub, that is counterweighted with a concrete ring around its entire circumference(in this case no concrete ring around the top of the bowl). The drive and gear box sits just above this wheel and is activated by a belt that runs from it to the electric motor. When the machine is in operation the flywheel rotates at very high speed during both agitation and spinning. The way this looks almost reminds me of a gyroscope and seemingly provides stability and extra momentum to the machine's working parts.
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Post# 15897-3/29/2002-07:44 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable (Correction!)
MESSAGE: The flywheel is weighted with the concrete around its circumference, not counterweighted.
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Post# 15898-3/29/2002-08:12 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Frigidaire in London)
MESSAGE: Rich,
When I was visiting England in 1981 for our high school senior class trip, I used a launderette in London that had both Frigidiare Rollermatic and 1-18 coin-op machines. I couldn't even begin to tell you where it was...
-ph
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Post# 15899-3/29/2002-08:31 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial extractor speeds)
MESSAGE: Nearly all launderette extractors here in the States are made by Bock.
35# direct drive gives 1800 rpm/920 G's
35# fluid drive gives 1740 rpm/858 G's
60# fluid drive gives 1740 rpm/1030 G's
-ph
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Post# 15900-3/29/2002-10:01 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial washer speeds)
MESSAGE: how fast do the heavy duty commercial front loaders spin at? i've noticed they do not spin as fast, the ones I used at my local launderette a few weeks ago didn't seem to go as fast i think they were made by duplex or something like that.
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Post# 15901-3/29/2002-10:49 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Well, that is a fair assumption and criteria - I spoke out of turn........ Sorry
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Post# 15902-3/29/2002-10:54 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (spray rinses)
MESSAGE: Yes, CR, while reasonable to use as a guide was flawed. And as for their evaluation of Maytag, well I guess CR's rationale for rating them so highly made them "excellent by default" - how distinguished!!!!!
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Post# 15903-3/29/2002-12:32 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial washer speeds)
MESSAGE: SLOW! I'm not sure of individual manufacturers' speeds, but you can pretty much assume 90 G's or less. The larger the machine, the fewer G's it pulls. These are hardmount (bolt down) machines with no suspension system. Softmount commercial machines typically pull 300-400 G's (and cost 5-6 times as much, hence they are rarely found in a launderette).
-ph
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Post# 15904-3/29/2002-13:10 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial washer speeds)
MESSAGE: I was looking at Milnor's website and their bolt down FL's spin at 550rpm. slow but the drum is pretty big. There's a Milnor at the launderette my mom used to work for (the place where it all started for me). I might have to bring a load there and run it and see how fast it spins. Maybe videotape it.
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Post# 15905-3/29/2002-14:28 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Milnors)
MESSAGE: With Milnor machines, it's all about the distribution/drain before the spin. That's some drama! The spin only pulls 75 G's...
-ph
LINK: http://www.milnor.com/modeldetails0.asp?category=1&class=1&series=5&model=19
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Post# 15906-3/29/2002-14:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Balancing the Unstable
MESSAGE: I may be in the minority, but the GM Frigidaire (GMF) I used in '65 would go out of balance on most full loads. Perhaps it was a defective machine, I don't know, although the landlord said he'd had it serviced several times for that problem, and his wife finally kicked it out of the house, which is how it wound up in the basement of our flat. I also managed to unbalance my '83 Whirlpool super capacity top loader, although it was far more rare than with the GMF.
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Post# 15907-3/29/2002-14:43 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: The Curse of the Frigidaire 1-18 continues!
MESSAGE: And, perhaps, a dust mask.
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Post# 15908-3/29/2002-15:04 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: The Curse of the Frigidaire 1-18 continues! (Chinese dust)
MESSAGE: I'm wondering if the Chinese dust storm that has swept across the Pacific to the West Coast has something to do with the recent outbreaks of upper respiratory ailments here... it is apparently making for nice sunsets, though.
Hmmm... I wonder if some enterprising spirit could devise a way to manufacture the original Unimatic for a song in China. Those would be a much more welcome visitation from the East than the recent dust storms.
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Post# 15909-3/29/2002-15:16 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Milnors)
MESSAGE: I like the look of the Milnor washer, do they make any for home use, or is it an all commercial company? Most coin washers over here are made by Ispo (I think), in fact, every launderette I've seen (apart from my local all duplex launderette) have these washers in. I've also seen a few Speed Queen tops and the tall commercial dryers.
I also found an interesting coin laundry website whilst surfing today, for an assosciation called 'The Coin Laundry Assosciation' whilst searching on Jeeves 'how fast do launderette washers spin at" or something.
It's quite interesting, I've downloaded all of the store profiles under the Journal section.
LINK: www.coinlaundry.org
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Post# 15910-3/29/2002-15:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial extractor speeds)
MESSAGE: Peter, do you have any of these extractors in your laundromat? Are they difficult to balance? Have you made any changes in your lineup? I haven't asked in awhile. Scott
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Post# 15911-3/29/2002-15:21 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (belt clutch)
MESSAGE: It's interesting that the Atlantis has a spin drain, since it is a Norge, which used a stationary drain after they switched to perforated tubs.
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Post# 15912-3/29/2002-15:22 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Hi all (especially herr miele)
My Hotpoint washer has broken down today for the third time this week! Saturday it was the bearings, yesterday it was a new drum and today the suspension has gone, it was doing the fast spin when there was a sudden clang and the washer started jumping around everywhere in the kitchen and beating up the dryer! I've ordered some Miele brochures, but I'm also looking into a Hoover as my budget isn't that high, and Hoover seem the best bargain. I'm looking at the 1500rpm AL150, and the Miele W864, and the Bosch WFL2860. I'll most likely get the Hoover as I can get it for about £300 in the sale at the local store at the moment.
I'm sad to say that it's not probably going to be a Miele (shame), but I hope I'll having a happy few years washing in a Hoover. One thing is that Hoover also has a bigger load, that I am interested in, Bosch and Miele both have 5kg (Bosch have gone back down to 5kg again, anyone know why?)
From surgilator
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Post# 15913-3/29/2002-15:26 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Hi all (especially herr miele)
My Hotpoint washer has broken down today for the third time this week! Saturday it was the bearings, yesterday it was a new drum and today the suspension has gone, it was doing the fast spin when there was a sudden clang and the washer started jumping around everywhere in the kitchen and beating up the dryer! I've ordered some Miele brochures, but I'm also looking into a Hoover as my budget isn't that high, and Hoover seem the best bargain. I'm looking at the 1500rpm AL150, and the Miele W864, and the Bosch WFL2860. I'll most likely get the Hoover as I can get it for about £300 in the sale at the local store at the moment.
I'm sad to say that it's not probably going to be a Miele (shame), but I hope I'll having a happy few years washing in a Hoover. One thing is that Hoover also has a bigger load, that I am interested in, Bosch and Miele both have 5kg (Bosch have gone back down to 5kg again, anyone know why?)
From surgilator
P.S. I've also heard that the current Hoover range is made in Germany at the moment, correct me if I'm wrong.
LINK: http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/49_758289.html
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Post# 15914-3/29/2002-15:29 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (correct link)
MESSAGE: sorry, that link don't work (forgot to add http://)
proper link below
from surgilator
LINK: http://www.coinlaundry.org
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Post# 15915-3/29/2002-15:32 ||| surgilator (UK)
SUBJECT: spray systems
MESSAGE: do any of today's washing machines have spray rinses (front and top loaders). looking at pictures it seems that nearly every washer in the 50s and 60s had one. few frontloaders have it only here, only zanussi and aeg do.
also, are spray rinses more effective than deep rinses? i.e, which would be better at rinsing, a washer that has all spray rinses, a washer with all deep rinses or a washer with a combination of the both (e.g. 1 spray rinse, 1 deep rinse)?
from surgilator
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Post# 15916-3/29/2002-15:38 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CLA)
MESSAGE: That's the website to the org I belong to... Another board I check daily...
-ph
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Post# 15917-3/29/2002-15:41 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (commercial extractor speeds)
MESSAGE: No, they are quite expensive. Some owners claim that they shake themselves apart. I'd love to have one, but can't justify the cost right now. I'm working to get my dryers paid off and extra $$$ would be better spent on new, bigger washers instead.
I'm looking for used Gen 5 Wascomats in the 35# and 50# size. The new Gen 6's are yet unproven here in the States, not to mention that Wascomat hasn't updated it's website with the new machines either...
-ph
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Post# 15918-3/29/2002-15:45 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (not in my house!)
MESSAGE: Criminy! Of all the commercial machines, Milnor would be the last on your list! Slow spinning, bolt down, water guzzling, 2 rinses, noisy and very complicated under the hood (lots of belts, solenoids and shifting mechanisms). Milnor really has not made many changes to this basic machine since the company was started.
-ph
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Post# 15919-3/29/2002-16:16 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Oz Laundry)
MESSAGE: Speaking of commerical laundries, after viewing the DVD version of "Oz", I notice that the laundry equipment, at least the drying equipment, is "Wascomat". Quite nice stuff, actually, nice polished stainless steel with big gleaming glass windowed doors. Haven't seen the washers yet, they don't show up in the first season. Even though this is a very macho show, I bet they are not Unimatics.
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Post# 15920-3/29/2002-17:33 ||| Surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (not in my house!)
MESSAGE: That does put me off, but I do like their heavy duty look. Apparently, I remember reading somewhere now about what I think is Milnor and that launderette owners all across the world report queues to the Milnor washers while other machines are empty.
If I had a launderette, I would probably install professional Miele washers and have 1 Milnor for duvets (they seem to look bigger than they actually are, so this'll probably attract more customers). I've used Ispos before and I don't like them that much, do you like them peter?
How many other commercial brands are there out there? The only ones I've seen here are Ispo, Duplex, Primus and Speed Queen. Do you have these brands over in America? (I assume you get Speed Queen, as that's an American company, as far as I know).
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Post# 15921-3/29/2002-18:29 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: All through the late 60's and 70's, Consumer Reports consistently top-rated the mediocre Maytag, more due to reliability than real performance. I would have to accuse them of not being very objective, since I owned one of those Maytags for years. It was very relaible, I'll admit, but it could not even begin to roll over even a small load of sheets or stiff jeans. They would just slosh back and forth with the agitator. If a sheet got an air bubble trapped in it, that part of it would never even get wet during the wash cycle. I guess that's why the agitation stopped when the lid was opened. They probably didn't want anyone to notice how pitiful the wasing action was.
The helical drive and specially-made slipping belt were good ideas, but they couldn't even begin to compare to the ingenious Frigidaire roller mechanism.
I also agree with another post that the Norge had a superior washing action and good extraction. CR always downrated them because their tub brake was solenoid operated and made a loud clunk. However, they didn't even mention that it stopped the tub faster than any other washer's braking mechanism. When Whirlmores came out with their new direct drive mechanism, CR mentioned nothing about the loud bang they make during the pause between neutral drain and spin, or when you open the lid during spin and shut it again. Why was it okay for Whirlmores to bang and not Norges? I'm glad to see that CR's evaluations have become for scientific, as of late.
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Post# 15922-3/29/2002-19:13 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: As one salesman told me.... "of course Maytags last forever.... they don't DO anything stressful like wash or spin......"
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Post# 15923-3/29/2002-19:14 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Plastic tubs)
MESSAGE: Not sure about plastic tubs limiting max spin speeds. The F&P has a plastic outer tub (stainless steel inner) and spins at 1000 rpm. Basic TL models by Hoover and Simpson in Aus have plastic inner and outer tubs and spin at over 800rpm.
I think the issue is more one of development costs. Most of the TL's on the market are ancient designs when 600 rpm spins were OK. It isn't just a matter of a different electronic speed control module like it is in many FL's. In most current TL's the design of the transmission means the speed of the spin and the speed of the agitator on wash are related. If you increase spin speed the wash agitates more violently. I know of one US sourced model sold in Australia (Admiral) which regularly shredded clothes on normal wash, suggestion from service department was to always wash on gentle. It could be slowed by fitting a smaller motor pulley but this meant a slower spin, too. The only way to make these machines spin faster without also increasing agitate speed is either infinitely variable motor speed control as used on FL's (expensive) or a redesign of the transmission (also expensive). As the lower end of the TL washer market is so price sensitive in both US and Aus the machines stay the same.
That's my theory...
Chris.
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Post# 15924-3/29/2002-19:27 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Plastic tubs)
MESSAGE: I totally agree with you, Gizmo, about the price sensitivity of TLs, especially here in America. The plastic tub thing I mentioned in a previous post, was just someone I was quoting. I personally have not seen any real data to back it up, other than most American top-loaders with plastic tubs have anemic spins.
As far as higher spin speeds leading to too vigorous agitation, I really think gearing and design could overcome that. But, then it would mean development expense, and (bite your tounge) creativity. Not likely to happen to the American top-loader market, eh?
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Post# 15925-3/29/2002-19:33 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (belt clutch)
MESSAGE: "Belt clutches" were used on all top loading Simpsons in the seventies and eighties. The Minimatic (tiny) /Delta 10 (medium) and 144/244 (large) series all used the same transmission. The motor was mounted on a single pivot, with a plastic slider. When the machine started to spin, (tub full of water) the motor would pull itself along the belt till it started slipping. The pump had its own drive belt which stayed tight. As the water level dropped the load became easier and the spring would pull the motor back to tighten the drive belt and the spin would increase. When adjusted perfectly the drive would take up in bursts, as each try at faster spin would give a rush of extracted water which would slow it up again. They were terribly fussy about the adjustment of the tensioner spring. If way too tight it would burn out motors trying to spin a full tub. If a bit too tight it would try to spin when half full and always get out of balance. (and shut off and drive you mad) If too slack it would spin slowly as the belt never fully tightened. It did tend to wear the belt, but only over a period of years. Also due to the motor being mounted only on a single pivot, it was prone to jumping out of position if the machine was moved, eg moving house. I have lost track of the number of calls I have had from friends and friends of friends who say " my washing machine was working perfectly till we moved, now it won't go and makes a terrible scraping sound." I ask "Is it a Simpson?" It always is.
Hoover TL's of the same era achieved the same trick more reliably by using an oil-filled clutch in the base of the transmission. This gave a degree of slip when needed but slowly increased its grip during spin. The clutch allowed it to spin more slowly when badly out of balance, which was preferable to most customers than cutting out and not spinning at all.
Chris.
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Post# 15926-3/29/2002-19:34 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
That hotpoint is trying to tell you something! Pity your budget doesn't cover Miele, the same situation I was in before - I went with Bosch for the DW and AEG for the washer and did not regret either decision.
Have you considered Bosch rather than Hoover, I have heard scare stories about Hoover suspension not being the greatest, though that was a few years ago. A quick look at Currys showed Bosch washers starting at £247, with a 6kg 1200 Bosch for £308.
I don't know about Bosch reducing their load size, maybe Kirk can help.
Actually you post reminds me on when I was shopping for the DW - In a Department store a rather grand Mrs Slocombesque sales lady in tried to sell me a Miele, I explained that I could not afford it. Drawing herself up to full height, she declared 'you can't afford not to buy Miele'.
Being a nosy barsteward, I asked whether she had a Miele, whilst she struggled with the Miele filter so as to demonstrate it. No, she had a Zanussi! Bless her.
Enjoy shopping for your new washday toy, and remember, whatever you get, it can't be as bad as H*tp*!nt.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.currys.co.uk
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Post# 15927-3/29/2002-19:37 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Plastic tubs)
MESSAGE: Yes Fanfare you are exactly right. Gearing is the answer. But it is the internal gearing in the transmission that is the key. And that would require a couple of bucks being spent on a transmission re-design. That is what I think is unlikely till the average consumer starts screaming for it, of buying fast spinning models in large numbers.
Chris.
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Post# 15928-3/29/2002-19:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Frigidaire in London)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter
Boy would I love to find a laundryette so equipped. I shall have to look out, though I most laundryettes that I see here are now FL equipped, whereas they used to have mainly TLs.
Richtoo
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Post# 15929-3/29/2002-19:47 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator,
Pardon me for poking my nose in here, but are LG front loaders available in the UK? They are available here in Aus and look like a quality machine for the money. The direct drive system should be particularly efficient and reliable. They offer wider scope for "writing your own programme" than many European FL washers that I have seen, including selectable number of rinses from two to six. (including two spray rinses.)
It does seem that you must have sunk a fair deal of cash into that damn Hotpoint, is it worth considering fixing the suspension? It is a particularly easy job to do yourself. Just check that the marauding tub didn't break any other components when it was flailing around unrestrained. (eg smashed the dispenser or the timer) If you do want to try this I am happy to try to guide you through the process. It's dead easy. This could keep you washing till you can afford a dream machine.
Best Wishes.
Chris.
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Post# 15930-3/29/2002-19:50 ||| Kenwashesmonday (Haledon, NJ)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: I suppose I have to step in here and defend Maytags a little. Last fall I pulled a Maytag A606 off the curb on junk day. I'm not sure how old it it, I'm guessing 60's or early 70's. I find it extracts better than the GE filter flow I grew up with, and way better than the belt-drive Whirlpool/Kenmore machines. Certainly better than the Wascomats at the laundrymat. Agitation turn over is teriffic, but 4 pairs of jeans and it's full (34X36 jeans). If you've been watching the commercial Maytag top-loaders at the laundrymat, those seem to run slower, and don't fill as high.
Can anyone tell me when the A606 was produced?
Thanks,
Ken D.
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Post# 15931-3/29/2002-19:56 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: Welcome!
I believe your washer was made around the early 70s, and judging by your experiences, my guess is it does not have the original transmission, but rather a replacement "orbital" transmission. The ones at the laundromat the seem slower have the original helical drive transmission.
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Post# 15932-3/29/2002-20:02 ||| Kenwashesmonday (Haledon, NJ)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: Scott,
I tore it apart to change the main seal. It didn't look like it was ever apart before, but anything's possible.
Thanks,
Ken D.
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Post# 15933-3/29/2002-20:25 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Go and buy that Whirlpool top-loading agitator washer that will make your laundry a truly special place, you know that secretly you really want to. Why have what everybody else has? A boring front-loader under the kitchen sink? - oh, how dull! At least, when people come into your house (flat/whatever)and they catch a glimpse of your gleaming, brand new, jumbo capacity Whirlpool TL washer, with dual action agitator (you don't get that in a front loader), they'll definitely do a re-take :o0. You never know, you might get more than flexible load sizes through infinite waterlevels out of owning such a wonderous marvel of modern engineering ;oB.
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Post# 15934-3/29/2002-20:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Sorry, at the moment, I know nothing whatsoever about the new Bosch range. Last week, I was supposed to go down to Milton Keynes for training, but that went by the wayside, and I've not heard anything else since. Must admit I'm quite annoyed about the whole thing, as it probably means that the 16-year-old Saturday workers in Currys and Comet already know more than I do.
I would be most surprised if Bosch were to go back to a 5kg drum on all their washers. One tidbit I did hear is that the smaller machines were going to be called "Classixx", and that 6kg models would be referred to as "Classixx Maxx". To me, that suggests that the bigger drum is here to stay. If they did get rid of it, they would be shooting themselves in the foot.
When I hear more, I'll post the details here. But I get the feeling I won't know anything until a display model turns up for unboxing, whenever that will be. >:o(
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Post# 15935-3/29/2002-20:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Don't LG washer (top and front loaders) now also connect to the internet? I thought they are one of the first companies to offer this feature to consumers. I know their ice'n'water fridge/freezers come with LCD screen and internet hook-up.
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Post# 15936-3/29/2002-22:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Ice cold porn! Getcha ice cold internet porn right here at the fridge, you Lucky Guy!
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Post# 15937-3/29/2002-22:25 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Interesting GE washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: It's a Canadian model - notice the interesting markings on the panel...
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2013367914
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Post# 15938-3/29/2002-23:58 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Oz Laundry)
MESSAGE: The washers are Wascomat as well. There are many scenes in the laundry room as the series progresses.
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Post# 15939-3/29/2002-00:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Oz Laundry)
MESSAGE: Are there eight episodes every season, or did they increase the number in later years?
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Post# 15940-3/29/2002-00:26 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Oz Laundry)
MESSAGE: Not sure, but I thought the earlier season had more episodes.
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Post# 15941-3/29/2002-00:30 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (Oz Laundry)
MESSAGE: Season 1 had only 8 episodes.
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Post# 15942-3/30/2002-04:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Interesting GE washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: The little signs appear to look like European instruction symbols for garment care. I suppose they are standard in Canada also, hence the different markings on the machine's cycle selector.
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Post# 15943-3/30/2002-05:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: I suppose that wasn't exactly what anyone had in mind so far, but obviously you felt compelled to share this idiosyncratic idea of yours with us. Interesting concept Sudsie, keep up the good work.
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Post# 15944-3/30/2002-05:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: HI Chris,
We have FL LG washers in the UK. They offer a 7kg load, but as far as I know and can tell from the website, do not offer programme customisation or connect to the internet. They are also expensive, a quick check of currys.co.uk showed prices from £480 - £550, £480 is what I paid for my Miele.
Out of curiosity, on a FL direct drive washer, where is the motor situated? What benefits does DD bring?
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.lgelectronics.co.uk
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Post# 15945-3/30/2002-06:13 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (lg fl's)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
The LG should have lots of options though they do not wave the flag about "programme customisation" like Miele or Asko do. But you can press buttons to set water temp, spin speed and number of rinses to modify any of its standard computer programmes. Check out the LG, I was impressed. Though they aren't so expensive here - the middle model lists around AUS$1300 but is regularly on sale for around AUS$1000, and the super dooper one lists around $1600, I haven't seen any discounts on those. I believe it's about three aussie dollars to the pommie pound. That's about the same price as a BOL Asko, about the same a a mid-range Bosch and cheaper than any Miele I've seen.
The Direct Drive motor will be a flat disc-style motor directly behind the drum - where the big pulley would be on a normal belt-driven FL. I haven't seen inside an LG but I believe it is the same as the F&P smart drive motor. There is probably a photo of it at www.fp.com.au. There may be a photo of the LG one at an LG website???
Chris.
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Post# 15946-3/30/2002-06:19 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (benefits of direct drive)
MESSAGE: sorry, I forgot your last question.
The expected benefits of direct drive SHOULD be:
-Extremely quiet
-reliable
-exceptionally low power consumption
-simple to control the motor, possibly allowing tricks that would be difficult with more conventional technology. (for example, it should in theory be possible to have the drum change direction almost instantly giving a vigorous burst of activity inside, rather than pausing between tumbles. Doubt if anyone does this yet, though.)
-able to leap tall buildings with a single bound.
Chris.
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Post# 15947-3/30/2002-06:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: 'it probably means that the 16-year-old Saturday workers in Currys and Comet already know more than I do.'
Kirk, no, no, no, no, no. In my experience, the pimply yooves employed by these bastions of the high street are in dire need of arse and elbow stickers - and even then would still struggle to differentiate the two. You would run rings wound them any day.
Go on, have a laugh, go into one of these stores and try asking a question or 2. If you ever manage to attract ones attention (its nothing personal, why would they want to be bothered with customers when they have mates to chat with, the latest toys in store to play with, tough if the customer wants to see these toys, and of course they have very urgent text messages to read and send). So assumming you have caught ones attention, ask a question, however simple, you will get a look that suggests you have landed from Mars and a grunted reply of either 'Who?' or 'I dunno know, its not my department!' Really, I suppose, its not the kids fault, the stores employ them because they are cheap, and obviously do no customer skills or product training - though you do wonder whether the parents have taught them basic social skills - its just about shifting boxes and making lots of profit on extended warranties.
PS Glorious day in the UK isn't it. I have 3 loads on the line and a fourth on the way, some is already dry. It is so hot, I am in shorts and will be off out soon.
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Post# 15948-3/30/2002-06:49 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (benefits of direct drive)
MESSAGE: The commercial washers I've used at launderettes turn directions without any pauses. Are they direct drive?
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Post# 15949-3/30/2002-06:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (lg fl's)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
Thanks for the info. Direct drives sounds like the way to go.
Miele dont trumpet programme customisation other than the standard option modifiers. I saw no mention the full 'behind the scenes' re-programming available before I purchased, it was a pleasant surprise.
Sound like Aussie Mieles are in teh price range teh UK ones were a few years ago, in the UK, BOL Miele can now compete on price with TOL H*tp*!nt, Hoover et al.
Richtoo
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Post# 15950-3/30/2002-06:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (benefits of direct drive)
MESSAGE: Surg,
I doubt it. Commercial FLs usually have gear boxes, you can hear the 'thunk' betwixt wash and spin. Maybe the non-pause change of direction is down to a cam in the gear box. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will enlighten.
Richtoo
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Post# 15951-3/30/2002-06:57 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: If you look on the Comet and Currys website, you'll see the new models and they say that the load size is 5kg. The model numbers have now changed from WF_2_60 to WF_2_62. The newer range also doesn't have the reduced ironing option, instead it has a spin speed reduction option. The spinspeed/rinsehold selector has been taken away.
I'm still going with Hoover, as it's the only one with a 6kg washing load. It also has a 6kg matching dryer, and the set should cost me around £450. I'm also going with it as it has a 1500rpm spinspeed, other models at this price only spin at around 1000-1200rpm. And it was the previous Quattro and Performa ranges that had the problems with suspension, I checked the suspension in Comet and it was (nearly as) solid as a Miele. It is Hotpoint whose suspension is crap - I don't know about you but when I pull the drum forwards and backwards on mine (as to test the bearings) the drum makes a hell of a springing noise. The new Hoover should also be good, as apparently their current range is made in Germany. Tell me if that's wrong.
I would love a Miele, still. But there are some things one can't get. Oh well, one can dream!
from surgilator
p.s. as you've got a TOL Bosch, Kirk, do you know what the reduced creasing cycle does? I think that it was called IBS on the older range yours falls into.
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Post# 15952-3/30/2002-06:59 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (benefits of direct drive)
MESSAGE: Hi herr miele
One thing I love about commercial washers is the high pitched whirring they make as they wind up to the spin cycle. What about you?
from surg
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Post# 15953-3/30/2002-07:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Re: LG Appliances)
MESSAGE: Herr_miele,
Howzit going? I read your other post about young and clueless little chickadees in retail and totally sympathize. I am just wondering if the trend started in the UK, 'cause if it did, I hold your mob responsible. It is actually worse when one deals with older, supposedly mature and informed professionals and, still, there is no quality in the service to speak of. Here, when you go into a business, quite often the staff, who work there, will act as if they are doing you the biggest favor by simply doing what they are paid for. When I happen upon staff who are dedicated, helpful and knowledgeable, I really appreciate it, because it is such a rarity today.
Now, lets talk LG. I have surfed the Ozzie web and provided a link to LG's website for Australia. As I have discovered, the internet washers and microwaves are not actually available for another 12 months. The stainless steel internet fridges have been advertised on tv, but are strangely missing from the website. Anyway, have a look at it when you can, because it gives you an idea regarding what we are expected to pay and what is actually available here.
Cheers big ears
LINK: http://www.lge.com.au
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Post# 15954-3/30/2002-08:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: I started off at Dixons as a Christmas worker, so I know exactly what you mean. Most of the casual staff just made things up as they went along, instead of learning about their products. Once they ran out of things to read off the display ticket, they were stuck LOL.
But, checking the Currys website this morning, I see the new Bosch models are listed there. So, yes, the staff at Currys do know more than I do, and I work for Bosch!
I read the product descriptions on the Currys website, and noted that all the Bosch machines now say 5kg capacity. Whether they've gone to a smaller drum, or just reduced the capacity claims, I don't know. Possible that the website may be wrong, too, as there are several mistakes on some of the product pages. Hopefully I'll find out for sure soon enough.
Good to see the weather getting better, isn't it? Hopefully the sunshine will stick around for a while this year.
*****
Post# 15955-3/30/2002-08:30 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surg,
Thanks for the additional info on the new Bosch range - that's a big help :o)
The current Hoover lineup is made in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The design of the machine, as well as all the parts, are the same as those used by Candy. Both Hoover and Candy are identical machines, aesthetics aside. The only real difference is that Candy is made in Italy.
Not to pee on your bonfire, but I would have to admit that we get more problems with Hoover machines than we do Hotpoint. Should anything go wrong, service is dreadful, too. At that particular price point, I would suggest Zanussi. You still get the big load capacity and the electronic controls. Perhaps not quite as fast a spin speed, but the reliability is excellent.
The Bosch IVS/Reduced Ironing system is similar to AEG Variomatic. It spins in stages, tumbling between each phase to shake out creases and redistribute the load. It also reduces the spin speed to a level which doesn't set in deep creases. I normally use it for things like shirts, which crease easily and don't need a really fast spin.
*****
Post# 15956-3/30/2002-08:52 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: I don't mind about servicing, I can do that myself. My dad also has a friend who owns a Hoover Spare Parts store locally, so that's mainly why I've gone for the Hoover.
I also came across a 1500rpm Blomberg whilst looking around in Comet for £330, which looked quite good. But I'm not too sure about servicing, as it's a brand unknown to the country. I'm sure it's a big company in Germany.
Kirk, which electrical store do you work at? And just out of interest, what area in Lincoln do you live in?
from the surgilator
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Post# 15957-3/30/2002-08:56 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Testosterone and Frigid aires! (CR's Evaluations)
MESSAGE: You are correct, sir. Even the helical drive Maytags were much better extractors than the belt drive Whirlpool/Kenmores or GEs of that era. But, that's another area where CR lacked objectivity. The "Whirlmores" were not downgraded because of their poor extraction, yet the well-performing Norge was dinged because its highly-effective tub brake clanked. Go figure....
The GE's unique "glorchata glorchata" agitation action which had a longer forward stroke than it's backward stroke, did an excellent job of rollover. The filter-flow lint filter was also much more effective than the placebo, self-cleaning, underwater lint filters of some of today's machines.
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Post# 15958-3/30/2002-09:05 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: I'm going with Hoover because of the spin speed!
I rememeber my mum's first automatic was one of the old Hoovers with the sqaure doors, and it had a dial and three cycle selection buttons. It washed and rinsed well and it surprisingly spun well too seeming as the speed was only 1100rpm. It had an interesting way of programming it. You had to select the temperature on the dial, then you pressed either the circle for normal wash/fast spin speed, the half circle for synthetics wash/rinse hold and the triangle wool symbol for woollens/short spin. I also found it interesting to watch, as it did a low level wash, then it filled up to high level for the first rinse without draining the water! I also remember the high pitched whistling it made when it went into spinning cycle. These were the true Hoovers of everyone's minds! I wish Hoover still made them! Anyway, mum had this one for about 12 years (since 1982)with only the drum having to be replaced once and the bearings and brushes every few years. Otherwise, this machine was a beauty for reliability. She dumped it in 1994 finally as the timer broke and bought herself a Creda Supaspeed, and boy she was dissapointed with that. (It was the same model that I bought two years later).
I sincerely hope that the new Hoovers are like the old one of my childhood memories.
from surgilator
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Post# 15959-3/30/2002-11:12 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Coming soon to a laundromat near you. Unimatic1140 starring in: LAUNDRY ROOM. Robert has a secret obsession. He loves appliances and he has a basement full of them. Three gangsta thugs break into his house and he locks himself in the laundry room, knowing full well that what the thugs want are in the laundry room.
Rated W for water drama, explicit lid-up agitation and full sudsing.
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Post# 15960-3/30/2002-11:53 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: jason,
LOL you are truly a unique person, you must be the life of the party!!
geoff
*****
Post# 15961-3/30/2002-12:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: LOL!
But, "secret" obsession?
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Post# 15962-3/30/2002-13:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: You cannot possibly imagine how inspired I am to have been encouraged in such a manner by such a personage. I feel like such a Lucky Guy.
But seriously, what are they thinking, hooking up a fridge to the Internet? Do they really think anyone is really going to stand there surfing the web, while other household members are waiting, fuming, to get at the cold drinks? At least with a washer you could download new washing cycles from the internet. With a fridge, I'm at a loss to guess the functional application.
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Post# 15963-3/30/2002-13:37 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Internet-aware appliances)
MESSAGE: Shopping!
When the 'fridge runs out of snackies, it orders more!
HP has printer that will order a new cartridge when it needs one.
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Post# 15964-3/30/2002-15:00 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: What - - no overflow rinsing?????
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Post# 15965-3/30/2002-15:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: In that case, if you can provide service and spares yourself, all the better. In fact, that applies to any washer. Better to use your own capabilities than pay extortionate callout fees!
The Blomberg is made by Brandt. This machine is produced in Germany, although Brandt is a French company. They were formerly known as Ocean, and if I remember correctly, belong to the same group of companies as Moulinex.
FYI, I live just on the outskirts of the city centre. As to which store I work at, that can vary from day to day, depending on where my rep puts me - I'm what's called a "multi-location consultant", which sounds like a high-powered job but isn't LOL. Usually I end up in the Newark area for the most part, hence the well-used Railcard.
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Post# 15966-3/30/2002-15:50 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: Yep, the older Hoovers were excellent washers. My aunt had a Hoover EcoLogic up until about a year ago, which was one of the last "true" Hoovers. I don't know what happened to it, but she now has a Hotpoint Aquarius Extra. Time will tell how that holds up.
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Post# 15967-3/30/2002-15:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out!
MESSAGE: Exactly what I was thinking, too! The washer does sound very functional indeed, and something which I could see myself getting some use from. But in my opinion, the fridge just uses internet technology for the sake of it. I'd sooner use my laptop to access the net than stand in front of a fridge and do it.
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Post# 15968-3/30/2002-16:58 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Internet-aware appliances)
MESSAGE: Yes, exactly Dad! Not only will this new fridge order new snackies, once the old ones have been eaten, but it will also raise awareness of supermarket specials and supposedly help save on the grocery bills. If this fridge feels unwell, it will ring the appliance doctor to come by and fix it. With a new internet fridge one won't need a separate tv set in the kitchen, because, whilst cooking up that special meat loaf, 'Days of our Lives' or 'General Hospital'can still provide the essential background ambiance without taking up any valuable counter space. If one wishes to spice up ones meat loaf dish, instead of sticking with mom's ole' recipe, Martha Stewart is only as far away as the fridge door. For a bit of added spice why not have Jeff Striker and Chi Chi LaRue hide the salami on your very own LCD screen, just like Sudsie suggested?
Imagine what kind of a world we are going to live in, we will never have to leave home again and interact with bothersome people - wow, I've got to get me one right now. Of course they won't tell you about CENTRAL CONTROL keeping an internet eye on you and your family to make sure that life with your new fridge is going to be as fulfilling as it should be. Oh, what a brave new world.
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Post# 15969-3/30/2002-17:18 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Internet-aware appliances)
MESSAGE: To take this whole internet appliance business even further, with a new internet washer, THEY will probably be able to take separate DNA samples from the dirty wash water via a new built-in sensor. This way our health can be monitored 24/365 and our respective tax agencies will be kept up to date about how many individuals are occupying our homes, at any given time, to eliminate tax evasion.
No need for costly sensus surveys, and just think how much this would help lawenforcement, as harboring a criminal in ones home and doing their laundry will alert the authorities to their whereabouts.
This way the respective instances can be notified automatically by the washer, if one's laundry habits are bad and valuable resources are being wasted as a result. Then the authorities can organize laundry re-education for the perpetrating individual.
*****
Post# 15970-3/30/2002-17:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Is this going to be a Colt Studio production?
*****
Post# 15971-3/30/2002-17:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Is this going to be a Colt Studio production?
*****
Post# 15972-3/30/2002-17:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: I can jsut imagine Unimatic being pushed down on the open Frigidaire by the thugs and being pounded from both ends, oooohhhhaaaaahhhhoooohhhh I can't hold on, think I just......better go now.
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Post# 15973-3/30/2002-18:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Bosch 5kg models and Hoover AL150)
MESSAGE: Hi Surge
Thanks for confirming it was the older Hoovers with suspension problems. I was just nosing round the Hoover website to see where the wahers are made, could not find it sorry, but spotted that they make a 7kg washer, ideal for a size queen.
One day your Miele will come, all teh best things are worth waiting for. Don't beat yourself up, enjoy that new Hoover, it has a drum larger than the Miele anyway.
You gave me a chuckle with the Bosch IBS, Kirk has already explained Bosch 'IVS', but I just have to point out that IBS is short for Iritable Bowel Syndrome.
Richtoo
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Post# 15974-3/30/2002-18:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Re: LG Appliances)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I am good, we are having warm sunny spring weather here which is always cheering after a grey miserable winter, how are you?
I had a look at the LG web site ( are they still Lucky Goldstar as I remember) I can understand an internet washer and fridge, but why a microwave?
Richtoo
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Post# 15975-3/30/2002-18:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: 'oooohhhhaaaaahhhhoooohhhh' is Ed there too, what is he doing?
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Post# 15976-3/30/2002-18:36 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (benefits of direct drive)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
I rarely get to use commercial machines, only really for duvets these days. When I had to use laundryettes, it was TLs and I just could not get good results try as I might, so I gave up and did laundry by hand for months, not too bad as I had a posser, access to a spin dryer & tumble dryer, but no hot water so it was all boiling kettles - noy can teh UK be backward at times, this was early 80s.
When I do my duvet, the laundryette I use is all FL now, 16lb & 25lb Primus washers and a wonderful 35lb Wascarator for duvets. I love the all stainless steel construction, the industrial look, the wash action and sounds and short cycles, would quite like one for home. But, I wold miss a heater, decent cycle selection, longer cycle options, decent spin performance if I had to use one regularly.
And I have never had my laundryette dream come true, of being there when a gorgeous guy does a Nick Kamen - with my luck if it happened it would be a bloke who looked more like one of those commedians advertising the cheep lager in a ripp off of the 501 ad.
By the way, does anyone know what those wonderful blue, tilt drum barrel-fronted washers were in that ad? I am sure that they are the same FLs as on the pic on someones website which featured a laundryette with Frigidaire TLs under a sign saying 'Dryest Spin in Town' on one wall and blue FLs looking like cannons on teh opposite wall.
Richtoo - boy do I waffle on, anyone still here?
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Post# 15977-3/30/2002-18:46 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
I challenge you to still want a TL if you were paying exhorbitant UK water and fuel costs. In my region, water is £1.20 US$2 per cubic metre (1000Litres or 263 US Gallons), that is the supply and remove charge combined if you have a meter. Luckily I do not have a meter. With UK bills, the less water electricity or gas it uses the better. Also with our tiddly houses and flats, a TL would be rather a centrepiece. If I installed on in my laundry, I would not be able to have a dryer or get into the kitchen.
A question if I may, just how old is the desing of the Whirlpool 'wonderous marvel of modern engineering' that is sold in the UK? I sure is not a Calypso.
Richtoo
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Post# 15978-3/30/2002-19:17 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Hi Herr-Miele,
It's nice to hear that the weather is getting warmer over there. My parents were in northern Germany only a couple of weeks back and said it was absolutely hateful. Lots of icey cold, stormy and rainy weather, not a sunny day once in the four weeks that they were there. Must admit though, this Easter weekend isn't shaping up to be that crash hot in Sydney either. I think autumn is here with a vengeance. Its been around 20 to 22 degrees (brrrr) during the day and about 17 at night, plus its been raining cats and dogs for the last 2 days. From Wednesdey to Friday we've been having lots of storms - that was nice at least. They are predicting slightly warmer days with temps expected to hit 28 degrees by Wednesday. Naturally always when one has to be back at work or, as in my case, uni.
Talking about utility prices and bills, I think in Sydney we pay about 90 cents per kilo liter plus sewerage and service charges on top. I actually posted something about our utility/energy costs two or so weeks back. I have made some calculations of what using a 5 kg front loader versus my current 6 kilo top loader would save me in dollars every year. Assuming the front loader uses 80 liters per complete cycle against the 140 literes of my TL I worked it out to be approximately twenty or thirty bucks a year - hardly worth losing sleep over. I still reckon that toilet flushing, hosing the garden and pre-rinsing my dishes uses so much more.
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Post# 15979-3/30/2002-19:23 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (LG)
MESSAGE: Isn't it now 'Life is Good'?
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Post# 15980-3/30/2002-19:35 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Actually, I'm nowhere near being the "life" of the party. I'm pretty shy in person.
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Post# 15981-3/30/2002-19:35 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Well, maybe not "secret". I just threw that in to make it look interesting.
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Post# 15982-3/30/2002-20:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: GEmana??
MESSAGE: I was at the Home Depot today (I believe it's called Expo or Lowe's or something in some parts of the country; anyway, big store with all kinds of stuff in it) and there were Amana washers that said GE on them. Is THIS the new GE washer we've been told was coming? I know they were Amana washers because the controls are exactly the same, as are the tub and agitator, and I had just seen a newer Amana washer at the Best Buy the week before.
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Post# 15983-3/30/2002-21:28 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana??
MESSAGE: I saw a similar thing, except it was with a Maytag logo on it. Since Amana is leaving the world of residential laundry, many of their washers are now sporting new names, such as GE and Maytag.
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Post# 15984-3/30/2002-21:33 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Hi again mein Herr,
I don't know how old they are (those TL Whirlpools). I remember that the control panel in its present form was available in the US about three or four years ago. It wouldn't even surprise me if the current Whirly TL's, sold here and in the UK, weren't even made in the US now. The control panels on current US machines are much nicer to look at, but what is new about that? Anyway, if you want to check out the Australian Whirlpool site, link below.
I am completely off Whirlpool Australia precisely for the claims they make regarding their Italian and German made appliances. I would never buy Italian made, EVER!!!, and if I want German I get a Miele!!! The way things are going right now, with the overpriced shite that is being brought to market here, I'll probably end up buying vintage in the future.
I know there are a lot of US folk visiting this site, who like to knock contemporary American design, workmanship and quality, well I suppose when one is used to a very high standard it is easy to lose one's perspective. Over there the introduction of European appliances has enhanced consumer choice plus comparative shopping and not reduced the availablility of American made and designed, unfortunately the opposite applies here.
The new Whirlpool cooking appliances on sale in Oz are cheap and nasty rubbish, but very expensive, it really is such a rip off. Whirlpool products of 20 years ago were of infinitely higher quality than anything they are throwing at us today.
Anyway, I've got that off my chest, it's just that I went to the Whirlpool site to get the link and had a quick read about their product claims, which was a mistake - I am sorry, I didn't mean to berate you.
LINK: http://www.whirlpool.com.au
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Post# 15985-3/30/2002-21:35 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana??
MESSAGE: Scott, in this neck of the woods, Home Depot and Lowe's are separate entities. And of course, there is also Expo Design Center, which is an upscale Home Depot. There were a few Builder's Squares, but they're all gone, I think.
I think it was at a Home Depot recently, I saw a Whirlpool "commercial" laundry pair. I didn't look very closely, actually. The washer had a few pushbuttons for cycle/fabric selection, and the Surgilator was NOT dual-action, more like the original DD agitator. The dryer had a few buttons for temp selection (I think), and a little lever that cranked a timer (I could hear it ratchet) for 15-minute time intervals.
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Post# 15986-3/30/2002-21:49 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: You are right mein Herr, no Calypsos available outside of the US. Maybe they still want to see how well the product fares in their own marketplace and if this new wash technology develops any major glitches in the short to medium term. When I contacted Whirlpool Australia about the Calypso they simply said that there were no plans to bring 'em out here at all. When I asked why, they said that it was because of the control panel design not being compatible with Australian electric standards - but that was just a brush-off. Touch controls and microchips run off 12 volts, so I don't see why there should be a compliance problem and anyway, they can always bung a different control panel on the machine once it gets here, even if it is just to satisfy uniquely Australian tastes.
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Post# 15987-3/30/2002-21:58 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana??
MESSAGE: Hi Dad,
Lowe's over here only sell apparel not appliances or anything else. They are a pretty good discount store though.
So, you guys reckon that GE washers exist by name only and they are actually made by Amana. I have always thought that Amana and Speed Queen washers look too much alike for it to be co-incidental. But I can't imagine that Maytag would source from somewhere else. Contrary to some people's opinions I quite like the Performa, Atlantis and Neptune washers by Maytag, they look pretty sturdy and I really like the control panels with their rotary dials (particularly the color scheme), they are quite stylish. We don't have the touch screen Neptunes here, I think they actually look a little garish, but that is a matter of personal taste.
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Post# 15988-3/30/2002-22:15 ||| scottdamit (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: Sounds scandelous!
SD
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Post# 15989-3/30/2002-22:41 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Blue Cannons)
MESSAGE: It's me again mein Herr,
This is your lucky day, I am trying to do this assignment and keep getting distracted with all these apparent diversions that keep taking on precedence in the priority stakes, it's turning out to be a loosing battle.
RE the 501 ad, that is soooo ancient, when that came out you must've still been a little wee spermy in your daddies gonads.
Gawd, I do remember the washer, we had a very vintage laundromat in West Ryde (Sydney suburb), about 15 years or so ago. It was a Westinghouse Laundromat and their machines were of the same type that you described. Sadly, I never actually went in there to do a wash just to get to use these machines, but I reckon the place must have been there in its unchanged form since the 1950's.
Unfortunately they tore it down, although they probably should have declared it a national treasure. As a matter of interest, there are hardly any commmercial laundromats around that use front loaders, 99.9 % of them use either Maytag or Speed Queen TL's.
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Post# 15990-3/30/2002-22:41 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: The current Whirlpool TL design (direct drive) has been around since 1980, I think. Some of our American members are bound to be able to either confirm or correct that. I believe it was introduced under the moniker "Design 2000".
All these washers, and the respective matching dryers, are manufactured in the US. Their control panels all say "Made in U.S.A." on the front.
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Post# 15991-3/30/2002-22:53 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: I know what those thugs want. They want that little clown stick figure that you attach to the pulsator and it does this cool dance and kids eyes get real big and the salesman smiles and motions to Dad, "Sir, what I write this up for you now?".
Except the joke's on them. Uni never even bid for that clown. Who, the reader wonders, has it now?
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Post# 15992-3/30/2002-22:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: I'd agree that the brush-off Whirlpool gave you is nonsense. After all, Maytag are bringing the touchscreen Neptune to the UK, which has 230v 50hz power like Australia. There's no reason why Whirlpool couldn't do the same thing.
The Calypso would fill an important gap in the market over here, and no doubt in Australia, too. Big capacity, yet frugal with water, and in a TL format for those of us who prefer that. I'd buy one for sure!
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Post# 15993-3/30/2002-23:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I actually have a suspicion that the particular TL models that Whirlpool sells in the UK/Aus, may be surplus stock from a discontinued line and that they move very slowly as a sales item. Perhaps, once that stock has been sold can we expect the Calypso to be imported.
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Post# 15994-3/30/2002-23:10 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: This sounds very interesting, can you elaborate please?
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Post# 15995-3/30/2002-23:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: The thugs are the dream police, sent to fix a tear in the fabric of space and time. They are from a parallel universe, from whence the dancing pulsator clown once escaped. They all use the same portal to come and go, it's called www.ebay.com.
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Post# 15996-3/30/2002-00:09 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Kirk, I believe the direct drive design first appeared in 1983 only on certain models, and was expanded to encompass the entire line about 1986.
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Post# 15997-3/30/2002-00:09 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry Room
MESSAGE: I know who has it, but I'll never tell! ;-)
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Post# 15998-3/30/2002-00:22 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: I think these models are all current, it's just that they're different models to those sold in the US. Whirlpool produce them specifically for export purposes, to work on 230v/50hz power. When the US models switched from the angled control panel to the curved one, the export models sold in the UK followed suit shortly after.
The LSQ8000 top loader, however, is also a US model. Only difference I can tell from the website, besides the power specs, is that the American version has a white porcelain basket, whereas the UK model has spreckle. Other than that, it's identical, and still very much a current model.
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Post# 15999-3/30/2002-00:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification, Scott. I was guessing sometime around the early 80s, but couldn't remember exactly what I'd read somewhere.
Didn't know that the direct drive design only appeared on select models at first. Probably to test the waters, so to speak, before switching over completely.