***** Post# 16000-3/30/2002-01:26 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Kenmore DD)
MESSAGE: Unless I'm mistaken, Sears sold the direct drive design under their Kenmore label for a short while before Whirlpool had it in their own line.
***** Post# 16001-3/31/2002-02:42 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Kenmore DD)
MESSAGE: Actually, it was Whirlpool who had the direct drive washer in the 24" model under the name *Design 2000* before it was introduced into the Kenmore line. It had a two piece straight vane agitator before they put the dual action agitator in these machines.
***** Post# 16002-3/31/2002-03:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (lg fl's)
MESSAGE: I too am quite impressed by the LG front loaders. They are pretty popular too. The new model with its larger 180' opening door is very nice. ANd i like how there is a separate button for number of rinses and spin speeds and further options.
A very versatile machine and efficent too.
Much better than there top loading models.
***** Post# 16003-3/31/2002-04:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (C'mon Surge be daring!)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
Sounded to me more like you were berating Oz WP, not me.
Looks like you get the same WP washers we get in the UK, though you get more models. I think we get more dryer models though, as we get a gas dryer too. I noticed that OZ WP dryers have window doors, though the aesthetics are questionable.
I think that slipping quality standards are endemic these days and effect most/all manufacturers. Its all about max profit, so long lived appliances are not desirable, as selling new ones maxes the profits.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16004-3/31/2002-05:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Blue Cannons)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
Have a made a typo in my profile, or do you have me confused with Surg or Kirk? You have a time ot two made reference to my youth, but I can assure you, I am not so young, I am a proud World Cup babe, and thusly only a year or three younger than your good self.
Did you see the 501 ad in Oz or where you in US or Europe at the time? Great ad wasn't it. Were the washers really Westinghouse Laundromats? I did not reallise that Laundromats came in a cannon-fronted version.
Sound like Oz and Pom laundryettes are reversed, we had mainly TL till a few years ago, now nealy all are FL. I guess it followed water metering for commercial premises. The launderette that I use occassionally, has recently removed its last 2 TLs and replaced them with a 35lb Wascomat and a third 25lb Primus FL.
Richtoo
Richtoo
***** Post# 16005-3/31/2002-05:12 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana??
MESSAGE: Hi again Bubs
I too love the rotary dial Neptune, it is one on the most stylish washers ever, in my oppinion. When one arrived at work, a cow-orker and I stood there stroking it and cooing about how beautiful it is. The colour scheme of teh controls is very smart. I must admit that, from phots only, I don't like the look of the touch screen Neptune as much, still can't wait to actually see one though.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16006-3/31/2002-06:02 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: holiday wishes
MESSAGE: Good morning Applianceville and best wishes for this Easter holiday!
***** Post# 16007-3/31/2002-06:13 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (LG)
MESSAGE: The company name is now just LG, I believe.
It was previously Lucky Goldstar.
"Life's Good" is just their advertising slogan. (and a pretty crappy one too.)
Chris
***** Post# 16008-3/31/2002-06:17 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Hello again mein Herr)
MESSAGE: Yeah, funnily enough I keep thinking that you are significantly younger, hence I must have your profile confused with someone else's. In fact I think it may even be arrrooohhh's, because he is just a little babe in the woods. I must be getting old. Why the association? Only the neurons in my brain know that one, I wouldn't even begin to hazzard a guess. It might be because he also has a thing for Miele fl's and he has been very naughty (read post 16002, very last sentence), I think he is trying to coax me, that beastly boy. I would rather like to twig his little behind to make him see the error of his ways. No, actually I would rather like to stick him into one of those LG front loaders, since they are large capacity that shouldn't be a problem and put him through a boil wash and a super fast spin. That should exorcise his insolence.
In regards to that cool Levis ad, I think that came out during the late eighties(?) and I was well and truly established in Sydney by that stage.
If those cannonesque washers were Westinghouse, I don't know for sure. I never got real close to them as I only saw them through the laundromat's window and obviously, being rather rare and unusual, they caught my attention. I do remember that the establishment was called 'Westinghouse Laundromat', hence my assumption, also because Westinghouse was one of the few American companies that specialized in coin operated front loaders pre 1980's, unlike most of the other American brands. Perhaps one of our American friends can shed some ligth on this, perhaps gansky might volunteer his expert opinion, if he happens to read this post. I believe that this type of washer dates from the late fifties and sixties. I am pretty sure that a picture of such a machine may be contained in one of the many member photo albums or may have already been posted as POD quite a while back. Anyway, I am sure it will all come out in the wash.
Regardig laundromats, I don't think that front loaders have ever been popular in Australia, at least until recently. Even those Australian CR's that date back to 1963 and 1971/2 show clearly that there was never a glut of front loading washers on the market here. This was also the case when I got here in 1980, front loaders were usually hidden in the darkest and dustiest corner of every electrical appliance retail outlet (and rightfully so, blasted things) and top loaders stood in the limelight as they should.
***** Post# 16009-3/31/2002-06:21 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (lg fl's)
MESSAGE: You are a very bad little boy arrrooohhh, shame on you!
***** Post# 16010-3/31/2002-06:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (LG)
MESSAGE: Thanks mate!
***** Post# 16011-3/31/2002-06:48 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: Thank you Kirk,
Looking at both the American and Australian WP sites I see what you mean. BTW the Australian WP machines have the white porcelain baskets, not the speckles. It is curious that they should be making a different enamel for the British market especially since the white looks more attractive (in my opinion at least).
I would still love to know why Whirlpool refuses to export the Calypso to Australia. They wouldn't find a readier market for their product. E-mailing them I'd be lucky to get some cursory response within 4 weeks, phoning them they pretend not to know what I am talking about, " the Calypso washer?" "Uh, we don't sell that one here - it isn't part of our product line. You will have to contact Whirlpool in the States."
I have sent an e-mail to Whirlpool USA, but the yanks don't even bother responding (they are worse than the Australians), probably because they don't even know where Australia is (lol)and why anyone would want to enquire about their products from there. Maybe they couldn't understand my accent.
***** Post# 16012-3/31/2002-07:04 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: Yes, that is rather odd. I would have thought it would involve far less expense and bother just to make all models exactly the same way. The only Whirlpool TL to have the white basket over here is the GSC9455. The LSQ8000 and LBR8543 both have spreckle.
I don't mind the spreckle - it's actually brighter in colour than I first imagined. Having said that, the white has a simple, "clean" look to it which I'm quite keen on.
***** Post# 16013-3/31/2002-07:31 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (1986)
MESSAGE: 1986... The year the music died.
The direct drive washers came in the middle of 86. Torn clothes, broken couplers and all.
***** Post# 16014-3/31/2002-07:33 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: holiday wishes
MESSAGE: YAY! And same to you.
And lots of marshmellow peeps, colored eggs, heavenly hash, gold bricks, pecan logs and chocolate bunnies until you puke.
***** Post# 16015-3/31/2002-08:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: holiday wishes
MESSAGE: And don't forget the Creme Eggs!
***** Post# 16016-3/31/2002-10:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: holiday wishes
MESSAGE: Happy Easter to Leslie and all!
***** Post# 16017-3/31/2002-11:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: Kirk / Bubs
Do you think maybe UK gets spreckle as it looks more like metal hence suggesting a greater strength and looking more like the SS we are used to, whereas the white might look more plasticy (I know its porcelained metal, but I am thinking of marketing perception)
Richtoo
***** Post# 16018-3/31/2002-11:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (LG)
MESSAGE: Thanks Chris,
Shame the dropped the Lucky Goldstar, which, if I knew anything about such things, I would think sounded like a porn starlet.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16019-3/31/2002-11:13 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: holiday wishes (Happy Easter)
MESSAGE: Good morning Leslie, Thanks for the Easter wishes, the same to you and all of Applianceville. Enjoy the day. Terry
***** Post# 16020-3/31/2002-11:18 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Water)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs, you old charmer.
I do, of course, look much younger than my rapidly advancing years.
I did read Harry's post, brave boy playing with fire like that.
Found an interesting doc, link below, but allow me to quote the relevant bit -
'It is highly likely that water will become a critical resource issue in many parts of the developed world early in the 21st century. The current average water availability in England and Wales is 1400 m3/person/year which is already rated as ‘low’ by the World Resources Institute and is seven times less than the average availability in the USA. Some regions of the UK (London at 250m3/person/year) are already rated as ‘very low’.'
Maybe this will explain why we try to be careful with water in the UK and as such use FLs. By extrapolation though, it would seem that US, and likely Oz could use water with gay abandon, TLs and extra rinse cycles to the fore!
***** Post# 16021-3/31/2002-12:24 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: I'm not really sure, to be honest. One thing for sure is that Whirlpool tout the white porcelain finish as a "premium" feature, and therefore only offer it on the TOL model over here.
The plastic basket on the Maytag Admiral washer would definitely put me off. I'd worry too much about zippers and buttons gouging chunks out of it during the wash. The SS basket on the Atlantis, on the other hand, is spot-on. But, unfortunately, it retails around the £750 price range, which is ridiculous, despite being a very nice washer. No way does it cost that much to put an SS basket in a washer! IMHO, all top loaders would be better off for having one.
***** Post# 16022-3/31/2002-14:02 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Design 2000)
MESSAGE: Yes, my grandmother had a Design 2000 before she got my KA pair. I was working for the Whirlpool dealer from where it was bought at the time they started selling the Design 2000 model. I recall they said that Sears had already been selling the direct drive design for a year or so, but perhaps they were mistaken on that point.
***** Post# 16023-3/31/2002-14:15 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: holiday wishes
MESSAGE: This Yankee wants to know - what is a goldbrick????
***** Post# 16024-3/31/2002-14:18 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Holiday Wishes
MESSAGE: I of course forgot - Happy Easter and a Happy Passover to all of us.........
***** Post# 16025-3/31/2002-15:42 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Mr. Bubbles...........)
MESSAGE: The Amana made GE models you refer to are made for GE by Amana so they can boast that they have models with stainless steel wash tubs and dryer drums just like Amana and select Maytag Atlantis washers. For the most part GE washers are made with plastic tubs by GE. The Amana's are also sold as Maytags in our Sears and Roebuck Dept. Stores because Maytag recently bought Amana from Raytheon Corp., who used to own Speed Queen as well (that is why the Amana's ended uplooking identical to SQ machines and sharing their stainless steel tubs also). The Maytag rep where I work told me the reason for Maytag selling rebadged Amana'a at Sears is because they now have extra capacity to build washers since they took over the Amana plants so they have decided to rebadge the Amana's as Maytag Depenable Care washers and dryers and sell them that way exclusively through Sears' Brand Central appliance branches.
***** Post# 16026-3/31/2002-15:53 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: I would be interested to find out, which top-loading washer do you think has/had the most effective lint filtering system? My favorite is still the Frigidaire 1-18, which pumped water through the filter. The GE Filter-Flo is my second choice, it did the same. What are your thoughts? I think it is more important that lint is dealt with in the washer than in the dryer. (Of course, a gentle yet effective washing action helps also.)
***** Post# 16027-3/31/2002-17:32 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: Whirlpool's MagicMix brush filter was also very effective, and Kenmore's cartridge system. Both were pump-driven filtering systems.
***** Post# 16028-3/31/2002-18:10 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (I am bewildered!)
MESSAGE: Appliguy,
What kind of a world do we live in? Where an Amana is a Maytag, is a GE or a Speed Queen. No wonder so many people now have to be on Prozac, I think I better get myself some too.
The information you were kind enough to share explains why I don't like the current direction of corporate America and international corporatization in general. I think in the short term they create these highly successful oligopolies that ultimatlely rationalize and merge themselves into duopolis and, alas, we know where that leads, which really is against all principles of free and open trade. Of course the ultimate outcome for the consumer is lack of choice.
***** Post# 16029-3/31/2002-20:06 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk.
We had a plastic tub Simpson for years and trust me, zippers and the like never did anything to it. Workclothes with nails and things in the pockets never affected the plastic tub, though not a good idea to having nails washing around in your machine!!!
FUnny how the American makes like Maytag and Whirlpool make such a big deal about a model with stainless steel tubs when all the common brands in Aus, such as Hoover, LG and Fisher&Paykel offer SS tubs as standard.
All the Whirlpool models in Aus have the WHite tub. I didnt know they still made preckle tubs. I love the look of sprekle tubs better than all white. Too much white on washing machines today, WHite contol panesl, knobs, washbowls and agitators make for a distinct lack of colour.
***** Post# 16030-3/31/2002-20:14 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: I emailed Whirlpool too ages ago when the Calyspos first appeared on the US website and they said simply "there are no plans to bring the Calypso to Australia"
You would think that maybe they could set up a demonstration model at one of the home shows or trade exhibitions at the Easter show just to get the public passing by opinion. I am sure a lot of people would be rapt! Price is always an issue though.
I would be first in line to purchase one if it came here that is for sure. i am fascinated by this machine though I am somewhat conerned about rinsing and lint problems i have heard about. I suppose that only my own experience would satisfy my curiosity.
Maybe the mixed reception it has gotten in its home market has made Whirlpool think twice about releasing it elsewhere.
***** Post# 16031-3/31/2002-20:22 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Blue Cannons)
MESSAGE: What about the Levi ad that featured 20th Centruy boy by T REX? Marc Bolan never wore jeans in his life!!!
Slade are pretty cool too!
I really have to get my turntable fixed!
***** Post# 16032-3/31/2002-20:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Mr. Bubbles...........)
MESSAGE: Interesting you should say that...I saw those Mayanas at Sears yesterday too! Just very little brand purity at all these days it seems...
***** Post# 16033-3/31/2002-20:42 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (I SERIOUSLY OBJECT TO THESE COMMENTS)
MESSAGE: "In fact I think it may even be arrrooohhh's, because he is just a little babe in the woods. I must be getting old. Why the association? Only the neurons in my brain know that one, I wouldn't even begin to hazzard a guess. It might be because he also has a thing for Miele fl's and he has been very naughty (read post 16002, very last sentence), I think he is trying to coax me, that beastly boy. I would rather like to twig his little behind to make him see the error of his ways. No, actually I would rather like to stick him into one of those LG front loaders, since they are large capacity that shouldn't be a problem and put him through a boil wash and a super fast spin. That should exorcise his insolence. "
I really dont appreciate the unnessacary rudeness on your part. I have never been so rude to anyone on this site because they are all people I dont know in person and because its just plain bad manners. There is a little ettique not put on this site, the good old "treat others the way you would like to be treated"
The last post in 16002 I said that LG front loaders are better than their top loaders. I said absolutely nothing about Miele FL's. I amnot trying tocoas you into anything. You are perfectly entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Your words imply violence to make me submit tou your opinion and have sexual connontations to them.
This is supposed to be a friendly forum and I feel that I have been threatened and insulted.
I dont care if you reply with your usual responses such as tut tut and naughty nuaghty or that I have a cork up my hinie, I feel that your behaviour is not on and as an intelligent adult I should not be treated this way, never mind how old or young I may be.
***** Post# 16034-3/31/2002-20:45 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives
MESSAGE: I realize that GM sold the Frigidaire appliance brand during the 1980's. The wash technology, for which Frigidaire was famous over in the US as well as here in Oz, has never been seen again since. Is it possible that GM is holding on to these patents?
Considering the effectiveness and popularity (especially) of the pulsator washer, I find it unbelievable that not one appliance manufacturer, neither here, in Asia nor in North America has bothered to re-release this style of machine since. They would have stopped selling pulsator Frigidaires nearly 20 years ago? In all this time agitator washer technologies are still being developed, rediscovered and repackaged. Hence we get systems like the Omega air-injection agitator, the punch+3 agitator, the calypso plate and the turbo tub - not once has the pulsator figured in any shape or form. I find this a little strange.
Thoughts or facts anyone?
***** Post# 16035-3/31/2002-20:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (DRAMA in Applianceville!!!!)
MESSAGE: Spot on Baby!
***** Post# 16036-3/31/2002-21:04 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (DRAMA in Applianceville!!!!)
MESSAGE: I really dont get you. We have different opinions and so do plenty of people here but I feel very unhappy and threatened by you comments. I have never called you names or made patronising comments.
***** Post# 16037-3/31/2002-21:08 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Playing with Fire)
MESSAGE: Playing with fire?
for crying out load all I said was I LIKE LGS FRONT LOADERS BETTER THAN THERE TOP LOADERS.
Here is what I posted in 16002
"I too am quite impressed by the LG front loaders. They are pretty popular too. The new model with its larger 180' opening door is very nice. ANd i like how there is a separate button for number of rinses and spin speeds and further options.
A very versatile machine and efficent too.
Much better than there top loading models."
All I did was express my opinion what is so bad about that. I have not said anything to offend anyone except offer an opinion.
***** Post# 16038-3/31/2002-22:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives
MESSAGE: Well, it wouldn't really matter. Those patents would have run out long ago. Public domain now.
***** Post# 16039-3/31/2002-22:34 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (DRAMA in Applianceville!!!!)
MESSAGE: This is absolutely unfair to all of the Applianceville members regardless of who started it. Seeing that i highly doubt any of us are in kindergarten, this is rediculously juvenile behavior for ADULTS, accent the word ADULTS, to be partaking in. I have always been taught to treat others as you would want to be treated, but it seems some people weren't taught that. Threats, intimidations and idiacy have no place in this forum or anywhere else in the world for that matter. The fact that we really don't know a lot of each other is exactly the reason why people shouldn't throw stones because it doesnt paint a very nice picture. Lets hope this is the LAST time we have to go through this!! After all, wouldnt all that negative energy be better spent on doing good or saying good instead of bringing everyone else down??? Think about it!!
***** Post# 16040-3/31/2002-22:35 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives
MESSAGE: I thought patents only go into the public domain if the owner allows them to lapse (i.e. they are not re-registered)?
***** Post# 16041-3/31/2002-22:41 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (DRAMA in Applianceville!!!!)
MESSAGE: This is not directed at you Arrrroooohhh, sorry if it sounded that way :)
***** Post# 16042-3/31/2002-22:43 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives
MESSAGE: I believe that may be true of other types of intellectual property protection (copywrite, trademark, etc.), but not patents. Patents last 14 years then expire.
LINK: http://www.timestream.com/stuff/neatstuff/mmlaw.html
***** Post# 16043-3/31/2002-22:45 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Offer the white flag!)
MESSAGE: Listen here arrrhhhooo, I don't really know what names you think I called you or what serious and frighteninn threats you perceived in my post. Sorry, if you've had a shitty Easter and lost your sense of humor, but please, don't turn this into a mental health issue and go over the edge on behalf of what I said.
Take it easy
***** Post# 16044-3/31/2002-22:53 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives
MESSAGE: Thanks Ed for the info. Why do you think we haven't seen a pulsator mechanism in the last 20 years?
***** Post# 16045-3/31/2002-23:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire - the patent to the unimatic and multimatic drives (Trademarks and Copyrights)
MESSAGE: Here's an interesting story regarding trademarks and copyrights.
LINK: http://www.guerrillanews.com/cocakarma/
***** Post# 16046-3/31/2002-23:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Offer the white flag!)
MESSAGE: Mr. Bubbles, perhaps you need to take your own advice and chill on the aggressiveness. You've made remarks about others here being youngsters, as if you are the epitome of age and experience. There are, in fact, several here who are older than you, and who conduct themselves with considerably more grace.
I don't see anything naughty or insolent in arrroohhh's Post #16002, or anything that justifies "twigging his behind" or "putting him through a boil wash."
Mr. Bubbles said in Post # 16008 -- Yeah, funnily enough I keep thinking that you are significantly younger, hence I must have your profile confused with someone else's. In fact I think it may even be arrrooohhh's, because he is just a little babe in the woods. I must be getting old. Why the association? Only the neurons in my brain know that one, I wouldn't even begin to hazzard a guess. It might be because he also has a thing for Miele fl's and he has been very naughty (read post 16002, very last sentence), I think he is trying to coax me, that beastly boy. I would rather like to twig his little behind to make him see the error of his ways. No, actually I would rather like to stick him into one of those LG front loaders, since they are large capacity that shouldn't be a problem and put him through a boil wash and a super fast spin. That should exorcise his insolence.
Arrrooohhh's Post # 16002 -- I too am quite impressed by the LG front loaders. They are pretty popular too. The new model with its larger 180' opening door is very nice. ANd i like how there is a separate button for number of rinses and spin speeds and further options.
A very versatile machine and efficent too.
Much better than there top loading models.
***** Post# 16047-4/1/2002-03:08 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Have I really been that bad?)
MESSAGE: Well Dad, post 16008 was actually in response to post 16004 and should be read in its appropriate context, it was also addressed to someone else, was intended to be humorous and ought not to be blown out of all proportion.
I am not aware of being aggressive, nor do I recall dishing out advice. Interesting how you arrived at that conclusion. If you perceived what I said as genuine agression, I really don't think that your interpretation of the word matches mine. I also wasn't referring to others as being youngsters, only to arrrhhhooo, who happens to be 23 years younger than I am (if his birth year is correct), which makes him a youngster. That some of the older members to this site are more graceful than I am is nice and fills me with genuine joy.
If arrrhhhooo wants to feel threatened and unhappy about my post, that is his choice. As far as Geoff is concerned (post 16041), he is defintely off his nut, where does he get off? Really, is that his collective or personal conscience speaking?
Nice touch that red print, gives my post real balls doesn't it, now it really oozes pure anger and aggression (lol).
Don't worry I still think you are cute. Enjoy your Easter break (what's left of it).
Bubbles
***** Post# 16048-4/1/2002-03:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Correction!)
MESSAGE: I meant ot say that arrrhhhooo is 13 years younger than I am, a minor typo.
***** Post# 16049-4/1/2002-03:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Correction!)
MESSAGE: I meant to say that arrrhhhooo is 13 years younger than I am, a minor typo.
***** Post# 16050-4/1/2002-04:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Playing with Fire)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh
Sorry, my mistake, I misread your post, reading it as TLs in general rather than just LG TLs. Re-reading it I see waht you mean in your post.
Bubs does seem very sensitive about any comments that are pro FL or anti TL, which is what I meant by playing with fire.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16051-4/1/2002-07:16 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: Come to think of it, I suppose the plastic tubs are likely to be pretty durable, considering the warranties manufacturers place on them. On the web, I see some companies guarantee their tubs for 10 years, which is probably longer than some of today's machines will last anyway.
Funny about the porcelain/SS thing... over here, people are astounded to see anything other than SS in a washing machine, and are really curious about the porcelain finishes. Obviously it's th other way round in the US, with SS tubs being a bit more unusual there.
***** Post# 16052-4/1/2002-07:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (NO Calypso in Australia either mein Herr!)
MESSAGE: Me too - I'd love to give one a test-drive. From looking at pictures of the machine, you wonder to yourself how it could ever get clothes clean, but one hears some very good reviews of the washer regardless, so it must work.
It's just nice to see something unusual these days, to be honest. I think a lot of creativity and thinking went into this product, which is refreshing to see. Got to give them 10/10 for being inventive.
***** Post# 16053-4/1/2002-07:51 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: POD sewing laundry center
MESSAGE: Boy, what a collection of classics! Cheerful mom and well behaved kids, Pre-GE design Hotpoint porcelain cabinet washer and dryer, Corning-ware percolator, original Singer sewing machine and Herman Miller bikini chair. The height of domestic bliss.....mid 60's style! Too much for April fools!
***** Post# 16054-4/1/2002-08:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Have I really been that bad?)
MESSAGE: Mr Bubbles,
Now that you have popped the question yourself, yes you have been that bad. Now and then I find your behaviour quite rude. You made more than a few attacks on European appliances. That is no problem, but when I posted replies, you didn't even bother answering them although you must have read them.
And yes you were dishing out advice when you advised Surgilator to go with the Whirlpool toploader, you know that he cannot afford that.
Besides that all I find how you talk to arrrooohhh quite annoying. I love gayish remarks on this club (I don't want to start a new discussion here), but remarks with a sexual impact do not belong on this club.
BTW, don't hide behind the fact that you are from Australia, I find the other Australians quite agreeable.
Louis
***** Post# 16055-4/1/2002-08:55 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: After about a 6 month hiatus, Final Touch has returned to my grocery store. There's also new Fresh Breeze Tide. Smells to me like Tide is loosing market share to Gain, and this will get them back in the running.
-ph
***** Post# 16056-4/1/2002-09:00 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (corrigated tubs)
MESSAGE: Has anyone seen the new, plastic, corrigated GE tubs? It almost appears that the tub should index to add washboard action to the standard agitation.
-ph
***** Post# 16057-4/1/2002-09:41 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Sandwashed)
MESSAGE: I find the discussion about plastic tubs interesting. When I lived in Phoenix, in 1996, I bought an Amana T/L with the electronic controls. I was very pleased with the machine and the way it treated the clothes. It did have a stainless steel tub.
I moved to Las Vegas and in the temporary apartment my company placed me in, they had a small, stack GE unit with a plastic tub. After about a month, I noticed, especially my colored t/shirts, they appeared to be fading and discoloring, much like when you buy sandwashed jeans. I ran my hand in the washer's tub, all the holes had a slight roughness to them. As if they were drilled from the outside of the tub to the inside, thus causing an abrasive action.
Luckily I didn't stay in that place much longer. I'm not sure if the full size plastic tubs currently being made would have this same issue. I if someone were to consider buying one, check to see if the wash tub feels smooth inside.
***** Post# 16058-4/1/2002-09:41 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: I think that is a tough one to judge, because the gentleness of the wash action probably played a role in how much lint was generated. That aside, I think the GE filter-flo DEALT with lint in the most effective and trouble free manner. The Frigidaire 1-18 bed of nails design was a pain to clean and if the lint dried in those nails, it was hell to get out. The magic mix brush also had to be combed out while wet, and the "self cleaning filters" on the Kenmore were a horror for those of us whose washer emptied into a sink - invariably, if there was any type of screen or anything across the drain and you were not incredibly diligent about cleaning the drain, you ended up with an overflowing sink. Not as uncommon as one might think if your washer was in the basement - - easy to forget that task........
The only drawback of the filter-flo was that you had to put it on and take it off the agitator or you couldn't load the machine. But still not a real inconvenience.........
***** Post# 16059-4/1/2002-09:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Peter - curious - is Mountain Spring Tide still available in your area? I wonder if the Fresh Breeze Tide is a test market product? Of course we will not see that around here in New England for at least a few months. You may be right, Tide has probably been losing market share to Gain for a while. It performs as well and is priced more attractively. However, for years, Gain was P&G's more price sensitive brand. I don't tend to use Gain because I do like a lower sudsing product, but I have noticed that the price difference between the two has been shrinking and Gain is a bit more expensive now.....
***** Post# 16060-4/1/2002-10:47 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Heavens yes! Mounting Spring is still available. The liquid isn't too bad, but the powder has to go. Sorry if my opinion offends anyone, but MS Tide powder and MS Downy have to be the most rancid stuff on the market. Thankfully, the weather is warming up fine and I can leave the doors open at the 'mat to get that smell out!
There is no mention of this new scent yet at tide.com...
-ph
***** Post# 16061-4/1/2002-11:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: Only thing is Kirk, when I've run my hand along the surface of one of these tubs, over the perforations and such, they feel a bit rough; I wonder if that could cause snagging with certain fabrics? The holes don't seem smooth and rounded like they do on machines with metal or porcelain tubs.
***** Post# 16062-4/1/2002-11:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD sewing laundry center
MESSAGE: ...and then the kids grew up and you went to work for Whirlpool, designing washing machines! What more perfect life could a gal ever ask for? ;-)
***** Post# 16063-4/1/2002-11:06 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Interesting...I'm trying to "picture" in my mind what subtle differences there might be between "Fresh Breeze" and "Bold Mountain Spring".
There is "Fresh Breeze" (or something breeze) Purex at Target where I work, and they've been selling the big bottles for 2.99. I used to use it sometimes in my direct drive Kenmore (except then it was $5 or $6) and it worked great.
***** Post# 16064-4/1/2002-11:08 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Sandwashed)
MESSAGE: Interesting you say that Iron, I've never personally used a plastic tub washer but just remember feeling the inside in a store and thinking the same thing. Snagging came to my mind, but your theory about colors makes perfect sense.
***** Post# 16065-4/1/2002-11:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: I had a later Whirlpool washer for a while with a waterfall filter that had a bed of nails (they must have used that after the brushes and screens, or maybe only Kenmore had screens) anyway, I just took it out of the machine and whacked it against the inside of the laundry tub, and the lint would come off and I could just toss it. When my roommate, who was also known to spill powdered detergent on the agitator much to my chagrin would sometimes forget the filter, I would pull it out and rewet it under the faucet and do the same thing, and it worked out fine. I really like the recirculating filters best in perforated tub machines, regardless of the means used to trap the lint. Our 79 Frigidaire has the Jet Flo filter, and that is easier to empty than the bed of nails.
***** Post# 16066-4/1/2002-11:38 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Purex Tablets for Sir Frigemore and Fab for the Little Lady. And Snuggle in the fabric softener dispenser
***** Post# 16067-4/1/2002-11:40 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: I have to whack my Frigidaire BON filter 5-10 times on the counter to get the lint out, and I usually do it 3-4 times during the cycle -- but then I have to with 5 cats in the house. If I don't, the filter backs up and just overflows out the sides. That said, I think the GE Filter-Flo is the best because it moves and balls it all up, so it doesn't clog. The pump sure does move a good volume of water thru it. The only thing I wonder is if the lint can spin up and out of the pan.
My customers at the 'mat love my GE Filter-Flos. They like to see that the machine is catching stuff, making them feel like their wash is cleaner. I have one spitfire wildwoman who will only use the GE tops and does not like using the lint pans. She thinks other people's dirt has gone thru them and will therefore be transferred to her own wash.
-ph
***** Post# 16068-4/1/2002-11:41 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane (look for the bright blue cap)
MESSAGE: It is less sweet, more of a clean scent quite close to Gain. It has a bold blue cap on the bottle.
-ph
***** Post# 16069-4/1/2002-11:44 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (tear-drop holes in Norgetag)
MESSAGE: Definitely, like they are drilled from the wrong side and then not sanded smooth.
The Norgetags have a nice smooth hole that seems to be part of the tub mold, rather than a drilled afterthought.
-ph
***** Post# 16070-4/1/2002-11:47 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD sewing laundry center
MESSAGE: If someone invented a Time Machine (and I bet that will be invented oneday). We're going to rent a couple and send Robert and some of the 50s enthusiasts back to 1957 and then send another group (including me) back to 1970 so I can admire the multicolored cabinets, the avocado/harvest yellow, and pick up a few 8 tracks to play in my console.
***** Post# 16071-4/1/2002-11:57 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: Hi Peter, with kitties I can see where you might have more lint and hair to contend with, good as it is that something is catching it. The GE style filter, while some don't like having to remove it to load and unload, is probably the easiest to clean.
***** Post# 16072-4/1/2002-11:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane (look for the bright blue cap)
MESSAGE: I'll have to watch for it!
***** Post# 16073-4/1/2002-12:27 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Have I really been that bad?)
MESSAGE: "As far as Geoff is concerned (post 16041), he is defintely off his nut, where does he get off? Really, is that his collective or personal conscience speaking?"
I'm just trying to stand up for the people you've pissed off, THATS where i get off. Im not trying to get involved. Youre comments to aarrrrooohh, were just that, aimed at aarrrroooohh, but, everyone here reads these posts. If they can upset everyone who reads them and not just the person you are aiming at, then yes, you are that bad!!!
***** Post# 16074-4/1/2002-13:43 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: The MagicMix brush did tend to be messy. The fibers got rumpled over time. Handling the lint when wet was icky, and one couldn't wait for it to dry between loads.
However, it was an effective filter. I remember it would catch a light bit of lint on smooth-finished fabrics and delicates, more on towels. I recall washing quilts that were losing the stuffing or throw rugs that were in bad shape, and the filter caught a LOT of debris.
The Filter-Flo certainly was fun, and effective, and easy to clean.
Remember the Speed Queen filter pan at the Minne gathering? There's a video clip of it somewhere. It balled the lint, and was even self-cleaning during the overflow, although I don't know if that was intended in the design. If it was intended, and worked properly, I suppose the lint ball(s) were swept out with the overflow.
***** Post# 16075-4/1/2002-13:48 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: POD sewing laundry center
MESSAGE: Ahh, so the final concensus then is that the machines are Hotpoint?
They still look like Easy to me.
***** Post# 16076-4/1/2002-14:55 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: My '83 Whirlpool also had a "bed of nails" that was also a pain to clean. I couldn't quite see the point. Most of the time I left it alone unless i noticed that the lint clump was interfering with the recirculation flow. You're right the Filterflo lint screen was generally a breeze to clean. It seemed to do a better job of trapping pet hair than the Whirlpool, as well.
Of course, older washers seemed to get buy just fine without any kind of lint filter.
***** Post# 16077-4/1/2002-14:55 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: At the least, it could have a kind of abrasive effect over time, even if it doesn't cause a snag as such. For some reason, there's just something about plastic tubs which I'm a little bit wary of. And it seems like a bit of a shortcut to me, compared to metal.
***** Post# 16078-4/1/2002-15:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (tear-drop holes in Norgetag)
MESSAGE: Yes, the Maytag-produced Admiral washer sold over here has tub perforations like that. Apparently, the fluted shape is there so lint can flow out of the tub, but not back in. Not sure how well it would work, though.
***** Post# 16079-4/1/2002-15:12 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: I agree Kirk. I would never buy a plastic tub machine myself but those were my observations of the ones I've seen in stores. I think I've heard something about there being environmental issues with porcelain, but stainless steel seems a far better alternative to me than plastic.
***** Post# 16080-4/1/2002-15:59 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: Still haven't decided which machine to buy yet. I've been taking my laundry down to the local launderette washing it all at once in a triple load Duplex commercial washer. I just couldn't be bothered to do all separate washes and it only cost me £3. And also I didn't want to spend ages in the horrible dingy place - the launderette I visit looks like it hasn't been decorated since the 70s, has Pokemon stickers on the window which are obviously old because all the colour has faded out. But it was also handy for the barbers (it is right nextdoor), so, whilst my washing was twizzling around, I had a nice haircut.
Going to Comet and Currys again tomorrow to look at washers, might also pop into the new B&Q warehouse that has just opened across the road from C & C.
surgilator
P.S. Kirk, do you know of any other launderettes in Lincoln that I could try?
***** Post# 16081-4/1/2002-16:04 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD sewing laundry center
MESSAGE: The only other machine that I know of with such a hideously huge console on it was Norge. Club pics of Easy washers are few and rare...
-ph
***** Post# 16082-4/1/2002-16:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Sprekle tubs)
MESSAGE: Another thing I've noticed is that plastic tubs don't have as many perforations as porcelain or SS. Presumably, that's because plastic isn't as strong, and too many perforations would weaken its structure. That must make a difference in water extraction during the spin cycle.
***** Post# 16083-4/1/2002-17:09 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: The new B&Q warehouse is massive, apparently. Someone told me that they're going to be selling appliances at silly prices, too. Worth a look, as you might find what you want at a substantial discount there.
As for other launderettes in Lincoln, you might want to try the one on Portland Street in the city centre. Not the best decor, but the Irish lady who runs the place is lovely, and more than willing to give you a hand if you like. The equipment ranges from older Speed Queen TLs, to newer Ipso 18, 25 and 30lb FLs.
Better still is the Maytag launderette on the junction of Union Lane and Burton Road, literally a stone's throw from The Lawn. They've recently brightened it up a little and put brand new equipment in; a few Neptunes, a row of standard Maytag TLs, and a big 30lb FL. And there's no attendant as a rule, which is good if you like to be left to your own devices when it comes to laundry. This is the one I go to post-holiday, and any other time when I have huge mounds of laundry to do.
***** Post# 16084-4/1/2002-17:51 ||| nmaineman36 (Portland Maine)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: According to a trade mag I get at work that P&G is going to reformulate Tide and possibly bring back phosphates to limited areas here in the States. Here in Maine I have been using the Clean Breeze Downy which I do love. I am waiting to see when the Clean Breeze Tide comes. Hopefully that they will have a powder version of it.
Unilever is coming out with a totally new All that will have OxyClean built into it like the Sears detergent.And the All line is going "back to basics" with the concentrated stuff they stopped making years ago. They are also going to have All fabric softener that will have a Clean Fresh scent and a "Classic sent" that will remind people of what Final Touch used to smell like. They are also going to have clear bottles for Wisk so people can see the color of the detergent. Wisk is also going to have a new detergent called Wisk Sport geared toward Moms with active kids and its going to be green.
Still with all this I still want my Fleecy from Canada with the Extra Fresh scent Fabric softener and Colgate will not distribute it here in the States..so I will keep going to Canada for it. I have also seen the Clorox version of OxyClean and they are going after OxyClean and undercut the prices and put them out of business. I bought the Clorox version and there is no difference at all between the both of em.
Mike
***** Post# 16085-4/1/2002-18:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: Having used a Hotpoint twin tub, with the filter-flo style lint collector / soap dispenser, I found it very effective and easy. I seem to remember there being enough room to load, unload without removing it, but a TT does not have the innner spinning basket. I don't have any other TL filters to compare though.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16086-4/1/2002-19:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My UK Hotpoint's broken! Miele brochures come out! (Have I really been that bad?)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
You ask if you have been that bad, so assuming you want us to tell you here goes. In a word , yes.
We have had discussion here previously about how there can be mis-interpretations between US, Aus and UK. However, as both you and arrrooohhh are Australian, that is not the case here.
Behaviour and words can be defined as agressive or intimidating if the recipient feels agressed or intimidated, as arrrooohhh explained that he did, whether or not the originator means agression, fun or whatever else. It is also harder to convey nuance in text without the visual body language clues, so it is even more important to consider ones words carefully.
When arrrooohhh told you how your words made him feel, you did not accept that and apologise. Instead you came back with 'spot on baby', which felt to me like another put down and after being told how you had already made him feel this was practically callous.
In this post, where you ask 'Have I really been that bad?', you refer to 'If arrrhhhooo wants to feel threatened and unhappy about my post, that is his choice'. arrrhhhooo does not 'want' to feel this way, nor is it a 'choice'.
I understand how arrrhhhooo feels that you are using your age against him, as I had felt that you were using it against me before I pointed out my age.
Personally, I also considered you reply to Geoff to be very rude in calling him a nut.
There are times in your posts when you actually come across as a 'troll', maybe that is your intention although I suspect not.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16087-4/1/2002-19:45 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: You know, that's kind of funny - I have always felt that the MS Tide powder didn't have as intense a fragrance as the liquid. Of course I tend to think that most liquids (perhaps with the exception of Gain) smell stronger than powders and leave heavier scents behind. For a while the ex used MS Tide liquid and I used the MS Tide powder. I always felt I could smell his laundry coming ahead of him. OTOH, I do tend to rinse twice in warm water and line dry most everything, so that may account for the lighter scent on my wash.........
***** Post# 16088-4/1/2002-19:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: I think that is Mountain Breeze Purex - but I just thought of another question - if there is now a Fresh Breeze Tide, what happened to Gentle Breeze Gain? "Gentle Breeze" Gain had quite a strong scent, so I cannot imagine the strength of "Fresh Breeze" Tide........ I would believe that P&G introduced this because Gain was capturing too much market share from Tide. I remember that in the early 1980's - '83-'84 probably, I was working in Phoenix for a year. During that time, a reformulated Oxydol with something called "Acti- Bleach" was introduced as a test market item. It cleaned like nothing I had ever seen before and was low sudsing too. It had a very distinctive fragrance and soon was flying off the shelves. Strangely, it never went national - I never saw it anywhere in the entire Northeast. However, soon after the test, a new Tide with Bleach was nationally introduced. It looked, smelled and cleaned remarkably like the reformulated Oxydol. And interestingly,when I went back to Phoenix for a few weeks, the old Oxydol was back on the shelves. Of course I am sure that was just a coincidence....................
***** Post# 16089-4/1/2002-20:03 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Sandwashed)
MESSAGE: I noticed the same thing about my Plastic (post 1994) GE Profile. My golf or knit shirts seemed to look "weathered" after several washes. I thought the vigorous agitation was responsible, but the idea about the holes makes sense. Of course since the machine only lasted 3 years, it wasn't such a big deal.......
***** Post# 16090-4/1/2002-20:03 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: Peter, I tried that game of see just how big the balls would get on my FF and see if it ever went over the sides. Nah, it just plastered itself to the sides of the filter pan during spin and over time the balls would separate into smaller ones. and dividee again and .....
***** Post# 16091-4/1/2002-20:05 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: How did the "jet flow" filter operate? I don't believe I ever saw one. The only one I ever saw was the "bed of nails"....
***** Post# 16092-4/1/2002-20:21 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Hey Mike - nice to hear from you since it has been a while. Interesting information on Tide, All and Wisk. But I am curious - how is All going back to the concentrated formula - I mean, aren't all of the powders "ultra concentrated" now?? Regardless, it"s time for some changes in the detergent aisles!! While in Canada getting some Fleecy softener, be sure to pick up some "ABC" detergent - isn't that the Colgate product that supposedly smells like the original FAB powder - before all that "lemon freshened" nonsense?
***** Post# 16093-4/1/2002-20:42 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter?
MESSAGE: It works pretty much the same as the bed of nails one; it's mainly the container that's different; the water recirculates through a flat screen more like the Filter Flo and on into the washer, and it cleans just like the filter flo screen.
***** Post# 16094-4/1/2002-20:43 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane (Detergent Bliss)
MESSAGE: WooHoo for phosphated Tide!! We have Calgon with phosphates (approx. 8%) so hopefully if P&G does release this formula we will get it here. I have some vintage detergents with phosphates, and even for their age, clean like many modern detergents can't even compare to. It's all about "breaking" the water!
My water harness runs approx. 12-15 grains, but my parents bought a new home about 20 miles from us and in a different water "source" area. Their water is 15-17 grains - truly pebbles and sand coming out of their faucets! A little resin/glue and you could pour a patio!!
I would love to see some of the orginal scents that were used in some of the orginal formulations too. All, Tide and keep your fingers crossed for Dash! Some vintage packaging and some of us would be in heaven!!
***** Post# 16095-4/1/2002-20:52 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: GEmana?? (Sandwashed)
MESSAGE: Have you ever seen the outside wall of the GE plastic tubs? They are a rectangle "honeycomb" design with tiny shelves for silt and bacteria to live and thrive on. I'm surprised we haven't heard more odor complaints from those machines what with the ecosystem that surely must be growing on the outside of some of those tubs - especially the "every thing in cold water" laundry experts. Imagine the tiny organisms growing and thriving, moving to other colonies on the tub...just sends a shiver down your spine!
***** Post# 16096-4/1/2002-20:53 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: In one of the prior detergent discussions someone had mentioned Trader Joes and the Ecos detergent. I finally got around to Trader Joes and picked that up, as well as some Brilliant oxygen bleach. I have been allergic to chlorine type bleaches and thought I'd give this stuff a try.
In my Frigidaire F/L, I'm using the suggested amounts of the detergent and adding a bit more bleach to my white loads. I wash in hot water, cold rinse. I'll let the machine fill and tumble a bit, then turn it off for about 30 minutes. I've found this combination does a good job, not a lot of suds and I'm not breaking out!
I had forgotten to put in fabric softener on one load and I was surprised that the clothes did come out relatively static and wrinkle free from the dryer. Ecos left the clothes with a very light, almost soap like smell. Not overly perfumey, but fresh smelling. I've tried Downey Enhance Invigorating Burst, however I find the smell a bit too invigorating, even when I cut down on the amount.
***** Post# 16097-4/1/2002-21:09 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: www.thathomesite.com/appliances
MESSAGE: we need to all reply to the ass hole on this websight who after going to the Sears Outlet store here in Orlando is complaing about problems he's having with the washer(S)he's purchased there.Doesn't this idiot understand what AS IS means????looks like his brains went down his father's leg.
***** Post# 16098-4/1/2002-21:12 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter? (Love them all - for the drama!!)
MESSAGE: I've had numerous loads where the Jet-Flow pan gets plugged with lint very quickly and overflows making it useless. The 1-18 bed of nails was ok, but in a high linting load would fill up quickly and overflow also. The Whirlpool/Kenmore's recirculating filters were effective, but the WP/KM washers had fairly rough agitation anyway which only creates more linting. The GE Filter Flo was about the best concept, non-clogging, moving with a large volume of the water moving through it, but it too is mostly much ado about nothing as any type of lint filter can only catch a relatively small percentage of the lint in an average washload anyway. I still love a stream of water moving through any type of filter, but mostly for the drama of it!
***** Post# 16099-4/1/2002-21:55 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter? (Love them all - for the drama!!)
MESSAGE: I still maintain that ANY active system that pumps wash water through a filter is still way more effective than the placebo, underwater, passive devices that supposedly "comb" through the water. Who in the world can prove whether or not they really work. I pulled a tub out of an 11-year old Whirlpool and there wasn't one strand of lint tangled up in the filter. Either it cleans itself very effectively, or it's just there to passify consumers. And, you are right, the drama is missing! Sure glad I found that I'm not alone in my love of appliances. Now that I know I don't have to pay a therapist to cure me of this, I can buy a really nice gas range.
***** Post# 16100-4/1/2002-21:56 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter? (Love them all - for the drama!!)
MESSAGE: I still maintain that ANY active system that pumps wash water through a filter is still way more effective than the placebo, underwater, passive devices that supposedly "comb" through the water. Who in the world can prove whether or not they really work. I pulled a tub out of an 11-year old Whirlpool and there wasn't one strand of lint tangled up in the filter. Either it cleans itself very effectively, or it's just there to passify consumers. And, you are right, the drama is missing! Sure glad I found that I'm not alone in my love of appliances. Now that I know I don't have to pay a therapist to cure me of this, I can buy a really nice gas range.
***** Post# 16101-4/1/2002-23:13 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Ironite,
Glad SOMEBODY here finally tried the Ecos besides me! Did you get the liquid? That's the stuff I use. I find it cleans quite well, in addition to having a very nice herbal fragrance. I've been adding about 1/2 oz of STPP to the Neptune dispenser first, and then between 1 and 2 oz of the Ecos liquid next after the STPP flushes through. I believe this combination cleans about as well as the Sears HE/STPP mix I've been using. Plus, as you have found, no additional fabric softener is needed.
***** Post# 16102-4/1/2002-23:16 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: www.thathomesite.com/appliances
MESSAGE: Um, I'd rather not use Uni's site as a launching pad for attacks on someone over on THS. That technique can work both ways, you know...
Sears Outlet does offer a 30 day money back guarantee, though. Said individual could always return the appliance and be none the worse for the wear, except of course for the hauling and inconvenience.
***** Post# 16103-4/1/2002-23:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Filter filter, who's got the filter? (Love them all - for the drama!!)
MESSAGE: Amen. I think a good dryer catches most of the lint, anyway. Or a good shaking after line drying.
***** Post# 16104-4/1/2002-23:20 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Angus,
A few weeks ago I had my friend go to Target in Meridan for me to get me a box of Tide w\Bleach because its soooooo cheap there and i dont live near one ($9.99 for a 66 use box) When she brought it to me she informed me that all they had was Mountain Spring. At first i was bummed cause i LOVE the scent of original Tide w/Bleach powder, but i figured for 10 bucks, who cares?? LOL. When I opened it i thought it smelled wonderful if a little strong. The first time i washed with it I was very surprised, it left NO smell in my clothes. I found this stange as regulr T w\B leaves this chemical scent. This may be due to the fact that i underload, that might have been why there is no smell when i use it. My mother used to use the MS liquid, and that was overwhelmingly strong, you are right!! the liquid you could smell for MILES LOL.
Geoff
P.S. There is also another Purex scent that i like that you may like, have you smelled the "after the rain" scent?? They sell it at X-pect.
***** Post# 16105-4/1/2002-23:31 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: I have used the Purex of which you speak, if it's the liquid you're referring to, when I had my Kenmore. It's great stuff. A big bottle is $2.99.
***** Post# 16106-4/1/2002-23:47 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane
MESSAGE: Yeah, I always use Purex original liquid for my darks. (sorry, gansky) I love it. we have a discount store around the corner from me that sells 1 gallon bottles for $2.53 (dont ask LOL this store is notorious for its weird pricing, $3.01, $1.98 1/2 cents, you name it LOL) I havent used the Rain Scent one but i have smelled it and its nice..
***** Post# 16107-4/2/2002-09:29 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Strolling down detergent lane (Detergent Bliss)
MESSAGE: I agree with that - it would be great to have some phosphated detergents again - if Tide does it, then surely others from Lever and Colgate will follow. I wonder if powders will once again become popular. If so then maybe Colgate will stop that nonsense about making Fab powder only available in certain regions!! And Greg, it would be wonderful to have the "old fragrances restored to the detergents, instead of all the artificial fruit, flowers, springs and breezes that are so overpowering today!! I am partial to the old All, Cheer, Fab, Ajax and Rinso Blue fragrances. Alas, since Dash has been discontinued, we will probably not see that again.........
***** Post# 16108-4/2/2002-10:15 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: POD
MESSAGE: I Love it - I want that KELVINATOR!
Peter
***** Post# 16109-4/2/2002-10:25 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Imagine finding one of these somewhere. Great styling.
Right out of the 50's.
***** Post# 16110-4/2/2002-10:34 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: POD (POD)
MESSAGE: It would have been real great if they had made it into a 1/18!!
Peter
***** Post# 16111-4/2/2002-17:09 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: I visited the B&Q Warehouse today to look at new kitchen units, and also to buy a new power drill bit.
Thanks for the advice on which launderette to use, I'll try the one on Burton Road. The one I use is the one on Moor Lane, opposite NK Sports Centre in North Hykeham. That has triple load Duplex washers, two Primus 18 washers and I think really old Scultess washers. Isn't Portland Street the one between High Street and Pelham Bridge?
Saw some appliances at B&Q, and were even more expensive than Comet and Currys!
from surgilator
P.S. I found another launderette today as I was driving down Birchwood Avenue, there is one called Fresh as a Daisy at the shopping plaza, next to the Co Op supermarket.
***** Post# 16112-4/2/2002-19:37 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: Funny you should mention B&Q Warehouse being expensive. I was talking to my father today, and he told me he noticed the same thing when he was taking a look around there. You'd think being part of the same group of companies as Comet, they would combine their buying power to further reduce prices.
I've never used that launderette next to NK School and Sports Centre, as it's out of my way, but I have spotted it on my travels. The one down Birchwood Avenue is quite big apparently, but again, I've never used that one. Being a bit of a Maytag fan myself, I tend to stick to the one on Burton Road.
As for finding Portland Street say you're travelling up the High Steet towards the Cathedral, it's the right turn more or less opposite the Wetherspoons pub. On the corner, you'll see a convenience store one one side, and a mobile phone shop on the other. That's where you need to turn; the Portland Clothes Care Centre is on the left hand side of Portland Street.
***** Post# 16113-4/2/2002-20:35 ||| OldApplianceNut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: Lady Kenmore Combo
MESSAGE: She Did her 1st load of wash today has a few bugs to fix yet need a new pump gasket has a tiny leak but besides that all is well fixed the solenoid myself wire was burned off inside the coil fixed it taped it back up and it works fine!!!Thx to the few people that helped me with this machine like steved and greg and to all the others thx alot!!!!!!
Brian
***** Post# 16114-4/2/2002-23:48 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Does anyone know what the 1957 Kelvinator's 'three way' agitator looked like?
***** Post# 16115-4/2/2002-23:56 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: if you go to the appliance cyber museum of classic appliances, and click on ABC-o-matic. There is a picture of the agitaor, the agitators on the ABC and the Kelvinator are VERY similar. youll find a picture there!!
geoff
***** Post# 16116-4/2/2002-01:30 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: 1959 Kelvinator
MESSAGE: I don't think is the exact model from my home movie clip, but it's VERY close. Mine didn't have a window-lid.
(Thanks to SteveD for the copy!)
LINK: http://users.wcnet.net/dadoes/1959-Kelvy.jpg
***** Post# 16117-4/2/2002-01:43 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: 1959 Kelvinator
MESSAGE: Glenn Z. sings about the new 1959 Kelvinator! ;-)
***** Post# 16118-4/3/2002-04:24 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette (B&Q Warehouse)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I think that B&Q are selling appliances because they sell new kitchens. Even though they are more expensive, people may still buy their new kitchen appliances where they buy their new kitchens, so B&Q are taking advantage of the fact.
When you get to the link, click on Kitchens, then click on freestanding appliances. You'll see what I mean.
from surgilator
LINK: www.diy.com
***** Post# 16119-4/3/2002-04:27 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: I was looking through the Yellow Pages just this minute to find out where all the launderettes are in Lincoln, and there's two more; there's one behind Halfords on Tritton Road on Beevor Street called Press Gang, and there's another one on Monks Road called Abbey Washerteria. Funny to see the launderette I use isn't in the Yellow Pages.
I found quite an interesting webcam of a launderette in San Francisco a few months ago, it is a big place called Brainwash which is also a cafe and a coffee bar as well as a 'laundromat'!
From surgilator
LINK: www.brainwash.com/cameras.htm
***** Post# 16120-4/3/2002-04:28 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: I was looking through the Yellow Pages just this minute to find out where all the launderettes are in Lincoln, and there's two more; there's one behind Halfords on Tritton Road on Beevor Street called Press Gang, and there's another one on Monks Road called Abbey Washerteria. Funny to see the launderette I use isn't in the Yellow Pages.
I found quite an interesting webcam of a launderette in San Francisco a few months ago, it is a big place called Brainwash which is also a cafe and a coffee bar as well as a 'laundromat'!
From surgilator
LINK: http://www.brainwash.com/cameras.htm
***** Post# 16121-4/3/2002-04:28 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette (B&Q Warehouse)
MESSAGE: That link is wrong. The correct one is below
LINK: http://www.diy.com
***** Post# 16122-4/3/2002-04:37 ||| Surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: Hi all
Still haven't got a washer to replace my Hotpoint yet. Had to spend money on getting the computer fixed, so I'm still using the local launderette, although Kirk has recommended a few others for me.
Still, if you wanna 'promote' any new washers that you like that ARE available in the UK, go ahead, promote!
from surgilator
***** Post# 16123-4/3/2002-06:06 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: Surge,
What is the price you want to pay for a washer? Does it have to be a frontloader or would toploader also do? I haven't followed all the dicussion, so perhaps I'm asking things you already told. Overhere in the Netherlands the Zanussi's are quite cheap and they seem to be quite reliable. Besides that I like the looks of the Whirlpool frontloaders with the central control. Don't know anything about it's reliability and price.
Louis
***** Post# 16124-4/3/2002-06:07 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Gas or Electric?
MESSAGE: OK - is there some new technology out there that no one knows about?? Today on ebay, someone is selling an Amana dryer that is fueled either by gas or electricity. I certainly cannot figure that one out.................
***** Post# 16125-4/3/2002-06:13 ||| Foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Gas or Electric?
MESSAGE: Angus,
I think I saw that one, made me wonder too what kind of dryer that could be. Do you have the matching dryer to your Amana washer? If so, perhaps you could have a look at your dryer and see where that secret button is that converts it from gas to electric and back to gas. Or might it be that the plug can be put into a gas outlet? Who knows! LOL
I was actually wondering if the Kelvy worked on a similar agitation principle as the ABC-O-Matic, because of the magic minute 'shampooing' action (I somehow doubted that they would have used the Calypso's concentrated detergent shower and spin-fill system, or whatever Whirlpool calls it, especially if the Kelvy was a solid tub machine).
Quite an impressive agitator that, looks almost like some kind of weapon (it has that kind of 1950's Roger Ramjet atomic look about it). I had watched the ABC video a while back and was very impressed by the splashing and churning, I don't know about the roll over though, it was a little hard to make out. Yet, I imagine that it probably washed quite well, although I do wonder about the wear and tear - it doesn't look terribly gentle.
***** Post# 16127-4/3/2002-07:42 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Looks like it rolls over pretty good, even during the shampoo action. Of course that only comes 2nd to Frigidaire.
***** Post# 16128-4/3/2002-07:50 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: has to be frontloading, my washer is under the kitchen sink.
Looking to pay between £250 and £350, but I have found a Hoover set for £450.
I don't like the design of the Zanussi's, I think they look ugly.
Cannot get Miele, cheapest Miele over here is £450 for the 1200rpm BOL.
Also, I like the Hoover as it has 1500rpm for a price of only £300. Looked at the Blomberg, but it didn't feel durable.
If you are referring to the video where you were playing around on top of the machine, whilst it was spinning with its lid open, consider yourself lucky that I wasn't there. I would probably have pulled you off the machine and given you a seeing-to for endangering yourself like that - btw, who was your pint-sized partner in crime?
In the ad for that 1959 Kelvy, what exactly did they mean by 'suds and hot water saver', is the ad simply referring to a sudsave option and did the machine have two drain hoses, one for normal drain and the other for sudsave drain and retrieval? (e.g. one hose is permanently connected to the drain pipe and the other feeds into a sufficiently sized laundry tub). Or did this machine also have a heating element to boost the water temp throughout the cycle?
Was the agitaton method in the 1959 model still similar to the ABC-O-matic's and, if so, did it alternate the direction of its oscillation?
Can you then tell me whatever happened to ABC-O-Matic, when did they disappear off the market and until when did Kelvinator use the ABC style of agitation?
***** Post# 16131-4/3/2002-08:54 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: Sorry you don't like the Zanussi design, I think it's quite a good washer for the money. I added a link to the reliability survey on the Appliances Forum. Look at it and you might reconsider the Hoover. Hoover stuff doesn't seem to be very good. I don't know the brand, but Tricity Bendix doesn't seem to do bad. BTW, have you seen that Comet has a Bosch for 349.95? The type number is WFL 2860 and it has a 1400rpm spinspeed. If you buy a Hoover, consider buying an extended warranty period if it's not too expensive.
Good luck,
Louis
***** Post# 16132-4/3/2002-08:59 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet (link is here)
MESSAGE: Ah yes, forgot to add the link.
LINK: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg10220041460.html?15
***** Post# 16133-4/3/2002-11:17 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: shipping
MESSAGE: I am looking for a crater and shipper in the Detroit area.
I have tried to do a search and have come up with about 100 listings for movers but I don't have the time to call each one to see if they crate and move. This would be for out-of-state service. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
***** Post# 16134-4/3/2002-12:34 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: shipping (Craters & Freighters)
MESSAGE: Many of us have used Craters & Freighters with great success. Use their website to see if they service your area and the area you are shipping to.
-ph
LINK: http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/
***** Post# 16135-4/3/2002-15:16 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Mr. Bubbles, the Kelvinator/ABC action is actually quite thorough and gentle, much like a Frigidaire. To answer one of your other questions, I believe the "ABC-o-Matic" brand disappeared around 1958 or 1959, and Kelvinator continued the machines under their name until American Motors Corp. sold them off in 1968.
***** Post# 16136-4/3/2002-15:34 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette
MESSAGE: Is Press Gang self-service? I always thought that they only did service washes and dry cleaning. A while back, they sent a flyer through the door with the free paper, and I noticed they offer an ironing service as well.
The launderette on Monks Road generally looks to be nice and clean. I've walked past it on numerous occasions on my way to the Kirby service centre, but have never done a wash there, as it's out of my way. Can't quite remember what equipment they have, but I think it's all TLs, with a couple of big FLs, but I may be wrong.
When I was on holiday in the US, I noticed that their launderettes are much bigger than ours. There also seems to be a lot more of them. I saw a really big one in Homestead County during our drive down towards Flamingo in the Everglades - it was about the size of a supermarket.
***** Post# 16137-4/3/2002-15:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer, have to visit the time-warped launderette (B&Q Warehouse)
MESSAGE: Hmmm, not exactly ground-breaking prices, and the Bosch models are now all obsolete. Is this their entire range, or do they offer more in-store?
***** Post# 16138-4/3/2002-15:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: Great minds think alike, as they say. I'm a huge fan of Zanussi washers, as they give a lot of features for your money, and seem to be very reliable.
The Whirlpool models are comparable to Zanussi on price and features. They don't exactly sell in big quantities here, but again, I've never heard of any problems with them. The only negative things I've heard people say is that the cabinets are painted a "dirty" white, and the text on the control panel looks cheesy, which I would have to agree with. But the overall quality is very good.
***** Post# 16139-4/3/2002-16:02 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: One thing I would like to point out is that a high spin speed doesn't always guarantee a huge difference in extraction. In some cases, you're better off going for the next lowest spin speed, as you'll save muchos cash and not notice any difference in the spin performance.
As an example, take the Zanussi 1200 rpm and 1400 rpm models. The difference in the residual moisture content is only 1% between the two models, certainly not enough to warrant the price difference, and I'd challenge anyone to be able to tell the difference. The same applies to models from other manufacturers - I'm just quoting the Zanussi, as I remember reading it in their brochure recently.
I guess what I'm saying is, find out what the actual spin efficiency figures are, either from the brochure or by calling the manufacturer. A lot of the time, the high spin speeds are there purely for marketing purposes, and offer little benefit over the next model down in the range.
***** Post# 16140-4/3/2002-16:23 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet
MESSAGE: The Tricity Bendix is made by Electrolux, and shares many similarities to older Zanussi machines. It's a good, basic washer, ideal if you just want something which will do the job without any frills.
Louis is correct about the Hoover. The current models have been quite problematic - bear in mind they share the exact same design and internal parts as the Candy washers. The controls and pumps are especially prone to going belly-up. It's a nicely featured washer which performs very well, but there are many other machines out there which are far more reliable. Even Hotpoint (yes, really!).
That Bosch Maxx sounds like a great deal, especially considering that many stores sell the 1200 spin model for around £399. The design has proven itself to be very reliable, and we've not had any recalls or service issues with it.
***** Post# 16141-4/3/2002-16:32 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I am sure that I remember correctly asking about this same agitator ages ago. Like you I thought it looked like it would be harsh on clothing, but I am sure that someone told me that those wonderful vanes were made of a flexible rubber sort of material. I am sure someone will correct me if I have mis-remembered.
I love your Roger Ramjet image of this agitator. I have seen it as angels wings or like a Wagnerian characters helmet.
Now there is ten points for imagination. I can definitely see the x-mas angel. Remove one vane, pop on a doll's head, spray the whole thing in golden glitter and, VOILA, an angel. As a Wagnerian helmet, hmmm, maybe if Wagner is done as an abstract, modern theater production - like 'The Walkuere meets Godzilla' or the 'Ring of the Niebelungen' as a post nuclear holocaust impressionist piece, that could definitely work for such a helmet.
I am sort of imagining what I would think if I were walking down a street somewhere and someone chucked this agitator out of a moving car. Would I throw myself on the ground and cover my head? Would other people do the same? What about you Herr-Miele? LOL! The mind boggles.
Then I think it is a shame that this style of agitator was discontinued. Perhaps manufacturers felt that it didn't have a contemporary enough look about it, being big and bulky. Actually, would this agitator have worked as effectively with a partial (small)load? I do remember that the pulsator Frigidaire I looked at once, seemed to prefer a full load to a partial one and with small loads its agitation was a lot noisier and made the washer cabinet vibrate. I also vaguely recall not being very impressed with the small load's roll-over, the clothes just seemed to sit there and not do anything between all that splashing.
Anyway, I love it and have watched the ABC video several times, because there definitely is drama in that washer. For a 1949 it looks almost brand new (at least in the video).
***** Post# 16144-4/3/2002-18:19 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Yes it is really sad and unfortunate that the two gentlest, most superior top loading wash systems are both discontinued.
Personally, we never had any issues with partial loads in our Frigidaire washer, but I'm not sure with others' experiences were/are, and I've not tried any partial loads with an ABC/Kelvinator, although that particular washer starts its initial agitation with a short fill to "pre-treat" the clothes with a more concentrated detergent solution, continuing to agitate as it continues to fill. Were it not so gentle on fabrics, it would not have been able to have this feature.
***** Post# 16145-4/3/2002-20:26 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Gas or Electric?
MESSAGE: Louis - I do have the matching dryer to my Amana washer, and there is no secret button or method to convert it to gas. I remember that someone once posted an inquiry to THS regarding converting an electric dryer to gas. I guess it can eventually be done with a lot of work and some risk - but why would anyone want to??? It is easier, safer and less costly to just go buy a gas dryer.....
***** Post# 16146-4/3/2002-01:10 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: This is not particularly vintage, but perhaps it will be of interest to some. :-)
It's a large picture, 266 KB.
LINK: http://users.wcnet.net/dadoes/ka-pair-1.jpg
***** Post# 16147-4/3/2002-01:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Cool! The w/d look pretty modern, but that decor really screams 70s/early 80s, although I think these machines came out later. Were there ever belt driven KitchenAid Washers, or did they come out after that?
This KA came out in the early 80's (83/84), right after Sears/Whirlpool came out with their electronic pair. All these pre-electronic control washers was belt drive machine.
It's a shame that Whirlpool and KitchenAid dropped these machines and went back to rotary dials. But Sears Kenmore kept churning up new electronic machines for their top of the line Lady Kenmore's.
***** Post# 16149-4/4/2002-06:52 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Still not got a washer yet (Blomberg)
MESSAGE: Hi surgilator.
What didn't you like about the Blomberg?
I have never heard of the brand anf they aren't sold here in Australia, but the top loading H-axis washer sold in Australia as "Kleenmaid by Brandt" is manufactured by Brandt and has had rave reviews in the last couple of tests by Choice magazine. I have looked at these washers in the showroom and was impressed. So with that superficial guidance I would be very interested in a machine made by Brandt, which I seem to remember the Blomberg is.
Of course if you hold out a while longer this could turn into a washing machine saga to rival "Gator Girl" from THS.
Best wishes.
Chris.
***** Post# 16150-4/4/2002-07:21 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: I think this would have been late 80's. The first Kitchen Aid laundry pair had an electronic washer and a rapid advance timer on the dryer. This dryer is all electronic and is probably a little later. The belt drive machines would have been long gone by this time. I think the purchase of Kitchen Aid from Hobart happeded somewhere around '86-87.
***** Post# 16151-4/4/2002-08:15 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: If I had that kitchen. That electronic stuff has got to go. now slide in a 1970 Lady K pair in Harvest or avocado and I'm all set.
***** Post# 16152-4/4/2002-11:41 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair (KA Date)
MESSAGE: On back of the brochure, there's what may be a date of 11/86.
***** Post# 16153-4/4/2002-11:44 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: I can't say for sure, but I think KA has always been direct-drive.
I have a another brochure and a laundry sales training guide. More scans to come, as I get opportunities to do them.
***** Post# 16154-4/4/2002-12:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: I actually really like the KA pair pictured, but I have to admit the decor screams for an avacado green Lady K!
***** Post# 16155-4/4/2002-12:42 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Wow, I hadn't realized they came out that early. Nor did I know that only Sears offers the electronic washers now, I know you don't see them much but I didnt realize Whirlpool/KA dropped theirs altogether.
Does Whirlpool still call their agitator a Double Action Surgilator (as compared to the one piece "Super Surgilator")?
***** Post# 16156-4/4/2002-12:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: ahh....if that's the case, they're really off with their decor! Maybe they were trying to highlight the newness of the product itself...I seem to recall that all-white kitchens, and those formica finish cabinets were becoming very popular.
***** Post# 16157-4/4/2002-13:40 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Whirlpool does have the electronic Catalyst and Calypso top-loaders. KA does not have an electronic model.
***** Post# 16158-4/4/2002-13:46 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: RE: shipping (Craters & Freighters)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the info. I looked for their web site the other day and could not come up with it. Thanks again
***** Post# 16159-4/4/2002-13:51 ||| calypso bruce (Boston)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: The decor seems very 70's. It does scream Avocado or Harvest Gold.
When the K/A's came out with the model that had all chrome buttons, a step down from the eletronic one's, I thought they were the most stylish at the time. I wanted a set so bad I could taste it but no room. Oh well, they will probably become classics at some point.
***** Post# 16160-4/4/2002-14:45 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: I understand the pushbutton models are rare. Somebody has one, possibly John Lefever's group. I have literature, stand by for more scans.
My KA was model 760. I know there was at least one model a step up, I guess the 860. Was there a 960 as well?? I've not been able to find out.
My parents have a 670.
***** Post# 16161-4/4/2002-16:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: One of my clients just junked one of the pushbutton-rapid advance timer dryers because it needed new rollers and was 14 years old! It would have made the perfect "garage" dryer - functional and stylish. They replaced it with a new Whirlpool dryer and still have a BOL Kitchen Aid washer of the dryer's vintage.
***** Post# 16163-4/4/2002-17:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: That's a shame, didn't they know that you may have liked to have it?! Still it's funny to think of a bol washer and a higher end dryer; usually its the other way around if anything. Maybe there'll be another one out there yet!
What happens when a dryer needs new rollers, is that when it makes that horrible rumbling squeaky noise when it runs?
***** Post# 16164-4/4/2002-18:24 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: That's different. Usually, the dryer outlives the washer. You always see a nice new washing machine sitting next to a funky old dryer (Sir Frigmore and The General). My mom's Kenmore 700 dryer lasted 30+ years. Up till recently she bought an evil dryer. I won't mention the name but it's plastic and it's not a GE but bad enough :-( .
***** Post# 16165-4/4/2002-18:25 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: My grandmother's laundry room is like that. When I was a kid, BOL Kenmore washer and a Lady Kenmore dryer. The Dryer's still running and she's had a Crappi and a new BOL Kenmore.
***** Post# 16167-4/4/2002-18:59 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Oh yeah. Capri actualy. This was one of those "ugly duckling" kenmores. The real BOL one. I hated that machine's guts and I wanted to torture it so bad but I was so hurt from losing the old 60s machine, I didn't even want to look at it.
***** Post# 16168-4/4/2002-19:21 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: This is one of my friends that I see every day, she should have known!
The story is; her husband was a minister in Vermont making very little money and they had to scrimp and save to buy the Kitchen Aid washer to replace a very old one (probably an Apex ;-) and they didn't have money to buy the matching dryer at the time. A few months later he took a job with UPS and bought the pushbutton dryer as a gift for her.
Nothing says lovin' like major appliances!!
***** Post# 16169-4/4/2002-19:32 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: I agree! That's why I never get people (read: women) but I'm trying to be correct, that don't like to get appliances and vacuums as a gift. Personal preference to a degree I suppose but appliances and vacuums are much more entertaining than jewelry sitting in a box.
***** Post# 16170-4/4/2002-19:55 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Yes, I can agree with that. That's why I was SO pleased when my ex gave me a mandoline slicer and a corn cob scraper and a manual juicer for our 12th anniversary (LOL). I suppose if the punk a-- m----------r had included something a bit more romantic like a Frigidaire, I would have been thrilled with the kitchen stuff. Absent the Frigidaire, I would have loved a great watch - the corn cob scraper nearly did me in though....evil looking tool..........
***** Post# 16171-4/4/2002-21:12 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: Ahhh yes the decore. To me in screams late 80s going retro 70s. That was also one of the last pairs to have any type of "chrome" handles for the doors on any WP family washer & dryer. A small thing, but such class, chrome door handles--aka Kenmore from the 60s.
***** Post# 16172-4/5/2002-05:41 ||| SCOTTDAMIT (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: There was a 960. I had one for awhile. I never did get around to getting the matching dryer. I ended up getting my maytag 9904.
SD
***** Post# 16173-4/5/2002-07:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: POD
MESSAGE: What a fantastic-looking kitchen. What year did this ad come out?
***** Post# 16174-4/5/2002-09:49 ||| unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: About 1957
***** Post# 16175-4/5/2002-10:00 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: I don't know if any of you guys remember, but I was contacted by the Curator of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, who was looking for a pink 1958 GE washer/dryer set. I explained to him that finding something like that, plus in a set, plus in Pink would be a monumental feat. So I offered to lend them my white '58 GE Filter-Flo washer and white '57 GE Clothes Conditioning dryer and he was thrilled. The paperwork was drawn up and the machines were set to be picked up this month, returning them to me in June, 2003. Well at the last minute, they found a pink Maytag set in PA. While they really need a GE set to match the rest of the kitchen, the fact that they were pink would look more "authentic" to the untrained appliance eye than the name brand. So they wont be borrowing my GE after all.
I'm sort of relieved, while the dryer could have gone no problem, I was a bit worried about getting the washer back in good condition, which I spent a month restoring and painting, which works perfectly.
Ahhhhh, a sigh of relief.
***** Post# 16176-4/5/2002-11:57 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY (whew)
MESSAGE: Well good. That GE needs to stay right where it's at; in your basement.
***** Post# 16177-4/5/2002-12:40 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: DADoES (and all others):
I have checked out that picture just now, and I can only say that THAT KitchenAid laundry pair is a mid-late 1980's pair clear as day. And that can only mean one thing (well...... actually two), "DIRECT-DRIVE"(!!!!!!).
But the decor of that room is saying 1970's out loud. So to me, that KitchenAid Pair sort of looks out of place to me.
And I think some other people here are correct also. For a while there, both Whirlpool and KitchenAid have both abandoned electronic control panels for their TOL washers and dryers. Only Sears was producing electronic machines during this time period, and even then, they were found only on the Lady Kenmores (both during the belt-drive era, and when Whirlpool finally switched to direct-drive back during the mid 1980's).
Now, back to the decor of that room. If it were me, I'll be like Jason in that aspect. Those electronic KitchenAids will have to go. Not that they are bad machines. They aren't. I just think that they don't fit in with that decor. They'll ought to be a better fit in a 1990's chrome/stainless steel style of kitchen (more of a space/futuristic look then). In the kitchen that is pictured, then I would subsitute the 1980's KitchenAids with a 1969-70 Lady Kenmore Keyboard Laundry Pair instead. And the 1969-70 Lady Kenmores will be in avacodo.
Just my $.02 worth.
--Charles--
***** Post# 16178-4/5/2002-13:22 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: GOOD!! Leave them be. I work in the motion picture industry. We very often "rent" from collections and return the one of a kind stuff with one of a kind DAMAGE. Don't ever do that with out a HUGE escrow deposit. Ross
I assume the 960 was electronic. Was the 860 rotary, pushbutton, or electronic?
***** Post# 16180-4/5/2002-14:30 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: That's funny, considering you have a pre-restored, pink Maytag set in your garage...
-ph
***** Post# 16181-4/5/2002-21:48 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, I can understand why you are glad that the GE's are staying home. Were they going to pay you for renting these, I would surely hope so!! So good to see a post from you again, Hope all is well there. I have missed the Estate Sale pictures but I am sure that it was a lot of work to keep posting them. Take care. Terry
***** Post# 16182-4/5/2002-22:32 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: Robert, I'm breathing a BIG sigh of reee-leaf. And how true, the untrained and un educated eye/mind doesn't even know what brand of appliances they currently have, how/should they recognize an Unbranded ge other than it's pink (well ya know what I'm tryin' to say here, it's late).
***** Post# 16183-4/5/2002-22:37 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: My Frigidaire Weekend Projects
MESSAGE: The weather looks like it may have finally broken and we'll start having some warm spring days ahead. In celebration tonight, I started the restoration of the 1952 Frigidaire Filtrator. I removed the top and sub-top and the drum. What an icky mess inside! As best I can tell, the cabinet seems pretty well sealed along the edges, but at the bottom at the back of the Filtrator unit, it looks as though it needs to be sealed. I posted some pictures of the inside of the cabinet and the filtrator back.
I also got the oil pump cap and seal kit I needed for the WO-65 Washer (matches the dryer) today, so I will get that replaced and hopefully be washing by Sunday!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/New+pics&.dnm=1952+Filtrator+Exploded+View.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
***** Post# 16184-4/5/2002-22:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: GEe, I'd expect that a respected museum would treat loaned items from a private collection with a bit more care than it sounds the motion picture industry does. Most museums are probably run on very tight budgets so an escrow might not be realistic. Insurance might be.
***** Post# 16185-4/5/2002-23:19 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: Glad to hear they are staying where they belong, but now you won't have room for that Universal washer-dryer monster!
Did you tell him you might know someone (or a few) people who would love to have the pink Maytag set when they are done with it? All buttons in pink.....ooooooh!
***** Post# 16186-4/6/2002-02:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Pushbutton KA
MESSAGE: Model KAWE800
LINK: http://users.wcnet.net/dadoes/ka-pushbutton-1.jpg
***** Post# 16187-4/6/2002-06:17 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Westinghouse frontloading set on eBay
MESSAGE: Especially the New Yorkers might be interested.
Louis
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2014955489
***** Post# 16188-4/6/2002-08:28 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Pushbutton KA (Pushbutton KA ())
MESSAGE: If I remember correctly wasent this the first KA washer fron the mid 80's?
Peter
***** Post# 16189-4/6/2002-09:22 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Westinghouse frontloading set on eBay
MESSAGE: And only $4.50 each! What a deal - I paid $5 for that 56 Philco but it needs a little work.... ;-)
***** Post# 16190-4/6/2002-10:11 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Westinghouse frontloading set on eBay
MESSAGE: 5 floors and no elevator?! That's insane!
***** Post# 16191-4/6/2002-10:13 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pushbutton KA
MESSAGE: I remember seeing one of those once in an appliance store. Thought it was kind of odd seeing all those mechanical pushbuttons in the electronic age. Nice machine though, but mostly I always saw KA's with a combination of timer dial and knobs. Sears carried some really cheesy looking KA w/d pairs for awhile, but usually they're very nice machines. An appliance store here carries some nice examples, relatively reasonably priced.
***** Post# 16192-4/6/2002-10:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: Does it strike anyone else as odd in today's picture of the day, the difference in results between the Sears and the Whirlpool? I can't believe that spiral thing made that much difference...
***** Post# 16193-4/6/2002-11:07 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: KA construction/design
MESSAGE: Model KAWE-900 is pictured.
LINK: http://users.wcnet.net/dadoes/ka-mechanism-1.jpg
***** Post# 16194-4/6/2002-11:28 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: That's the ad that made me break away from my mom and run like hell through Sears to go see the new DAA. Unfortunately I was right when I said "This is the washer of the future!"
***** Post# 16195-4/6/2002-11:31 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: KA construction/design
MESSAGE: My Whirlpool Design 2000 washer had that same agitator dubbed "Super Surgilator". Did this KA wash at low speed instead of ripping high speed?
***** Post# 16196-4/6/2002-11:33 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: And did you notice what's missing? Starts with an "F"
***** Post# 16197-4/6/2002-12:56 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: My Super Surgilator can out wash that crap Dual Action any day LOL. ive always been slightly irritated by Dual Action agitators. My mothers Maytag has one and cant even come CLOSE to the wash action and turnover of my whirlpool. Any collective thoughts on these "agitators of the future?" LOL
Geoff
***** Post# 16198-4/6/2002-13:12 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: Fairness in advertising?
Frigidaire... I don't think the 1-18 would have fared much better given that the test load would have overloaded ALL of these washers, that poor Maytag must have been gasping for breath!
***** Post# 16199-4/6/2002-13:16 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: You aint kiddin Gansky
***** Post# 16200-4/6/2002-13:34 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day (Agitator Differences....)
MESSAGE: Both agititor was very good at cleaning, but the roll over rate was slightly better with the DAA. Don't get me wrong, the older model Surgilator for belt drive machines can turn a large load over even with using extra high water level and two extra lbs. of clothes. I've tried both agitator in the belt drive Kenmore since these parts was inter-changable and was quite please with the results. But I must say that the DAA rules when turning a extra large load over consistantly at 68 stroke per minuets!
But now, since I have the DD, the surgilator is quite rough on the clothes due to the fact with a large load, the clothes tend to get a major work out at the center of the agitator before it meets the main blade at the base which caused damages the clothes. The DAA causes the most powerful roll over that the clothes does not have time to stay in one spot like the standard one peice agitator without getting the hell beating out of them, IMO.
***** Post# 16201-4/6/2002-13:48 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: I was trying to buy the last top of the line Kenmore with the detergent dispenser before they turn everything into DD back in the late September of 1982 and Sears refused to sell me one, even if the checked their sister stores in the region, one could have been found!
Now, I'm crying! I saw one two weeks ago, working on recycling and I have no choice but to put it in the crusher! It was in excellent condition, it look like the detergent dispenser only need to be replaced. No rust to be found, tranny needed a little oil, but otherwise it was mint! It was exactly like the POD but in white!
I hope I see another on in the Bayridge area of Brooklyn!
***** Post# 16202-4/6/2002-14:10 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair (Timely error...)
MESSAGE: My mind was in a time warp, I've should have remember that when I brought the last belt drive machine through Sears, it was in September of 1982. After that, the Direct Drives was replacing these machines. So I'm sorry and needed to be corrected.
Thanks fellas!
Larry
***** Post# 16203-4/6/2002-15:22 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: Isn't it the truth, LOL. It wouldn't be such a bad thing in and of itself if someone would offer something else for variety, if nothing else, but then again I suppose most people don't care, and we do have front loaders now...
***** Post# 16204-4/6/2002-15:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: Yes I can't believe they weren't right up there with the others in sales numbers. I'm sure it would have done quite well in cleanability but like Greg mentions up ahead that is quite the load they were running....I myself just don't wash like that, if for no other reason than the fact that I don't have that many things that can go together all at once color, fabric and temperature wise!
***** Post# 16205-4/6/2002-15:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: KA construction/design
MESSAGE: Now that you mention it, the Whirlpool washer that was in my parents' Arizona home when they bought it was a Design 2000 and had that agitator.
***** Post# 16206-4/6/2002-15:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: I think it tends to serve its purpose better in the direct drive washers than the belt drive; I think Sears was a bit ahead of the curve putting it in the belt drive. They don't look like they do much in there with the slower agitation. The one place I lived we had a belt drive Whirlpool with a surgilator (standard capacity and waterfall filter) and I thought that and when I have observed the Sears roto-swirl agitators, both did better in the belt drive machines.
I have to say that I have had two direct drive Sears machines and never had the fabric wear or damage issues that some others have had, so I don't know if it's washing method, how much you load vis a vis water level or why different people have different results. Too, I took the vigorous wash action into consideration when setting the controls.
***** Post# 16207-4/6/2002-15:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day
MESSAGE: I can tell that I was not really keeping track of things at that particular point in history; I had not realized our good friend the direct drive had been around that long. I thought the 29" belt drive machines continued til about 86 and only certain 24" ones had the direct drive, but having been more a Frigidaire person I could easily have been wrong. Even so, it escaped my attention until about 1986 that there were no more jet action Frigidaires and I hadn't even been aware of the takeover. When my father was getting ready to retire and my folks were going to move, my mom and I went looking at appliances for the new house and we found out the hard way then. The 1979 1-18 pair still works perfectly, though is now semi-retired, eventually to be mine.
What a shame you could not get that machine you saw. Is there a rule against employees taking stuff out of the "process" so to speak? Take heart though; someone who used to post here told me that Sears washers are a dime a dozen in New York City, so here's hoping another will come your way!
***** Post# 16208-4/6/2002-16:43 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day (sand test all over again)
MESSAGE: And did you notice, Scott, that Sears didn't dare have a GM Frigidaire or front-load Westy in that test. Either of those machines would have moved the laundry through the soapt water better than a DAA. Just like Westinghouse only had solid-tubbed top loaders in it's '57 sand test!
***** Post# 16209-4/6/2002-16:58 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day (Sears washer picture of the day )
MESSAGE: I remember the commercial in the late 70's when Frigidaire did the test against Sears DAA on TV. The sad part was not only was the Frigidaire more through - It was also more gentle on the fabrics than any other. It didn't need to reduce it's speed like the Whirlpool and Kenmore machines. I will always wonder what Could have been.
Peter
***** Post# 16210-4/6/2002-18:11 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: 1958 GE Washer to Reamin at Safe & Sound at Home-YAY
MESSAGE: Hi Terry, no generally museums do not pay for their temporary collections, they would be have been on loan.
Yeah I know, the sale pictures were fun to do, they were a lot of time and effort though and I think they have sort of run their course. I'll do it again sometime in the future.
***** Post# 16211-4/6/2002-19:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Sears washer picture of the day (Sears washer picture of the day )
MESSAGE: I reckon that eventually we may see a pulsator washer again. Maybe next time around it will be combined with ultrasonic waves or something to give a "cleaner, gentler wash in less water, but with the convenience and features of a top loader." It's only gonna be a matter of time. To be fair, the Calypso is new and works on a pulsating kind of principle. Asian washers are a little different and imaginative, if not necessarily gentle, in the agitation stakes. The LG turbo drum is popular here in Oz, they do sell quite a few of them and the machine looks very stylish and futuristic (they even offer an all chrome model).
Nothing has changed with tumble washer design and technology either. They still use soap, water and electricity, just like the original Bendix and Thors of yesteryear. Now they tumble clothes around in alternating directions in minimal water, with very little splashing, hardly any suds, just clothes being turned one way, then the other. I personally find their washing quite lame, 'why even bother with a window?' I ask. The tumble wash theme has been done to death as much as agitator washing. To me, at least, front loaders, apart from the Titan, Htt3 and Maytag, look all the same.
The truth is that nothing beats a good beating by an agitator. I think the ABC-O-matic tops those stakes, I can't get enough of the video and the old Frigidaire ads are great too.
The technology themes really do keep on repeating themselves. On Lee Maxwell's site, under patents, there actually was one for a washer using sound waves dating back to the ninteen thirties (?) or thereabouts. The best and most original patent, which I accidentally stumbled upon, was the wash-egg. It looked like a fully automatic TL machine shaped like an egg, also dating back to the nineteen thirties, really cool stuff.
I like looking at the old patents, but there are so many in Lee's collection that it takes ages to go through them. On some of the diagrams it is also very hard to identify what one is looking at (at least for my untrained eyes), and what the actual purpose might be. Then again, people, in them there days, relied on their imagination and drawing skills, not computer generated images that follow specific design formulas.
Unless there is a change in fiber and garment technology, which may also bring about different cleaning methods to soap and water, I don't believe that we will see a big change in washing machine technology. One compliments the other.
I can imagine teflon coated fibres, or something like that, replacing the need for conventional wahing, perhaps. Fibres that are grease and odor repelling by design, which may only need shaking and not washing. Or recyclable materials that can be produced so cheaply (other than paper undies), so they can be discarded after one wearing, but still give the feel and sensation of proper cotton or silk. I reckon that this will be one very likely way forward, but, of course, none of us would be happy with that either. A washer without soap, water and lots of splashing just wouldn't cut the cheese. And what is the purpose of clothes that can't or needn't be washed? I feel like a heretic for even thinking of such devilish ideas.
LINK: http://www.oldewash.com
***** Post# 16212-4/6/2002-20:06 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: Firstly, I have to stand in defence of Maytag washers. They did have very straight forward agitators, but, whilst many of you may find them boring and not very dramatic, I have found them to be very effective. We used to own a Maytag when we lived in the States and my mother, who was extremely sceptical of agitator washing initially, became a convert in no time at all. We were impressed with the cleaning results, convenience and overall quality of the appliance, very sturdy and solid, and I loved the light-up control panel with the central cycle dial and the push-button options underneath. I always thought that a light blue agitator in a white porcelain tub looked so cool. The only thing I didn't like, was the lint collector inside the agitator shaft, a real pain to clean.
My current Kleenmaid (SQ) has a very beautiful, but simple, straight vane agitator. It is slim and has an almost art deco look to it. It rolls clothes over very well, even if I slightly overfill my machine, it does an excellent cleaning job every time. I dispute outright that any other tumble or agitator washer would provide a better result. My washer is a very basic one-speed machine and still I wash handwashables and other delicates in it, I just turn them inside out and place them in a coarse washbag using either the permanent press or delicate cycle. No damage or excessive wear on any of my clothes in the twelve years that I have had this machine, and no mechanical problems either.
The only washer that I felt did not do a consistent job, was our Westinghouse Laundromat TL, which we first purchased upon moving to Australia. Its agitator was one of those surgilator (spiral) types, which I have also seen in older model GE washers. We bought this machine because it was recommended to us and it had a revolving washbowl that would turn during agitation and supposedly create extra wash turbulence. It washed okay mostly and lasted for about ten years, but in the end began leaking oil into the washwater and had to go.
***** Post# 16213-4/6/2002-23:51 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: KA construction/design (KA agitation speeds)
MESSAGE: Since the first DD KA had a two-speed motor, I imagine it used high speed for high agitation and low speed for low agitation. The Sure-Scrub agitator description says it switched from high to low part-way through Regular/Heavy and Perm Press.
My KA 760 had/has a three-speed motor. High agitation was at the medium motor speed. Low agitation was low motor. It did not switch agitation speeds on the Regular cycle, but did on Perm Press. High motor speed was used only for drain and spin.
My parents' KA 670 is also three-speed, and does switch agitation speeds on both Regular and Perm Press. There is a separate Heavy cycle, but I don't know if it switches speeds.
***** Post# 16214-4/6/2002-00:55 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: Well we all have our opinions about these things, and are entitled to them. I happen to think that turnover in many top loaders is abysmal, resulting in uneven washing. Front loaders tend to wash more gently and evenly. At least that's my experience with the Neptune vs. various top loaders (GE filter flo, Whirlpool surgilator, ancient Maytag (50's). The problem with most agitators is that they do beat the clothes - too much. A tumbler is gentler and gets the dirt out just as well, if not better, especially in the case of large or bulky items. The energy and water savings are nothing to sneeze at either. Although I have plenty of room here, I can currently only hook up one washer at a time. If I had to have a top loader, as a second machien, and one was available, it would be a GM Frigidaire. I wouldn't mind having a duet, though.
***** Post# 16215-4/7/2002-03:31 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: You are totally right Sudsmaster, we all have our opinions which are often the result of very real experiences. I too have found that some top loaders washed inconsistently, but also discovered that this was often due to the types of fabric, size and weight of the items and the overall mix of a load. There are certain fabrics that require more space for effective agitation and roll over than others and should be washed with a varied load or, sometimes, a uniform one.
I find that heavy denim articles fall into this category in particular, as they are not flexible enough to flex and move with the water currents, and too many such items in one load can give a poor wash result. I can imagine that placing a full 12 pound load of heavy denim pants and jackets into a regular front loader, may come out cleaner because of the tumble action, but the tangle would be something to reckon with and may result in an unbalanced machine because of this. There are pros and cons everywhere.
Regarding my experiences with Maytag TL's, I've never used any of the 50's machines, ours was new when we got it and I've found it to be a very good washer. Maytags are very popular not only because of their construction and durability, their performance comes into play also. If they didn't deliver the goods, so many people, in the US and here, wouldn't swear by them. I also don't think that agitation wear and tear is a big issue either these days, many of the snags of the past have been ironed out, at least with the better known brands.
When it comes to stain removal and overall cleaning performance, in countries like Germany where one can only buy tumble (h-axis) washers, they still market a huge array of pre-treatment soaking agents, sprays, creams and potions to remove grime from sleeves, collars and do in those well-set stains. Hence, I say if tumblers clean so much better, why the need for all this pre-treatment stuff? It is an industry that is still worth billions and has not been eliminated by virtue of H-axis technology. I have compared garment quality, look and condition of my German relatives when they visit here or vice versa and have not noticed their clothes to be cleaner or in better condition than mine, even though they all wash with Bosch and Miele. In fact, their older whites tend to be grey and bright colors much duller than any of my things, and I don't use phosphates or blueing agents either. I use a straight forward enzyme detergent and very occasionally will I pour a cup of bleach into the wash.
It is also true that with agitator washers there really is a difference in the design and effectiveness of available washing mechanisms, that is why they are so much more interesting to look at than your average tumbler. It would be such a shame if they were to be replaced by only one style of washing machine world-wide. At least now people can choose what style of appliance best suits them.
***** Post# 16216-4/7/2002-06:10 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: Your opinion on H-axis washers is already wellknown here, no need to repeat that, it is becoming very boring.
I have been in a few stores in the US and never before in my life have I seen such a range of pretreating agents. My local supermarket (not a small one) has only one and I don't think overhere in Holland are sold that many more.
As for the FL/TL discussion, I brought in a lot against what you had to say about frontloaders but you didn't even bother to reply. Perhaps you should take that discussion to the Appliances Forum on the Garden Web/That Home Site.
Louis
***** Post# 16217-4/7/2002-08:49 ||| scottdamit (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: KA Electronic Laundry Pair
MESSAGE: The 860 was rotary. I saw the pix you put up for the KAWE800 the one that i saw in a customers home did have the DAA. I didnt know they even used a "straight vein" in the KA. Also my KA didnt have the console light.
SD
***** Post# 16218-4/7/2002-09:59 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: Why so frosty and cruel foraloysius? Did you have Drano instead of Coffee this morning? I can smell the causticity all the way to Sydney.
I know your contributions are always fresh, new and ground-breaking (no repetitions with your posts) and I am trying sooooo very hard to emulate you, but it is near impossible. I am merely a feeble being who can not match your perspicacity and mental agility. Probably because I don't use European appliances, but there you go, I don't deserve to anyway.
I also haven't been to a Dutch supermarket, only German ones. I know that this further undermines my credibility as a contributor to this forum. Maybe you are right, I should go to that Home Site, the contributors there are all as worthless and boring, just as I am.
***** Post# 16219-4/7/2002-10:04 ||| kenwashesmonday (Haledon, NJ)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Filthy Clothes)
MESSAGE: Different washers work for different people, same as cars. I get my clothes very dirty. I work in a dirty furniture warehouse, I work on my greasy cars (2 Ramblers, 1 Benz). I'm totaly amazed how clean my Maytag A606 (top-loader) gets my clothes, especially my jeans. My cloths havn't been this clean since I had a Fridgidare 20 years ago. The front-loaders I've used cant' even come close. I pre-treat grease spots with Goop hand cleaner. We have no dryer (yet), so it helps that the Maytag TL extracts (spins) well.
But then, not everyone gets their clothes as filthy as I do.
Ken D.
***** Post# 16220-4/7/2002-11:18 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Filthy Clothes)
MESSAGE: Hi Ken, welcome to the club, I'm so glad you found us!
***** Post# 16221-4/7/2002-11:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: Well, I have noticed that heavy, new, stiff jeans are a trial for any washer. I have some nice new black jeans, with thicker-than-usual fabric, which I really like. However I am slightly dismayed that some of them have uneven streaking after washing in the Neptune. My only explanation is that perhaps I washed them in an overfilled load, and they didn't have enough room to move, and the streaking is from where they creased and were more exposed during tumbling. On the plus side, the streaking is fading with more washes, as the dye in these jeans runs a bit and covers up the streaks. Also, I have four pairs and only one pair is showing this problem.
I have wondered if this streaking would be reduced in a good top loader. Perhaps a GM Frigidaire or a belt drive Whirlpool with a surgilator (which I noticed had good turnover when I owned one) would give better results. Stiff jeans is one area where the harsher action of an agitator might actually be a benefit, where it will help soften the fabric faster. Unless of course the goal is to have stiff jeans.
***** Post# 16222-4/7/2002-11:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: I hate to quote Consumer Reports, but failing any other institutional testing source . . . they've said that any washer nowadays can get clothes clean. I don't think they specifically rate machines on wear-and-tear any longer, as they did years ago, except for general comments that front loaders and the Calypso have gentler action.
I don't think anybody here is wearing clothes that are so dirty after being run through their machine as to be unfit for public viewing. Even my F&P, which has been bashed at THS for everything from jet-engine sounds to shredding clothes to having a cabinet like a tin can, gets my clothes clean enough to wear. I've not had holes develop in anything except one pair of jeans, and there were extenuating circumstances in that case. The little tear that is there has frayed just a bit around the edges after repeated washings, as is to be expected, but it hasn't actually gotten larger and I continue to wear the jeans in public.
That being said, everybody's opinions and ideas are always welcome and fun to discuss.
I would like to have a Duet or Hettie, and a 1-18.
***** Post# 16223-4/7/2002-14:44 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: For DADoES
MESSAGE: Hi DADoES
Just wondering, do you have an index or home page for all your web pages?
Thanks
surgilator
***** Post# 16224-4/7/2002-14:57 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (perhaps this will help!)
MESSAGE: Rich, what you've described is called "crocking" by the folks at Proctor & Gamble. It is more likely to occur in the low water fill HE machines. However, an overloaded standard machine can create the same issue. Anyway, it is the frosty looking streaks that you see on your deep-dye jeans. This can also show up on other cottons that are dark or vividly colored. This condition can be greatly reduced and/or eliminated in your "HE" type washer by laundering them inside out with cool/warm water and liquid HE detergent.
***** Post# 16225-4/7/2002-16:42 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Filthy Clothes)
MESSAGE: I agree with you 100% on this one. Of all the washers I've ever used, both front and top loaders, there have never been any instances of my clothes not getting perfectly clean. Other people, however, report that they can't get the results they want from certain types of washer. The funny thing is, often there's no real explanation why a certain machine will work well for one person and not another. Just one of those things, I suppose. Everyone does laundry their own way, and it's not always an exact science, so the results are bound to vary sometimes.
For the most part, I think if you use a good quality detergent, don't overload, and take a little time to choose cycle selections wisely, you're guaranteed to get good results, no matter what type of washer you're using.
***** Post# 16226-4/7/2002-16:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: This sounds familiar; I've noticed streaking on denim loads when I've pushed the envelope a little and stuffed in too many pairs. Normally, I limit the load to 3 pairs of 501s, which seems to work better overall. As long as the load tumbles freely, there's no streaking.
This obviously happens for the same reason that the seams are usually the first place where jeans fade. The folds, like the seams, take the brunt of the agitation. Turning inside-out and using a bleach-free detergent helps a great deal, but looking at my jeans now, I can still see that the seams are a little more faded than the rest of the fabric.
***** Post# 16227-4/7/2002-19:06 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: Yep Sudsmaster,
Next time you wash those unyielding black jeans, do a light load to allow plenty of movement and, as suggested by kirk and magic clean, turn them inside out. Also, don't use very warm water, cool to tepid is best. In my experience black jeans seem to fade quicker than blue jeans, in warm washes, and they are total lint magnets when mixed with some other types of fabrics. Preferably wash them with black things only - I know that linting isn't as much of an issue in FL's, but this way you'd eliminate it completely.
***** Post# 16228-4/7/2002-19:12 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: For DADoES
MESSAGE: I second that surgilator,
I would love to have a look at all of Dad's photo albums, hopefully with plenty of self-pics. Always appreciate eye candy.
***** Post# 16229-4/7/2002-19:16 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (It Works!)
MESSAGE: Well as you all were discussing this, I happened to be doing laundry. A new pair (was washed only once) of very inexpensive black jeans, regular blue jeans, a few pair of black socks and an old flanel shirt.
Using the recommended amounts of Ecos (Thanks Sudsmaster, I love this stuff!) liquid detergent and Brilliant non-chlorine bleach, I ran them on a regular cycle, automatic warm wash, no extra rinse and high speed spin, in the Frigidaire F/L. Tossed them all into the dryer and I must say they all came out great.
So far the wear marks on the jeans are along the belt loops, the back pocket where I keep my wallet and a odd marks on the sides. I figured this out to be where the seat belt in my car hits my jeans. I did turn the jeans inside out, there was no streaking at all. Also, no color transfer to the lighter jeans and shirt. And no lint transfer either to the black jeans.
I appreciate the great tip!!! Thanks!!
***** Post# 16230-4/7/2002-19:28 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators
MESSAGE: You hit the nail on its head Dad, couldn't have put it better myself. You are not only a spunk, but smart too. I would love to check out that hole in your jeans, pity I am so far away.
BTW, you do have the DD by F&P, haven't you? I looked at them recently and like the top loading aspect which reminds me so much of my old portable GE toploader (I gave it to a friend in a lapse of judgement). No splashing and spilling during loading and it is much easier on one's back. Do you pre-rinse or scrape your dishes before you put 'em in? How well does the filter work and is it easy to clean? How do you rate its performance with really greasy dishes?
***** Post# 16231-4/7/2002-19:40 ||| scottdamit (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: Rich,
I'm suprised you have "streaking". I have that problem but i've found it to be where i purchased my jeans. I had this problem with my old T/L also. I dont notice as much with my neptune but unlike most people I dont use fast spin on my jeans. I've found the streaks to get pressed in with the wrinkles if I use the fast spin.
SD
***** Post# 16232-4/7/2002-19:48 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: sudsmaster,
My Whirlpool Super Surgilaor does an Excellent job on jeans, stiff or not. Youre right i think it all depends on the agitator, whereas a Maytag can barely rollover pliable jeans, my Whirlpool is the best I've seen with any type of jean, but i always was jeans separately, i dont mix then with anything!!
***** Post# 16233-4/7/2002-20:47 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: I spent most of the afternoon working on the 1950 WO-65 today. I replaced the oil pump cap and seals (thanks for the advice on that Robert!) the timer and water valve. I ran a test load tonight and posted some pictures. There are a still a few tweaks to be done, rubber feet are a must and there's a bit of a dribble from the top cabinet seal, but it works beautifully and runs quiet.
I spent quite a bit of time on Saturday afternoon on the '52 Filtrator, I've replaced the back bearing and cleaned and rebuilt the front rollers and did an enormous amount of cleaning. In talking with Robert about it, we discovered that this model must be the very first breed of Filtrator as the interior cabinet is painted galvanized steel rather than porcelain as in later models. I have only a little more cleaning and then re-assembly can begin. I was hoping to have both the washer and dryer up and running, but time flies!
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire+WO65&.src=ph&.dnm=The+Newly+Restored+WO65.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%2bWO65%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16234-4/7/2002-21:15 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Great Job Greg,)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg, The WO65 is looking great. I love the bubble cake. What kind of detergent did you use to make that beauty? Thanks for sharing the pictures with us. Terry
***** Post# 16235-4/7/2002-21:49 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: I haven't worn jeans much in recent years, but know firsthand and have heard from many over the years including my mom who I learned it from, of the "inside out" trick to get better results with washing jeans. Now, it's a tip that can be tried and hopefully enjoyed by a whole new group of people!
***** Post# 16236-4/7/2002-22:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Greg, the machine looks great! You didn't load properly (LOL) but it looks great! Can't wait to see it in person! My how your collection has changed and evolved in the last year! Doing that suds thing is such fun, like Terry, I am curious what detergent you used. My money goes on Tide, but I'll wait and see!
BTW, did I spy a Miele vacuum in one of those pictures?! No fair getting one before me, but I'll be interested to hear how you like it! ;-)
***** Post# 16237-4/7/2002-22:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Powdered Gain!)
MESSAGE: Hi Terry - good to hear from you!
I used powdered Gain for the first load, I almost used some vintage Tide, but I only have enough left for one load and will save that for a "special" washing. I did use a little STPP to soften the water and 1/2 measure of Gain. The agitator column in this washer has rows of holes around the top that are excellent at making suds. Lots of fun watching the bubbles fly around the room at the start of spin too!
***** Post# 16238-4/7/2002-22:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Yes, you did see a Miele vacuum - good eyes! I needed a new vac for carrying with me so I bought the Miele Solaris Electro Plus for home. It was ridiculously priced, but being deductible helps! It is truly a wonderful machine - probably of the best I've ever used. I should use it more often!
***** Post# 16239-4/7/2002-22:48 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Nice work Gansky, the washer looks great!
Your bubble cake looks good enough to eat. But tell me, don't these solid tub washers develop sudslock with a cake like that, or does that only happen with perforated tubs?
***** Post# 16240-4/7/2002-22:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Oh, btw, could you do a real close close-up shot of the controls, please? That would make my day, truly.
If anybody wants any of this stuff, grab the files while you can, I'm going to be deleting some of them soon.
***** Post# 16242-4/7/2002-23:56 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: For DADoES
MESSAGE: Ooops. I kinda goofed-up those links, didn't make them open in a separate window, they open in the bottom frame of App'ville. My bad!
***** Post# 16243-4/7/2002-00:09 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: POD 04/07/02 (Frigidaire Kitchen)
MESSAGE: Well, in my strange taste, I think that's quite a stylish late 50s kitchen. Actually know someone in town who has a house built in early-mid 60s with similar rustic motiff in their kitchen. THAT LAMP/light in the kitchen is VERY similar to the light fixture originally put in my parent's breakfast room--dar, dark amber in color to complement the coppertone appliances in the kitchen. That lamp was recently resurrected from the attic, to replace an antique ceiling fan put in the breakfast room in the 1970s (was in my dad's boyhood home [Hunter fan]_ in preparation for the sale of my parents house. I saw the lamp hanging in October when I was there, almost gasped, and will see it again one final time when I go retrieve some kitchen stuff and other things in the next couple of weeks. I also plan on taking a disposable camera to take pics of my childhood home as it is now so that I will always have different angles of each room in the house. Although the lake house sale was very painful (my frigidaire range & double Deluxe ovens) this will also be difficult, I still considered it "home" after 40.5 years. Now my own house will have to truely become "home". &
***** Post# 16245-4/7/2002-01:55 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: today is golittlesport's birthday!!!
MESSAGE: Heyyy! Hope you have a spiffy day, big guy!
***** Post# 16246-4/8/2002-07:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: And this needn't only apply to jeans; nearly all my laundry gets washed inside-out, and I definitely find it helps to keep clothes looking new for longer. Of course, I don't waste time turning things like socks and underwear inside-out, as nobody ever sees them... unfortunately LOL. Same applies to really old, grotty clothes which I wear to do jobs like painting woodwork and suchlike.
Perhaps this is why I've never experienced fabric wear when using a TL? Either way, it's a force of habit for me, and I still do it when using my FL. It makes sense to let the wear take place on the side of the fabric nobody sees.
***** Post# 16247-4/8/2002-07:54 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: For DADoES
MESSAGE: And don't forget the page with my Kenmore record :-)
LINK: http://216.88.255.195/jasonl/
***** Post# 16248-4/8/2002-09:13 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: What a great machine. Can't wait to see how the Filtrator cleaned up. Love the suds cake and the tangles! How do you rate the rinsing without overflow?
-ph
***** Post# 16249-4/8/2002-09:18 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (getting jeans to move)
MESSAGE: To me, an agitator washer either is too rough on jeans or not rough enough. In my 1-18, an all jeans load just does not move. I've learned that you have to have other things in the load to push and pull the jeans around, so jeans get washed with towels, sweatshirts or other large water-pliable items.
-ph
***** Post# 16250-4/8/2002-09:59 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (WO56 IS Great )
MESSAGE: Greg
Good look with this Great Treasure!
Peter
***** Post# 16251-4/8/2002-10:02 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: Well, socks are one of the few items that I do turn inside out. This is to get the lint out from inside the socks. It doesn't need to happen with every wash, just once in a while I put all the socks through an "inside out" phase. Kind of like puberty for socks.
***** Post# 16252-4/8/2002-10:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (It Works!)
MESSAGE: Again, glad you like the Ecos, Mike. I like the Ecos as well. It does a remarkably good job for a "plant based detergent". Love the aroma as well. It's easily the most pleasantly scented of anything I've tried. Maybe I'm just an unreconstructed hippie, but I like the herbal scent.
Did a small load with a very muddy pair of jeans and shirt that I used when finishing off rototilling and planting the spring garden yesterday. Used just Ecos, no STPP, and hot water setting on the Neptune. Normally I add some STPP before the Ecos, but I wanted to see just how well the Ecos cleaned on its own. The jeans came out very clean. I may run them through again with STPP and Sears HE to see if they get any cleaner, though, just to compare. There may be some residual ground in dirt in the knees, which STPP would probably handle nicely. It's hard to tell if all the stains that can come out are out, since these jeans were once worn while staining furniture, and nothing will get those stains out. My general impression is that the liquid Ecos cleans as well as Sears HE powder. However I haven't done any side-by-side testing.
***** Post# 16253-4/8/2002-11:20 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: And once again one of your pictures made it to my desktop. I love the picture with the flying bubbles. I believe this is your first Unimatic? The water of the second rinse doesn't look very clear, did you use to much soap to get a good bubblecake or isn't the rinsing that great? I should think two rinses and 1140rpm in between should do a good job rinsing out most suds. Looking forward to the pictures of the dryer, you've got a really handsome set there.
Louis
***** Post# 16254-4/8/2002-11:23 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators ((Trying to steer this conversation back to appliances....))
MESSAGE: Hmmm - think I'll have to give that a try. Often I notice that white sports socks seem to fill up with big clumps of lint from washing and wearing. Sometimes it floats away in the dryer, but usually I end up shaking it out. Next time I'll add the socks to the inside-out pile :o)
***** Post# 16255-4/8/2002-12:25 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: This is my second unimatic Frigidaire - the first was the wonderful 57 Control Tower that Robert brought in January.
The jury is still out on the overflow rinsing vs. the two deep rinses with 1140 spin between each water change. I was playing with some already washed rags last night so adding more detergent probably didn't help to begin with. Once I get the dribble from the top seal fixed and the feet on, I'll be able to move him into his very own spot and use it for regular washing so I'll be able to tell better with "real" washloads. I may have to do some re-arranging of the laundry rooms as I'd really like to have the set together, as it is now, I'll have to separate them.
***** Post# 16256-4/8/2002-12:42 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (getting jeans to move)
MESSAGE: I've found that most top-load washers, when loaded to capacity with denims do not adequately move them enough to get them thoroughly clean. Saturday night I put a load of jeans in the Calypso with the jeans that I wore while working on the 52 Filtrator that were very dirty and had a few oil spots on the knees. The Calypso did fine job with the other jeans, but the oil spots were still present after a warm soak, wash and rinsing. I don't see this as the fault of the machine however, even though I pre-treated the spots with Shout. Denim is a very dense woven cotton that is very difficult to wash in any machine. The hotter the water, the better as the cotton fibers relax and flex more easily in the agitation. I treated the spots again and re-washed them in the souped-up Maytag in hot water and the spots were gone. Only recently have I tried washing jeans by themselves, I too have always had better luck with a mixed load of jeans and other sturdy fabrics.
***** Post# 16257-4/8/2002-13:11 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: today is golittlesport's birthday!!! (the old man speaks)
MESSAGE: Oh Bob...you big loveable blabber mouth! Actually it is today, the 8th. Thank you for your well-wishes! Let's hope I'm also wiser. :-)
***** Post# 16259-4/8/2002-13:18 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (excellent work)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg...thanks for sharing your pictures. What a beauty! Those all-porcelain machines sure clean up nice! Looks brand new! That model has two deep rinses and no overflow rinses, right?
Rich
***** Post# 16260-4/8/2002-14:34 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Interesting thought - I guess you load a Frigidaire differently than other TL's - but how?? What is the most appropriate and effective way to load that machine to reduce the tangling? And how do you load large items like sheets, beach towels, etc.....??
***** Post# 16261-4/8/2002-14:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Hi Angus, well I found out later that Greg was washing a load of rags which you probably can't do much with, but to answer your general question, you do most definitely load a Frigidaire different than other washers, or all your clothes will look like the tangled rags in Greg's picture.
You divide the tub (in your mind) into 4 sections, and drop loose clothing into each section. If you wrap them around the agitator as some folks do in top loaders, Greg's picture is the result. When unloading you "lift" from the bottom up, and that helps facilitate smoother unloading as well. When I load pants and long sleeve shirts, I "fold in" the sleeves and pantlegs and point that part away from the pulsator, and that seems to work best. You can't always avoid tangling with some of those types of items, but you minimize it to a great degree.
Large items, you sort of ease into one of the sections and you're fine.
***** Post# 16262-4/8/2002-17:43 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Having owned (and being old enough to have owned) just about every brand/type of laundry equipment known to Americans, I have had bad front loaders, and good agitator machines. I think the difference, again, is design and fittness for use. The old Norge TLs were the very best if you worked as a farmer/rancher, mechanic, machinist, etc. They had a vigourous washing action and a very long agitator stroke and a decent spin. Did a great job on heavy overalls. In short, they were really very butch machines. Although, I named mine Helga.
The Frigidaire jet cone machines were the very best at rolling over most loads, but tended to tangle large items like sheets, and were pretty noisy.
My WhiteWestinghouse front loader washed well, but had poor extraction and didn't really last very long. The door rusted in the inside after it was only 4 years old.
The Maytag I had in the 70's was the only machine I owned that couldn't effectively roll over it's rated load. But, the damn thing won't quit working. My nephew and his wife are still using it.
My GE filter-flo had a unique agitation action, long front stroke, short back stroke and spiral agitator. Was very effictive at sucking clothes to the bottom. But, could have had better extraction. And woe be to anyone who changed the speed control while it was running.
One of the biggest improvements to the back-and-forth agitator, was the ratcheting spiral mechanism that helps pull clothes to the bottom of the washer. Was a stroke of genius. I hope the guy that came up with it at Whirlpool/Sears got a bonus that year.
I agree that most machines these days do a splendid job of getting clothes clean, but also some credit has to be given to the improvements in laundry chemicals as well. I also think laudering products help even out the differences.
But, just my opinions, I could be wrong.
***** Post# 16263-4/8/2002-18:31 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Speaking of mud...Shoes!!)
MESSAGE: And I'm going to wash my own gardening jeans and shirts and see how well they clean up. But actually what my question would be is....has anybody tried to wash tennis shoes in their front loader???
I know in a T/L you can usually add some towels and such to help with the odd load, but what does one do in a F/L machine? My instruction manual doesn't say not to do it, but I'm curious what results would be in a F/L? My dryer does have the rack to dry them when their done, but again, no warnings in it's manual either.
***** Post# 16264-4/8/2002-18:41 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Tangle, Tangle!)
MESSAGE: I almost instinctively load in sections as per manufacturers instructions, however a couple of factors would probably contribute to the tangling. The first one is the pulsator has a four inch section missing although it doesn't seem to make much difference when you feel the water moving around with your hand near it, (remember the 1000 or so pictures of Peter with his arm in different washers at the convention??) but who knows what happens to the clothes at the bottom of the live water action! I have newer diaphram for this washer, but will need to get a different soap dispenser that is shorter because the one on the washer now will hit the lid when it's pulsating - and that would be bad!
The other factor is that the three ring agitator wasn't quite as prone to tangling as the earlier ones without the circulator ring and the different lower diaphram. By far the most common user complaint with Frigidaire washers was the tangling/twisting - it can be minimized by careful attention to loading methods, but even experienced, meticulous users still have a twist or tangle now and then. Frigidaire even recommended replacing the earlier agitators with the Jet-Action to solve this problem. While Consumer Reports isn't the best authority, they too found that although the cleaning and spinning were among the best of all machines tested, they had so much trouble with tangling in the WO65 that they gave it an unacceptable rating. While they probably were a little more critical than was probably deserved as evidenced by Frigidaire's gradual rise to the top in 1958, they still noted in their 58 rating "special care required in loading to avoid tangling." I cannot imagine ALL the test loads were as bas as the one pictured in the 1952 issue.
Don't get me wrong, Fridigaire is among my most favorite washers, and having used the three ring, the jet action and the 1-18's (which seem to have the tangling problem all but eliminated by then) there is the undeniable fact that tangling was a problem. I've done hundreds of loads in the last couple of years in my rollermatic with the 3 ring and now the unimatics and the tangling problems are few, but still happen. When you come down for a visit, we can do some side by side test loads in the 1950, 57, 1-18 and just for fun, the Westinghouse and see what our results are with the same load in each one. (I'm putting my money on the Westy for consistent tangling!)
LINK: http://www.classicappliances.com/RATE%20PAGES/LIST-INDEX.htm
***** Post# 16265-4/8/2002-18:48 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Speaking of mud...Shoes!!)
MESSAGE: My son washes his tennis shoes in our Kenmore front loader and seems to get excellent results. He throws a couple of towels in with them and removes the laces and inner soles, which he "soaks." He then lets them air dry.
***** Post# 16266-4/8/2002-19:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
What a great idea, I will try it. I turn pockets out sometimes for the same reason, though sometimes, lint and fluff is so bad in pockets that they need a brush before washing.
I already, like Kirk, turn all my laundry inside out, partly to reduce wear on the good side, also with jeans to avoid the white crease lines (I learnt this one early on by ruining a good pair). I also do it to avoid the sun bleaching the good side. Actually, I tested the sun's bleaching effect on a table napkin that had a curry stain that soaking and 60C (140F) washing with added oxygen bleach had not removed. At first I hesitated to hang it on the line in case any neighours noticed the stain, then thought what the hell, and decided to see if the sun could really bleach out the stain. A few hours later the stain had all but gone, I had to hold the napkin up to the sun to be able to see the faintest shaddow of the stain left. If the sun can bleach out turmeric, I am glad I hang clothes inside out on the line.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16267-4/8/2002-19:40 ||| steved (Albany, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: For DADoES
MESSAGE: hi, Glenn....... since I accidentally deleted my own pics, could you send them back?? Thanks, SteveD
***** Post# 16268-4/8/2002-19:42 ||| steved (Albany, NY)
SUBJECT: KitchenAid KD10 racks
MESSAGE: Is it my imagination, or was somebody looking for stainless steel racks for a KD-10 dishwasher? I found a set, in reasonable condition....... let me know, or I'll toss them
Thanks, SteveD
***** Post# 16269-4/8/2002-19:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Washing Neptune's Flippers)
MESSAGE: Well, since Neptune was the god of the seas, he didn't wear shoes, but probably had some sort of flippers.
Nonetheless, I've been successful in washing plastic garden clogs and various types of slippers in the Neptune. I usually add some other items - such as work clothes or towels - to help cushion the load and help rub against the shoes to help release dirt.
***** Post# 16270-4/8/2002-19:52 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: UV light is indeed a potent bleaching agent. The owner of any red car can attest to that!
A while ago someone on THS wondered how Guatemalan women managed to get their white peasant garb so clean just by beating on rocks. I suppose they use native materials or soap to help with the process, but no doubt they also use the power of the sun's rays to help remove stains. And most of their stains will probably be plant based, so that they will fade quickly in the sun (as is tumeric a plant based stain).
***** Post# 16271-4/8/2002-19:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Speaking of mud...Shoes!!)
MESSAGE: Trainers and tennis shoes wash surprisingly well in a FL. I used to own several pairs of Nike trainers, and every few weeks I'd run them through a wash to brighten them up. Adding a couple of old towels helps to cushion the thuds a little, and improves the wash results somewhat, too.
The manufacturers probably wouldn't recommend this, but I found that trainers with leather uppers washed just fine. As for drying, I always left mine to sit outside in the sun for a few hours, but a dryer rack would probably be much faster if you have one.
***** Post# 16272-4/8/2002-20:42 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (perhaps this will help!)
MESSAGE: Leslie, if I'd not seen so many similar complaints, and if I didn't know you as well as I do, I'd say this sounds like a "crock".
***** Post# 16273-4/8/2002-20:43 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: My work trousers always seem to collect lint in the pockets. But, worst of all, lint and sand get trapped in the folds of the turn-ups, too. No amount of washing will remove it, so now I have to manually brush it out before the trousers go into the washer.
The sun has quite a powerful bleaching effect, and it's amazing how quickly it can get to work. Unlined curtains always seem to fade pretty quickly on the reverse side, especially during the summer months.
***** Post# 16274-4/8/2002-20:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: I forgot about the effect the sun can have on cars. One of my pals had a red BMW, which was always parked halfway into the shade for several years. It looked rather odd towards the end... trademark super-glossy BMW red on one half, blotchy pink on the other LOL.
***** Post# 16275-4/8/2002-20:55 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance!
MESSAGE: Congrats Greg onf finally getting her up and running. In modern lingo WO. Have you nicked named her yet, maybe Charlotte is perfect, she weaves such a tangled web. But that's to be expected.
***** Post# 16276-4/8/2002-20:59 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Powdered Gain!)
MESSAGE: Flyin suds around the room, hmm, maybe that's why the 3 owners of WO65s in my past wouldn't allow me to watch the spin with the lid open (yeah right).
***** Post# 16277-4/8/2002-21:42 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: today is golittlesport's birthday!!! (Happy Birthday)
MESSAGE: Happy Birthday Rich, hope that your special day was a happy one. Terry
***** Post# 16278-4/8/2002-23:40 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Speaking of mud...Shoes!!)
MESSAGE: I've washed tennis shoes a number of times in a front loader. As you said, just toss them in with a full load and the they do fine. I've had even better results than with a top loader, because they don't tend to float.
***** Post# 16279-4/8/2002-23:53 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: Oh Fab...
MESSAGE: My mother recently got a new front loader. She had previously used liquid Fab in her top loader. I told her that only the powder was HE compatible. She still had 2 large bottles left, and my mother is nothing if not che... er... thrifty. She called Colgate and asked about it. They told her that while not as low sudsding as the powder, all Fab products were low sudsing and HE compatible. She tried it and tells me that a full dose of Fab liquid hardly sudses at all.
***** Post# 16280-4/9/2002-02:40 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Blue seems to be worst colour when it comes to unlined curtains fading in the sun. When we bought our house, it had unlined blue curtains in a sunny window and they had faded to grey. With paint, red seems to be teh worst for fading, as you and Suds have both said, red cars can fade badly, I have also noticed that red paint on front doors fades more than any other colour.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16281-4/9/2002-10:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: I agree with you - especially that the Norge machines were quite butch - and even with that washing ability (I assume you mean the old Norge Time Line machines) they were reasonably gentle on clothes because of the long, slow stroke.......
***** Post# 16282-4/9/2002-10:54 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Richtoo - if the fabric can stand it - a bit of lemon juice and baking soda paste will also remove stains like that, also have to "sun dry" them though.........
***** Post# 16283-4/9/2002-10:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Oh Fab...
MESSAGE: I guess this is one of those unexplained phenomena - Liquid Fab in my Amana TL produces tons of suds.................
***** Post# 16284-4/9/2002-11:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Vintage GE dryers
MESSAGE: At a few tag sales this weekend I found a few items of interest. While no vintage detergents (but one vintage bottle of Linit Starch)I found:
- a 1950's Heyward Wakefield(sp??) dining room setwith a "limed oak" finish. Very 50's - almost Jetsons looking but fascinating. Beautiful condition - table, 8 chairs, sideboard and hutch. Asking $700 - alas I have noplace to put it.
-a very early 1960's GE V-12 dryer, in excellent working condition. I cannot really tell the year, but it has the straight up and down console, lit panel, and some buttons. Also, wide door with foot pedal. One of those things that the owner was selling the grandmother's house - and granny never used the dryer. Funny, the dryer was in an area of the basement tagged as "not for sale" - but when I asked about the dryer, she said "Take it for $10." Will call her today to arrange pickup. Unfortunately no matching vintage washer - just a very recent Kenmore. Wonder what that replaced......
- At the house with the dining room set, a GE dryer that I would peg as the early 1950's. Single dial control with sprinkle setting, dial on the top left of the short control panel and a push button to open the door. Actually looked like the drum was perforated, but I couldn't tell in the dark basement. Next time, a flashlight! Can't decide about that dryer though...........do I really need another?? No price on it - but this sale was run by an estate sale company and they tend to gouge even on the crappy stuff........................
***** Post# 16285-4/9/2002-12:35 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Thanks Angus,
I have heard of using lemon juice as a bleach, but have not yet tried it, I have never heard of mixing it with baking soda. Do you know if the idea of mixing the two is to get a chemical reaction, or just to thicken the lemon juice for easier application? I get plenty of curry and tomato based stains on napkins and tea towels so I will get opportunity to try this tip, though getting the sun here is tre prob, after a lovely sunny spring week last week, it seems to have departed again.
Richtoo
Richtoo
***** Post# 16286-4/9/2002-12:51 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Hi Fanfare,
It sounds like your GE Filter-flo had a very similar agitator design and action to the Hotpoint twintub I used in the early 80s. The HP twinny had a spiral agitator, and I am fairly certain that it had a long forward and short back stroke, though I would not swear to this as I had not used to take as much notice in those days. The agitation was very effective, moving clothes to the bottom of the tub, cleaned well, tangling seemed not to be a problem and it did not seem to cause excessive wear. In the UK, if I remember correctly, HP's design was called fliter-clean, and featured the same sort of soap/lint tray on top of the agitator with continuous pumped water through it. In fact to empty the tub, one attached a hose to the water spout and let the washer run. Extraction was fab, thanks to a spinner running at 3500 revs, though, of course, this came at the cost of having to manually transfer the clothes into the spinner and manually rinse them. Our twinny did not have the auto spray rinse feature that posher ones had.
It has always struck me as rather odd that the UK and US took such different routes after the wringer washer, US went straight to autos and we went to twin tubs. I assume this has someting to do with relevant affluance and also teh UK's Northern European distrust of anything designed to make life easier - we still mainly drive manual cars (autos have about 10% market share) and dishwashers are only just really catching on and have about 20% penetration.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16287-4/9/2002-13:47 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Vintage GE dryers (Your first vintage appliance?)
MESSAGE: Is this your first vintage appliance? Congratulations on the dryer find, I think GE had beautiful styling on their appliances in the 50's & early-mid 60's. What color is it?
On the dining room set, I have a limed-oak Victrola cabinet that I found in an antique store years ago. I was told by a furniture refinisher that the greenish brown finish is a long and multi-step process that few people even know how to do anymore. I have been threatening to list this cabinet on ebay for a few years now as I don't have a use or space for it anymore. It is a truly unique finish though, I'll bet that dining set was truly wonderful.
***** Post# 16288-4/9/2002-15:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: It's just so nice to hear people discussing line drying! I don't know why this practice has fallen so out of favor in America. I always enjoy it when I can do it, and I always remember my mom and grandma making observations (usually good, sometimes not so good) about items being line dried by others in the neighborhood, and their sage advice that "you can tell a lot about how someone keeps house by the quality of the washes they put out."
***** Post# 16289-4/9/2002-15:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Having seen and used Robert's Norge, I think it is a very impressive machine. It really moves the clothes with that long stroke and cleans but it's not that fast or terribly harsh. My observation is that the earlier ones are perhaps better in quality and washability than the ones of the 60s and 70s.
***** Post# 16290-4/9/2002-15:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: That is interesting stuff Rich; here you still see a lot of wringer washers in the estates of older people, but automatics took hold early and fast. Dishwashers took a little longer but it is very rare to see a kitchen with no dishwasher, regardless of the age of the owner.
Automatic transmissions in cars have been around I believe since the immediate postwar era, and with the exception of small and sporty cars, it's almost impossible to find a manual in the US today even if you want one. I have a manual and no one outside my family can ever drive my car because they don't know how to do it. My father always drove a pickup with a manual and saw to it that we knew how to drive this type of transmission, and I'm glad he did. I prefer them to automatics except in very large cars, and I hope we never get where they disappear altogether.
***** Post# 16291-4/9/2002-15:58 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: I believe that it does foam a bit, but it doesn't release any toxic fumes or anything like that..........
***** Post# 16292-4/9/2002-16:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Vintage GE dryers (Your first vintage appliance?)
MESSAGE: Greg - both dryers were white - would have loved pastels, but that was never too big here in the conservative Northeast... Not my first find though. I have also recently found a 1-18 Gold Crown series that appears in fairly good condition - probably 1973-74. I haven't yet brought it home though - hopefully soon as I am dying to see if it works. It came from a local appliance dealer who pulled it from someone's house. On the surface, it needs a new agitator and cap since there is a big piece chipped off the jetcone, a new B.O.N. filter, some hoses and those rubber feet that cushion the lid as it closes.
I did take the front off the machine. There was no rust on the outer tub and the belt, while a bit dry moved somewhat easily. Aside from a whole lot of lint built up inside the top of the machine ( I don't think the owner ever cleaned the filter - there is lint everywhere)it seems unusually clean. I did however find a few ladie's "knee high stockings" on the bottom of the machine.......
***** Post# 16293-4/9/2002-16:14 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: I guess that this is an age old observation. My mother and aunts used to discuss this all the time . And they saw a lot of laundry living in the Brooklyn apartments . Sad that line drying has fallen so out of favor. I take a lot of ribbing from friends about it. I suspect that in this age of affluence, it is considered somewhat "blue collar" to have a clothesline........ Too bad, my clothes look and smell a whole lot better than theirs!!!!
***** Post# 16294-4/9/2002-16:16 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Exactly - I am so sorry we let my aunt's '55 Timeline get away in 1975... That was one hell of a machine. Wish I could find one of those......
***** Post# 16295-4/9/2002-18:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: I'm pretty sure the Hotpoints did use a long/short agitation stroke as you describe. Combined with the deep spiral fins on the agitator, this would explain the fantastic rollover. I was always really impressed at how well the 9605 top loader could handle a big load of towels. By taking off the Filter Clean tray, you could watch the load being drawn towards the agitator and sucked down into the bottom of the tub.
Funny you should say about Brits being fans of manual cars - I just cannot drive one, and eventually gave up trying to learn. Always found automatics really easy, so that's the way I shall be going whenever I decide to resume my lessons. Strange thing is, I find the manual clutch and gears on a motorbike to be really easy to get on with!
***** Post# 16296-4/9/2002-18:11 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hi All
Finally got a digi smartcard reader that works, have posted a link to the new finds I`ve gotten recently....
This Hotpoint TL is busy being put through its paces, even the dogs are getting fed up with having their blankets cleaned so much...all I need now is to find a 1960`s Servis MK41 Top Loader...
Cheers, Mike
LINK: http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/lst?.dir=/Mikes+Laundry&.src=gr&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/lst%3f.dir=/Mikes%2bLaundry%26.src=gr%26.view=t
***** Post# 16297-4/9/2002-18:12 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Well, I always like a manual transmission. I drive a full sized pick-up with one. It is indeed difficult to find manuals unless you are buying bol. Sales people always look at you funny when you want power everything, high end sound system and a manual transmission. On the other hand, I always find automatics difficult. That HUGH brake peddle that extends to where the clutch should be is a constant source of irritation. More than once I've just about crashed the other half's car by going for the clutch and hitting the brake instead.
BUT... I would never consider washing dishes by hand or line drying my clothes -- go figure....
***** Post# 16298-4/9/2002-18:21 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Vintage GE dryers (Your first vintage appliance?)
MESSAGE: After I posted that question about your first classic appliance, I remembered the 1-18 you found recently. If your new dealer friend knows what you're looking for, it's quite possible that he will come across another 1-18 and save it for you. You then can combine them into one good machine. Funny that those rubber lid bumpers are gone, probably some little kid watching the washer, picking at them the whole time!
The lint is common - in my Maytag dryer, there was hardly any lint at all when I got it, but I'm sure that's not the case now! The stockings you found are an added bonus! Will you be able to post pics of your new found treasure?
***** Post# 16299-4/9/2002-18:29 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: The Hotpoint 9605 has a 180d stroke and pretty quick at 74 opm, without getting scientific it seems to have an equal stroke back and forth although wouldnt swear by it....unlike the Servis MK41 machines which had a wide sweep at 210d with 60 opm...
Though it does have a great spin extraction at 1050rpm it nowhere near compares to the twinny at 35oo revs...no hands near that machine!!!
***** Post# 16300-4/9/2002-18:34 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: My mother has always done the same thing, and still does to this day. As a result, I've picked up the habit as well, and often wrinkle my nose up at some of the things my neighbours hang out on their balconies. Some of them are real shockers LOL. We're talking people who mix whites and colours in one load, and hang out clothes which are still stained. I'd never show myself up like that!
***** Post# 16301-4/9/2002-18:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: What wonderful pictures Mikey! NOW I'm even more psyched and excited to arrive! :-) That Hotpoint is a beautiful and well-made machine; much like our GE/Hotpoint products were before they were revamped. Do the schnitzels perch atop and watch their blankets being washed then? ;-) The agitator looks more like an Easy Spindrier agitator than the spiral agitators that were used in GE/Hotpoints here; that is very cool! I have never seen one of those agitators in operation. Love the spindrier units too!
Scott
***** Post# 16302-4/9/2002-18:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Mikey, do you know how fast do those individual spindriers you have spin?
***** Post# 16303-4/9/2002-18:43 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification, Mike. Unfortunately, it's been a long time since I've seen one running, so I couldn't be sure if I was remembering correctly.
***** Post# 16304-4/9/2002-18:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Enjoyed your pictures and loved the Hotpoint! What a neat washer that is - I love the center filter flow stream. The agitator reminds me a great deal of the 50's & 60's Easy Spiralator here. I was happy to see pictures of the mechanism and motor, interesting how it's all put together. Does the "Rinse Hold" option fill and then stop to wait for conditioner to be added? I remember my mother dropping what she was doing and literally running to the washer to add softener - Rinse Hold (or a dispenser) would have been a useful feature in our house!
Thanks for the pictures and keep them coming!
***** Post# 16305-4/9/2002-18:56 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
The Bendix spins at 2800rpm and uses a direct drive induction motor which is pretty quiet, thats German engineering for you!!!
the Hotpoint spins at 3100rpm and uses a brush motor linked to the drum and pump with a pulley belt system, same as the Hotpoint Twinny and is rather noisey... but certainly extract the water with very little moisture left....not long before you can try them yourself!!!!
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16306-4/9/2002-18:59 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
I know what you mean about the rollover, the spiralator does a great job of pushing the clothes to the side of the tub and then pulling them back into the centre as well as rolling them up and under...
Just glad I happen to have gotten this last of the line beaut...
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16307-4/9/2002-19:07 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Yep sur is a great machine, this one has just benefitted from a new motor, power unit, gearbox and spin tube so a perfect find...
Is the mechanism like your newer machines, or like the older models, didnt get to see much of the innards at the last convention, will make an exception to look this next time..
The Rinse Hold light on the fascia glows two minutes into the final rinse and the machine pauses, then add the conditioner and press the swith and off it goes to complete the cycle..
Cheers, Mike
p.s. just looked at your latest machines, great, a lot of work I see, looks like you`ll be contender for next years convention at this rate...
***** Post# 16308-4/9/2002-19:13 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: OK, what am I doing wrong? Mikey's link takes me to a "Document not found" page at Yahoo Groups.
***** Post# 16309-4/9/2002-19:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Mike, you really wouldn't believe how jealous I am of you! That 9605 looks like it's in mint condition, and it's great to see some pics of one in action again. Thanks very much for sharing :o)
***** Post# 16310-4/9/2002-20:00 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: You're a lucky boy! LOL. Was it already spotless when you got it, or did you have to do some work to it? Either way, it looks like it's brand new out of the box.
Hopefully I'll find a 9605 in decent shape when I move and have some more space, and if there's any such thing as a service manual available, I could even be tempted to try my hand at fixing one up myself. Stuff the energy and water use, such things don't matter when you have spiralator washing action and all those deep rinses!
***** Post# 16311-4/9/2002-20:22 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Ed, I thought your truck was extremely top drawer (and yes I've seen true plush pick-ups). I didn't find it odd at all that there was a manual tranny in it and it being such a nice truck.
***** Post# 16312-4/9/2002-20:30 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: I'm having the same prob Glenn.
***** Post# 16313-4/9/2002-20:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Vintage GE dryers (Your first vintage appliance?)
MESSAGE: I hope to post some pics when I get it home....... I did dispose of the old knee high stockings - not much use for them.
***** Post# 16314-4/9/2002-21:37 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Same problem here)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike, sure would like to see your pictures but I am having the same problem that Glenn and Bob are having. Glad that it is just not me. Terry
***** Post# 16315-4/9/2002-22:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: How many deep rinses are there?
***** Post# 16316-4/9/2002-22:30 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT: Hotpoint POD??
MESSAGE: Is that a 1957 model?? anyone know??
***** Post# 16317-4/9/2002-01:59 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hi Glen
I`ll submit the limk again, I`m wondering if its to do with this new Yahoo groups thing....Kirk & Greg have logged in and been able to see, but if I`m right they are linked as members to these sites....
Glen, Terry & Bob are you registered with any yahoo sites that are now groups etc...have not checked the old applianceville site, will check now...I know Greg has posted some recent yahoo photos, need to confirm if he posted to his own free space or used one of the clubs..
Mike
If this doesnt work i`ll post the photos to my own space again and check it out, hope not but this could have implications for future pics....buts its probably just me!!!!
***** Post# 16318-4/10/2002-02:01 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hi Guys
Again the link didnt work until I logged into yahoo groups, then it was fine...looks like you need to log on to yahoo now in order to see any pics etc...
Mike
***** Post# 16319-4/10/2002-02:08 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: This one does look like new especially and I suppose is with the new power unit etc, a few nicks on the cabinet...you can still get the service manuals from Hotpoint service dept, cost about £20.00 and the main parts are still available such as drum, power unit, gearbox etc...
The only thing is that the gearbox, power unit, spin tube etc are all linked together as part of one unit so you have to take the machine completely apart to do work on it...but as thats all new I should have learned a lot more until I ever need to.
***** Post# 16320-4/10/2002-02:10 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Yahoo Log- On)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob
I think with new yahoo groups you have to log on to a yahoo account in order to see....
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16321-4/10/2002-02:13 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Yahoo Log-On)
MESSAGE: Hi Terry
Sorry about that, I think like the others you have to log on to a yahoo account or group in order to see pics now, It didnt work for me until I had...
Lets see what happens this time
Mike
p.s.any more vintage vacs yet, hows the GE doing??
***** Post# 16322-4/10/2002-02:18 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Rinses)
MESSAGE: After the wash it does a neutral drain ( I know.., boring) with the cold water valve on to flush tank & pump suds away, 1st deep agi rinse & then 1 min 1050rpm spin, then second rinse, rinse hold if required then final 4 minute spin..
So short answer two..
***** Post# 16323-4/10/2002-03:43 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Your link is broken!)
MESSAGE: Once again, this is what we see: Document Not Found
Sorry, the document you requested is not available.
Please click here to visit the Yahoo! Groups home page.
Have you tried logging on as a member of a yahoo account, it seems to work if this happens....
Cheers Mike
***** Post# 16325-4/10/2002-07:18 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (You Must Be a Memeber to View Pics)
MESSAGE: In order to view photos in a "group" section of Yahoo, you must become a member of that group first, in this case you must join the Twin-Tub Emporium group -- just like the Yahoo "club" we have for Classic Appliances, you had to be a member to view the pics in the photos section. Here is a link to the Twin Tub Emporium group home page - then click "Join This Group." Once you have joined, you can view the photos posted there.
Looks like the twinnie group is going to be very popular all of a sudden!
LINK: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/
***** Post# 16326-4/10/2002-07:55 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Logging On)
MESSAGE: WWWOOOWWWW!!! I want one! What year is that Hotpoint? It looks new. So am I guessing right that the UK is starting to get our "classic" designs (solid tubs, spiralator, filter-flows, high speed spins)?
***** Post# 16327-4/10/2002-11:08 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (UK Hotpoint TL Year)
MESSAGE: That toploader was manufactured between around 1990 to the middle of 2000. They were also available in almond. Mike's must be an pre 1995 version, because in 1995 they changed the lid to one that covered the whole top and could also be used as a worktop when not in use. My friend used to have one in his old house in the corner of the kitchen completely surrounded by units with a matching worktop. It was like this layout:
Washer | Unit |
_______|_________|
|
Unit |
|
_______|
Must have been a hell of a problem for repairing, but seemed quite a space saving idea. Hotpoint's new toploading model is a Euro style H-axis that's now made by Whirlpool, unfortunately. I remember correctly that it did not have a very good energy ratings - it had a G (most ineffcient you can get) for washing and energy efficiency and a D (equivalent to 5kg 800rpm frontloader) rating for spin cycle! It also used something like 150 litres in the wash.
surgilator
P.S. I have a copy of a 1997 Hotpoint brochure, I will scan it in for you in the very near future.
***** Post# 16328-4/10/2002-11:09 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Logging On)
MESSAGE: Hotpoint probably used a high speed spin to compete with it's frontloading models. Most likely they would have been paired up with matching Hotpoint dryers.
Surgilator
***** Post# 16329-4/10/2002-12:01 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hey Mike,
Really great to see pictures of your Hotpoint. The temperatures selection integrated in the timer is really European, isn't it? Most American toploaders had separate temperature selectors except for the BOL models. Were there any UK Hotpoints with separate temp controls?
What detergent did you use to create the sudscake? It looks really impressive. BTW, the washer looks so new, must have taken care of really well. Do you know the previous owner?
Louis
***** Post# 16330-4/10/2002-15:08 ||| CleanteamofNY (Brooklyn, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Logging On)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the great photos!
That Hotpoint knows how to bubble up!
Anyway, while I was looking through your photo's, I saw a Philip washer that had an agitator machine with 120 strokes per minuets. If they had such a powerful wash action back then, why are we complaining about the direct drive washers of Whirlpool/Kenmore and Maytag? Did anybody had major grief that this machine wash rougher than their older model washers?
Please fill us in, thanks.
LINK: http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/vwp?.dir=/Keith%27s+Alsort%27s+2....&.dnm=Philips+Top+Twin+Part+1.jpg&.src=gr&.view=t&.hires=t
***** Post# 16331-4/10/2002-16:08 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (You Must Be a Memeber to View Pics)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
I think the link works if you log on to any other club in the groups as well... ( it did for me this morning, logged on to hooverland, then came here to test the link and it did work)but could be a fluke...
I think yahoo are converting the clubs in batches so some still look like they did...
Thanks for confirming, thought it was me!!!
Mike
***** Post# 16332-4/10/2002-16:09 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: I think he said "soapcake", but actually I like the sound of "sudzcake" better.
I wonder, though, if it has another meaning. I wonder if a "sudzcake" is an extremely attractive person one might find in a laundromat... ;-)
***** Post# 16333-4/10/2002-16:16 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Logging On)
MESSAGE: Hi Jason
The 9605 was introduced in May 89, and this is a later oct 92 which benefited from an upgraded pump, thermistor control and higher torque clutch assembly and stator.
The drum is perforated, but the machine design has always been the same, all bar the control panel which used to have timeline controls like the Norge..
***** Post# 16334-4/10/2002-16:24 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Born In 92)
MESSAGE: Hi Jonathan
This is a 92 model, first introduced in 89... it also has the famous worktop, its cream on one side and faux woodblock on the other, I`d forgotten I`d left it off....
My Aunt must have bought your friends house, the previous people had exactly the same arrangement, but took the machine with them, she ended up getting a new hotpoint Fl with the new purple controls and glass door, which I thought very groovy, but had to change the kitchen as well..am looking for a TL control panel in purple now!!!
***** Post# 16335-4/10/2002-16:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, the Hotpoint appears to be a very Royal washer indeed. We cannot wait to experience it ourselves.
QEOM
***** Post# 16336-4/10/2002-16:38 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Pics at Last)
MESSAGE: Hi louis
Glad I was able to show you at last, no stopping me now...
the first Hotpoint TL came out in the late sixties early seventies, exactly the same machine as now but with timeline controls like the Norge and seperate temp controls, this machine stayed like that until the introduction of the programmer timer like the FL in 1978...the one previous to this had funky purple controls,
The Servis Top Loader 44/41/49 models did have individual temp/wash/time controls like the US models but also had a heater and spin of 650 rpm...Hotpoint have always had 1050rpm spin speed..
The cake came about whilst using Lux soap flakes and a little DAZ wringer/twintub powder, it went about 6inches more but my camera batts failed and as I got new ones it had started to pump out...dont know the previous owner but it really has been taken care of cosmetically and with the new power unit gearbox etc and I`m sure new timer cos it feels so tight its like a new machine...
Mike
p.s. did you manage to recognise the german made Bendix spinner????was it made by aeg or bosch perhaps???
***** Post# 16337-4/10/2002-16:45 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Super Stroke)
MESSAGE: I`d forgotten about that.... this must be 120 opm with looong stroke/short stroke other wise what a drama.... I suppose there where more cotton fabrics around then so it didnt matter as much...
The thing that makes me laugh so much is this machine washers at nearly half the spin speed of the Baby Bendix..LOL
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16338-4/10/2002-16:54 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Maybe!!)
MESSAGE:
Could be.... but I`d say BeefCake and never MeatLoaf......
***** Post# 16339-4/10/2002-16:59 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
Not long now to find out, though it does have trouble with Tararras or do I mean Tiaras!!!
and come to think of it so do those customs men with their x-ray machines...so watch out!!!!
KOCC
***** Post# 16340-4/10/2002-17:36 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Pics at Last)
MESSAGE: Mike,
I saw some pictures of a Servis toploader on the Twintub Emporium. Quite an impressive machine. A pity these washers weren't sold overhere on the continent.
The Bendix spinner doesn't look familiar. I don't think Bosch or AEG ever made a square spinner, only the round ones. I only know two square models, a Zanussi and an Erres (Stokvis), but both don't look like the Bendix. Is that a timer on top? What is the spinspeed of the Bendix?
Louis
***** Post# 16341-4/10/2002-01:09 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing??
MESSAGE: Could anyone be so kind as to tell me if Arm & Hammer Fabricare powder is low sudsing?? I thought i remembered some of you saying it was but im not sure, I'd like to try it but wont if it is a Super-foamer!!!
Geoff
***** Post# 16342-4/10/2002-01:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Rinses)
MESSAGE: Oops, I was under the impression it did three or four deep rinses. Thanks for the correction, it's been absolutely ages since I've had one of these machines running, so it looks like my memory was a bit clouded on this one.
***** Post# 16343-4/10/2002-01:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (UK Hotpoint TL Year)
MESSAGE: Nooo, Hotpoint kept that style of lid right til the very end. The worktop was an additional accessory supplied with the machine, which sat on top of the main lid to provide a work surface. You used to slide the worktop off in order to reveal the lid as shown in Mike's pictures.
***** Post# 16344-4/10/2002-01:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Glad to hear you can still get service manuals. I'll bear that in mind should I decide to go down that road and fix one up myself sometime.
I'm still amazed at what a good find that was. With all the major working parts being replaced, that washer should have years of life left in it yet. It's a pity not everyone refurbishes their old appliances before getting rid of them - would certainly make things much easier for collectors!
***** Post# 16345-4/11/2002-04:20 ||| Chachp (Little Rock, AR)
SUBJECT: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Hi Folks,
For the past couple of years or maybe longer not really sure, I have enjoyed all the posts and photos to this web site as well as the former Yahoo group. I feel as if I know some of you personally. I, unfortunately, don't have the space to collect the appliances I'd like (mostly vintage dishwashers) so I live vicariously through all of you. I own a condo in Chicago with no basement. I have just been transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas and now that I could have the room I find myself in an area with very few basements, ARGH I do, however, have an extensive collection of dishwasher Print ads dating back to the late 1800's and probably just about any manufacturer who ever made one.
Having said all that, I'll get to the reason I'm writing today. I have just placed an order for the new Bosch Axxis Plus Washer and Vented Dryer. I have read through the Detergent "cocktail" posts on the Gardenweb site and quite frankly my head is spinning. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share a few really simple guidelines on what wash temperature is appropriate for what type of fabric and if anyone recommends a certain type of laundry detergent, bleach (or bleach alternative) and fabric softener. My whites are a bit on the dingy side so I'd like to be able to brighten them up and keep them that way. I'd like the colored clothes to be clean and not fade. Some claim high wash temperatures will slowly ruin your clothes, others claim you can't get them clean unless the water is 200 degrees. Can I do this with products from the grocery store? These folks are ordering from chemical companies and who knows what else. I actually printed out the thread and found it pretty hard to follow because everyone seems to have their own idea of what's best.
I read one post where the person only used cold water for everything. To me it begs the question, why spend the money for a machine that heats the water if you're going to use cold water for everything??
Also, is there anyone out there with this set who would be willing to share their experience. If this has already been covered I apologize for asking again. I chose these because I have space constraints and they seemed to be the best value given their size and features. I've read some posts from folks who claim their dryer is noisy. I guess I'll have to wait and see.
THanks again for all the viewing please and keep on posting!!
Chach
***** Post# 16346-4/11/2002-05:24 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (arm & hammer powdre/liquid)
MESSAGE: NO!It makes mounds of suds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am now using the new Oxidol in my FriGEMore and getting great results!not only in low suds but also real clean clothes that smell great!!I have tried TideHE(-),WiskHE(++++++++++),Tide tablets(++++),Purex tablets,(+++)Wisk tablets(++),Surf tablets(++),and Fab liquids(+++).All low or "moderate sudsing.
***** Post# 16347-4/11/2002-07:21 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: I'm sure when you posted this you realized that there are some subjects that are dangerous to discuss in public: religion, politics, and laundry detergent. I think you picked the stickiest. Everyone has their own quite strong views. I'll tell you what I've experienced, and I'm sure if you read the next post you'll get a completely different view.
I'm on my 3rd front loader in 11 years (Westy, Asko, Frigidaire). In addition, I had a Bosh combo when I was working in the UK. The biggest problem I've had is trying to use a reduced amount of regular detergent (not low-sudsing) to prevent sudsing. Unfortunately, this was in a time when it was almost impossible to find low-sudsing detergents in America. Over time my clothes became very dingy.
My suggestions:
Use a regular amount of an HE-compatible detergent - Tide HE, Wisk HE, Fab powder (liquid seems ok too), Surf tablets, Purex tablets. You can also find European detergents mail order if you like. The Bosh is somewhat smaller than my current Frigidaire, so you may have to adjust dose a bit from "full dose" I suggested. My experience has shown that Tide HE fades quite a bit.
Use a good oxygen bleach when you need to.
My current machine allows for chlorine bleach, which I use on whites with success. On machines that didn't encourage bleach I found very hot water to work well. On the Asko, I typically washed whites at 95C (203F). This does, however, cause elastic to wear out quickly.
I wash most bright clothes in cold or warm and they seem to do fine. I know there are plenty of people who say hot will set the color, but I've had success with cooler temp.
I have tried the chemical cocktails and have not really found them, personally, to do much better than a good detergent and oxygen bleach.
My favorite detergents are Fab and Persil. Downy Enhancer is my fav fabric softener (though every so often I like the Downy Tropical Bloom).
***** Post# 16348-4/11/2002-07:50 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (long / short strokes)
MESSAGE: There have been several references lately to washers having a long forward stroke and a shorter backward stroke. This has got me intrigued. From what I understand of washing machine innards, it is theoretically impossible to have unequal length strokes, UNLESS the inner gearing has a way to disconnect the agitator for part of each return stroke. Otherwise the gear sector (the last gear before the agitator gear) would have to grow with each stroke so that the agitator gear doesn't reach the end of the sector and disconnect from it. Am I missing something here???
Or is it that a spiral agitator drives the clothes forcefully in the forward direction, but tends to slip through them on the return stroke, causing the clothes to index around with each stroke?? This would give the illusion of a longer forward stroke, but in reality it is just a more forceful forward stroke. The Hoover top loaders made in Australia from early seventies to the early nineties worked like that and were a fantastic washer.
If there is a way to make a longer forward stroke can someone hazard an explanation of how it works please ?
Thanks.
Chris.
***** Post# 16349-4/11/2002-08:24 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: Theremin Video??????
MESSAGE: Hi and Thank you to who it was that sent me the Theremin Video!I thoroughly enjoyed it BUT the return address was torn off and all I could see was G & Z???? Who sent it? I would like to thank you directly!
Cheers every one Jetcone(whos been off of late studying 3D photography!)
***** Post# 16350-4/11/2002-08:28 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: Air Way Rebuild tip!!!
MESSAGE: HI all Air Way fanciers!!
I just discovered a restore secret!! I have been soaking my old hoses in Simple Solution to get all the old crud and stink out of them and found out by accident that on the old styly vinyl braided hose if you soak them for a week! all the tiny dust comes out of the braids and the hose is not only clean again but more importantly it becomes REALLY flexible again like new!!
Just thought I'd share a tip that worked for me!!
jet
***** Post# 16351-4/11/2002-10:19 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Welcome to the club, Chachp, and I hope you enjoy your new washer! Chicago to Little Rock must be quite a change, but I hope you will enjoy and be comfortable in your new home.
That Home Site can certainly be mind-boggling at times with all the "chemical blends" they try out and recommend. I've already read ahead some posts here and see you have received some good tips from people who are quite experienced with frontloaders. My experience with them is somewhat limited, but I've gotten good results from both styles of machines in much the same way the gentlemen here have mentioned. Keep us posted!
Dishwashers can be a fun and interesting item too. I didn't realize they existed in the late 1800s though...wow! Enjoy the club, Scott
***** Post# 16352-4/11/2002-10:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Air Way Rebuild tip!!!
MESSAGE: Thank you, Jet for that interesting info! The old woven hoses are very pretty but can be difficult to deal with when they age, so it's always nice to have helpful tips. I'm going to mention it to some vacuum folks in case it can help someone out!
I either didn't realize or didn't remember that you had some vintage cleaners as well as your new AirWay! Which ones do you have? I was very fortunate to have found my AirWay 88 Mark II from the 60s in near mint condition, including the hose. I don't really use it to clean with, but if I did, I would buy a "user" hose to keep the original collectible fresh.
***** Post# 16353-4/11/2002-10:44 ||| chachp (Little Rock, AR)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! )
MESSAGE: washrfreak,
Thanks very much for the information. My feeling, after reading pages of posts, was that there is probably a laundry detergent that does just fine. I guess I was hoping someone would write back to say "These are my favorites and this is has been my experience with others" just exactly as you did.
Thank you very much. The machines are delivered on 04/25 and I'll be prepared to start my own Wash-In.
Chach
***** Post# 16354-4/11/2002-10:50 ||| chachp (Little Rock, AR)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! )
MESSAGE: Hi Scott55405,
Thanks for the reply. You're right - reading the posts only confused me. I wanted to be "armed" with everything I need the day the machines are delivered and it looks like I'll be able to do that.
I'm sure many of you have seen the machine in the attached link. Sure wish I had room for this one. This is actually the machine I bought for $25 when I was in college (many, many years ago) because I couldn't imagine living without one.
***** Post# 16355-4/11/2002-10:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! )
MESSAGE: What a wonderful old d/w! Thanks for posting that link!
***** Post# 16356-4/11/2002-11:43 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Hey Chach. Welcome to Applianceville!
Do you have a link to the AXXIS pic and specs? I know this machine has caused alot of excitement at THS, but have never seen a link to info on it.
In my FL's, I use a scoop from a can of powdered PowerAid or Slimfast, about 35mm, to measure my favorite detergent, ALL. A heaping scoop keeps my clothes looking good, clean and fresh. I think alot has to do with the condition of your water. We have pretty soft water here in the Atlanta area, and this amount of detergent has worked fine for me -- until I got a 1-18.
-ph
***** Post# 16357-4/11/2002-11:47 ||| chachp (Little Rock, AR)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!)
MESSAGE: Hi ph,
Check out the link below. Don't know where it came from but at least there is a picture and some specs. If anyone is interested I'll be glad to scan the books once I'm settled and my scanner is running.
Chach
LINK: http://home.attbi.com/~uwrx/
***** Post# 16358-4/11/2002-11:59 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Hello Ralph,
Welcome to the club and congratulations on the purchase of the Bosch set. You will probably know that I have some reservations on the capacity of the dryer, but I think you bought a wonderful set.
As for wash temperatures I usually wash my whites on 140F which is most of the time enough. If necessary you can wash them on 160F, some oxygen bleaches work better on higher temperatures. I seldom see the necessity for a boil wash. Bright colors that are color proof can be washed on 140F, others on 105F. For darker colors you can use 105F or 85F. Delicates on 85F or cold. Woolens on cold because the rinses are also cold, otherwise your woolens might shrink.
I don't know much about American detergents, but oxygen bleach is good for your whites. I prefer liquid detergents for delicates and woolens.
You just now got that? I sent it several weeks ago. It must have gotten lost, which explains the torn address.
***** Post# 16360-4/11/2002-12:03 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (Dishwasher Literature)
MESSAGE: Scan some of your dishwasher material, too!
***** Post# 16361-4/11/2002-12:37 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: New Members
MESSAGE: Welcome to chachp, and zammy234 (that makes four Texans now!), and whoever else I missed!
***** Post# 16362-4/11/2002-13:37 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! )
MESSAGE: That's a cute little dw you got there, and for a very reasonable price. I'm sure it will be snapped up quick!
***** Post# 16363-4/11/2002-13:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: A lot of people get by just fine on Sears Ultra Plus HE. It comes in three flavors - stain fighter ("regular"), with oxygen bleach, and with fabric softener. I use the stain fighter and the oxygen bleach flavors. Never tried the one with fabric softener, but I hear it works well also. I supplement my Sears HE (SHE) with phosphates (STPP). Because I have hard water and my gardening and house refurbishing work clothes get very dirty and STPP gets the grit out better than just about anything else.
I wash whites and very dirty jeans in my Neptune 7500 at 130F. I'd go higher on whites but that's as high as the Neptune goes. I wash darks at 105F, without problems. I rarely use cold, and then for very delicate stuff like fine woolens, silk, leather.
I hate liquid Wisk HE. I think it sudses up too much, and smells like a cheap whorehouse. Tide HE powder works well on whites but seems to fade colors.
Right now I've been experimenting with Ecos plant based liquid laundry detergent. I add some STPP to the wash before adding the Ecos. It seems to work very well and leaves the clothes naturally soft without needing an extra fabric softener.
I think you'll like your Bosch. If it's any consolation, the Maytag Neptune dryer is loud, as well. But it works quickly and efficiently.
***** Post# 16364-4/11/2002-15:17 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: What do other folks do with their cotton button-down (casual) shirts and khaki pants? Do you dry them completely dry? *Why* is it that some cotton items I can dry a whole cycle and they come out beautifully, and in the same load, other cotton items turn into a horrendous mess if they're left to tumble more than just a few minutes? Normally I tumble these "known offenders" for maybe 5-7 minutes and hang them up damp, and it works out perfectly. This time I was trying to save time and had things to do so I let some things go longer. I won't make that mistake again, but I'm just wondering what others' thoughts are on this, and what they do. People seem to really love dryers, but with some things they seem more a hindrance and a help.
***** Post# 16365-4/11/2002-15:29 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I generally let 'em go 'til they're normally dry, then take an iron to 'em if necessary. I've also noticed that certain items will come out of the dryer consistently worse than others, and even items that sometimes come out OK will vary a little from time-to-time.
Sometimes if I know I won't be able to pull the load from the dryer right away and can plan ahead on that point, I'll set the load for the lowest possible dryness level, then run a dewrinkle cycle later to finish 'em up and pull a couple items at a time before the cycle ends while they're still a little warm (restarting the dryer between), and smooth them as much as possible.
Why is *real* permanent press / wrinkle-free so hard to find nowadays? I bought a bunch of shirts a couple months ago, lucked-out in that they're all supposed to be wrinkle-free, but one or two don't do so well.
***** Post# 16366-4/11/2002-15:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I do the same thing with the Damp Dry on the Maytag dryer and then finish them later. Cloth napkins and the like I usually throw over the clothes line or lay flat to dry, no ironing and no puckered wrinkles from the dryer either.
At the same time I had a Kenmore dryer with Wrinkle Guard, I had a roommate. He suggested that the cycle be extended to prevent wrinkles for three or four days. Chronic overloader with cold water washes - I used to tell him his clothes wrinkled because they weren't clean!
***** Post# 16367-4/11/2002-15:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Some cotton items are treated to be wrinkle free, others are not. Might also have to do with the type of cotton fiber.
Cotton fiber, by nature, wrinkles. It is unlike wool, silk, and many other fibers, which are naturally wrinkle resistant. This characteristic has something to do with the fact that the cotton fibers are not very elastic. This is both a drawback and a benefit. Because they are not very elastic, they withstand high temps and don't unravel as much in hot water. Unlike silk and wool, which are weakened by water. I'm sure this is not a complete explanation but it's what I recall from recent web treks.
I have noticed that some of the permanent press dress shirts I've purchase in the last year have the look and feel of 100% cotton, but are in fact 65% polyester. The textile makers appear to have greatly improved the polyester/cotton blends. These things always come out of the dryer looking like they were just starch-ironed, yet they still breathe well and don't feel, well, plasticky, and they don't pill like older cotton/poly shirts I've owned.
***** Post# 16368-4/11/2002-15:41 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Thanks for those tips, Glenn. Least I know I'm not going crazy! LOL Soon, I'll have a *real* laundry room where I can leave my iron set up all the time which I will love!
You're right, it's almost impossible to find blend or permanent press shirts these days, and that "wrinkle free" thing (whatever that is) sometimes has its virtues, but I too find it's largely a game of chance. If you find a brand that you like and can find a number of things you like within it, that tends to work well.
By the way, I washed the one load in the Maytag since I was in a hurry. Then, I wound up running 4 things through a rinse on the Frigidaire since the dryer messed em up, and the water looked more like wash water than rinse water! Yuk! Pooey! LOL
***** Post# 16369-4/11/2002-15:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Thanks Rich! Nice to know that background about the fabrics...I'll have to keep watch for some of those nice poly/cotton shirts you mention (maybe I already have some and don't know it). It's rare I have to do much ironing 'cept when something like this happens. Looking forward to my new laundry room, which is larger than my current bedroom! :)
***** Post# 16370-4/11/2002-15:59 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (damp dry with a kiss is the secret)
MESSAGE: I always take dress/work clothes and khakis out of the dryer when they are barely damp and hang them up. I'm not a big fan of fabric softener, but just a "kiss" of softener (1/2 to 1/4 the recommended amount, even less in a FL washer) in the last rinse helps tons without stink or clogging the fibers. Most wrinkles will fall out shortly after being hung up.
-ph
***** Post# 16371-4/11/2002-16:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (damp dry with a kiss is the secret)
MESSAGE: Thanks Peter! I actually do use your fabric softener tip, a little bit in the load does nicely and doesn't leave things limp and lifeless. The issue here I see now is that I should not have cut corners. Next time, I won't wash those items unless I have time to tend to it, in which case I do fine.
***** Post# 16372-4/11/2002-16:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: The shirts I'm referring to are Van Heusen "Broadcloth, 55% cotton 45% polyester". Sorry, I got the proportions wrong! Anyway, I routinely wash them in the Neptune at 130 F with the rest of the whites or lights, and they come out just fine. The only thing I've noticed is that it's a good idea to unbutton the collar or it takes an unnatural and annoying set in the dryer.
***** Post# 16373-4/11/2002-16:23 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I have a serious aversion to ironing, but will do it if there's no choice . . . odd thing is that when I actually get to doing it, it's not bad, especially if there's a "Space 1999" (or whatever) DVD handy to pass the time.
***** Post# 16374-4/11/2002-16:25 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I always unbutton the collars when I strip down at the end of the day, so they're set to go for washing.
***** Post# 16375-4/11/2002-16:32 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (Arm & Hammer detergent )
MESSAGE: I use the A&H in my FL Equator and it is low sudsing. I use 1/2 the amount (powder) and the cleaning is great. It is much cheaper than HE soap which I think is a scam.
Peter
***** Post# 16376-4/11/2002-16:45 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (with bleach or with tutti-fruitti)
MESSAGE: The 'with bleach' version was rated highly by our good friends at CU, and it has a cleaner scent than the regular version, which smells tutti-fruitti to me. On the other hand, it's mostly baking soda, so you want to make sure it all ends up in your machine or you'll very quickly get a hard calcium build up. Many laundromat owners wish people wouldn't use it because of the build up in their soap dispensers.
-ph
***** Post# 16377-4/11/2002-17:01 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Soapcake (Yahoo) )
MESSAGE: I cannot get onto some pages like this one and from a few other posts from Yahoo. I am a member but it keeps comming up with Document Not Found! Can anyone advise?
Thanks,
Peter
***** Post# 16378-4/11/2002-17:10 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing)
MESSAGE: Pete
Actually I just use the regular powder with advanced detergent action fabric care and their is no scent. I don't like to use stuff that contains bleach. I use either clorox2 or borateem. I always thought the detergents that contain bleach would fade my clothes (I could be wrong about that). It just amazes me at the prices of detergent. So I will stick with A&H for now.
Peter
I also use the new Oxydol only in liquid for my sheets cause it smells so wonderful. I LOVE getting into my fresh mad bed after my sheets have been Oxydoled LOL. i dont find it low sudsing at all though, are you using the powder???
***** Post# 16380-4/11/2002-17:13 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Soapcake (Yahoo) )
MESSAGE: Are you sure you've joined the TwinTubEmporium group?
Go to http://groups.yahoo.com
Sign-in with your Yahoo ID and password
When the screen refreshed, you should see a list at the upper left of the groups to which you belong -- My Groups
If TwinTubEmporium is not listed there, then you have to join it.
Search for twintubemporium
When it comes up, Join the group
You will have to provide your Yahoo ID and password
You probably will have to "confirm" the email address on your Yahoo registration -- they will send you a confirmation code number along with a link that you can click to confirm your desire to join the group.
***** Post# 16381-4/11/2002-17:32 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: You're welcome, Scott. Here is a more technical explanation:
"11 What makes cotton wrinkle? During wearing and cleaning, fabrics are temporarily distorted to accommodate the stress of use. If the fabric does not recover its original shape, the results are described as wrinkling. Untreated cotton fibers do not have a permanent memory. The cellulose chains in the fiber move by breaking and re-establishing hydrogen bonds. There are no natural forces to promote the cellulose chains to return to their original configuration. "
" 12 What is wrinkle-resistant cotton? This innovative fabric treatment works by strengthening the molecular "bridges" that connect cellulose molecules in a cotton fiber. The special process stabilizes the hydrogen bridges. This permits the fabric to retain its smooth surface, even after numerous washings. The finish does not alter cotton's durability, color clarity or natural absorbency. "
LINK: http://www.touchofcotton.com/FAQ/faqg3.htm
***** Post# 16382-4/11/2002-17:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (with bleach or with tutti-fruitti)
MESSAGE: Um, baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which contains no calcium. I don't know what the composition might be of the build-up you are noticing in your laundromat soap containers.
***** Post# 16383-4/11/2002-17:36 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Yahoo)
MESSAGE: Thanks Glen,
I cannot find the twintubimporium page or I don't know how to find the actual site.
Peter
***** Post# 16384-4/11/2002-17:37 ||| Fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: I will have to agree with you, that HE detergent is a a Scam. As soon as front-load machines started being popular in the US, owners started saving a ton on detergent. They could use less, and the concentration in the water would remain the same or better than a TL. That probably sent P&G and Lever Brothers into a panic, and caused several of their executives to have to come in off the golf course, and take a meeting. The next thing that happens, is they come out with this horridly expensive, not really so low-sudsing, concentrated detergent, that leaves the last rinse water looking like the first wash. (Especially if you use the liquid.) Their challenge was, "How can we be sure that we don't lose revenue due to efficient, environmentally-friendly appliances?" And presto!H.E.detergent was born. But, this is just my opinion, I could be wrong.
***** Post# 16386-4/11/2002-18:00 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: LONG LIVE WRINKLE FREE!
When I have a mixed load of wrinkle-free pants and 100% cotton, I fire up The General and wait about 10 minutes, then I one by one pull out those cotton pants and let the rest dry. The General is old and very energy consuming so I set the timer to between regular and light fabrics and it will stop right as the clothes are nice and dry. The wrinkle free pants just seem to iron themselves when hung up.
***** Post# 16387-4/11/2002-18:06 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Well that definitely confirms what I have been doing then, and it works great like you say. Thanks!
***** Post# 16388-4/11/2002-18:34 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (Well, maybe not a complete scam)
MESSAGE: I respectfully disagree. Having been a front-loader user during the years between when low sudsing detergents were available and the HE detergents became available, I found it very difficult. The small amount of regular detergents that had to be used to prevent a suds nightmare was simply not enough to clean. The main issue was that it couldn't hold the dirt in suspension and it would redeposit, making clothes grey and dingy. The amount of the chemicals that hold the dirt needed is based on the amount of dirt, not the concentration in the water. Other ingredients, like oxygen bleach, are based on concentration, but that wasn't the real issue. Thank god we now have some low sudsing choices.
I do, however, agree that HE detergents are overpriced. There are now several good detergents available that are not marketed as HE (but often contain a small phrase like "front-loader compatible"). Fab powder, Surf and Purex tablets are examples. Good detergents and you can use a full dose with paying for the HE symbol.
***** Post# 16389-4/11/2002-18:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
I love the dryer, but rarely use it to dry things!!! I have ecperienced teh very probs of whihc you speak, and my preferred method with these difficult items is to shake tehm after the wash, put them in the dryer, just a few at a time so plenty of room for them to move, and run the cool down or fluff cycle , 10 mins or so with no heat which loosens the creases, then hang them on a line or over a clothes horse (rack) till dry. Then back in the dryer, loosely loaded again for 10 mins low heat and 10 mins no heat to help remove any remaining creases, remove as soon as dryer finishes and shake and fold or hang, some things still need an iron depending on the item and ones preferrence but I find many are fine after this treatment.
I have yet to read the other answers to this, so it will be fun.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16390-4/11/2002-18:53 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Well and it's fun and interesting to learn that so many folks are doing the exact same thing I usually do for best results. I would have been more frazzled if people would have said "I dry everything to completion all the time with perfect results." No more shortcuts for me, LOL
***** Post# 16391-4/11/2002-19:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
Your description of fibre proerties sound like what I have read on the web too.
I find your experiences with nee poly cotton shirts interesting, I ought to stop being so snooty about synthetics and give them a try. Previousl experience with synthetics has put me off, pilling, lack of body, plasticy etc, but if tehy have come on so much, could be worth a try again. I have stuck with pure cotton as much as possible, but cotton shirts whilst looking good when freshly ironed sometimes look like $h!t after an hour or so of wearing.
I do like pure cotton bedding as I can wash it at 60C 140F, to kill dustmites, polyester and poly cotton gets permanent wrinkles if washed above 53C or 54C 127-130F, I forget the exact, whereas I think it is 56C 132F that is needed to kill dustmites.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16392-4/11/2002-19:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: I agree 100% - all you really need is a good low-sudsing detergent, and maybe a little non-chlorine bleach on occasion. Many folks get great results with the chemical cocktails, but that's probably more suited to those who have to contend with very heavy soils on a regular basis. The detergent and oxygen bleach combo, in my experience, shifts virtually anything.
Some folks use reduced amounts of regular detergent, but I'd advise against it. Nobody does that in Europe, and now HE varieties are becoming more widely available and affordable in the US, there's really no reason to. I hear Sears offers a really good HE formulation at a relatively low cost, and people seem to swear by it.
As for temperatures, I'm not familiar with the Fahrenheit scale, so I can only quote Celsius. Generally, 40*C is the most popular temperature in Europe for everyday coloured loads, 50*C for some synthetic fabrics, and 60*C for most pastel shades and whites. The very hot to boiling temps are mainly used for "kitchen whites" such as dish towels and household cloths.
***** Post# 16393-4/11/2002-19:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Kirk, have there always been "HE" style detergents available for sale in Europe, where I know frontloaders have been popular for a much longer time?
***** Post# 16394-4/11/2002-19:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Hi
Welcome to the group.
Like you, I don't have space for a collection, so I too enjoy the vintage machines through this group. Would love to see scans of your dishwasher adds if ever you post them.
Congrats on your new washer and dryer purchase, I have a Bosch dishwasher and have never regretted buying Bosch, though as the handle suggests, I am a fan of Miele.
I have read on or 2 of the replies to your post, but still need to catch up with the others, so my appologies if I am duplicating here.
The main thing to consider switching from a US TL to a euro FL is that it is a totally different aproach to laundry. You need to give youself time and experience to adjust. Cycles are much much longer, 1 - 2 hours, so many euro users wash 1 or 2 loads daily rather than having a 'wash day', but while the washer is doing its thing, yu can do what you want. euro FLs spin pretty dry, so line or rack drying is feasible, saving money and polution.
On your questions about how to get the best out of your FL, really your own trial and error and personal experience will be the best answer for you. As someone else poined out, so many factors come into play that what works for one will not for another; water quality, degree and type of soil, length and action of cycles on your chosen machine, type of fabric washed, choice of detergent and additives.
I am happy to share some of my methods to help give you a start. I would suggest not worying yet about the cocktails suggested on THS, try the machine first with grocery store products, then based on your own experiences you could try some of those suggestions if you want or need to.
Personally for whites, I like a long hot wash with detergent and I add an oxygen bleach, I use Ecover laundry bleach for this. I am not familiar with US detergents, but some may contain oxygen bleach, or you could try to find ecover or oxyclean which is much the same but more expensive. You say your whites are dingy, this could be the natural tendency of cotton to yellow with age, so oxygen bleach, long soaks and hot water is your friend; or it could be mineral build up from the water, not sure what to suggest other than white vinegar in the final rinse; it could be from too much or too little detergent dosage or from insufficient rinsing. Try websites of detergent manufactures, tide.com and persil.com are good.
CAUTION - don't use chlorine bleach in your new FL unless Bosch specifically says that you can, CL can damage the stainless drum and tub and may invalidate your warranty, check carefully. Don't worry though, in a euro style, due to hot water and long cycles, oxygen bleach is very effective and safe.
On whites, I would also suggest not washing whites containing elastic at higher than 60C or 140F, as it can damage the elastic.
You need to find out whether your washer fills with hot or cold water, on a hot wash with a hot fill, protein based stains may be set, so you may need to do a pre-wash; if cold fill it should not be a problem.
To avoid fading colours, I would suggest a bleach free detergent. Hot water may fade them, though I have not noticed much problem and I use 50C 122F and 60C 140F on many colours but with hot you need to be careful of colour runs. You could try warm, or even those cold detergent that the US has, UK does not get cold detergents. Most euro style machines warm cold washes to 20C, 70F, so there is still a point to the heater, check if yours does this, it would make a cold wash more effective.
As Louis suggested, wool and silk needs careful treatment, but is fine in a FL. Do not ever use bio detergents on wool or silk it can eat them! Buy a special wool & silk product, check it is suitable for FLs though, dont want too many suds. Wool/silk detergents are less alkaline than heavy duty products and are bleach and enzyme free. I wash wool at 40C 105F with cold rinses and have never had a problem. I also wash hand wash only wool on the handwash cycle.
Another point, don't overload, follow manufacturers recomended loads, clothes need room to tumble. Also due to low water use, linting can be a problem, so wash lint producers separately. Low water use machines can also get a smelly body oil build up if you don't use hot washes occasionally, manufactures usually recommend occasional hot washes to keep the washer clean. Due to the fast spin between wash and rinses, and the fact that only small ammounts of soap are needed the number of rinses can often be safely reduced. I usually only use 1/4 recommended soap, and 1/8 recommended conditioner and often use only 2 rinses, works fine for me, but I have very soft water and only lightly soiled clothes.
Sorry, you asked for simple and I type this lot, hope it helps. The link below is for general interest in the group, it is a German synthetic fibre manufacturer and has quite good care advice for many synthetic fibres, it is in English.
Enjoy, the group and your new toys.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.ivc-ev.de/englisch/welcome.htm
***** Post# 16395-4/11/2002-19:39 ||| Erkjoey (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Scott, I usually dry them for a few minutes on low, and then remove, and iron, or hang, and let them finish air drying.
Erik
***** Post# 16396-4/11/2002-19:39 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: I believe you are wrong on this matter. Suds level is not a reliable indication of washing efficiency in a front loader. Reducing the amount of regular detergent to keep the suds level down, can result in less-than-minimally-required amounts of water softener, dirt suspension agents, and total alkalinity agents required to get heavily soiled fabrics clean.
Surfactants, which create the suds, are very inexpensive components of laundry detergents because it takes so little of them to create a rich lather. The bulk of modern US detergents (not HE) is sodium carbonate and/or filler, sodium sulfate. Throw in some silicates to protect washer parts, some enzymes, some optical brighteners, maybe some bleach, and some fragrance to cover up the fact that the clothes really arent' clean, and you get your typical detergent mix.
An HE detergent, in addition to being low sudsing, should also include sufficient alkali, enzymes, and other additives to help the low sudsing surfactant do its job. The amount of these things, particularly alkali and soil suspending agents, are not so dependent upon water volume but the load size and the soil burden. So adding 1/2 the regular amount may well mean that only 1/2 the dirt is removed.
***** Post# 16397-4/11/2002-19:43 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I wash my poly cotton shirts and sheets all the time at 130F with no permanent wrinkling. I have a 100% Egyptian cotton set and it's taking many washes to get it to the point where it doesn't come of the dryer wrinkled. The cottonpoly sheets are high thread count and *almost* feel like 100% cotton, but of course there's nothing like the real thing.
***** Post# 16398-4/11/2002-19:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: I forgot to add: HE detergents are *supposed* to add free dye inhibitor agents. These are designed to counteract the tendency of dyes from colored clothes to tint other clothes. The free dye concentration in a front loader will be higher than that in a top loader, so it's more of a potential problem. And the amount of free dye is entirely dependent upon the load size, not the amount of wash water.
***** Post# 16399-4/11/2002-19:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: That's precisely what I do for things which are supposed to be line-dried. Also works well on formal trousers, with the added bonus being that they only need ironing occasionally. If they go through an entire drying cycle, they need pressing from scratch every time - stuff that!
One thing I have noticed is that cotton knits don't really like being machine dried. Fred Perry polo shirts, which I virtually live in, get a short, slow spin to pull out the bulk of the water, then I gently stretch them back into shape while still wet. They then get dried on a hanger, which helps them to keep their shape and lets the wrinkles drop out.
***** Post# 16400-4/11/2002-19:53 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Kirk, I do that a lot to my knit shirts too, and they come out great! All these great minds thinking alike here today, LOL
***** Post# 16401-4/11/2002-19:57 ||| chachp (Little Rock, AR)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: I am overwhelmed (in a really good way). I was hoping for a no nonsense approach to dealing with these new machines and that's what I got. I really appreciate all of your responses and feel I can be much more prepared for their arrival! You really are a great group of folks. Now, I'll spend some time experimenting and we'll see how it goes.
Thank you all, again.
Chach
***** Post# 16402-4/11/2002-20:01 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Not to mention polycotton bed linens pill, and feel sweaty in the summer - yuk! Have you ever tried Egyptian cotton bed linen? Although it's extremely expensive, it feels very luxurious to the touch, and lasts for years.
Cotton shirts are nice, but totally impractical sometimes if you're trying to look smart. John Lewis sell some really nice no-iron shirts - look for the Jonelle label, which is their own brand. Just wash, shake, tumble dry damp if you want to, and hang up. The creases drop right out, although you can iron them if you prefer the crisp-pressed look. They resist wrinkles while you're wearing them, too, and don't feel syntheticky, if that's a real word.
***** Post# 16403-4/11/2002-20:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: To be honest, I'm not entirely sure whether or not low-sudsing detergents have been all that widely available here in years gone by. Put it this way, they've always been pretty widespread during my lifetime, so that's well over 20 years already.
Theoretically, you could save heaps of cash by purchasing high-suds "handwash" detergent, and being stingy with the dosage in order to reduce the suds level. But nobody does that here in Europe, because low sudsers are so widely available, and don't carry an extortionate price tag, thus negating the need to do so. Plus, it just doesn't seem to work as well. I gave it a try out of curiosity, and by the time you get the suds down to a one inch layer, the cleaning performance is dreadful.
The feeling I get is that the American detergent manufacturers are taking advantage of the FL owners, by marketing their HE formulations as a speciality product, and charging extra it. In reality, it's no different to the low-suds brands which don't carry the HE logo. Just marketed differently. That may change when FL washers become the norm over there.
***** Post# 16404-4/11/2002-20:30 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: LOL - it took a minor mishap for me to discover that method, however. When the bottom hemline of the polo was sitting over my bellybutton, I got the general idea that machine drying was a Very Bad Idea. Rewetting it and pulling it into shape restored it back to its original condition, so all was not lost, but now they go on hangers to dry.
***** Post# 16405-4/11/2002-20:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: I'm hoping that as frontloaders permeate, the prices on these "HE" products will moderate. I know our Sears stores have one that some folks seem to like, and Ed made some good suggestions for products that are HE compatible but don't say HE per se. I work PT in a store and I can tell you the HE products will give you sticker shock to be sure. I'll never forget the one time a woman accidentally picked up a bottle of HE Tide, and nearly flipped when I scanned it. It's nearly twice what the regular stuff is.
***** Post# 16406-4/11/2002-20:53 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Yahoo!)
MESSAGE: Glen,
Thanks much I did get it to process after awaiting awhile
I love looking at the real cool pics
Another Great Addition to the Appliance World.
Peter
***** Post# 16407-4/11/2002-21:53 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: Add to this that before the Ultra craze, detergent boxes all said to use about 1/2 cup or enough to bring suds halfway up the window. Plus, you are only dealing with a few gallons of water, rather than about 20 gallons in a TL. I bet most FL owners, along with nearly all laundromat users, use regular detergent and get satisfactory results. As the owner of a 'mat, I can count on one hand how many times in the last 2 years that someone has brought HE detergent in to use in my FL's (that's 20 FL's and 6 TL's).
-ph
***** Post# 16408-4/11/2002-22:34 ||| jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (Thank YOU Glenn!!!!)
MESSAGE: Glenn:
Its you! Thank you so much! I really enjoyed that!! Clara is a one of a kind isn't she!
Yes the thing arrived in pretty bad shape but the video was absolutely fine! Now I am looking at the Big Briar theremin kit!! You have gotten me interested again!
Will email you direct!!
jet
***** Post# 16409-4/11/2002-22:37 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE still a Scam)
MESSAGE: I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with my disagreers. The real scam of HE detergents is in the price. I'm not totally arguing that they arent better performers for FL machines. There is simply no reason for their inflated price, but to line the pockets of the producing corporations, and I can prove it. I am old enough to remember the low sudsing detergents like Dash and All back in the 50's and 60's. They did an excellent job in FL (and TL machines, for that matter) machines and cost about the same as high-sudsing detergents. And, I still maintain that the liquid HE detergents don't rinse well, even when the directions are followed perfectly. My last rinse is still way too sudsy. So, there is no way anyone can convince me that HE detergents, while very effective, aren't just a revenue generating mechanism.
***** Post# 16410-4/11/2002-22:52 ||| jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Greg--Westy Tangling)
MESSAGE: You know Greg, I was told over and over by Tom, & John that the Westy tangles. And she does but--- like chaos theory--order does come out from time to time. I watched hundreds of loads in the Westy and found in mine that there is a pattern and what you get at the end of the cycle is determined by where the "tumble agitator" stopped in that pattern!!! The loads in the Westy first wind up and tangle then after a while they actually UNwind and detangle and tumble, then it starts over ,they wind up, tangle and ball around and then if the cycle continues they unwind again. Its maybe a sign I have toooo much time on my hands but take a close long look. Sometime if you are inclined peek at your Westy and see if you see what I saw. I would be interested to know. I think you have one of the 6 vained machines no???? You may have more or less tangling with 6 vaines.
Cheers Jetcone
***** Post# 16411-4/11/2002-23:11 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: 40C generally corresponds to warm setting in US (104F). 60C (140F) is often the standard label for items recommend for hot. Many homes here, however, set their hot water heaters lower than that - closer to 50C (122F).
***** Post# 16412-4/11/2002-23:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: I've been tossing in Woolite Dye Magnet sheets with some success on brightly colored loads.
***** Post# 16413-4/11/2002-23:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE still a Scam)
MESSAGE: I agree with you on the pricing. I've never had the rinsing issue with HE detergents however. It is interesting though, the lowest sudsing detergent I've used isnt an HE branded detergent, but powdered Fab. It rinses very good - no suds in even the first rinse usually.
***** Post# 16414-4/11/2002-23:37 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Another video (oldappliancenut look here)
MESSAGE: Here's a little magic I did with a program called Video Shaker. Basically, you give it some video clips and with match the video to some background music. Here's a little somthin' called Washers & Coasters. Oldappliancenut should recognize some of the rides on this video ;-)
right click... save as.
Robert, you can add this to the museum if you'd like.
LINK: http://members.cox.net/rotoswirl/videos/washersncoasters.wmv
***** Post# 16415-4/12/2002-03:21 ||| OldApplianceNut (Pennsylvania)
SUBJECT: RE: Another video (oldappliancenut look here) (thx coasters)
MESSAGE: sorry I haven't been in chat but java won't load on my PC
***** Post# 16416-4/12/2002-07:11 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Detergents
MESSAGE: In all of my washers, domestic frontloaders and the ones at the launderette, I have used Persil Colour for coloured items, and Fairy for whites. I use Ariel very rarely for heavy soils and towels. I also sometimes use Ace bleach for heavy soils. I always get the powder form of Persil Colour, Ariel and Fairy, and liquid Ace bleach. For fabric softener I use Asda's own brand easy iron.
I have tried out Persil Capsules and Ariel Liquitabs before, and also tablets, but went back to powders as you can measure out how much you want.
I always use dosing balls that you put on top of the laundry in the drum. I don't use the detergent dispenser for powder as it tends to clog it up. I still use fabric softener in the dispenser, though.
What does everyone else use?
surgilator
***** Post# 16417-4/12/2002-07:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: And Now for a True Classic Appliance! (Greg--Westy Tangling)
MESSAGE: Hi Jon - good to hear from you. I too, must have too much time on my hands and have noticed the tangle/untangle process the Westy goes through. With some loads, those six vanes are a plus to keep the load moving, but at times it seems to increase the tangle factor. I have tried using less water so there is less "float" and more drop, but as you know, the slanted tub was not designed for much "drop" and the higher water level is needed to keep the load more separate and moving in and out of itself. Since this a cold rinse only washer now, I'll be using it more this summer and will keep you posted on how all the washers perform. I moved the WO-65 into his spot last night and washed a "normal" load which didn't tangle at all. I used the Filtrator to dry them which worked beautifully, but there is a horrible screech somewhere in the motor/fan assembly that I need to get to now. Always something!
***** Post# 16418-4/12/2002-07:39 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Another video
MESSAGE: OK, for those who got sick riding those coasters on my last video, here's one with all washers.
LINK: members.cox.net/rotoswirl/videos/ultimatewashervideo.wmv
***** Post# 16419-4/12/2002-08:36 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Wheres Uni?
MESSAGE: If you are reading please check your email.
Thanks.
***** Post# 16420-4/12/2002-10:26 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: Manly Picture of the Day (April 12, 2002)
MESSAGE: A young boy, a stocky delivery man (with just a hint that he enjoys a couple brewskis after a hard day of delivering Norge washers) who appears TWICE in the ad, and the use of the word "men" twice as often as the word "women". Quite a departure from the typical appliance/detergent ads of the same vintage which usually showed women (always addressed as "Girls", "Gals" or "Ladies" in the ads' headlines) admiring the product with a lust usually reserved for Hollywood's leading men.
***** Post# 16421-4/12/2002-10:32 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (Possible Beginning of the End of the HE Detergent Price Scam)
MESSAGE: Purex Tabs sell for about $3 a box for 24 single-tablet front-load washer uses, making them not only the least-expensive tablet detergent (versus Tide Rapid Action Tabs, Wisk Tabs and Surf Tabs) but also the least-expensive supermarket brand of HE detergent. I'm excluding Sears low-sudsing detergent since most of us don't make a special trip to Sears for a 25 pound pail of the stuff. :)
Now, if Arm & Hammer would add the 2 or 3 cents worth of suds suppressor and anti-redeposition agent to every box of FabriCare, the HE price scam might finally topple.
***** Post# 16422-4/12/2002-11:38 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another video (GEEZ here's the link)
MESSAGE: here's the fixed link
LINK: http://members.cox.net/rotoswirl/videos/ultimatewashervideo.wmv
***** Post# 16423-4/12/2002-11:40 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: Hey Jon
When you come to California, we'll go visit my friend Charlie, who not only owns a thermin, but who publicly performs and has recorded on movie sound tracks and records. He loves to show it off and play for people. He even let me try it (that was scary!!!) Not to forget he also has a vintage vacuum museum.
Rich
***** Post# 16424-4/12/2002-12:13 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE a Scam)
MESSAGE: Have to disagree with you on this one. When my ex got his Frigidaire FL in 1997, there were almost no low sudsers on the market. So we experimented with various doses of Cheer, Tide, Surf and FAB (yes, it was still available everywhere back then) powders and in order to have the right suds level, usage had to be scaled back so much that we found certain really ground in dirt and some stains were not washing out. Very noticeable on things like white towels and pillowcases (especially if you sweat in your sleep.......)
Luckily, I remembered Colgate's Fresh Start which has always been a low suds powder. A few washes with the full dose of that (and the correct water temp of course) and the difference was amazing. Then of course, all the HE detergents came out.
The truth is that I don't understand why all of the manufacturers do not make their products low sudsing. Then there will be no need for separate, ridiculously expensive detergents . I may have posted this before but I called the "big three" detergent manufacturers to inquire about the whole suds thing. I did that because I remembered that in 1990 or so when the "ultra powders" were introduced, most of the major brands were low suds (Tide, Cheer, Fab, Ajax, Oxydol (it was still a P&G brand then), All). Suddenly in a few years, they became high suds. All three manufacturers told me the same thing - They were flooded with calls from irate consumers who felt that if they didn't see mountains of suds, the detergent was not working.
So the point of this is that we the people may have helped create this issue.........
***** Post# 16425-4/12/2002-12:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
I had teh opposite prob getting an auto car, I wanted BOL, small car, no power anything - too much to go wrong, and auto as an extra. I can drive manual, but never get the chance to experience the true pleasures of manual transmission, most of my driving is city in rush hour - stop start in gears 1 and 2, or on the motorway, up to 90 (ohh I meant 70 of course) and top gear all the way. Manuals are best on an empty, round with some bends, so you can get your foot down and really enjoy the gears - we don't get much of that driving in the UK.
On lines and dishes, I find pegging out (UK expression for putting clothes on the line) a real pleasure and love to see good clean clothes and brilliant whites on the line.
I hate, hate, hate washing dishes, would rather scrub toilets!!! I hate it so much that as soon as finances permitted I bought the DW and installed it in my old 7' by 6' kitchen, yes it really was that small. Pervesley, we rent a holiday cottage that has no TV, phone - mobile (cell) phones don't get reception either, internet, washer or DW - has a great old spin dryer though. I actually enjoy the break away from teh technology and for the 1 week, enjoy doing dishes by hand, though of course we eat out for most meals.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16426-4/12/2002-12:19 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I was the opposite on a motorbike, I could do 3 gears with no clutch on a moped, but never got the hang of 1 down, 4 up + clutch on a real bike, though I can drive a manual car, but prefer not to.
The HP agitator discussions has bought back some great memories, I think the HP TL would be the machine to convert me to TLs, that or a Frigidaire.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16427-4/12/2002-12:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Hi Angus,
I think that your 'blue collar' idea has a lot of truth. Some years ago, when almost everyone had a line, I visited a friend's parents' house for the first time. It was in a very up market area. Looking at the garden, I spotted no line so asked where it was to be told that there wasn't one as the neighbours would think they could not afford to run a dryer.
I live in a very mixed, mainly mid scale neighbourhood and lines are still very much in evidence here. When weather is too bad for outside drying, you often see clothing on racks drying near the windows.
Richtoo
Richtoo
***** Post# 16428-4/12/2002-12:26 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE still a Scam)
MESSAGE: Well, in point of fact, Dash and All were not exactly stellar cleaning performers. I seem to recall that CR mentioning that, while satisfactory, neither product was a top performer - but since they were synthetic detergents, this would have had nothing to do with suds level anyway. Actually there were a few more that were considered "controlled or adjusted suds" now that I think of it - AD, Ajax, Punch, Burst (Colgate), Bold (P&G - when first introduced)and Drive (Lever).
I AGREE with you that the prices are heinous. There really is no reason for that kind of robbery - and P&G is the worst - the Tide HE in both liquid and powder is almost twice the price of regular, and it is never included in any of the supermarket specials on regular Tide, and any coupons for Tide cannot be used on HE.....
It does appear in my area that the WiskHE liquid is priced equally with the regular Wisk. And finally - my humble opinion is that no liquid rinses particularly well............
***** Post# 16429-4/12/2002-12:29 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Manly Picture of the Day (April 12, 2002)
MESSAGE: Heh, Heh...supports my theory of the "butch factor" for Norge Timelines.........
***** Post# 16430-4/12/2002-12:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Your mother sound like mine, love em. Mum was very proud of her whites, but loved to comment on less than briliant whites on other peoples lines, would always point them out.
I remember her telling me in hushed tones about how appaled she was with a friend of hers who did not wash her babies nappies (diapers) in they were only wet, instead she would hang them on the line to dry and re-use them. Grosseroonie big time!
Richtoo
***** Post# 16431-4/12/2002-12:43 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (long / short strokes)
MESSAGE: F&P's SmartDrive is one way to do that.
***** Post# 16432-4/12/2002-13:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Just goes to show that it is not the simple chuck in the wash, chuck in the dry and wear that advertising and manufacturers would have us believe. Good results still take some more effort.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16433-4/12/2002-13:23 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE detergent scam: interesting label change)
MESSAGE: Before there was Tide HE, there was Tide for Front-Loading Washers. The label on Tide for Front-Loading Washers advised against using it in top-loading washers.
After it became Tide HE, it magically became suitable for use in ALL washers.
Major reformulation? I think not. Most likely, Proctor & Gamble's marketing folks discovered that consumers were buying a MUCH cheaper detergent (say Arm & Hammer or Purex) for those occasions when they had to use a top-loader, like loading several washers at a laundramat when pressed for time. The solution: recommend using the MUCH more expensive Tide HE in ALL washers. :)
***** Post# 16434-4/12/2002-14:10 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: Excuse me for asking, but what is a thermin?
***** Post# 16435-4/12/2002-14:27 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Another washer
MESSAGE: I found an agitator washer in a second hand shop. It's a wringer washer but without the wringer, or a twintub without the spinner. You combine it with a separate spinner or centrifuge. It has a straight vane agitator, a pump (which not all models had) and a heater. The brand is Velo, a dutch brand. I posted a picture of a similar washer, a Thomson, the only difference is that the brown parts on the washer are white on mine. When the pictures are developped I will post them.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/More+washers&.dnm=Thomson-3.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
***** Post# 16436-4/12/2002-15:08 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE still a Scam)
MESSAGE: Angus, you've convinced me. I'm glad we agree that HE prices are "heinous" and that no liquid rinses very well. That also has been my experience.
I do understand the detergent companies needing to "up the suds" in their products for psychological reasons. It is this mentality among Americans that caused us to embrace inefficient, top-loading, back-and-forth, butter churn agitator machines in the first place.
***** Post# 16437-4/12/2002-15:16 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: That's for sure! On the up side, it gave me a chance to freshen and restore creases on the items the dryer messed up with the iron last night whilst watching my soap operas, LOL
***** Post# 16438-4/12/2002-15:17 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer
MESSAGE: Did you purchase this washer then, Your Majesty? One of the square spinners that Mikey has would be quite suitable as a pair to one of these!
***** Post# 16439-4/12/2002-15:38 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, our eye fell on it while passing a second hand appliance dealer. We purchased the washer immediately and it was delivered within 2 hours after the purchase. We already did a small load of towels in it. The machine has a vigorous stroke of about 160 degrees. It's not a very big machine, We believe it's a 6 or 7 lbs machine. You are very right by stating this washer would go well with one of Mike's spinners. We would prefer one with a spray rinse option, we found it quite something to keep moving the towels back and forth from the washer to the spinner etc. The towels needed two deep rinses and spinning between the wash and the rinses. BTW, we used Persil Non-biological that our friend Michael from Manchester (UK) brought so friendly with him on his Easter visit.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 16440-4/12/2002-15:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer
MESSAGE: How nice! Congratulations on this nice addition to your collection. We understand what you're saying regarding an automatic rinse phase in a spinner. Enjoy your new piece and have a great weekend! We shall drop some correspondence soon.
QEOM
P.S. How especially nice, that you have a friend Mike from Manchester and a friend Mike from Chester! :-)
***** Post# 16441-4/12/2002-17:02 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (Modern detergents)
MESSAGE: When I was at school, I took Home Economics as an exam subject, and I still have one of my textbooks which I used to work from, called About The House. It was printed in 1981; a relatively "old" book for me to be given to work from in the late 90s, but it gives an insight into how things were at the time, when the "automatic revolution" was still in full-swing over here.
One of the chapters on detergents states that low sudsing detergents are better suited to front loading washers, but are more expensive and not quite as widely available. Bear in mind, we're talking 1981 here. The book also goes into detail about the differences between FL, TL and twin tub machines, which would be irrelevant in a modern textbook, seeing as how everyone buys FLs over here nowadays, and not much else.
Nowadays, over 20 years later, the opposite is true. Over here, low sudsing detergents now work out much cheaper than the high suds varieties. And the choice is enourmous; each brand is available in several different permutations, so we have dozens upon dozens to choose between. Then there's all the store brands, too. It probably all adds up to hundreds of different varieties, so we really are spoilt for choice.
Conversely, when it comes to high sudsers, there are only about half a dozen branded varieties to choose from nowadays. Most supermarkets offer one high suds detergent under their own label, but that's it. For the most part, the only folks who buy high sudsers are the old ladies who refuse to give up their twin tubs and go automatic.
***** Post# 16442-4/12/2002-17:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !!
MESSAGE: Thanks for the clarification on that one, washrfreak. Being used to Celsius, Fahrenheit seems like a foreign language sometimes.
I've just remembered that I have an old dictionary stashed somewhere, with the conversion formulae for Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa. Better seek it out and note it down so I don't have to guess all the time.
***** Post# 16443-4/12/2002-18:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents
MESSAGE: Good question, Surge - it's always interesting to be nosy and find out what everyone else's favourites are!
At the moment I'm working through a big carton of Ariel Color powder, which gets used for most of my coloured loads. Once that's gone, I'll be switching to Persil Colour Care liquid, as I fancy a change.
For whites, I normally stick firmly to Ariel regular powder. The scent is starting to get to me now, though, so next time I'm going to try the Alpine variety, or maybe go back to Bold Active Fresh, which smells gorgeous IMHO.
I decided to try Persil Non-Bio liquid recently, and really like it. That's what I now use for towels, bath robes and bed linen, and I love the fact that it rinses out so easily.
Ace non-chlorine bleach is great stuff, and I always keep a bottle handy. Not just for whites, but for reviving colours which have lost their brightness.
Downy Enhancer is my favourite fabric softener at the moment. I like the one with the pink bottle cap, not overly keen on the others; they smell like a tart's handbag, for want of a better description. Comfort Pure is very nice as well, and has a much lighter scent.
***** Post# 16444-4/12/2002-18:28 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: I think, in all honesty, the reason I get on better with motorbikes is that they hold my interest more than cars do. To me, cars are boring (BMWs excepted, of course), and I don't actually like driving. Hence, if the car isn't going to change gears for me, I can't be bothered wasting my time on it LOL. Motorbikes, on the other hand, I positively drool over. My pal has kindly let me get acquainted with his bike on several occasions, which I enjoyed thoroughly, so I was all too happy to persevere with the gears - it was worth the effort to me.
Back to appliances, the Hotpoint 9605 is the machine that got me hooked on top loaders in the first place. All along, I've always maintained that this would be my first choice for a new washer, if it was still in production today. When the time comes to start flat-hunting elsewhere, I shall be paying particular attention to kitchen sizes, to make sure I have enough room to squeeze in a rescued 9605!
***** Post# 16445-4/12/2002-18:30 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE still a Scam)
MESSAGE: And even more unusual... I still have a few boxes of phosphated Ultra Fab, Ultra Ajax and Fresh Start. Every one of those boxes state clearly that the products would not produce a lot of suds and that a high suds level is not indicative of better cleaning. But the public was bound and determined to have their high suds!!!!!
***** Post# 16446-4/12/2002-18:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Oh, please, no! You don't mean to say that #2's got washed out, but #1's were just allowed to dry into the fabric? How do some people's minds work?! I bet that kid grew up with one hell of a sore bum.
My mum always took great pride in the nappies she used for my brother and I. She used to spend hours every day boiling and washing them in a twin tub, but says it was all worth it to see the washing line filled from end to end with pure white nappies.
***** Post# 16447-4/12/2002-18:39 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents
MESSAGE: I LOVE that expression you used in your last paragraph here, Kirk! I must remember that one, particularly if a fitting use for it comes about when I'm visiting the UK! LOLOL
With this new Hotpoint I find myself testing most of the powders on the shelf at the moment....
Am using Arial Colour for light colours, for darks and blacks have switched completely to "Persil Black"liquid soap as I found the dye loss to much since using the previous Wirlpool Awm328 with "Unique Dry-Clean Action"(lowest of the low water level, pha)always use Fairy for whites and light towels..hot wash...
Fabric Conditioner I use Down to Earth, Ecover and Lenor...
Interesting on the point of HE US detergents, I remember going to a Siemens sales training meeting in Germany, and the question of high/low suds powders came up, there was a P&G rep there from UK and he stood up and said that when the powder is made its all low suds...so when UK was awash with twin tubs and wringers the manufacturers where adding hi foam stuff to the powder.... then 1975/80`s FLoaders started to take off and they simply took the addded ingredient out and upped the price.....now its the other way about here as well they have upped the price again for the hi sudzs powders today!!!
What goes around comes around I think we`ll find....
Mike
***** Post# 16449-4/12/2002-18:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents
MESSAGE: Hehehehe - glad you liked that one, Scott :o) It's the same smell you notice when walking down the detergent aisle at the supermarket. A strong whiff of mixed scents, which starts to make your nose sore after a couple of minutes!
***** Post# 16450-4/12/2002-18:45 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Thanks for reminding me of that. I'm headed to Birmingham next week, and to avoid a customs nightmare in Chicago on the return, decided to fly into Gatwick instead of BHX. I was thinking of a nice, quiet (long), early Sunday morning drive up to Birmingham (and not having to use my phone hand to shift). Maybe I'll take the train...
If it weren't for dishwashers, I'd use disposable pots and pans.
***** Post# 16451-4/12/2002-18:50 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents (UK Style)
MESSAGE: For what it's worth, when I sell a top loader to a customer, I tell them to stick to regular low-sudsing detergent. The high-suds types are formulated to produce an artificially high level of foam, which doesn't actually do anything. Since when did bubbles of trapped air clean anything?
Also, when the detergent manufacturers update their formulations, you can be sure it only applies to the low-suds varieties. The high-suds powders tend to stay the same for years, with improvements few and far between. By sticking to the low-suds brands, you can be sure you're getting their latest formulation.
***** Post# 16452-4/12/2002-18:51 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Arm & Hammer detergent low sudsing?? (HE detergent scam: interesting label change)
MESSAGE: I don't remember Tide for Front-Loading Washers. Perhaps it was just test marketed in your area. I DO remember Wisk for Front-Loaders. To my knowledge, this was the first HE style detergent available and you got samples in the Frigidaire front-loaders the first year they were out. It was only sold mail order and was replaced with Wisk HE.
***** Post# 16453-4/12/2002-18:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (Modern detergents)
MESSAGE: Many fewer choices here. Tide dominates all the shelves in all of its 500 formulas, fragrances, etc.... Then Wisk in liquid, powder and tablet forms, then Cheer liquid and a bit of Cheer powder, All liquids and powder (regular All only). Then equal space is given to things like Gain (liquids only), Dreft (liquid and powder), Surf liquid (usually only the regular fragrance - no powders or tablets), Ivory Snow, Arm &Hammer (powders and liquids), Oxydol liquid, Fab liquid and then we get into some store brands and finally "price sensitive brands - Xtra, Sea Mist, Purex (liquids only), Sun liquid, Ajax liquid and Dynamo liquid.
I kind of miss, though the days when you could be overwhelmed with detergent choices - as I remember, it broke down as follows:
P&G: Tide, Cheer, Bold, Duz Soap, Duz detergent(with glasses or flatware), Premium Duz detergent(with dinnerware, Dash, Gain, Ivory Snow, Ivory Flakes, Oxydol, Bonus (with towels), Dreft, Salvo Tablets
Lever: Concentrated All, Fluffy All, Cold Water All, Wisk, Surf, Breeze(with towels), Silver Dust Blue(with glasses), Rinso White Soap, Rinso Blue Detergent, Sunshine Rinso, Rinso with Color Bleach, Drive, Vim Tablets
***** Post# 16454-4/12/2002-18:52 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
The "Line Whites" experience was another reason that the British Housewife was the last to benefit from washer automation...the twin tubs and spinners did such a good job of flinging the hot soapy powder out of the clothes,(even if the washer part was crap) that most people kept their twinnys after seeing all those cheap Floaders that flooded the market from abroad in the 70`s...
Always remember seeing an el cheapo Indesit 300rpm spin , give away price, hardly tumbled & turned, you`d get more agitation throwing them in a bath and treading water...LOL
Mike
***** Post# 16455-4/12/2002-18:53 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another video (GEEZ here's the link)
MESSAGE: Fun videos!
***** Post# 16456-4/12/2002-18:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Kirk does NOT wash dishes by hand. He would rather skip meals than face a mountain of pots and pans afterwards, which is precisely what he used to do before getting a dishwasher LOL.
If I had to choose between a dishwasher and a washing machine, the dishwasher would win. I'd rather use a launderette than scrub pots by hand.
***** Post# 16457-4/12/2002-18:56 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Not washing out the diapers does sound pretty revolting. If that is what she would admit to, I can only imagine what went on in other areas of that house that no one saw!! I hope your mom never ate anything prepared by that woman!!!!!
***** Post# 16458-4/12/2002-18:56 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: I believe it's being mispelled. It's "Theremin", named after the inventor.
***** Post# 16459-4/12/2002-19:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents (UK Style)
MESSAGE: Kirk, we bought into that "layer of suds" thing here in the states for decades. Homemakers of my mother's generation especially simply did not think the process was working as it should in the absence of these suds!
***** Post# 16460-4/12/2002-19:02 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi All
You know that feeling whilst waiting for a number ten bus that never comes then three come along all at once...
Following on from my new Hotpoint 9605 experience, I`ve managed to find another three sought after machines in as many days.....a couple of machines where advertised in loot and I was tipped off by a fellow club member because they where within 30 mins of me......the oldest machine is the most pristine a Servis MK1 Supertwin you`ll need your sunglasses on for the colour....the other is the last twinny ever made Mk111 and the third is a big wringer washer the Superheat Model `M` which according to the blurb was the best selling wringer machine both here and the States...
Happy Washing
Mike
LINK: http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/lst?&.dir=/Mikes+Laundry&.src=gr&.begin=17&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/twintubemporium/lst%3f%26.dir=/Mikes%2bLaundry%26.src=gr%26.view=t
***** Post# 16461-4/12/2002-19:04 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: One of the women I work with recalls her first front loader, a Candy which she bought sometime in the 70s. She says the spin cycle went up to a roaring 500 rpm, just fast enough to stop the load dripping everywhere upon removal from the machine.
Poor girl, she was so embarassed to admit this to me. Back then, she wasn't in the business, and had no idea how awful these machines were. It didn't take her long to find out, though, and she soon went back to a twin tub. Funny thing is, though, she now works as a demonstrator for Candy, which is embarassing in itself as far as she's concerned LOL.
***** Post# 16462-4/12/2002-19:07 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer (Anglo Dutch Covention.......!!!)
MESSAGE: Hey Louis
There must be something in the air for us at the moment....
congrats on the latest find, looks a lovely little mover, does it have a SS tub, I would team it with at least my Bendix spinning at 2800, only thing is it doesnt flow or deep rinse, you`d need a lovely Hoover Rinspin for that...
Keep Looking, at this rate we`ll be able to host a wash-in convention in Euroland soon....what do you say???
Mike
***** Post# 16463-4/12/2002-19:10 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents (UK Style)
MESSAGE: How very true. On many occasions, I've read in publications from about 20-30 years ago, that the best way to gauge how much detergent to use was to keep adding it until you got a nice thick layer of suds!
***** Post# 16464-4/12/2002-19:18 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
MESSAGE: This is SO exiciting Mikey!! What BEAUTIFUL machines!! Of course we know the REAL reason for this sudden burst of fortune! ;-)
Your only task now is to decide how many pence I am to pay you for each sheet I feed through the wringer that you catch and place into the spinner! The schnitzels will think we've gone bloody mad, and they won't have any bedding to sleep in all week! LOLOLOL
***** Post# 16465-4/12/2002-19:32 ||| keymatic (Surrey.U.K)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Great Find...)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike
That was a great find on the Twinny front..Mk1 Servis in a1 condition and in two-tone colours!!
I must send you the little sliver bit that goes in the timer dial...i have one kicking around the place somewhere.
You must be on a roll..keep them comming!!
Keith
***** Post# 16466-4/12/2002-19:53 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer
MESSAGE: Neat find, can't wait to see more pics of the inside and in action!
What would the major advantage of this type of machine been compared to a twin-tub or wringer washer? Cost or space savings?
Have you totally given up on the "spare bedroom" notion now? Looks like that room will be quite full very shortly at this rate! Congratulations and have fun playing!
***** Post# 16467-4/12/2002-20:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Beautiful finds Mike - I love the wringer and the MK1 is just beautiful enough to make a washer-nut swoon! I'm hoping to see some more pics of them in action - and pics of the interiors would be fab too!
Congratulations on your finds - parking the car outside the garage is an appliance collector's destiny! Have fun with your windfall of new toys!
***** Post# 16468-4/12/2002-20:00 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: WHO is Mortition???
MESSAGE: Anybody on the club with the "ebay" handle "" ???
Before I blow you away on the vintage frigidaire parts??
Jetcone
***** Post# 16469-4/12/2002-20:02 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer (Anglo Dutch Covention.......!!!)
MESSAGE: Get ready - we're coming!
***** Post# 16470-4/12/2002-20:05 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: WHO is Mortition???
MESSAGE: Mortition has snatched a few of those Frigidaire parts auctions from other club members (rarcraft - Trainguy, myself and Peter too) maybe we should invite him/her into the fold!
***** Post# 16471-4/12/2002-20:13 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: Wheres Uni? (Uni)
MESSAGE: Arroohhh:
I believe Uni is off studying Vacuum Tube TV right now, like me off studying 3D photography.I know one of his hard drives also crashed this week so he may be doing computer repair. I'm sure he'll get your email at some point!
Jet
***** Post# 16472-4/12/2002-20:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Hi all,
Just been looking at the Maytag UK website, seems like they've got the details up for the new touchscreen Neptune at last. I was most surprised to see that the washer has a 2.75 kW heater, much more powerful than I first imagined. And, having its own heater, it comes under the EU energy labelling scheme, for which it gets a "B" for energy efficiency, "A" for wash performance and "B" for spin efficiency, which was quite a pleasant surprise.
Looks like Maytag are going to be kind to us after all when it comes to pricing. I've just seen it online at www.ogormans.co.uk for £1065, which is a steal, considering the old model often sold around the £1500 mark. They do a washer & dryer package now for less than that - yay!
Looks like the Bosch will have to go once I've moved!
LINK: http://www.maytag.co.uk
***** Post# 16473-4/12/2002-20:14 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: WHO is Mortition???
MESSAGE: Invite him in or clobber him! So everyone else has run into him too!
Thanks Greg
jon
***** Post# 16474-4/12/2002-20:19 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Cool Link!)
MESSAGE: Kirk: Way cool link. Its nice to see Maytag is pushing out into the EU market. It will be interesting to see how they do agianst Miele!! Keep us yanks posted will ya???!!
Jon
***** Post# 16475-4/12/2002-20:31 ||| Jetcone (Boston.MA)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Hotpoint 9605!! YAY!)
MESSAGE: Mike that 9605 is a HOT machine!! I bet it DOES the laundry!
I had no idea England has seen FilterFlo up close and personal!!
Cool site!!
jet
***** Post# 16476-4/12/2002-21:50 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Another video (Another video)
MESSAGE: Jason This is Great!
Peter
***** Post# 16477-4/12/2002-22:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Detergents (UK Style)
MESSAGE: There was a good reason for this thinking. Back when soaps were used, sudsing was a good indicator of washing ability. If the water was too hard, or there was too much dirt, the suds would diminish at the same time the cleaning ability would diminish. That's because the soap molecules themselves were responsible both for suds and suspending oils and dirt.
With modern detergents, however, the chemicals that provide the suds are not the only ones in the mix. There's also carbonates or phosphates to provide alkalinity, break the soil away from fabric, and keep it suspended. There are additional soil suspension agents (carboxymethylcellulose, which sodium carbonate needs), as well as other ingredients. In addition, the sudsing agents are not so sensitive to hard water minerals and dirt, and can provide suds in situations where a soap would be bound up. So, the suds level is no longer a reliable indicator of cleaning ability. Add to this that the surfactants can be modified to provide different levels of foaming, while still emulsyfying oils and greases, and the suds level is even less reliable.
Still, old habits die hard, even for modern homemakers who never used a soap based laundry product. It's what I suppose one might call a techno-cultural artifact.
***** Post# 16478-4/12/2002-22:54 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Manly Picture of the Day (April 12, 2002)
MESSAGE: Yuppers, I'd take the washer & the delivery man (daddy) in a heartbeat!!!!!
***** Post# 16479-4/12/2002-01:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: Leon Theremin is the anglicized version, his real name was Lev Sergeivitch Termen, a bit of a mouthful for the average non-Russian speaking person though.
***** Post# 16480-4/13/2002-02:08 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: Oh, and to describe what a Theremin sounds like, it's very difficult, it used to provide the sound backdrop for a lot of old horror and sci fi movies, it's sound is an ethereal squeak/squawk.
Anyone with a better description, feel free to have a go.
***** Post# 16481-4/13/2002-03:04 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: That's a good basic description, Mr. Bubbles. The horror/sci fi analogy will make people think of the sound. I had the opportunity to see and hear one of these whilst in California in January. A friend plays and even gives concerts!
Go to the very bottom of the page of this link, and you'll see the instrument being played.
LINK: http://137.com/cleanup2/page3.html
***** Post# 16482-4/13/2002-03:51 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Mike, wonderful finds!! Your washdays must be happy days! Can you explain the controls on the MK1?
Louis
***** Post# 16483-4/13/2002-03:54 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer (Anglo Dutch Covention.......!!!)
MESSAGE: Yes Mike, it has a stainless steel tub. A Hoover Rinspin would be great to combine it with. Actually I think this is the newest washer I have, I believe they still are in production. Velo makes twintubs too.
A European convention would be great!
Louis
***** Post# 16484-4/13/2002-03:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Another washer
MESSAGE: Hey Greg,
No, I haven't given up on the spare bedroom yet, I put this washer in a corner on the landing. It is very light and on casters so you can move it easily. This washer was probably made for people who had no room for a twintub or already had a separate spinner.
Louis
***** Post# 16485-4/13/2002-04:11 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Thanks for posting the link. The marks aren't bad, although most European washers on the continent have an "A" now for efficiency. I wonder if the Neptune will ever come to the European continent. The old one never made it.
Louis
***** Post# 16486-4/13/2002-04:13 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Cool Link!)
MESSAGE: Jon, I don't think they won't compete that much with Miele, most European households don't have room for a Neptune washer and dryer. They are wider than the European appliances and then there are the controls on top of the machines. Besides that, not many people overhere have a hot water supply that fits the needs of a Neptune.
Louis
***** Post# 16487-4/13/2002-05:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (celsius to farenheit)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
May I recommend an excellent piece of freeware, CDML advanced calculator, link below. It will do the conversions, in fact it will do all metirc to imperial conversions, though I think it uses US imperial not UK imperial, so watch the gallons, we have 4.5litres in a gallon, US has 3.8 litres in one of their gallons.
Farenheit is a wonderfully logical scale where water freezes 32F and boils 212F!!!!
***** Post# 16488-4/13/2002-10:06 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: What a neat link! Thanks heaps Scott, there is so much interesting and enjoyable material on that site, that my natural curiosity compelled me to investigate further (of course). Truly enjoyable stuff, you've put a sparkle into an otherwise ordinary evening.
***** Post# 16489-4/13/2002-12:32 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Theremin Video?????? (thermin)
MESSAGE: I'm glad you enjoyed it! It is a fun site, and was the first vacuum site I'd ever come across several years ago, which sparked my interest. The site belongs to the person playing the theremin, who is also a vacuum collector and whom I met for the first time on my trip this past winter.
***** Post# 16490-4/13/2002-13:39 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (Thanks Greg)
MESSAGE: Thanks Greg, I followed your directions, joined the Twin Tub Enporium club and was able to see Mike's new pictures at last. Seemed like it took forever for Yahoo to send the code but it finally came. Mike you have really added to your collection. The machines look great!! Thanks for sharing with all of us. Terry
***** Post# 16491-4/13/2002-18:07 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Perhaps an "A" energy rating is something Maytag could work on for future versions of the Neptune. At the moment, though, I suppose it's not too bad a trade-off to make for that monster capacity. Hopefully Maytag will publish the actual consumption figures sometime, so we can work out the efficiency on a per-kilo basis and compare it to what else is on the market.
***** Post# 16492-4/13/2002-18:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Cool Link!)
MESSAGE: I agree, it's aimed at a completely different sector of the market. The Neptune will most likely suit those with spacious laundry rooms, not those who need to situate their washer in the kitchen.
As for making it to the Continent, Louis makes a good point about European hot water systems. In the UK, we tend to have either large amounts of stored hot water, or powerful combi boilers which heat water on demand. Apparently, that's not always the case on the Continent, hence the popularity of cold-fill machines over there.
***** Post# 16493-4/13/2002-18:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (celsius to farenheit)
MESSAGE: Cheers for the link, Rich. I'll bookmark that one so I can refer to it in the future :o)
***** Post# 16494-4/13/2002-19:29 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: An "A" for wash performance? Very interesting. The Whirlpool web site claims that the Neptune 7500 gets somethink like a "D" or "E" for wash performance.
I wonder what the top temp of the Euro Neptune is. That heater, at 2.75 kW, is about 2.75 times more powerful than the US spec Neptune (1 kW).
I'll check out your link to see if they list the euro temp.
***** Post# 16495-4/13/2002-19:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Well, I just viewed the link... no temp info, but since the US Neptune 7500 has only 3 temp selections (cold, warm, hot), and the UK Neptune has 5 temp selections, I surmise that the two extra temps are higher temps, above the current hot high of 130F. Maybe 160F? Who knows?
Please get thee to a Neptune dealer right away and find out for us ;-)
***** Post# 16496-4/13/2002-19:38 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Cool Link!)
MESSAGE: Well, while the Neptune won't fit under a counter (it comes with rear panel controls only), it is not as large a foot print as the HE3t/Duet. In fact, I think it has a slightly smaller foot print than the Electrolux/Frigidaire/Kenmore (Fluxmore) front loader sold in the US. About 1 inch less depth. So I can fit the Neptune in my laundry closet which is just off my kitchen (half in the kitchen), whereas the Fluxmore wouldn't fit.
***** Post# 16497-4/13/2002-20:02 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Yep, they list the MAH7500 as an "E" and the Frigidaire as "C" (and, of course, the Duet gets an "A"). On the Neptune they are using the Cotton Sturdy cycle - not sure if there is a stronger cycle that might compare better. On the Duet the use the Sanitary cycle, so it would be hotter water than the Neptune.
***** Post# 16498-4/13/2002-20:03 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Interesting - that might explain the "A".
***** Post# 16499-4/13/2002-20:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I now won't buy polycotton bed linen due to pilling; I bought the Next Denim cotton duvet cover and pillowcases, and bought Next's matching blue and grey polycoton pillowcases for the bottom pillows. Within 2 years the polycotton pillowcases had pilled so madly that I slung them and bought Egyption cotton to replace them. This set is only used every other week, so thatis very bad for wear, though the denim duvet cover and top pillowcases are just fine. I do find the denim too heavy and warm for comfort, but it looks great.
Actually, when I was shopping for replacement pillowcases, I called into the Dormer concession in a department store, on discovering that Dormer only did polycotton, I declined citing pilling and was grandly informed by the Mrs Slocumbesque saleslady that polycotton will only pill if one buys cheap foreign polycotton! She maybe right, years ago I had a Dormer set in polycotton that was fine for years.
My other bedding set is Egyptian cotton, and 2 years on is still like new. It does crease and I either live with that or have to iron it depending on time and mood, though I have tried old fashioned boil starch and ironing which makes it just wonderful. Its not too bad if I do the cool tumble to decrease, over clothes horse to dry and warm tumble to iron it routine, but is best starched and ironed.
Aside - Real starch, Boots, £1.45 for a large box, not animal tested, really quite easy to use. I tried it after our previous discussions of starching and love it.
Are the Jonelle shirts polycotton or real cotton? I shall look them out. I like JL, but have not bought clothes there, and I really love Waitrose (food shop of the John Lewis partnership for non UK folk), have shopped there for years, for me it beats all the other supermarkets hands down.
You are probably more trendy than I, but M&S knit polo shirts tumble just fine, I love their new Blue Harbour range and have bought loads of it. I have never had a problem with polo shirts from the Gap either. I don't usually tumble them as I am conscious of the power use of the dryer, but when I am short of time I tumble and have not had a problem.
Actually, I have a dryer tip that may interest some. I worry that high heat might ruin elastic, cause creases or shrinkage, but low takes forever. I set the dryer to high heat and select slightly damp. When the timer goes, I reset for low heat and fully dry. Bit of hassle, but works for me.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.marksandspencer.co.uk
***** Post# 16501-4/13/2002-22:53 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Sudz `n` Soapcake (long / short strokes)
MESSAGE: Yes, of course.
I've got one, remember?
I was referring to a "conventional" style transmission. Is THAT possible?
I love those smiley faces, DADoES.
Chris.
***** Post# 16502-4/13/2002-23:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Well, they should probably be using the "stain remover" option as well. This adds additional time. I hope they were using the 34 minute wash cycle, and not the standard 16 minute one.
***** Post# 16503-4/13/2002-23:55 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Yes, especially considering that without phosphates or chlorine bleach, one generally needs very high heat to get things to A certain level of satisfaction.
Have you ever used SA8 Plus or Gelzyme? Using Gelzyme, as a pre-treatment on almost all extemely stubborn and well-set stains, I have no need for phosphates, chlorine or very high temperatures. Up to now I have always obtained perfect results with it. Once applied, I don't even need to wash the treated garment immediately. Letting the 'zyme dry into the fabric and leaving it in for as long as a week, doesn't effect its efficacy at all, nor does it damage or bleach the fabric. In fact, I haven't used phosphates in a decade and don't miss 'em. I use chlorine on my white cottons and linens, but only very occasionally - no more than half a dozen times a year. I also don't wash hotter than 140 degrees F. Usually, 86 to 104 suffices. Plus Gelzyme and SA8 plus are suitable for agitator and h-axis machines. A 6.5 lbs packet of SA8 powder lasts six months in my house with 5.5 people using my wonderful 13 lbs top load washer. It also only costs me AU$48 once every 6 months, do you obtain that kind of economy from top brand supermarket detergents?
I've never sold the stuff and am not plugging it, but in all the years I have used it, I've never obtained near satisfactory results from supermarket brands. With all the discussions concerning detergent effectiveness and quality I honestly find it amazing that Amway doesn't get a mention by anyone here. Is there some sort of stigma happening or am I missing something?
In regards to Amway's sales scheme, I have never been hassled by any sales people or pressured into hopping onto the Amway wagon. I have only ever bought the stuff and had it home delivered by really nice people, who used to only come by once every six months, when I asked them to.
I know that using a single speed agitator washer in conjunction with Amway products makes me more like one of your Republicans or ultra-far-right Moral Majority members, but I can't help that. So please don't pick on me any more and make sure you respond to my post, or I might have to sue you (man, you're lucky I don't live in your neighborhood, hahahaha!!!), okay?!
***** Post# 16505-4/14/2002-05:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: I think it was a "D", but it could have been the old Neptune that got it. Unless there are more options on this specific Neptune I guess they will be using the same temperatures. Considered that the Neptune is much bigger than the European washers the heating element is still not very powerful.
Louis
***** Post# 16506-4/14/2002-05:17 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Sorry for posting too soon about the temperatures.
***** Post# 16507-4/14/2002-05:24 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Cool Link!)
MESSAGE: Rich,
European appliances have standard sizes. Appliances are all made to the 85cm high, 60cm deep and 60cm wide standard. European builders use that standard for planning laundry corners. In my bathroom I can easily fit two European stacked sets, but it would be very hard to squeeze on Neptune set in. Although the width would be the problem in my situation I think in most cases the the depth would be the problem.
Louis
***** Post# 16508-4/14/2002-08:12 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: I have tried SA8+ some years ago and wasn't impressed. I had to use twice the recommended dose to get a good wash. I have no idea what washer I was using at the time, it was too long ago. Choice mag have never been impressed with it. Some years ago they did a "super dooper test" on washer detergents (much more in depth than the current tests) including testing out claims made on packaging and advertising, and looking at environmental effects. They were pretty up to date on the enviro stuff, including their assessment that in Aus at least phosphate detergents are unlikely to be a problem.
The Amway got a caning because they made claims about containing no phosphates when in fact the SA8+ was particularly high in phosphates. And the performance was nothing special, and the cost per wash was high. (but far from the dearest - the dearest was an "environmental" powder which was so poor that the clothes came out WORSE than those washed in plain water!!!.
Still if you like SA8+ then I'm not criticising you for using it..... each to their own.
I have been using Milton Infacare for some months now. It looks expensive too at AU$8 for 1kg, but I use a TINY amount and it cleans better than anything I have used before. A 1kg tub lasts me over 2 months, and I got the last two for AU$5 on special. But I an a bit of a tart when it comes to washing detergents, I have to keep checking out new stuff. I have a pack of Castle with Oxyfresh to try when the Milton is used up. I have opened the pack and sniffed, it is too highly perfumed for my liking so I think the Castle may be a one box wonder. We'll see how it works.
Actually one of my favourites is incredibly cheap. One box (4 cakes) of plain yellow laundry soap and two cakes of generic Stain Removing soap (like Sard Wonder Soap, but the unbranded one), grate them all into an icecream bucket, lasts over a month for less than $1.50 and works better than most brand name detergents. Needs a hottish-warm wash to work well. It oversudses a fraction in the FL for the first ten minutes of washing but the suds break down quickly and it rinses away better than synthetic detergents, and doesn't make me itchy.
Chris.
***** Post# 16509-4/14/2002-08:17 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: Lux soap
MESSAGE: I recall recently there was some wailing and gnashing of teeth because Lux was disappearing from the shelves in UK and USA.
Lux flakes are still sold in Australia, the stuff is made in New Zealand. It has a website on the box for those of you suffering withdrawal symptoms, I think it was www.unilever.com.au but I haven't checked that out.
If anyone is desperate for some I could possibly send some. It is about AUS$5 a box, plus post.
Chris.
***** Post# 16510-4/14/2002-08:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Duet Link)
MESSAGE: Here is the link to the duet. I don't know how to post a link directly to the ratings, so you'll have to click on the duet image, then comparisons, then cleaning.
LINK: http://duet.whirlpool.com/
***** Post# 16511-4/14/2002-09:54 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo,
Years ago the original SA8plus used to contain phosphates and there was only one detergent, which came in the big 6 kilo pack. That was originally replaced by the phosphate free powdered enzyme super concentrate, which now comes in the 3 kilo pack. The phosphate containing regular concentrate is still available in the six kilo pack, for those who don't like enzyme only action. Now they also have the Gelzyme super concentrate liquid detergent (two thirds of a fluid ounce (approx. 20 ml) required for a full-size 14 lbs washer), that also doubles as a pre-treatment stain remover and you've already read what I think about it. Anyway, I always thought, that manufacturers have to state exactly what their products contain (at least nowadays), or else they get into trouble with Fair Trading and Dr Fels? No?
I believe that it takes people some getting used to washing with Amway, because there is no sudsing whatsoever and I think that not seeing suds, creates the perception that the detergent doesn't clean (in my interpretation as amateur psychologist). Although, when you put your hand into the water you definitely feel that it is very soapy. Amway is perfect as a soaking agent and always has been. I also like the rather subtle fragrance of the powder, which never clings to the clothes and all I smell when I hang them up to dry is 'clean.' Occasionally, with a regular hot wash I add trizyme enzyme booster and do a nice soak of an hour or two. I swear that my clothes smell like they've been through a boil wash, the smell is wonderful. The Gelzyme has a slightly stronger perfume to it, but nothing as strong as Fab, Cold Power, Radiant etc..
In terms of cost, even if I'd buy the no frills stuff or other generic brands like Big Kev's, I reckon that due to the quantities required the savings would be negligible. The same would apply if I'd be using Cold Power, Fab, Radiant, Hurricane or Omo, considering how much they are, I can't see any significant savings. Plus, they all use fillers that deposit around the outer drum and other parts of the wash tub and create an ugly white chalky film that gets worse over time.
Interestingly enough, I haven't seen Lux Flakes here at Castle Hill. Mind you, I've only looked at Bi-Low and Coles - want to get the last out of my shareholders card before it goes. Woolies is always a tad too expensive, since I don't get my 8% or 10% discount there. So you flake your Sards Wonder Soap? Now there is an interesting concept, what fabrics do you use it on, wool and silks?
BTW, how is your house coming along? You are in the middle of building aren't you?
***** Post# 16512-4/14/2002-10:20 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: No, I've not used any Amway stuff, nor anything sold door-to-door. The STPP is quite inexepensive and works wonders when used to boost just about any laundry product.
***** Post# 16513-4/14/2002-10:26 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: Thanks for the information - just to clarify though, Lux Flakes have been unavailable here in the USA for years and years. Recently though, a catalog called the Vermont Country Store began carrying Lux Flakes at $5.50 per box. I thought that was ridiculously expensive considering that they are only small boxes, but I guess that's how it is.............
***** Post# 16514-4/14/2002-10:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: It may depend on your local governmental regulatiosn, but in the USA I believe that laundry detergent mfg's are allowed to hide their full ingredient list, for "proprietary" purposes. Naturally things that are injested, such as foods and drugs, are required to give full disclosure. But the full disclosure of detergent ingredients appears to be entirely voluntary. My suspicion is that laundry detergents are absurdly easy to manufacture from basic ingredients. The only tricky part might be the enzymes. But most of it is available from chemical warehouses for a relative song. The mark up on ingredients is probably at least several hundred percent. So I can see why a major brand would like to keep its formulation secret so that some other mfg cannot duplicate it and sell for less.
***** Post# 16515-4/14/2002-10:29 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: I'll check in with my local Pacific Islander supermarket (!) and see if they can get the ANZ flavor of Lux flakes. They have other ANZ items (like truly vile fruitcakes) so I don't see why they couldn't stock the flakes.
***** Post# 16516-4/14/2002-10:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Funny you shoud mention the Next denim bed linen, as I was looking at that in their catalogue recently, and was debating whether or not to buy it. Perhaps it might be OK for when it's really cold, but if it's too hot, it would drive me nuts. But you're right, it does look great - very "blokey" LOL.
The Dorma polycotton may be what's known as Percale. My mum works in a soft furnishings store, and she informs me that Percale has a higher thread count and a tighter weave, making it smoother and more robust. It's intended as a substitute for cotton, and she says it's actually quite good, considering how crappy regular polycotton bed linens are.
Egyptian cotton is a bugger for creasing - perhaps you could use this to justify to your other half that you Really Must Have a Miele rotary iron LOL. Having said that, I overlook the creasing, because it's so comfortable to sleep in. Bed linen is one of the few things I actually iron, and I keep meaning to try out that starch I bought a while ago.
I honestly can't remember if the JLP shirts are easy-care cotton or polycotton. I strongly suspect it's the former. Either way, they're really nice to wear, and if you wash and dry them right, the creases just drop out. The quality is very good, as most of their stuff tends to be.
Shopping at Waitrose? How posh! Unfortunately we don't have one nearby, I think the nearest is Peterborough. Being the lazy so-and-so I am, I order my groceries online from Tesco, and have them delivered :o)
***** Post# 16517-4/14/2002-10:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Apparently, M&S' new clothing range is really quite good, and they're moving away from the fuddy-duddy image now. Perhaps I should check them out sometime, as the folks I work with all say the new gear is fantastic. Gap is nice too, but I'm too stingy to pay their prices, hence why I always shop at Next.
The two-stage drying you describe really works quite well. Good for getting the bulk of the drying done, and then finishing off gently. After all, clothes only tend to shrink in the dryer when they're overdried, so there shouldn't be a problem with tumbling still-wet clothes on high heat.
'fraid so, that was exactly what I meant. She had 2 sproglets, and mum reckoned they must have had readfull nappy rash.
I agree with your mum about the line of really white nappies looking good. By the way, are you a Victoria Wood fan? If so, you may remember the character Kitty, plyed by the redoubtable Patricia Routledge. Kitty informed us how she regularly travelled on her Cheadle saver and so saw a lot of life; thusly she came to her conclusion that what was wrong with modern societ could be attributed to the fact that people weren't pegging enough out.
Another VW funny, reading from the horoscope, 'today's a good day for buying a beige headscarf, but make sure it goes in the tumble dryer, you have been caught like that before'.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16519-4/14/2002-11:45 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Ed,
Take the train? In the UK? Are you completely mad? Our trains don't work worth $h!t, they are a national disgrace. Mind you driving, from Gatwick to Brum, M23, OK, M25 hell on earth, M40, OK, then you got to drive into Birmingham, not fun at the best of times, we drive like complete maniacs, forget Paris, Rome and London.
Seriously, you can hire autos here, and travelling conditions are dire, whether road or rail.
Good luck, have you been to Brum before? its my neck of the woods, till I manage to escape to somewhere civilised and nice.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16520-4/14/2002-11:52 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (inside out and sun bleaching)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
'you`d get more agitation throwing them in a bath and treading water...LOL' Done that, works fine. My crappy creda that spent more time awaiting repais than it did working, as I hated to go to teh launderette, I used friends and rellies washers when visitng, otherwise I did laundry by hand - or sometimes by foot in the bath. I bet I wrung better than a 300rpm Indesit as well.
Not all twinnys had dreadful washers, the HP used the spiralator and was fantastic. Servis was pretty good, with a straight vane agitator. I only used the Hoover active water impeller style a couple of times so can't really judge that one.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16521-4/14/2002-12:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Much as I hate dishwashing, I hated launderettes even more, they are so depressing, thus I did laundry by hand too. As laundry is harder work, teh washer came first. The dryer followed, unheated North facing flat - clothes took a week to dry over the clotehs horse, no exageration. I got so fed up of lugging wet washing to the launderette to tumble, I had no car then either, so I got the dryer, one had to order and wait weeks in those days if buying a dryer in winter. DW followed a year or 2 later, though got one as soon as money allowed.
Actually, a couple of years ago, we moved out of our house to have builders in. We rented next door, and it only had space for washer or DW. It was suggested that I have teh washer, so I said it would be all paper plates and ready meals then! Ended up getting the DW in the rental, and using the washer and dryer in the middle of a building site. For a couple of weeks whilst new concrete floors dried out, I had to use the cleaners Neptune (real hardship eh?) at work and use the dryer outside on the yard.
I can testify that an AEG Lavamat 645 is exceptionally stable at 1200 spin when leaning at 20 degrees or so on a bare earth floor!!!!! Boy did I have kittens trying that one, but it was fine.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16522-4/14/2002-15:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: The funny thing is, I bet most people wouldn't believe you if you told them about the nappy-recycling. Sometimes the mind boggles at how far people will go to save a few minutes and a couple of pennies.
Must say I'm not familiar with those two Victoria Wood sketches you mention, although I do usually fire up the TV when she's on. One of her best comedies in recent years, IMHO, was Dinnerladies, and casting Julie Walters as her nutty mother was a stroke of genius.
***** Post# 16523-4/14/2002-15:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Ah, Birmingham... such lovely roads to travel on :o/ Getting to the NEC in order to go to the trade show last year made me glad I can't drive LOL.
As for the trains, I find it largely depends on the train company on question. GNER and WAGN, for example, are usually flawless in my experience. Central Trains, who operate in my neck of the woods, are just plain crummy.
***** Post# 16524-4/14/2002-15:29 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Completely mad?)
MESSAGE: Completely mad? Nooooo... not completely.
Well, life is full of bad choices. A colleague of mine who happens to be going at the same time talked me into Gatwick by reminding me of my last experience in Chicago customs. I was escaping Brum after the 9/11 disaster. In those days following, you couldn't get near a plane without a body cavity search. Connecting flights were disconnected. Anyway, I ended up abandoning my bags in Chicago. In the best of days Chicago customs are a pain. Of course, on the other hand, is the customs office in BHX EVER open? And to seal the Gatwick option - I was able to wrangle my way into first class upgrades on that flight.
I've been to Birmingham a number of times - though I haven't been in about 6 months. I haven't noticed the trains being ALL that bad. When I'm there, I usually take the train to work (though that's not far) and it's much faster than driving.
M40? I had been assuming the M1 was a better option. My options at this point seem to be car, train, or driver.
***** Post# 16525-4/14/2002-15:33 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Not much has changed when it comes to buying a dryer in winter - manufacturers run out of stock pretty quickly, and then you can be waiting 2 or 3 weeks for the next batch to come off the production line. Hotpoint in particular always seem to have a shortage in summer, seeing as their dryers are the ones in most demand. There's often a shortage of fridge freezers in the summer, too.
Using a dryer in the yard reminds me of the slogan in the Bounce ads: "Like drying outside, inside"... only in reverse!
***** Post# 16526-4/14/2002-18:16 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: Ive always had good results with SA8, but think that there are powders just as good, but which cost less money.
Now Amway Dish Drops dishwashing liquid on the other hand - terrific stuff. When I was using it, I had to cut the prescribed amount down because it was that concentrated.
***** Post# 16527-4/14/2002-18:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Recently I noticed that Persil have changed their packaging, so I took a quick look at their website to see what's new. Can't say I'm enthralled by the new layout, but there is a new product which may be of interest to fellow members from the UK.
The newest product is Persil Aloe Vera, a non-bio formulation which also contains (drumroll...) aloe vera. It's claimed to make clothes feel softer against the skin, and is currently available in powder and tablet forms. Hopefully they'll add a liquid version in the future.
Sounds like quite a novel idea, so once I manage to find some in the shops, I'll give it a try and report back. And if anyone manages to find some before I do, please tell us what you think about it :o)
***** Post# 16528-4/14/2002-18:37 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Grrrrrrrrr! Forgot the link to go with that...
LINK: http://www.persil.com
***** Post# 16529-4/14/2002-18:38 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (Modern detergents)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
I agree that we appear to have enourmous choice of detergent in the UK. However, nearly all detergents are made by 3 companies, P&G, Unilever and Albright and Wilson who make most/all of the supermarket own brand products. There are nor many detergents from smaller independant companies, I can only think of Acdo, Filetti, Ecover and Bio D. As soon as you decide that you want a product based on vegetable detergents, not petrochems, with no animal testing, optical brigheteners, bleach activator nor synthetic perfume, the choice drops right off, my fault for being so picky.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16530-4/14/2002-18:43 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
That Servis Mk111 is just like the one i used to use in teh early 80s. Methinks someone has removed the little white safety lid that should live under the brown spinner lid.
The Mk1 looks very much like my grandmother's servis TT, still in regular use. Hers is all cream and has a lift a swivel spout from the spinner for pumping suds back into the washer or rinse water into the sink, does this sound like the MK1?
Richtoo
***** Post# 16531-4/14/2002-18:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
You are going to need a big kitchen in your new flat, dont forget the Hotpoint TL you want as well.
The Neptunes ratings are very good, I'm impressed, if only Maytag would add the boil wash. That price is good too, I could not find the neptune on ogormans, but will look out for it.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16532-4/14/2002-19:02 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: I ordered a Bosh AXXIS+ !! (Modern detergents)
MESSAGE: Nothing wrong with being picky, that can be a good thing. You're sticking to your principles, and as a result take the time to find out what goes into a product, rather than just grabbing anything off the shelf. I can't see anything wrong with that, besides your choice being somewhat limited.
***** Post# 16533-4/14/2002-19:38 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: If needs be, I'll have to go without a fridge... only kidding! Of course, I need to get the new job first, before worrying about a new flat. Guess it doesn't hurt to pre-plan these things, though :o)
A new Neptune would be VERY nice indeed, space allowing, so hopefully I'll be lucky enough to find somewhere with a decent sized laundry room. Pretty much anything should be bigger than my current LR; the washer and dryer will only fit in as a stack, and there isn't room to swing a hamster, let alone a cat! Serves its purpose, though, so I really shouldn't complain.
The Hotpoint TL will be a definite, enough space or not. If push comes to shove, I could make use of its casters, and wheel it into a cupboard or alcove between uses. Desperate measures for desperate folk, as the saying goes LOL.
About the temperatures on the UK Neptune, I believe it was Sudsy Rich who pointed out it has five temperature settings, as opposed to the three offered on the American version. Although I never have use for a boil wash, it would be nice if one of those extra settings was something of that nature, for those who do need it.
***** Post# 16534-4/14/2002-00:55 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Hi Gadgetmad)
MESSAGE: Sorry about the other nite, I got booted off the net and had probs getting back on again.
Just out of curiosity, can you tell me what SA8 is worth in your part of the world? Is it that much more expensive there in comparison to upper range supermarket detergents? As I have mentioned, I don't spend any more on Amway than I would on supermarket products of similar quality.
Yeah, the Dish Drops are very concentrated and excellent, but, since I use a dishwasher, I tend to go with generic liquid dishwashing detergents, that are usually sold on special. I also use the cheapest available dishwasher powder from the supermarket. The dishes that I use are functional and haven't got painted patterns or gilded borders, nor do I use expensive lead crystal wine goblets and other such fancies on a regular basis, so my dishes get cleaned with regular high alkaline powder of the least expensive kind and it works to my satisfaction. On the other hand, fabric care is a little more complicated than dishwashing, that's why I am prepared to spend a little more on fabric detergent.
***** Post# 16535-4/14/2002-01:11 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: Actually, you are right. Detergent manufacturers don't list every single ingredient that they put in their product here either, and very likely for the reason you stated. Although, I think that they are required to provide some information about contents, as all detergents have a list of some of the ingredients that they use. At least the ones they all have in common. Yet, if a manufacturer claims that their product is completely phosphate-free, when it isn't, is potentially misleading the consumer and would appear to be a different matter to non-disclosure (?).
***** Post# 16536-4/14/2002-01:30 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: What?! You don't like our fruit-cakes?
Boy, I have yet to meet a yank that knocks back an Aussie fruit-cake or saussage roll. Usually they can't get enough, once they've had that first taste. Then one has to slap 'em around a bit to knock some sense back into them.
Don't know much about the Kiwi variety, but they are all nutters in gum boots over there anyway - so who'd want to bother with that?
Have you ever tried vegemite, spread all over your fancy and slowly licking it off? It's not only sexy and delicious, but very healthy. Dr Ruth actually recommends Vegemite over chocolate sauce and strawberry jam - take my word for it.
***** Post# 16537-4/15/2002-08:50 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: The SA8+ I used would probably have been the older one. Iy wasn't a lack of suds that I didn't like (I actually prefer suds-free) but it was the marks that didn't come out of my clothes. I get my clothes VERY dirty at times. I used to wash in lukewarm water back then, nowadays I use "hottish" warm water (about 35 - 40 degC) which helps.
The Lux flakes are at Bi-Lo and Safeway (the Victorian brand name for Woolworths) in Colac. I have a Coles discount card too, it is a crime the mess they have made of that scheme. The discount is 3.5% at Bi-Lo and 5% at Coles though there is no Coles near me. That discount card meant Coles group could kill off their discount opposition (Jewel and Franklins) because all us cheapskates that used to shop at J or F got some Coles shares to get the Shareholder discount card, so the supermarkets that specialized in the cheapskate market withered on the vine and died. I suppose that now they are gone Coles have no further need for the discount card so we lose out. The bean counters are quick to calculate how much that discount has cost the company, but they don't mention how much it has gained the company in sales stolen from their opposition.
The "sard" soap trick... I don't use Sard, I use a generic equivalent. In Bi-Lo it is just called Stain-Removing soap. I grate it using a hand grater and blend it with ordinary yellow laundry soap, also hand-grated. That's not generic detergent, it is yellow soap bars, grated. Like Velvet soap, which I think is called Sunlight up your way. Funny how state-specific brand names persist in these global economy days. I mix the two soaps together and use it as a washing powder, not for delicates (I don't own any delicates...) but just as a daily wash product. I haven't done it for a while, though. I have been happy buying the Milton. I am a shockingly unloyal shopper, I won't stick to a product no matter how much I like it, I always try new brands. But when I have a disappointing new product I tend to go back to the soap mix for a while.
I am as happy as Larry today as the building inspector just passed the frame inspection. Now I just have to start on the several tons of mud for the walls.....
Chris.
***** Post# 16538-4/15/2002-08:57 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: What brand are the truly vile fruitcakes?
After my stay in the USA (A long time ago and with one host family so I can't say it's a national characteristic) I joked to my parents the USA should call its cuisine "the Land of Canned". I don't think I saw a fresh vegetable except for corn for twelve months.
Chris.
***** Post# 16539-4/15/2002-09:04 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (M&S)
MESSAGE: Doesn't Gran (Edina Monsoon's mother) shop at M&S????
Are M&S really moving away from the fuddy-duddy image or....
I commented to the hubby that I had gone into Harris Scarfe recently and the clothes there looked less dowdy than previously. I said maybe they are chasing a younger market. He said, "no, dear, you are getting older."
( I have never seen or been to M&S, they don't exist here, I'm just being cheeky.)
Best Wishes,
Chris.
***** Post# 16540-4/15/2002-11:17 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: The Neptune has 5 temperature options as it says in the text on the UK Maytag website. As the American model has 4 (including the warm-warm option), not 3, I guess an extra high temperature would be one of the possibility. Would that be a boil wash or just a higher temperature? I hope we soon hear something about this.
Louis
***** Post# 16541-4/15/2002-11:20 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: Here is where my expertise comes in. LOL. Any manufacturer producing a product designed for hair, skin, or ingestion is mandated by law to disclose the ingredient list. Anything from shampoo to food to skin cream. The problem with most products from companies is that they often come with highly inflated claims of efficacy and are surrounded by a whole lot of puffery! The only way a consumer can tell if a product is able to stand up to its claims, requires a consumer to be able to read and Understand an ingredient list. Alas, no detergent readily lists there ingredients so the consumer is rather in the dark about wether the product they bought can live up to its claims. We must test products by trial and error. Most detergents lists ingredients as " builders, non ionic and anionic surfactants" and so on. what most people dont realize is that there are only a handful of detergent agents, cleansing agents that clean the clothes or hair or what have you. Detergents are very simple concoction that RARELY differ between brands due to the relatively low number of available synthetic agents. You're right sudsmaster, they are absurdly easy and INEXPENSIVE to manufacture. Just to give you one example and then imm done cause this is going on forever LOL,
to make a standard product that contains your surfactants, foam builders, stabilizers, and so forth COSTS A PENNY AN OUNCE TO CREATE!!!! shampoos, skin cleansers and laundry detergent are alll relatively the same formula as long as the detergent doesnt contain bleach. They are all the same penny an ounce. Kind of grabs you right in the wallet doesnt it guys?????
***** Post# 16542-4/15/2002-11:29 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune ((the other day))
MESSAGE: Yep, got kicked myself and kept trying to get back on so you wouldnt think I was just being rude. Glad we both lost out...
Been years since I used Amway; my distributor disappeared. So, I dont remember what the price was. Consumers Union has always given Amway products low marks because they are so expensive when measured per use.
For my dishwasher, I always did well buying the cheapER powders, because Sunlight, here in USA, is cheaper than Cascade, but, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, does just as good a job. But, when I discovered Cascade Complete sold here, I use nothing else now, and dont mind paying the higher price because I HATE to do dishes, even prescrubbing.
***** Post# 16543-4/15/2002-11:39 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: And heres another one LOL, regarding aloe vera Persil. What most people dont know is that aloe vera is 99% water!!!! The other 1% is a mixture of amino acids that act as an anti in flamatory agent, which is why its sucha good idea to put aloe vera on a sunburn or other skin irritation. The idea that aloe vera would provide softer clothes or "less" irritation is valid if you think about but that would only hold true if the detergent wasnt washing any benefit the alow vera might have down the drain. The amount of aloe vera in a product is most likely at best, negligible. If it costs the same go for it, just dont expect any real difference, but if it costs more?? SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!!!!
***** Post# 16544-4/15/2002-11:40 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: LadyKen POD
MESSAGE: Anybody know who the model is in today's pict-of-the-day? Looks suspiciously like a famous actor, specifically Jane Wyatt, "Father Knows Best".
Celebrities had been used for years to hawk appliances (Ronnie Reagan for GE; Desi & Lucy Arnaz for Westinghouse), but not until the late 60s did any famous people sell for Sears, not a place you would expect to see celebs. There's a great ad in Better Homes and Gardens, September 1969, where Rosemary Clooney talks about her new Lady Kenmore washer and how, although she's a glamorous star, she isnt ashamed to admit she bought at Sears because she got the best for her money, or some such advertising jargon. Great ad that kicked off others from a famous novelist to Dave Brubeck. Dont know why the stigma - we all know the truth. Hell, about a week after he got the nod to take over the Tonight Show, Jay Leno was doing an interview that started just as he had got back from Sears with a new Kenmore dryer he was installing himself during the interview. Even the stars like to save money, I guess.
***** Post# 16545-4/15/2002-11:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
The Neptune 2.75kW heater is near the limit for UK normal domestic sockets, which are rated at 13A, at the 230V we now supposedly get, this gives an upper limit of 2.99kWh. I don't know what Amp rating sockets run at on the continent, but I imagine it is similar to the UK 13A.
If Maytag used a more powerful heater, say 5 or 6kWh, to give hot washed with short times, the machine would no longer be plug and play, one would have to install new dedicated wiring to it, which would cause much loss of sales appeal.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16546-4/15/2002-12:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Yep, Next Denim for winter, good Egyptian cotton for summer would be the way to go. The Next Denim set really must be about the butchest bedding around!
Your right, the Dorma polycotton is a percale. I think that percale describes the weave rather than the fibre, as I am fairly sure that one can buy pure cotton percale.
I don; tthin thet 'He who must' would ever wash the idea of a Miele rotart iron, he considered me to be quite mad buying a £100 pressurised steam generator iron. He also considers me to completely mad if I iron anything other than trousers, we send shirts out for ironing, at 60p each they can have them, trousers at 2 quid, I will do. I think he approves of me ironing table napkins, but makes sarcy comments when I iron tea towels or bedding. Actually, I only ever rarely ironed bedding, but these last few weeks, since discovering real starch I have ironed and starched the bedding, tea towels, napkins, aprons, even the tea cosy - yes I like the full pot and cosy tea ceremony, my mother bought me up to consider a bag in a mug to be a little common.
Actually the real starch is easy. Cup of cold water in a jug, add 3 tablesppons starch and mix till lump free, easier than I expected. Add kettle full of boiling water, mixing well, I use a balloon whisk, add cold water to cool it a bit and chuck in the machine with the damp washing, either chuch in through the door or soap dispenser. Select the starch cycle or conditioner rinse, spin. Dry til damp, dryer is fine and iron til dry. If short of time to iron immediately, dry fully and steam iron or spray with water to refresh it. Best results come from ironing from damp til dry, but eitehr way works OK.
Shopping at Waitrose posh!, Well I suppose it isn't Kwik Save or Aldi, but it really isn't expensive. Safeway, almost next door but I hardly ever go there, is way more expensive. Actually, I am off to Sainsbury's now for some top up shopping. I have not tried the online supermarket shopping yet, I really must. I have veg, eggs, soap, shampoo etc delivered by the local organic cardboard and sandles workers cooperative, so I guess it is the next step.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16547-4/15/2002-13:13 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (starch and fine rinse)
MESSAGE: What are the cycle sequences of the "starch" and the "fine rinse" settings on a Miele washer?
Talking with Faultless reps at the last Clean show, they said that clothes must tumble in a starch solution for 7-10 minutes for the starch to "take" properly.
-ph
***** Post# 16548-4/15/2002-14:44 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: LadyKen POD
MESSAGE: It is Jane Wyatt!
"Although she could afford to buy any washer and dryer..." This was a great campaign for everything from refrigerators of famous chefs to sewing machines for clothing designers.
***** Post# 16549-4/15/2002-14:52 ||| keymatic (Surrey.U.K)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Rich
The Servis 111 that Mike has just got did'nt have the inner lid, this was only introduced on the Mk 70 & 80 & 108 as a safety measure..
The Twin tub that your Grandmother is using either sounds like a Hotpoint or another machine, Servis never had an arm set-up, sounds quite interesting though to find out. If it is a model 1400 Hotpoint supermatic, it would be great if she still had the instructions as I have never seen these!!
Cheers
Keith
***** Post# 16550-4/15/2002-15:44 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (M&S)
MESSAGE: Yep, M&S was always considered to be a shop for the "mature" person. June Whitfield's character in Absolutely Fabulous is the stereotypical M&S shopper, all cardigans and polyester slacks. But since profits began to dive, they've had to start appealing to a wider audience in order to attract more shoppers, hence the changes. I haven't been in one of their stores for years, but have been reliably informed that the "old" image is starting to become a thing of the past.
***** Post# 16551-4/15/2002-15:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (amway stuff)
MESSAGE: Yes, of course, claiming something when the truth is otherwise is not good, and should be stopped. But that's different from an incomplete ingredient listing. I've noticed that the top brand name US detergents tend to be rather terse about what they contain. They might say something like "surfactants, water softening agents, enzymes, optical birghteners, fragrance." They list the enzymes, dyes and fragrance because these items give some people allergic problems. But they don't say what kind of water softener, surfactant, etc. I've noticed that less expensive brands are often more complete in their ingredient listing, actually stating, for example, that it's sodium carbonate. But none of them seem too interested in listing the actual name of the surfactant compound used. I suppose most consumers aren't interested either, but I'd sure like to know.
***** Post# 16552-4/15/2002-15:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: A higher temperature sounds like a strong possibility, considering the Euro export model has a 2.75 kW heater, versus 1 kW on the American version. As soon as the new brochure comes out, I'll order one and see if it reveals any further info.
***** Post# 16553-4/15/2002-15:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Of course, one has to weigh up the cost versus the benefits. If it costs a fair bit extra, I might think twice about even trying it. Likewise, if I can't tell any difference in the finished result, it will be a one-off purchase.
I wonder if it would have been a better idea for them to put the aloe vera into a fabric softener? That way it wouldn't be rinsed out after the wash.
***** Post# 16554-4/15/2002-15:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: I took a taste of Vegemite back in the mid-80's when that Men At Work song made it all the rage. We had a kiwi co-worker who brought some in. I actually liked it, but then I also went through a period when I used to add brewer's yeast to my eggs before scrambling them. Well, maybe like is too strong a word. I wasn't revolted by it, which most people here seem to be. I can't quite see it being pleasing with chocolate or strawberry, but maybe it's an aquired taste. I'll have you know that as a sailing initiation ritual, I once managed to consume and keep down an oreo that had been taken apart, had sardines inserted in the middle and reassembled. This is best done on a downwind leg.
I still have that Aussie fruitcake in the fridge. It's just too dry and tasteless for my liking. I had more in mind the delicious moist fruitcake I used to get in Harry and David packages from Oregon. Now that's good stuff.
***** Post# 16555-4/15/2002-16:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: Oh my. Your visit to the USA must not have been to Northern California. Up here the canned vegetables are reserved for air-raid shelters or French people (who, I'm told, have a secret craving for canned peas). We are very proud of our produce and enjoy it prepared al dente.
***** Post# 16556-4/15/2002-16:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: That's the same reason folks who buy an American washer over here usually don't bother getting the dryer to match it. The washers plug into a 13A socket, so they're not a problem. The dryers, however, need a 30A connection, which puts most people off. Unless they're refitting their kitchen or laundry room, they're not interested in all the extra hassle the installation would create.
***** Post# 16557-4/15/2002-16:09 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Detergent labeling)
MESSAGE: LOL, yes. And I can go into my local feed store and buy a gallon of pure sodium lauryl sulfate, the major ingredient in most shampoos and hand dishwashing liquids. The cost is about $8. This is a very thick liquid and it is no doubt diluted with water to make most products. Anyway, I've heard it makes a passable shampoo, provided one follows it with a vinegar rinse or a conditioner. I imagine it's also used to wash horses and other livestock. A while ago, Consumer Reports did testing of shampoos. They found that the cheapest hand dishwashing liquid (such as "Crystal White") did as good or better job of washing hair as the more expensive brand names.
When I was researching STPP etc, my local chemical warehouse man gave me his recipe for laundry detergent. The actual amount of surfactant to be added was very small - maybe 1-2%. If detergent manufacturers had to list their ingredients in the actual order of proportion, as food products must be listed, the surfactants would be near the end of the list, instead of first on the list with so many laundry products today.
OK, you may have had enough, but I'm sure others have not.
***** Post# 16558-4/15/2002-16:10 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: And, aloe vera is very easy to grow in a pot indoors.
***** Post# 16559-4/15/2002-16:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: LadyKen POD
MESSAGE: Leno is a gear head, who collects cars and motorcycles. I doubt that Johnny Carson even knew how to do a load of laundry.
***** Post# 16560-4/15/2002-16:14 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Consumer Reports also did a comparison of hand/bath bar soaps. They also said that those which claimed to have "Aloe Vera" in them had so little as to be of negligible benefit. Similarly for those that claimed to contain vitamin E.
***** Post# 16561-4/15/2002-16:47 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: How about the bed linen set I bought my brother in readiness for him moving into student accommodation - camouflage pattern! He was a typical student, bit of a filthy pig if I'm honest, so I figured it would help hide the stains between the yearly trips to the launderette. But it scores 10/10 for butchness, it must be said. He still has it, and even his girlfriend thinks it's great.
Those steam generator irons are great - I have the Polti Vaporella, and it makes the little ironing I do much easier. Plus it's a brilliant steamer for de-wrinkling things on a hanger. Expensive, but worth the extra in my opinion. There's no way I could go back to a regular iron now, that's for sure.
You've probably guessed by now that I'm not the teapot type, much preferring to throw a teabag into a mug... oh dear! No ceremony here, in fact guests get told to make their own tea; they know where the kettle is LOL.
As for starch, I will give the Dylon liquid a go, seeing as I already have a bottle stashed in my utility room. Once that's gone, I'll try some real powdered starch and compare. There's nothing quite like that fancy-hotel feel of starched sheets, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
***** Post# 16562-4/15/2002-16:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: My aunt grows aloe in her conservatory - it somewhat resembles a cactus, in that it has thick, fleshy leaves. If she burns herself while cooking (which is quite often, as she's rather cack-handed), she snips the tip off one of the leaves, and rubs it on the burn to stop it swelling into a big welt.
***** Post# 16563-4/15/2002-17:00 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Hmmm... I'm not expecting great things now, after reading the posts here. If it's priced similar to regular Persil, I'll get a small carton just to see if I can tell any difference. With all the recent detergent discussions here, I've started to deviate from my strict Ariel-only regime, and have enjoyed the change that comes from trying out new detergents.
***** Post# 16564-4/15/2002-17:10 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Ah, that reminds me; I picked up a bottle of Persil Black Velvet today, and have already done a couple of washes with it. First thing I noticed is that it has a very strong scent, which rather took me by surprise. Second, it's somewhat sudsier than the other Persil liquids, yet rinses very easily.
From what I've seen so far, it cleans very well. Time will tell if it works better than an ordinary colour-care detergent at preventing fading.
***** Post# 16565-4/15/2002-17:28 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Detergent labeling)
MESSAGE: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a rather caustic cleansing agent. It can very easily dry out the hair or skin and strip hair color, even your OWN natural color. Alas it isnt used very often anymore in shampoos etc. It is however used in toothpaste almost indeffinitely because of its strong cleansing nature. It is ALSO used frequently in Laundry Detergent. Thats why i say, they are all relatively similar in composition. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate and so on. All the same thing!!!! A pisser isnt it?? LOL
***** Post# 16566-4/15/2002-17:30 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Detergent labeling)
MESSAGE: I meant i was done typing cause my paragraph was going on forever, LOL not the thread, sorry sudsmaster!!
***** Post# 16567-4/15/2002-19:22 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I know what you mean about prices in the Gap, but check out their sale rails, some bargains are to be had. I think M&S Blue Harbour range is very stylish, some of it is a a bit dearer than their old stuff, but still very good value, plain polo shirts £12, stripy ones £15, plain Ts £8, stripy Ts £12 or thereabouts if I remember.
The 2 stage drying is one of the reasons I would like a Miele dryer which automates this by gradually reducing the temp as clothes get dryer, though with a button to keep heat on full for when one is short of time, pretty neat. It saves energy as well as protecting the clothes, I mean both the Miele system and doing it manually.
I don't think tha nappy recycling was to save money, I think she genuinely did not consider a wet nappy to be *dirty*, just to need drying. I guess we all have blind spots in our standards.
I agree, Dinnerladies was fab. I watched the first one and wasn't sure, but it turned out just fab, agree about Julie Walters, also loved Thelma Barlow in it.
The Kitty scetches may have been before you would be old enough to watch. Just checking IMDB, OMG!!! it was 1985, I don't believe it. Kitty introduced herself with the immortal line; 'Hello, my name's Kitty. I've had a boob off and I can't stomach whelks, so that's me for you'. I just VWs observation of the mundane and the minutae (sp), it really is so accutrate. This group would give her a feast of potential material, I just dread to think.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16569-4/15/2002-19:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: Kirk,
But all the trains travel on the same crappy rails, use the same crumby stations and are beholden to whatever it is now that it isn't railtrack, or is it still railtrack, who knows.
Driving to the NEC, that is brave. I drive in Brum city centre rush hour every day, and I would not drive to the NEC. Even I prefer to get the train and walk the 5 miles through that complex, up escalator, down escalator, along travalators 2 and miles of walking. That place is something else.
How was the trade show, any really exciting new appliances yet to be released?
Richtoo
***** Post# 16570-4/15/2002-19:41 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: 50 years and hours of restoration work later, the 1952 Frigidaire Filtra-Matic is once again in use for drying clothes!
I posted some pictures of her all completed and installed, along with some of the WO-65 Washer in his new home too. I was asked to post pictures of the controls for the washer and dryer and those are here as well.
***** Post# 16571-4/15/2002-19:52 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: LadyKen POD
MESSAGE: I believe that was Jane Wyatt from "F.K.B." Certainly a long way from the Duomatic she used in F.K.B.............
***** Post# 16572-4/15/2002-19:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Completely mad?)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
I realised after that you were travelling on a Sunday. Seriously, Sunday motorway driving is fine, M25 should be OK. I would always recommend M40 rather than M1, it is much quieter. The drawback is whereas the M1 then M6 will bring you right into the city centre, the M40 deposits you on the M42 about 12 miles out. You can take any of the main roads of the M40, A435, A34, A38 etc and tehse will bring you to teh city centre, but can be awkward if you are not familiar with them. The alternative is to take M40, M42 North to the M6, get on M6 North and come into Brum just the same way as if you had used M1/M6.
Trains tend to be spectacularly bad on a Sunday due to engineeering works, also you would have to cross London from Victoria to Euston. The Tube is just awfull, terifies me, and taxis, well take out a mortgage.
Those first class upgrades sure sound appealing, will make the hassle of Gatwick quite worth it. As to Brum International customs being open, in my very limited experience never. Well the Government does have to save money somewhere you know. The roads, rail, schools and hospitals can't make all the savings.
Looking at your options, you say driver, do you mean handsome chauffer in uniform? Is there really a decision to be made here.
Good luck with your travel, welcome again to Brum.
I had noticed the new website, sorry I should have posted it here. The new website seems to have less info than the old one, I couldn't find the Persil history section that was interesting.
I know, Persil Aloe Vera, just too butch isn't it. Whatever next. Actually despite my reservations about mainstream detergents, I may give it a try just to see, I think I convinced myslef with the 'butch' comment.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16574-4/15/2002-20:03 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Well, I'm in Cambridge this coming weekend, and there's a Gap store there, so I might take a look - think I deserve to spoil myself a bit!
Have you heard about the Energy Save option on Miele's vented dryers? It dries the load using room temperature air to save energy during the summer months, and automatically switches the heater back on if the air is too cool. That's a really neat idea for folks who use a dryer heavily, although I wonder how long it takes.
***** Post# 16575-4/15/2002-20:04 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: This Is How We Wash Our Clothes Part 1
MESSAGE: For a while now, I have been thinking about doing a photo chronicle of some of the appliances I see in homes every day. I started with two houses and will add more as time permits. For all of the discussions we have about appliances, new and old, detergents and additives and methods of clothing care, I think it's interesting to see a sample of how others who, as you will see, are not as fussy about laundry and appliances as we are.
This is how "they" wash their clothes!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/This+is+how+we+wash+our+clothes....&.src=ph&.dnm=House+1.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/This%2bis%2bhow%2bwe%2bwash%2bour%2bclothes....%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16576-4/15/2002-20:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: Now we know why disposable nappies were invented, although it wouldn't surprise me if someone, somwhere, has worked out a way to re-use them. Yuk!
I think you're right, we'd be fair game for a VW sketch. Could you imagine it?!
Thinking about this, if you buy a flat rather than house, these rarely/never have laundry rooms. Usually kitchens are fairly small too. I figure that means the answer to your prayers might be a 2 bed flat with 2nd bed as laundry, would probably about hold a Neptune washer and dryer + Hotpoint TL.
Of course, if you do away with the fridge, you probably wont cook, so oven and hob can go, likewise a full DW, would only need a small countertop DW for glases and cups. That would be 3 of the average 4 fullsize appliance spots vacated and teh 4th is the washer spot anyway. Figuring the Neptune washer and dryer to need 3 euro size gaps, teh TL would fit in the washer gap, and Bob is father's brother - sorted!
The UK Neptune - I guess electronic controls make it easier for the manufacturer to reprogramme the cycle selections for different markets, the boil wash would allow it to compete head on with Euro washers. DO you think euro manufacturers will keep the boil cycle much longer - I know I am addicted to teh boil wash, but so few people use it these days, I wonder if Euro regs will force its demise?
Richtoo
***** Post# 16578-4/15/2002-20:15 ||| kennywhy (Detroit, Michigan)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (pulsating congratulations)
MESSAGE: Greg,
Great job. Your basement collection look so good. You must be proud of your work!
I'm envious, as I'm still hoping to hear from Mr. L. regarding the repair and Ohio deliverance of my long dreamed of WO65. One day soon I hope.
Just one suggestion about your '52 Frigidaire washer and dryer dials; if the white surface of the dial is not otherwise very scratched, carefully rub a small amount of flat black latex paint with your fingertip onto the cycle/time increment wording on the dial. Wipe off the excess, and they'll look like new.
Best wishes (and "Hi" to everyone else),
Ken
***** Post# 16579-4/15/2002-20:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (My 2 cents worth....hope it doesn't end up in the pump)
MESSAGE: For all the bad things we hear about the railways, I've never had a problem with them. Some stations are actually quite nice (for example, Newark North Gate and Cambridge), and I can't remember the last time I was delayed or had a train cancelled on me. Perhaps I'm just lucky, as other folks I know have shared some real horror stories with me in the past.
Driving through Brum was rather, um... eventful. We got lost several times, ended up in some pretty severe traffic jams, and lost our exhaust in the middle of a busy road. Needless to say, I just slunk down in my seat to avoid the stares from passers-by as we drove to the NEC, rasping loudly all the way. Such fun.
The trade show I went to was last year's. Not sure if I'm going this year, as I may be on holiday. There's usually quite a bit to see there, but it's mainly geared towards buyers rather than salespeople. Some years, the turnout can be pretty bad, with some big names choosing not to exhibit. Even Bosch, Hotpoint and Dyson have declined this time round, which is a shame, as their stands are usually the biggest and best.
***** Post# 16580-4/15/2002-20:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Completely mad?)
MESSAGE: I'm with Rich on this one, DO NOT attempt to use the trains on a Sunday. You can easily spend two or three hours waiting for connections at each station, and even then it might not actually turn up. Monday to Saturday is fine, but don't even consider it on a Sunday.
***** Post# 16581-4/15/2002-20:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: The new website is a pain to navigate, but the History section is still there... somewhere. They seem to have lumped separate sections of info together, making it harder to find what you're looking for.
Whatever next? Most likely something like Persil with Alpha-Hydroxy Ceramides, or whatever it is they chunter on about in those annoying moisturiser ads. Because you're worth it, and all that nonsense LOL.
***** Post# 16582-4/15/2002-20:36 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: Well I don't know about in UK or other countries, but here in America we have services to which you can send your soiled "nappies" to be washed, sanitized and returned, much like you send shirts to a laundry. What really gets my gourd on a related note to this is these modern women that come into the store and carry on about our plastic bags and how bad they are for the environment, and then are hauling disposable diapers out of there by the gross. What's up with that?
***** Post# 16583-4/15/2002-21:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: The flat where I live at the moment is quite old, and fairly big compared to some. Apparently, my laundry room came into existence when the house was converted into flats years ago (it was originally a large walk-in cupboard). Although small for a LR, it's nice having it separate from the kitchen.
A 2-bed flat is a definite, as I intend to stay put for a long time next time I move. The idea of the bedroom-to-laundry conversion is a nice one, and something I may consider if kitchen space dictates.
Not sure about the suggestion to ditch the oven and hob, though! As much as I like to eat out, there's no way I could do it every night, especially since I love to cook from scratch. And, of course, the dishwasher stays no matter what. Even if I hit rock bottom and ended up living in a cardboard box, it would still have a dishwasher LOL.
Good question about the boil wash. Although few people use it these days, I think manufacturers will still keep it for the benefit of those who do need it. If a company was to delete it from their products, they'd only succeed in pushing potential buyers over to another brand. After all, would you buy a washer without a boil programme? Thought not. You'd choose the competitor's machine instead.
I sincerely hope EU regulations don't escalate to the point where boil washes are dropped because of the energy use, as the next step on from that would be electricity rationing - scary. My opinion is, you should be able to use the power supplied to your home in the way you see fit. You're the one paying for it, after all.
We have nappy services in the UK as well, although there isn't exactly an abundance of them. For the most part, I think people either wash nappies at home, or go entirely the opposite way and just buy disposables.
My mother recently said that she would still use cloth nappies if she were to have another ankle-biter today. I told her she had better not, as I'd die of embarassment LOL. But disposables never appealed to her, as it was quite literally money in the bin as far as she was concerned. Plus she liked the feeling of "doing things properly" that came from using cloth, and all the work that came with it.
***** Post# 16585-4/15/2002-21:43 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg, I sure did, enjoy the pictures that is. Both of your links were great. My that filtrator sure polished up nice. It looks like new. You did a fantastic job. I can still remember the wonderful smell in Robert's basement when we were drying a load in one. The WO 65 is a beauty as well. What caused the suds during the fill? Isn't it a wonder how others do laundry. Neat pictures hope you will post more. Take care. Terry
***** Post# 16586-4/15/2002-22:01 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Congratulations Greg on getting the pair up and running! The filtrator makes some wonderful perfume scent when its running!
***** Post# 16587-4/15/2002-22:32 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (SLS)
MESSAGE: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate are similar compounds, but not the same thing.
Sodium dodecyl sulfate, Dodecyl sodium sulfate, SLS, Lauryl Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Laurylsulfate, Sulfuric acid monododecyl ester sodium salt are all C12H25NaO4S, and are all the same thing.
SLS can be an irritant, but with most things that depends on concentration. It's not advised for internal consumption because it can cause diarreha. And it can sting the eyes and mucous membranes. Guess what? So can Ivory soap.
There was a myth, that is still going on, that SLS is carcinogenic. This is simply not true.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) is the ethoxylated version of SLS, is gentler on the skin, and more expensive to produce than SLS.
***** Post# 16588-4/15/2002-22:32 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (pulsating congratulations)
MESSAGE: Thanks Ken - I intended to repaint the dials as well, but when I looked for black paint I was sure I had, I found none in the house or garage. Next trip to the hardware store!
Good to hear from you again - hope all is well!
***** Post# 16589-4/15/2002-22:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: Glad you enjoyed the pics Terry, it's so fun to be able to use them once they are done. I love the smell of the clothes in the Filtrator too!
The Wacky Wonder laundry ball cracks me up every time I see it - I can only imagine what the outer tub of that WP washer must look like, all the dirt and body oils congealing on it's surfaces - yuck! I have one of those laundry balls somewhere, I think it's in Skyler's playroom - nowhere near a washer!
***** Post# 16590-4/15/2002-01:04 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Completely mad?)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the info - didn't think about trains on a Sunday. As for the driver - like so many things, fantasies are often better than reality. Knowing my luck, I'd end up driving while my colleague lives out HER fantasy with the driver in the back seat.
***** Post# 16591-4/15/2002-01:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Big Sister)
MESSAGE: Well, I found the leftovers in the fridge. The nice thing about it is that it tastes exactly the same as it did six months ago!
It's a "Big Sister" "Golden Fruitcake", from Simplot Australia PTY Limited, Melbourne. It's not as bad as I first imagined. I could eat some on a deserted island.
Still, it's good for only a few bites. After that, it's a bit much.
***** Post# 16592-4/15/2002-01:42 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Completely mad?)
MESSAGE: Around here, the trains fun like British trains on Sunday, but on Monday-Friday.
***** Post# 16593-4/16/2002-02:52 ||| FilterFlo (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: Hey Greg!
Your machines look wonderful!! Delighted that you got them both up and running. You will certainly have the cleanest wash in town. AND the dryest and fluffiest!! A toast to your new pair! Jimmy, (FilterFlo)
***** Post# 16594-4/16/2002-04:08 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: GE POD (unbalance control???)
MESSAGE: I had to smile when I saw that. GEs were never the best at handling unbalanced loads, and Ive seen more than a few bang loudly and "walk" across the floor when things got rough
***** Post# 16595-4/16/2002-04:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (M&S)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I guess that Gran would embody the M&S stereotype, middle market, middle age & middle class.
I think M&S is definitley trying to move away from its fuddy-duddy image, I love their new Blue Harbour mens range, take a peek. It was always OK for basics, underwear, T shirts, work clothes, pull-overs, chinos, jeans etc, which pretty much covers all my needs, but the stuff is definitely more stylish now, at least to my ageing eyes!!!
M&S food is prety good too, though very pricey.
Love your Hubby's comment, sounds like something my own beloved might come out with, though in our case he was the M&S devotee and introduced me to it, being completely impoverished at the time, I was schlepping markets and charity shops.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.marksandspencer.co.uk
***** Post# 16596-4/16/2002-04:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: The warm rinse option is something I have wondered about before, and meant to ask. What is the purpose of a warm rinse? It must use a lot more energy, so there must be some advantage.
I have only ever used cold rinses, except when handwashing wool when I use warm. Every euro machine I have ever used or seen only has cold rinses on all cycles. In the twin tub days, I only ever knew people to use cold rinses.
I agree, adding aloe vera to a laundry product is in all probability just marketing puff. But the idea is just too camp to ignore. I will probably try it and report back.
Actually, I really like the aloe vera plant with its pointy spiky leaves, I have 3 in a row on a window sill.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16598-4/16/2002-06:39 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (starch and fine rinse)
MESSAGE: Peter,
I am running a starch cycle as I type, so timing is perfect. I had run out of starch so had saved teh items neding it and have just bought more this morning.
The washer cold fills to low level, which I have previously measured to be about 6 litres of free water. It tumbles for 11 mins and then goes into the fast spin, unless you select a slower or no spin option. The entire cycle takes about 18 mins. It does not heat in the starch cycle. It seems Miele agres with the Faultless reps. I find 3 heaped tablespoons of starch with a mid sized load has teh starch take very well.
Your question about 'fine rinse', my W829 does not have a cycle with this name, the closest is 'separate rinses' - fills cold to high level, starts gentle tumbling whilst filling, tumbles for 4 minutes, drains whilst tumbling, refills to high level with no intermediate spin, tumbles 4 mins and then into whatever spin option is selected including the fast spin. Cycle takes about 15 mins.
I think that the separate rinse option is designed for hand wash clothes, due to the intermediate spin, though the Miele does not do an intermediate spin on delicates anyway. The presence of the cycle is probably marketing, people expect to see it. Any of the wash cycles can be made to advance to rinses or spin, so that one could get separate rinses for cotton, min iron, delicate or handwash anyway. I must scan the manual sometime.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16599-4/16/2002-06:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Keith,
Thanks for the info on the Servis, that safety lid was such a pain.
I must admit, I had assumed my Grandmother's TT was Servis, as she has said that she thought Servis machines to be the best built and heaviest, based on her sales experience in the 50s. I will have to look more closely.
Thanks for the memory, I loved that Men at Work song, was it the 'Safety Dance' or somesuch?
Vegemite - bah humbug. Marmite is the real thing. I have only ever bought Marmite, and intend to carry on. I love the stuff. Never have tried Vegemite, but have heard its like a toned down girly version of Marmite.
Love Oreos though, only recently been available here.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16601-4/16/2002-07:11 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Detergent labeling)
MESSAGE: In the UK detergent manufacturers list by percentage in bands, ie under 5%, 5 - 15 %, 15 - 30% and over 30%.
Looking at my Ecover powder-
15 - 30%, zeolites, carbonates (Soften water and stabilise pH)
5 - 15%, vegetable oil based soap (desolves dirt and grease), water (improves composition)
under 5%, anionic detergent and amphoteric detergent based on veg oil, nonionic detergent based on sugar (all deslove dirt and grease), starch and clay (prevent dirt settling back on fabric), citrate (water softener fermented from sugar), silicates (Soften water and stabilise pH), glycerine.
The brackets show what the manufacturer says about each ingredient.
It sure fits with what suds says about a small ammount of actual detergent.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16602-4/16/2002-07:20 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (M&S)
MESSAGE: When I was in the UK during the last century (1993 to be exact), I visisted M & S to see what all my pommy buddies were on about. I must admit, then, they had pretty cool and trendy clothes, better than C & A, plus very reaonable prices.
Didn't M & S nearly go bankrupt in the not so distant past?
Yep, Persil Black Velvet, if I may quote you, does have a certain 'tarts handbag' quality aboout it. I was sent a bottle my Miele, they had a load of free full size samples abd sent me one when I phoned to ask about the best cycle for washing my fitted sofa cover. The cover is not tumble dryable, so it goves over a clothes horse. The house reeked of BV whilst it dried and the fabric kept the smell afterwards.
It does suds quite a lot, I figure that is the soap it contains, but rinses fine. I have stuck with Ecover liquid for darks and blacks as I couldn't stand that strong scent on clothes.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16604-4/16/2002-07:41 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (M&S)
MESSAGE: Ahh C&A, Coats and 'ats. If I may tell a vulgar joke, why do underpants have C&A lables sewn in. - So that you know which way round they go.
I don't think M&S nearly went bankrupt, its profits tumbled from huge to pretty big. C&A has actually closed down, so I guess it went bankrupt - judging by the clothes they sold, I am not surprised.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16605-4/16/2002-08:45 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Wow Greg,
Its hard to believe that Filtrator is 50 years old, you've made it look like new, congratulations. I love the control panels on the washer and dryer, they are very simple and stylish.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16606-4/16/2002-08:49 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Enjoy Cambridge, a nice part of the world.
I have seen this Miele dryer feature, it is only on teh more expensive models, not the BOL T490 I have my eye on. Given that Croslee's A rate dryer is supposed to take 8 hours, I guess the Miele would take an hour or 2 less as I would imagine that Miele would have a more powerful fan. I suppose it would work well for chuck in a load in the morning and take it out dry when one gets back from work.
Actually, I sometimes point a fan at my clothes horse to speed drying, particularly when the heating is off.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16607-4/16/2002-08:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
We too have nappy services, though I am sure there were no such services when I was a kid.
Plastic grocery bags, well I try to be eco, but I rather like plastic bags, they save me a small fortune over buying waste bags for small bins. Well it's recycling.
If boil washes are dropped in the future, I shall probably either buy an old Baby Burco wash boiler, old twin tub or go back to boiling on the stove.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16609-4/16/2002-09:03 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: I still cannot imagine that anyone actually believes that that "magic ball" does anything other than take up space. what a disgusting idea......ionized water indeed!!! And yet they continue to sell on ebay!!
Nice job on the restoration, Greg - you should be very pleased...
***** Post# 16610-4/16/2002-09:04 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: I still cannot imagine that anyone actually believes that that "magic ball" does anything other than take up space. what a disgusting idea......ionized water indeed!!! And yet they continue to sell on ebay!!
Nice job on the restoration, Greg - you should be very pleased...
***** Post# 16611-4/16/2002-09:04 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (I Did)
MESSAGE: I still cannot imagine that anyone actually believes that that "magic ball" does anything other than take up space. what a disgusting idea......ionized water indeed!!! And yet they continue to sell on ebay!!
Nice job on the restoration, Greg - you should be very pleased...
***** Post# 16612-4/16/2002-09:07 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Multiple Posts
MESSAGE: Sorry for that "trifecta" earlier - today is a weird computer day!!!
***** Post# 16613-4/16/2002-11:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: My my my,
Hyacinth would be appalled, drinking tea from a mug!!
Like you I have started trying other detergents than Ariel. It's a big step, but also very enjoyable, especially learning new scents. Although I like certain detergents, I don't think I will be drawn from Ariel totally. BTW, could it be that the Persil with Aloe Vera is especially about a new scent?
Louis
***** Post# 16615-4/16/2002-11:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
Great pictures and you've done a wonderful job. A few questions. What are the reset buttons for? How long are the increments on the timer of the washer? BTW, I do think this really classic set belongs next to eachother, I think you should do some rearranging in the laundryroom!!
Louis
***** Post# 16616-4/16/2002-11:47 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Men at Work / Men Without Hats)
MESSAGE: The Men at Work song referencing Vegemite was "Down Under."
"The Safety Dance" was by Men Without Hats.
***** Post# 16617-4/16/2002-11:47 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: This Is How We Wash Our Clothes Part 1
MESSAGE: Oh Greg, you're really bad! It's wonderful that you are spying for us in other people's laundryroom, but don't get into trouble for this. Louis
***** Post# 16618-4/16/2002-11:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Oh Loios, fantastic, you get 'Keeping Up Appearances' in your part of teh world too. You may have guessed, I am rather a fan of Miss Patricia Routledge.
I love the opening credits to KUA, especially the shot of her unloading the DW wearing Marigolds, taking a milk bottle out having washed her milk bottles in the DW before returning them.
And there was another brand name used as a generic, that we missed in the previous discussion. Marigolds, a brand of rubber glove, though is often used to mean any domestic rubber glove.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16619-4/16/2002-11:53 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: We have those nappie services here, but it's not a good business, most people buy disposable ones anyway. I think critisizing the plastic bags makes somewhat up for their use of disposable diapers.
***** Post# 16620-4/16/2002-12:02 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
Warm rinses have their origin in the days that real soap was used for doing laundry. Real soap rinses out better with warm than with cold water. I have an old package of Persil at home that also says to do the first rinse in warm water and the second in cold.
At this moment warm rinses have indeed only use for woolens, it's best to rinse woolens at the same temperature as they are washed in. That's why I only wash woolens on cold in a European machine.
Louis
***** Post# 16621-4/16/2002-12:09 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (starch and fine rinse)
MESSAGE: On my W715 the "Behoedzaam spoelen" which is the same as the fine rinse on the American machines, works the same as Rich describes. My Miele however doesn't have the possibility to skip part of the cycle. The manuals are all on the dutch Miele site, but I guess it's rather a bit of a trouble to do a course in Dutch for reading these manuals.
***** Post# 16622-4/16/2002-12:20 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: GE POD (unbalance control???)
MESSAGE: Gadgetmad:
I have to agree with you there. Handling unbalanced loads were never a strong suit for the older belt-drive GE's. At least, not the ones that were in our family. Nor the ones at my neighborhood laundromat either for that matter. At least, every time most of our Kenmores went out of balance, they would shut off during the spin cycle and then the off balance buzzer would sound. But with our GE's???? All they would do is bang very loudly against the cabinet. And if things REALLY gotten off kilter, they would just walk across the floor then. And then they have the audacity to say that their machines feature "unbalance load control"?? Man, I had to laugh at that very loudly. That was funny as shit, I don't care what nobody says about that. "Unbalance Load Control?!?!?!?!?!" Huh!!!!!! "Out Of Control Unbalanced Load" is more like it.
--Charles--
***** Post# 16623-4/16/2002-12:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hey Rich,
I'm not that far from you! KUA is one of my favourites. "I want my own bottles back!" There is however a special reason for me to be interested in this series. My mother is a bit of a Hyacinth. My mother is a little older than Patricia Routledge, but she used to look like her quite a bit. She also had the same raincoat and the same hat Hyacinth and stepped out the car the same way she did in the series. No need to tell you that my mother is actually not a very good listener too...... I haven't taken up needlepoint yet and I'm still looking out for a Tarquin LOL.
Louis
BTW, I also like a few other british comedies, especially "Waiting for God" was one of my favourites.
***** Post# 16624-4/16/2002-12:50 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Victoria Wood)
MESSAGE: Exactly! They're perfect for that and I use them for carrying a multitude of things! Good idea not to use more than you need, but there's that whole double standard with some...then on the other side of the spectrum, you have the people who insist on putting the plastic packs of plastic diapers and other items into still MORE plastic bags...
***** Post# 16625-4/16/2002-12:50 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Email from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Hi all
I emailed Hotpoint a few days ago asking about their Sprialator washers, and their reply came back today.
"Hello
Your details were passed to our marketing department. I am sorry there are
no plans to reintroduce a spiral agitator top loader model as it was a
sector of the market where sales were declining.
Regards
Racheal Steels
Sales Information Centre"
Bad news then.
Surgilator
***** Post# 16626-4/16/2002-12:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, that is interesting to learn, both about the woolens and the warm rinses. Regarding the latter, we knew there must have been a reason. For Rich's interest/benefit, I should mention that there was a time in America where you could not buy a machine with a cold setting of any kind, wash, rinse or otherwise. To this day, many persons including myself continue to use warm rinses for whites and non permanent press items.
We always used Persil in the TT in the 70s and early 80s, never realised that one should first rinse with warm, always used cold. Mum only ever did one rinse anyway, I always did 2, but I guess 3500 revs shifts most of the soap anyway.
Even today, the Ecover I use contains soap as well as detergents.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16628-4/16/2002-13:00 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (or Thorday)
MESSAGE: Hi Keith
Welcome to the club, good to have another UK collector...I`m sure you will find it a wealth of information.... though you answered a question for me as well with the 111 info....
for some reason also thought that the wash and spin tubs where SSteel like the washdeck and not enamel.... got quite a surprise....
Now make em jealous and tell them how many "Thor Automagic" and "Parnall Spinwash" machines you have as well as all the others.....
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16629-4/16/2002-13:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Men at Work / Men Without Hats)
MESSAGE: Thanks,
I wasn't sure I had it right, those names are so similar. Actually, I really liked both of theose songs, but as the better half would say 'you would'.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16630-4/16/2002-13:21 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: GE POD (unbalance control???) ((Kick-out switch and buzzer method))
MESSAGE: Charles:
Yeah, and then there's Maytags, which have a kick-out switch the way the old Kenmores did, but no buzzer. Never have followed that logic. I guess all this is from the days when it was just assumed that most users were women working in the home who would be somewhere in hearing range if the machine should stop...
Speaking of, anybody remember the movie, "Accidental Tourist?" To my recollection, Whirlpools have *never* used the switch-and-buzzer method, but there's Bill Hurt busting his leg when his Whirlpool washer starts knocking after the load goes out of balance, and then this buzzer sounds. He gets alarmed by the noise and slips down the basement stairs. I almost missed the next scene sitting and pondering that.
***** Post# 16631-4/16/2002-13:23 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (& Laundry)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Another great restoration.... and laundry room fit for a convention!! the hard work has sure payed off.... how many more machines can you fit in???
Is the Filtrator dryer a condensor??? if so does it use air/water fan cooling system or what....all these things are down on my list to look at this time at the next convention...
***** Post# 16632-4/16/2002-13:24 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: When doing white cottons, I use 2 warm, deep rinses in my top loader because Ive found everything comes out whiter that way.
***** Post# 16633-4/16/2002-13:26 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I sort of enjoy the other characters on KUA, but Hyacinth annoys me to the point of desperation. I suppose that's the point. She is a bit one dimensional, though, with rarely any redeeming human qualities. Even when she appears to be doing some act of kindness, it usually devolves into how it helps her image.
***** Post# 16634-4/16/2002-13:32 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: But Your Majesty,
Modern detergents rinse out much better with cold than with warm water. Perhaps you should try using cold rinses.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 16635-4/16/2002-13:35 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: Richtoo,
My Persil is much older than 20 years, I don't even know if it's pre- or post-war. The Persil from the 70's and 80's just needed cold rinses.
Louis
***** Post# 16636-4/16/2002-13:40 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: Thank you, Your Majesty, perhaps I will try that, and with good results will be able to save some energy as well! Do you know any of the basic particulars as to why that is the case?
QEOM
***** Post# 16637-4/16/2002-13:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Suds, from the perspectives of some folks, there is some truth to what you're saying, and I think the main point of her character is to make us laugh, but there are some aspects to Hyacinth's ways that a little more of would do some a world of good.
***** Post# 16638-4/16/2002-14:05 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: I don't know exactly why this is, perhaps Sudsmaster knows more about this.
***** Post# 16639-4/16/2002-14:44 ||| keymatic (Surrey.U.K)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Automagic...)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike
Thanks for welcomming me to the club!! Yeah the Servis 111 is a nice machine with the steel surround, and use my quite often.
Well regarding the Thor's I currently have 1 x 1955 model with control on the front, mint condition and 2 x of their last moels they made for the British market. These were quite unique in that they had foot pedals as the controls, they went from left to right Wash . Stop. Spin. One of these is in parts and the other in not to bad condition, although it does need soom work doing to it.
I also have in my collection a Parnall Spinwasher, this was a semi-automatic launched in Britain around 1963 also in good working order!!
Speak to ya soon.
Regards
Keith
***** Post# 16640-4/16/2002-16:42 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: RE: This Is How We Wash Our Clothes Part 1 (Did that new Whirlpool Dryer come from Best Buy?)
MESSAGE: Gansky,
Do you know if those people bought there new Whirlpool Dryer at Best Buy? The reason I ask is because I sell appliances at the Reston Va. Best Buy and when my moms 1979 Whirlpool Imperial 70 gas dryer bit the bullet about a month ago (it looked very much like the second Whirlpool dryer) my folks asked me to order them the same dryer thats in that picture only in gas. The Imperial's ignitor coil wouldn't glow it would just spit sparks and even though it was the first time the dryer broke down my folks felt they got their monies worth and decided to take advantage of my employees discount and buy a new dryer (they paid 269.40 on sale for the Imperial on November 26, 1979 at the local Memco store). I was sad to see the old Imperial go but I have to admit that the new one is really nice and dries the clothes noticably quicker than the old Imperial. Of course I know it probably won't last as long as the Imperial but still as far as new dryers go it is pretty slick.
***** Post# 16641-4/16/2002-16:55 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Vintage Washer Sighting -- Twin Peaks
MESSAGE: I was watching the "Twin Peaks" season one DVD a couple nights ago, first episode.
Leo Johnson shoves a laundry bag at the wifey Shelley with instructions to "wash 'em NOW." A vintage Maytag top-loader on a platform outside the house. She tosses in the load, discovers a bloody shirt, which she stuffs in a chest-of-drawers that just happens to be outside beside the washer.
Later, Leo gets perturbed about a missing shirt when cleaning out his truck, goes around the corner to the washer. Opens it, rummages through the load, doesn't find the shirt, slams it shut and gives it a good kick, where it sits rocking and jiggling as if the spinning load is now out-of-balance.
***** Post# 16642-4/16/2002-18:46 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: The reset buttons are for motor overload protection (circuit breakers.) I think the timer increments are 1 minute - but I'm not positive - I don't have a timer diagram for this model.
I knew you would mention that they aren't together - LOL! I really need to do some rearranging soon, but I'm not sure what machines would work best in what places. I have four sets now, the '54 Speed Queen, which has a gas dryer and really is best where it is for gas and vent, the '49 Westinghouse set and the 67 Maytag set. Since they all deserve to be together, the choices are tough. I do agree they should be together, so I would appreciate any suggestions!
***** Post# 16643-4/16/2002-18:56 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: This Is How We Wash Our Clothes Part 1 (Did that new Whirlpool Dryer come from Best Buy?)
MESSAGE: They bought the new dryer (electric) at Nebraska Furniture Mart - see link. They have the largest selection and best prices in the area. The 450,000 square feet of retail space on a 77 acre "campus" of buildings and warehouses can take the better part of a day to tour. I have no idea what they paid for this model though.
$269 for a new dryer is pretty inviting as the new coil and labor would have been about half that cost alone.
LINK: http://www.nfm.com/pages/hist_dep_appl.html
***** Post# 16644-4/16/2002-19:05 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer (The rooms are full!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike -
My laundry rooms are full! I already have 7 machines in the garage awaiting restoration or adoption - anyone want a gold '68 Frigidaire Rollermatic??
The filtrator is a condensor dryer - it uses a fan to pull cool warm air around the tubes of the unit below the drum. The warm moist air is drawn toward the cool tubes and the moisture condenses on inside the tubes and drips in to the pan below it. I think Robert had posted a cut-a-way diagram of how this works, but I don't know where to find it.
***** Post# 16645-4/16/2002-20:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Warm rinse- why?)
MESSAGE: I think cold water suppresses foaming more than warm or hot water, so it may help with rinsing if there is a lot of foam.
***** Post# 16647-4/16/2002-23:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Hi Gizmo - me too!)
MESSAGE: Yep, I am also pretty pi**ed about the discount card announcement. Then again, nothing surprises me anymore. I honestly think that getting a good deal or real value for money is becoming consistently more difficult. When I can't use the card anymore, I will just have to turn into a 'skank old ho' when it comes to supermarket shopping - no more loyalty from this little vegemite, Coles can fold up and perish for all I care. I think that we are following some very disturbing trends in this country, that will lead most people down the proverbial garden path, headed by our fearless leaders from both political camps.
Your soap trick sounds quite labor intensive and very nostalgic. I am sure your home-made powder smells good too. I also wash most of my clothes within the temperature range that you stated. I was never that comfortable with running cold tap water only for washing, even though I had expected the wash results to be worse than they actually turned out.
Are you building a mud brick house or are your walls made of compressed earth?
***** Post# 16648-4/16/2002-01:31 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I thought Patrica Routledge was even better in Hetty Wainthrop Investigates. Though, perhaps, not as much fun.
***** Post# 16649-4/16/2002-01:38 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: It's the people around her that annoy me. The fact that they put up with it -- esp. Richard. You just want to slap him. And Elizabeth - not being able to leave her house or say no to coffee...
***** Post# 16650-4/16/2002-01:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Hmm, don't have any suggestions yet. Perhaps you should post a plan of your laundryrooms here and some washers and dryers on scale so we can print out the whole thing and start rearranging for you LOL.
***** Post# 16651-4/16/2002-01:47 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I liked that series as well. Although she makes a wonderful Hyacinth she can show more of her talents as Hetty Wainthrop.
***** Post# 16652-4/17/2002-02:22 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Thank you, that was the name of that other show she's in that I couldn't remember the name of. I've seen that one a couple of times and while she is quite a different sort of character there than in Hyacinth, she is very good in it.
***** Post# 16653-4/17/2002-02:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, there is a large section of Greg's basement that does not yet contain any washers. I'm hoping in time the bug will bite hard enough that it, too, will fill up with these wonderful machines, much like the other two rooms and garage has. The room of which I speak is adjacent to the guest room, enabling the guest to see and dream laundry dreams...
The BF liked to call it 'Heterosexual Wainthrop Investigates'.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16655-4/17/2002-02:31 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Excuse me, Your Majesty, you are probably aware by my using her incognito name, but I was referring, of course, to the Corn Princess' basement.
***** Post# 16656-4/17/2002-03:37 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: These air-raid shelters that you mentioned, are they left-overs from the paranoid fifties or a new wave of dooms day preparations, based on the belief that cockroaches will inherit the earth? And do they come with state-of-the-art laundry facilities? Is there still money in building such things (air-raid shelters)?
***** Post# 16657-4/17/2002-04:02 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Big Sister)
MESSAGE: LOL! Sudsmaster, don't put yourself throught the Big Sister experience, especially if it has been sitting in your fridge for the last six months. I was actually being tongue in cheek (nah, no way, couldn't have been), when I posted that other thread. I only like my fruit cakes to be of the girls blouse variety (maybe a little less emphasis on the 'girls' bit). The truth is, I like my fruit cakes, beefy, lean and hard - there, now I've said it and I don't mind if they are a mouth-full either.
Home-made fruit cakes get my thumbs up though, but then anything home-made, if done well, is superior to stuff off the shelf. I do like self-saucing x-mas puddin's though. Nice, hot and steamy (no pun here), they are usually soft and moist and a treat to eat.
Those Big Sister numbers are designed to outlast their purchasers by at least a century, if left in their original, unopened container/wrapping. That is why they are usually used for wedding cakes or deadly missiles during the split-up. They will often outlast the marriage. My sister still has pieces of her wedding cake of 4 years ago and, I am sure, they are still good enough to eat. The piece I took home I squashed and ended up having to fish out of my ear. I slept on it (had it under my pillow wrapped in a serviette), 'cause it is said that this way one will dream of ones LOVER to be! Anyway, I am sure I saw him in my dreams, but couldn't remember in the morning what he looked like and somehow the piece of fruit cake had found its way into my left ear.
Now, that little story about the Oreo sounds fascinating. Did you friends leave it at the sardines? We have a similar game here in Oz, often played by pubescent (hormonal) private-school boys, called 'soggy Sao.' Apparently its a game of speed and dexterity - I wouldn't know though. I am the product of public schooling and we didn't play those games.
***** Post# 16658-4/17/2002-04:49 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: Well, actually I should have worded my post a little differently and said vegemite 'instead' of strawberry jam and chocolate sauce, rather than 'over.' The three definitely don't go together as a taste sensation.
When I was first introduced to Vegemite, I actually thought that it was something like Nutella, a chocolate/hazlenut spread, imagine my face when I greedily stuffed a big spoonful down my gob, lol, it came out twice as quick as it went in. My first reaction was that it tasted like stock concentrate (the stuff one buys in cubes and makes broths out of), it can be used for that purpose. It definitely is an acquired taste, no doubt about it. Now I actually like it and it doesn't go to waste with a bit of avocado or a slice of melted tasty or morzarella cheese, thinly spread though. Vegemite is supposedly very healthy too, full of minerals and vitamins and much, much more. Marmite on the other hand doesn't enjoy much popularity here, firstly its English and we are still desperately trying to shed our Colonial shackles and it tastes icky. Bloody poms always try to copy everything that we do, but they never get it right.
That Men at work song, what was it called again? "Chunder Down-Under?" or whatever - so not cool. I was fully into the new romantic, new wave/experimental, poufy big hair music - like a Phlog of Seagulls, Devo, DAF, Siouxy and the Banshees, The Eurythmics, Spandex Ballet, The The, Wall of Voodoo, etc. and later there was House/Acid House/Garage and vitam E, vitam C, vitamin L, vitamin S and vitamin D. Those were the days when I could still slip into my sequined lycra gear without using vaseline and go out dancing all nite. But that is now all in the past, at least untill I finish my degree and can afford to go to the gym again and who knows what kind of music will be popular then.
***** Post# 16659-4/17/2002-05:01 ||| mooney6au (Sydney, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (how do I view the pics?)
MESSAGE: Mike,
I've been away and just catching up on the posts. I tried to visit your link and see the pics and I get a message saying the page is not accessable. Can you help.
Greg (a Wilkins Servis fan)
***** Post# 16660-4/17/2002-06:09 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Servis Nostalgia!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
I put the pics in an abum on the TwinTubEmporium Yahoo site, if you havnt already, sign in as a new member (you need to be logged into a yahoo group account to view)....
I`m hoping the family machine you where asking about is the one I have found....Servis Model M 1951... or it could be the later Servis Superheat 1957.....enjoy....
Cheers, Mike
p.s. We`ll be putting these machines through their paces next week with plenty of pics as Scott is arriving from the States for a week.....
***** Post# 16661-4/17/2002-06:22 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Servis MK1 Controls)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis
The controls on the MK1 Twinny are from the rhs...Spinner & Heater switch, spin..heat... or spin/heat together.... then middle is the wash timer up to 12 mins.... then to the left is that lovely little heater guage showing cool / Medium/ Hot---boil.... the slider underneath is the mechanism to engage the pump to empty the washtub...
My Mum had the next model in white,the MK2 which had the deeprinse/flowrinse facility...
***** Post# 16662-4/17/2002-06:46 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (how do I view the pics?)
MESSAGE: Hi Mooney!
You need to go to Yahoo Groups. (The new format for Yahoo Clubs) and join the twin tub emporium. You are really going to to love those Servis Twin Tubs!
They are so much like the Wilkins Servis my Nan had. How I loved to sit on top of that machine and watch it go around when I was just a wee little lad!!
***** Post# 16663-4/17/2002-06:52 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap
MESSAGE: WOW! Something we actually agree on.
I love Siousxie with all of my heart! I love Siouxsie and the Banshees music and play there CDs all the time. Her voice is fantastic and I lover her lyrics and the detail and thought that goes into them when so much music today is just la la la. I think she is quite beautiful.
***** Post# 16664-4/17/2002-06:52 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Siouxsie)
MESSAGE: WOW! Something we actually agree on.
I love Siousxie with all of my heart! I love Siouxsie and the Banshees music and play there CDs all the time. Her voice is fantastic and I lover her lyrics and the detail and thought that goes into them when so much music today is just la la la. I think she is quite beautiful.
***** Post# 16665-4/17/2002-07:00 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Red Letter Day!!!!! (Servis Nostalgia!!!)
MESSAGE: Woo Hoo! Cant wait!
I just want to say to you Mike how much I enjoyed you r pcis!! Looking forward to more.
***** Post# 16666-4/17/2002-07:02 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: POD
MESSAGE: Hi To all my appliance friends out there!
Good to chat to you all again.
Regarding todays POD General Electric. You just gotta love BOL! Not even a filter flo.
***** Post# 16667-4/17/2002-07:07 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I really like KUA as my uncle in England is the male equivalent of Hyacinth. He is such a snob its unbelievable.
In Australia I have a Hyacinth like Aunty who lives just five minutes away from my other Aunty and Uncle who are just like Daisy and Onslow, sitting around in front of the telly and never cleaning anything. They have interesting times together and thank goodness they all live six hours away up the coast!
***** Post# 16668-4/17/2002-07:33 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: I think they all had a filter-flo because it had the dual-action pump (recirc/drain). I do like the "aircraft suspension" system. Dang what kind of aircraft were they talking about? Valujet? My aunt's Filter-Flo sounded like a plane crash whenever it spins. "BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG"
***** Post# 16669-4/17/2002-07:45 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday DEAR 'UNI'
Happy Birthday to you
(AND MANY MORE.........)
Steve
***** Post# 16670-4/17/2002-08:05 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Happy Birthday Webmaster!!!
Have a great day and many more - Happy Birthday to Neal tomorrow too!
Greg
***** Post# 16671-4/17/2002-08:10 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Fruit Cake)
MESSAGE: Funny it should be that one.
I have "discovered" exactly that fruit cake in the last few months and love it. I always keep a fruit cake in the pantry (no jokes please) and generally have a dark fruit cake, but tha Big Sis golden fruit cake makes a nice change. Maybe it didn't travel well. They also had a "choc-cherry fruitcake" which a friend brought when dropping in on me recently. It was truly vile. Absolutely inedible. You shouldn't keep it in the fridge, it keeps best at room temp. It goes crumbly if kept too cold. Though I doubt it would last six months at room temp. It wouldn't hang around more than a week in this house.
Of course I shouldn't admit to keeping BOUGHT cakes. But at work I make several fancy cakes a day, when I get home the last thing I feel like doing is baking cakes. At least I sometimes get to bring cakes home if they haven't sold.
Best Wishes.
Chris.
***** Post# 16672-4/17/2002-08:12 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Miele disagrees with me? How could you?)
MESSAGE: Wow! What, have you been disagreeing with me all this time? I forgave you for calling me a troll, what is your beef? Ah, I forgot, your a Pom, I shouldn't be wondering at all. Bloody smelly bunch of whingers you lot are.
Well, how do you know that Siouxie is still beautiful? This is the 21st century and she was popular 20 years ago - I don't even think that any amount of Botox can iron out 20 years of ageing that effectively. Is she still around?
My favourite Siouxie songs are: Wheels of fire, Dear Prudence (she did that one much better than the Beatles), Spellbound, Overground, och actually, I like all her music - basically. The lyrics in most of her songs were a little abstract, but that was pretty much an eighties thing anyway. I think it came with the teased hair.
***** Post# 16673-4/17/2002-08:33 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Yeah, me too.
I am a Marmite eater. I grew up eating Vegemite, it is basically the same but from memory Marmite has a lower salt content. Marmite is cheaper too. Vegemite is made by Kraft which is owned by Philip Morris, the US tobacco company. So in Aus there is a trend to Marmite and alternatives.
There is a gazillionaire in Aus called Dick Smith now promoting a range of Aus made products under the Dick Smith Foods label. He started out over twenty years ago with a single electronic components shop in Sydney. The business grew till there are DSE stores alll over the country. He sold that business to Woolworths but the name continues. He had a string of other business ventures and became a very rich man. He recognized that many famous Australian brand names were being bought by multinational corporations and the profits from those products went overseas. He says the spur to him starting the DS foods business was discovering that Vegemite and the two main Aus brands of peanut butter, Kraft and Eta, are owned by Philip Morris. He has an ethical objection to supporting a tobacco company. He wanted to produce an alternative to Vegemite in Aus but couldn't get supplies of base ingredient, which is yeast waste left over from beer brewing. Kraft had all supplies tied up. I have heard though that "Aussie Mite" may be available soon. His company isn't a producer itself, it uses small Australian-owned companies, many of whom make generic products, to make a "premium" product under his brand name. He also has matches sold as "Dickhead" matches. (Redhead matches are an old Aus name, now made in Sweden.)
Marmite sold in Aus comes from New Zealand.
I tried another one, "Mighty Mite" or something, I can't remember, it tasted like axle grease. Mum has "Promite" which is worse, but she can eat her own cooking so she has no taste whatsoever.
Dick Smith doesn't have Laundry detergent, but we do have Big Kev's products..........
Chris.
***** Post# 16674-4/17/2002-08:36 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older??? (Guess Who!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert
All the best on your birthday!!!
Heres hoping you find an Apex Birthday Gift!!!
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16675-4/17/2002-08:36 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: In the living room, next to the TV...
-ph
***** Post# 16676-4/17/2002-08:37 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Have a wonderful, Washamatic day, Robert! All the best to Neal also!
-ph
***** Post# 16677-4/17/2002-09:06 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Well...
I'm intending to build with "poured earth". It's sort of a cross between rammed earth and mudbrick.
Tha frame has posts of 250 mm thick. I will put up formwork on each side of the posts and pour the mud mix directly into place. It saves all the extra handling of making bricks, stacking them to dry and then building them into the wall. The disadvantage is you have to get the mix just right or it shrinks and cracks as it dries. As we have very reactive soil (high clay content) this may be a problem. If so I will place dividers into the forms so that each pour is divided into mudbrick lengths, each can shrink individually as they dry. When the next layer is done, the gaps in the lower layer are filled. A bit more fiddly but still less trouble than mudbrick. This variation is called "in-situ mudbrick". To complicate matters further, I will be pouring the walls with about 50mm of polystyrene sheet in the middle of the walls. So the walls will be two 100 mm skins of earth with 50mm of polystyrene in between. This is a new thing, so the building inspector is very interested and is helping me and offering suggestions. I'm doing it because it gets very cold and damp here (by Aussie standards) here, in warmer climates the earth walls are great without the added insulation.
When the mudwork starts I expect to have some spectacularly dirty clothes to put through the Asko, the F&P and some of the old toys in the garage.
Chris.
***** Post# 16678-4/17/2002-09:25 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Miele disagrees with me? How could you?)
MESSAGE: At the risk of copping one of your famous vicious tongue-lashings (or is it keyboard-lashings)...
You appear to be confusing Arrrooohhh with someone else.
Arrrooohhh is an Aussie and didn't call you a troll, in fact no-one did,the person actually suggested your online behaviour was as if you were a troll, but they were sure you weren't really. (I don't even know what a troll is, except in the fairy-tales)
Cowering under the computer desk in anticipation.....
Chris.
***** Post# 16679-4/17/2002-10:23 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older??? (Happy Birthday Robert!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert,
I hope you have a JetAction Birthday
Peter
***** Post# 16680-4/17/2002-10:32 ||| rapidry1000 (San Francisco)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older??? (Happy Birthday)
MESSAGE: Robert
Have a "Live Action Day"
Happy Birthday
Rapidry1000
***** Post# 16681-4/17/2002-11:21 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Thanks for the Birthday wishes everyone! I will send the word on to Neal too.
Apex this year? Ya Never Know!
***** Post# 16682-4/17/2002-11:23 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Happy birthday to you
You live in a zoo
Oh wait a minute. I saved that song for Ross
Happy Birthday to U...ni from me, Sir Frigemore, The General and Little Lady :-D
***** Post# 16683-4/17/2002-11:26 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Is that today or tomorrow?
Anyway, happy birthday Robert!!! Have a nice day and see you at the convention.
Louis
***** Post# 16684-4/17/2002-11:30 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Siouxsie)
MESSAGE: Great to see you here arrrooohhh! Sounds like you were listening to pretty much the same music we were, back in the day! I like "Siouxie" (always loved the spelling of the name) and all those folks Mr. Bubbles mentioned.
***** Post# 16685-4/17/2002-11:32 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: So that's what it is, BOL. I have never seen a GE that looked like that, and it struck me odd that there was no filter pan. Others will also be interested to note that there is no cold water setting.
While I suppose a pump to accomodate the filter flo was perhaps a bit more expensive, it seems to me that the company would have spent more in the end making a special effort, so to speak, to have to have two different pumps and leave the filter flo off just one machine when all the others had it...
***** Post# 16686-4/17/2002-11:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Great idea, Peter! Front loaders are especially suited for this location!
***** Post# 16687-4/17/2002-11:41 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, happy birthday to you and Neal!
Scott
***** Post# 16688-4/17/2002-11:48 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: A great Canadian HAPPY BIRTHDAY, eh ....
Thinking of you up in the great white north.
Eddy
***** Post# 16689-4/17/2002-12:29 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Happy birthday Robert and Neal! How cool you get to celebrate your birthdays at the same time.
***** Post# 16690-4/17/2002-14:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Seriously, I took the cap off the bottle, took a sniff and reeled back. It's not unpleasant, quite the opposite IMO, just several hundred times stronger than I expected! I always use an extra rinse with every load, which helps to keep the scent down a little. And, if it's been washed with Black Velvet, it doesn't get a Bounce sheet in the dryer!
Although it does suds up quite a bit, it's not enough to hamper the wash action. It seems as though it foams up only so far, then maintains the froth level without creating further suds.
***** Post# 16691-4/17/2002-14:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Crosslee dryers don't exactly have airflow to blow your socks off. It's very slow indeed, and you can't feel much "gust" from the end of the vent hose. Not the fastest of dryers, although they are very quiet. God only knows why Bosch has their BOL dryer private-labeled for them by Crosslee... it's cack.
I think these ambient-temp energy saving dry cycles are intended for exactly the sort of situation you suggest. Either that, or for starting at night before you go to bed. All a matter of planning your laundry accordingly.
An electric fan is also useful for speeding up drying afer cleaning a carpet. I normally dry-clean with the Vorwerk for the most part, but shampoo them once a year with the Vax. Using a fan cuts the drying time down to a couple of hours at the most, versus the three or four hours it would usually take.
***** Post# 16692-4/17/2002-14:28 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Happy Birthday Uni!
***** Post# 16693-4/17/2002-14:38 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune
MESSAGE: Baby Burco wash boilers are still produced, and I think catering equipment firms usually stock them. Not sure if they're actually produced by Burco (are they still around?) or whether it's just another company which has rights to the name.
Speaking of Burco, I remember the dryer we had when I was a little 'un. It was Burco with a drop-down door, which my nan bought my mother as a wedding present, and lasted about 18 years before the motor finally burnt out. The lint filter was very unusual - basically a long cloth bag on a metal rod - and slotted into a square opening in the front of the machine, through which the dryer vented into the room. And the drum was perforated all over, not just in the back. Never seen one like it since.
***** Post# 16694-4/17/2002-14:41 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: LOL! My excuse is that I have rather big fingers, and find cups really fiddly to handle. A mug just "feels" more comfortable.
What REALLY annoys me is to see someone using a cup or mug for a cold drink. Use a glass!
***** Post# 16695-4/17/2002-14:54 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Surprising how fun it can be, isn't it? I'm growing especially fond of the various Persil liquids now, and the difference in scent really makes a nice change. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Aloe Vera powder smells like.
I think I'll always keep regular Ariel as my whites powder, although next time I'm going to switch to the Alpine variety, as the regular scent is starting to become cloying. I won't be buying Ariel Color next time, either, as it only comes in the regular scent.
***** Post# 16696-4/17/2002-14:59 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Yes! The dishwashered milk bottle shot always cracked me up as well. And the one where you see Hyacinth sticking a stamp on a letter, using a ruler to make sure it goes on straight.
Onslow's house isn't an exaggeration, either. There's a housing estate a stone's throw from where my parents live, where each garden has a Ford Cortina sitting on bricks, and an old settee on the overgrown lawn. Mmmmm, nice :o/
***** Post# 16697-4/17/2002-15:02 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench
MESSAGE: There is a very important Frigidaire service tool on eBay. This tool is used to remove the 1.5" tub hold down nut used in all Frigidaire Unimatic, Pulsamatic, Multimatic and Rollermatic washers from 1947-1969. For anyone who is a collector of the actual machines, this wrench is an important tool to have...
p.s. 1/18's use a different tool for removing the nut.
Oops, pardon my French and all that. But seriously, I speak to customers on an almost daily basis, who are devastated to hear that they can't buy one of these machines new from the factory any more. The American washers aren't always suitable replacements, so I often end up suggesting to people that they check the secondhand market instead.
A friend of mine brought Non biological Persil from the UK on visit a few weeks ago. I'm actually quite impressed by the way it made my whites even whiter. I would consider changing to it if it was available overhere. Unfortunately our Persil comes from the German manufacturer Henkel and not from Lever. And Lever's Omo is not as good as your Persil.
Louis
***** Post# 16701-4/17/2002-16:59 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench (1.5 is for a 1-18)
MESSAGE: Now, wait a minute... I just purchased a 1.5" strike wrench that does indeedeedo fit onto the tub nut of a 1-18. I thought the older machines had the 1.75" nut, the same that is used with the new GE machines...?
Persil Non-Bio really is good stuff. I tried the liquid recently, and was pleasantly surprised at how well it actually cleans. The powder and tablets should be even better, as they contain a bleaching agent.
One of the things I like best about Persil powders is that Lever constantly make the formulation more and more concentrated as time goes on. The cartons get smaller, but the number of washes remains the same. Having less filler means it doesn't seem to goop up in the dispenser drawer, either.
***** Post# 16703-4/17/2002-17:46 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OOOPS! What a stuff-up)
MESSAGE: You are so right gizmo. Of course I know who arrrhhhooo is, but for some reason I thought I was responding to Miele, LOL -how silly of me.
Well, that'll give some of the readers here something to snigger about. Golly gosh, I am actually sitting here blushing. I don't think arrhhhooo will ever forgive me now and you are right, he didn't call me a troll either, that was mein Herr and I know he didn't (?) mean it.
I've been out on clinical, coming home quite late and having to do assignments. I have been very tired and there are always a zillion posts to read through, it seems that the people on this forum have nothing better to do with their time. Had there only been half the number of messages, this wouldn't have happened.
Arrrhhhooo, if you read this, I know you think of me as a horrid thing that wants to inflict violence on you, but I am really a nice person. I like washing machines, what more proof is there of my niceness? I am soooo sorry about this tiny mix-up. Bubbles sends you a big making-up kiss, okay ;-*. And yes, Siouxy is (was) gorgeous.
Gizmo come out from under your desk so I can give you one too, X - just don't turn into a frog, okay?!
***** Post# 16704-4/17/2002-17:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Isn't Marmite made from animal products rather than vegies?
***** Post# 16705-4/17/2002-17:51 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Neither. Marmite is mined.
***** Post# 16706-4/17/2002-18:04 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench (Tool #12171)
MESSAGE: The '58 tech-talk manual lists tool #12171 for tub nut removal as does the '79 1-18 tech-talk, #12171. I measured my #12171 and it is 1.5"
Don't know nothin' bout no new GE's......
***** Post# 16707-4/17/2002-19:11 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I never knew Bosch had their BOL dryer made by Croslee, it beggars one question - Why?
Must admit, my AEG 330 dryer gives a very good blow, you can feel it right accross the yard comming out of the vent.
Check the Persil Aloe Vera carefully, I think it may contain bleach. From the website, 'This new Persil contains Aloe Vera extract, well known to be gentle on skin, for a touch of natural care. This has been combined with Persil Non-Bio's dermatologically tested formulation'. Sounds to me like its bog standard non bio which contains bleach with added aloe.
I looked for it in the supermarket (Safeway) yesterday, but they did not have it. I wonder if it is widely available yet.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16709-4/17/2002-19:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: No, I know he Onslow's house isn't exagerated, there are similar even on my road (long road, respectable at each end, scruffy on the central part, guess which part I live on).
Actually many years ago a friend lived in similarly shabby place, maisonettes (BOL Duplexes for the benefit of non UKers). A rather interesting feature of this particular estate was a communal laundry block in the middle of teh central yard. It featured a green barrel style washer just like the one on Prisoner C Block H, don't know the make. Of course, said washer had been used for unspeakable purposes - one certainly would not have been able to wash clothes clean in it. But then I should not have been shocked, the stairwell walls were similarly decorated. Positively made Daisy and Onslow's estate look posh by comparison.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16710-4/17/2002-19:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Email from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: Your pardoned. Great word isn't it, so usefull. I remember when i was a little bugger-ups asking my parents what the word meant as all the other swear words had meaning - I went on to name the words and give their meaning to illustrate my point. Cowardly buggers cliamed that it was just a swear word and had no particular meaning.
Some years later, after comming out, I used teh word in front of my sister and her friend who was teh local vicar's daughter. I was greeted with 'ahm, YOU should't use that word, we know what it means and it's disgusting.' I did not persue that conversation.
If only one of teh US manufacturers would take the bull by the horns and stick a heater in their TL for the Euro market, can't be that difficult, they could really fill that gap in the market. I am guessing that you meant the US washers were not suitable due to lack of suficient hot water or lack of boil wash.
Good job I try to check my typing, I actually typed Hi Buns, Freudian do you think.
Marmite, bless the stuff, does not contain any cute little animals, I would not eat it if it did. It is the crap that is scraped from the bottom of the barrels after making beer, but then I like saurkraut even after a German family took great delight in telling me how it is cabbage rotted for 6 weeks in the cellar.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16712-4/17/2002-19:50 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I think the reason behind it is that it lets Bosch offer a dryer around the £170 price mark. The next model up is made by Whirlpool, selling for around £240, and is a much better dryer. Only thing is, you can get the same dryer cheaper with the Whirlpool badge on it.
True Bosch dryers, with the square door going up to the control panel, start around £330-£340. A lot of people won't pay that for a dryer, hence the private-labeled models made for Bosch by other manufacturers.
***** Post# 16713-4/17/2002-20:04 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Yep, it definitely contains bleach, so there's no way I'd use it on coloureds. At the moment I'm trying to finish off a huge carton of Ariel Color, and will most likely end up using Persil Colour liquid when its gone. Black Velvet will probably be a keeper, too, as I have a lot of black gear.
I reckon the aloe powder should be available soon, as the new packaging for all the other Persil varieties is already on the shelves. Perhaps the supermarkets are just waiting for stocks to arrive now.
***** Post# 16714-4/17/2002-20:28 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: OK, you asked me to guess, so I'm going to err on the side of caution, and guess that it's one of the respectable ends. Naturally, that would go without saying :o)
Thing is, you get good and bad in every area. Heck, you get good and bad in the same BUILDING. Perhaps this is a little presumptious of me, but I consider myself to be respectable - quiet as a mouse, and I keep my flat clean and tidy inside and out. But then there's the couple who live downstairs, who I can only compare to the Wayne and Waynetta Slob characters in the Harry Enfield sketch. Noisy, filthy pigs the pair of them.
You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your neighbours. There's a lot to be said for living in the middle of a field LOL.
***** Post# 16715-4/17/2002-20:49 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Robert - best wishes for the big day - you could also have an "Automagic" day!!!!
***** Post# 16716-4/17/2002-20:50 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Email from Hotpoint
MESSAGE: LOL! Sounds all too familiar, as I'm notorious for letting such words slip out when I shouldn't. Oh, well, it's not like they've never heard it before.
The reason I said American TLs are often unsuitable as a replacement for those with Hotpoint TLs is mainly the cabinet size. They also need a 2" diamater standpipe to drain into, whereas standard British waste plumbing is only 1 1/2" diamater. Another major turn-off for many people is the "unusual" programming style, and the lack of high temperature washes.
When the Hotpoint TL was discontinued, we were guessing that it would be replaced by a US-made GE, but we ended up with another Euro horizontal-axis TL instead. They might be big in Europe, but customers here really don't like them, and lose interest as soon as you show them how to open the drum.
***** Post# 16717-4/17/2002-20:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Particularly when either the TV is broken or there is nothing good on - there is nothing like watching a load of bright colors!!!
***** Post# 16718-4/17/2002-20:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Personally, I prefer the stuff that comes from the top half of the barrel. You can't get a party going with Marmite LOL.
That sounds fascinating. Is the entire house going to have solid walls or are you only constructing the outside walls of mud? Are the interior walls standard frames with gyproc plastering? Do you only mix in straw or do you also add some other binding agent to the mud mixture (apart from water of course)? Once you have finished with the outside are you adding another waterproofing agent (in addition to polystyrene), to guard against damp?
What do you think you'll enjoy more, the mudwork or the washing?
I find this fascinating. I have seen pics of rammed earth houeses and the end result is nothing short of stunning, particularly when different colored layers of earth are compressed together. Once the walls have dried and a clear gloss coating is applied, it looks like exotic marble or sandstone, very nice stuff.
In Sydney we have too many brick-veneer homes, too many red and orange houses with red roofs and too much of the same architectural styling as well. I love to see something different. There is a mudbrick house not very far from my place. It has sandwash rendering and incorporates large timber beams, so that the home looks a little like a post and beam construction, but it actually is not. This house looks very earthy, rustic, warm and inviting. I think that alternative building methods ought to be encouraged more, particularly when it comes to energy-friendly and ecologically sensitive designs. Unfortunately though, councils are moving in the opposite direction. Urban consolidation and greater housing density means more restrictions to building styles and materials used. There is also the 'snob value' aspect, which tends to limit people's imaginations in coming up with interesting and unusual designs. People here are too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses to maximize on their property values. It has gotten to the point where postcodes here determine ones worth as a human being - I kid you not. I have heard that Melbourne is the same?
Hay bale buildings are also quite fascinating. I think there are a couple of private homes in NSW, built with that method. The insulation efficiency of such a home would be excellent. Although, I can't help thinking of the 'Three little Piggies,' when hay bales come to mind.
I'll tell you what I love though. I absolutely adore timber. To me that is the apex of all building materials and my favorite architectural styling is the traditional Queenslander. I love the sweeping varandas with the ornate cast-iron work. Fancier homes have very interesting roof lines, lovely bay-windows and the tin roofs are absolutely wonderful during a monsoonal downpour. I lived in Cairns a few years back and adore it up there.
Up in the Daintre there are quite a few beautiful timber homes, designed to fit in with their natural environment. A friend of mine has built himself a beautiful beach front house on stilts. It is all timber inside out, has a central two storey atrium and a nautical theme. He used thick hemp rope and brass fittings to create a banister for the stairs. The central atrium is topped by a hexagonal cuppola that has stained windows and my most loved feature is his high-gloss mango wood floor. He took a mango tree and sliced it, then he just laid down the slices and, voila, he now has something truly unique that would cost an absolute ransom if done by a professional flooring company. BTW this guy has one of those light-construction Westinghouse TL washer, with the large plastic lid, a polyprop. tub and the black controls - the man has no idea.
Ultimately, when I get out of Sydney, this overpriced, overpopulated, hell-hole full of superinflated egos, I'll be moving back to FNQ. Maybe incorporating a little spritzer to Darwin, I want to experience the wet-season up there. Apparently it is one of the best places, world-wide, to witness spectacular thunderstorms. Of course Katherine is definitely the main motivator for going to the NT.
Where you are its supposed to be very beautiful and very unique. Unfortunately, I haven't yet travelled much beyond Canberra. Friends of mine from Brisbane actually managed to get to Tasmania, but suffered from hypothermia through most of the trip and the locals were a bit odd down there too.
When I get time, I'll pinch my parent's Winnebago and do the Great South, especially the Great Ocean Road. At least that way will I have my own heating with me at all times.
***** Post# 16720-4/17/2002-21:30 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Don't tell fibs, because some of the others might actually believe you.
***** Post# 16721-4/17/2002-21:33 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Very true Kirk! Mind you a bunch of non-alcoholic vegans could probably go wild over the other stuff.
***** Post# 16722-4/17/2002-22:06 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Robert, a very special happy birthday wish from me. I hope you do some extra laundry the frigidaire way to celebrate--and with your favorite phosphated/scented detergents & softeners. That way you'll make a Frigidaire suds cake, don't forget to put a candle in it and blow it out before the throwin gout of water!!!
***** Post# 16723-4/17/2002-22:09 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Yes, and my bestest to Neal to. Glad you have someone special to celebrate with this year.
I agree about the problem with higher costs for a dryer. It took me some thinking before paying a similar figure for my AEG dryer. One expects a dryer to me much cheaper than a washer as it has less parts and is much less complex.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16725-4/18/2002-03:23 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Unimatic: Hope this is the start of a great year for you.
***** Post# 16726-4/18/2002-03:56 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: For me, Marmite is something I get a craving for once a year, then I'm done with it for the next twelve months. Having said that, you can now get Marmite-flavoured crisps over here, which I've grown a little too fond of. With my propensity to pile on the podge if I'm not careful, perhaps I should throttle back on them a bit LOL.
***** Post# 16727-4/18/2002-04:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Perhaps it's just a British thing. European and American dryers often cost around the same as the matching washers, and they don't complain about the price. Not so with us, but then I don't think Brits place as much emphasis on matched pairs.
Still, I'd sooner mismatch than have a Crosslee-made dryer to go with my Bosch washer. At that price range, I'd get a Hotpoint instead. Their dryers are actually pretty good, and are built ten times better as well.
***** Post# 16728-4/18/2002-04:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Many happy returns, Robert. Thank you for all the wonderful work you put into this site, and I wish you all the best for the coming year :o)
Kirk
***** Post# 16729-4/18/2002-06:38 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: Hope that you enjoyed your special day!
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, Hope that your special day was a happy one and that the APEX is right around the corner for you. Good wishes to Neal too. Terry
***** Post# 16730-4/18/2002-08:34 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OOOPS! What a stuff-up)
MESSAGE: ribbet ribbet
Chris
Sanitarium Health Food Company
1 Sanitarium Drive
Berkeley Vale
NSW 2261
Australia
Product of New Zealand
Extra Trivia Points...
Marmite is actually the original yeast extract spread, despite Vegemite being the Aussie icon.
An Australian chap (forget his name) decided to produce a locally developed alternative to Marmite which was at that time imported from the UK.
His name for the product was Pa-Will. It was a sad pun on the name Marmite. (ma might. Pa will.)
Pa-Will was quite successful and the company was sold to Kraft who changed the name to Vegemite.
Chris.
***** Post# 16732-4/18/2002-08:47 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Yes, theres nothing quite as satisfying as a good blow, is there?
Chris.
***** Post# 16733-4/18/2002-09:03 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: The mud walls will be the outer walls, plus a "feature wall" in the lounge room. All other walls will be conventional stud framing with plaster. Upstairs there may be a timber dado wall to 1500mm high or so. But that may come later.
The mud walls will be treated with Tech Dry or Mudguard, which are sealants especially designed for earth walls. It makes the outer surface of the earth water repellant without altering its looks. The shiny sealants which look like cling wrap over the wall tend to bubble and flake off over time so I'm avoiding them.
I'll definitely enjoy the mud work better. (Sorry)
I agree with you about the sausage factory homes in the suburbs. Although I am not a very artistic person I am making an effort to have a bit of craft and flair in this house. The Hubby and I intend to grow old together in this place so we want to make it something special.
Chris.
***** Post# 16734-4/18/2002-09:09 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Sudsmaster dear I think you are confusing it with Kryptonite.
Chris.
***** Post# 16735-4/18/2002-09:16 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: Trading Post ad
MESSAGE: Here is an ad from the Melbourne Trading Post this week:
Fisher and Paykel washing machine. Going but confused. $64.
Also someone else is advertising a Miele Eurotech washing machine, 18 months old for $750.
Nice try. Eurotech machines are bog basic generic front loaders made in Italy. They are NOT Mieles.
Chris.
***** Post# 16736-4/18/2002-10:07 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: RE: This Is How We Wash Our Clothes Part 1 (Did that new Whirlpool Dryer come from Best Buy?)
MESSAGE: Gansky,
I think you misunderstood me about the price of the dryer. $269 is what they paid for the Imperial 70 in 1979. For the new one they paid $336 with my employee discount
***** Post# 16737-4/18/2002-11:29 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench (Tool #12171)
MESSAGE: From the archive...
Post# 12732-1/27/2002-09:36 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: It's an appliance weekend! (striking wrench)
MESSAGE: I don't think the 1-18 has 1.5" tub nut Peter, the Unimatic, Multimatic and Rollermatic's do, but they changed the size of that nut for the 1/18. If they have them down there you should try a catalog-store called Granger, you need a "striking wrench".
There is also a photo album out there somewhere for a Unimatic restoration where the caption in the pic says the wrench is the same as the GE wrench, but I cannot find any Frigidaire restoration albums out there...
-ph
***** Post# 16738-4/18/2002-11:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: I have indeed the powder with the bleach. The Persil is not as compact as the Ariel. For a normal wash I still need 118 ml of Persil while I only use around 66ml of Ariel.
***** Post# 16739-4/18/2002-14:05 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench (Tool #12171)
MESSAGE: Well it definately sounds like there is some confusion about the size of the Frigidaire tub hold down nuts. I don't have a 1/18 so I have nothing to measure. I do know that there are two different wrenches that have slightly different nut sizes. I've seen them both of them together, and compared both, and one hex opening was slightly larger than the other. I was told that the 1/18 uses a different size nut, but with what Greg just read out of the 1958 and 1978 Tech Talk, who knows. All I know is that wrench on Ebay should definately be brought into the family.
***** Post# 16740-4/18/2002-16:11 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Mining for goodies)
MESSAGE: And, pray tell, what is the harm there? Are you worried they might buy some bogus Marmite Mining stocks with their life savings, which were being accumulated to purchase the last working Unimatic on the planet?
;-)
***** Post# 16741-4/18/2002-16:14 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Oh, it's a government conspiracy. The truth is it's all mined by hobbits.
***** Post# 16742-4/18/2002-17:09 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Frigidaire Tub Nut Wrench (Tool #12171)
MESSAGE: Goot Lawd, we all is confoosed up in here! I got a bid on it over there up in Ebay, so if I win it, it'll put all this ignuce to rest once an fo all...
-ph
***** Post# 16743-4/18/2002-18:14 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: And here was me thinking that I'd better not say anything smutty, despite thinking it LOL.
***** Post# 16744-4/18/2002-18:34 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Oops, perhaps I should have elaborated a tad more. UK Persil was updated yet again only a couple of weeks ago, and further concentrated. A normal soil dosage of Ariel in medium-hard water (like mine) is 190ml, where the newest Persil only needs 130ml. Obviously, the dosing ratios vary according to water hardness, which is probably why Ariel goes further for you.
Is the Ariel sold in the Netherlands different to ours? Over here, the lowest dosage recommended for Ariel powder is 95ml, which is for light soiling in all water types. 66ml is a tiny amount, unless it's an "ultra"-type powder. We can only get big-box Ariel over here now, as the compact powder has now been replaced by tablets.
***** Post# 16745-4/18/2002-18:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
It sounds wonderful, do you have pics of the construction and will you post pics of the finished house please. I love good modern architecture, experimental techniques and there is still so much to learn from old techniques too. Are you using any other interesting technologies on your house beside the walls?
So much modern housing (in the UK) is quite frankly piss-elegant and naff. The volume builders build 'pretty little boxes', basic boxes with what the trade knows as 'gob-ons', ie bits of mouldings and details to differentiate the boxes from those built for the social sector.
The link below is to the styles offered by one of our larger volume builders. Typically these house styles would be built up and down the country. Prices can be very high and standards of finish very low, due to sub-contract labour, lack of supervision and desire to maximise profits. I looked at some about half a mile from my house, 5 bed detached, about £500,000 and finish carpentry around doors, fitted wardrobes etc was appaling.
Here's hoping you and hubby will be happy in your new home.
***** Post# 16746-4/18/2002-19:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Is that because Hotpoint gets its dryers built by Bosch? Hotpoint used to (still does?) get its DWs made by Bosch.
I take you point about Euro and US dryers versus the UK attitude, but the fact still remains that a dryer is a much simpler piece of kit, single drum, rather than drum and tub, no water connections or drain, just heater and fan. The motor must have less work to do in a dryer, so can be lighter duty, as the load it has to turn has been spun to remove excess water and there is no free water adding to the load.
Of course, most UK dryers have far simpler timers, ie turm to 120 mins and leave to bake, rather than propper automated drying.
Mmm, mismatched pairs, something I have been guilty of from time to time. I bought crappy Creda washer, 12 months later bought matching (though quite good) dryer with automated drying, washer dies and is replaced with AEG, dryer lasts another 3 years or so before dying and being replaced with AEG dryer to match washer. Last year, AEG washer died and was replaced with Miele, but the AEG dryer is still going. I am torn between wanting to keep it going, I can replace fans etc myself, and wanting to replace it with a matching Miele dryer, £500 I could spend on something else. BF does not give a toss what they look like, so long as they are quiet, and likes to save money.
Why is it that men like to have clean clothes and the house clean, but get mightily pissed if they have to hear the washer, dryer or vac running, or if you are devoting time to these jobs and they think that time should be given to them! (OK, I'm not in best of moods with the miserable old bugger at the momment, in case you hadn't guessed)
Do you know, I only noticed this week that compact powders had disappeared and big boxes were back. I have not bought conventional brands for some years, and so had stopped looking at them. I was looking this week to find the Persil Aloe Vera to try, and it was all big box powders, liquids, capsules and those bloody awfull tablets (remember my rant about those, I won't repeat it).
My fav Ecover has been reformulated, but luckily is still a compact powder. It was non-bio bleach free powder, with separate bleach powder (pure sodium percarbonate) sold alongside. Now it comes in non-bio or bio powders with bleach, no bleach free available. So what about colours, a liquid is available, but to me this is a light duty product as it is just detergents and no alkaline agents. I am pleased that Ecover is doing a bio powder, I had been buying its bio tablets and crushing them, but I am pissed off at the inclusion of bleach, I liked to add my own as I could control the dose effectively. I bought all the boxes on Sainsbury's shelves (3), Waitrose only had the new stuff and Safeway can keep theirs, as they charge 70p (over US$1) a box more than the Waitrose. Once I run out of bleach free powder, I will try the liquid, maybe liquid with washing soda, failing that own brand colour powders (generally the own brands are not tested on animals) I may even have to buy Persil Colour or Arial Color (is it still spelt the US way?)
Richtoo
***** Post# 16748-4/18/2002-19:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: New houses over here are awful. I spent a very brief spell as an estate agent (what a mistake that was, but I digress), and dealt mainly with new homes. Probably the reason why I wasn't suited to the job is that I just can't get excited over developments where the houses all look like a row of identical shoeboxes.
If you want a decent amount of space in a new home, you either have to pay **BIG** money, or build yourself. But even then, you still get walls that are thin enough to p*** through. The worst thing I ever saw was a Georgian-style house with PLASTIC pillars on either side of the front door! The total fakeness of it all was incredibly tacky.
***** Post# 16749-4/18/2002-19:35 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent) (OT )
MESSAGE: Of course, I don't understand what you or Chris could posssibly mean, being of the purest mind and body.
Reminds me of a, to me, amusing story at work. I worked with ladies of a certain age, and I remarked on a colleagues initials, saying how unfortunate to have the initials 'BJ', both looked blank and enquired if it was something rude, a minute later one started giggling and asked if it meant what she thought it meant, the other was still totally puzzled. I suggested she ask her son. This was the same colleague who told me how she had heard the local radio DJ talking and laughing about the number 69 bus, in all innocence she remarked the number 69 is rude isn't it and asked why. I declined to explain.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16750-4/18/2002-19:39 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: Robert,
Hope you are having / had a great day. Happy Birthday, or to paraphrase Margot if I may, my sincerest felicitations.
Missing you from here, I hope things are going well with you.
(If you guys all know Hyacith and Mrs Slocumbe, you must know Margot.)
You really can keep up with me, maybe even beat me on the rudest turn of phrase, was your dad in the navy too, that's what I blame mine on.
The fake pillars, well, opposite my parents 1920's semi, large new houses were built in the early 70s. Quite good simple design, still look OK even now. One of them has installed Roman style pillars around the front door, on a modern 70s house. Don't get me started on 'We've bought our council house' stone cladding, shutters and wishing wells!
I guess it boils down to the market moving to the lowest common denominator for reasons of economy of scale, and follows through to so many aspects of life including the boring designs of many modern appliances compared to some of the earlier wonders we see here.
***** Post# 16752-4/18/2002-20:00 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hotpoint dryers are made in the UK by GDA, and come from the factory in Yate, which I believe is near Bristol (???). The design of the dryers has changed little over the years, probably because it's tried and tested and works well. Credit where it's due, Hotpoint make quite good dryers, refrigeration and cooking appliances, even though they're not anything incredibly fancy.
The dishwashers, on the other hand, are made by Bosch... for the time being, anyway. Bosch recently lost the Hotpoint dishwasher contract, and production will eventually be switched over to Merloni. BAD idea in my opinion, but that's what comes of mergers.
I see your point about why many folks don't worry too much about having matched washer/dryer pairs. Of course, there's also the fact that many folks only use the dryer during the winter months, when wet weather makes it impossible to line dry. In those situations, a dryer is merely a standby, therefore it's not always worth spending muchos cash on one.
Funny you should mention your other half being none too pleased at the sound of the washer or vacuum running. My mother always hears "Is that bloody washing machine on AGAIN?" from my father, as like me she has it running every day. As she says, it's either that or no clean drawers for the rest of the week LOL.
***** Post# 16753-4/18/2002-20:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: I think Persil dropped their compact powders in the late 90s, when they started making tablets. Ariel only discontinued theirs about a year ago at the most, but like Persil, now only offer tablets as an alternative.
Generally, liquids are best suited to oily, greasy soils, and powders work better on clay-type soils such as mud. Of course, that may differ with the eco brands, as their composition is rather different to most major brands.
You might want to check out Sainsbury's own-brand detergents. I'm pretty sure they include an "eco" line, which may offer something missing from the revised Ecover range. Surely Ecover isn't the only company who caters for that particular sector of the market?
My mother is terribly naive about these things, in fact it's one of her most endearing qualities. Often she'll hear something on TV, and ask my father what it means. He'll just look at her as if to say, "You are kidding me, aren't you?" Upon hearing the explanation, she usually ends up wishing she hadn't bothered to ask!
***** Post# 16755-4/18/2002-20:46 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Actually, he is! Not one to mince his words, which has kind of rubbed off onto me, too. Funny thing is, a lot of people tell me I talk "really posh", although I think that might be due to differences in accent. Being from the South, I stick out like a sore thumb here as soon as I open my mouth.
My parents live in a semi also - their house is red brick, whereas the adjoining neighbours have stone cladding. It looks very odd from the outside, to say the least. But it doesn't bother them, as it's not something you notice when you're indoors.
***** Post# 16756-4/18/2002-22:55 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: New for 1952 - The Frigidaire Filtra-Matic Dryer
MESSAGE: Yes, a load of bright colors has it all over the NBC Peacock. In fact, a load of bright colors tumbling should be their new moving color logo.
***** Post# 16757-4/18/2002-23:55 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Someone's a year older???
MESSAGE: don't forget Audrey (Forbes-Hamilton).
***** Post# 16758-4/18/2002-00:37 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: Unimatic Question
MESSAGE: Can anyone tell me how the old Frigidaire Unimatic mechanism changed from agitation to spin? It seems to happen too quickly to be a reversing motor, since there is no pause. I assume it is solenoid activated, but am not sure. Just curious. Thanks!
***** Post# 16759-4/18/2002-01:20 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Interesting Link mein Herr,
Some of the homes don't look too bad, but are a little plain for my liking. Personally, I am a bit of a traditionalist. Not at all into modern architecture, too minimalistic for me. I like things to look busy, I need a lot of stimulation and plain simple things just don't do it for me.
Give me proper Queen Ann or Victorian architecture, Baroque, Elizabethan half-timbered (post and beam), American New England architecture i.e. the Saltbox style, love shutters and the windows with little panes, Gambrel roofs do it to me every time and of course a garage needs a cuppola with a weather cock on top.
Love old-style Queenslanders and Californian bungalows from the 30's, of which there are quite a few in Sydney. They have these gorgeous pressed metal ceilings with fruit and vegie motifs and they are very high, with very ornate cornices. Also love the gorgeous cast-iron fireplaces that come with these homes.
A good house has a big porch and a lahaina. A living space open to the outside, that is insect proofed with screens and allows one to bring the great outdoors into ones living room, but that can be shut off from the elements if needed.
Anyway, attached is a link for one of my favorite building styles - the traditional Queenslander. Have a peek.
LINK: http://www.traditionalqueenslanders.com.au
***** Post# 16760-4/18/2002-01:43 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: And of course there is the Homeworld site, which will give you a look into contemporary Australian homes for suburbia. There are other development companies like this one, and display villages like Homeworld are spread around Sydney, particularly in areas where new tracts of land have been opened up for development by them. Companies like Homeworld offer land and home packages for sale and organize finance as well.
Usually new developments are marketed as complete estates with their own schools, their own shopping malls, recreational facilities and so on. Some of them are open and others are closed (i.e. they have 24/365 security).
Enjoy!
***** Post# 16761-4/18/2002-01:45 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Here is the link)
MESSAGE: I am getting old.
LINK: http://www.homeworld.com.au
Yep there are a few Eco lines, Bio D (or is it Big D?), contains bleach, Down to Earth which contains bleach and bleach activator. I will look at Sainsburys, its powder, I think contains bleach, but it may have a liquid suitable.
To combine the reply with another post if I may, fancy me guessing about your Dad's background and our Dads having the same background, sailors really must be a coarse lot.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16763-4/19/2002-03:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: I reckon that whoever invents the silent washer and vacuum cleaner will become very rich.
Notice how, whilst they moan about the washer and vac, they would not dream of actually uising them. Some time ago, some muck on the landing was really annoying him, he kept commenting on it so I deliberatly did not vac it, so he decided he would vacuum the landing. He asked where it was kept, how to put the hose in and the pipes on, where to plug it in, how to turn it on.... We had had the vac over 12 months and he hasn't used it since, we had the old one 10 years and he *never* once used it. He did use our first vac once, I caught him vacuuming the carpet with the dusting brush whose bristles fell out shortly after.
If I need him to use the washer, if I'm away for a while, I have to leave detailed written instructions on load, cycles, and detergent.
He does unload the DW, but his loading has to be seen, one woulld only get a third of the capacity used left to him, ie plate, gap, gap, plate.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16764-4/19/2002-05:37 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (Mining for goodies)
MESSAGE: Well Sudsmaster,
You know what they say. "In America anything is possible!"
Have you ever read the Flashman Series, by George McDonald Frazer?
***** Post# 16765-4/19/2002-05:40 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OT Marmite)
MESSAGE: Hobbits are cute, I wonder if they fit into a 13 lbs top load washer and would they shrink in hot water?
***** Post# 16766-4/19/2002-05:58 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Lux soap (OOOPS! What a stuff-up)
MESSAGE: Well gizmo,
If I kiss you again, will you turn into a fairy tailed prince?
Lets try it :o*
***** Post# 16767-4/19/2002-06:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: One thing you might want to try is the Ecos detergent, as mentioned by Sudsy Rich. Apparently it's plant-based, and available in both powder and liquid forms. I did see a post here, giving details of a UK distributor who can supply by mail order, so if anyone can elaborate on that, it may be something worth trying.
Don't you just hate it when you find a product you really like, and then the manufacturer decides to give it the chop?
Perhaps it's no surprise that both our fathers are sailors LOL. Mind you, some of the things I've heard my father say have even shocked me, and that's not exactly easy!
***** Post# 16768-4/19/2002-06:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Sounds great gizmo,
Hope everything goes according to plan. Having been involved in two of my parent's owner-builder projects, I know how challenging it can be.
Tell me, do you actually have a couple of Aussie automatic vintage washers? Like the ones out of those CR reports from 1963 and 1971? We have an appliance wholesaler who operates out of a warehouse nearby and I have been keeping my eyes peeled on the trade ins that he accepts, but so far nothing extraordinary has found its way onto his backlot.
Best of Luck!
***** Post# 16769-4/19/2002-06:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris. That really sounds facinating. I magine its like one of those homes in Owner Builder magazine.
What is the outside design? A long ranch style? Verandahs all the way around. I love lofts with dormer windows.
I really am facinated by houses, as much as with washing machines. I wanted to be an architect but I hated tech drawing at high school. With a passion. Killed any motivation I had to be an architech plus I met a few and they were real wankers.
My personal favourite is the old federation style homes. Haberfield and places like that have heaps of them but they cost so much money esp with this ridiculous property boom. None of these people care about the houses anyway its all just money money money. Bankstown used to have a large number of californian bungalows but most off these have been torn down to become ugly poorly designed blocks of flats. The worst case was this incredibly beautiful house in Meredith St. in Bankstown. It was one of those 30's style ship houses with a garden to match. It was really near to my Nans house and my Mum said when she was growing up that people would come from everywhere to look at this house and its beautiful gardens. The owner died and it became derelict and now the ungliest block of flats are there. I cried the day it got pulled down.
***** Post# 16770-4/19/2002-06:15 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: One has to admit that project homes today offer much more variety than they did in the 70's and 80's when it was all those hideous red brick Neeta homes that fill the streets of Georges Hall, North Rocks, Greystanes and Winston Hills.
Did you hear that Parramatta council has put Winston Hills on heritage listing to preserve its 1970's atmosphere?
***** Post# 16771-4/19/2002-06:23 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: My Uncle used to work for Bryants.
Not the snobby one.
***** Post# 16772-4/19/2002-06:27 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Bryants)
MESSAGE: I think the houses are quite cute. constantly amazed at the small room sizes though!
I personally am sick of the fake federation houses that were so popular a few years ago. Just take an ordainairy brick box, add a ducth gable and bull nose verandah and voila! a ferderation style home. One builder though had the decency to offer a steeper roof pitch and the option of higher ceilings making things look a bit more authentic.
The popular style now is cement rendered "tuscany" style.
***** Post# 16773-4/19/2002-06:27 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Well, I suppose there is a silent vacuum cleaner of sorts, in the form of a central vac. With the canister being located away from the living quarters, you don't actually hear it. But it's not something you tend to see much over here, except in really expensive custom-made homes.
You'd love watching your other half try to use a Kirby. Have you ever used one yourself? Easy once you know how, but it definitely takes some learning to begin with. When I had one, I let my brother borrow it, and spent ages showing him how to use the belt lifter, height adjuster and attachments. Still couldn't get the hang of it, so in the end I had to go round and do it for him.
I used to leave notes on how to use the washer when I was in a house share with a couple of pals. My mother does the same thing for my dad, although nine times out of ten she just ends up telling him to leave it, and that she'll do it when she gets home LOL.
Loading a dishwasher does take some learning, but once you're used to it, everything automatically slots into the right place, and you work out how to fit in as much as possible. Took me an hour to load mine the first time I used it, though.
***** Post# 16774-4/19/2002-06:31 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: POD WIn 10000
MESSAGE: I would one of each of those washing machines!
***** Post# 16775-4/19/2002-07:14 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: POD WIn 10000
MESSAGE: So you choose the most expensive one, then use the $10,000 to buy the others (and a place to put them).
***** Post# 16776-4/19/2002-08:36 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
No, no pix as yet. It really hasn't been done before, not exactly as I'm planning it. The alleged architect who designed this place built his own house with insulated mud brick, using two skins of thinner than usual mud bricks, with wheat straw between for insulation. It will be a bit trial-and error, I'm afraid. I will certainly be taking some photos of it, on a film camera not digital as I don't have one. One day I will spend the time to get scanning to a Yahoo album organized, but it will be a while. There aren't enough hours in the day. The hubby actually got elected to council about a couple of months ago so our life is a bit topsy-turvy at present.
Interesting technologies??
The house will have solar hot water and solar/wind power. We have that too on our present house but it is an old dump, it will be better in a house designed to be efficient. The waste water will be treated by a Dowmus composting system, a "wet composting" system that treats all waste that would normally go into a septic tank. That is already installed. The fridge will be installed into a ventilated alcove in the kitchen, there is a vent tube under the floor slab that takes cool air from the gully behind the house and vents it below the fridge condenser coils to help stop heat collecting behind and around the fridge, thus improving efficiency. (that has been done before nearby) The laundry will be set up for two washing machines. Plus a couple more in the shed. Every boy needs a shed.
Chris.
***** Post# 16777-4/19/2002-09:31 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Yes, it is like many homes seen in Owner Builder mag. I read it regularly, though it tends to be all the same after a while.
I found an ad in OB mag which has a website with photos similar to our design.
Go to www.postbeam.com.au, then select photographs, then select loft. The photo of " loft home 45 degree roof pitch with attic dormer" is very similar to ours. The loft photo is sort of similar, too. If you love lofts with dormer windows you would love our house. If you read OB mag you will see ads for Peter Lees architect, we got a book of his plans and his articles inspired our design, though we used a different architect. We really designed it ourself, and got it drawn up by the architect/wanker. He was a pain, made so many structural mistakes which fortunately the building approval process picked up, I ended up buying a copy of the Timber Framing Manual and going over all the timber size calculations myself, which is what we employed the so-and-so for in the first place. Still, the exercise gave me a much greater understanding of how it alll goes together and what task each component performs.
The poured mud idea came from written articles and a lecture by Bob Rich, who has written several books on earth building, and a good book on basic woodwork called "woodworking for idiots like me" which was handy, too.
Before we moved to the bush we lived in Richmond, inner suburban Melbourne. Our home there was a 1926 californian bungalow, two bedroom. It was in a group of under thirty homes all built about the same time, using plans provided by the State bank. They were all very similar and remarkably all were very original apart from some "modernization" carried out i nthe 1950's to a few. It was a gorgeous preserved pocket in a suburb that generally had a rough mix of original but dilapidated homes from before the turn of the century to ugly three srorey flats of the 1960's. At the end of the street there was the old doctors residence, a gorgeous and larger Cal Bung style home on a treed double block. It has been demolished in the last two years and has been replaced with a hideous monument to the architects lack of appreciation of the area or the amenity of the surrounding residents. All built from rendered concrete blocks with plenty of "gob ons".
The "slums of the future" school of architecture.
Oh, dear.
Chris.
***** Post# 16778-4/19/2002-09:57 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (vintage washers)
MESSAGE: No I'm afraid I no longer have any "vintage" washers. I had two Keymatics, I gave one which I had fully restored to the Salvation Army (they had a giant new "thrift Store" near our Richmond house and I thought they might like it for a display as they sold reco appliances to raise funds), the other was in pretty rough condition and I had extensively modified it to run on 12 volt DC (non-automatic) so when I no longer needed it I dismantled it, kept a few useful parts and (gulp) took the rest in for recycling. I had a couple of Wilkins Servis twins and several Hoover twins, I didn't think much of the Wilkins so they went, and the Hoovers weren't really vintage but I have kept one in excellent shape and have the other one ( a roughy) outside in the weather. No vintage Auto's I'm afraid. When the house project is a little more advanced I will scour a couple of recycle centres again.
I have several "interesting" washers not normally found in Aus, including a Hotpoint 9560 which was a TOL front loader in the late eighties (noisy, rinses poorly, takes ages and spectacularly unreliable) and a Philips TLFL (don't remember the model number) made in France. It is a little screamer, one of my favourites. Two Simpson Delta Tens which need new bearings (or need throwing out) and a dead F&P gentle Annie, kept for spares for Mum's washer. Plus a couple of other front loaders (Philips and Bendix - 1980's models) Plus the Asko and F&P in the laundry that I use regularly.
Chris.
***** Post# 16779-4/19/2002-11:15 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Unimatic Question
MESSAGE: The Unimatic's motor runs at 1140rpm and does not reverse. To shift into spin a solenoid is energized...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/frigidaire1140/vwp?.dir=/WI-57+Restoration&.src=ph&.dnm=Unimatic+Mechanism+Pulsation.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/frigidaire1140/lst%3f%26.dir=/WI-57%2bRestoration%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16780-4/19/2002-11:28 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil wesbite updated
MESSAGE: Yes, the Ariel overhere is an "ultra" powder. The lowest dosage is 44ml. We also have the tablets, the liquids and the liquitabs. It's been quite a while that I saw the big boxes overhere.
***** Post# 16781-4/19/2002-11:42 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Rich, would a perfect world have hubby helping out more with the domestic chores, or are you happier handling things yourself, your own way? Though I am single, I am so picky and set in my ways that it be probably best I handle my own domestic duty.
Thanks for the link, I like the look of that house, it has a good simplicity about it, and it looks very good in amongst the trees like that. The other house designs on the sight are smart too, as well as this sort of 'simple but following the traditional' style I also rather like the ultra modern glass boxes that one sometimes sees in magazines.
I am comming to the conclusion that Aus and UK English are more similar that US English, particularly the vulgar words. I don't think that the W word is used in US, but it is very popular in the UK and I see Aus too, great word isn't it. I guess it is due to when the bulk emigration from the UK happened at what language was in use at that time.
I am enjoying hearinng about your new house, please keep us posted.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16783-4/19/2002-11:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Thanks, you are right, I do refer things done my way. He does cook brilliantly though (I taught him!!!), though I confess he is a much better cook than me now. I do wish he would do the garden though. Left to me, I would design an attractive but absolutely minimal maintenance garden and possibly even pay someone to what was needed, he claims to like gardening, and wants a more labour intensive design, but does not do it.
I must admit, I do sometimes envy my single friends, but then again I would miss him like hell if I did not have him, we have been together for nearly half my life. (For those familiar with UK homophobic & discriminatory law, we were just very good friends for the first 2 years, believe that)
Richtoo
***** Post# 16784-4/19/2002-12:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi again Chris,
Congrats to your Hunny. What has the world come to, openly gay councillors, mutter mutter mutter? Actually, an ex of mine is a local and out councillor, things really have moved on, and about bloody time too.
Pity about the camera, I guess we will have a long wait for those pics, scanning is time consuming and tiresome, and you must be very busy.
I think I remembered that you had solar already, that is so slow to catch on in the UK, I wonder why. We are seeing more wind farms though, they are so beautiful.
I will have to web search on the Dowmus system, I am not familiar with this. Your fridge ventilator reminds me of teh old Roman underfloor hot air central heating system, a variation on the theme.
Agreed about the shed, though I use the attic and laundry room as mine and leave the actual shed to himself. I am planning on getting a decent work bench set up for the attic, even puffs can enjoy power drills and saws (I nearly said power tools but thought better of it).
Richtoo
***** Post# 16785-4/19/2002-12:14 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: A Unimatic Tub Full of Water....Heart Stopping Horror!
MESSAGE: I started a load of wash in the '57 Control Tower last night and gazed in awe as the clothes rolled over and over in the warm sudsy water for a few minutes and then went off to bed. This morning when I got up, I went down to move them to the dryer and when I opened the lid, my heart dropped. The tub was still full of water and I could tell by the clothes still on the sides of the tub from the first spin that there had been no rinse agitation or obviously, final spin. I tried to reset the timer dial for the rinse agitation and got no response. After some experimenting with the timer, I found that if I held the pointer "just so" I was able to get power to the motor to spin out the water and pump it out of the machine. Good thing I already had a new timer waiting the in the wings, but since I have to take the panel apart anyway, I'm going to take the chrome pieces off the machine tonight and take them to be re-chromed which will take about four weeks. Good thing too that I have another unimatic running so I won't go into withdrawl for 1140 rpm spins!
***** Post# 16786-4/19/2002-12:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Central vacs, sore point. Someone spent ages researching them and planning the pipework; easy to install when your house is stripped back to the brick and all floors have been removed. Someone else could not see the point and considered £500 to be a lot of money, we were spending thousands.
We have reached a compromise. I pay a fantastic person to run the Miele around whilst we are at work. Previously at teh weekend when i got the vac out is was 'do we have to listen to that', but if I suggested a cleaner, it was dismissed as the house was in to bad a state before we renovated. (I have seen 2 other houses that our cleaner does and they are worse than ours ever was).
Kirbys, wellI have drooled over one in teh flesh, and read teh manual from cover to cover. A woman I babysat for had one, plus 2 boisterous boy sprogs, 2 beautiful ginger tom cats and a house fully carpeted in dark green plush. There was not a hair or crumb on that carpet, I know, I checked. The thought of the BF using one, LOL.
I hope your brother is as obliging when you need a lift in the car. You struggled with those gears and controls.
What I don't understand with teh DW is taht he unloads it so sees every day how I loaded it, but still does not learn. Its not that he does not want to load it, he frequently loads as he is cooking, and I have to reload when he isn't looking.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16787-4/19/2002-13:01 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Kirbies are wonderful for vac'ing carpets and such, but stick to the canister Mieles and etc. for your hose and attachment cleaning, it's a much better method.
***** Post# 16788-4/19/2002-14:54 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: Robert's Apex
MESSAGE: Here is an ad for sale on Ebay of Robert's (Unimatic) dream machine...the Apex automatic. Everyone keep an eye out!
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2017280808
***** Post# 16789-4/19/2002-15:00 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: A Unimatic Tub Full of Water....Heart Stopping Horror!
MESSAGE: Boy, I don't know what I would do without any Unimatics Greg, the time it takes for me to do our laundry would double.
***** Post# 16790-4/19/2002-15:01 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Robert's Apex
MESSAGE: Yup, that was the machine I had once, and destroyed due to my "newbie-ness" in washer restoration.
Signed,
booo hooo :(
***** Post# 16791-4/19/2002-16:58 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Hi all,
Sorry haven't posted for ages, my internet has been down, probably because of the total $#!+ company called ntl. Anyway, did anyone here in the UK see Back to the Floor tonight? This week was in the Hoover hoover factory, and it was quite interesting. The manager went onto the workshop floor, and it was funny to see that, although he was the boss, he didn't have a clue on how to put the damned cleaners together!
from surge
***** Post# 16792-4/19/2002-17:12 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: New UK Bosch washers
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk
I received Bosch's latest brochures today. They have now got a condensed brochure of all the freestanding products now instead of the separate laundry, dishwasher and refridgeration brochures like they used to.
Anyway, they have gone back to 5kg drums. They have 8 new models, plus the 2 existing Maxx 4 and toploading model. Their ranges are:
The dryers are the same, all except they have been put in Exxcel, Logixx and Classixx ranges.
see ya
from surge
P.S. To either look at the range or order a brochure, click on the following link.
LINK: www.bosch-da.co.uk
***** Post# 16793-4/19/2002-17:27 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (W)
MESSAGE: No, the "w" word is not used in the US.
Actually, American English is different not just because of the time in which the cultures seperated but because of an organized effort to seperate the language as a symbol of the new country's independence. The Webster's Dictionary of AMERICAN English was not just a dictionary, but a guide to the new American spellings. This is why we use "color" instead of "colour", "organize" instead of "organise", etc. I'm not sure that explains our lack of wanking - er, you know what I mean - but it does explain some of the differences. Then over time we just drifted even further apart. I wonder if the internet and instant communications will ever cause them to converge again.
***** Post# 16794-4/19/2002-17:27 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: hey
never had one before!!!!!!!!
me and him and that far yet.
***** Post# 16795-4/19/2002-17:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (W)
MESSAGE: Actually, I have heard the term "wanker" used here. Maybe it's because the SF Bay Area is more cosmopolitan than many other places in the US. Or it might be I picked it up during recreational/competitive sailing, where persons from Australia with colorful language might be more likely to be heard than in other activities here.
I just was never sure exactly what the term meant, other than being mildly derogative.
***** Post# 16796-4/19/2002-19:08 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: I agree arrrhhhooo,
The homes that pre-dated the mid-eighties were, in general, hideous. What about those Neeta homes owned by Mediterranean vegie merchants - with their gargoyle lions and white Greek pillars? I always get a shiver down my spine when I see that.
Many of the homes of that era were also quite small. They used to be around 15 squares on average, with three bedrooms and a single garage only, but on a true quarter acre block.
Winston Hills a heritage area?! Now that is something funny. A clever idea though. At least this way WH will not get rezoned to medium density housing and the integrity of the area will be protected. Surely the residents must be stoked.
The Hills District is being raped of its beauty anyway. The worst thing is, that council's development restrictions, particularly in relation to heritage sensitivity, are now being overruled by the Land and Environment Court. We recently had a case in Castle Hill, where a developer wants to plonk a huge multi-apartment complex right opposite one of the areas most well-known and oldest heritage homes. Baulkham Hills council rejected the appliacation, but the L&E court overruled the council, so back to court the owner of the heritage estate went, for another injunction against the developer. The units will go ahead though, I can feel it in my gizzards.
Cherrybrook, which is next door to my suburb, is being developed to accomodate another 250,000 people over the next 10 years - this area doesn't need another quarter of a million residents. Traffic congestion is already hideous and the new toll-way only affords partial relief. People are paying $3.30 to travel 20 kms and during rush hour it is still bumper to bumper traffic - why pay $6.60 a day to be stuck in a queue?
Only a couple of years more and I'll be out of here like a shot. Back to FNQ, with my own stretch of shark, stinger and crocodile infested beach and coconut palms that will knock you cold, if you don't watch where you walk or lie down. Oh, and, of course, there are the wild boars with tusks big enough to gut you. Mosquitos that carry Ross River and Dengy and spiders, as large as dinner plates, that hiss at you, when you cheese them off (lets not forget the scorpions either). Mind you we have Cassowaries (not sure on the spelling there)on our property, that can gut you just as quickly as a wild boar, if they get ticked off. Then there are the Taipans and various other little slithery reptiles, whose bite can send you to the other side. But, it is absolute paradise.
***** Post# 16797-4/19/2002-19:15 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Bryants)
MESSAGE: But Federation Homes don't have bullnose verandas.
***** Post# 16798-4/19/2002-19:20 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (OT US UK English)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
Thanks for the explanation of Websters, I did not realise that US had a concerted effort to differ from UK. Seems strange as we seem to have a desire to emulate US.
I think that our languages are already converging, 'ize' words are seen with increasing frequency here. The influences go beyond the internet, there is also travel, telephone, film, TV and US software, especially Microsoft. Combine MS software with admins and users who do not set the spell check to UK and one gets US spellings. Although I do not use US spellings (I sometimes wonder if I use any spelling), I do find myself using US constructions and words. I guess (US?) that one adopts a more US style on the internet as US is the largest audience, so perhaps it aids the greatest understanding.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16799-4/19/2002-19:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Hi Surg,
Welcome back. In our area it is Telewaste that performs the same pi$$ poor job as NTL. Cable companies, honestly, tehy make BT look competent.
I missed Back to teh Floor. He likes to watch Frasier. I caught the end when they had won teh assembly contract thanks to their cleaner using 36 fewer parts; I wonder what those unecessary parts (or maybe necessary parts) were.
Not surprised he could not asseble a cleaner, he probably could not use an assembled one either (see my earlier rant about MEN)
Richtoo
***** Post# 16800-4/19/2002-19:30 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: It's a GE kind of month
MESSAGE: At another estate sale today, I managed to find a GE washer and dryer that are too appealing to pass up.
- The washer - model WWA8420NJLWH (serial number SA139064G) looks to be from 1973 or 1974. Seems to be in good shape. It has the straight vane agitator - but it is white and the tub has perforations but only in certain areas. It has the gold control panel with the large round dial, but the panel has no light. Unfortunately all the action stops when the lid is raised which makes me think it is more mid 70's. It runs, but it has the typical GE problem of running on only one speed (did someone change the speed while it was running). And it is missing its mini basket - can't imagine how you misplace something like that!!!! Anyway - the company running the sale wanted $75.00 for it and I was able to argue them down to $30. So I pick it up tomorrow and can store it at my friend's appliance store........ Now to find a mini basket..................... Other than the obvious, what else may be a "not so obvious" problem that needs replacing?
- Also had one of the GE "big door" extra large capacity dryers. Excellent condition but needs a new heating unit. They wanted $35.00 for it, but I cannot take over my friend's store, now can I? I am still amazed that it measures 31 inches wide. Too bad, I would have liked that one, but I too have space constraints.
***** Post# 16801-4/19/2002-19:38 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Speaking of TV, is "As the World Turns" on in the UK?
***** Post# 16802-4/19/2002-19:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Not that I know of. However, I don't watch much TV, and I don't have satelite, cable or digital so it could be on one of those channels.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16803-4/19/2002-19:52 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: That's ok. I'm going to record all next week's episodes while I am gone, and next Saturday when I get home, I'll spend the day on the couch, catching up! ;-)
***** Post# 16804-4/19/2002-20:18 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I have Sky Digital, about 400 odd channels and haven't heard of it before.
Wots it about?
from surge
p.s. is it me or is everyone gay on this forum? no offence meant, i'm one myself!
***** Post# 16805-4/19/2002-20:24 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Surgilator, As the World Turns (or ATWT) is a "soap opera" as we refer to it in America, or a show whose theme continues from day to day, rather than wrapping itself up in one 30 or 60 minute episode like a sitcom or something, that I have watched for my entire natural life, including, I know for a fact, vicariously, in that nine month period when I had not yet even been born! After I asked the question though, I realized it is a product of our television network CBS (something I suppose like your BBC) so would probably not be a world-wide thing as some other shows are.
Yes, I do believe a fair number of us here are gay. Not everyone, but a lot of us.
LINK: http://www.cbs.com/daytime/atwt/
***** Post# 16806-4/19/2002-21:09 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Unimatic Question
MESSAGE: Thanks for the info and link! :O)
***** Post# 16807-4/19/2002-21:13 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I spent an evening at dinner next to a producer for As The World Turns a while back. Fascinating conversation about the taping schedules, writers, story lines, etc. Incredible security is kept around the coming scripts and plot changes. I've never watched this one, more of an All My Children and Days of Our Lives fan in the past.
"Like sands through the hourglass...So are the days of our lives."
***** Post# 16808-4/19/2002-21:18 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Oh and I forgot about Sunset Beach! That was a fabulous show - set in a southern California beach town, oh, I miss that one! You can still get a glimpse of Cole now on Third Watch, but it's just not the same....now he's a firefighter but on Sunset, he was an international jewel thief - quite exciting!
***** Post# 16809-4/19/2002-21:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: "Days" and ATWT are on at the same time now. However, that was not always the case, and I used to see Days after ATWT since my mom and grandma watched that one too. It was ATWT at 12:30, Days at 1, The Doctors (now defunct) at 1:30, and Another World (also now defunct) at 2:00. Also, "Search for Tomorrow" used to be on at 11:30 a.m. for 15 minutes, later 30 before it went off the air. I have watched Young and the Restless (my mom watches this one), All My Children, General Hospital and Guiding Light here and there over the years.
***** Post# 16810-4/19/2002-21:26 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I watched "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and "General Hospital" religiously for a number of years. Then I got a day-time job and tapered off to just OLTL and GH, then only GH, then had to quit. I taped them, but just don't have the time to keep up.
I remember when AMC had a lesbian storyline (with Donna Pescow), probably the first on day-time soaps. And the Billy Douglas (Ryan Phillippe) subplot on OLTL.
***** Post# 16811-4/19/2002-21:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: That's one thing I've not understood is the relative lack of gay/lesbian characters in these shows. In some instances/storylines, it is such a stretch not to have them, because in a similar real life scenario they would be quite well represented. "The Bold and the Beautiful", which is largely a story of two very large fashion design houses in LA, is one very glaring example.
***** Post# 16812-4/19/2002-23:47 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (W)
MESSAGE: Wasn't there also some kind of referendum happening in 1776, and English only just hung on as the official language for the newly independent colonies?
Here in OZ English spelling is taught in schools, but the print media uses American spelling (go figure), which, if I may say so, is phonetically more correct than the Pommy way of doing it and less confusing for people from NESB. This was probably another reason why America went its own way. Lets face it, next to the English, other Europeans were there from the beginning of colonialization and in adequate enough numbers, to influence the emergence of a uniquely North American culture.
The quintessential Aussie accent, as you no doubt remember from Paul Hogan, is actually toning down. At least in my opinion the number of people who still sound really occer (as we call it), are slowly disapearing and it is heard a lot less. At least it is declining in the city.
Young kids of today sound nothing like their predecessors of ten, twenty years ago. In fact, the vocabulary for many kids under twenty five is leaning very heavily towards the US now. Whilst cricket and league still enjoy a healthy following, among these young ones, NBL, Baseball, WFW and US footy are on the rise in popularity.
Personally, I think its okay, but there are always some vocal critics who think that we are experiencing a national identitiy crisis as a result, because these trends are American. In my opinion this is pseudo-intellectual snobbism and I remember distinctly, during the eighties, there were numerous tossers issuing public statements against, what they perceived to be, 'US Cultural Imperialism' poisoning Australian culture. Mind you, they also failed to define adequately what Australian culture was and questions like,"Is there such a thing as Australian culture?" - used to make it to the print and electronic media with annoying regularity.
I have the suspicious feeling that these same critics wouldn't feel threatend if Tsumo wrestling or goat tossing made the top ranks of past time fads. I have yet to meet someone who is in crisis over what it means to be Australian.
American English is more pervasive because of its influence in international business, through IT technology and the export of its news and entertainment media products.
Since England divested itself of its colonies, it has lost international relevance and influence. As a point of interest, I watched a series on the development of the English language a number of years back and distinctly remember that the type of English that is now spoken, by the largest number of people, is Indian English. When I listen to continental Europeans speak English, they usually try to sound extra-American by rolling their 'Rs' around till it hurts.
***** Post# 16813-4/20/2002-02:48 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Your Majesty,
It's even on in the Netherlands, albeit that we don't watch it anymore.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 16814-4/20/2002-02:50 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Even when it's on TV it would probably be older episodes. Overhere in the Netherlands we run a few years behind so we have heard.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 16815-4/20/2002-04:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Miele on eBay
MESSAGE: A Miele W421 and in a perfect state so it seems. It's one of my favourite models with the single control on a rear panel. No room here for it unfortunately. If we only had a german collector.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1723015611
***** Post# 16816-4/20/2002-07:14 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Drying Cotton Clothing (a vent)
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator.
Sorry treasure but... Please Explain???
Chris.
***** Post# 16817-4/20/2002-07:24 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Thanks for the congrats. I'm terribly proud of him.
Unfortunately poor old Dowmus have gone out of business. (The hubby and I joke that we are so tight financially that if we ever make a major purchase it is a sign that the business is selling too cheap and will soon go bust!)
There is a very similar system now available called A&A worm farm waste system, it is on the web at www.wormfarm.com.au.
Chris.
***** Post# 16818-4/20/2002-08:49 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Miele on eBay (More is Better!)
MESSAGE: There's always room for one more!
In the living room next to the television, remember?
***** Post# 16819-4/20/2002-12:26 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: It's a GE kind of month (oil slick)
MESSAGE: When you go to move the machine, look for oil on the floor underneath. This means you have a bad seal in the tranny. Some guys have successfully replaced GE tranny seals, but for about $50, you can get a rebuilt replacement tranny. GE's are very easy to work on. You should also get that moose of a dryer. It may just be a bad thermostat that you could replace.
-ph
***** Post# 16820-4/20/2002-13:54 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: It's a GE kind of month (oil slick)
MESSAGE: I picked up the washer and there was no oil slick underneath, so we are off to a good start. I also forgot how heavy those machines were!!!! Nearly killed myself getting it up the damned cellar stairs. Can you imagine - those people running the sale wouldn't even disconnect it for me? - - I had to bring pliers to disconnect the hoses from the water supply, etc.... Now I have to find a mini basket that will fit over a straight vane agitator. I figure the machine is mid 1970's since the agitator and filter flo pan are white and not aqua. Oh, well, I guess I can't be too picky
I would have loved to take the dryer also. But for one thing - it is way too big to fit into the hatchback of my Saab. The damn thing is literally almost 3 feet wide!!! And I really do not need another GE Dryer. I am about to go pick up the early 60's V-12 dryer and bring it to my friend's place. Then if I can track down the people who were running a different sale a few weeks ago, I will pick up the early 50's GE Dryer also. I understand both of those run just fine and no one will take any money for them. As usual in an old person's home, the dryer almost never was used heavily..... At a different sale this morning there was a mid 1960's Hotpoint Dryer with big control panel and foot pedal controlled door. But... the house was owned by a woman with Alzheimer's and in recent years, any level of hygiene was non existent. So while in OK shape, I couldn't even think of taking that thing home.........
Another interesting thought on the "moose Dryer" - - it never sold. So, if I really cannot get over this I may have to figure a way to get it in the car. I must confess that next only to a Philco Automagic or Miss America with window door and a Frigidaire filtrator, I always wanted one of those "moose GE's". What to do......what to do................................
***** Post# 16821-4/20/2002-14:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
You are welcome.
I don't think I will check that link sorry. Much as I am an animal lover, I have a phobia of nearly all cratures that don't have legs, except fish. Worms are a minor phobia along with maggots and slugs, the reptilian creature is major, we don't even use the word in our house.
Good luck with your waste system, rather you than me.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16822-4/20/2002-15:32 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: I have one of the earlier(1997) Frigidaire Gallery Front Load Machines. It has always done a great job on my laundry. When my outer tub shell and bearing assembly failed and was replaced recently, the service person also made a wiring change (code C, instead of code E) that increased the final, high speed spin speed to 850 RPMs. (with my permission, of course.) I figured the damn bearing didn't last at 650 RPM spin speed, so why not increase it. At any rate, I think that the final spinning in the regular cycle, would have been more effective (and less wear on the machine) if 200 seconds wasn't wasted on grinding away on a 450 RPM spin, and only 50 seconds on the high speed portion. 2 minutes of each would have been much better, and maybe would have saved some wear. Does anyone know if the new machines that can spin at 950 RPMs, spend any more time in the high speed phase?
***** Post# 16823-4/21/2002-04:36 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: The Kenmore version that I've seen (1050 rpm) seems to ramp up slowly over the whole spin instead of a sudden burst at the end. Not sure how much time at high speed, but it doesn't ssem like very much.
***** Post# 16824-4/21/2002-10:32 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: The soaps I watch over here are Neighbours (modern versions on BBC 1, 1995 versions on UK Gold), Home and Away and Emmerdale. Sometimes watch Eastenders, but Eastenders now has turned into more of a drama series now than a soap.
from surgilator
***** Post# 16825-4/21/2002-12:14 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: I heard that the rear console machines ramp up, but the front console/stackable machines do it in increments.
-ph
***** Post# 16826-4/21/2002-14:56 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: This was a front console. It may have been increments, but it would have been many small increments.
***** Post# 16827-4/21/2002-15:13 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (I'm really going to date myself but...)
MESSAGE: As a young pre-school child in the late 40's and early 50's, my mother had a little white kitchen radio that sat on it's oown shelf above the sink. Each and every week-day morning, mother would listen to her soap operas. Such programs as "Guiding Light", "Helen Trent" and, I believe "As the World Turns"; also "One Man's Family". Back then they were actually fully and completely sponsored the detergent makers (which is how they got the name "soap operas". The various players that did the voices were big stars back then. Sort of miss radio dramas a little because they allowed us to use our imaginations. I really loved the mystery programs..."The Inner Sanctum", "I Love A Mystery" and "Boston Blackie".
Bob
***** Post# 16828-4/21/2002-17:03 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Thanks)
MESSAGE: Took your advice and took M40 instead of M1. Traffic was very light at 7.30 this morning. Thanks for the tip.
***** Post# 16829-4/21/2002-17:24 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: I have the Kenmore version...two years old...and it spins at 1000 for about four minutes on the final spin. It has the front mounted controls. If you don't mind me asking...how much did the bearing repair set you back? I've heard this is a common repair for front loaders. How did you know the bearings were going? Noise?
Rich
***** Post# 16830-4/21/2002-17:58 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: My front control Kenmore 41042 ramps up slowly to 1000, then at the very end speeds up to 1050 for 20 seconds.
***** Post# 16831-4/21/2002-20:24 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Thanks)
MESSAGE: Glad u r there safe buddy.
***** Post# 16832-4/21/2002-21:11 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: It's been a little too quiet in here lately so I've decided to spark a little commotion!! LOL I tend to like liquid detergent!!! Come on guys, give me all you've got LOL!!!
Liquids / powders . . . I tend strongly toward powders, either one is OK.
But I do not care for tablets, after trying a little 6-load box of Wisk -- ripping open a package and wrestling tabs out . . nah . . scoop/pour is easier.
***** Post# 16834-4/21/2002-22:15 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I havent watched Neighbours since Kylie Minogue was in it!
I cant believe you guys still get Prisoner! I wish they would repeat it on TV. And Sons and Daughters. I was not allowed to watch Sons and Daughters when it was on as Mum thought it was for too adult for us kids. And Prisoner was on way after bedtime!
***** Post# 16835-4/21/2002-22:28 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Bankstown Council a few years ago wanted to heritage list a large number of fibro dwellings. In hounour of Bankstowns working class heritage. It got cried down though, mainly from the greedy people who could sell their houses to developers for a fourtune so that they can build more flats.
One interesting plan was that most of Mt Lewis, right between Bankstown, Punchbowl and Greenacre was heritage listed.
My Lewis was a housing commision estat, a small one, built in the late 1940's. Regardless of social housing politics, the houses built by the commision in that time have a real simple elegant appeal to them and MT Lweis is a perfect example of htis. Also while most of those homes have been bought by the occupants, the feel is still the same and a well kept spot too, high up with fantastic views. I read a very interesting article about the government architectural dept. that designed the Housing Commission houses. A lot more thought and planning went into them that in any other house built at the time, and I am sure even today.
It really makes me laugh because people protested that the heriatge listings would affect the property values, yet these are the same people who say that higher density is destroying our life style. Bankstown Council didnt go through with the plans.
***** Post# 16836-4/21/2002-22:54 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearing repair)
MESSAGE: Before I tell you this, I do want you to understand that from a wash performance standpoint, I think this machine is a great value. I still would buy one, even knowing this risk. The Calypsos, Neptunes, and HE's have all had glaring faults as well. They must have hired all the old WCI engineers to design these machines.
The bearing repair set me back $224.00. You can't just replace the bearings. You have to replace the entire rear outer tub assemply. It would have been more like $425.00 if I would have had to pay for the part. I fought with Frigidaire for a couple of months, and finally they caved and agreed to supply the new rear outer tub assembly, but not the labor. (I had to threaten them with a lot of negative local publicity) The service person indicated that this was indeed a common failure in the Frigidaires, and that the newer ones used the same assembly. However, he did indicate that it was the washer he has for his family.
The first symptom of this was noise, which got continually worse. Finally, the drag was so bad, it made loud squeaking noises during the wash and rinse cycles, and would barely spin. This is still my 2nd favorite wasing machine of all time. My first choice would be a unimatic. Wish I hadn't gotten rid of mine, all those years ago.
***** Post# 16837-4/21/2002-01:12 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Noise too?)
MESSAGE: I bought my rear mounted controls Frigidaire this last January. It seems to slowly ramp up to it's final spin speed, then stays there for several minutes while it completes its cycle.
Out of curiousity for you, and anyone else with one of these, does the water pump seem rather noisy? That's about the loudest part of this machine. And it's supposed to have the "Quiet Pack" on it.
***** Post# 16838-4/22/2002-02:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: The entire Prisoner series has been released on DVD. In a weak moment I got the whole set. Made it through the first two episodes. Will probably catch up on the rest of it the next time I'm out of commission with the flu.
***** Post# 16839-4/22/2002-06:41 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (Prisoner)
MESSAGE: Really!! You even got Prisoner in the states!
Many of Prisoners scenes were set in the laundry room. You gotta love Vinegar Tits. She went on to play straight laced Celia Stewart in Home and Away.
And we all know about the Freak.
***** Post# 16840-4/22/2002-06:45 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: I have no preference of powder or liquid. I do like the strong scented ones and you can often spot me in the detergent isle, opening caps or squeezing and sniffing boxes (of detergent, that is).
I make Rhinnie use the liquid (because of his handicap, it's less messy). The liquids, however, do not work well with the FL dispensers. They go straight into the tub. Several of my FL's have a pre-wash & wash dispenser. If I want to do a double wash, it has to be powder.
I also like to use dishwashing machine powder as a laundry booster. Most DW detergents in my area still have phosphates.
A few weeks ago, I spent 2 weeks at my timeshare. It has a DD GE TL washer. I discovered another use (besides keeping beer on ice) for the TLer's. It was nice to let some stained laundry soak overnight and let it complete the wash in the morning. With a little DW detergent (as a booster) the nasty stain came out.
Also heard from a salesman (selling stainless flatwear) that the DW detergents with lemon should not be used. They are bad for flatwear. He said it had something to do with the citric acid and a reaction that takes place between the different metals in the flatwear basket. I guess, when I finish up my lemon scented DW detergent, I'll switch to the plain one.
Steve 1-18
***** Post# 16841-4/22/2002-06:55 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: So you like liquid detergent.
I prefer coffee or orange juice.
Each to his own.
Chris.
***** Post# 16842-4/22/2002-07:08 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: I hate the strong scented ones. They seem to itch more than the unscented ones. The Milton that I use at present contain Lemon Myrtle oil and Tea Tree oil (both Australian native trees)which are naturally antiseptic and reduce inflammation and itching, and give it VERY mild but pleasant scent. There is no scent at all on the clothes after rinsing, but the podwer smells nice.
I havwe never found a liquid any good at all. Every one I have tried has been a complete waste of time. The most effective liquid, Blitz, unfortunately smelt like sewage. The smell was overpoweringly bad.I did one load with it, as soon as I opened the bottle I got a huge headache and had to lie down for a while. The headache lasted till the next day. I took the product back and got a refund. I emailed a complaint to the manufacturer, they apologized and said the base they used was environmentally friendly (whatever that means) but unfortunately had a strong unpleasant odour which they tried to mask with a fake apple scent, but they recognized it was still as problem. I have never tried any liquid since then.
I have also used generic DW detergent occasionally as a stain fighter, I was put onto it by a friend of my Dad who was a carpet cleaner who used it in his work. I don't own a dishwasher so it's not something I tend to have on hand, though.
Chris.
***** Post# 16843-4/22/2002-07:24 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Mud house)
MESSAGE: Oh, goodness.
We have a resident one of those things at our block, where we are building. He is a six-foot tiger (one of those things).
He is really no trouble, if you make a bit of noise when going near his area (we know where he lives) then he just keeps out of your way. Most people who get bitten are idiots going out to kill the poor thing, the reptile is just defending itself. They can strike out if cornered or startled, so you just stamp on the ground or make some noise to let them know you are coming and they avoid you. They are great mouse eaters, too.
I was a bit phobic too before moving here, but having seen several a year at the site of our new home, I had to get over it or move. The "let 'em know you're coming" advice from the hubby's wise old uncle helped a lot.
When digging an embankment the hubby disturbed a nest of red-bellied black (ones of those things)and being a good animal lover, carried the young babies (only a few inches long) on a shovel across the road and let them go. Fortunately mummy and daddy weren't around.
A local man is besotted with the things and actually collects them from locals who don't want them around, and releases them near his house. His wife ....tolerates the situation.
Hubby is fairly phobic about worms too, if he finds one when gardening he tries to avoid it or summons me to remove it for him. Fortunately they are sealed into the Dowmus, they could only escape if they could swim. (Which they can't) His eldest sister used to torment him with worms when they were kids, do you have a similar tale of woe?
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 16844-4/22/2002-07:45 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (W)
MESSAGE: I don't get too carried away about it but I do sometimes feel that we are losing something precious as language evolves toward a more universal accent,lexicon and grammar. We have had several interesting chats here about differences between each countries' versions of English. The wise old uncle is over eighty and preserves many old Aussie expressions, not in a trite way but just because he is an old feller and they are part of his speech.
I get warmer under the collar about jargon and silly fads in language, like how we all now talk "around" a topic where we used to talk "about" a topic, or in particular where a useful subtle distinction is lost as one word gets regularly misused in place of a similar word, so that eventually the difference is forgotten and lost. For example the word "disinterested" is often used to mean not interested in a subject, when the correct word is "uninterested". "Disinterested" actually means impartial, not having an advantage one way or another.
Oh,no, it brings back memories of Linguistics at university, we were told we should be Disinterested observers of language, not dictators of the "correct" use of language. I hated Linguistics. They were a bunch of WANKERS!
Chris.
***** Post# 16845-4/22/2002-08:13 ||| Gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: UK Neptune (Heritage listing)
MESSAGE: I have mixed feelings on heritage listing. In general I am supportive but the controls can go a bit far. In Richmond in some parts there were "heritage colours" where if you repainted you could choose from only a limited range of approved colours. A comedienne remarked once that the original reason the whole street was painted Colonial Cream with Brunswick Green trim was that they were the only colours old Frank from number 42 could steal from the railways.
On the other hand near where we are now, the town of Apollo Bay is fast losing its fishing village feel as the yuppie invasion hits. It consisted mainly of cheaply and probably illegally built fibro shacks of no particular style on largish blocks, being fast replaced with three storey brick boxes or glass, steel and plywood boxes all struggling to get a sea view over and around all the other three storey boxes. At a community group meeting getting active over planning issues, in response to complaints from the public over the loss of the space and "style" of the area, a town planning official scoffed, "but small fibro shacks on large blocks is just a waste of valuable real estate."
There is a pocket of Richmond built by the Housing Commission in the forties, they are red brick in a similar style, they have wider streets than most of Richmond and as they were developed later than most of the suburb they are about the only streets in the area where you can park a car off the street. They are charming well laid out and well built houses but they are cheaper than just about anywhere else in the suburb because they carry the dreaded "ex-housing commission" tag. If I were ever to move back to the city (unlikely) that's where I would be looking.
Chris
***** Post# 16846-4/22/2002-08:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: Prisoner! Oh my god! A friend of mine, whom I was co-habitating with in the early eighties used to force me to watch that show - still get goosebumps thinking about it. Wasn't the series called Cellblock H in the UK?
And it is back again, on cable at least. Every time I happen upon it, when doing my happy trigger finger with the remote, I get the cringe thinking 'WHY?',it is so poxy. Then again, I never liked Neighbours either - I must be weird.
***** Post# 16847-4/22/2002-08:36 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Noise too?)
MESSAGE: The Water Pump on my machine has always made a loud, pulsating whir. Still does. You can hear it come on from anywhere in my house. Part of the problem is that it is mounted almost directly to the cabinet, which amplifies the smallest noise. On my machine, it is louder than the final spin. Of course, because it works, Frigidaire wouldn't replace it under the original warranty. I even let their customer service listen to it over the phone. I have noticed that it seems to be a sample variation. On some machines I have watched in stores, you can barely hear it.
***** Post# 16848-4/22/2002-08:53 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I generally watched Prisoner - it was one of those funny shows that I thought was crap but couldn't help watching anyway. I loved The Box, too, though I doubt it was ever exported. The Box was a late night soap set in a TV studio. Its main claim to fame was that it contained even more boobs and bad language than Number 96 that was on just before it. It must have been cheap to produce, the only sets were the production company's own offices.
I developed more respect for Prisoner after seing Sheila Florrance (Lizzie) on a TV interview show. Her natural voice is very posh, she sounded beautiful but still looked like Lizzie in a fancy frock.
I could never tolerate Neighbours. I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere...
Chris.
***** Post# 16849-4/22/2002-09:02 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor
MESSAGE: I enjoyed Number 96, but my all-time favorite was Aunty Jack (best kiddy show ever) - now tell me that I am not weird.
***** Post# 16850-4/22/2002-09:18 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: I use those Japanese disks that change the molecular structure of the water so that the water is actually super soft and suspends dirt all on its own. The little bottle of papaya enzyme bleach that comes with it will last forever! Just a tiny ounce makes my whites dazzle! I'll never buy detergent again!
-ph
***** Post# 16851-4/22/2002-11:02 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (pump noise)
MESSAGE: It seems that these new pumps with separate motors make more noise than ones that run off of one motor. The newer design GE/Hotpoint top loaders have these separate pump motors and are as loud or louder than the Frigidaire front loader. I've also heard from a HE3T owner that the pump on that is loud. They even called for service on it thinking the pump was broekn. Just like the Frigidaire, the rest of the operation is nearly silent...then the pump comes on...sounds like a cheap dishwasher.
***** Post# 16852-4/22/2002-11:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (ironing)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
In the UK, it was called 'Prisoner Cell Block H', as we had already had a series called 'Prisoner' which to the best of my knowledge, was a surreal 60s show, set in the Welsh village pf Portmerion and starred Edward Woodward. I am prepared to be corrected on any of that as I did not watch it and have not researched it.
I loved the laundry in Prisoner BBH, and to this day would love a go with a steam press, have thought about getting one, but £200 pays for a lot of ironing. Last week I tried a new ironing service, £8.50 per hour for ironing, free collect on Tuesday evening and delver back Thursday. For £8.50, (US$14ish) I had 4 shirts, 4 pairs cotton trouser, 8 pilowcases, 6 table napkins, 1 apron and 1 oven gove collected ironed and delivered. The shirts had been spray starched by them, and the formal ones had card collar supports printed like cutsie little bow ties. I had starched the bed, kitchen and table linens and these were ironed to a good standard, though not as well as I could do myself, but at that price I am not complaining. I used to drop shirts into a local dry cleaner for ironing at about 60p US$1 each, but recently the standard has slipped and collars and yokes have been returned very rumpled from poor bagging and handling, a pity as the ironing was done to a good standard. I have complained nicely a things picked up for about 2 weeks but dropped again, so the new service has my busniess for now.
I am planning to get the new ironing service to do a few hours spring cleaning as my current cleaner can only do 2 hours per week which keeps the weekly cleaning done, but the periodic stuff slips as I am too busy/cant be bothered much of the time.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.mopheads.co.uk
***** Post# 16853-4/22/2002-11:28 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Pump Noise)
MESSAGE: I have a 3+ years Equator combo and the one thing I hate is the
pump noise during the drying cycle. I don't understand why they don't make the pump more quieter.
Peter
***** Post# 16854-4/22/2002-11:43 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: I enjoyed our detergent sniffing that we did together last year! I also remember several people sniffing powder at last year's convention, wasn't that fun?
I use both powders and liquids. I prefer liquids for delicates being washed on low temperatures. For my whites I still use Ariel powder. I also bought some Ariel liquitabs, let's say it's interesting stuff, but I won't buy it again, I prefer being able to determine the dosage myself.
I found dishwasher detergent with phosphates here too and couldn't resist buying it. I used it once on white t-shirts, but didn't see any difference.
Grosserooonie skin crawling time! A mongoose is your friend, I am sure tha one would make a great yard pet.
Let me get this right, you hubby carried baby reptilian things, but is scared of worms. Well, phobias don't folow logic. I have encountered 2 of the vile & disgusting evil creatures, my phobia was firmly establised before either encounter. In Canada I glimpsed teh tail end of a garter one slithering away - not happy. In Turkey, I came literally face to face with Turkey's only large venemous one. I was in a swimming pool, at the edge, my niece looked round and said that there was a S word. I looked round and it was on teh grass that was separated from the pool by one strip wide paving slabs, so about 15" from our faces. It was hissing and doing that gross flicky tongue thing. We backed off to the middle of the pool and shouted for help. No one believed us, but luckily one other person saw it. I was terrified as I know the satanic things can swim.
My sister used to torment me with an animal book. I had paintings wather than photos. One painting was of a mongoose attacking a king cobra, hood extended (even worse). She used to put the open book outside my bedroom and I would be trapped for ages. I tried to hide the book, dad found it. I binned it, but found out that dad went though the bin every week and he returned it. Eventually, I took it to the bottom of eth garden and burnt the bloody thing.
To this day, I can't look at pictures, the BF has to remove or cover pics of them in magazines. If I accidently touch a picture of one, I have to scrub my hands. As a kid, I had loads of phobias, thunder, lifts (elevators), plaster (elastoplast), x rays etc. I overcame them all except this one. Despite this animal phobia, I don't have any of the other usual animal phobias, I loke mice, rats and spiders. At school, I was the only person in class prepared to put a hand into the woodlice cage or locust cage, both are creatures I find fascinating and quite cute. But when we loked at worms or maggots, well! I used 4 foot long forceps to handle maggots.
You new house sounds lovely, I won't be visiting!
Richtoo
***** Post# 16856-4/22/2002-11:50 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: Speaking of sniffing, Gain now has out a Tropical Island scent. The powder smells quite nice. Looks like the the rivalry between Tide and Gain is now in full force.
-ph
***** Post# 16857-4/22/2002-12:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Steve
Some Euro FLs have dispensers for liquids, though this is sometimes a flap pushed down into the powder compartment rather than a syphon like the softener dispenser. This means that thick liquids can be held in the drawer for a short time, probably long enough for a prewash.
I don't think that pre washes are very common in the UK, not sure about Europe, given the long cycle times we endure. I usually only use the pre-wash if something is very dirty with dust or mud, like furnishings and door mats.
You can soak in a FL, even if it has not got a soak cycle. Load clothes probably no more than half way up the drum, fill on the cycle with the highest water level, usually delicates. Let it tumble for a while to disolve the detergent and turn the washer off. Should work fine.
I like soaks, so have only ever bought washers with a soak cycle. My washers - Creda, programmable from 1 - 9 hours, fixed 40C 105F, soaked, drained rinsed spun. AEG, soaked for as long as one wanted, temp slectable up to 40C, manually stopping it, could re-use the water for washing, or drain rinse spin etc it was manual. Miele, programmable from 30 mins to 2 hours in 30 min steps, I think does not heat, but I hot fill manually if reuqired. The soak is an option to the wash cycles and so progresses straight into the wash, on the others it was a separate cycle. The Miele keeps its soak water for washing, no choice unless one intervenes manually.
Thanks for the DW info.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16858-4/22/2002-12:09 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Pump Noise)
MESSAGE: F&P pump is kinda noisy, and it's mounted to the bottom of the plastic tub, not to the cabinet.
***** Post# 16859-4/22/2002-12:13 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: F&P has a two-hour soak option (with three or four agitation strokes every minute or two), which takes place after the wash -- wash, soak, drain, spin, rinse, drain, spin. It can be shortened by clicking (ha!) the Advance button when ready to proceed.
***** Post# 16860-4/22/2002-12:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
This Pomm loves your Aussie Tea Tree. I use natural products and have Suma brand tea tree soap, Faith in Nature brand tea tree shampoo and conditioner. I find low chemical products with real tea tree oil help keep my eczema at bay. Drops of Tea tree oil and whatever other essentail oil you like, put in a spray bottle of water make a great bathroom spray for freshening the air. The tea tree kills the lurgies and pine or lavender whatever for the scent, for me this beats the synthetic chemical overload products and it's much cheaper.
The Ecover clothes washing liquid smells great, plant based detergent and real lavender for scent. Seems to work fine a light duty deteregent, but I am not sure it is alkaline enough for heavy duty.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16861-4/22/2002-12:19 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
Bearings were an especially common problem on my crappy Creda, about 4 lots in 5 years, plus several door hinges, computer control boards, programme boards and motors. I had a 5 year guarantee, so the day it hit five I hit the shops and bought the AEG, great washer.
Yep, the grinding noise and dropping drum tell you bearings have gone.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16862-4/22/2002-12:21 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Dad,
I'm with you, tablets are a nuisance, yet they are so popular, our compact deteregnts have disappeared and been replaced by tablets. I will spare you all my rant, you have heard it before. Scoopable powder is so easy.
***** Post# 16863-4/22/2002-12:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Thanks)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed,
Welcome to sunny Brum, not joking its glorious again here. M40 is so much easier than M1, glad you liked it. Now it has services, it is fine, when I started using it there were no stops anywhere on it for petrol, toilet, food whatever.
Enjoy you time here, there is so much to see and do in Birmingham, I am being fascetious here!
Richtoo
***** Post# 16864-4/22/2002-12:52 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: I think the Miele soak cycle is heated, I'm not 100% sure though. But filling a soak cycle with hot water doesn't make any sense. To get the max out of the soak cycle you have to fill it with cold and let it warm up. And you have to use a special soak or prewash detergent ofcourse with lots of enzymes. Overhere in Holland we have Biotex especially for soaking and prewashing.
I loved the AEG soak cycle. After a short prewash it was on hold. Every four minutes the drum would turn a little and this kept on as until you turned the machine off. Sad that my AEG washer died, I hope I find another one second hand.
Louis
***** Post# 16865-4/22/2002-13:01 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: Sorry - I am a powder guy myself... I think for the most part, liquids have a fragrance that is way too strong and does not dissipate, especially if you use the dryer. At least if you line dry, it's not so bad. I find them to be too expensive also - and I tend to think that you need more than the one cap to get the water slippery enough. SO your 26 or 33 load bottle of whatever isn't really that many loads at all.
I am OK with tablets, but I am over them already... They are convenient if you ever have to go to the laundromat, washeteria (for you Texans) or coin wash - whatever it is called................
***** Post# 16866-4/22/2002-13:07 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: Please tell me you're kidding..................... In the meantime you will pardon me while I go snort some vintage Rinso Blue.............
***** Post# 16867-4/22/2002-13:10 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: Haven't seen that one either - we are still waiting for the Clean Breeze Tide. So what does this new Gain formula smell like - Pina Coladas??????? (LOL)
***** Post# 16868-4/22/2002-13:14 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: Actually I have forgotten that we may never see the new Gain. For some reason, Gain has never been a popular brand here in the Northeast - as confirmed by the P&G Consumer Relations folks. Therefore it is a bit tough to find. Usually one can find some version of it at KMart or Wal Mart - but even there it's hit or miss........
***** Post# 16869-4/22/2002-13:25 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
It can make sense to use hot, if one is looking for bleaching action from oxygen bleach. Agreed, cold fill is best if protein stains are present.
I think we still have Biotex in the UK, certainly used to. Do you know what enzymes are in Biotex, protease is common in nearly all products, but lipase, for fats and oils is usefull too.
I will have to check the Miele soal cycle, the pre wash doeas not heat, but not sure of the soak.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16870-4/22/2002-13:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Yes you're right soaking for bleaching would be the occasion to do a hot fill. But I have never had that much to bleach that I did it in the washer, I always soaked those items in a bucket.
I don't know what kind of enzymes are in Biotex, the box doesn't say anything about this.
I'm not sure about your Miele, but my Miele heats on the prewash cycle too. The AEG didn't have a heated prewash.
Louis
***** Post# 16871-4/22/2002-14:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New UK Bosch washers
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
Sorry I haven't replied sooner - I've been away to Cambridge for the weekend, have spent the whole of today traipsing around estate agents in Peterborough, and have literally only just arrived home. Phew!
The new Bosch capacity claims are intended to clear up the confusion regarding the EU energy labelling scheme. As you may know, many manufacturers advertise a 6 kilo capacity, yet have their machines tested at 5 kilos in order to achieve "A" ratings for wash performance and energy efficiency. New laws, due to arrive shortly, will stop manufacturers doing this. If it's tested at 5 kilos, they will have to call it a 5 kilo machine.
All Bosch front loader models still have the same drum as the previous Maxx lineup. So, they do still have a 6 kilo capacity. However, in an effort to clear up all this confusion, Bosch only rate it at 5 kilos, as this is the load size at which the machine gets a double-A rating.
Must say I'm quite disappointed by this move, as it downgrades the capacity compared to other washers. Zanussi, on the other hand, have new models coming out shortly, which are double-A rated at 6 kilos. They've obviously adjusted the programming logic slightly, in order to boost the performance up to the required standard with a full 6 kilo load. In my opinion, this is what Bosch should have done, instead of taking the easy way out and just downgrading their machines' capacity.
***** Post# 16872-4/22/2002-14:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (Prisoner)
MESSAGE: Vinegar Tits was always my favourite character in Prisoner, and I lost interest soon after she left the series. I had no idea Home & Away's Celia was played by the same actress, but now you mention it, it's so obvious who it was.
I would like to point out that I only watched H&A briefly as a kid, it's not one of my favourite programmes or anything LOL. To be honest, I'm not really a big fan of TV anyway, let alone soaps, so I have no idea what the storylines are nowadays. But Prisoner was really quite good (all that suspense!), despite the wobbly sets.
***** Post# 16873-4/22/2002-14:41 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!!
MESSAGE: Count me in as a member of the powder and liquid brigade. I think tablets and liquid capsules were originally intended as a means of dumbing-down laundry for those who can't be bothered to measure properly. Personally, I like the freedom of dosage you get from powders and liquids, because we all know that the detergent manufacturers tell you to use too much, in order to make you buy more detergent.
Seeing as I'm in the middle of a detergent-dabbling phase, I'm now beginning to lament the demise of compact powders. Never did I bother with them before, but now I'd like to give them a go, they're gone! Typical.
***** Post# 16874-4/22/2002-14:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Yep, Biotex is still available. I always keep the powder on hand, but be warned - it can be rather sudsy, so you may want to treat the dosage recommendations with caution. Smells like cheap detergent, unfortunately, but it's really good for tough stains.
***** Post# 16875-4/22/2002-16:19 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (Prisoner)
MESSAGE: I don't remember any episodes in the laundry room - I don't even remember the laundry room. I'll have to go watch the tapes.
***** Post# 16876-4/22/2002-17:25 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (ironing)
MESSAGE: Ah, that explains it - I was thinking of the other Prisoner series.
***** Post# 16877-4/22/2002-17:33 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: I just tried the new Downy scent (I think it's called Clean Breeze too) last week. I thought it was really quite nice.
***** Post# 16878-4/22/2002-17:43 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: My opinions regrding agitators (Thanks)
MESSAGE: There's a new ride at Cadbury World - what more can one ask for?
***** Post# 16879-4/22/2002-19:03 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: I believe that the Downy you used is the companion to the new Tide Clean Breeze - which isn't available here in the Northeast yet. I do get a laugh at this - - coordinated laundry fragrances. The Downy Mountain Spring matches with Tide Mountain Spring and there is a Bounce Fabric Softener Sheet in "Gain Fresh" and "Gentle Breeze" Scents to match with the comparably fragranced Gain Detergents......
I still think the detergent manufacturers should issue a limited supply of their products in their original packages with original fragrances. What I wouldn't give for a nice, King Size box of Cheer or Rinso Blue.
But I suppose that is like hoping that Electrolux will reintroduce the Frigidaire Unimatic.
And my final rant about the "new retro" Frigidaire logo - I don't remember that it was ever on a washer - perhaps on a refrigerator but that was about it. Besides they should have spent the money on product improvement!!!!
***** Post# 16880-4/22/2002-19:51 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (1955 WV35 Logo)
MESSAGE: GM Frigidaire did use the logo on their washer and dryer, on the 1955 models. Robert has one - see link.
I too have been wishing for some new releases of vintage boxes and scents of detergents, Tide, ALL, Dash, etc. Of course, they probably wouldn't have phosphates in them, but we can add those anyway. As long as they have the puffy, cup-per-load formula, it would still be a slice of heaven!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire&.src=ph&.dnm=Frigidaire+1955+WV-65.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16881-4/22/2002-21:19 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: Angus,
We do indeed have both scents here in CT. But I have only seen them at K-Mart. The new Clean Breeze Tideis a major disappointment, its smells almost exactly like Regular tide but with a strange undertone. i was not pleased. The new Gain formula though, the tropical whatever, I fell in LOVE with!! It is the most delicious smelling detergent i've ever smelled. It's even better than new Oxydol. Get yourself to K-mart and smell some. I think you'll be impressed!!
***** Post# 16882-4/22/2002-21:21 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: K-mart and Stop & Shop are overloaded with Gain and i always find then readily available at both chains!!
***** Post# 16883-4/22/2002-22:38 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (Prisoner)
MESSAGE: Hmmm. I am wondering if we are talking about the same series.
I'm referring to the British series of the late 60's, "The Prisoner", starring Patrick McGoohan as a spy gone awry. I don't remember any Vinegar Tits. And I'm sure that would be unforgettable.
***** Post# 16884-4/22/2002-00:09 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: Cealn Breeze hasn't made it to temple yet. I'm still working on the tropical breeze. Have 7 or 8 loads or more to do this weekend. YAY.
***** Post# 16885-4/22/2002-00:49 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: Clean Breeze scent sounds inviting! Will keep watch for it.
***** Post# 16886-4/23/2002-02:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Back to the Floor (Prisoner)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
Post 16852 may help explain, though it looks like I got teh actors name wrong in that post. The Prisoner being discussed here was a cult Aussie soap from the 80s, with wobbly sets and many scenes set in a laundry.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16887-4/23/2002-05:38 ||| scottdamit (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: I tryed the new "clean breeze" and I linke it too. We had a house full of people the first time I use it and it got noticed. All the women in the neighborhood went nuts over it. I found it at krogers and all they had was the liquid tide. I prefer powders especially powdered cheer.
SD
***** Post# 16888-4/23/2002-05:44 ||| scottdamit (Indiana)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: Now all they need to do is come up with cologne scented fabric sofeners. Then there wont be a need to keep a dresser full of fufu bottles around. I'll keep dreaming!
SD
***** Post# 16889-4/23/2002-07:43 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Do you have trouble with excema? I used to have red raw skin on my forehead, till I heard a dermatologist on the radio declaring war on detergents. He said that all hair shampoos, no matter what claims are made of their gentleness, etc, are just a strong detergent with colour and scent. He advised initially washing the affected skin with just sorbolene cream (it is like a moisturizing cream but has a very mild cleansing effect) rinsed off with lukewarm water. It feels awful and greasy but it works. After the skin is healing you can start washing your hair with a very mild vegetable oil based hair soap (I used one sold in health food shops called a "shampoo bar")but do NOT rub the soap directly on the hair. Make a lather in the hands, add water to make a weak lather and rub the weak lather only into the hair. Rinse well in lukewarm water. Don't use a conditioner. If you crave a conditioner, dilute some sorbolene cream with water and use it.
I have followed this advice for years and have no further problems as long as I watch what I wash my clothes in. I don't use any conditioner.
Since moving to the sticks I have found the very gentle vege oil soaps difficult to obtain in the area so I wash my skin with Pears transparent soap and my hair with Redwin sorbolene moisturising bar (soap) and use a low irritant aluminium-free deodorant. As I no longer have the excema I can probably get away with stronger products than when the skin was angry/inflamed. I still get itchy from using the wrong detergent to wash my clothes, and can get a red rash under arms from overdoing the deodorant - I can only use it three or four days a week. If I use it every day I get an angry rash and have to start over with the very gentle products till it settles down.
The same dermatologist also warned that sleeping too warm can aggravate excema/rashes on the head and face. If you are covered in heavy blankets but the room is warmish, the only place the body can lose excess heat is through the head, so your body send lots of blood and perspiration up there to lose excess body heat. It carries waste products and "toxins" too so you end up with a lot of yucky stuff in your skin on your head. It made sense to me. He said it can take a week or two for your body's "thermostat" to adjust to sleeping "too cold".
I did this at the same time so it may have helped too. If I feel too hot at night I stick my feet out to lose heat. I have to keep telling the hubby to get on his own side of the bed, as he runs very hot.
Hope this is of some help to you.
Best Wishes,
Chris.
***** Post# 16890-4/23/2002-12:01 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Bendix on Ebay
MESSAGE: These are so cute - but the price!
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=861884494
***** Post# 16891-4/23/2002-12:12 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (new sniff in the islands)
MESSAGE: You are right about KMart, but Stop&Shop surprises me. The ones in Fairfield and Westport do not carry the Gain Powder and only occasionally do I see the Gain liquid there. Truth is that I don't spend a whole lot of time looking for Gain. I tend not to use liquids and generally find Gain too strong in the fragrance department for me. I would try the new Gain flavor though. SO, I guess it's off to KMart one of these days. I don't go there often since as KMarts go it's pretty depressing and the lines are forever... But....... we'll see
***** Post# 16892-4/23/2002-12:35 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (FL soaks)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo
I like to soak also...especially whites in an oxygen bleach detergent. A while back I shared how I used the delay start on my Kenmore FL to soak. I fill the machine on hot (first purging the line to get the hottest fill) and let tumble a moment or two. (I usually use a full scoop of Tide w/bleach...although not an HE detergent, I have found it to be a very moderate sudser. I've also used two Surf w/ oxygen tablets which are HE.) Then I manually stop the machine and reset on delay start (1-8 hours). The machine will resume on normal cycle after the soak. With an extra rinse preset and the fast spin, I get excellent results.
Cheers,
Rich
***** Post# 16893-4/23/2002-12:45 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Now I'm wondering if I should have bought Sear's protection plan. I expect a washer to run more than five years without that expensive of a repair...call me old-fashioned! A $450 repair on a 5-year old machine would make me consider a new one when it is only $200 more. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.
But I guess one never knows...my neighbors had a top-load Whirlpool blow its transmission after only two years.
***** Post# 16894-4/23/2002-12:47 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (1955 Frigidaire logo)
MESSAGE: That is almost enough to make me buy something Frigidaire just have that logo in my house! Ha!
***** Post# 16895-4/23/2002-12:55 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: They may call you and offer one in the future. My previous washer was a Whirlpool with an electronic control panel. When it started to malfunction after 5 years, I was informed that the model I had was discontinued, and parts for the panel were no longer made. So, I guess it's just the luck of the draw.
***** Post# 16896-4/23/2002-14:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: That sounds very strange. All Whirlpool trannys are warranted for 5 years (unless that changed recently). They would have to maintain mechanical parts for that period of time, so seems unlikely they wouldn't have the electronic parts.
I ordered a temp control knob in 1977 for a Whirlpool dryer circa 1964. Took several weeks to arrive, but they did have it.
***** Post# 16897-4/23/2002-15:18 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: eessssshhhh, that was almost 30 years ago!
***** Post# 16898-4/23/2002-15:47 ||| kenwashesmonday (Haledon, NJ)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Parts availability)
MESSAGE: I'm pretty sure they have to stock parts for 8 years by law (unless the manufacturer goes out of business).
Ken D.
***** Post# 16899-4/23/2002-15:52 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: Well, I had a friend that used to add some cologne to unscented fabric softener. He'd also add some to the water he used to spray his shirts before ironing them. They did smell nice.
***** Post# 16900-4/23/2002-15:55 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Don't exxagerate, it was 25 years ;-)
***** Post# 16901-4/23/2002-16:07 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Parts availability)
MESSAGE: They quit producing and stocking the part themselves and used an OEM vendor to suppy a substitute that did not function identcally. This would have cost more than the machine was worth. And you are correct, there used to be a law, that once required a manufacturer to provide parts support for equipment for 10 years. It has been eroded in the last 10 years, due to the technology boom. I doubt it even exists anymore.
***** Post# 16902-4/23/2002-16:28 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cologne instead of Downy)
MESSAGE: There's an idea. I wouldn't mind adding a few drops of Gio to my rinse water. Couldn't cost much more than Downy Enhancer! Ha!
***** Post# 16903-4/23/2002-16:41 ||| geoff (Connecticut)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: My mother is extremely gentle with appliances and her top-load Whirlpool went through 3 tramsmissions in 5 years!! (it was direct drive, of course)
***** Post# 16904-4/23/2002-17:27 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Wow. Myself, Granny, and the parents are neither particularly gentle or aggressive. Granny's D2K never had a single repair in the 14 or 15 years she had it. My September 1991 KA was flawless, Granny has had it since July of 1999. My parents 1995 KA also has been fine. The January 1962 Whirlpool went to July 1977, did have some repairs, bearings were changed twice that I recall. The 1976 Whirlpool (bought in 1977) went 18 years, with less repairs than the 1962.
I think I have all those dates correct.
My sister has a Whirlpool of some 1990s vintage, been moved through two houses, no troubles that I've heard.
***** Post# 16905-4/23/2002-17:47 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Hi Glen
I hope my Kenmore lasts as long as Granny's D2K. Also, I didn't think you were even old enough to talk thirty years ago to order parts! ;-)
Rich
***** Post# 16906-4/23/2002-18:03 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Hey Rich!!
Such a sweetie, but you'd be wrong! I got the big 4-0 coming soon. 8-)
***** Post# 16907-4/23/2002-19:11 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Downy)
MESSAGE: I tried adding some Stetson to the rinse dispenser, but there was nary a scent left at the end of the spin. So it was an expensive experiment (I still have some left and I kind of like the scent).
***** Post# 16908-4/23/2002-19:14 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: And I'm thinking I was smart to get a 7 year service agreement for the Neptune pair. They probably will not have any problems, but it was only $240 for the pair, and it's some peace of mind.
Sometimes the mfg's can be persuaded into at least providing the part for free. Many of us are good with a wrench, if not a wench, so that is almost tantamount to a full extended warranty anyway. Some of us (myself included) view DIY repair as a bonus, not a burden ;-)
***** Post# 16909-4/23/2002-20:43 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: 1945 BENDIX washer on EBAY item#861884494
MESSAGE: I see somebody in Pennsylvania has a fair piece of equipment for $200 beginning price on EBAY go to ebay and type in "washing machine"I hope someone in this group wins!!!!!Good luck!!!!!
***** Post# 16910-4/23/2002-20:57 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: 1945 BENDIX ECONOMAT FRONT LOADER ON EBAY
MESSAGE: Item number 861884494 is at a beginning price of $200.00.The owner clames it is in good condition.It is in Pennsylvania.Good luck all!!!!
***** Post# 16911-4/23/2002-21:46 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (detergents)
MESSAGE: Powders for me all the way. I love RF Fab and am currently using Wisk & Wisk with Bleach powders. Also use Calgon (non-phosphated here in Texas unfortunately).
***** Post# 16912-4/23/2002-22:01 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: When he ordered it, he said DADA. And you thought DADoES was for SCI-FI, it was because he baby-talked his very first parts order for appliances.
***** Post# 16913-4/23/2002-22:02 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cologne instead of Downy)
MESSAGE: Rich, you & Gary smell just fine to me the way you are. Don't go gettin' frufru on me.
***** Post# 16914-4/23/2002-22:05 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Well Rich, since you don't see it as a burden and are quite handy with a wrench, I'll fly you to Texas and you can do the job for me. HA!!
***** Post# 16915-4/23/2002-22:11 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Baby Talk)
MESSAGE: Oh my! Teeehehehee!
***** Post# 16916-4/24/2002-06:42 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo
Is a Creda just a Hotpoint in disguise? Or is there some fundamental difference between them?
Chris.
***** Post# 16917-4/24/2002-10:43 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Exactly the same! My old 1994 Creda was exactly the same inside as my 4 year old Hotpoint. Creda is the same company as Hotpoint, they rebadge Hotpoint's Aquarius range of washing machines. However, they are usually from the previous range, i.e. the current Creda range is the same as Hotpoint's 1997-2000 Aquarius range.
***** Post# 16918-4/24/2002-11:30 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: POD
MESSAGE: The washer in the Picture of the Day is exactly the same one as the one I took a few pictures of two years ago. The Hotpoint washer overhere in Holland was probably adapted for 220V 50Hz. Does anybody know from what year this one is? I don't think we determined it's exact age when I posted the picture.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/My+favourite+appliances&.src=ph&.dnm=Hotpoint+business+sign.JPG&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/My%2bfavourite%2bappliances%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16919-4/24/2002-11:36 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: Aha! I thought the POD machine looked familiar!
***** Post# 16920-4/24/2002-12:04 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD (carnival)
MESSAGE: Carnival? WHERE? Do they have a roller coaster?
***** Post# 16921-4/24/2002-15:15 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: I was speaking to a Hotpoint rep yesterday, about the new models coming out shortly, and he told me exactly the same thing. Old Hotpoint models go over to the Creda brand, with the only changes being cosmetic - usually just different control panel graphics. Creda products also tend to be cheaper than the Hotpoint equivalents, although you don't get the five year parts warranty.
One major difference is in the dryers. Creda models can be vented from either the front or the rear, and come with a blanking plate to block off the unused vent outlet. Hotpoints, on the other hand, vent from the rear only.
***** Post# 16922-4/24/2002-15:43 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: when are the new hotpoints coming out? are they going to be made by merloni?
***** Post# 16923-4/24/2002-15:53 ||| Erkjoey (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT: RE: POD
MESSAGE: I have an elderly friend, that purchased the Hotpoint set, in todays POD, new in 1965.
***** Post# 16924-4/24/2002-16:31 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
At the moment, Hotpoint are only bringing out a new refrigeration range, which will be called "Future". The existing models are already running out of stock, and new ones won't be available til around the end of May to the beginning of June. I don't know any of the specs yet, but they are going to be produced at GDA's Peterborough factory. I doubt very much they will close that particular factory, as it's also their head office.
The dryer models are staying as they are, but I believe there will be one or two additions to the range. Also, the compact dryers, TS11P and TS12P, will now become the TS13P and TS14P. Just guessing on this one, but that's probably something to do with them being restyled to coordinate with the washers. The existing compacts still have the old fascia design from several years ago.
Probably the first Hotpoint items to be made by Merloni will be the dishwashers. They're not renewing the Bosch contract when it runs out, and will be sourcing DWs from Merloni instead. No idea of when that will be happening, though - could be months, maybe even years, down the line yet.
***** Post# 16925-4/24/2002-16:55 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: Interesting web site
MESSAGE: Sundberg-Ferar
Look in the Housewares section, particularly numbers 1 and 4.
***** Post# 16926-4/24/2002-18:04 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Interesting web site
MESSAGE: That is interesting - I like the term "percieved capacity" in the silverware basket story most of all!
Now we need to find the company that made GM Frigidaire's Circulator and Lint-Chaser Rings!
***** Post# 16927-4/24/2002-18:32 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi all
Having a great time here at the UK Wash-In with Scott over here.... have just posted the first of many pics....
Just connected up the Servis MK1 Twin Tub 1959.....the sweet sound of a purring machine.....so quiet... will have to get my video running next!!!
Next up is the Servis 111 twinny and Model M wringer washer as well as the new Hoover 5090 twinny that I found last week...and not to forget road testing the new Maytags!!!
Cheers for now, Mike
***** Post# 16928-4/24/2002-18:32 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Oldappliancenut!!!!
MESSAGE: Hey. I'm going to Pennsylvania this weekend. If you want me to visit you Saturday, email me or let me know. Still wanna go to Knoebels? Email me before Friday morning. Later.
***** Post# 16930-4/24/2002-18:43 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: Westy fans...look at this!
MESSAGE: Check out this cool Westy spin drier...wow!
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2018795460
***** Post# 16931-4/24/2002-18:44 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: I am not sure that my Creda was a Hotpoint, I bought it new in 86. Creda was then, to the best of my knowledge part of Thorn TI Leisure Group. I don't think Hotpoint were making electronic control washers then, nor programme rather than timer dryers. I am prepared to be corrected though.
It was made in Stoke on Trent, like Robbie Williams (love him), and parts had to come from Stoke. A new drum once took 6 weeks to get from Stoke to Brum, and then the MEB (Midlands Electricity Board as was) expected me to wait another 3 for it to come and fix it - I thought not! You can see why I became prficient at hand washing and why I kept a posser.
Actually my washer was badged as an 'Electra', the house brand of the then 'Electic Showrooms', remember those? It was one of the first electronic timer washers, and if it wasn't for its many faults would have been a great washer; it was easy to programme ie all cycles labeled with text and temp; had the full range of cycles - cottons all temps, eary care, delicates, wool, soak; had fast wash times, 1h24m boil wash, 50min 40C cotton wash; electronic display of programme time; hot & cold fill, cold below 40C, hot & cold for 40 - 60 , hot only above 60C; 1250 spin at full speed for several mins; electronic fault display, ha ha; washed, rinsed and spun well, when it wasn't buggered; smart 2 tone grey control panel, mum's 84 model had 2 tone brown; reasonbly quiet; very stable suspension, never walked or jumped.
The bearings problem was a design fault that allowed water from the drum to get into the bearings.
My 'Electra' Creda dryer was from about 87 or maybe 88, it was one of the few on the UK market with sensor controlled programmeable drying rather han a simple timer, the other such models were the then very expensive German models - I rememebr in teh 80s seeing a Miele dryer that cost about £1200. I had my dryer vented from the side using a 90 degree outlet that attached to the rear vent outlet, it also had a front vent.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16932-4/24/2002-19:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
Great pics, thanks. Those new Maytags look fabulous against your silver blue slate floor - Fired Earth? I think I could be very at home in your kitchen, sky lights, silver blue slate floor, stainless appliances, black with blue granite worktops, it all looks very familiar. Actually, whilst I already have the silver blue slate and skylights, I have not yet got the stainless appliances or granite worktop. We are planning to get the black granite with blue on just one double cabinet, the others have woodblock worktops. Your kitchen is lovely, I'm jealous, but one day mine will be finished.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16933-4/24/2002-19:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I have the eczema pretty much under control these days. It sarted when I was under a lot of stress at work, and my skin has remained very sensitive. The 2 worst triggers for me are deodorants and nickel. I have to make sure that I keep my belt buckle away from my skin or I get really bad irritation. Deodorant wise, I am fine with Tom's of Maine stick deodorant, but almost any other has me in a burn like weal in a couple of days.
My scalp itching has all but disapeared since I switched to a plant based detergent shampoo containing real tea tree oil with the matching conditioner, I use Faith in Nature, no colours, scents or methyl parabens yet it works fine. I have tried Aveda and that seems OK too, much as I love Paul Mitchell tea tree shampoo it really does not suit my skin too well. I only get scalp probs now if I let any of my fav Paul Mitchel freeze & shine hairspray get on the skin - I know, what a puff, as my hair is thick its not a problem so long as I shield my forehead else I suffer.
Yep, I too have used moisturising cream as a cleanser when my skin has been really bad, it's not nice but does seem to work.
I take your point about excess heat, I like to be warm, but being too hot, or having hot showers / baths certanly does exascerbate eczema. My bf also runs very hot, I am sure he has the body temp of a cat.
It's making me itch thinking about this. Glad yours is under control too, its a miserable bugger of a condition when it's playing up.
Just a thought here, do you think one becomes more sensitive to chemicals as one avoids them. I certainly think that my tolerance has lowered since I started to actively avoid commercial products.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16934-4/24/2002-19:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I bought Biotex today in Sainsbury's. I have not tried it yet, but look forward to some tough stains. What is it best for?
I really mustreseach the manufacturer, I did not recognise teh nameon the label and will look for reassurance that it is not animal tested, should have checked this before buying. I have got a very large black cat curled up on my lap, he is chirpy purring and suckling his tail, what a baby.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16935-4/24/2002-19:51 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Wonderful pics - looks like you guys are having a great time! I was a bit surprised at the size of your Hotpoint top-loader, thought it would be bigger like American machines, I guess there was nothing in scale to compare it to in the previous pics - thanks again for the great pics!
Your kitchen turned out lovely - extraordinary compared with the "before" shots I saw last August!
***** Post# 16936-4/24/2002-20:05 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link...
MESSAGE: Hi Mike!
Thanks for the pics...looks like great fun! Your Maytags are beautiful! Hope you and Scott continue having a wonderful time! Where's the Schnitzels?
Rich
***** Post# 16937-4/24/2002-21:56 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link... (Looks like fun)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike and Scott, Sure looks like you guys are having fun. Mike I love your new Maytags...when did you get those. Just wish we could get Mayag with windows here..maybe some day. Your kitchen looks like a dream come true. Sure would love to cook up a storm there. But where are the vacuum pictures..You guys have a great time. Take care. Terry
***** Post# 16938-4/24/2002-22:28 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link...
MESSAGE: Mike, thanks for the great pics. The Hotpoint spiralator, never saw one quite like that here. But ya gotta love that filter-flo. The Maytags (uh, shall we say Askos) look great--love all the SS. Yup, where are the dogs. I mean, they generated laundry for Scott to wash--dog dowls, but no dogs. And Scott, that has to become one of your official "wash-in shirts" since I saw that one in Minnie & California!!!!!! Glad you guys are having a blast. And Mike, great to see a pic or two of you too. I can't wait to see you in August. LOVE the new kitchen. FINALLY!!!! YAY!!!!!
***** Post# 16939-4/24/2002-23:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (bearings )
MESSAGE: Sure, no problem. I'll even give you a 10% discount on my day rate.
***** Post# 16940-4/24/2002-23:41 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
The pictures are very nice and I really like your Servis and Hotpoint washers. The Hotpoint looks very compact, what is its capacity - 8.5 or 9 lbs?
Must admit though, the Maytags look like a stainless steel version of Asko or Miele, with that second door on the washer. I definitely prefer your older stuff. Personally, I am also getting over the white and stainless steel look big time (not dissing your taste), but it really has been done to death over the last ten years.
***** Post# 16941-4/25/2002-02:30 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
The European Maytags are rebadged Askos. If youlook at teh Asko website, you download the manual and read about the amazing programmability that this washer has.
I don't know the HP capacity, but I agree that the HP and Servis washers are good looking machines.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16942-4/25/2002-08:06 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: The Hotpoint toploader had a 4.5kg capacity, which is around 10lbs. However, also looking through the specs in the old brochure it says it has G rated washing and energy efficiency and D rated spin efficiency. This washer might have used more energy than a normal topload washer though seeming as it did heat the water. It also used 160 litres during a cottons cycle, an equivalent controlled frontloader used 80 litres.
Anyway, I still totally love that washer, it was a true Hotpoint classic.
surgilator
***** Post# 16943-4/25/2002-08:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hi mein Herr,
I knew it! You know, I really don't see the point of this re-badging. Maybe I am turning into a fossil, but I honestly don't get it. If I want a Maytag, I don't want an Asko! WHY BOTHER? Am I being weird for thinking this way? It is the same with everything else. There is so much uniformity in consumer products now, that brand names are of decreasing significance. And the consumer is being cheated, because most customers buying these Maytags will probably think that they are buying a 'Maytag' (what fools...what fools...!). They don't look or feel like Maytags, they don't wash like Maytags, they don't smell or sound like Maytags and if you licked them they wouldn't even taste like Maytags. It is a shame and a sham.
Those faux Maytags would be very expensive? What is all that programmability really going to achieve in the end? It's just a gimmick (in my view at least).
BTW, I reckon that in the next ten years all major appliances will be made in China. Haier appliances are now flexing their muscle and are infiltrating the market. They produce something like 61 different models of top loading washers and twin tubs plus 16 models of Euro style washers, on top of all the other stuff they make. I have provided a link for you to get a glimpse of the future, at least as far as appliances are concerned.
Enjoy!!!!! :o(
Sorry, Miele, but I am going through my jaded phase at the moment, due to assignment angst and I refuse to take medication for it. Although, when Asko starts to sell its washers as Maytags over here, I'll definitely go on medication.
LINK: http://www.haier.com/english/
***** Post# 16944-4/25/2002-13:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Miele agrees with Bubs!)
MESSAGE: Hiya Bubs,
On something we agree, did you ever think we would see the day. All the re-badging and takeovers is one of my pet noirs too. I agree, if I wanted a Maytag, and I would rather like a new Neptune, then I would want a Maytag, not an Asko. I felt rather cheated when I discovered that Maytags Euro style apps were Askos.
Having said all that, the Asko Maytag in SS is an extremely smart looking washer, its lack of a door boot is very unusual on euro dom apps and is similar to commercial machines, though this wahser still manages to have soft-mount suspension, I can only think of Dyson that also has this feature. I think that pretty much the same washer is also badged as an Electrolux commercial.
The Asko Maytag is about £750, rather more than teh average £350 Hotpoint or Zanussi, ap[preciably more than £500 BOL Miele, about the same as BOL Dyson, so yes it's expensive but not excessively so, especially considering the SS and Asko quality. Programmability should not significantly add to the cost over any other computer style electronic controller.
Personally, I would find the programmability useful, as I like to have as much control as possible over every aspect of the cycle. I would think that it would be useful to have more than just 4 preset cycles, especially as the programming involves delving thorough several layers of menus. I suspect that this machine is aimed at those who want to customise every wash, rather than just occasional washes.
On your last point, I have a horrible feeling that you are right, this would be very sad; workers out of work elsewhere, global uniformity and lack of choice, and dare I say it, even lower quality of end product. We have to do our bit by resisting this and showing that there is consumer demand for quality products, albeit at higher cost.
I will check your link out later, short of time right now, but thanks for it.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16945-4/25/2002-13:37 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Hello Mike,
Great pictures, I bet you both have a wonderful time. Let us know how all the washers are doing. I love those houses that have more washers than people ;-)
Louis
***** Post# 16946-4/25/2002-16:29 ||| sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Well, if major appliance mfg does migrate to China, I'm not sure this will be all that bad of a thing. Currently I've noticed that at least on the US West Coast, the quality of manufactured goods from China has steadily increased, to the point where it seems better than some equivalent US-made goods. China is not faced with the environmental regulations and high labor rates of other countries, and so many things made in China that require heavy metal or chrome plating or brass, etc, seem to be quite sturdy and well made. I'm thinking of relatively low tech items like lamps and such, but as time goes on I don't see why higher tech items could not be similarly treated.
This consideration is of course completely without regard for the political or labor aspects of the "globalization". But I'd think that if we could see a rebirth of the GM Frigidaire washers via a Chinese factory, that would be a good thing. And I think that technology is well within the grasp of their industry.
***** Post# 16947-4/25/2002-16:32 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Ah, yes, your Creda may very well have been a pre-GDA model. Often I forget that the two haven't been linked together since time began! Actually, I remember the old Creda dryer my grandparents used to have, which had the "TI" symbol on the control panel.
I remember the Electricity Board showrooms very well. Not sure if there are many, or any even, left in England now. There were some in Scotland when I last visited a couple of years ago, but that may have changed now, too. East Midlands Electricity closed all theirs several years ago. They had a store in Lincoln when I first moved here, but a few months later it was gone.
My folks had an Electra dryer until about a year ago, which was about 10 years old when they finally got rid of it. It still ran, but just had really squeaky bearings after all those years of heavy use. Ours was the very basic model, with a 120 minute timer and two heat settings, dark grey control panel and a lift-out filter in the door. Nothing fancy, but a pretty good dryer regardless.
Biotex works well on almost any organic stain - for example, mud, grass, food stains and the like. Works really well for soaking out collar and cuff grim as well. Haven't tried it on oily stains yet, so I'm not sure how it would perform on those.
Isn't Biotex made by Reckitt-Benckiser? At the moment I've run out, so haven't got a carton on hand to check against.
***** Post# 16949-4/25/2002-16:59 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: The Hotpoint top loader had a 4.5 kilo (10 pound) rated capacity. The cabinet width was only 21" or thereabouts, which makes it tiny compared to the US top loaders. Several years ago, Hotpoint FLs only used to take a 9 pound load, which I suppose made the TL model "large" capacity in comparison.
***** Post# 16950-4/25/2002-17:07 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!!
MESSAGE: Yeah, I'm with you on this one. On one hand, it was a very wasteful machine compared to today's models. But the wonderful design, with the filter clean action, heater and European style programming, makes it so easy to overlook that little fact!
***** Post# 16951-4/25/2002-17:13 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (door frame inside cabinet)
MESSAGE: Hey Rich,
You know on the Asko machine, the door and door frame are connected directly to the outer tub, and they are mounted on the suspension in the cabinet. The door and frame move along with the outer tub -- the big square around the door is the edge of the cabinet. Asko used to have the big drop down outer door to prevent small fingers from getting pinched in the gap between the two while the machine was running. On commercial machines, they kind of get around that by putting a barrier between that is kind like a brush or a bunch of short brisles.
You can see a similar set up by going to the Girbau link below, then click on
washer-extractors
on-premis/industrial laundry
view individual models
18-pound capacity H2018
The door bolts to the dark gray frame which moves about in the solid cabinet. It's kind of dizzying to watch when it gets up to speed.
-ph
LINK: http://www.cont-girbau.com/
***** Post# 16952-4/25/2002-18:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Miele agrees with Bubs!)
MESSAGE: Rich,
Your last paragraph raises an important point about having to pay extra for true quality. The reason we have such poor quality these days isn't always the fault of the manufacturer - the consumer has to take some of the flak for this, too.
Few of my customers are strapped for cash, but many of them are squeaky cheap. They won't look at any washer priced above £199, yet make an incredible fuss when it breaks down beyond repair three years later. Talk about wanting a Rolls-Royce for the price of a Fiesta. It's impossible to build Miele quality into a washer costing a few hundred quid, no matter what anyone says. It just can't be done, but people just don't GET the concept.
***** Post# 16953-4/25/2002-19:06 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (ASKO Why Bother!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs
As much as I hate to say it I agree with you (am I really saying this..LOL)on the branding issue, I always wanted an Asko set ever since I started selling them in the 80`s.....Having had the opportunity to purchase all new kitchen appliances (once in forty years) for my new done to death 10yr past it kitchen....I had a snitch of a deal with the Maytags costing £420 less than the Asko....I can live with the name change on the dispenser for that .....besides more money for buying the classics etc...
Keep taking the smelling salts, they do work...
Cheers, Mike
***** Post# 16954-4/25/2002-19:12 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Homeward Bound!!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis
Scott will be on his way back soon armed with pics and info!!!! Has just returned from pulling apart the new Hoover Vision,Miele and Siemens appliances at the local stores....
not to forget the Dyson Animal Vacs.....
Got the cleanest dog towels this side of the Netherlands...
Mike
***** Post# 16955-4/25/2002-19:16 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Hotpoints)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
The Hotpoint is 22 inches wide and takes 10lbs max, so it is smaller than the 24 / 27 inch+ machines you have, very easy to move about though, and as Scott will tell you does a grand job with the 1050rpm spin....must tell you though even better when you shake the clothes out and return them for another 4mins...
Mike
***** Post# 16956-4/25/2002-19:21 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link... (Looks like fun)
MESSAGE: Hi Terry
Good to hear from you, the washer set came last week, so its really been put through its paces....the vacs are being photographed for the visit album by Scott, peek from next week...looking forward to hearing all about the vac convention from you!!!
Mike
***** Post# 16957-4/25/2002-19:24 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link... (Under Cover!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich
The schnitzels are under cover from enemy fire, having been firing up and testing the washers and vacs...mainly at night...the`ve taken refuge form all the strange noises...not to mention every time they see the`re blankets out for wash practice they think its B-A-T-H time again...
Mike
***** Post# 16958-4/25/2002-23:16 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link... (Under Cover!!)
MESSAGE: Mike, poor dogs. I washed Beau's blanket last weekend and you'd think I'd abused him. He followed me (it) to the laundry room and watched me put it in the washer, then turned around and went to our room and sulked on the bed until it was dry.
***** Post# 16959-4/26/2002-02:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (door frame inside cabinet)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter,
Thanks for the link. You have described this type of door so much better than I did. It is very unusual on a domestic. I would like to see it running.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16960-4/26/2002-02:53 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I checked the Biotex pack and its made in Denmark by Blumoller. I was hoping it would be good on collar grime, I tend to prespray collars with dilute liquid detergent and then was the shirts at 50C 120F which keeps it reasonably at bay.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16961-4/26/2002-08:32 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Philco twinny wringer on Ebay
MESSAGE: What a beauty!
***** Post# 16962-4/26/2002-11:08 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: The dutch Biotex is made by Reckitt-Benckiser.
It is a beauty - looks like it's in true mint condition. Would be fun to have this if there were room to display it!
***** Post# 16964-4/26/2002-00:07 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Philco twinny wringer on Ebay
MESSAGE: The control knobs on that Twinmatic are from 1959.
***** Post# 16965-4/26/2002-00:12 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Never heard of Blumoller before - I shall have to do a net search on them and see what comes up.
Biotex is good for pretty much any stain which you would normally soak. I'm not saying it's magic or anything like that, but it's definitely better than regular detergent for soaking.
***** Post# 16966-4/26/2002-00:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Hmm, I don't know how I feel about that, sacrificing the jobs of decent, hardworking, red-blooded Americans for the revival of some nostalgic notion - to me, seems rather self-indulgent. ;o)
SHAME SUDSMASTER SHAME!!!!!
***** Post# 16967-4/26/2002-00:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Miele agrees with Bubs!)
MESSAGE: I do have a solution Miele,
Let us start up our very own whitegoods manufacturing plant. We will design and build our own products, based on the superior design and quality of the 1940's through to the 1970's.
I know a little village in India, where we can buy employees to help staff the 24 hour production line that we will need to satisfy global demand for our products. And if this business venture should fail we can always harvest their organs.
How about it?
***** Post# 16968-4/26/2002-00:51 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
The jobs of the Americans who produced the GM Frigidaire washer were sacrificed long, long, ago, about 1978, when GM sold out their appliance lines to an American company, WCI, that in turn discontinued production. So if GM Frigidaire was to be revived in China, it would not mean the direct sacrifice of any American, Australian, or German jobs. Unless of course in the improbable chance that the revived GM Frigidaire were to sell for US$99 and outsell all other makes.
I hope the Chinese revive the dancing pulsator clown display gadget, too. So Scott's will have some company.
***** Post# 16969-4/26/2002-01:39 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (ASKO Why Bother!!!)
MESSAGE: Well Mike,
Listen, I think your kitchen is lovely, okay! Especially with you, Scott and the twinny in it. I made the comment regarding the 'done to death' look, not because it reflects your personal taste, but because it is being done to death. Appliances here have been white, black or stainless steel for the last decade. I've looked at a couple of new houses and inner-city units recently, and, still, all the kitchens where white with black (faux)granite counter tops, black or b & W floors and ss European 'under counter' ovens with those tiny 26" ss cooktops (yawn!). Of course, the fridges are now all standard sxs with ice'n'water as well. I would love to see a hot pink high-gloss kitchen with turqouise appliances, that would be so much more interesting.
Your faux Maytags look lovely, but why the huge discount? How can Asko afford to sell their products more cheaply under the Maytag name?
***** Post# 16970-4/26/2002-01:42 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: Has anyone seen this? I saw this in a design trade magazine today and thought it was interesting. Click on "Family Studio" to see some other new products like the Spa Sink for handwashables and the DryAire drying cabinet and ImPress ironing system.
LINK: http://www.insideadvantage.com/vision_for_the_future/personal_valet.htm
***** Post# 16971-4/26/2002-01:45 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: I know all that Sudsy, just tugging your leg a little.
You have me really intrigued by that 'dancing pulsator clown,' are there any pictures of it anywhere?
***** Post# 16972-4/27/2002-02:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Once upon a time, a few months ago, there was a dancing promotional pulsator clown thingie for sale on eBay. One of the Applianceville regulars - I think Scott of Minnesota - purchased it. Perhaps if he did, he will be so kind as to post a link to a photo of it, and maybe a first hand account of the pusalting dancing clown experience. I'm convinced it will be a priceless recounting.
I know you were yanking at me, but... it's interesting how business folk have been yakking about what a huge untapped market China is. What they seem to overlook, in their sales enthusiasm, is the huge industrial potential there. They have the same sort of cheap labor/industrial revolution atmosphere of the USA at the turn of the century. And they make quality stuff. Although I have to say the Haier appliances I've seen over here, so far, have been BOL.
***** Post# 16973-4/27/2002-02:59 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OOOpppssss!!! The Link... (DogWash!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob
At least the schnitzys are not on their own then...Scotts taken plenty of pics, or rather I have with Scotts camera so he`s in them.. LOL..
Hows that machine of yours chugging along, no sign of a breakdown or change in site yet...
Mike
***** Post# 16974-4/27/2002-03:09 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (door frame inside cabinet)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter
Know what you mean about the dizzieing effect...been checking out different loads with Scott on the MatAsko and the smoothest spin was with a full 6kg load of towels, at 1600rpm...hardly moved..you cant hear the motor on wash just the sound of the clothes splashing.. quietest machine I`ve ever heard spinning at that speed, saw the AEG at 1800 and the cabinet had "Vibration Shrill" as we say in the trade...
The door release is a simple touch button then it pops open in 3 secs.... to close you have to push very firmly to engage...
Mike
***** Post# 16975-4/27/2002-03:19 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (ASKO Why Bother!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs
I know you didnt mean it personally...thats the trouble with snailmail you cant guage the reactions of people...I was laughing thinking of your reaction when I read it...
Yep, a subtle pink & turquoise, could go with that or what about or deep Poppy & Cornflower blue, remember the Kenwood Chef colours of the 70`s...
I got the good deal by using my nous and not going to a friend work collegue but their biggest rival....more Kudos for them by knowing I bought from them....and MatAsko need to buy into an existing market...sooo.....
Mike
***** Post# 16976-4/27/2002-03:29 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (Shaker)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Different I must say....those cabinets are going to have to be something better than "Shaker-Style" IKEA to withstand the G-force of an unbalaced Duet or you wouldnt need to switch to steam cabinet on...the vibes would "Shaker" the clothes crease free...Lol
Mike
Go on Bob beat that!!!
***** Post# 16977-4/27/2002-04:13 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: P.O.D. Oh, them where the days
MESSAGE: If I am right in assuming that this promo was done somewhere in the harmonious fities.
In many places around the ole' USA of that era, $10,000 would have bought a house and brand new car - amazing when one thinks about that. Sigh!
$10,000 only covers a third of my uni fees - somebody pass me a time machine please.
***** Post# 16978-4/27/2002-04:22 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: If you are reading this Scott from Minnie....
MESSAGE: If you are reading this Scott, please take note that I want to see your dancing Frigidaire Clown, if I may. When you return from Engerland and you have settled back into your routine, put some picks on Yahooo, okay?! Hope you had a nice trip.
Bubbles
***** Post# 16979-4/27/2002-05:58 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Sudsy,
Yeah, you are right about the huge potential, but if non-sino business people think that the Chinese are going to allow them the upper hand, as in the colonial days of yesteryear, they have another thing coming.
What potential there will be, is primarily and exclusively going to benefit the Chinese and a small number of Western CEO's (those attached to the big multi-nationals) involved in business activities there. I don't know if consumers in the West will necessarily benefit, if their own home-grown manufacturing disappears completely due to re-location. I think in the long-term, the social ramificatons will weigh more heavily than the apparent economic benefits.
In my view, there is phenomenal potential for social upheaval and instability in China. With over one billion people, most of whom poor and uneducated, China could easily turn out to be a volatile powder keg. Another thing to watch carefully, is the emergence of an extremely wealthy elite in China, who are already establishing themselvs as the new ruling class.
The glossy modern images of development that we are currently witnessing, are limted primarily to the special economic zones, where a wealthy and educated middle-class is on the rise, but the rift between these 'haves' and the majority of the 'have nots' is growing wider every day. In my own humble opinion, I say that the potential of China may be overrated.
The Chinese have a very strong collective national identity also, like the Japanese, who have managed to infiltrate our respective economies very successfully. Yet, they have managed to keep their domestic market relatively free from foreign products. Most Japanese only buy Japanese. The same may also apply to the Chinese, which translates to limited business potential for the likes of us. Whilst Japan is probably our most reliable and favored trading partner, it is accepted fact, that they benefit more from us than we do from them.
***** Post# 16980-4/27/2002-09:10 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: If you are reading this Scott from Minnie.... (Scott doesn't have it)
MESSAGE: Scott didn't buy it on Ebay, but he may have posted a link to it when the auction came up. I think another member did get it - I don't remember who though....
It was a promotional clown that was attached to the lid of the display Frigidaire WO-65 washer and his feet bounce up and down when the machine was pulsating. I'm glad one of our members got it and I hope to find another some day - a true classic!
***** Post# 16981-4/27/2002-12:10 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: And why should the Chinese let foreign investors get the upper hand? They are no different from us in wanting to control their own operations.
I understand that there's plenty of corruption in the Chinese government already, and many bureaucrats are making out like bandits with the move to freer enterprise. Then of course we have our Enrons, don't we?
My observation is that Chinese made items tend to be better made, of better quality materials, and sold for lower prices than their Western equivalents. This of course benefits consumers here, at least in the short term. And of course I'm troubled by the slave labor and human rights issues in China. I'm not sure how capitalism will be able to fix that. What they need is a true representative democracy.
I remember in the 50's when Japanese goods were the butt of many jokes. This was because they were very cheaply made, which in turn was in no small part due to the decision of western investors that Japan was only good for such low end stuff. Once Japan got out from underneath the aftermath of WWII, they were able to start applying the ideas of Deming combined with their strong work ethic and produce higher quality items for lower cost than their western competition. Yet many western luxury items command top yen in Japan - they are in love with the aura of class it seems to evoke for them.
Oh well, this is drifting far afield from appliances, isn't it?
***** Post# 16982-4/27/2002-20:37 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: rubber tub
MESSAGE: My curiosity is getting the better of me. How did the Economat get the water out of the clothes? I take it that the rubber tub did not spin, but I am not sure what it did do. Can someone enlighten me?
***** Post# 16983-4/27/2002-21:27 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Chinese appliances)
MESSAGE: Yes we are digressing Sudsmaster, but that is good, it shows that we are complex human beings with lots of interests. What we are talking about does relate to appliances.
In essence, I tried to say that we ought to be very careful regarding major investments, by the West, in China and their economy. The potential for lucrative business relations definitely exists, as you said, but I think that the benefits are not as wide-ranging and benevolent for our own economies, as a number of high-profile business personalities and economists may want us to believe.
Of course the Chinese should be in charge of their own economic destiny, in fact they almost always have been, unlike many of their neighbors, who were victims of imperialism, once upon a time. I just hope that the CEO's and economists responsible for developing business relations with China do this with more than just personal short-term gains in mind. A liberal dose of arrogance and tunnel vision is not uncommon amongst our overpaid top brass in corporate business.
In regards to palm greasing and corruption, yes it happens at home too. Although, I would like to believe that we are a little more ethical (honest) in our busines practices generally, if not necessarily by virtue of our cultural and moral perceptions, but through the existence of official bodies that regulate business activities and set standards of practice to maintain a degree of honesty and accountablilty. So, whilst we do have our Enrons, they are an anomaly rather than the norm.
I have been told by my Chinese and other Asian friends, that cheating and bribery in business is good and acceptable, as it shows good business acumen, if you manage to get away with it successfully. This is so entrenched in their business culture, that it is expected behaviour and someone who operates differently, would probably be judged to have poor business sense. It gets very complex from here and can be attributed to the respective cultural/historical developments of our societies and belief systems regarding morality, and so on.
In essence, I am very suspicious of modern economic policy in general and am not that convinced that globalization, in its present form, is necessarily the way to go. I am not one of those people who rejects this idea outright, but I do know that there is a huge discrepancy between the theoretical and actual benefits. Trading blocks and protectionism are very much on the agenda still, preventing true free trade. Plus our markets are developing into duopolies run by these huge corporations that swallow up all and sundry and dictate what we buy.
When I think about the share and currency markets that drive our economies, it makes me wonder about the creation of real, lasting and tangible wealth. Everything now seems to be based purely on hear-say, specluation and media propaganda. We are turning into these enormous paper economies that don't seem to have much of a foundation to their apparent worth. Just looking at the US and the cost of your dollar, I do wonder how it is possible that it can maintain its value in view of an apparent multi-trillion dollar national deficit. Most other nation's would have ceased to exist under such circumstances. There is something wrong here and will bite us in the a** eventually.
In regards to the diminishing quality of western goods. I think that is due to the incompetence, lack of vision and understanding by top management of what the businesses, they manage, are about. Too much emphasis now is placed on squeezing every last drop of profit out of the operation and pleasing share holders, rather than gaining an understanding and developing an affinity with the business that they are entrusted with.
Everything that happens in top management is short to medium term, the duration of a two or three year contract, and then its time to move on to some other company. Personally, I do believe that businesses have a social responsibility to their staff and customers, not just their top executives and major share holders.
Even though profit and loss is the essence of any successful company/business operation, so is the commitment and pride that people invest in it. I have found that people who work for large corporations don't have that kind of pride and commitment that one would find in a smaller company, that is a family business for example. The corporate environment is more competitive, impersonal and produces a business attitude that I find very undesirable, even though they make mass-produced and more affordable consumer goods possible.
I think that as a society we do need to seriously think about that, particularly in regards to the legacy that we are creating for ourselves and future generations.
Wow! Is that deep or what?! ;o)
***** Post# 16984-4/27/2002-21:36 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: If you are reading this Scott from Minnie.... (Hullo Gansky)
MESSAGE: Thanks Gansky,
I have been meaning to ask you about yor nick. Is there some Russian connection, political affiliation?
Please enlighten me.
Bubs
***** Post# 16985-4/27/2002-21:48 ||| robbytuck (Sioux Falls, SD)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (How does it work?)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
I am really interested in how The Personal Valet works. The limited text makes a reference to "regular cycle". Anyone have any ideas?
Oh...and Greg...are you taking good care of the Modern Hygiene?
I have had dreams about this machine. As an aside, I have a bid in on E-Bay for late 1920's Air Way. Its serial number is later than the one I have now. However, I am going to use it for parts.
Bob Donham, Sioux FAlls, SD
***** Post# 16986-4/27/2002-21:54 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: rubber tub (Squeeze Tub)
MESSAGE: The Economat had a rubber tub and a water pump that also would create a vacuum inside the washtub. During extraction, the flexible rubber tub would "squeeze" the clothes around the agitator which had perforations to allow the extracted water to be pulled into the pump. This machine did a fair job at best at extracting water, but since it was a non-spinning machine, it was ideal for apartment dwellers in it's day. It is rumored to have been the rubber tub's lifetime warranty and the subsequent replacement costs that led to Avco/Bendix selling the appliance line to Ford/Philco in '57. One forgotten pen or nail and the tub was ruined. This is a very fun machine to play with, but the extraction cycle remains unseen as the lid must be closed to seal the chamber.
Here are some pictures of the Economat at work...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Bendix+Economat&.src=ph&.dnm=After+Extraction.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/Bendix%2bEconomat%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 16987-4/27/2002-21:57 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: If you are reading this Scott from Minnie.... (Hullo Gansky)
MESSAGE: It's the initials in my name and the first three letters of my son's name -- Skyler.
There is a congressman from Iowa named Ganske and years ago I was asked if I was he - in an AOL gay chatroom. I of course said yes.
***** Post# 16988-4/27/2002-22:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (How does it work?)
MESSAGE: I'm interested too, but that page on the web site is identical to the magazine ad I saw Friday - no other information I could find.
The Modern Hygiene is safe and sound ready for you! Congrats on the Airway too, those are beautiful machines.
***** Post# 16989-4/27/2002-22:34 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (ASKO Why Bother!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Mike,
I am just now getting all my e-mails out of the way. I tell you, its tough to be an internet butterfly and flit around forums trying to answer everybody's messages. But it makes for a great diversion when one has to do mundane assignments.
Well, regarding your faux pidgeon pair, it goes to show that professional connections can be very beneficial. Does the English Maytag office sell agitator top loaders there, like Whirlpool still do?
I went to the English Whirlpool site once, a long time ago, and read the specs for their American TL washer. They described it as very economical because of the shorter cycle times and greater variability in load sizes. This made me giggle of course, as front loaders are marketed over here with these attributes.
Yes, I do remember the color schemes of the seventies, those were the days of co-ordinated appliances. I don't remember the cornflower blue, the most common colors that I remember, were green, gold, red and, of course, the most popular, brown. Brown really was the color of the seventies and all-pervasive. The color wasn't just sprayed on uniformly either, it had different hues that created really nice color variations. The corners and edges of appliances used to be colored darker (sometimes almost black) than the surfaces. I still think its a great look and should be re-introduced
A lot of wood grain textures and faux wood panelling, which I actually liked, they made rooms look warm and inviting. I especially like the old car dash boards which used chrome, faux leather and wood grain together - a great look. Of course woodgrain on the control panels of wahing machines, dryers and ranges is most aesthetic. Those were the days of true design and taste. Chrome and wood, the ultimate combination, wow!
I reckon in another ten years there'll be a major chrome and wood revival.
BTW, I love the twinny emporium site, I think it's really cute and funny how all these grown men have a natter over tinny twinnies, like a bunch of old biddies. Since I signed up, I keep getting all the e-mails and love reading them. Do you ever organize Sunday afternoon tea and twinny get-togethers for the likes of Kirk and Richtoo?
Take care
Bubbles
***** Post# 16990-4/27/2002-23:06 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (Personal Valet....how it works)
MESSAGE: O.K. kids, check out www.presiva.com. This is a Proctor & Gamble website. You do not have to register as the text suggests. Just click on the subject lines. Have fun!
***** Post# 16991-4/28/2002-04:22 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: Interesting page Gansky,
So Whirlpool are now jumping on the internet bandwagon as well. Reading that stuff about integrated home solutions leaves nothing to the imagination regarding what sector of the market they are targeting. In the write up they mention 'resourceful homeowners' and talk about 'improved lifestyle through connectivity' - lets not make any mistakes here and assume that this stuff is for Mr & Mrs middle-America.
In my opinion the 'resourceful homeowners' are those people, who make little go a long way and do stuff for themselvesf. Not the kinds of people who can hire illegals from down south, to wash their dirty knickers in a basment sink and install expensive gimmicks upstairs, like the Personal Valet System, to impress their friends. Eventually, the woman of the house (with an unnaturally clear complexion), ends up being suffocated to death with P&G scented steam inside the Valet, because the husband ends up screwing the illegal maid on top of the sink_spa, which is shooting bubbles up her a** during the act. Hmm, sounds like another case for the Medical Detectives, all thanks to the collaboration between Whirlpool and Proctor and Gamble.
My guess is that the personal valet system is probably nothing more than a ventilated cupboard that blows a bit of perfumed steam over clothes. On the shopping network they've got these portable steamers that can do that for a fraction of what that valet would cost.
***** Post# 16992-4/28/2002-05:05 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: 1969 Miele on eBay
MESSAGE: Including picture. This is the first Miele with the controls on the front of the washer. Before this one all Mieles had controls on the top.
Louis
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1726399425
***** Post# 16993-4/28/2002-05:15 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Rear control commercial Miele
MESSAGE: Also on eBay there is a commercial Miele on eBay for sale. It's an XL capacity machine (7kg) and has a single control like modern Mieles. This is the 706, there was also a 707 that was used in launderettes. I remember them from when I was a kid when a friend's father had a launderette with a row with these machines. Fond memories!
Louis
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1725687316
***** Post# 16994-4/28/2002-07:22 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo,
Hmmm, if anything I think the opposite. When I have been good and not got my skin angry for a while I seem to be able to get away with using a harsher product occasionally if I can't get the real thing. But if I overdo it and get a rash then I have merrry hell trying to settle it down, and at that point my skin seems most sensitive.
Perhaps once you get rid of the majority of irritants, the few remaining ones become more obvious. You won't notice a minor itch on your arm if your whole face is angry red and weeping. Once you get the big ones under control the lesser ones become apparrent. I haven't had itches for a while now but as it is heading towards winter now and we are using an unflued LPG room heater occasionally I am finding the fumes rather unpleasant, in the previous two years I didn't notice them half as much. Just a sensitive queen I guess.
Best Wishes.
Chris
***** Post# 16995-4/28/2002-07:34 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: That TI symbol rings a bell. When I was a teenager my parents had a New World dryer which was imported from UK. I think New World was the Aus brand name for a UK product. The instruction book showed it as a Jackson, it had a little TI symbol on it. It was a survivor - it took a pounding for years. Sometimes when cold its drum bearings would be tight and it would make a terrible roaring sound, but you could get it going by opening the door and revolving the drum by hand a couple of times,then it would be fine. The door dropped down which was unusual. New World dishwashers were actually Asea, which became Asko.
Chris.
***** Post# 16996-4/28/2002-08:01 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Tell us more about your cat.
I am as mad about cats as I am about washing machines.
Chris.
***** Post# 16997-4/28/2002-10:57 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
This will have to be very short for now, I am puched for time, but I will give all teh details later. Pleased to hear that you love cats, I have 2, both black. The big one on my lap is Jacob, my bruiser boy, over 7kg and a real thug. The other is my baby boy, Tiger, long story, a little pest about 4kg. I was not a cat person, I was always dog obsessed til these 2 came into my life and the scales fell from my eyes, I just adore cats now and love being a cat slave.
I'll write more later.
Richtoo
***** Post# 16998-4/28/2002-11:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Rear control commercial Miele
MESSAGE: These are so cool. I love the commercial machine's simplicity and plain looking panel. Top of the line machines are beautiful, but I have a soft spot for the "plain janes" too.
That "guest room" notion needs to be abandoned so some of these beautiful machines that need homes could be adopted and loved....;-)
***** Post# 16999-4/28/2002-12:56 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Rear control commercial Miele
MESSAGE: Putting this washer up in the guest room would lead to big problems. It's a commercial machine without a pump, it has a kind of drain valve at the bottom of the machine. You need a gutter to drain the water in. I don't think I would like the sight of it in the livingroom which is beneath the guestrooom.... BTW, this washer looks pretty much the same as the consumer model that is also on eBay. I posted the link last week. Biggest difference is the load size and the numbers on the control instead of text.
Louis
***** Post# 17000-4/28/2002-14:18 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: ABC-O-Matic Ad This is odd looking...
MESSAGE: Taking a break from cleaning the house and laundry and found this ad on ebay - very strange looking. Anyone know anything about it?
***** Post# 17001-4/28/2002-14:24 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Rear control commercial Miele
MESSAGE: Luigi, I love the simplicity of this machine. The programme selector is cool. And the progress indicator (behind plastic/glass) to its left is similar to the progress indicator on my GE dishwasher with the "rapid advance" timer. This arrangement also reminds me of the Wascomat Jr. 74 (I believe that's what they're called) that I've used here in town at the launderette. However, those controls are on the front and as you know, the programme knogb is simply a selection of wash & rinse temp combinations. But it also has the progress indicator on the front behind glass/plastic. Bob
***** Post# 17002-4/28/2002-14:35 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: ABC-O-Matic Ad This is odd looking... (ABC)
MESSAGE: Whow - this looks awsome - I realy want to find out more about it
***** Post# 17003-4/28/2002-17:00 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Yep, I'm pretty sure New World products also carried the TI symbol. I think now they're part of the Merloni group, although don't quote me on that one.
GDA brought back the Jackson name a few years ago. The products now say "Jackson by Creda", and are usually low-end basic stuff. I can't remember ever hearing of the Jackson brand years ago (maybe even before my time), but co-workers tell me it was more upscale back then.
The Creda TI compact dryer my grandparents had all those years ago had the drop-down door, with a grille in the front through which the dryer vented directly into the room. The lint screen cover in the door was made of metal, and I always remember my nan burning her fingers every time she removed it in order to clean the screen.
***** Post# 17004-4/28/2002-17:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Detergents)
MESSAGE: My pal's cat, Ben, sounds very much like Jacob. He's extremely solid, and has a bit of a reputation for being able to handle himself LOL. Not really a homebody who sits indoors to be fussed over, he prefers to roam the countryside at will, and often he won't be seen for a few days at a time.
Funny thing is, my pal never puts down food or water for the cat, because he never touches either - he much prefers to catch his own food and drink from puddles. That's one hell of a rugged cat, something which my pal is very proud of LOL.
***** Post# 17005-4/28/2002-18:01 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: Hi all
Coming out of PC World today after buying the new The Sims on Holiday computer game, I decided to pop into Comet and Curry's on the way back to the car. When I was looking through the Extra Choice catalogue in Comet, I noticed that they had all the new Asko range in (1600rpm fully electronic through to 1100rpm dials). It was the new range too with the four digit model numbers. Seeming as they have made their way into the country's biggest electrical store, does anybody think the UK has forgave Asko and is now buying their products again?
from surgilator
***** Post# 17006-4/28/2002-19:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
Asko is making a bit of a comeback here. It seems now that they are being distributed by Servis (no kidding), who will also undertake all Asko repair work as well.
I didn't go to the trade show this year, but apparently Asko were there, on the same stand as Servis. Now they're back, they are trying to increase awareness of the brand amongst dealers. Time will tell if they really take off or not, I suppose.
***** Post# 17007-4/28/2002-22:04 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet ((OMG-manufacturers really do listen))
MESSAGE: I couldnt believe it when I saw it. The Personal Valet and DryAire Cabinet are similar to a concept I submitted at Whirlpool's website about 5 years ago, at a location there that asks for ideas for new products or product improvements. Mine was a large capacity steamer in the form of an upright cabinet that could hook into household plumbing, allowing it to steam clothes, drain away any residual moisture in the cabinet, refill its own reservoir, and dry the steamed clothing, saving busy people a lot of ironing or trips to the dry cleaners.
The link gansky posted doesnt go into great detail on how the Valet works, but it looks like Whirlpool's versions are vast improvements over what I came up with. Good to see actual proof that big corporations really do listen to individual consumers. I wish I had thought up the SpaSink, which uses a technique similar to how I handwash items in the sink. Maybe some other average Joe or Jane can claim credit for that as well.
Too bad they havent yet taken me to heart on dryer alerts. I asked them nicely to go the way of Maytag and get rid of the crude, angry buzzer and replace it with a more pleasant tone generator.
***** Post# 17008-4/28/2002-01:43 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: My my, what a vivid imagination you have, Bubs.
But I'm wondering, what sort of illegal house help do you get from down south in Australia? Itinerant New Zealanders? Peripatetic penguins? Disoriented Argentinians looking for their Malvinas?
***** Post# 17009-4/29/2002-02:39 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: Yep, Kiwis most definitely, but don't forget the Tasmanians. That very deep body of water, that separates us from them, is there for a very good reason and, yet, they manage to come accross with frequent frequency. I think it's the cold that keeps driving them north. Roving penguins do make it up here once in a while too, how did you know? I guess you've been watching the Discovery Channel.
I would have thought that you'd be getting more of the disoriented Argentinians up your way (what's a Malvina? Is it edible? like an Argentinian taco? I don't mind ethnic food once in a while). I am sure the bus fare from Buenos Aires to San Leandro is a lot cheaper and can, probably, be paid for in Malvinas, rather than a flight to Sydney. The ones that do make it here, usually look for public service jobs, not Malvinas.
***** Post# 17010-4/29/2002-03:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: If you are reading this Scott from Minnie.... (Hullo Gansky)
MESSAGE: Thanks for answering my question gansky (can I call you Greg?). Your explanation is cute, how old is your son now? I have a two and a half year old nephew (called Liam), who lives with me at the moment and I am totally over the moon about him. He is the absolute apple of my eye.
What a cheeky bugger you must be, showing such little respect for your Members of Congress, naughty Gansky. You have possibly caused this poor man's family split-up and ruined his political career. Now he is probably prowling the back lanes of Omaha, pushing a shopping trolley full with the meagre and worthless remnants of his 'once successful' life. Muttering obscenities and exposing himself to unwitting passersby; and its very likely all your fault.
May I ask what you do for a living? I gather it has something to do with repairing appliances?!
Bubbles
***** Post# 17011-4/29/2002-03:14 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: I remember the dryer that your grandparents had. I saw quite a few overhere in Holland. I even recently saw one at a store with second hand appliances. I remember several friends of mine had one at home. In order to get rid of the damp there was always a door open for ventilation. I didn't think that made very much sense. That particular dryer was also sold to Constructa. I think Constructa couldn't devellop one on their own. It was at the time that Constructa still made their 'kochautomaten', washing machines that really boiled the laundry at 212F/100C. That ended ofcourse when Constructa was taken over by BSH.
Louis
***** Post# 17012-4/29/2002-09:04 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: ABC-O-Matic Ad This is odd looking... (ABC)
MESSAGE: That's the ABC-O-Matic Rinser-Wringer conventional washer. It was not an automatic and did not spin. It had some kind of rollers that sprayed fresh water onto the clothes as they went through a series of wringer rollers. I've never seen one of these machines.
***** Post# 17013-4/29/2002-12:14 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: ABC-O-Matic Ad This is odd looking... (ABC)
MESSAGE: I have read about these ABC wringer rinser washers in the vintage consumer reports on this site, September 1949 page 2. I have been meaning to post to ask if anyone knows anything about this washer, I am intruiged by how it works.
Thanks to Greg for the original link and to Robert for confirming it is one of these washers. Can any one shed any more light on the working of this machine?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17014-4/29/2002-12:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Fancy Jacksons being BOL, your cow-orkers (naughty I know, but I can not resist but bastardise that particular US expression, it is how I first read it on first sight) are right. Jackson was Creda's posh brand, I think it concentrated on built-in apps when such beasts were rarer than today.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17015-4/29/2002-12:22 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
I am intruiged, why does the UK need to forgive Asko, must admit I had not noticed their absence from our shores.
Is Asea still around, I saw it mentioned in another post?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17016-4/29/2002-12:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Interesting, Asko rather TOL, Servis these days can't get much more BOL, rather like buying a Rolls Royce and having it serviced by the local Metro agent. The 2 must be linked somehow. I could only find the US rather than UK website, but on the press release, link below, it talksa bout Asko being part of AM Appliance Group, AMAG, who also represents Italian-built Eurotech line. According to the site, Askos are still built in Sweden, but there is a link to Italian appliances. I don't know anything about AMAG.
***** Post# 17017-4/29/2002-13:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
The full gory story. Jacob Alexander Kennedy, to give him his full name, is a very large, very handsome bruiser of a black cat, quite serious though he looks like a cartoon cat with his huge eyes. He is almost 5 and joined our family over 4 years ago at the tender age of 9 months. His then mummy could no longer keep him and against my better judgement I succumbed to emotional blackmail and took him in. He spent the first few days hiding behind the sofa and hissing at me whenever I approached but eventually grew to trust me.
He is terrified of just about everybody and everything, the sight of the vac, even unplugged, sends him runnig out of his cat door, as does the doorbell, plastic bags rustling. He is not frightened of other cats and regularly gets into fights and I have to patch him up and pay extortionate vets bills for antibiotics, good job he had his balls off or heaven help us. Unlike Kirk's friend's Ben, I have to feed Jacob, he eats Iams for England. He gets very anxious if he glimpses the bottom of his bowl and will come and find me to tell me how awful it is. Luckily he is not scared of the washer and dryer, he rather likes to watch the washer tumble, many US and Oz cats must be tumble action deprived.
Jacob is very affectionate with people he trusts, mainly me and the BF. Jacob likes to curl up on my lap when I sit on teh computer chair, though shows little interest if I sit elsewhere, in fact he will sit my the computer chair and look reproachfull and resort to following me around till I give in.
Tiger is Jake's opposite, he is tiny, scared of nothing except the vac, serious-looking but full of fun, very inquisitive, trusts everyone. He is a black cat, called Tiger, I know, but he was named by kids with learning difficulties.
Tiger is 3 and joined us when he was still a baby. We rented teh house next door whilst we had renovations done to ours, and whilst living there I became broody again (never wanted human kids but spent all my life broody for dogs, till I got Jacob). I had persuaded BF that Jakie needed a little brother and he agreed that we would go to the cat shelter once we moved back to our own house.
Tiger had other ideas, he was the neighbours cat and despite being only bout 12 weeks old un-neutered and unvacinated was always out and playing with Jacob. I took him back so many times, cautined about vaccination, foxes, too young etc, but still they let him out. He also took to comming into our house, eating Jake's food and sleeping on the sofa. After a few weeks, I gave up taking him back and let Tiger make his own mind up.
The final straw was his accident, don't know what happened, but at about 6 months old he broke his hip and pelvis and the neighbour did not even take him to the vet so I did. He had to have the ball of his femur amputated, cage rest for 1 month, house rest for the next month with gradually increasing and controled exercise. He still has 4 legs, but the aputation meant that the leg was not attached to his hip, eventually a muscle plug forms. To watch him run, jump, climb trees, fences and onto teh kitchen roof, you would never know anything was wrong now.
The neighbour and I reached agreement over Tiger, I pay his bills, we both keep cat flaps open and he lives where he chooses, ie with me, but he does visit them so we are all happy.
Tiger is also affectionate, but reserves his fuss for on the bed, where he likes to sit on my chest and knead my neck.
I am sure there is loads more I could tell, but I must go and work. I have put 2 pics in my photo album of my beautiful baby boys.
Sorry it is so long, but I am obsessed with them.
Thanks for asking.
Richtoo
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/herr_miele
***** Post# 17018-4/29/2002-16:49 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Hiya R2,
How long ago was it when Jackson was last around? I can never remember hearing of this brand, until it was reintroduced a few years ago. Was it a fairly well-known name back then, or something a little more exclusive?
***** Post# 17019-4/29/2002-17:13 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: Yes, it is rather a strange pairing, isn't it? I thought they were joking when I heard that, but evidently not. The service engineers must have a rather varied job, to say the least - servicing TOL goods one minute, total cack the next.
***** Post# 17020-4/29/2002-17:46 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: That's a lovely pair you have there - cats, that is! Must admit I love dogs as well, but cats just have a certain charm about them. The way they humour us and let us think we're in charge is always a source of amusement for me.
***** Post# 17021-4/29/2002-18:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: hi Kirk,
Thank you, I think they are rather are rather lovely too, except when they are being pests. I don't think my too humour me and make any pretence about who is in charge, they know I am their slave and obedient to their every whim.
Actually, I confess that until I had cats I always thought them rather boring and could not see the point, how wrong I was. They are fascinating, amusing, afectionate, full of charcter and have such different personalities.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17022-4/29/2002-18:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Jackson was never a widely known name, I was aware of the brand around the time I bought my Creda, ie 86. I don't know when it disappeared. I suspect that it was a brand only available through kitchen suppliers rather than in general electrical shops and I think it was built-in only, though my memory is hazy and I don't recall seeing any Jackson apps in the flesh as 'twere.
Kirk, a question for you, just popped into my head. A while ago you said about your father being Scottish - the kilt, is it washable or dryclean only? Well at least it's a change from the usual question, which I don't need to ask; I've seen the photos on the internet.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17023-4/29/2002-19:04 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Maytag and WP TLs in UK)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
Maytag does sell agitator TLs in the UK, see link. We have the atlantis 16lb washer or an Admiral brand 22lb. The website gives remarkably little detail, I could not even find a link to download pdf manuals.
Following your comments about WPs UK site www.whirlpool.co.uk, I checked it out. The site must have changed as the selling advantage of a US TL is now the ability to wash horse blankets. I know that the rest of the world considers us a quaint little old fashioned backwater, but we did ditch the horse and trap some years ago and switch to the horseless carriage, in fact I think we may have invented it.
Where else do you flit on the internet, if I may ask?
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.maytag.co.uk/
***** Post# 17024-4/29/2002-19:20 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Must admit I never really was much of a cat person, until a couple of years ago when a friend got a kitten. It was fun watching him grow up from a little ball of fluff to the big, hulking beast he is today.
I know a lady who has 19 cats at the last count. She's a total addict, and can't help but bring cats home from the rescue centre every time she visits. Every time she says she'll resist the temptation, but she always gives in. Apparently, she has a very forgiving and patient husband LOL.
***** Post# 17025-4/29/2002-19:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Another one of my dumb questions (Creda)
MESSAGE: That probably explains why I had never heard of the Jackson brand from the first time round. Now it runs alongside the Creda range, and appears in the same bochures, as the value-priced line.
I'm really not sure about the answer to your kilt question. My guess is that it would probably be dry clean only. As it is, my father hasn't worn one since he was a boy. There's a photo stashed away somewhere in my parents' attic, which I remember seeing a few years ago. There's also a pic of my late grandfather wearing nothing but a sporran, which just goes to show the sort of family I come from LOL.
***** Post# 17026-4/29/2002-20:04 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Maytag and WP TLs in UK)
MESSAGE: The US Maytag site has downloadable pdf manuals for most of their washer models. If you look on each individual product page, there will be a "Manuals" link on the left-hand side, which you can click to access the downloads page.
How many people have a need to wash horse blankets? More to the point, how many people actually have a horse in the first place? It does seem like a rather odd selling point, certainly not something that applies to the vast majority of consumers.
Ever been to Epcot at Disney World Florida? They've really gone to town on the international theme, but they definitely homed in on the "quaint" aspects of Britian, as one would expect. Basically a faux town square with a fountain and postbox, a fish & chip shop, a pub (minus tarty barmaid and brawling skinheads) and an olde shoppe selling fudge and humbugs. They completely forgot the litter, parking meters and kebab-smeared shop windows.
***** Post# 17027-4/29/2002-20:17 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: rubber tub info
MESSAGE: Greg, thanks for the pics and the info ... inquiring minds want to know!! LOL
***** Post# 17028-4/29/2002-22:41 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: I really am a big fan of Asko.
Asko are quite popular in Australia. From what I gathered from Choices reliablilty statistics, they are the biggest selling sole front loading brand, though not the number one reliability rating of Miele. I think the quality of the machines are really evident in the stores, esp when next to machines like Bendix. I cant understand what the problemwith them in the US was as many people I know who have Asko's rave about them.
No doubt Bubbles will give me another tounge lashing but This is just my 5cents worth on Asko's.
Time marches on and it's marching right over my face. Anyway, it's marching towards the 2002 Appliance Convention. Yes, I know it's 3 months away, but you have had almost a 3 month heads up prior to this posting so I hope most of you have had time to think about and make plans for the convention.
If anyone missed the post, it is number 13664, titled 2002 Appliance Convention and can be found by clicking the Archives button on the top of the forum page. I ask that everyone check that post to refresh their memory on the dates and how to contact me. I will NOT follow postings on the club about the convention. If you plan to attend please send me an e-mail with all the good info that I asked for in post 13664.
Below is a list of the people who have e-mailed me so far. It also seems that these same people want their own room. If anything has changed, please let me know.
In order to get the best rate on hotel rooms we need to book in advance. So the sooner we know who is coming, the better it will be for all of us. DC is not cheap. Please guy's lets make this as easy and fun as posible!!
Mike King
Doug Canale
George and Jeff
Scott Onasch
Glenn
Jimmy
Petski
Wringingwet
Scotty1 + 1 ?
Terry Lattz
Louis
Jason L
Todd Cox + 1
Patt Coffee ( Will not need room)
Greg Nunn
Rich and Gary
Appnut
HQOTS
***** Post# 17030-4/30/2002-02:07 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Maytag and WP TLs in UK)
MESSAGE: "tarty barmaid and brawling skinheads" -- wow, I've never found a pub like that. Mostly I find brawling barmaids and tarty skinheads.
***** Post# 17031-4/30/2002-04:25 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Oh what a cute story mein Herr,
I love animals too. Have two tom cats (Fidget and Pinky), three ferrets (Lulu (I think its an American blackfoot with incredibly soft fur), Sefra & Gibby (aka Mooshka)), one psychotic ex-male mini fox that ended up being rather maxi, called Nelly, Lizzy my mangled blue tongue lizzard, two aquariums full of weeds, snails and whatever is left of the fishies. Then there are the birds that come to sh*t on my balcony. There is Ollie the Kookaburra and his family, whom I can hand-feed, a whole bunch of Galas, that make such a racket every morning together with the Kookaburras, that I am considerng getting a gun. I already have a cattle prod for the rest of my rabied family. We also get Rozellas and other types of parrots and budgies. All very colorful, noisy and messy.
Oh, I have recently found remnants of a red-bellied black snake on my driveway, I think the cats may have had a go at it, it was missing its head, which is a shame, I get very upset when the cats prey on the native fauna. Then there is the resident Huntsman, that has been living downstairs, in our rec area, for the last two years. It takes care of all the other bugs that try to invade. Funnily, she only comes out at night, especially if we go for a swim, she'll sit on the ceiling and watch us with her beady little eyes. She is probably thinking about how she could ensnare and eat us. This little creature is very hairy, fluffy and as cute as a button, very well fed and can probably span a desert plate with her legs.
The only visitors that do come in uninvited at times, are the Funnel Webs, they love the pool so much, that they'll throw themselves in there to drown, which usually takes several days. I hate having to fish them out. One made it upstairs into to the kitchen once, but mum got to it in time. When we find them, we put them in a jar and bring them to our local hospital. We get heaps of male Funnel Webs roaming around our backyard, which is a bit of a worry because of my little nephew.
My cats aren't tumble deprived, they can have agitator action any time they want (which is much more exciting). Actually, I have a story for you. My aunt Dolly in Germany, a farmer's wife and excellent housekeeper, had her washer in the main hall, that divided the living quarters from the stables in her farm house. Most north German farm houses incorporate stables and living areas in the same building - if you didn't know this already. BTW this washer was a TOL FL Miele. One day she decided to load up her washer with towels for a boil wash, but became distracted and left the machine with the door open. She returned to the task a little later, shut the door, added the detergent and switched it on. Two hours later (the normal duration of a Miele boil wash), she went back to the machine, opened the door and began pulling out her towels and, to her surprise (perhaps not the right term), a dead cat fell out of the machine, all nice, clean, fluffy and very well-boiled. Of course, from then on she made sure that she never left the washer's door open after loading it up, she also became an alcoholic. Anyway, the moral of the story is that this wouldn't have happend had she used an agitator top loader.
***** Post# 17032-4/30/2002-04:52 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Hi Miele)
MESSAGE: Hi Miele (aka Richtoo),
To answer your question, wherever my fan(c)y takes me. Why, where do you flit?
With me it is mainly my uni's message board, this site and the occasional gay forum. You have to love the gay forums. After the obligatory intro with the, usually, cliched nicks, most questions will immediately focus on length, girth and hardness. I have an absolute ball (only figuratively speaking) when I get in there.
Regarding Whirlpool, I suppose it is obvious that they are aiming their American top loaders at the upper end of the UK market. People who can afford horse blankets, are obvioulsy able to afford the utility costs associated with such a wonderful appliance. Doesn't Princess Anne have one?
***** Post# 17033-4/30/2002-05:07 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Don't worry arrrhhhooo)
MESSAGE: Nope, no tongue lashing from me. At least not now, maybe next time.
***** Post# 17034-4/30/2002-07:41 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: I also wonder if Whirlpool took to heart the release that was covered in this forum that said GE was going to get more aggressive in introducing new appliances and this is their way of competing (or trying to)?
***** Post# 17035-4/30/2002-08:02 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: In California, of course...
***** Post# 17036-4/30/2002-08:50 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Askos in Aus)
MESSAGE: Hi Arrrooohhh.
There's good and bad about Askos as far as I'm concerned. The best feature must be the door on the drum, no boot. Although it does have a potential drawback, on mine the hinge was a wee bit worn so that on spin it rattled VERY noisily. I was able to do a dodgy fix by bending the hinge pin to take up the slack. On a more normal FL the hinge doesn't get such a shaking so it wouldn't matter.
I have heard from some in the trade that the cheapest model Asko in Aus was a real problem, several reliability woes. I think it was 10504 and 10505. Also 10505's don't work at all on Solar power systems - they are extremely fussy about the waveform and even a true sinewave inverter (the best type) won't work. It just doesn't go at all. The better ones (12000 series) were much better. Mine is a 12004. It works 100% on solar. It does seem to be designed to be gentle on itself which should give a long life. eg the motor is mounted on rubber which should protect it from vibration. It's the only FL I have seen like that. The pumps in some are crap - mine has one type of pump which is slightly worn and VERY noisy. The other Asko I fixed up is identical except for the pump, it is quiet and looks much more robust and better designed. The older one had the good pump, evidence of cost-cutting over the model's life.
Mounting the door on the drum does mean that there is almost no vibration transferred from the drum to the cabinet. Even when the spin is hysterically out of balance, and the Asko doesn't seem to do a very good job of balancing before spin, the cabinet still sits solid as a rock.
An elderly Bendix Duomatic I used to own went to God because its rubber door boot hardened so much that the whole machine would jump up and down on the spot during spin. It broke floor tiles! I tried, as a test, removing the rubber boot then placing a load of wet washing in and doing a spin. It spun perfectly. All the vibration was transferred through the hardened rubber boot. I tried Bendix spares but a new boot was no longer available. It was a regular problem with them
I was told - an unsuitable grade of rubber for a washer-drier.
The other thing I don't really like about the Asko is its programme. Despite the appearance of many options (five option buttons) it is surprisingly inflexible. For example if I want it to "rinse Hold" (stop before the final spin if I am not going to be home when it finishes) then I have to select the "no spin" button which also cancels the intermediate spin too. (poor rinsing) If I want a high water level for the wash, I can select that but it also selects gentle action, less rinses and cold fill ath the same time. And it only has one intermediate spin which means fairly unimpressive rinsing. (I like no trace of detergent smell) so I often have to manually select an extra rinse after it has finished. I ALWAYS select high rinse water level, left on "normal" it rinses woefully. I think that it was designed with only one intermediate rinse to increase reliability, as spinning is where the real wear and tear occurs. But its performance is in my opinion only "very good" not "excellent". I have rescued a Bendix washer about six to ten years old which does three spins but spins after every pump out, which should help with better rinsing. And it has a true "rinse hold" button which doesn't cancel the intermediate spin. So that may become my daily washer when it is resurrected.
Ohh, I do go on a bit.....
Best Wishes.
Chris.
***** Post# 17037-4/30/2002-08:56 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: Marks & Spencer/St. Michaels
MESSAGE: What can you UK Members tell me about St. Michael's WHITES liquid sachets? One of my coworkers just returned from London with a box of 10 for me. Each sachet contains about 2 ounces of blue-green liquid. The box says it is biological.
-ph
***** Post# 17038-4/30/2002-10:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Hi Miele)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs
Gay fora, oohh, well I did once cyber in one of those, it was teh most surreal experience. Many years ago (96ish), I had just got a PC and internet connection. A friend visited and we were both intruigued as to what gay stuff there was online, thus we found a gay chatline on IRC. The 2 of us sat at the PC, egging each other one whilst the BF sat aloof on the sofa. We certainly were not doing anything untoward, other than typing rude encouragements to the other guy, in fact we were drinking tea and partaking of Mr Kipling's French Fancies, which are nowehere near as pervy as they sound, they are small iced sponge cakes in pink yellow and brown, filled with buttercream and tres camp.
I gave up very early on with gay chat rooms, no one wanted to just chat pleasantly, it was all stats? cyber? or meet up. As a happily married bloke I really am not interested in that, I have better at home, love him. I can imagine how you wind them up in there though.
Princess Horse^W Anne may well have a horse blanket, though I would imagine even she would prefer a down duvet.
Actually I doubt thet WP is aiming at the top of market with their TLs. The top end would look for Miele, Bosch Asko or similar and would place less emphasis on cycle time. I suspect WP TLs are aimed at large families with mounds of laundry, so probably more lower to mid market, also price would suggest a more mid market approach. A quick showed £200 as the UK BOL starting point for washers generally with WP TLs at £400 and TOL Miele at £1100.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17039-4/30/2002-10:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I do hope that story about your Aunt is just a wind up, I would hate to think it true. If I did this, I too would probably become an alcoholic to escape the nightmares. I should point out that some agitator TLs can boil, our very own UK Hotpoint TL, sadly discontinued is such a beast, though I guess a cat would push the lid open to escape.
I love the sound of your feathered and fury animals, pass on the others tough. Ferrets are really cute too, do you do that silly thing that some ferret owneres do and stick them down your trousers; I think it is to prove what a man you were.
About what you found on your driveway, good on your cats, give them a hug from me. My love of animals does not extend to such creatures, sorry any herpophiles here. My hero is Saint Patrick, even tough I am English not Irish, that man had teh right idea, only these days I suppose the daft sods let people import the revolting creatures as so called pets.
Why do you take your dead funnel webs to the hospital, I am guessing that they make an antivenin from them.
Do you cats seek out agitator action, you must have to be careful to close the lid during spin or an inquisitive pussy might have a problem.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17040-4/30/2002-10:24 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Marks & Spencer/St. Michaels
MESSAGE: Hi Peter,
I can't give you any authorititive (sp) info as I have never used St Michael detergents, I am a fan of tehir food and clothes though.
In the UK most (all?) own-lable detergents are made by a Albright and Wilson, though I can not find a web site for them. A&W do not test on animals unlike P&G and Lever so many veggies buy own-labels.
Liquids do not contain bleach, as the oxygen bleach would breakdown in liquid form, so the fact it is labelled as 'Whites' would suggest the presence of optical brighteners. UK laundry detergents do not use chlorine bleaches, nor do many people add cl bleach to their wash, though O2 bleach in various guises is very popular.
Enjoy the product, please let us know what it is like, efectiveness and scent, and maybe some of us might be tempted to give it a try.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17041-4/30/2002-11:29 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: rubber tub (Squeeze Tub)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
I read your post below with interest and took your point about the extraction cycle always being out of sight which is a bummer. However, I was just browsing around the vintage consumer articles, mainly looking for more info on the double wringer ABC, when I found the pic in the link below, July 1950, page 2 in case the link does not work. There was apparantly a special demonstration machine with a clear lid and the pic shows how the tub looks in extraction. I bet some folk here would kill for one of those demonstrator machines.
I was kinda wondering, since these things appear to be made for Euro FL's, if one sachet would be effective in a 20+ gallon TL washer washing for about 10-12 minutes...
-ph
***** Post# 17043-4/30/2002-12:16 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Marks & Spencer/St. Michaels
MESSAGE: Hi Peter
You have got me there, I'll just ramble and think aloud, others may be able to contribute better.
Well, enzymes are supposed to do their job in about 10 - 15 mins so I guess the bio bit is OK. Our FLs do wash anything up to about 1.5 hours just on wash but a TL has greater mechanical action on the clothes so will achieve as much clothes bashing in a few mins as a FL does in many mins, however UK detergents will be formulated with long cycles in mind. If the detergent contained O2 bleach a long cycle would be needed to get the bleach performance, however as liquids do not contain bleach this aspect is not of concern. We do use the same detergents in our laundryette FLs which do a prewash, wash, 3 rinses with interim spins and a final spin in about 30 mins, though laundryette whites are particularly suspect according to my mother. When leaving home, she advised I should have no white clothes as I would not be able to keep them white in laundryettes. I, of course, ignored this advice and had beautiful whites, an overnight soak in a bucket before the trip to the laundryette saw to that and after I gave up on these places, soaking, boiling water and a posser kept them brilliant.
On dilution, euro FLs may only have 4 or 5 gallons in the wash cycle, so I suspect you may need to add more detergent, however in my soft water I get by with only a 1/4 or less or the recemended dose, so if you have soft water a single sachet may well suffice, try 2 if you have hard water.
I guess it is best to experiment, though you do have limited supplies. You could try emailing M&S, website below, click help at the top and half way down the help page there is a general product enquiry email address.
Another thought, you could try giving the whites maybe half an hour soak in your TL with the detergent before completing the cycle, might help removal of body fats and grease.
Hope my rambling helps.
Richtoo
LINK: http://www.marksandspencer.co.uk/
***** Post# 17044-4/30/2002-12:36 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: Hi All but esp Kirk
We were talking about how wonderful Egyptian cotton is. I received a John Lewis catalogue and it contains some lovely bedding and defines percale as a fabric with at least 180 threads per inch, so much for metrification! JL offers Egyptian cotton percale sheets or poly cotton percale sheets, so I guess this answers the point we were wondering about.
Ages ago, I think it was Kirk who recomended sometimes washing socks inside out. Well, I was just ironing my pillowcases, quite enjoyable as I was listening to Julie Andrews in the Kinh and I. I noticed that there was lint in teh corners of the pillowcases, so I guess these will benefit from an inside out wash, although I turn clothes inside out to reduce wear I had not thought of bedding. Next time I will try it. I am still using the ironing colection, she will be here in half an hour, but I try to do easy things to keep the bill reasonable, the service gets shirts and trousers for sure.
OT below - just bored and chatting
Apropos nothing, I am now listening to Gondoliers by Gilbert and Sullivan, my taste in music may be ecclectic but it aint butch. As well as the superb live New Sadlers Wells production I saw of Gondoliers, I adore a broadcast version I have from the Sydney Opera House in which the Duchess of Plaza-Toro was played by a bloke which worked brilliantly to bring out the comic grotesque of her character. Doyley Carte hmph!
Richtoo
***** Post# 17045-4/30/2002-15:25 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Velo washer pictures
MESSAGE: I had the pictures devellopped of the agitator washer I recently purchased. This time I put them in an MSN album, but I have the impression only members can see them. I just will have to try. If so I will post them in a Yahoo album as well. In the meantime for those who are able to see them, enjoy.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.msn.com/myfiles/folderview.aspx?Folder=*EtEZjHm6copPbILCtsuxhfQPR7x2K2IgXH9Am6*K!0%24
***** Post# 17046-4/30/2002-15:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Velo washer pictures (Another link)
MESSAGE: Well, that didn't work, at least not on my computer. So I put the picture in a Yahoo album. You might miss some details. The control panel has a dial for washing or draining. The button with the light is for turning the heating element on.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst?&.dir=/Velo+washer&.src=ph&.view=t
***** Post# 17047-4/30/2002-15:50 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE: Velo washer pictures (cool)
MESSAGE: Louis, this is a very neat washer! I'm amazed you found it. Congratulations. It must remind you very much of a Speed Queen, with the s/s tub and the much resembling agitator. I notice the heater it has too, which is even better. Too bad SQ never did that. I wonder what the maximum temperature is?
Were you happy with the results?
Eddy
***** Post# 17048-4/30/2002-16:09 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Hi Miele)
MESSAGE: Ooooohhhh mein Herr,
Now I say that we have something in common. I adore Mr Kipling's. In fact, I was munching on some French Fancies only yesterday. My other favorites are the Battenberg Treats, but they have changed. Once upon a time they had chocolate covered ends, now they have little pink squares and no chocolate. My sister and I buy them regularly and in bulk, since their supply isn't always constant and we have experienced Kipling depravation due to undersupply. That is always a problem in this country, there is no consistency with product supply when it comes to imports. My other favorite is Goober's peanut butter and grape jelly, Hershey Chocolate Kisses plus various other choccie bars and Reece's peanut butter and chocolate cups. Things like that are here one minute and gone the next.
Anyway, Mr Kipling is always welcome in my house for a bit of a nibble.
It's indeed a very neat washer. The Velo washers were made in Holland, I think they stopped making them a few years ago. There is no max. temperature, you just put the heating element on or off. You can even boil things with this washer if you want. The heating element is 2300 Watts. I am reasonably happy with the results, the roll over is not very impressive. There was a towel in the mixed load that still had some stains on it, that would have been easily removed in my Miele, but I think I will have to do some more experimenting with detergent etc.
Louis
***** Post# 17050-4/30/2002-16:49 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: No Mr Miele, unfortunately that story is true. My aunt loves her cats though. It was a cold winters day and one of the dozen or so cats that live on her farm, probabaly thought the washer full of soft towels was a good place to warm up and have a snooze in. That big hall where the washer stood was like a little enclosed thoroughfare for farm machinery, cats and other things, a very busy place. I think that she also got rid of those towels after that fateful wash.
NO, because I am a man, I do not put ferrets down my trousers. Even though mine are pretty affectionate and never draw blood when they nip, but I don't see the point - I am also not into self-inflicted pain.
No, my cats are naughty for doing that. All creatures have their place and there are very few native species still left in suburban Sydney, even snakes. To me at least,they are actually very beautiful and they have a really nice soft and silky texture. The same as my little blue tongue, it is an adorable little creature who absolutely loves being petted and waits for me to hand-feed it. It makes cute little noises when I touch it and loves sitting on my stomach. They are such benign little creatures, all they can do when they feel threatened is open their mouths real wide, stick their blue tongues out at you and go BLAAAAHHHH!!!, cracks me up every time. We get some really big ones in our back yard, the one I have in the house is injured and was given to me to care for.
I don't bring dead Funnel Webs to the hospital, no point in that. It is only the live ones that enjoy that privilege. Did you know that they can get as old as twelve years? I think that their longevity is totally amazing, they are actually an incredibly interesting spider. They become aggressive real easy and you should see them move when they've got the sh*ts. It is awesome when they come for you, but you really have to annoy them big time. Supposedly they are considered primitve spiders like the ones that used to roam the earth eons ago, even before there were dinosaurs. When I was living up in Cairns I went out with a fiend bushwalking at night time to look for crocs and we found heaps of hissing spiders, they are earth dwelling and when you shine your torch on the ground, particularly under trees, you can see their little eyes reflect back at you. Of course you wouldn't handle them, they are as big as a grown man's hand, their bite kicks butt and there is devided opinion on their toxicity. I wasn't going to volunteer as a test subject. I worried more about the wild boars, they are considered a pest up there. They were introduced, have multiplied extremely well and they are extremely dangerous. So I was always on the lookout for a good tree to climb up, just in case.
I love all creatures great and small.
BTW no pussies around me when I am spinning. My Speed Queen has my undivided attention and no one encroaches on our special relationship, especially not some wayward pussie.
***** Post# 17051-4/30/2002-17:17 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: Wonder what the reserve price is.....what a pair and look to be in nice shape too!
***** Post# 17052-4/30/2002-17:26 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: rubber tub (Squeeze Tub)
MESSAGE: Yes we would love to have a demonstrator lid! Since the opening is perfectly round, we tried to find a clear bowl that would be large enough and strong enough to withstand the pressure of the vacuum (and being used over and over again!) for the convention last year, but we ran out of time.
I like that article on the Economat tested, and subsequently not recommended by Consumer's Research. The bit about water filling up the lid chamber and spilling onto the floor was hilarious. In later models, Bendix changed the fill port to be located under the agitator so it filled from the bottom. There is still a system of valves to seal the entire system for extraction that release with a "hisssssss" at the end of the extraction cycle. Although the extraction left a lot to be desired, it did work but it was essential to use warm water for rinses as cold didn't give as good of results - clothes and rubber tub weren't as flexible when cold.
***** Post# 17053-4/30/2002-17:35 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Velo washer pictures (Another link)
MESSAGE: Fantastic little washer - do you spin them before rinsing? I love the shape of the agitator.
Thanks for the pics!
***** Post# 17054-4/30/2002-21:04 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: Reserve price is $100 for both auctions of pink appliances form them.
***** Post# 17055-4/30/2002-21:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Servis MK1 Comes Home...Yayyyyyy!!!! (Maytag and WP TLs in UK)
MESSAGE: ROFLMAO!!!
Does JL offer a mail-order service? Whenever I want to buy anything from them, I have to wait for one of my visits to P'boro or Cambridge. The website doesn't seem to mention it, however, but I do have a talent for missing things which are right in front of my nose.
I think once you've had Egyptian cotton, you'll find it difficult to go back to anything else. I remember the first set of bed linens I ever bought - polycotton, because I didn't know better back then - and the sheets ended up pilling. The sensation was akin to falling asleep on top of a cheese grater.
I think it was Sudsy Rich who first mentioned washing socks inside-out to stop lint collecting inside. If you find lint just as you're about to iron something, though, just pop it in the dryer on the cool cycle for about 10 minutes. This works especially well for things which attract lint during the wash, whether you turn them inside-out or not.
***** Post# 17057-4/30/2002-22:06 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Velo washer pictures (Another link)
MESSAGE: That's looks like an interesting washer, Louis. It shares some similarities with the retro Servis twin tub sold here a few years ago. I assume yours is completely manual, and washes continuously until you stop it?
***** Post# 17058-4/30/2002-22:08 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Your pusses are gorgeous!
I have a particular thing for black cats.
We used to have a lovely black cat, Lucky.
One weekend when we were still living in the city the hubby and I returned after a weekend at our place in the country. We saw a tiny tabby kitten on our front porch, only 4 - 6 weeks old. She marched right up to us bold as brass. We picked her up and gave her a cuddle, then thought, "what if there are more?" so looked under the house near where she emerged from. A tiny black bundle was also there, just out of reach. Eventually he emerged but hissed, spat and scratched when I picked him up. We put then inside in a box with towels and phoned a cat-nut friend for advice on what to feed such tiny kittens when there was a knock at the door. It was our next-door nieghbours, another pair of queens and cat mad too, very sternly telling me off for going away and leaving our kittens! I explainned they weren't ours, they just turned up whilst we were away. They settled in, the black boy we named Lucky and the tabby girl Millie. Lucky was always a little flighty but a real charmer, Millie was always bold and outgoing. Initially we were all strict and sensible, saying they could sleep in a box in the laundry but in no time theywere sleeping on the bed with us. One hot night Lucky escaped through a hole in a flywire screen and was hit by a car, and had to be put down as his injuries were horrific. We were devastated.
After a couple of months we decided to get a companion for Millie again. We went to the Cat Protection Society as they are the only shelter in Melbourne who never put cats down unless they are sick or uncontrollably wild. If they are checked as suitable pets then they can stay for years if need be till they find a home. Other shelters put them down if they aren't housed in a couple of weeks. We looked at dozens of kittens and cats in their pens, we were really looking for a pure black or pure white and a youngster so Miss Millie wouldn't feel threatened. We had come to the last pen and were expecting to go home empty-handed, the pens had a small steel shed inside as a sleeping quarters. The cats were all out on the wire enclosure, the only cat we had been interested in was a bit mental, it fastened on to my shoulder with all claws and wouldn't let go. I peered into the sleeping shed and there was a cat asleep in a basket. It lifted its head and looked at me and said "Miaow". I had never seen anything like it, the funniest markings, all white but with a tabby patch on its herad and a tabby tail, but the tail was a darker shade than the head. It looked like the wrong tail had been grafted on. (We considered naming him Bobbit...) He sat right up so I picked him up and showed him to Stephen. He purred loudly and snuggled into my chin as soon as I picked him up. I was hooked. Fortunately the hubby agreed. The cat had no known history, he was dropped off in their unwanted cat boxes overnight. He was about six months old. We named him Monty. He is a joy. He purred all the way home in the back of the car, really loud. We have since found out that his markings are characteristic of Turkish Van cats, as are his obsession with water - he used to sit on the washing machine when he was younger, waiting for it to pump out into the sink and wiuld splash at the water as it came out of the hose. He is a real talker, too. He greets me with a cheery "mrrrp" whenever our paths cross. Millie is a darling too, she is an obsessive kisser and cuddler, smooching up to me whenever she gets the opportunity. After Lucky's accident we rarely let then run loose, we have a wire fenced enclosure in the back yard with a shed for shelter. We let them out for a run twice a week or so. Evenings and nights they are inside with us. They walk on a lead, too - we trained them to do this since kitten age. The trick is to remember the cat is boss - you follow the cat, don't try to take the cat where you want it to go. Monty in particular likes to walk on the lead, and taps at the lead where it hangs on the wall when he wants to go for a walk. He just adores human company, I think he prefers to walk on the lead so someone is always with him.
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17059-4/30/2002-22:43 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: $100 is not the reserve price, only the opening bid. The reserve means you may have to bid a little, or a lot higher than opening bid amount to actually meet the seller's "price" and win the auction. I don't like all that secrecy, I'd rather just know what they want for it right up front!
***** Post# 17060-4/30/2002-22:48 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: Pink Spacemates?
Gay Astronauts?
***** Post# 17061-4/30/2002-22:58 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: The American version of Egyption cotton is called Pima cotton, and there is a select variety called Supima. There's nothing all that magic about it; it's the length of the cotton fiber that determines how fine the resulting fabric can be. Yes, size does count when it comes to cotton. I think Egyptian is the longest, at 2 1/2 inches, Then Pima at 1-1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, and Supima at 2 to 2 1/2 inches.
Also I have some 200 thread count cotton poly sheeting that one would be hard pressed (no pun intended) to distinguish from a quality cotton sheet. Not quite as soft as 100 pure Egyptian cotton (which I also have), but close. And it's never pilled on me.
***** Post# 17062-4/30/2002-23:02 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Both my cats are rescues. Katy was one of a pair of 10 week old kittens found abandoned on a street under a freeway near a coffee shop. I took one look and couldn't say no. She fit in the palm of my hand when I got her. She was half-starved and ate like a lion for the first few weeks. The other cat, Cocoa, was a 6 month old beautiful long hair Siamese (kind of like a Burmese, the cat in "Meet the Parents"). His litter mates and mother had already been taken to the pound by his owner's cat-phobic husband, so she called me in a panic and offered him to me. He was kind of a skittish nut case for months, but has calmed down considerably and usually doesn't run out of the room when I come in.
Both are good hunters but Cocoa regularly bags rats. He chases strange cats off the property. All that hair must be intimidating because he never has a scratch on him, even from the rats.
***** Post# 17063-4/30/2002-23:09 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: "The Malvinas" or "Las Malvinas" was what the Argies called the Faulkland Islands when they tried to "re-occupy" them. Thatch the Snatch, she snatched them back, now didn't she?
I don't run across too many Argentinians in this corner of the globe, however, I do encounter a fair number of persons of Portuguese or Brazilian extraction here. That's because San Leandro was a main immigration destination for the Portuguese for many years. This was prime farming, ranching, and orchard country before it became a city. We still have a Cherry Festival every spring. But, alas, no Mardi Gras.
***** Post# 17064-4/30/2002-23:39 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Askos in Aus)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris.
I find everything you say very interesting.
I really like the current series, the W6.. whatever models. Are they more flexible in their programs?
I really like the W6551. I dont like the drop down doors.
***** Post# 17065-5/1/2002-02:14 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Velo washer pictures (Another link)
MESSAGE: Greg, yes I spin before rinsing. In the old days people took the laundry out and reused the wash water. They rinsed manully in big tubs. I see no point in doing things by hand and don't need to save the water, so I put the laundry back into the washer.
Velo was the manufacturer that built the retro Servis twintub. So it's not a coincidence they look similar. This washer is indeed fully manual. The models without a pump have a timer instead of the wash and pump selector. The timer goes to a maximum of 15 minutes.
Louis
***** Post# 17067-5/1/2002-02:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Pink Spacemates on eBay
MESSAGE: I don't like that system either. But eBay seems to dominate the market. Overhere in Holland eBay isn't a very big succes, there is a dutch board that does things better and this system is more open. I like that a lot better.
The whole JL website is a mail order set up, complete with a basket on the right of the screen, though only a tiny bit of their range is availble.
I agree with you about Egyptian cotton, though I suspect that real linen would be even better, now if only I could afford that.
With polycotton, it is not just the piling that is so awful, I find the flimsy lack of body to the sheets awful too. Mind you, if you think polycotton sheets are bad, you really should try nylon sheets, that really is an unimaginable horror. My Grandma used to have brushed nylon on her spare bed, when I stayed as a kid, as well as teh usual nylon probs, with brushed nylon hard skin on your feet catches on it every time you move, gross.
Thanks for the lint tip.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17069-5/1/2002-04:45 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: pink Laundromat Space Mates circa 1956
MESSAGE: I Emailed the seller on ebay last night and got some specifics from him on these twins The washer is model #LH-3B-6 its style number is Q308,its serial number is S290592.The dryer's model number is DH-3B-6,the style is Q21777,and the serial number is T117587I hope that somebody here will win and be able to restore and have fun watching the twins operate!!!!!!!
The penny drops, now I know what Kirk was referring to. I had forgotten about the retro look Servis TT, I only ever saw it in mail order catalogues and have never seen one in the flesh, I will have to search around the TT emporium site to see if I can find a photo.
The model without a pump sound like it could be a pain to empty. Thanks for taking and posting teh pics. I noticed your comment about the lack or roll over, but even so that agitator has rather lovely curves.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17071-5/1/2002-12:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
I am sorry to disappoint, but that bloody woman's nick name of Snatcher referred to her stopping free bottles of milk for school sprogs when she was Education Secretary before she became Prime Minister, hence 'Thatcher, Thatcher Milk Snatcher'. Actually school milk was so gross, having sat in the sun all morning, that we had to be forced to drink it, so she probably did the kids a favour.
I have 2 lasting memories of the Falklands, being worried that Argentina had invaded some of those little islands off Scotland, too close for comfort and secondly, her hair. Despite teh news reporting that she had taken Carmens, the wind was so fierce that all her hair was blowing out of her headscarfe. It was the only time we ever saw her without an immaculate bouf. Even when she emerged from teh rubble of teh Grand Hotel in Brighton after the bombing, she was perfectly groomed.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17072-5/1/2002-13:01 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Askos in Aus)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh
The manual for the W6661 is very interesting with regard to programming, link below, enjoy.
Drop down doors can be useful to aid unloading, though can make reaching in harder.
Interesting that on the W6661 model page, Asko gives a comparison with Maytag Neptune, yet sells this model rebadged as a Maytag in the UK.
***** Post# 17073-5/1/2002-13:46 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: There is more news in appliance land.
In the first place AEG finally comes out with two real 6kg washers. It are the Lavamat 86760 and the 84760. They succeeded to squeeze a 56 litres drum into a standard sized cabinet. I am eagerly waiting for a European manufacturer to bring out a matching dryer to their higher capacity washers.
In my appliances magazine there is also an article about a new Daewoo Midas. This is a new model that doesn't need detergent. It works with a special ionisator (spelling?) and only uses cold water. The new Midas is a frontloader and seems to work better than Midas number one, which was an Asian style toploader.
Last but not least there is Bauknecht that finally brings out the European version of the Duet/Hettie. It's called the Bauknecht BIG and it might be that that name has something to do with the man in the picture... Follow the link to see man and machine.
And then there are some other things. Daewoo introduces a microwave with built in toaster. Lots of new fridges by Samsung and other brands. Siemens, Samsung and LG all have new vacuums that move themself around, so you only have to lift your feet from the floor to let them do their work. Hoover however has a new vacuum with the name "Follow me". It has an infrared system that makes the vacuum follow you without having to pool the vacuum around by the hose. The floorbrush is heartshaped!! Whirlpool seems to have the biggest fridge and the smallest microwave called Maximo.
Too much for me at the moment, I'll stick to the classics for now.
Louis
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/vwp?.dir=/More+washers&.src=ph&.dnm=Bauknecht+Big.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/foraloysius/lst%3f%26.dir=/More%2bwashers%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17074-5/1/2002-14:23 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: I think The Snatch had a chemistry background, didn't she? In any case, obviously advanced chemical technology was at work in keeping her hair - or what appeared to be hair - in perfect order. Perhaps it was even some newfangled sci-fi force field that the brainiacs in Bletchley Park dreamed up during WWII.
***** Post# 17075-5/1/2002-17:51 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Hi again Suds,
Yep, IIRC she was an industrial chemist, a lawyer and a housewife. Did you get Spitting Image in the US, where she was variously portrayed as a bloke in a wig and as a poodle licking Regan's situpon. Perhaps this is a good time to remember how Spitting Image portrayed HRH the Queen Mother, quite an affectionate representation, but with a Brummie (Birmingham UK born person) accent.
Of course her family was a source of amusement, Denis who my grandmother called 'One Step Behind', as he was always one step behind her, Cawol who could not say her 'r's and that son who got lost in the desert. The poor thing is quite ga-ga these days, she never recovered from being deposed by her back-stabbing colleagues. One of the funniest momenst shown on UK news was when British Airways launched their new trendy tailfin decorations, she delved in handbag, retreived a freshly boiled beautiful white handkerchief and pointedly placed it over the tail of a model BA plane, it was hilarious.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17076-5/1/2002-18:00 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (Ion Washer)
MESSAGE: Now a whole machine is made in the same tradition as the ion laundry balls to "ease the burden excess cash has on the overly gullible!"
Loved the BIG picture!!
***** Post# 17077-5/1/2002-18:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Hi Louis,
I see what you mean about the Bauknecht Big Man, what lovely big shoulders, Bubs will wet himself, mind you, if I were single I would not kick that one from pic 2 in your album out of bed either. About time Bauknecht introduced that washer over here, Euro made but sold to US first, they get everything first it's not fair. Doesn't the Hettie have abigger capacity than the Neppie which is 8kg?
Good to see AEg do the 6kg washers. Don't Hoover and Whirlpool to 6kg dryers now?
That Daewoo Midas washer sounds like snake oil to me, rather like those laundry disks that change teh mollecular structure of water allegedly. Will be interesting to see how Which and its Euro sisters rate it.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17078-5/1/2002-18:03 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (Ion Washer)
MESSAGE: Hi Greg,
I was just posting similar sentiments as your post was arriving. I love your quote, from where did you get it? I shall have to remember and use that one.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17079-5/1/2002-18:08 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (Ion Washer)
MESSAGE: Hee hee -
Wish I'd thought of it first - someone's gleefully dancing to the bank with these laundry balls - and stopping off on the way back to the mansion to grab a box of Tide!
LINK: http://www.syntac.net/hoax/Laundry/index.php
***** Post# 17080-5/1/2002-18:16 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Askos in Aus)
MESSAGE: I was in a rush when posting and have just rechecked my link. The W6661 gives the QSG, quick start guide. For the full manual you need the W6000 series use and care, direct link to the pdf below. Very interesting read of how to programme this washer, very flexible but quite involved to do.
***** Post# 17081-5/1/2002-18:27 ||| magic clean (Florida)
SUBJECT: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: May 2002, Readers Digest. Donald Rumsfeld to this day loads and unloads the dishwasher! He insists, because he can do it better than anybody else. Sounds like we've got a potential club member!!!
***** Post# 17082-5/1/2002-18:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi again Suds,
Katy and Cocoa sound georgous, any pics. I love Siamese cats but have not seen a long haired one. I would love a Siamese, preferably a blue, but doubt the other half could put up with their notorious behaviour, they seem to be very strong willed, more so than any other cat.
I remember Jacob as a baby, he fitted into the palm of my hand, of course he lived with his mummy then and did not become my number 1 for several months. They are so cute when they are so little.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17083-5/1/2002-18:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: Hi again
Egyptian cotton starched with proper starch and ironed well is the business. Since the threads here about starching, I have tried real boiling water starch and love it. Previously I had only used synthetic liquid starch and only on furishings, now I am starching all my household linens, bedding, napkins, teatowels etc.
A 200 count poly cotton should be good, butI would imagine it would cost almost as much as good pure cotton, so I would guess teh lack of ironing is its appeal.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17084-5/1/2002-18:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Well, Cocoa is the pretty one, which is rather ironic considering his macho rat killing attitude. Then there's his little peep of a meow, which further belies his image. Katy is the one with the smarts, though. Small as she is, she's actually caught hummingbirds and brought them inside the house perfectly live and healthy.
I'll have to see if I can fire up the Olympus digital and catch them unawares. Stay tuned.
***** Post# 17085-5/1/2002-18:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: Well the wrinkle-free character of the 200 count cotton/poly *is* very nice. In fact I think I forgot they were a blend and assumed they were 100% cotton. Although I really can't be bothered with ironing 100% cotton sheets either. And now with all the various finishes they can do, there are probably no-iron 100% cotton sheets out there as well. I have a number of wrinkle-free 100% cotton short sleeved shirts that do just fine with the perm press setting in the dryer.
***** Post# 17086-5/1/2002-18:43 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Never heard of Spitting Image, is it a magazine or a TV show?
Not sure of the meaning you meant to attach to the Snatcher going "ga-ga". I suppose it means mildly insane or obsessive over here (as in, she went completely ga-ga over him). In that light, was the hanky jet model incident done on purpose for a laugh, or has the woman lost all sense of proportion?
***** Post# 17087-5/1/2002-18:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: Either that or he's ready to be a congressman from Texas.
***** Post# 17088-5/1/2002-18:50 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
Thanks for you kind comments about my pussies, I am very proud of my boys. Funny thing is I never had a particular thing for black cats, of course I liked them, but as a non-cat person I only really liked ginger (orange) cats and Siamese. Having black cats just happened, but hen it seems that having cats is often something that happens rather than being a conscious choice, really they do choose their human slaves rather than us choose them. Naturally, I am now a black cat lover.
It seems like your cats chose you. I was sorry to read about Lucky, its something I dread with my 2, but they do tend to stay in the back gardens away from the road.
It sound like Monty chose you too. A friend of mine wanted a cat and asked me to drive him to the shelter. He ignored my advice to allow the right cat to choose him and thusly ignored a pretty tabby girl who was desparately giving him the eye. Instead, he chose a very large handsome ginger boy, Toby, who was not in teh slightest interested in my friend. Toby did not last long with him, he buggered off to live with the lesbians next door, along with their half dozen cats and a golden retreiver with whom Toby had made friends. Toby was a very sociable cat and it did not suit him to live with a single bloke who was out a lot, but I bet Miss Tabby would have loved it.
I love your description of Monty's vocalisations. I love vocal cats and Jacob does not disappoint. He often likes to announce his arrival in the room, he has a very loud deep mioow, whereas Tiger's is high and yappy and mainly used to answer me back.
***** Post# 17090-5/1/2002-18:58 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds
Spitting Image was a very satirical show from the 80s, with latex model characatures of UK and major world politicians, royalty and celebs. It was extremely disrespectful, brilliant, outrageous and very funny. It maybe did not get shown in the US as it mainly satired British politics and was extremely disrespectful to Regan.
Ga-ga does mean mildly insane as you suggest, and teh hankie incident certainly was not done purposely for a laugh, the woman had had her sense of humour surgically removed, after a 12 year wait on an NHS list.
If you can se Spitting Image on cable, DVD or VHS, I can't recommend it highly enough.
***** Post# 17091-5/1/2002-19:02 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (Ion Washer)
MESSAGE: Thanx for the link Gansky.
The Koreans love a gimmick and they always have to put at least one in their appliances.
LG's appliances all have a gimmick. Their vacuum cleaners come with this stupid little head that vibrates in order to kill those dust mites that live in your curtains, pillows and doonas. Useless little thing, I have only every used it once and then just to play with it.
Their fridges have cold air ducted to the door shelves, which might actually be useful, and then their is the stupid 3 mini pulsators on their big pulsator, called the punch+3 pulsator. The stupid little things dont do anything but ride around on the big one.
Now they have a new microwave oven that has 41 "Aussie" menu's preset into it. I think I would die if I knew what they considered an "Aussie" menu to be! I wonder if it contains a recipe for roast kangaroo or emu stir fry! MMMM ;)
***** Post# 17092-5/1/2002-19:06 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: I heard recently on the news that she will be no longer making public speaking engagements as she is losing her voice!
Shame she didnt loose it years ago.
What amazes me is, for such a horrible woman, she managed to stay in power for so long.
The Human League sang a song about the 80's the decade they were famous in, and contained lines about how 80's sitcomes didnt compesate for legalised class hate.
Man I am starting to rave on incoherently now!
***** Post# 17093-5/1/2002-19:07 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK? (Askos in Aus)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the link. Its also available on the Asko Aus site. I will have to sit down one day when I have a lot of time to read it.
Today I have an assignment to do though. Blllaaarrrhhh!
***** Post# 17094-5/1/2002-19:10 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: OOhhh. I just love AEG.
Their machines are advertised in Aus as being 6 kgs anyway. The 88830 is advertised as 6.5 kg! I have said before what I think about claimed capacity so I wont say it again.
What magazine do you read and how on earth do you get a copy?
***** Post# 17095-5/1/2002-19:10 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Well, She was one of my heroines when I was little, and I still adore Mrs Slocumbe. She is the best character in Are You Being Served.
Can any one else remember the words to teh theme, I still like to sing them to myself, though may have them a little wrong - OK I cheated an looked them up -
Ground floor perfumery,
stationery and leather goods,
wigs and haberdashery
kitchenware and food...going up
First floor telephones,
gents ready-made suits,
shirts, socks, ties, hats,
underwear and shoes...going up
Second floor carpets,
travel goods and bedding,
material, soft furnishings,
restaurant and teas. Going down!
Link below for those who have not heard it or need another fix. Be warned, it is as persistent as that wonderful Pruitts of Southampton theme and about as butch too. The wonderfull thing is that our local department stores seemed to have modeled their floor layouts on the AYBS theme song.
***** Post# 17096-5/1/2002-19:12 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: As a matter of fact, I do recall seeing the Spitting Image program briefly on public TV here. Unfortunately it was a bit painful to watch as Reagan was all too real a character for me, and surrealistic in his own right. (My apologies to those many Americans who still think he was our greatest President).
Thatcher also seemed like a bad dream to me. About the same time you folks were calling her the Milk Snatcher, Reagan's administration decided that since ketchup was made from tomatoes, it could qualify as the vegetable portion in a well balanced meal served to deprived children in school lunch programs. This put me off ketchup for many years.
***** Post# 17097-5/1/2002-19:19 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: And where is Grace Bros appliance dept???
Hmmm?
We have Grace Bros is NSW, but in other states its known as Myers. I like looking through their appliance depts but for some strange reason they dont stock Hoover vacuum cleaners.
***** Post# 17098-5/1/2002-19:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh
Well I would have guessed appliances to be in the basement, but I remember hearing Mrs Slocumbe refer to the bargain basement so I must be wrong. Our local dept stores have major apps in the basement.
I think it wonderful that you have real life Grace Bros, wish we did too.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17099-5/1/2002-19:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Again,
The news you heard is right, but it does not stop her writing, bugger!
As regards her longevity, well, even though I was not a fan, I have to admit she had charisma and the courage to stand by her convictions no matter how wrong they were.
Talking of 80s music, remember Morrisey, didn't he have a song 'Margaret on the Guiollotine'?
Rave away dear boy, great to see you here.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17100-5/1/2002-19:41 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Sydney city Grace Bros has appliances on the top floor. There you can look at lots of Mieles, AEG's Askos and Boschs. As well as more ho hum Hoovers Simpson and Fisher and Paykels.
If you really want to go beserk there is a store in Camperdown, near to the cith called Designer Homewhere that stocks all the European and American brands and is so much fun to look at. The staff werent pushy either and let me look to my hearts content without following me around trying to make a sale.
I worked in David Jones once and asked about the inside leg measurement as we were talking about AYBS. Our section head who used to worj in menswear said it was illeagal to take inside leg measurements!
I guess your 200 count polycotton sheets would be similar to what we call Percale. It's actually quite good stuff, and feels much smoother and softer than regular bog-standard polycotton, which always seems to feel rough after time.
I thought the similarities were rather strong. The stainless steel tub, and those grooves in the lower-front casing, are exactly like those in the Servis, from what I've seen in pictures.
Your washer sounds like it would be great for whites... cold start, bring it up to a boil, and agitate for as long as you like. Might make your electricity meter whizz, but you'd have the whitest whites in the whole of the Netherlands!
***** Post# 17103-5/1/2002-21:07 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: Eeeeeewww, I don't even want to think about nylon sheets! I run hot at night, and often saturate the bed through sweating so much. Gross, I know, so I won't tell you about the fact I drool as well LOL. With nylon sheets, I'd end up swimming out of bed in the mornings!
Bleuch!
***** Post# 17104-5/1/2002-21:10 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: Not to mention that nylon sheets would be a nightmare in a fire situation.
***** Post# 17105-5/1/2002-21:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: School milk, I remember that :o) Mind you, this was when I was aged about six or seven, and living in Scotland at the time. None of the schools I ever went to in England had it, but the English and Scottish school systems do tend to vary on numerous other things, too.
***** Post# 17106-5/1/2002-21:17 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Ooer, what a lovely picture :o) The washer is nice, too!
That washer will be launched as the Whirlpool Dreamspace in the UK, and apparently was already on display at one of the trade shows recently. I hear it does the full 220 volt thing, boil washes and all, and is going to sell for approximately £1000. Watch out, Maytag.
I remember reading about that Daewoo microwave in one of the trade magazines. They were referring to it as a "beans on toast machine", which hardly sounds all that glamourous. Good idea for freeing up countertop space, though.
***** Post# 17107-5/1/2002-21:19 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet
MESSAGE: Don't know if this is true or not, but I heard Mrs Thatcher had something to do with the invention of Mr Whippy ice cream. Although maybe my pal was winding me up on that one. He seemed very sincere, but then I fall for that every time :o/
***** Post# 17108-5/1/2002-21:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Spitting Image was always one of my favourite shows, you can tell I was a child of the 80s. The Queen Mother's accent was a very funny touch, although Mrs Thatcher was always my favourite character.
Remember "Chicken in the air"? I've forgotten most of the lyrics now, but I do remember my cousin buying the record when it came out. Vaguely remember the video for the single, too.
Maggie was, I think, reflecting the mood of the British public when she covered up that tailfin on the model BA plane. I seem to remember a lot of people being up in arms about that. Didn't they revert back to having an Union Jack on their tailfins sometime later?
***** Post# 17109-5/1/2002-21:33 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: I heard the Duet was bigger than the Neptune as well, but all the write-ups over here refer to the dreamspace being an 8 kilo machine like the Neptune. It's definitely the same machine, might just be a case of them erring on the side of caution when it comes to making capacity claims.
I've never been convinced by those laundry disks. QVC have been selling them recently, and doing a demo of them in a Candy washer of all things. Funny thing is, they never use a white load, only coloured - perhaps because whites may turn dingy afer time?
Another thing QVC have been selling recently are things called "Scrub Balls", which are rather large rubber balls with deep grooves in them. They claimed that the balls somehow improve laundry circulation. Mind you, for the demo they were using a clear perspex tub, which had a Whirlpool dual action agitator running at high speed. The tub was filled to the top with water, and there was only a handful of sheer fabrics in it... no wonder the circulation was so good.
***** Post# 17110-5/1/2002-21:56 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Forget the washer!!!! I want the guy!!! WOOOOFFFFFFDA!!!!! He makes the maytag man look like wus.
***** Post# 17111-5/1/2002-22:03 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: But I wonder what happens, Leslie, when he has to make trips overseas and is gone for several days. Do the dishes just sit around??? LOL.
***** Post# 17112-5/1/2002-22:05 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: Hey Rich, what's your beef with Texas? Why r u trying to do that to us?
***** Post# 17113-5/1/2002-22:09 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Egyptian Cotton, Percale & Internal Lint
MESSAGE: That is so disgusting.
***** Post# 17114-5/1/2002-22:11 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Kirk, an appropriate name--DreamSpace. That Big Man most definitely creates spacey dreams. And, I wouldn't need 220v for boil wash if he was there, I'd generate enough heat just looking at him to infuse thorugh the window!!!!!
***** Post# 17115-5/1/2002-22:56 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Anybody remember the wonderfully dry sitcom, "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin"? Frozen deserts have never been quite the same.
***** Post# 17116-5/1/2002-22:58 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: Congressmen Ganske, I believe. Maybe it was North Dakota or Nebraska.
***** Post# 17117-5/1/2002-23:05 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: Iowa
***** Post# 17118-5/1/2002-00:01 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (Spitting Image)
MESSAGE: We did get Spitting Image for a while. In fact, it was so popular that there was an American version made. It was hosted by the guy who played Martin Mull's sidekick on Fernwood Tonight - can't remember his name. The Snatch was portrayed as being Ronald Reagan's love slave.
Rich - Spitting Image was a TV show with puppets that were charicatures of famous people. Started in UK, then there was an American version.
LINK: http://www.mbcnet.org/ETV/S/htmlS/spittingimag/spittingimag.htm
***** Post# 17119-5/1/2002-00:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (An ounce of prevention makes the heart grow fonder)
MESSAGE: I didn't get where I am today by watching The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin.
Remember the scene where he asks Joan (his secretary) what she's planning for the weekend and she responds that she's doing laundry. He fantasizes that they are making love in a launderette.
Haven't seen it in a while. Absence is worth a pound of cure.
***** Post# 17120-5/1/2002-00:20 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: I don't think Ganske is from Texas. But we have our own share - Army, Graham, etc. But then, most of them quit during the Enron mess (coincidence).
***** Post# 17121-5/1/2002-01:44 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Missing posts
MESSAGE: I cant read posts from 17099 to 17120
***** Post# 17122-5/1/2002-01:51 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Missing posts
MESSAGE: They show up in the archives, but disappeared from the forum.
***** Post# 17123-5/2/2002-02:37 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: It's picture time!
MESSAGE: Pictures of my wonderful trip to England to visit Mikey! It was truly a fabulous trip and I cannot wait to go back. We had so much fun sightseeing, playing with the doggies and collections, and just visiting! Very peaceful and relaxing. England is a beautiful country and the people are just divine.
The pictures are in two albums; one contains general pictures; the other contains appliance-related pictures. Enjoy!
***** Post# 17125-5/2/2002-02:39 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I sure do remember it, a parady of the ghastly 'Black Lace' though I liked there song 'Gangbang' as featured in the brilliant film 'Rita, Bob and Sue'.
I could only find teh words to the Chicken song, no audio sorry.
In reply to the post below which disapppeared-
Post# 17108-5/1/2002-21:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Spitting Image was always one of my favourite shows, you can tell I was a child of the 80s. The Queen Mother's accent was a very funny touch, although Mrs Thatcher was always my favourite character.
Remember "Chicken in the air"? I've forgotten most of the lyrics now, but I do remember my cousin buying the record when it came out. Vaguely remember the video for the single, too.
Maggie was, I think, reflecting the mood of the British public when she covered up that tailfin on the model BA plane. I seem to remember a lot of people being up in arms about that. Didn't they revert back to having an Union Jack on their tailfins sometime later?
***** Post# 17126-5/2/2002-07:35 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: Wow. Those pics are great! I didn't think the Hotpoint was a small machine (portable). It looked like a standard washer from the pics. It looks awesome. So how much clothes can you put in that Servis machine?
The UK is so cool. The American Coaster Enthusiasts are doing a tour of Europe this summer and I wish I could go. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Alton Towers, all that. The UK has some of the oldest coasters in operation today, along with other rides that have been long forgotten in the US (Virginia Reel, Helter Skelter, etc.)
***** Post# 17127-5/2/2002-07:39 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: What great pictures Scott and Mike! Looks like you guys had a great time about town and in the laundry. Chester looks like a beautiful city, so very clean and neat. Didn't happen to run in to Prince Will did you??
Glad you had a great time and enjoyed the UK Scott!
***** Post# 17128-5/2/2002-08:48 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Sudsmaster.
I Looove Siamese cats. I have never been owned by one but that is on my list. I have heard that they generally have a very loud/strong voice which they like to use alot. Is that true of Cocoa?
What does Katy look like?
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17129-5/2/2002-09:12 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: It's picture time!
MESSAGE: WOW, great Pictures Scott. Looks like you had a wonderful time on your european adventure. That Hotpoint is a really fun looking machine. What's amazing is the agitator design, it looks just like an Easy Spiralator or a 1970's Canadian McCLary. And the fact that the filter-flo stream comes from the 12:00 position of the machine is so very 1950's GE Filter-Flo!
***** Post# 17130-5/2/2002-09:17 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Yes you are right, cats choose their people.
Our first cat as a couple (I had had them before as a child and as a single) was Sooty, a gorgeous Russian Blue look-alike. Hubby was out in the driveway washing his car when a cat approached. Hubby didn't like cats much at the time and was mildly allergic to them, so he shooed it away. Meanwhile inside the kitchen I looked into the back yard and saw this lovely grey cat. The cat saw me watching it and walked straight in the back door, walked up to me and started rubbbing around my feet. It was terribly thin and its coat rough and poor so I fed it some tinned salmon (didn't have any cat food in the house of course) which it gobbled down hungrily. We went from "it can sleep in the laundry" to it spending most of its time in our house and completely winning the hubby over. (and his allergy disappearing over a few weeks).
Sooty was an older gent when we first met, his teeth were poor so the vet removed most of them, which meant his tongue poked out most of the time. He eventually had kidney failure, the vet gave him vitamin shots to keep him going a while longer but his days were numbered. When he got too frail and feeble one weekend we decided to have him put down. We booked him in th the vet for the Tuesday so on Monday night I went to the shops to give him a last feed of his favourites, fresh fish and fresh lambs heart. When I returned home with his treats I found him under our bed. He had died while I was out. I have never cried like I did then, before or since. Still, he performed his mission in life, to convert the hubby into a mad cat lover. We would never consider living without a couple of cats now.
Chris.
***** Post# 17131-5/2/2002-09:21 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: We had a similar show here in Aus poking fun at Aussie politicians and public figures, it was called "Rubbery Figures". A great show. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Chris.
***** Post# 17132-5/2/2002-09:29 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Bronski Beat or perhaps their later incarnation the Communards had a great song about That Woman. Was it "Breadline Britain"?
Oh no, I think I'm going to be chasing through my old cassette tapes now!
Chris.
***** Post# 17133-5/2/2002-09:35 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Grace Brothers)
MESSAGE: What's even funnier is that Bubbles and I both own shares in Grace Brothers. Grace Brothers is the name of the New South Wales arm of Myer Stores, a subsidiary of Coles Myer which have the infamous discount card Bubbles and I were bitching about earlier.
Chris.
***** Post# 17134-5/2/2002-11:45 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: Glad you enjoyed the pictures Jason! I was surprised by the small stature of the Hotpoint when I first saw it, only because I had misjudged its size when I first saw it in pictures. It does have a 10# capacity however and I would say it could hold roughly what our old standard capacity machines could hold. If only our GE/Hotpoint washers here had had a 1050 RPM spin! :-) The wash action looks and sounds about the same as their machines here, and I really like the "Easy Spiralator" style agitator. It's fun that the filter flo inlet is in the center like on our earlier GEs.
I seem to remember reading that the Servis holds 6#s from what I read, but Mikey would know. Being able to wash and spin simultaneously however you can get a lot of clothes out in a realtively short period of time. I am very impressed with the quality of that machine, and the wash portion is very quiet. The agitator has a 210 degree arc much like a Speed Queen, and the sound and appearance of the washing action reminds me of a Maytag wringer.
The UK is a wonderful place, and I hope someday you will have a chance to visit!
Scott
***** Post# 17135-5/2/2002-11:47 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Richtoo,
The drum of the BIG is 72 litres so that is pretty close to 8kg of laundry. I don't know exactly the drumsize of the Neptune in litres so I can't say a thing about the capacity according to European standards.
I believe indeed that there are some 6kg dryers on the market, but what is their drumsize. A 5kg dryer would have a drum that is about 105 - 110 litres.
Louis
***** Post# 17136-5/2/2002-12:01 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land.....
MESSAGE: Rules about measuring capacity seem to be less strict that overhere in Europe, almost all European washers sold in Australia claim a larger capacity than overhere.
The magazine is called "Huishoud Electro" and it's a magazine in Dutch mainly about the dutch market. I subscribed to it.
Louis
***** Post# 17137-5/2/2002-12:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: Thanks Greg! Chester is a city of about 90,000 people and it is very unique and charming. Beautiful architecture, and Roman ruins right in the midst of town! There's a system of second level outdoor walkways through the business district and one encircling the entire town which is very neat; kind of like a version of the "skyways" here in Minneapolis, except not enclosed. (Mikey is standing by a map of the one that encircles the city in one of the pictures). They also have a wonderful riverfront area, again a lot like Minneapolis. One side is very parklike and to an extent rural, and the Chester side has businesses and beautiful parks and places to walk. The suspension bridge you see in one picture is actually a foot bridge connecting the two sides.
It was fun to see such a busy, vibrant business district, and all the stores have wonderful window displays, it was just fabulous. They are much less dependent on suburban parking lot shopping areas than we are here. They exist, but at least in Chester they have not seemed to harmed the central business district. We visited one where the larger appliance stores and some other things were located. It's interesting to note that the stores close at 8, 6 on Saturdays and only open 11-5 on Sunday.
No Royal sightings this time, but I did so enjoy myself; it's a beautiful country, the people are absolutely delightful and I can't wait to visit again!
***** Post# 17138-5/2/2002-12:11 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: It's picture time!
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, glad you enjoyed the pictures! The position of the Filter Flo inlet/spout was one of the first things I noticed when I first saw the pictures of that machine! I do like that agitator, it seems to move the load very nicely, and the 1050 spin was very quiet and smooth.
We really did have a wonderful time and I can't wait to visit again!
***** Post# 17139-5/2/2002-12:13 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (fantastic!)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott!!! Welcome back to the States! Thanks for sharing those great pictures...they were just awesome. I can tell just from looking at the pics that you had an "ab fab" time. One almost feels like they were there after viewing all of those great pictures. Chester is a lovely town. Glad your trip was so successful and safe.
Mikey: Your Schnitzels are too cute!!! Did Scott mention that he, you, and I have the same vac? The Kirby Legend II. Loved the picture of you and Ty. Very handsome couple. Cheers!
Rich
***** Post# 17140-5/2/2002-12:13 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: It's picture time! (State visit)
MESSAGE: Well Your Majesty,
It seems to us you had quite an exciting trip to the UK. Was that your first state visit to a Kingdom? You've seen some wonderful places. We especially liked the picture in which you stand besides a very small and smart European car. Not fit for Royalty though.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 17141-5/2/2002-12:31 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: Your Majesty,
Many thanks to you and Mike for these wonderful appliances pictures. We are so glad that you were able to use a washing machine that was fit for a Queen.
What do you think of the twintubs? You must come overhere too sometime to explore some more Eurowashers. Did you see anything exciting in the appliances stores? And have you used Mike's Maytag set?
Why yes, we had a very exciting, very Royal trip to the UK. It was indeed our first trip to such a Kingdom, and a wonderful, unforgettable one it was! We do so look forward to our next state visit! Did you notice the picture of us perched atop the state bed? We learned during our visit that noble people frequently keep such beds in the event of visiting Royalty. Mikey was hence well prepared for our visit!
We encountered the little car on a visit to the grocery (where we spent our time fascinated in the laundry aisle whilst Mikey shopped for the groceries!) and just could not resist having our picture snapped with it.
Let's do be in touch soon!
QEOM
***** Post# 17143-5/2/2002-13:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: We're so glad you're enjoying our pictorial account, Your Majesty! We do look forward to paying you a state visit as well, when we shall look forward to seeing you and your burgeoning collection!
We find the twintubs to be interesting, most impressive machines. While they do require manual intervention to operate, we can certainly see their appeal, particularly in the days when European automatics were not what they are today. The extraction is excellent and the ability to wash and spin simultaneously had to have been a help for busy homemakers with families and much laundry.
We very much like Mikey's Maytag washer. It is very quiet and smooth, even at the max 1600 RPM spin, and has the larger 6kg capacity. The extraction is of course most impressive. We look forward to becoming more familiar with its controls and available functions on another visit. We think he made an excellent choice of a laundry set. We were also most impressed with his Siemens dishwasher, which we understand is the same as a Bosch. We were quite shocked when he opened it to place something inside, and we could see that it had been running! He is quite pleased with it, and based on what we saw, we would purchase one ourselves.
There were so many choices and new and unusual (for an American) (unusual brands, size fridges, cookers and etc) things to see in the appliance stores. We got to see the Dyson washers and vacuums, and the new Hoover "Vision" washer. We'll be interested to see where things go with that machine. Needless to say, it was quite interesting to see the Miele pricing as we have discussed many times before.
QEOM
***** Post# 17144-5/2/2002-13:35 ||| Retrogal (Nashville)
SUBJECT: Any info on 60s Modern Maid cooktop/oven?
MESSAGE: My grandmother had a never used still in the box Modern Maid cooktop and oven that is all stainless steel except for the oven door which is copper. . . does anyone know anything about these - and if so, is there a demand for them (what do they usually run?)
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
***** Post# 17145-5/2/2002-13:52 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (fantastic!)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich!!!!
Thank you! I had a wonderful time and I'm so glad you enjoyed the pictures! I'll be dropping you a line soon!
***** Post# 17146-5/2/2002-14:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Cocoa has a very wimpy voice, more like a squeak. It's kind of ironic, but that's the way he is. He is a beautiful animal, though, and I think he knows it.
Katy is a little grey on white tabby, with white and black markings around her eyes, kind of like eye makeup. She also has six toes on her front feet. You can always hear her clicking around on a hard floor.
***** Post# 17147-5/2/2002-14:45 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Any info on 60s Modern Maid cooktop/oven?
MESSAGE: Hi Retrogal, we are much more washer/dryer/dishwasher focused here. You might want to try http://www.antiquestoves.com/oldroad.htm
LINK: http://www.antiquestoves.com/oldroad.htm
***** Post# 17148-5/2/2002-17:08 ||| fanfare (Idaho)
SUBJECT: Extinct Appliance Brands
MESSAGE: We all know what has happened to Tappan, Norge, Frigidaire:o( Kelvinator, Westinghouse, Bendix etc. In the fifties and early 60's in the USA, there was a proliferation of all sorts of appliance names.
Does anyone know whatever happened to:
Youngstown Kitchens
Chambers
Blackstone
Modern Maid
Crosely
Coronado
Waste King
Hamilton (Probably related to Margaret, and couldn't handle the water)
Ling-Tempco?
Glad to see you and Mike had such a great time - I bet with all those washers and vacuums, there wasn't a single dull moment! Thanks for sharing the pics with us :o)
***** Post# 17150-5/2/2002-18:33 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Extinct Appliance Brands
MESSAGE: Geno, the only ones I can remember were: Modern Maid I believe became a budget price line of the Raytheon (Amana/Speed Queen family), Waste King became a part of Thermadore (although Waste King disposers are still made, but I don't know who owns the company now); and I believe Chambers was acquired by KitchenAid before KitchenAid was acquired by Whirlpool.
***** Post# 17151-5/2/2002-18:33 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: You're welcome Kirk! We did have a wonderful time! Glad you enjoyed the pictures! Scott
***** Post# 17152-5/2/2002-18:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song
MESSAGE: Hiya Rich,
Thanks for the link, it's all slotting into place in my memory now. I was still at infant school when that song came out, but it's always been something I've remembered fondly.
Black Lace, they truly were awful. Combine their greatest hits (ahem) with lots of booze, and the end result is me dancing on a table in Mustang Sally's nightclub, sans shirt... not a pretty sight. Chumbawamba and Bucks Fizz singles always had the same effect, too, so there must be some correlation between bad music and me making a fool of myself LOL.
***** Post# 17153-5/2/2002-18:59 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Oh Chris, that is so sad, but one has to remember the good times. It sound like Sooty was very happy with you and you gave him a good old age.
I must admit that I am a total sucker for any animal that is old or has only 3 legs or one eye or whatever, I can't help myself.
I remember getting Jacob, he was going to sleep in the kitchen rather than on the sofa or bed, yeah right. Jackie and Tiger seem to have divided the house up, downstairs is communal, front bed is Tiger's and back bed Jake's.
I am glad Soot won your hubbt over. My bf makes out not to be interested in the boys and does not fuss them, but is always watching them in the garden and reporting their antics. They like him and will get on his lap if I am unavailable. I guess it's a common problem for couples, one wants (fur)kids and teh other doesn't.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17154-5/2/2002-19:03 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: That reminds me, I saw the Hoover Vision for the first time the other day. The design is really cool, and I think it's possibly the most attractive washer on the UK market right now. I really like the tilted drum, and the water jet system, and the control panel looks awesome. Only thing I'm not keen on is the fact that the controls can become rather confusing at times, as with all LED display Hoover models.
When I was in the store, I was talking to the Hoover service engineer who was visiting, and he had some misgivings about how reliable it's going to be. As it was, the store was on its second display model, after the first one had problems with the controls not going into demo mode. I hope Hoover can make it reliable, because it really is a nice machine to handle and look at.
***** Post# 17155-5/2/2002-19:05 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: It's picture time!
MESSAGE: Scott, thank u for sharing such great pics. Liverpool, I'm pea green with envy. My OTHER passion--"The Boys". Chester is quite lovely. And Mikey, I'm glad WE FINALLY got to see a snap or two of Ty. Hot couple!!! Mike, your garden is absolutely gorgeous. And the dogs, well, I'm glad to finally see more pics of the creatures, per Rich & you, that would probably put up with my puns (or something like that, remember that discussion last fall!?) and going on the road and vaudeville ...??? And your collection is an eyeful to behold, you deserve to be proud.
***** Post# 17156-5/2/2002-19:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris
Thank you for the memory too. You have reninded me of teh night I saw Bronski Beat live, I was right at the front. It was Camden Palais or the Electric Ballroom in Camden, I forget which and teh cause was 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners'. Ahh those politico student days, the cause was close to my heart as I am a raving puff and my family are miners by tradition. I was there with my then bf, a goergeous Canadian/Dutch/Brazilian guy, did not last long but I was very fond of him.
1984, that woman was closing mines like it was going out of fashion. Miners were being put out of work and the UK would rely on cheap imported coal, very shortsighted, but she was paying back a grudge debt to Scargill the Miner's leader. Mum sent food parcels to our rellies who were out of work.
I don't remember that song though.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17157-5/2/2002-19:13 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Oh Wonderful, Katy is a polydactyl!
Richtoo
***** Post# 17158-5/2/2002-19:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2
MESSAGE: I hope so too. It looked like a great machine in so many ways, and I think I have heard talk of reliability issues with Hoover washers in recent times. Is this a "Candy" machine?
I liked the idea that you just dial the fabric and temp on the one dial, and select your options around the top of the door. Compared to some machines I saw around, it seems a bit more straightforward.
***** Post# 17159-5/2/2002-19:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I was amazed that the BBC played that Chumbawamba song, with the pissing the night away line, afterall, the BBC banned Relax by Fankie Goes to Hollywood.
What was that ghastly black lace huge hit, the one with the stupid dance, someting about coconuts or pineapples?
Did you see Rita Bob and Sue, you would have been too young at the time, but if you ever get teh chance it is fab. Namedropping here - he BF works with Michell Holmes'(of Rita Bob & Sue and Coronation St fame) mother in law - can you tell I'm pissed?
All Hoover washers are effectively Candy machines. Since the takeover, Hoover gradually went over to the Candy design, although the majority of their products are still assembled in the UK. If you open up a Hoover washer and look at the motor, you will see "Candy" stamped on it, as the two brands share a large number of components.
While looking the Vision over, I did check the rating label to see where it was made. It's made in Italy, which more likely than not means it's imported from the same factory as the Candy washers.
The Vision programme selector is very easy to use, and pleasing to the eye as well. The controls get complicated when you try to use the hidden programming features. I'm not terribly keen on the way the delay timer is set, either, although it's nice to be able to choose the time you want the cycle to end, and have the machine work out the starting time for you.
***** Post# 17161-5/2/2002-20:10 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song
MESSAGE: Hiya Rich,
That's probably one of my favourite songs of all time. Brings back many good memories of the underage drinking sessions I had with co-workers back when I was 17. Number 112 on the jukebox - still remember that even now - and there were TV screens showing the music video for each selected single! Too cool :o)
Someone I know still has a "Frankie Says... Relax" T-shirt stashed in his wardrobe. He recalls seeing someone wearing a shirt bearing the slogan "I don't give a XXXX what Frankie says", so obviously not everyone was as keen on their music as he was LOL.
I saw Rita Bob and Sue several years ago on Channel 4, but can't really recall much of the storyline after all this time. In general, the low-budget C4 films are usually very good; Beautiful Thing is one that springs to mind, one of my favourites. Very well written, and the soundtrack is fantastic.
***** Post# 17162-5/2/2002-20:45 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song
MESSAGE: Oh, by the way - I think that awful song you refer to was called Agadoo. You know the one, "push pineapple, shake a tree" and all that. Such a tacky, cheesy song, but the staple of school discos when I was growing up.
***** Post# 17163-5/2/2002-20:55 ||| combowash (Portland, Oregon)
SUBJECT: Westinghouse stacking front loader 1956
MESSAGE: On E-bay there is a Flamingo Pink stacking Westinghouse washer & dryer. Also a waist level side by side fridge
W/D # 865339412
Fridge # 865335107
Check it out!!!
***** Post# 17164-5/2/2002-21:43 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: She sure is! I guess I could have named her "Polly" but instead she was named after the girl who worked at the coffee shop across the street from the car under which Katy was found.
***** Post# 17167-5/2/2002-22:30 ||| frigemore (Chicago IL area)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Oh they are cute Rich.
***** Post# 17168-5/2/2002-01:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: It's picture time!
MESSAGE: Glad you enjoyed the pictures Bob! The Beatles Story museum is a most wonderful place; next time I visit I want to spend many hours browsing it, and spend more time in general bopping about Liverpool, perhaps going on that double deck bus tour as well!
***** Post# 17169-5/3/2002-08:09 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: New From Whirlpool - The Personal Valet (That Woman OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
Oops. Communards did have a song called Breadline Britain, its on the "Communards" album. But it wasn't the song I was thinking about. I think I was thinking of "She'll have to go" by Simply Red, off the "A New Flame" album. Though reading the lyrics, it doesn't really say much. I still have the feeling there was a song about that time that really gave it to Maggie in no uncertain terms, but I can't place what it was. Any guesses??
Chris.
***** Post# 17170-5/3/2002-11:16 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Off to the Aberdeen Farm
MESSAGE: Hey everyone, Well Greg and I are going meet in Aberdeen SD tonight to see what's doing on the Sacred Appliance Burial Ground this weekend. We've heard that some of the stuff might have been taken away by the state, but we will find out for sure and keep everyone posted. Here are the old pictures of the farm from a few years ago, new ones to come soon!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/unimatic1140/lst?.dir=/Z_Sacred+Junkyard&.src=ph&.view=
***** Post# 17171-5/3/2002-11:35 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Off to the Aberdeen Farm
MESSAGE: Hey Robert,
What an exciting trip. I sure wish you and Greg all the luck for finding the real treasures. This might be an Apex weekend. I can't wait to see the new pictures.
Louis
***** Post# 17172-5/3/2002-13:00 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Off to the Aberdeen Farm
MESSAGE: OK, everyone start chanting:
***** Post# 17173-5/3/2002-17:04 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Westinghouse stacking front loader 1956 (dimensions and weight needed)
MESSAGE: Anyone know the exact dimensions and weight of these guys? 100 pounds seems a bit on the light side...
Also, how hard are they to un-stack?
Craters & Freighters gave me a quote of $660. to ship them from SFO to ATL.
Any and all info welcome...
-ph
***** Post# 17174-5/3/2002-18:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Thanks, they are cute, and they know it...;-)
***** Post# 17175-5/3/2002-23:16 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: Grants Bradford?
MESSAGE: It sure looks like a GE. Was it sold by W. T. Grant?
***** Post# 17176-5/4/2002-04:07 ||| gadgetmad (Birmingham, AL)
SUBJECT: RE: U.S. Secretary of Defense "does the dishes"
MESSAGE: ...and let's hope with this magazine article that yet another blow has been struck against the bedrock myth that men have no idea what they are doing when it comes to household appliances and need a woman to show them how it's done.
***** Post# 17177-5/4/2002-05:39 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds
Thanks for the photos, Katy and Cocoa are absolutely beautiful you must be very proud of them. I have not seen a long hair Siamese before, he is lovely.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17178-5/4/2002-05:44 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: Persil Aloe Vera
MESSAGE: I found Persil Aloe Vera in Waitrose last night. Introductory offer, on third off retail, box of 24 tabs £2.19. I ignored my usual concers and bought them to try. They are non boi with oxygen bleach tabs and my first suitable load will go in soon. I will report back later.
I won't have much time for internet this weekend, so will probably catch up here on Tuesday.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17179-5/4/2002-09:41 ||| Daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... ('ello again)
MESSAGE: Hey,
it's been a while since I've been here... I'm intrigued by this Bauknecht BIG, and so I went looking. I found the site below which has more pics, I think it's the press release from the company, and IMHO it's the best looking of the trio. I wonder if Comet will bring it over here as part of their Bauknecht range, or whether it will turn up as part of a Whirlpool range.
Interestingly, from the pics, it looks like the Euro version heats up to 95C, maybe there will be a 220v US version at some point, which would bode well for a combo unit as well.
Dave
PS - nice to be back :-)
LINK: http://www.prco.de/pz/news.php?id=103
***** Post# 17180-5/4/2002-10:26 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Asko coming back to UK?
MESSAGE: I think Asko needed to be forgiven after charging too much money for inferior quality products several years ago. The machines reliability was like Hotpoint and Ford in a way, if you got a good one it could last for years with no problems or alternatively you could always have the engineer at it. It was strange as I think the reliability had been better before they took the Asea name away from the products.
They may be a bit better as they have large amounts of money behind them now from AMAG, or Antonio Merloni AG. This is owned by the brother of the man who runs Merloni (Indesit/Ariston/Philco/Scholtes), as far as I know.
***** Post# 17181-5/4/2002-10:41 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: your two are beautiful. I would swear one of my two cats, Lucky, has some Siamese in his ancestry somewhere, however he too has quite a squeaky voice, but can be loud. Kaia on the other hand is just plain noisy a lot of the time, purring and speaking. My bf and I got them just over a year ago from someone at his work whose kid had developed an allergy to them. Obviously they didn't want to get rid of the kid so the cats had to go, and we got them.
At first Kaia was much more friendly, but now she's slightly more aloof and Lucky is the really friendly one. Neither of them is particularly antisocial though :-)
LINK: http://uk.photos.yahoo.com/dave_ashley2001
***** Post# 17182-5/4/2002-15:27 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... ('ello again)
MESSAGE: Dave, thank you for the link. Very interesting. And YES, your absence has been noted at least by me. Glad to have u back. Hope you will remain about now. Bob
***** Post# 17183-5/4/2002-16:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Thank, Richtoo. I think a long hair Siamese is similar to the Himalayan breed, although of course Cocoa is a mixed breed. Siamese coloration is, as I understand it, a recessive pattern that is not uncommon to mother cats who are gray tabby or black. I believe the mother of Cocoa was a long hair black cat, as were some of his litter mates. He was the only one with seal-point coloration, though.
Cocoa more or less replaced a similarly colored medium hair Siamese I had for 13 years, named Larry. Larry was an exceptionally affectionat cat, and I miss him a lot. He died of what they call Feline AIDS a year after I moved into this dream house. It was heart wrenching to see him waste away from a very muscular and strong animal to mere skin and bones. When his tumors spread to his brain and he started having spells of paralysis, and a lemon size tumor on his kidneys, the vet and I let him go. The nice thing was that when he'd come out of one of his trances in my arms, he'd be purring loudly, as he always would. He went peacefully.
Although Cocoa has similar coloration, his personality is quite different from Larry. He never got quite completely comfortable around people, and it can take quite a bit of coaxing for him to let one near. But once he's comfortable, he enjoys a good petting session like most other cats. But he rarely likes to sit in anyone's lap. He likes to have chairs to himself.
Katy on the other hand, insists on being with me whenever I'm seated, especially at the computer. It hink it might have something to do with her abandonment and starvation when she was a little kitten.
***** Post# 17184-5/4/2002-16:30 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Check the rights on your Yahoo folder, Dave, it wouldn't let me in.
Katy is the midget, yet she's the one with the big voice. And she uses it liberally, especially when Cocoa's play gets too rough for her. Usually she starts it though.
***** Post# 17185-5/4/2002-17:59 ||| Jack1 (Kansas City)
SUBJECT: wringer washer
MESSAGE: I was wondering how much could I get for a Maytag model 32 Wringer washer that is in greast shape & still works?
***** Post# 17186-5/4/2002-19:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Dave
As a cat fan I was looking forward to seeing your 2 but got an error message, 'The File You Are Looking For Is Inaccessible'. The cats sound lovely. The last sentence of your first para made me smile, I thought why 'obviously' having spent an hour in Homebase this afternoon with various kids runnig out of control and babies crying I can imagine some 'rents would be happy to take the 'keep the cats' route. I remember some years ago mum being ill and the quack thought she might be allergic to our dog, she got tested and did not have dog allergy, I told mum I was pleased as I did not really want her (mum) to have to leave home , I took me 16 years of nagging to get that dog!
Thanks for the BIG link earlier. Mein Deutsch ist sehr schlect so I contented myself with the pics, esp no 8. It's good that we finally getthis machine in Europe wher eit is made afterall. Is Bacuknecht selling the dryer here too?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17187-5/4/2002-19:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: HI Suds,
Sorry to hear about Larry, FIV is a just awfull. It sounds like you have made some very brave decisions with your cats, I know it is not easy but it is a kindness. I am sure I have heard that there is finally a vacine availble, though not in the UK yet. I had to get my littlest tested for it a couple of years ago when he went down with one of those mystery viruses they get, luckily it wasn't anything serious and antibiotics soon got him right.
It always strikes me as odd that for all their alleged independance, cats just love human company. I am starting to realise, after several years with my cats, that the cat - human bond is at least as strong as the dog - human bond. Though I suspect that cats can transfer their affections to another human easier than can a dog.
Seems like we many of us have so much in common on this group, applinces bring us together but so many of us are gay and many love cats and dogs.
Jacob has not long since left my lap, where he was enjoying an ear rub.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17188-5/4/2002-20:16 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera
MESSAGE: OK, I have tried the persil aloe vera tabs on 3 loads, whites, bath robes and natural coloured cotton bedding. None of the loads were particularly tough, though I did put a kitchen towel with a few smal blackberry stains + a dirty oven gove in with the bath robes at 40C 105F and it all came out fine. The whites were sparkling and this load included some under-pillow cases stained with hair grease, but I prewashed this load with biotex and added extra oxygen bleach.
Due to my exceptionally soft water, I only used 1 tab per load rather than the recomended 2 tabs and I used the twee little drawstring net baggie to dispense the tabs. The tabs stayed in the wash rather than settling on the door boot, though I did have to open the door on one load and wipe up some tiny bits of deteregent.
The scent is very light and pleasant, reminiscent of line-dried bed linen after it has been in store for a week or 2. The scent is not in the least overpowering.
The tabs are packed 2 to a plastic foil, which is clear on the back but on the top is white and printed with tiny green aloe vera teardrop logos, which to my dirty mind made the open pack look like a box of those euphemistically wrapped unmentionables.
Overall I am pleased with the product, but will not convert to it regularly. It contains optical brighteners which I consider unnecessary. Also a friend visiting told me how she had read that Lever or P&G, she could not rememeber which, is allegedly markteing skin lightening creams in some countries. This is against my personal ethics and politics, so I shall have to look into it some more and will try to avoid that comanpies products as much as posible if it is true. It is difficult for me to totally avoid P&G products as my boys are Iams cats, which was fine when I introduced them to it, but since then Iams has been bought out my the dreaded P&G. Since this, I tried them on other foods, but they prefer Iams and stay strong and healthy on it so I have to keep buying it. ALso last time I checked with P&G and lever, both were still doing animal testing of cleaning products, a huge no no for me.
If you like lightly scented deteregent with bleach but non bio and have no ethical probs with Lever, then I would recomend this product.
Oh, almost forgot, sudsing was non existent, but I did only use one tab, though the whites had the biotext prewash and extra oxygen bleach. Rinsing was good too.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17189-5/5/2002-04:21 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... ('ello again)
MESSAGE: Welcome back Dave,
Thank you for the link, very interesting. There is indeed "Kochwäsche" on the front of this washer which means boilwash. I think there might be more differences between this Bauknecht and the American ones. I think this might be a cold fill machine too. Besides that there is the higher spinspeed of 1400rpm which gives it a triple A rating. I still wonder though in what dryer the laundry goes after washing.
Louis
***** Post# 17190-5/5/2002-06:48 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: Pictures of the latest acquisitions
MESSAGE: Here are a few pictures of the latest appliances to find their way to my studio. The BOL Whirlpool will go to the garage sale. The White on White GE is going to my parents house. The Potscrubber 1200 is already at my friends house awaiting installation (hear that Barbara?) The trash compactor,as you can see, is already installed in the workshop.
Don't have pictures of the 1980's BD whirlpool washer. It needs a new drain pump. Also 1980's WP dryer. Both will be going to the church yard sale once they are repaired.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_2000/lst?.view=t&.dir=/April+2002+additions
***** Post# 17191-5/5/2002-08:41 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera (Re cats food)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
It's good to see you are such an ethical consumer.
To be honest I had never considered animal testing of laundry products, but now you mention it I will try to find out if the products I use are or are not. I don't buy animal tested body soaps "cosmetics" etc but hadn't thought about laundry. Silly me.
If you want to give Iams the flick then you might like the advice given by Hugh Wirth, who is the President of the RSPCA in Aus and has a weekly pet advice show on ABC radio in Melbourne. (You can probably listen in as ABC have Audio On Demand in their website for a couple of weeks after each programme is broadcast - go to www.abc.net.au , follow links to radio > Local > Melbourne and hunt around for a reference to Hugh Wirth. If you are interested and can't find it let me know and I will chase it up) Hugh is an older gent and has very strong and sensible ideas about animal welare, and doesn't hesitate to give talkback callers a blast if He thinks they aren't paying due heed to his advice or have been neglecting their pets. He refers to Sporting Shooters as the "booze and blast brigade". Anyway.... He says that cats are terrors for bullying their owners into providing only their favourite foods, and you have to be tough with them to stop them food-fadding. You decide what you want the blighters to eat, put out a portion for them for twenty minutes, then pick up the dish and throw out any uneaten food. Repeat at the next meal time - two meals a day. Keep supplying what YOU want the cat to eat. Eventually the hungry cat will buckle. He has known stubborn cats to fast for ten days before giving in and eating what they are given. I have used this technique and it works. Millie is great, she eats whatever she is given. She is a greedy girl and stands up on her hind legs, pawing at the bench as I dish up their food. Monty is a perfect little gent, and sits patiently on the floor watching as I dish up, and then scampers over to his eating place when I start walking there. Sometimes if Millie is carrying on too much he will give her a whack on the head with a paw, as if he is telling her to behave herself. I feed the cats in seperate rooms as Miss Millie is a piglet and steals Monty's food after scoffing her own if given half a chance. Except for liver. He can down a plate of lamb's liver in half the time she can. Monty had pancreatitis when he was about a year old and completely lost his appetite. He started out off his food and vomiting if he tried to eat. He stopped eating so after a couple of days off to the vet. Vet thought it was constipation, gave laxatives but no luck. Monty got thinner and thinner. The vet was stumped, did blood tests which inconclusively indicated maybe pancreas problem. Antibiotics and force-feeding as by now he was skin over bone. Vet said don't be too hopeful, he may just fade away and die. You can imagine how I felt. After about a week of antibiotics and force-feeding he ate a spoonful willingly. After that joyous occasion he got bettter fast, after a couple of days he just ate and ate. After the initial spurt he has never maintained a good appetite and has remained thinnish (but still bright and healthy) and has a low appetite except for liver, but I must admit I worry about him losing his appetite again so I am not as strict with him, if he turns his nose up at a meal more than twice in a row I tend to give it to Millie and give him something I know he will eat. So I only partly practice what I preach.
Best Wishes
Chris
***** Post# 17192-5/5/2002-08:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera (Hugh Wirth link)
MESSAGE: Try this link for Audio on demand of Hugh Wirth and his latest week's talkback radio on pet care. Scroll down the list till you find "Pet Care with Dr. Hugh Wirth."
I've never tried copying a link like this so here goes...
***** Post# 17193-5/5/2002-09:01 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera (Hugh Wirth link)
MESSAGE: Bugger, it isn't a live link.
So how do you make a live link?
Chris.
***** Post# 17194-5/5/2002-09:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures of the latest acquisitions
MESSAGE: Hey Steve,
Wonderful 1-18 dryer, I guess that's a keeper?
I like the potscrubber too, say Hello to Barbara for me.
Louis
***** Post# 17195-5/5/2002-10:12 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Grants Bradford? (another Franklin tranny machine)
MESSAGE: I found one recently. It's a WCI Franklin tranny machine with the Kelvinator 10 vane agitator and a filter-flow type lint filter. Nothing special at all.
-ph
***** Post# 17196-5/5/2002-10:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera (Re cats food)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I think I rather agree with HW, I will look him up. Apart from its P&G link, I don't want to change from Iams, my boys love it and it suits them well.
I did a lot of research before choosing Iams for my boys, previously they had all sorts of supermarket canned food but I was never convinced that it was good quality. The switch to Iams was easy, they loved it, before they tried to be choosey with their canned stuff, but I took a eat it or leave it attitude and did not cave in. With the Iams, I buy 2 flavours, chicken and fish, and have both down 24/7 as one likes to graze throughout the day and the other has a couple of larger meals morning and evening.
As well as animal testing in laundry products, it is also done on many household products. Worth noting 2 that many soaps are made from animal fat, so I always choose veg oil soaps. It can be quite tough to avoid animal testing and animal products, but would be even harder if one were vegan.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17197-5/5/2002-10:18 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Persil Aloe Vera (Hugh Wirth link)
MESSAGE: While I don't know if I could soldier through a week of cat fasting, I think there is some excellent advice in the Dr.'s message. And that is, for wet or canned foods, don't leave the food out for more than an hour. After that it starts to spoil. Cats being the creatures they are, they will eat spoiled food. Then, depending on the type of bacteria that has taken hold, they will get sick and perhaps throw it up on your rug. After a few times of that they will get an aversion to whatever food you were trying to give them, and they will avoid it. By taking food away after 20 minutes, the cat is learning and trusting that the food presented to it will always be fresh.
My mom was complaining about her cat throwing up all over, and that he was finicky. I asked her how long she left his wet food out. Her reply, of course, was "until he eats it". I asked her, "Would you want to eat a dinner that had sat on top of the table at room temperature all night?". Problem solved.
Oh yeah, and when you take that saved meal out of the fridge, warm it up on the microwave a bit or in a warming oven for a few minutes. Ice cold food can cause cats gastric troubles as well. They are sometimes smart enough to walk away and return in a few minutes after it warms up naturally, but not always.
My cats get dry food available all the time. They get gourmet or other high quality canned food when they ask for it, usually at most once a day. After an hour or two, any uneaten portion it gets refrigerated or tossed. They are also free to roam outdoors, and Cocoa definitely supplements his diet with mice and rats. Katy will eat birds when she can catch them. I just wish they could develop a taste for slugs and snails, but then I'd also like to have Jesus in a jug.
***** Post# 17198-5/5/2002-12:13 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Hi everybody
MESSAGE: Hey all
Sorry I haven't been here for ages, but I've just got Windows XP and I had to upgrade the internet connection, meaning I was without the Internet for the past few days.
Anyway, Hoover have released a new laundry range replacing their 'Six' range, and also their 56 litre (6kg) drums to 46 litre (5kg) drums, apart from the Family range.
The new Hoover Vision looks like a cross between the Zanussi IZ and the USA Whirlpool Duet. I have not seen one come up in any showrooms as of yet.
I am still looking into a new washer at the moment, i fixed my hotpoint myself (cost £200 for a repairman to come and do it), looked at the maytag/asko again yesterday, i like the seal-less door, but I don't particularly like the drop down doors. I like the Maysko's because they look classic and have a sort of 'retro style' towards them. They are also priced fairly well, £650 can buy you the stainless steel 1600rpm washer (W6461).
I'm also interested in the Zanussi Jetsystem models, either the FJS1225 1200rpm or FJS1425 1400rpm versions. I did not like them before, but their XC range does seem more robust than the old FJS and FLS series, and their current FLA series.
from surgilator
p.s. you can now get the Miele W864 (1200rpm) washer for about £460 now. (average asking price) at QED - www.qed-uk.com
LINK: http://www.hoover.co.uk/docs/vortex/products_2000/laundry/laundry_intro.asp
***** Post# 17199-5/5/2002-12:33 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: hi louis
QED over here are now selling the new AEG range, including the new 6kg models, two lower end 1000/1200rpm models (W1050/W1250), the 72640 and 74640 (same as 74630/72630 all except with chrome door), and the 88840.
from surgilator
LINK: http://www.qed-uk.com
***** Post# 17200-5/5/2002-13:12 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures of the latest acquisitions
MESSAGE: The 1-18 needs a new heating element. Other than taht, it runs fine.
***** Post# 17201-5/5/2002-14:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: Hi Surgilator,
Strangely enough the 6kg model on that site is not on the AEG site. The 86741 is also not on the AEG's site. There is however a AEG Lavamat 86740 and that one is a 5kg model. The 6 kg models are the 86760 and the 84760.
BTW, the new Zanussi's and the new AEG's have lot in common. They probably share a lot of the same technology. Besides these two brands we have Zanker overhere, also very similar to Zanussi and AEG.
Louis
***** Post# 17202-5/5/2002-16:01 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: Is Zanker a popular brand?
***** Post# 17203-5/5/2002-16:29 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: Spring Storm
MESSAGE: Thought you might like to see what Friday's storm did.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_2000/lst?.dir=/May+2002+Storm&.src=ph&.view=t
I saw the Hoover Vision recently, and it's a really nice looking machine. The tilted drum and the programme selector are really cool, and I like the design of the door, too. The Hoover engineer who was in the store at the same time wasn't as complimentary, however, and told me he was expecting to get a lot of callouts on them. Hopefully it will prove to be reliable, because I think it's the most interesting product Hoover have introduced in years - absolutely gorgeous to look at. Apparently, there will eventually be several Vision models to choose from, in addition to the two models already available now.
Can you get a Maytag Euroline without a drop-down door? I know Asko themselves offer such a machine, but I think it's at the basic end of their lineup. The Maytags are very appealing to the eye, and the technology is impressive, too.
You'd be wise to consider the Zanussi XC series, they really are put together quite well, and the controls are fantastic IMHO. One bit of advice I'd offer is to wait a little while for the XC6 series to come out. They're TRUE A-rated 6 kilo machines, none of this A-rating with a reduced test load business. And they're going to have quieter, smoother DC motors, similar to the new TOL Miele. They'll also have a "night wash" option to reduce noise levels at night, and a sportswear programme like the Hoover models.
It's great that the Mieles are coming down in price, better still is that Miele don't skimp on the quality as prices fall. They might be a little more expensive than other machines, but as you know, they're built like tanks.
***** Post# 17205-5/5/2002-16:52 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: Zanussi and AEG washers both have a very similar drum and door boot design. Not to mention the fact that AEG now uses the Carboran tub, which was developed by Zanussi. Even the dispenser drawers are starting to look similar, besides the AEG having an extra compartment for powdered stain removers.
***** Post# 17206-5/5/2002-20:45 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Try this one, not my space but there's a pic of each of them there. Apologies about yahoo, having probelsm with it and with posting - damn ISP. Katy and Cocoa sound identical to Kaia and Lucky respectively :-)
LINK: http://homepage.mac.com/agentz/PhotoAlbum1.html
***** Post# 17207-5/5/2002-20:52 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: Has anyone else seen this, or actually played with one? It's totally bizarre looking. I'm confused, but will be on the lookout later in the week when I visit some stores (yay for holiday).
Definitely intriguing...
Dave
LINK: http://www.qed-uk.com/?pc=02&psc=1&i=X2uRY0vr8ae0&bg=012&bp=izzih&bi=b&v=8
***** Post# 17208-5/5/2002-21:05 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott! I am so glad you had a wonderful time in the UK!
I really want to go again.
Your photos were great too.
***** Post# 17209-5/5/2002-21:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Buck Fizz are so bad!
In the summer non rating season, the ABC shows repeats of the Countdown Program at night. Countdown was very similar to TOTP, except it featured film clips as well as "live" performances. Anyway on episode we watched had Bucks Fizz on as special guests and performed Making your mind up and Piece of the action in front of the audience. We caked ourselves laughing so hard. Another episode we watched showed the film clip to My Camera Never Lies which wasnt too bad.
Ahhh, Countdown memories.
Hope you arent a sweaty dancer!!!
***** Post# 17210-5/5/2002-21:13 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Off to the Aberdeen Farm
MESSAGE: Hope you find something good!
Its been a while since we have enjoyed your pictures.
***** Post# 17211-5/5/2002-21:20 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi everybody (The Hoover freak returns from a happy place.)
MESSAGE: Everyone of those Hoovers are beautiful to look at but especially the vision. I wet myself just thinking about it.
I so wish that they would import them into Australia, i think that Hoover UK being owned by Candy and Hoover Aus being owned by Electrolux might be an issue.
Electrolux has discontinued Hoovers front loader in Favour of the Simpson and Westinghouse FL's. That is so sad.
On the positive side Hoover Floorcare ( a separate company again ) has released the Bagless Windtunnel upright! Beautiful machine! I am starting to save!
***** Post# 17212-5/5/2002-22:25 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: Hi Dave! Good to see you back!
Tell me is this Zanussi a dishwaser or a washing machine?
***** Post# 17213-5/5/2002-22:28 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Has anyone here from Aus seen the new Fisher and Paykels?
They are very nice looking. About time they redesigned their machines. It has a clamshell type lid made form a smooth finish plastic as opposed to the textured finish. The lid locks too! I hope this is just for the fast spin cycle and not on all parts of the cycle. I guess that its a safety feature so no one can sue them if they injure themselves like our very on DADoES ;)
***** Post# 17214-5/5/2002-22:50 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Very bad indeed, yet that may be why, given certain circumstances, they get me dancing. Tacky music has that effect on me, good job I very rarely drink these days LOL.
Over here, Countdown is a stuffy, intellectual gameshow, all anagrams and maths puzzles. A co-worker managed to participate recently, but was well and truly thrashed, which the rest of us found quite hilarious. Sounds like the Countdown you have is much more fun, though.
***** Post# 17215-5/5/2002-22:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Hopefully they'll get round to releasing them onto the UK market pretty soon. It's been on the cards for a while now according to F&P's UK subsidiary, but nothing has shown up so far. Maybe they're just waiting for the new models first.
I agree with you about the locking lid, it would be a shame if it locked throughout the entire cycle. During the spin I can live with, but it would drive me nuts if I couldn't watch it agitate.
By the way, what do you mean by "clamshell" type lid? That sounds interesting to say the least, but I just can't visualise what it would look like.
***** Post# 17216-5/5/2002-23:15 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures of the latest acquisitions
MESSAGE: Steve, nice acquisitions. Of course, I'm most partial to the PotScrubber 1200. Tell Barbara it's an EXCELLENT dishwasher (use cascade complete too). I'm grateful mine is still humming and swirling along. I love the 1/18 dryer too. I love it having the PP heat setting, which I'm assuming is either high or med. heat and activates the press care automatically too. IS the GE dishwash that's going to your parents house a flat rack version or one like the rack with the saucer holder in the bottom rack like the 1200's? I thought you'd already given your parents your old WP dw.
***** Post# 17217-5/5/2002-23:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Well, we saw the absolute devastation of the Aberdeen Appliance Burial Grounds and were deeply saddened by what was lost. Apparently, the recyclers were to have started on the North end of the property, but started instead at the front where all the very old things were. 2/3 of the appliances are now gone and what's left is newer 60's and 70's. We hauled out a few diamonds in the rough (very rough!) but there wasn't much to choose from. I didn't get much of what I had on my wish list, but did manage to find a few. I took about 100 pictures and will start with just a couple now and will post more in the coming week. Here is a view of just a bit of the devastation at the farm and a shot of my garage with the six machines I brought home.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/2002+Aberdeen+Appliance+Burial+Ground&.src=ph&.dnm=All+the+good+stuff+is+KRUSHED.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/2002%2bAberdeen%2bAppliance%2bBurial%2bGround%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17218-5/5/2002-23:21 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Spring Storm
MESSAGE: Good grief steve. How high were the winds? Glad y'all are ok.
Bob
***** Post# 17219-5/5/2002-23:28 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Oh Greg, thank you for saving those very rough rough diamonds. A 58 or 59 filtrator, another WO65/2, a 57 or 58 Kenmore simiolar to Robert's first LK, and another WI or WCI 59 or 60. What else didn't I guess. I'm so saddened for us all. I guess Iwill never end up with my WCI58 or even a WI59.
***** Post# 17220-5/5/2002-00:18 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh, thanks! Isn't the UK a wonderful place! Glad you enjoyed the pictures! Scott
***** Post# 17221-5/6/2002-02:52 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Our countdown ended in 1986. Every since all we really have on Australian TV is just those video clip shows where one clip after another with no host.
There have been attempts to try new shows in the TOTP/Countdown style, but they never last very long. They cost too much money to make when it is cheaper for the TV stations to produce those dreadful reality TV shows that rate their socks off yet cost very little to produce.
In fact, the number of decent shows that start getting shown and get pulled of air just as quickly is staggering. TV and Radio these days arent prepared to give anything new a go. Short Term results are all anyone is ever interested in these days.
***** Post# 17222-5/6/2002-02:53 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Did I spy a Kelvinator in your garage Ganksy?
***** Post# 17223-5/6/2002-02:55 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Hard to describe. Think of the bonnet on an 80's era Fiat and you should be close. Rather than just an opening on the top of the machine, the lid is the whole top of the machine (except control panel) and continues over the sides to. Kinf of liek a hinged box lid.
I would love to know what kind of mental image you have now Kirk. What ever its better than the mental image I have of you dancing naked to Bucks Fizz ;)
***** Post# 17224-5/6/2002-06:18 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: It's a dishwasher apparently. I'll believe it when I see it :-)
***** Post# 17225-5/6/2002-07:49 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Must admit, I'm not really a big fan of TV. It's either all recycled old stuff, or new stuff which just isn't very good to begin with. Since going on the internet a few years ago, I've hardly watched any TV at all, in fact I can't even remember the last time I switched it on. Might as well just get rid of it!
A CD player, however, I could never live without. Music really helps me to unwind, and I can't sleep unless I have a CD playing. Whenever I go on holiday, I always pack Tubular Bells with me, as it's one of the few things that can help me to nod off :o)
***** Post# 17226-5/6/2002-07:59 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Crikey, comparing it to a Fiat is a sure-fire way to make me wrinkle my nose up at it LOL. It sounds really clumsy and ugly, but hopefully the pictures will prove otherwise when F&P update their website.
I was imagining a lid like the Bosch TL sold in Europe. Sounds like the F&P one may be similar in a way. I presume the controls are still at the top?
I just love the look of F&P's products, they seem so well thought-out. Last time I went to a trade show, I saw the DishDrawer and fell in love with it, so may consider one when my current dishwasher eventually carcs it. Now I've said that, it'll run for another 20 years just to spite me LOL.
***** Post# 17227-5/6/2002-08:03 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
I am a tv maniac! I've got Sky Digital with about 300 odd channels and I still can't get enough! I guess you just have terrestrial, i.e. BBC 1/2, ITV1 and Channel 4? (I doubt you'll ever get Channel 5 here in Lincoln as it is an absolute crap reception).
from surgilator
p.s. do you know when the new Zanussi XC6 washers are going to be out? Oh, by the way, I'm also looking at the FLE1416, the 1400rpm Aquacycle version. Only difference is it doesn't have jetsystem or the delay timer. I can get it for £290 from Comet.
***** Post# 17228-5/6/2002-08:07 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: So would you say Zanussi's are basically the same machines as AEG's, apart from the control method and the styling? I like the way that Zanussi's and AEG's control panels are tilted slightly too.
Would you say that both Zanussi and AEG washing machines then follow the same cycle? i.e. same amount of washing, rinsing and the same spin phase?
from surgilator
***** Post# 17229-5/6/2002-08:14 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Even though all the older stuff is gone, there is still a lot there, if you like the 60's and 70's stuff. Lots of KM/WP, 1-18's, Norge and a large number of Coronado (franklin) stuff too.
I brought home:
WCI-59 in Turquoise
DCIF-59 in Aztec Copper
WO-65-2
1957 Lady Kenmore in porcelain
2 Kelvinator washers
lots of parts for some of the above and I ravaged the last TR-60 (1952 Filtrator) for parts for mine.
It was great to see the place, but it was a bit disappointing that all of the neat stuff was gone. There are still a couple of 50's GE's, some Philcos and Easys from the 60's. There is one 58 Filtrator left whole (in white) but we scoured the entire place and found no other Frigidaire unimatics, I was extremely lucky to get the one I did.
***** Post# 17230-5/6/2002-08:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: There are two Kelvinators!! That's the first machine I'm going to work on. I brought home two so that I can use one for parts and make one good machine.
***** Post# 17231-5/6/2002-08:23 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Hi DaveUK.
I noticed in your album you have an Astra? I assume it is a Vauxhall Astra. In Australia they are sold as a Holden Astra. I have been variously told that the Holden ones are assembled by Vauxhall in UK or Opel in Belgium, not sure which is true. I suspect pre-2000 shape were from UK, the new shape which came to Aus in 2000 are from Belgium.
What do you think of yours? We are thinking of getting one very soon, probably a 97/98 model, a 1.8 manual. Only 1.6 (city) and 1.8 (GL) were sold here. They are a gorgeous looking car. I'd appreciate any opinion or info you have on them.
Your looks great in the yellow. Unfortunately I don't think the yellow was ever sold here.
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17232-5/6/2002-08:28 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi everybody (FL's in disguise badges)
MESSAGE: Hi Arrrooohhh.
Those Hoover FL's, are you referring to the Beko manufactured ones? I recently saw an LG front loader that was clearly a Beko with LG badges, it was the same as the BOL Hoover FL by Beko. It was next to a "proper" LG intellowasher and looked completely different. The cheaper one was labelled "made in Turkey".
Chris.
***** Post# 17233-5/6/2002-08:30 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: No but I'm going to civilisation tomorrow so I will watch out for it. Getting rid of the textured finish is good, it holds the dirt.
Chris.
***** Post# 17234-5/6/2002-08:41 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Countdown)
MESSAGE: Countdown was a pop music show in Aus in the late seventies and maybe early eighties. It was hosted by Ian (Molly) Meldrum. My sisters both used to watch it every week, I was trying to be sophisticated at the time so shunned it. I love the occasional glimpses of it now. Molly Meldrum is now openly gay but wasn't (openly) when the show was on. Though EVERYBODY knew. The show was mainly current pop music but they would feature "new talent" too. Especially if the new talent wore extremely tight pants. It was the seventies after all.
Molly went on to guest spots on "Hey Hey It's Saturday", both as a judge on the "Red Faces" segment (mock talent quest) and interviewing the occasional pop star. He could hardly keep his tongue in his mouth when interviewing Ricky Martin. One question was something like, "well Ricky we've all heard stories about you, so are you straight or gay or what?"
Poor Ricky just looked shocked.
Still you can understand an old queen getting tongue tied sitting on a couch next to Ricky Martin...
Chris.
***** Post# 17235-5/6/2002-08:44 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Like the bonnet on my little blue LADA NIVA???
Chris
***** Post# 17236-5/6/2002-09:10 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo,
A Lada? Niva? Now tell me that you mail ordered it through Harrods (LOL!!!!)
***** Post# 17237-5/6/2002-09:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Listen here Daaarling! Textured is good. How else will blind people be able to tell that its a Fisher and Paykel. Anyway, haven't you heard of Gumption? A bit on a wet sponge and some muscle grease on top (you do have those don't you?) and Bob's your uncle.
***** Post# 17238-5/6/2002-09:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: Looks good this little number. Could have told you that it was a dishwasher, though. What else could it be? Appliances haven't taken that big a leap forward since last I posted on this forum (when was that anyway?). A nice new plasticky looking dishwasher with round edges, will have all those Euro housepeople wetting their little tushies over it. But wait till you open the door.... oh my gawd, nothing has changed!! Or has it ?! Actually, it looks as if it was designed by that internationally famous Italian bloke that designs stuff for Ferrarie and Nasa, or whatever. He does a lot of stuff with rounded edges too, so maybe there is a connection. Perhaps it uses vibrations or something to shake the dirt off the dishes.
When you find out let us know. Then I'll get one and sit on it all day.
***** Post# 17239-5/6/2002-09:29 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
Believe it or not, I also have NTL analogue cable as well, although I never use it. My phone line is NTL, and they added on the TV free of charge at the time, but the cable box basically just serves as a clock for me LOL.
Funny thing about Channel 5 is that I got perfect reception from day one. My folks, on the other hand, get different results depending on where they are in the house; OK-ish in the lounge, crummy in the kitchen, but clear as a bell in the bedrooms.
I think the new Zanussi XC6 washers are "imminent", as they say. The Aquacycle models are a good buy, especially at that price. The difference in water consumption is only something like 5 litres, which isn't really much to worry about. I don't think they'll have the DC motor, but the regular Zanussi motor is very quiet, anyway.
***** Post# 17240-5/6/2002-09:40 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (new AEG washers)
MESSAGE: I wouldn't say they were the same machines, just that AEG now use certain components which are similar to those on Zanussi washers. For example, the drum and door boot. On the other hand, things like the back panel, transit bolts and pump/filter assembly are all completely different, which to me suggests the interior workings are quite different on the two brands. The AEG certainly feels a little sturdier, although that's not to say the Zanussi isn't good quality in its own right.
The cycles follow pretty much the same sequence if I remember correctly. Only exception is that AEG offers a stain-treat cycle, which automatically adds stain remover after the bio-phase has been carried out. They also sense the amount of suds in the rinse water, and add an extra rinse if needed. They all have a Variomatic spin as well, which alternates between spinning and tumbling in order to shake out creases. You don't get things like that on the Zanussi, hence the price difference.
***** Post# 17241-5/6/2002-09:42 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Countdown)
MESSAGE: Hehehehe - sounds like fun! Especially the Ricky Martin thing. Got to give the guy credit for asking what everyone else was thinking, I suppose!
***** Post# 17242-5/6/2002-09:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Well, I sneaked a peek at your pics and am sooo jealous. Why wasn't that me fondling those twinnies? Life just isn't fair sometimes! Tell me, did you fondle anything else during your little spritzer? There is a bit of talent about in the chilly old UK, which never ceases to surprise me. I would have thought that all the good sorts are down here, with the amount of UK eyecandy in Sydney, it seems that way. So next holiday come to Oz, I guarantee that you will froth at the mouth and blow bubbles (lol).
Take care
***** Post# 17243-5/6/2002-09:51 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: not wanting to cause offence but I have to ask:
1) Do you come with a public health warning?
2) Do you have a "press here to reset in case of excessive satire" button?
No?
hehehe :-)
everyone else - is he always like this?
***** Post# 17244-5/6/2002-10:03 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Tubular Bells, huh? Is it better than Valium and Novocaine?
***** Post# 17245-5/6/2002-10:11 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Works every time :o) Listening to music stops me pondering (and worrying) about things when I'm trying to sleep. If I don't pop a CD on, I can still be awake at dawn, frantic about the thought of having to get up for work without having slept the night before.
***** Post# 17246-5/6/2002-10:14 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Well as everyone has found out by now the Sacred Appliance Burial Ground has been disturbed to say the least. When we first found the place about five years ago there was approximately 20,000 appliances out there, now I would estimate that there are between 4,000 and 5,000 left :(
The farm was broken down into three main sections, the North End, the Southwest End and the Southeast End. The North End had the oldest stuff, the Southwest end was a combination of older and newer stuff and while there was some old stuff in the SW end it was more 60s and 70s machines. Unfortunately the 99% of the North and SW ends have been cleared away. The Southeast end is untouched, but there really isn't much left of anything of real vintage interest.
I did find a '52 Norge Timeline and a '56 Hamilton Timeline. I removed the tranny from the Norge and took home the Hamilton for extra parts when I start my '56 Norge Time Line Restoration at the end of this month.
We still had a great time even though it was sad to remember what once was...
***** Post# 17247-5/6/2002-10:15 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: A Beautiful Lady
MESSAGE: There was a Push Button Lady Kenmore out there that was just so beautiful we thought she deserved her very own photoshoot...
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/lst?.dir=/Beautiful+Lady+Kenmore&.src=ph&.order=&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/lst%3f%26.dir=/Last%2bAberdeen%2bTrip%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17248-5/6/2002-10:17 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Maybe you should try yoga or something. Too much worry leads to an early grave, so people say. Mind you so can Valium and Novocaine, what about odee'ing on Tubular Bells?
***** Post# 17249-5/6/2002-10:20 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: What, was this farm licensed to be a junkyard? Normally I would have thought that the sanitation department would have been on to them to dispose of all that junk yonks ago to get rid of pests that might breed within and keep the recycling people happy. How long has this place been around?
***** Post# 17250-5/6/2002-10:25 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Since the mid 1960's. Back then there we not such strict environmental laws so the state ignored them for so many years. They won't be able to do any farming on this land for at least 100 years or more.
***** Post# 17251-5/6/2002-10:27 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: That is cute kirk,
It is good to chill. Worry is bad for your health, even worse than smoking apparently. I suppose that is why our mommies used to croon lullabys to us. Music has that wonderful settling effect. So, you just make sure that you keep those bells chiming away.
***** Post# 17252-5/6/2002-10:30 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Why not? Did they also store industrial chemicals there?
***** Post# 17253-5/6/2002-10:32 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Zanussi IZZI : design gone mad?
MESSAGE: No satire here dave. I am deadly serious.
***** Post# 17254-5/6/2002-11:03 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: That is sad, Greg...thank goodness you and Robert took a notion to make a trip now...who knows what would have happened if you waited even a little while. I'm glad you found a few interesting things and hope in time they will make some nice additions to your collection! Scott
***** Post# 17255-5/6/2002-11:05 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Greg is the couple still there, or have they passed on, hence the removal of all the stuff?
***** Post# 17256-5/6/2002-11:08 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Vauxhall seems to be a very popular car in the UK. There is a plant very near to Mikey's that we drove by several times. It says "Home of the Astra" which appears to be a very nice little car. I must research to see if this company has any connections to our American General Motors, since there is or has been also a Vauxhall Cavalier, and a Vauxhall Nova, both of which are Chevrolet products in the states.
***** Post# 17257-5/6/2002-11:20 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles, we did have a wonderful time with Mike's collection! Actually the weather was quite sunny and pleasant during my stay, much more pleasant than it had been here that particular week!
Ever since I met Mikey, I have been quite taken with British men (and am so with British people in general, particularly since my recent visit!), and I saw more than a few men during my stay that I would be willing to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road for, although I did not meet anyone specific this trip.
***** Post# 17258-5/6/2002-11:21 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Scott, unfortunately Marty is in Assisted Living Now and Lillian has lost a leg and is now disabled. She has moved into town where its easier for a disabled person. Neither one of them have been out to the farm in over 2 years. Lillian arranged the removal of the appliances by a scrap metal company, she told them to start on the SE side, but they didn't follow her instructions. They recived $5 a ton for the stuff.
***** Post# 17259-5/6/2002-11:23 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: In the meantime in appliance land..... (Zanker)
MESSAGE: Zanker washing machines used to be very popular in the time they were owned by AEG. Especially the tumblewashing twintubs (Zanker Intimat) were very popular. Later AEG sold Zanker to Electrolux and the Zanker design changed. More Electrolux were changed. Funny that AEG was later sold to Electrolux too. At the moment Zanker is positioned between AEG and Zanussi. More features, but basically a Zanussi.
Louis
***** Post# 17260-5/6/2002-11:32 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, thanks for the update, I'm sorry to hear they are not well. Scott
***** Post# 17261-5/6/2002-11:33 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: A better solution for the F&P safety issue would be to have a factory installed interior flourscent light that comes on whenever the lid opens!
:-)
***** Post# 17262-5/6/2002-11:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: That is indeed a very sad sight, there were so many treasures there. Is that a 59 Unimatic in the back? Are there other appliance grave yards? I guess it's time to visit them soon to see what can be saved.
Louis
***** Post# 17263-5/6/2002-11:54 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (59 Multimatic)
MESSAGE: 59 was the first year of the change to the Multimatic mechanism - top spin speed of 850. Just like the set pictured in your wallpaper - except the dryer I brought home is brown.
I was told about another, much smaller graveyard over in Iowa that I may check out soon, but the Aberdeen farm was probably the largest one ever found so far.
***** Post# 17264-5/6/2002-12:15 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (pic 102 Glass of Steel)
MESSAGE: OH MY GOD! APPNUT look at the pic!!!! Right below the Frigidaire. See it?
That's my dream machine, although missing parts.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/vwp?.dir=/Last+Aberdeen+Trip&.dnm=102+Glass+of+Steel.jpg&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/vwp%3f.dir=/Last%2bAberdeen%2bTrip%26.dnm=10%2bBOL%2bWesty%2bDryer.jpg%26.src=ph
***** Post# 17265-5/6/2002-12:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Robert,
Many thanks for your pictures. It's a real shame that all those wonderful appliances disappeared. Are there other appliance grave yards left that have interesting vintage washers? Perhaps we should ground something like "Whitepeace" for saving all the wonderful white goods from the past.
Louis
***** Post# 17266-5/6/2002-12:23 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady
MESSAGE: Oh, you are a bunch of bad guys. I think some slapping should be done at this year's convention!!!
Louis
***** Post# 17267-5/6/2002-12:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Your Majesty,
Vauxhall and Opel (on the European continent this car is called Opel Astra) are part of the GM company. They are quite reliable cars and the Astra was for many years the best sold car in the Netherlands.
QLOTOC
***** Post# 17268-5/6/2002-12:31 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (boo hoo hoo)
MESSAGE: Hey Greg and Robert!
This IS a sad day in applianceville! I was hoping you guys were going to come home with five 1955 Frigidaire Imperials!
Thanks for the pictures. I really enjoyed looking at all of them. It looked like you had a "smashing" good time with the Kenmore. Glad you both picked up some treasures.
Rich
***** Post# 17269-5/6/2002-12:34 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (59 Multimatic)
MESSAGE: Aha! I thought that the 1960 model (the one Scott has) was the first Multimatic. I like 1959 models because I was born in 1959.
I hope the Iowa graveyard still has some vintage treasures.
Louis
***** Post# 17270-5/6/2002-12:38 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (that wasn't nice)
MESSAGE: Ummm.. I really don't know how to respond to that one but that wasn't very nice. Just because Kenmore isn't your favorite brand of washer doesn't mean it's not someone elses. I mean, yeah, the washer's in bad shape but making a mockery of it (by calling it a "beautiful lady") and taking pictures of Greg beating on it with a hammer is not nice, no matter what condition the washer is in. Same thing with the picture of Greg trying to break the glass on the 1-18. There are people on here who do like 60s and 70s washers. It was a playful attempt to hurt somebody's feelings, and you succeeded. I'm really sorry I have to post this but this is how I feel.
Upset
***** Post# 17271-5/6/2002-12:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (that wasn't nice)
MESSAGE: Hi Jason, please don't take it so seriously. It was all in good fun and humor. The only reason we did this was because they are so many of those Push Button Lady Kenmore's left out there, some in better shape. Our little smashing fun was not meant to hurt anyones feelings, we did it to a Kenmore as well as to a 1-18 Frigidaire which covers most of everyone's favorite brand, including our own. You should know us well enough by now we would never purpously try to hurt anyone's feelings here.
The glass on the 1-18 refused to break by the way no matter how hard we tried.
***** Post# 17272-5/6/2002-12:48 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Hi Louis, this was the only true graveyard I've have ever seen.
***** Post# 17273-5/6/2002-12:57 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (that wasn't nice)
MESSAGE: So that's why the timer was missing on that Kenmore 800. :-(
Well, sorry I got mad so quickly. I should've figured there were a bunch of other machines just like it.
Well, I guess the 1-18 showed you :-D . It was trying to protect the poor Kenmore 800 from the hammer.
That's sad to see all the really old ones gone.
***** Post# 17274-5/6/2002-13:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Thank you, Your Majesty, for that information! That solves the curiosity for me!
QEOM
***** Post# 17275-5/6/2002-13:40 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (Great Items!)
MESSAGE: I love all the appliances - I wish their was more places like this
Peter
***** Post# 17276-5/6/2002-13:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Hehehehe! Not sure about the yoga, as I'm not the most supple person around. Knowing me, I'd twist myself into a pretzel, then get stuck LOL.
***** Post# 17277-5/6/2002-13:58 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Ooer, I'm a born worrier, and I smoke too, so I'd better start destressing soon. Luckily, I'm going on holiday to Scotland next week, which always does the trick. Two weeks away from work and all the hassles that go with it - yay!!! I just hope my pal's campervan lasts the journey, otherwise we'll be walking back LOL.
***** Post# 17278-5/6/2002-14:21 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: What beats me is why manufacturers don't just put a window lid on their top loaders and be done with it. That way, they could lock the lid, to protect themselves from being sued when someone mangles their arm, while the user could still see what was going on inside. As for adding forgotten items after the cycle has started, a pause-and-unlock feature could be engineered into the design pretty easily.
Of course, this wouldn't apply to Maytag top loaders. Viewing their agitation is strictly verboten, for some unknown reason. Even Whirlpool machines now stop agitating when the lid is up, at least on the export models sold here.
***** Post# 17279-5/6/2002-16:36 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Well, Greg this is really sad news indeed. There goes my dream of my own personal Norge Timeline. And how sad that all of the other really neat stuff has is just gone........... I bet that realization must have felt like having the wind knocked out of you.....
At least you were able to get a few things and I guess that it is not hopeless if they still have a few Philco top loaders. Those were so unusual and not that widely seen even when new that any of those are a find......
***** Post# 17280-5/6/2002-16:45 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Robert - those were awesome pictures. I can only imagine what they would have been if the devastating clearing process had not occured. Just out of curiosity, though, are any of the machines there actually readily repairable for use or are they mostly either complete rebuilds or parts sources for existing machines?
Well, at least you were fortunate enough to find parts that will help in the Norge restoration. I guess the laundry gods are smiling and it is a signal that the Timeline must not die!!
***** Post# 17281-5/6/2002-16:45 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville
MESSAGE: Well, perhaps the laundry gods are smirking, or at least grinning.........
***** Post# 17282-5/6/2002-17:53 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo!
There was a yellow Astra but it was the 2 litre SRi sporty version.
I love Holdens line up these days. I believe they wanted to import Vauxhalls/Opels for years but had to share models with Toyota because of the Button plan. Holden and Toyota got out of that as quick as they could.
***** Post# 17283-5/6/2002-17:56 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hi everybody (FL's in disguise badges)
MESSAGE: Yes thats right!
Wasnt a bad washer, seemed to be a good price and Hoover has always had a FL in its line up. I think that they just want to have the Simpson (Gorenje sourced) and Westinghouse (LG sourced) models.
LG has a version too, I dont know why they feel the need for that kind of model. It sits funny next to their intellowasher range.
***** Post# 17284-5/6/2002-17:59 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Countdown)
MESSAGE: Countdown went to 1986. I remember watching it.
I cant stand Molly Meldrum. The way he drops names is appaulling and he cant get a full sentance out. And thats now. When you watch old countdown I wonder how on earth he got a job on TV he is so incoherent.
Time for hoary old chestnuts like him and Bert Newton to go.
***** Post# 17285-5/6/2002-18:01 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Like on an late 80's early 90's Simpson. Thats how one salesman described the lid when my mother bought one and it has stuck with me ever since.
I talked my Mum into buying a Hoover and she walked into the shop and saw this new styled Simpson and the Hoover was blown out of the water. This of course was just before Whirlpool was relaunched in Australia.
***** Post# 17286-5/6/2002-18:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott!
Vauxhall, Open and Holden are all part of the GM global empire and have been for a very long time. Most Holdens have been Australised versions of Vauxhalls/Opels. The Commodore has always been based on the Opel Rekord/Omega. Has bigger engines and stiffer suspensions. Though the latest Commodore is quite different outside to the European cousin.
I believe GM has purchased Daewoo. Daewoo also makes whitegoods...
***** Post# 17287-5/6/2002-18:53 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (Thanks for the pics)
MESSAGE: I really enjoy all the pictures. Many of those machines from the 1960s and early 1970s are fascinating to me, even if the serious collectors find them less-than-interesting.
***** Post# 17288-5/6/2002-18:56 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (holidays)
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
The more I hear of you, the more you remind me of me, worrier, drinker, smoker. Let me guess, you ain't big on that sport and exercise malarky either, well apart from odling the cute guys who do it.
I have just booked our holiday today, a week or so after you, we will be heading to Cornwall. We ususally rent a rather basic old cottage where the there is no TV, phone mobile phone reception and the only appliabce is an leaky old Creda spin dryer - I usually manage some excuse to have to handwash something and use the spinner and end up floding the floor.
This past winter, the owners had the builders in to modernise teh place and the work has overrun, so we have found an alternative place. We have rented a brand new appartment on the cliff top overlooking the village, harbour and sea. This appartment comes with TV, microwave, 2 bathrooms and best of all a DW and a W/D. I don't yet know what make the apps will be, but its always fun trying new apps and reading the manuals.
Enjoy Scotland and watch out for the hoy guys in kilts, I get all flushed thinking about them.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17289-5/6/2002-19:01 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: Right on!
***** Post# 17290-5/6/2002-19:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: I guess manufacturers figure that people are not interested in what goes on during the wash; but if people are really so uninterested, why do manufacturers make such a fuss about all the bells and whistles. Personally, I consider it pretty important to see inside any washer, TL or FL - is colour bleeding? is it oversudsing? is it tumbling/turning over correctly? is the water too hot / too cool? - ok hands in for this one, has it rinsed clear? It's too much of a leap of faith to leave all those variables to a machine, also there is so little entertainment value in the outside of a metal box.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17291-5/6/2002-19:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I agree the Astra is a nice car. I drive a Corsa, which is a baby Astra, though I have driven a couple of Astras and enjoyed them. My Corsa is a 1.4 auto, not a bad car, but hardly exciting. Opininion on Astra - looks good, goes pretty fast, what more could one want.
I see you are planning to get a manual, Vauxhall manual gears are pretty good.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17292-5/6/2002-19:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Hi Dave,
Lucky and Kaia are absolutely beautiful, and those are such good photos of them. I find it very dificult to get good photos of my cats, though it does not help that mine are black.
Is lucky sucking his tail in that photo, Jacob still sucks his tail, it's so cute. How do you pronounce Kaia, I am guessing Key-a or Kay, but am not really sure?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17293-5/6/2002-19:15 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Hi! Interesting about the cars, thanks!
So GM bought Daewoo, and Daewoo makes white goods! Ok then! I'll be looking forward to seeing the new "Daewoo Jet Action Washer" hitting the markets at any time! :-)
***** Post# 17294-5/6/2002-19:29 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: LOL That'd be nice to see. Unfortunately, I think GM have only bought, or at least are trying to buy, Daewoo Automobile. The domestic appliances, industrial machinery etc are all separate.
Vauxhall doesn't have a great image in this country, but I think it is better than that of Ford, although they are beginning to get left behind in design and quality terms. At least what they build is fairly solid, and reasonably reliable.
***** Post# 17295-5/6/2002-19:31 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: I think it was just coincidence, I've not noticed him sucking his tail, just more like sticking it up/ over his nose when he's asleep (much like my mum's border collie actually).
Kaia - pronounced as Gaia with a K. If thats still confusing, think of it as guy-a, but with a K. Damn, it's difficult trying to explain that ;-)
Dave
***** Post# 17296-5/6/2002-19:36 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: hmmm...that's too bad. 'Twas a nice thought though!
General Motors cars have not had the greatest reputation in the states for some time either, though they may be a bit better now than they were for most of the 80s and 90s.
Our family has driven Fords and Mercury's (an American division of Ford) for many years and have been very happy with them. My current car is the American equivalent of your Ford Mondeo, which I saw quite a few of as well while in the UK. I have been quite delighted with it and all my Mercury's.
***** Post# 17297-5/6/2002-19:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (holidays)
MESSAGE: Hiya Rich,
Exercise? Hmmmm, I don't get as much as I'd like to. Putting on a bit of a podge at the moment, so I may have to take up swimming again. Those muscle stimulator thingies, where you stick the pads on your flabby bits, DO NOT work :o(
The only sport I like is tenpin bowling, which hardly qualifies as exercise; even I can't kid myself on that one. Unless you count chasing after the ball when I let go too soon, and send it flying backwards, instead of forward. Oops!
Cornwall is a lovely part of the country. I used to live in Plymouth as a kid, and remember the frequent trips we made to places such as Looe and Polperro. All in all a very good place to go if you want to unwind on holiday, as it's nice and quiet there, and pretty laid back.
Sounds like the holiday apartment you'll be renting is quite posh! No doubt you'll have trouble deciding whether you want to stay in and do laundry, or go out and see the sights LOL.
I'm really looking forward to the Scotland trip, and can't wait for this week to end. There's something strangely appealing about living in the back of an old Bedford camper for two weeks, and running across a muddy field each morning in order to get a shower.
***** Post# 17298-5/6/2002-19:39 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Yeah, Vauxhall and Ford are the big two in terms of sales over here, much like GM and Ford elsewhere in the world. They're starting to have to work really hard on quality and desirability now after some of the other companies have made huge leaps forward, and more telling, after appalling performances in the likes of JD Power survey. The top 3 manufacturers in the 2002 JD Power survey were, in order, Lexus, Toyota, Skoda.
Would that plant have been Ellesmere Port, by any chance or am I completely wrong here?
Dave
***** Post# 17299-5/6/2002-19:45 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: Was that the old Mondeo? I'd thought (probably wrongly) that the new/current Mondeo wasn't going to be sold in the States. It's a shame if it isn't, as it's a huge step forward for Ford and possibly the best car they've built for a long time. Oh, not to mention the fact that it's the basis of the Jag X-type. Over here, though, the Mondeo's and Vauxhall Vectra's struggle a bit to remove themselves from the 'repmobile' image they've built up over the years.
***** Post# 17300-5/6/2002-19:48 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Heh, sounds like me Kirk, but I've practically given up the fags (um, apart from the one I had earlier, or on Friday...). I do worry far too much though, apparently, and music or TV helps me relax, as long as it's not The Weakest Link, or some other quiz show, as I tend to shout at the TV then :)
Whereabouts in Scotland are you heading to?
***** Post# 17301-5/6/2002-19:51 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville (pic 102 Glass of Steel)
MESSAGE: Jason, I recognized the 800 BEFORE you even pointed it out to me. Bob
***** Post# 17302-5/6/2002-19:56 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: That's exactly the reason why I'm rather ambivalent about H-axis top loaders. I know the design makes sense, but it's just so BORING! There's no way to watch what's going on, because even if you trip the interlock, all you see is the outside of the drum.
You're probably right about people not being all that interested in what their washers are doing. Unfortunately, it seems we're in the minority on that one. Personally, I find it fascinating from a mechanical viewpoint, and like to know how things work so I can understand how they do their job.
***** Post# 17303-5/6/2002-19:59 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Yes, that's the one! Mikey lives in Chester.
***** Post# 17304-5/6/2002-20:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: My guess is it is the "old" Mondeo (mine is a 1999 model year). The "Mystique" as it is called here, was discontinued in the 2000 model year and is not being replaced. Gas is much less expensive here than in the UK, and there is a larger model called the "Sable", not to mention all the large trucks and sport utility vehicles, are more popular. The problem I'm told is that the two were priced too close together; i.e., you could get the larger, more luxurious Sable for just a bit more than a Mystique, but I think it's an ideal sized car.
***** Post# 17305-5/6/2002-20:17 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (that wasn't nice)
MESSAGE: Oh, Jason, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of Kenmores, Whirlpools and 1-18's out there. So many of them are in various stages of decay it's hard to even read the panels of most and many have been ravaged for parts as well. As Robert said, we were just having some fun with all the machines - I have more pictures to post with more of our antics later tonight.
***** Post# 17306-5/6/2002-20:19 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Bucks Fizz)
MESSAGE: Good lord, it sounds like we're all a bunch of stress-heads here! Seems like we all have our own ways of dealing with it, though. Mine is retirement, but I've got another 40-odd years left to wait yet, for my sins.
Usually when we go to Scotland, we do a round trip, starting off in Perthshire, and working our way up to the Highlands, before gradually making our way back down to the border. Normally we only stay at each campsite for a single night, maybe two at the most, in order to cover as much ground as possible. Hopefully the weather will be scorching hot like it was last time, so I can get some decent pics of the trip.
***** Post# 17307-5/6/2002-20:20 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady
MESSAGE: I'm right behind you Luigi. SLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPP!!! Such disrespect for a Lady.
***** Post# 17308-5/6/2002-20:25 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (holidays)
MESSAGE: Retirement? Good grief, I'm 23, that means at least 37 years of working is ahead of me. Sounds much longer when you say it like that doesn't it...
Looks like you've got a good plan for the hols. At the moment the weather up here is fairly reasonable, the last few days have been mostly great, but was greying up a bit earlier. With any luck you'll get the few days of decent weather.
Dave
***** Post# 17309-5/6/2002-20:32 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen Update - A Sad Day For Applianceville ((boo hoo hoo & A THANK YOU!!))
MESSAGE: Yes, I agree it is devasdtating. My hopes for a Frigidaire Unimatic are banished for sure now. So many times in the past two years have been episodes of things removed just beyond our grasp (like the former Frigidaire repairman that had gotten rid of 13 or so machines over the past two years). I am very grateful for all the pictures and your efforts. It was nice to see the Norge/Signatures similar to our 1964 one. And the radiant rinse Westy DW, I loved that bottom rack, held a ton of stuff!!!!.
***** Post# 17310-5/6/2002-20:48 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (holidays)
MESSAGE: We'd better hold out for a big lottery win, in that case; it MUST be our turn to win soon LOL.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the weather. As of late, it's been rather changeable here, so it would be nice to get some sunshine while I'm away. Perhaps I should pack nothing but heavy jackets and thick jumpers, as that always brings the hot weather on! T-shirts and shorts would be tempting fate, it would end up piddling with rain for two weeks solid.
***** Post# 17311-5/6/2002-21:47 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: Thanks for the memories
MESSAGE: Hi Robert and Greg, It is really a sad thing that there won't be anymore trips to the grave yard. It does look like you had a great time. Thanks so much for the pictures that you have both posted. I saw many machines that brought back memories from time past. Thanks again for sharing. Terry
***** Post# 17312-5/6/2002-21:57 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (Appliance Restore)
MESSAGE: I cannot stop looking at these gems. Are you going to actually restore any of them fully or just use them for parts?
Peter
***** Post# 17313-5/6/2002-22:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (Appliance Restore)
MESSAGE: Thanks Peter -
Everytime I walk out into the garage I have to stop and admire (and be grateful, no matter the condition) that I got what I did. I plan using one of the Kelvinators and the WO-56-2 for parts. The older Kelvi has no pump or motor inside so only one good one can come of those two anyway. The WO65-2 is so far gone it can only be parted out, the cabinet is trashed beyond hope. I will keep everything I can remove from both machines though. That would still leave four restored machines out of the six, but it will take me many moons to get them all done!
***** Post# 17314-5/6/2002-22:21 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (Appliance restore!)
MESSAGE: The Kelvinator makes it happen no matter what.
Best Of Luck!
Peter
***** Post# 17315-5/6/2002-22:33 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD!
MESSAGE: It didn't look like any more than a simple puddle, but it tried to swallow Robert's Jeep!
We had this great idea to drive Robert's Jeep down into the field surrounding the graveyard to pick up some of our finds on the back end. It was going to be perfect - we wouldn't have to lug these 225 lb machines clear from the back of the property, just drive them around. Mother nature stopped us in our tracks and we had to drive back to town for a tow truck to pull the Jeep out of the mud.
The tow truck nearly got stuck trying to get back up onto the highway and then started to overheat, white smoke starts pouring out from under the tow truck's hood...Christmas was ruined!
Before long, Robert's Jeep was back on stable ground and we still had plenty of time for the work we needed to get done (and some wicked appliance play too!) before dark, so everything turned out OK. Given that we had perfect weather and that was the only wrinkle, the day was grand! Yay!
***** Post# 17316-5/6/2002-22:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures!
MESSAGE: I uploaded 91 more pictures tonight of the Aberdeen farm - enjoy!
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst?.dir=/2002+Aberdeen+Appliance+Burial+Ground&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/2002%2bAberdeen%2bAppliance%2bBurial%2bGround/A%2bGood%2bIdea%2bGone%2bVery%2bBad%26.src=ph%26.view=t&.view=t
***** Post# 17317-5/6/2002-23:37 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD!
MESSAGE: I've been having that kinda "week" since Sunday 4/28!
***** Post# 17318-5/6/2002-23:39 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures!
MESSAGE: Whoa! That'll keep me nicely occupied for a while!
***** Post# 17319-5/6/2002-23:52 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: I would have taken that machine, just because I wouldn't have any other choice.
Does anybody have any details on this machine? What does it mean, Contourfill? It's an Automagic-type design, yes?
***** Post# 17320-5/6/2002-00:30 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel
MESSAGE: I think that manufacturers are scared to death of lawsuits from people who are stupid enough to put their hands inside a working machine.
Its the same mentality that sees public toilets and playground locked up so no one can injure themselves and sue council.
We live in a litigious short term stockmarket driven world. I hate it with a passion.
***** Post# 17321-5/6/2002-00:38 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: A Beautiful Lady (Appliance Restore)
MESSAGE: Please do the Kelvi first. That has to be my favourote classic appliance.
The second would be a Hoover Keymatic.
***** Post# 17322-5/6/2002-01:42 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Astra)
MESSAGE: Vauxhall is a GM subsidiary.
***** Post# 17323-5/7/2002-02:01 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: Aren't the Mondeo, Sable and Mystique all based on the Ford Taurus?
***** Post# 17324-5/7/2002-02:18 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Daewoo)
MESSAGE: Hi Ed, the Ford Mondeo is the European equivalent to the American Mercury Mystique (or Ford Contour). The Mercury Sable is twin to the Ford Taurus. The Sable/Taurus is a larger car than the Contour/Mystique.
***** Post# 17325-5/7/2002-06:06 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Whirlpool Project F)
MESSAGE: 'That which is marlvelous and primordal in the relationship between man and water is completelt obscured in the washing machine. If it weren't for that small round window whose view can sometimes be enchantiing, everything that is pleasurable - water, fabrics, colors, rhythmic flows, liquid energies in motion - would all stay hidden in a cold and monolithic volume.'
The above is just one such quote from Whirlpool's 'Project F, the future of fabric care'. I am only part way through reading this site, but had to post right away as I am sure this is going to appeal to many here.
***** Post# 17326-5/7/2002-06:21 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: OK, Glenn, here goes - this is what I can remember. Once Philco introduced the Automagic in 1959, the agitation remained the same throughout the late 60's until Philco got out of the appliance business. The only difference was that Philco changed the "cosmetics" of the agitators - for example the agitator on my friend's '67 Custom Imperial was blue and it was taller since tub capacity had grown over the years. Strange though, the rubber disc that moved never got any wider even with the larger capacity on later Philcos. Could that be why the washing ability of the Philcos went from very good on the '59-'64 models down to merely satisfactory on '65-'69 models??? Also the washing action had several names over the years.. I think it was originally called "sonic washing" on the first Automagic, then was later called "undertow agitation" ( from a 1963 Miss America ad), then later - "blades of water" or "flex-a-wash".....
The whole "Contourfill" thing was not the name of a model but referred to the water inlet which was located in the "wide loading contour top" that was available on all later model Philcos. They were really the first (and remember this was 1965 or so) to have a very large side opening lid( to the right if you please!!!) that took up almost the whole top of the machine. When you lifted the lid, the tub opening was quite large and the entire loading port (where the bleach dispenser ws located) sloped downward and was in effect "contoured" to facilitate loading and unloading. And actually what you see in today's toploaders is a variation of that design. So really, the Philco engineers were quite ahead of their time - unusual wash action, "ball point balance" and the wide loading top...............
I know that was a long answer but I hope it cleared things up......
***** Post# 17327-5/7/2002-08:15 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: Tcox told me at our wash-in that his relatives somewhere in the country has a 60s Philco washer. he said the agitator has a large round head on it (like Uni's). So here's hoping it's in decent shape to be restored. I would love to see it in action.
What exactly is ball point balance?
***** Post# 17328-5/7/2002-09:52 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Whirlpool Project F)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo,
Yep, definitely an interesting site, but can you explain why, when I was perusing it, did I feel a cold chill travel up and down my spine?
***** Post# 17329-5/7/2002-09:52 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Corsa)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
The Corsa is sold here too, but it is badges as a Holden Barina. The Corsa name isn't used. We originally went shopping for a Barina or a VW Polo but Polos are scarce and overpriced here, and the seats in the Barinas we looked at were mounted too high off the floor, so I felt like I was peering out under the top of the windscreen. Later ones have a height-adjustable seat, but not the 95-2001 model we looked at. Lovely little car, though. Pity we are too tall for it.
Chris.
***** Post# 17330-5/7/2002-09:53 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Treasures Lost to Progress)
MESSAGE: What an exciting day trip that must have been, except for getting stuck in the mud! The excitement of finding some lost treasures and then the BIG let down of finding out what has happened. Times are changing and soon any treasures of the past will be gone, its a shame, I can imagine how you guys felt. But at least the trip wasn't a total loss and you did manage to find some goodies worth saving and have some fun doing it too. The times are changing and I can imagine that soon that the field is going to be empty and those lost American treasures will all be history. You guys will be one of the few who will at least have some record of it. Treasure yards like that will soon be history as the environmentalists and the government will want all white goods to be recycled. I know here in NJ there are none that I know of, and if they do exist, they are far and very few. The club members should all give you guys a big thank you(and some have) for your expedition. Many of us will never get the chance to experience the thrill of finding such a place and finding our favorite washers that we would love to have! A BIG Thank You Guys from this member, and I am sure from the rest too!!
***** Post# 17331-5/7/2002-09:58 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: It would be great if that machine were still running!! As to the ball point balance question, I am actually not sure what that means from a technical standpoint. I only know that Philco, even before the Automagic, claimed to have a ball point balance system that supposedly eliminated unbalanced loads. That apparently carried through into the Automagic design... perhaps Robert (Unimatic) can help out with a more technical explanation..........
***** Post# 17332-5/7/2002-09:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD!
MESSAGE: Ah, see, what you boys needed was a Lada Niva to pull the tow truck and the Jeep simultaneously out of the mud...
Chris.
***** Post# 17333-5/7/2002-10:17 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Treasures Lost to Progress)
MESSAGE: "... Treasure yards like that will soon be history as the environmentalists and government will want all whitegoods recycled."
Remember the environmentalists motto, "reduce - reuse - recycle".
Note that Reuse comes before recycle.
So you reuse apppliances that can be re-used, and recycle those that are beyond repair. Recycling includes dismantling and storing parts for further re-use. I don't think environmentalists are an enemy of vintage washers here.
I know of four yards with old washing machines and other appliances available for parts scavenging or purchase, and they are all run by community groups with environmental objectives. I know of no similar places in Melbourne run by anybody else.
Best Wishes.
Your washing machine loving
car loving
gay greenie.
Chris.
XXX
PS
I'm not jumping down your throat, I just wanted to make a little point...
Chris.
***** Post# 17334-5/7/2002-11:10 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Ball Point)
MESSAGE: I think the theory is based on a center of gravity. I know Westy toploaders used to brag that their center of gravity was below the bottom of the washer. Seems to me that the tub supports were not straight down but instead bent toward the center of the machine to a single point. Then with a system of springs, the unit was kept upright and in balance upon that point.
-ph
***** Post# 17335-5/7/2002-11:33 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Sounds great Scott. I remember that the Gods were smiling on me also, when I visited the UK last century. In fact, the day I arrived in England (I had brought a car from a German relative accross the channel), was Guy Fawkes night and I partook in these celebrations at a quaint little pub in Wrabness, which belonged to the sister of a friend. The weather, for the entire three weeks that I was there, was absolutely perfect and very mild in comparison to the continent. I later spent time in Clacton, a clapped out old seaside resort with two gigantic, Las Vegas style, bingo parlours and an old fun pier, that threatened to slide into the ocean, it was a lovely little place.
Whilst staying in Clacton, I got involved in a bit of hunt sabbing. The friend I was visiting, was a left-wing vegan, who had a lemon tree germinating in her kitchen sink, because she couldn't kill the tree or wanted to harvest her own lemons (don't remember which?). So, one day she made me put on this big parka (German military overcoat), and a beany, and off we went to this cross-country location full of other, similarly dressed, people, who were shouting and flailing their arms at these other people on horses. It was fun! ;o) We ended up saving the fox, I think, and celebrated our success with Gordon's Sloe Gin, which I have never been able to get here in Oz(a very nice drink indeed). I slummed it up at Hampstead Heath (where one can have a truly cultural experience, particularly around Kenworth Manor and that cemetary full of famous people)and ended up in Coventry, my best mate's home town, where I stayed with his rellies and did a fabulous three-day pub crawl.
Loved the ring roads and the giant round-abouts over there, definitely the way to go when one drives without a map and depends on people's verbal instructions, only. I got around okay though, didn't lose my way too often and ended up doing a lot of touristy stuff like visiting Kennelworth Castle, Shakespeare's home and so on. It is so quick and easy to get around that country. One can do England in a day, top to bottom.
As soon as I got off the boat, it felt completely natural being there, almost like home away from home. Then again, it's the same when I visit the US, there is always this feeling of familiarity about the place. Must be due to years of exposure to American and British TV programs. Having friends and familiar faces in strange lands also helps, I suppose. Did you feel the same when you got there? Apart from the fact that everything is a lot more squashed together and they park their cars on their sidewalks, even facing the wrong way. Oh, and I love their pubs!
Did you get to experience their 'pay as you go along' gas and electricity meters? You'd be standing under the electric shower at 4 am, after having danced your tush off and suddenly you hear this 'pop!!' and you stand in complete darkness and the little stream of water, that dribbles out of the shower head, suddenly turns from tepid to near freezing and you fumble around for change in your wallet with soap in your eyes, whilst your mate has passed out on the couch and ignores your screams and wailing. These are memories I will cherish for ever.
After all this, I hope you have better luck next time you go there. Maybe, when you meet blokes in the UK, you should tell them that you have continuous hot running water in your home. That gets them every time and they want to come with you to experience it in the flesh. Now that you know the secret, you should have no problems scoring, but make sure that they have a shower before you do anything. At least you can hold the rubber hose for them and point it at the right places, be careful not to scald off the important bits though.
***** Post# 17336-5/7/2002-11:34 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Whirlpool Project F)
MESSAGE: ...I wonder if a cat would fit in Cleanscape....
<:-0
***** Post# 17337-5/7/2002-11:38 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures!
MESSAGE: Hi Greg
Thanks for taking all of those pictures! Love that turquoise Kelvinator agitator! You came home with some great stuff. Glad you got out of that mud and made it home safely.
Rich
***** Post# 17338-5/7/2002-12:34 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Thats ok)
MESSAGE: Point noted and not offended at all. I think that places like the farm should be available, for reusing and recycling. And I think its great that you have them in your country for that reason. If it makes sense, and if it works thats fantastic. But there has to be something behind why the farm is being cleaned up. I think I read an earlier post that the old couple can't take care of the place or something to that effect. I just know that in NJ a place like that wouldn't be aloud to exist. As there would be too many people who would build their big houses around it and then force them out. I do agree with you about reusing and recycling, and if I knew of a place like that I would definetly seek it out. I would love to poke around a treasure yard looking for a parts or a machine, than buying a new one. Oh buy the way, your a car lover too? What kinds and types.
***** Post# 17339-5/7/2002-13:10 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Ball Point)
MESSAGE: The Philco version works very much like a gyroscope. The balance point that supports the entire weight of the spinning tub is a large ball at the very bottom of the machine at the base. This balance ball is pressed into a cup of break pad material which acts as the snubber. Unfortunately in my machine the ball and snubber cup are making a loud squeaking sound during spin. I need to go back in there and repad the snubber cup.
***** Post# 17340-5/7/2002-13:14 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Junkyards)
MESSAGE: I imagine that an old appliance junkyard is less of an environmental problem than, say, an old car junkyard. After all, appliances don't have large gas tanks or many quarts of oil. I guess the washer trannies do have some grease or oil, but not in the quantities that car motors have. I'd imagine, however, that captured rain water in many of the washer tubs could be a horrible mosquito breeding ground, although perhaps keeping the lids on and closed would help with that. Still, unless there was a lot of tranny oil seepage, I can't see how that land is ruined for farming. I wonder how much oil an old operating farm tractor deposits in the soil each year...
My first car was about 12 years old when I bought it. I remember someone saying that I was being environmentally irresponsible for operating such an old car. My reply at the time was, what was the cost of having it rust away, dripping oil and gas, in some junkyard? That was in the mid-70's, when new cars really weren't that much better than a well-tuned car of the 60's. Not that mine was that well tuned, lol. Nowadays however the new cars are so much less polluting that my only defense is that I rarely drive the older car(s), it's of historic value.
***** Post# 17341-5/7/2002-15:42 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD! (Question about Yahoo)
MESSAGE: That sure looks like a wet adventure. Sometimes water is a blessing, especially while washing, but this doesn't look good. Quite adventurous though.
I have a question. I still can see your pictures full size, while viewing albums of other people (including myself when I'm not logged in) I can only see the screen size pictures. Do you perhaps know why that is? Have you become a paying member?
Louis
***** Post# 17342-5/7/2002-15:47 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Sounds like you had an interesting time, Bubbles! Fortunately, there are no coin-operated showers in Mikey's house, LOL. Matter of fact, I really liked his shower because all you had to do was push a button and the water came out the correct temperature, no fumbling with valves or faucets. It was great!
I don't know what's up with that whole parking thing, they would frown on that here in the states, but what I suppose, do we know? LOL Driving on the left side of the road (is this done in Australia?) seemed strange at first, as did the cars with the controls on the right (rather than the left, as in the states) but by the end of the week I could see it was something one would just need to get used to.
The British, despite what some for whatever reason would have one believe, are warm, very friendly people, and exceedingly polite and well-mannered, which scores big points in my book. I also very much enjoy the tea ritual. I think it is a wonderful thing to take a bit of time from one's afternoon to step back, regroup and have nice conversation with a friend.
Scott
***** Post# 17343-5/7/2002-16:06 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures!
MESSAGE: Thank you so much for the pictures Greg. It's heartbreaking to see at the bad state of these appliances, especially the 1959 Frigidaire washer and dryer. BTW, I loved the picture of the window lid Hamilton LOL.
Louis
***** Post# 17344-5/7/2002-16:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Ball Point)
MESSAGE: Squeaking aside, the ball point balance is one of the best I've ever seen at handling unbalanced loads. Very little if any vibration, and no loss of speed as with other brands which shall remain nameless. :-)
***** Post# 17345-5/7/2002-16:26 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD! (Question about Yahoo)
MESSAGE: Oh good, I was wondering if everyone could view them in full size. I did pay for more storage space, although even the 100mb I have now will be eaten up quickly. I wish there was a more economical solution for photo albums, but until one is found, I may have to remove some of the older pictures to make room from time to time.
***** Post# 17346-5/7/2002-17:13 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Hiya kirk
I used to have Ntl analogue until last september. I was fed up with the prices ntl were charging for such a shit (excuse my langusge) service. I moved to Sky, and it was much better value, I pay £16 and I receive around 250 channels. On ntl i had the basic package, i.e. only discovery, sky 1, cartoon network, trouble/bravo, the box, qvc, bbc news 24, sky news, uk gold and nickelodeon. I only watched discovery home and leisure for this old house, some nick and trouble programmes, and uk gold.
I have ntl broadband internet and ntl phoneline. These services aren't too bad, i can live with them.
By the way, just out of interest, I have three Sony tv's and a Toshiba tv, and all Sony video recorders and sony dvd. And Sony mobile phone. (As you may have guessed I am a Sony fan!) Oh yeah, and walkman, stereo and computer monitor. Both my laser and my inkjet printers are HP.
from surge
p.s. I find listening to music as i go to sleep relaxing too. I sometimes also put my TV on sleep mode, that often helps too.
p.p.s. i do not find smoking relaxing, in fact (no offence) i think it is a disgusting habit.
***** Post# 17347-5/7/2002-17:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Aberdeen: Field of Dreams -- and MUD! (Question about Yahoo)
MESSAGE: Thanks Robert and Greg for the great trip pictures! It's amazing how well some of the all porcelain stuff held up under the elements. Your Kenmore looks quite good and that 54 range Robert came across actually still looked pretty good too.
By the way...that wasn't the Duomatic I spied in one of the pictures sitting toward the back of the garage was it? Too bad you're in a cold climate, or you could plumb that nice big garage and make a great studio annex. :-) Have you begun expanding into the sewing or rec rooms yet? ;-)
***** Post# 17348-5/7/2002-18:17 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Well, us Brits are going to have trouble geting our heads through the doors after reading your last para. I am with you on tea, total addict here. I'm glad you enjoyed teh UK, you certainly chose the best time for the weather, its gone awful again since you left. I enjoyed your pics, Chester is a beautiful city, very unlike Birmingham.
What is wrong with our parking? I noticed Bubs comments about it too. I just park my little car in whatever direction it is facing when I manage to find a gap, an increasingly rare occurance round here.
Just in case anyone is interested, apparantly the reason we drive on the left goes back to the days of horses. One rode on the left so that one passed an oncommer on ones right allowing each to see that the other did not have his sword drawn and thus was not a threat.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17349-5/7/2002-18:23 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
4 tellies, if I may make so bold, why so many. Ate they all in the same room - my bf tells me about a friend of his whose father had 4 TVs in the lounge, all tuned to different channels, each family member listened on headphones to whatever channel they chose.
I agree with you that smoking is a disgusting habit, in fact I agree with you about 30 times a day. If we all give up, how will the government afford the NHS?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17350-5/7/2002-18:27 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Whirlpool Project F)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I suspect teh lack of TL agitator action caused that chill. Although the exercise was suposed to be a clean sheet start, the euro fl is clearly in evidence in some of the designs, thoug that one with plants in TL based as is cleanscape. Did you notice how at leat one of teh seigns utlilised a squeezy rubber tub like the old TL bendix we have seen here.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17351-5/7/2002-18:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich! Nothing is really "wrong" with your parking, it's just the way you do things there. Parking with one's wheels up on the sidewalk and not parking all facing the same direction (i.e. cars facing one another) is just not done here. Some of your streets are very narrow, so it is well that it's done this way.
***** Post# 17352-5/7/2002-18:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: oh and by the way, that was a very interesting piece of info regarding driving on the left!
***** Post# 17353-5/7/2002-20:40 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: I was playing with my new toys tonight in the garage and doing some poking around in the newer of the Kelvinators. I got the motor running and was able to get him to agitate, spinning would start with a little help, but wouldn't keep running for long. Encouraging progress, still a very, very long way to go.
Since I was being naughty, I plugged in the Lady Kenmore and she lit up like a star! I didn't try to run her, the pump and belts are missing and I wouldn't want to strain her.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/1957+Lady+Kenmore&.dnm=We+have+lights.jpg&.src=ph
***** Post# 17354-5/7/2002-20:52 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: that's great! Don't you wonder how or why some of this stuff wound up on that farm to begin with??
***** Post# 17355-5/7/2002-21:48 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (an angel recieves her wings)
MESSAGE: I'm all choked up now. She's beautiful!
***** Post# 17356-5/7/2002-21:59 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (an angel recieves her wings)
MESSAGE: Jason, have you seen pictures of Robert's very similar (or same maybe?) machine? These are really beautiful machines. It was very fortunate they were made originally all in porcelain, as that seems to have helped them weather the years outside much better.
***** Post# 17357-5/7/2002-22:19 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (an angel recieves her wings)
MESSAGE: Yes, I've seen pics and video of Roberts 57 Lady. Those machines are dreams come true. Roberts 57 Lady K was the first belt-drive Kenmore I've seen in YEARS. It was so good to watch it run even though it was on video, it brought back floods of memories.
***** Post# 17358-5/7/2002-22:19 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Which head would this be Miele? Are you bragging again? LOL!!
Well, I suppose Europe, in general, is fairly full-up with people and the things they use. Although, running a car is a lot more expensive in most European countries, everybody seems to have one - regardless of good and reliable public transport. Like Scott noted, streets are a lot narrower and cars are so ubiquitous there, the ensuing street scape is a little different to what we would be used to in the US and Oz.
Here we are not allowed to park on sidewalks and you just don't see cars parked against the direction of the traffic - it ismply isn't done. Even with angled parking, the sign usually proscribes the direction one's car needs to face, either trunk to kerb or front to kerb, which I think depends on the council and how much traffic there is in the area.
I am not criticizing the way people park their cars in the UK, but it provides for a small culture shock. In my humblest of opinions, there are far too many people and cars in Europe anyway, even in the US. Although there, they still have open spaces, where one can get away from other people (and there is still Canada and Alaska). In fact, every time I come home, I truly appreciate that I live in this magical little place called Oz (Dorothy would definitely agree with me on this one).
Actually, I am lying, Australia is the pits!! Don't come here, whatever you do. I just feel soooo embarrassed that I have to live in this dump, that I want everybody to think that people could enjoy existing here. You are all better off where you are right now. Australia sux bigt time - so don't come here, whatever you do, you will hate it.
***** Post# 17359-5/7/2002-22:21 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Be Kind to the Kenmore.
***** Post# 17360-5/7/2002-22:27 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Yes we do drive on the left, just like England. Then again many of our Asian neighbours do so also. There is Japan, HOng Kong, Singapore, to name a few. I don't know about China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and all those other places. One can never work out where their cars are meant to be, they are usually all over the place, so it probably doesn't matter what side of the road one drives on as long as one doesn't crash into something.
I think we may have to thank the French for changing traffic to the right (if anyone knows more about this, please feel free to share) and do remember that Sweden was the last country on the continent to change from left to right side driving, during the late sixties/early seventies. The UK is the only place in Europe, that has failed to conform to this practice.
***** Post# 17361-5/7/2002-22:30 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: That's interesting, I did not know that. I thought all of Europe drove on the left side of the road.
***** Post# 17362-5/7/2002-23:15 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: Thanks Anthony for the details. Another unique design sadly gone, llike Kelvinator & Frigidaire. Again, things from the 50s & 60s were decades ahead of their time. Or, what's old is "new" again.
***** Post# 17363-5/7/2002-23:22 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: Ohhh, noooo, it definitely was NOT too long a post!
They were all solid-basket machines, with timed-fill?
***** Post# 17364-5/7/2002-23:30 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Greg' she's truly beautiful, even in the rough. Amazing lighting up like that after sitting out there for so long. Other than the west frohnt loader & the bendix, you now have another machine to do smaller loads on those rare occassions of things needing a "gentle" hand.
***** Post# 17365-5/7/2002-23:35 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: It's funny Jason, Greg told me the exact same words to me about My "Lady" saying it represented the end of a naming heritage and that I should appreciate it, even though it's ripmore. I think LK went away in the early to mid 90s at the latest.
***** Post# 17366-5/7/2002-23:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Hi Bob, I didn't remember or realize that your machine was considered a Lady Kenmore, since it has mechanical controls. I thought the later "Ladies" were only electronic. When I bought my most recent Kenmore in 1995, there was still a Lady Kenmore, the TOL electronic model. I think when they came out with the "Elite Catalyst" model that was the end of "Lady Kenmore", which I think is another sad end to a tradition.
I learned something interesting from a friend recently who had owned an electronic belt drive Kenmore from the early 80s: at least on her particular model (it wasn't a "Lady"; at that time there were 2 or 3 models that had electronic controls) she could not interrupt or change the cycle sequence; she had no choice but to start over again, much like the Bendixes of old. She found the controls very confining, and went back to mechanical controls on its recent replacement.
***** Post# 17367-5/7/2002-00:01 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Nope, it is now only the UK that sticks to that program. Then again, if you ask most Poms, they don't really consider themselves that European either. There is that little body of water between them and the rest of Europe, that makes all the difference, psychologically at least. I did notice that the overall standard of living on the continent is much higher than in the UK. People in countries like Holland, France, Germany and Scandinavia seem to live much better. I found that the devide between the rich and everybody else was a lot more pronounced in England, particularly in London. At least that was the impression I took away with me. Perhaps, during the intervening years, since my last visit, things have changed for the better - I would want to hope so. I loved visiting England and found its people charming, even if most of them had really strange hot water systems and sticking to a regular hygiene program, became a bit of a challenge at times.
Was this your very first time outside of the US? Perhaps, when you get the opportunity to travel next time, mebe you could organize a little spritzer to the continent. I am actually surprised that you didn't get a chance to visit your good mate Louis in Holland, this time around at least. Now, there is a place where a single boy can have heaps of fun and they have running hot water and decent showers everywhere, at least in Amsterdam and Antwerpen (lol!!!). Holland is just a skip and a jump away from England. Actually, anywhere in Europe is quite easily accessible, provided that one has enough time to explore.
Anyway, if I keep this up, I'll probably get a right royal internet lynching from Miele, Kirk, Mike and all the other Poms here. I better behave myself.
I have to go now, so take care till next time.
Bubbles
***** Post# 17368-5/7/2002-00:34 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles, I must query Mikey regarding the hot water systems of folks outside his residence, this is the first I have heard of such things! LOL
Yes, this was my very first trip outside the US, except for brief forays into Canada and Mexico of a few hours each. The primary purpose of my trip was to spend time with my good friend Mikey, and I had the bonus of seeing some wonderful sights to boot.
A visit to Louis is definitely on the agenda at a later yet to be determined time, and as time goes on I plan to see more of Europe. I've always wanted to go on a cruise too and will eventually. Over the next couple years I will have longer periods of holiday and additional funds freeing up with paying off my car note that will faciltate these explorations. I drive relatively little so the car will last a long time.
It may be due in part to our unfavorable exchange rate, and I don't know what the pay scales are like, but my observation is the cost of living there must be quite high, at least compared to what I am used to, so I'm sure there are many people that must struggle with that, though as you say I hope it is not severe.
***** Post# 17369-5/7/2002-01:02 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Very interesting. Does anyone know why Americans drive on the right?
***** Post# 17370-5/7/2002-01:18 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Be afraid of the future!!!)
MESSAGE: Hullo Mein Herr,
I have a feeling that I am not the only one experiencing this chill. To me, these designs are washing anathema. They are also very cold and clinical in appearance. They are lateral thinking exercises, meant to take the whole concept of fabric care to a new level, BUT, at this stage we don't have the types of fabrics that they are talking about and even that flexible tub pod thing is nothing but a pipe dream for now. I actually wonder if the person, who came up with that idea had any knowledge of the old Bendix - it would be interesting to note. Somewhere on that website it was stated that these designs are aimed at non-organic fabrics. I couldn't imagine that one would get much cleaning power out of that cleanscape thing using normal detergent. Well, time will tell.
Thanks anyway for the link, it is fascinating to see what our brightest are thinking of. I would venture to say that none of them ever did any serious laundry (just a hunch, not gospel).
***** Post# 17371-5/7/2002-01:20 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Because right is for the righteous and left is evil?
***** Post# 17372-5/8/2002-02:32 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
Yep, NTL isn't exactly great on service when it comes to their TV package. I'd get rid of it if it wasn't for the fact I get it thrown in for free with my phone line.
My brother is on NTL broadband, and seems pleased with it so far. He literally has his PC on 24/7, downloading music constantly, so it suits his needs better. I did consider it once, but for the things I do, AOL through a regular line is more than adequate.
Most of my audio/visual gear is Sony. It's all my father would ever have, and it's kind of rubbed off onto me. My DVD player is a Toshiba, which I've been pleased with. JVC stuff is very good as well, and I'm very keen on their TVs.
I'm just about to order a HP all-in-one printer, with the scan and copy functions. My last printer was an Epson, which was garbage; the HPs, in my opinion, are built a lot better. Besides which, my HP laptop has been excellent, and that good experience means I'm now loath to consider any other brand in future.
Kirk
p.s. No offence taken, so no worries there :o)
***** Post# 17373-5/8/2002-02:35 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Four TVs in one room? I think that's a prime example of a family that needs to get out more! Having them dotted around the house isn't anything unusual, as a lot of folks have one in the kitchen, bedroom and so on. But all in one room?!?!
***** Post# 17374-5/8/2002-02:51 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: The British government do tend to complain a bit about the number of cars on our roads. I think this is their reasoning for the regular increases in petrol tax; apparently it's supposed to make people think twice about hopping into their car for a short journey. In reality, it makes no difference, people still drive as much as they like. They just pay more for it.
I think the government have a bit of a cheek when they say more people should use public transport. It's good enough for us, but they're not going to get rid of their chauffeured 4-litre Jags, are they? If they followed their own advice, those short one-person journeys would be done in a little 1-litre Corsa or Fiesta.
Public transport here is crap, it really is. Buses always run late, and in my area, they've increased the fares, while cutting out certain routes. Which means people like my brother now have to walk three miles to the city centre, in order to catch the train for work. As for trains, I've never experienced them running late, but others do regularly. The carriages are often stuffed to capacity, so you have to stand for the duration of the entire journey.
So, that's why there's so many cars over here. People would rather pay the ridiculous fuel prices than travel on veal-crate buses and trains.
***** Post# 17375-5/8/2002-03:05 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Fisher and Paykel (Be afraid of the future!!!)
MESSAGE: You can bet your life that, should that sort of thing because commonplace in the future, I would hang on tight to any form of "conventional" washing technology I owned. Although the ideas are very interesting, I would hate to see them become anything more than a concept.
What makes laundry so much fun is all the clunks, clicks, smells and splashes. Dirt-repellent fabrics and the associated technology would take all those good things out of the process. Almost like sensory deprivation!
***** Post# 17376-5/8/2002-03:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: God you get good cable value for your money. I pay $50 a month and get just over 30 channels. I couldn't even begin to imagine what receiving 250 channels would be like.
What is the deal with tv in the UK anyway? Do you already have digital? They introduced it here 18 months ago, but at $800 bucks a converter box, people are still only thinking about it. Digital tv sets are about $10,000 and more at this point. Analogue tv will cease to exist in 2008 and everything is meant to be digital from then on. I wait with baited breath to see where this apparent entertainment revolution will take us.
Even cable and satellite tv haven't gained as much in popularity as their operators had wished for. I think it is largely due to the high cost of subscriptions and the limited number of programs that one gets. Ever so often I think about getting rid of it and going back to commercial tv. At least its free.
***** Post# 17377-5/8/2002-05:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: It's not too bad; I pay something like £15 per month, which includes the phone line and about a dozen analogue cable channels. The only downside is, if you ever need to call the company to enquire about something, the customer service is terrible.
Digital TV is up and running in the UK, and has been for a few years now. Satellite and cable digital are currently the only options available at the moment. Terrestrial digital (i.e. through your aerial) went by the wayside as of a few days ago, when ITV Digital went into administration. All that's left now are the free channels; the subscription services were pulled about a week ago.
TVs with the digital circuitry built-in are available here for around £1500-£2000 on average. Most people still go for a separate box, however, as they are subsidised by the digital TV companies, who just charge a fee for installation or connection.
***** Post# 17378-5/8/2002-05:49 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: Glenn - with the exception of the first Automagic (remember Robert's pics - it looked like a perforated basket but was in fact solid), the Philco washers all had perforated baskets. I recall that was the case on my friend's '62 Miss America and the '68 Custom Imperial. Also interesting on the first Automagic, the lid opened to the left as all side opening lids did. I am not sure why Philco made the change to make them open to the right. Perhaps to accomodate their dryers whose doors opened to the left and then only about 90 degrees......
I believe that all Philco washers had metered fill. Again I know that was the case on the '62 Miss America and '68 Custom Imperial. Not sure if that was the case on the first Automagic, though.....
I think that the saddest thing about those machines was that they were very unusual and innovative considering the times, but they were just never widely popular, at least not here in the Northeast. The only reason there were two in my neighborhood was because the fathers worked for Philco dealers, and got great deals on them. Don't know if that was an issue of poor national advertising or what............
***** Post# 17379-5/8/2002-07:20 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: From what I've heard, you can thank the feminazi's for the demise of the name Lady Kenmore. Heaven forbid they associate appliances with woman's work. It's funny they didn't go after Speed Queen and Craftsman for being sexist.
***** Post# 17380-5/8/2002-07:22 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: My aunt's late 80s Lady K is a model with mechanical timers. For a Direct Drive machine, it's beautiful. I don't normally like the black face Kenmores but this one with all those knobs really shine. The white porcelain tub is pretty.
The DD machines can be nice too but too bad they rip clothes.
***** Post# 17381-5/8/2002-07:24 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: I used to love electronic controls, but now I'm back into the mechanical. The more knobs on a washer the better. Even on my Frigemore, I love to hear the clicks of the timer.
***** Post# 17382-5/8/2002-08:21 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Well Kirk, it sounds rather reasonably priced, if one doesn't convert the pounds into $$$$'s.
For my internet connection alone, I pay about $24 a month. Although they only charge me quarterly. It is a pretty standard IP system, no high-speed downloads or anything like that. If I wanted optical fibre access 24/7, it would cost $100 a month, too dear for me. Mind you, I don't have download limits on my connection, which is pretty good.
I think out in rural areas they actually get better deals than the city folk, particularly with internet access.
***** Post# 17383-5/8/2002-09:22 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Philco Contourfill)
MESSAGE: You're right Anthony. The only solid basket Philco Automagic was the 1959 line and they all had a metered fill, not timed, even the solid basket machines, just like solid basket GE's with a water dectector in the outer tub.
The Philco's lid is reversable, I think they all came with the lid opening towards the right. On my machine, I believe the original owner reversed the lid.
***** Post# 17384-5/8/2002-09:24 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: WOW, very cool Greg. Actually I got my farm Kelvinator up and running rather quickly, I just needed to get all the field dirt out. With most other machines you wouldn't be able to do this so fast, but Kelvinator's mechanim was so simple that the outdoor elements didn't seem to effect it quite as bad.
***** Post# 17385-5/8/2002-10:32 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Even More Aberdeen Farm Pictures! (Caution -not appliance related. Car lover.)
MESSAGE: Hi cycla-fabric.
You are right about there being something about a reason why such a site would be cleaned up. My guess is probably more related to pretentious yuppies wanting everything around them to look clean and neat and civilized. Although I have short hair and dress fairly plain and conservative I tend to get on best with scruffy misfits in rags. But that's just revealing my own biases.
What cars do I like? What cars don't I like would be easier.
I seem to have an affinity with anything mechanical, I seem to have become to local fix-it man, locals I don't even know drop in with broken dryers, vcrs, cantankerous old cars and anything else, having been told by someone who knows someone who told them to go to the post office and ask for directions to my place....It has got a bit much lately and I have started refusing, as I'm trying to build a house, not spend my days fixing things for people I don't know.
I particularly like small European cars, I love seventies small cars and anything rare or unusual is a bonus. I have owned lots of cars over the years. I went through a phase of BMC front-drive cars, starting with an Austin 1800 (my first car), Morris 1100, Morris 1500 Nomad(an Australia-only model,A seriously crap car, basically a morris 1100 with the motor of an Austin Maxi and a 5-door wagon (estate) body , it looked like the offspring of mating an 1100 with a Maxi. Maxi's were never sold in Aus),a Mini 1275LS (the last Mini model made in Aus), A Leyland P76 (don't laugh you Aussies, I loved it)(for those of you from other countries, look at www.webtrade.com.au/P76); then I went European and had a Renault 12, a Citroen GS (fabulous car, servicing was exorbitant),then a new car, an 86 Holden Gemini RB (Same as Chevy Spectrum?? not sold in UK) the worst car I ever owned, no end of trouble; Back to Renault with an 18 wagon ,loved the car but rolled it after a few months of owning it, replaced it with a Renault 20 TS, a magic car, survived over 350,000 km with no major parts replaced,even the clutch was original, still ran like a dream when I replaced it, needed a wagon, influenced by non-car loving hubby I bought a Toyota Corona wagon 85 model, the most boring car I ever owned,awful to drive but reliable of course; then the current car, a Mitsubishi Magna wagon 1993 model. Magnas are sold in USA as a Mitsubishi Diamante. Diamantes sold in USA are actually made in Australia, though mine is a 2.6 litre 4 cylinder, only the V6 versions were exported. A fantastic car, it has done 198000 km and is still as new. Doesn't use a drop of oil between changes. Delightful to drive and cheap as chips to run as it's on LPG. Hubby drives a Lada Niva, a very basic and cheap Russian built small 4wd. They have a terrible reputation but ours has been fantastic over 140000km and 8 years. It is very old-fashioned and crude but heaps of fun and personality plus. Like owning an early 70's FIAT but 4wd and built in 1992. We are about to replace it and it will be like farewelling a friend or a family pet.
Somewhere along the line I owned a Simca 1100 Special, which was sold in USA in about 1970/71 as a Simca 1204. It was a flop in USA and no more Simcas were sold there. The model was never sold here in Australia, mine was a trial import by Chrysler Australia to see if they wanted to sell the model here. There are only 3 or 4 in the country. They opted for the Mitsubishi Galant instead which was a sales hit though technically years behind the advanced Simca. Chrysler's French interpreter owned the car for a couple of years before destroying the gearbox, I bought it not going and imported a repacement clutch and gearbox from England. I owned it for ten years but never got it on the road, so I gave it to a member of the Simca car club in Queensland who had it freighted up to complete restoring. I love tiny silly little cars like Hillman Imps and Renault Dauphines, and sensible little hatchbacks from the seventies like Renault 16's and series 1 VW Golfs (Rabbits). Hubby and I are shopping for a newish car to replace the Lada, probably a Holden Astra or maybe a Renault Clio. Renault a returning to Australia after being absent for about 5 years, so are offering great low prices to buy some market share. We are checking out a Clio on our next trip to civilization.
We had a little car sold here in Aus in the early sixties which would be right up my alley, though I have never actually seen one. The Lightburn Zeta was a seriously dreadful little car, incredibly ugly but practical and cheap, fibreglass body and imported Anzani (?) motorcycle engine and transmission. One "feature" was that you could take out the seats and mount them on the roof, just what you want at a country horse race, a mobile grandstand. Lightburn also made concrete mixers (they still do today) and....... washing machines!!!
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17386-5/8/2002-10:43 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (my televisions)
MESSAGE: I have a 32" widescreen in the living room, a 21" standard in the back room, and 14" in 2 of the bedrooms. (All of them are Sony, apart from one which is Toshiba)
***** Post# 17387-5/8/2002-10:54 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (Sky Digital)
MESSAGE: I paid £70 installation fee, the dish and the digibox is thrown in for free. Digital TV was introduced here about 3 years ago now.
***** Post# 17388-5/8/2002-10:55 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (my televisions)
MESSAGE: 14 inches in the bedroom!
My, you must be a popular boy!!!
Chris.
***** Post# 17389-5/8/2002-10:58 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (my televisions)
MESSAGE: televisions i meant!
***** Post# 17390-5/8/2002-11:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Too Quiet !!!! (Cats OT)
MESSAGE: Yes, your cats do look a bit like Katy. Cute!
***** Post# 17391-5/8/2002-11:28 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: In the US you can get a ticket for parking in the wrong direction on the side of the street, as well as for parking with wheels on the sidewalk. It may be that's the law in England as well, but it's just not enforced.
***** Post# 17392-5/8/2002-11:37 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I've driven in Japan and Ireland. It wasn't as hard to get used to driving on the left, as long as you accept that the center of the road merely needs to be next to your driver's position in the car. Of course if it's a car with the steering wheel on the left, then I'd be lost. The only real problem I had was with the left handed manual shifter on the rental car in Ireland. Usually rental cars have automatics in the USA, so I was surprised it was a manual shift in Ireland. I did grind the gears quite a bit as my left hand is rather more demented than my right. What the heck, it was a rental.
The other moments of panic was when exiting a gas station to get back on the road. My natural tendency was to turn right into the nearest lane, which of course caused some fright on the part of oncoming traffic.
***** Post# 17393-5/8/2002-11:42 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Left side, right side, all about the town)
MESSAGE: Oh, no. And you periodically hear of soccer fans visiting from England winding up driving on the wrong side of the road on the continent and causing spectacular crashes, or vice verse.
***** Post# 17394-5/8/2002-11:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (europe)
MESSAGE: I got a laugh once when a visiting MD from Ireland and I were discussing culture and language issues, and I mentioned something about Scotland. He responded by referring to it as "Eastern Europe".
***** Post# 17395-5/8/2002-12:49 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: Suds, I don't know about Europe as a whole, but automatic cars seem to be pretty rare in the UK. Mike said it is generally found only on very high end cars, and not always then. He said he thought about 80% of the cars are manual. No problem for me since that is my preference anyway, but shifting with the left hand would probably take some practice!
***** Post# 17396-5/8/2002-13:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: Hello my darling Bubs,
Well I guess you are expecting to get a right royal arse kicking. I hate to disappoint, but you aint getting one from me this time.
I consider myself to be firstly English, secondly British and European, increasingly I feel European. I do suspect hat you are right and the avereage pom does not id as european, my personal oppinion is tha tthere is far to much xenophobia in the UK. That little strip of water was bridged some time ago with a bloody big tunnel, so we are not so separate anymore.
How long ago were you here? I think you may notice changes for the worse with regard to the divide between rich and poor, if anything the gap has and continues to grow.
I agree that Brit hot water systems are useless and ditched my old 'conventional' system as soon as I could, also most Brit showers are a disgrace - 7kW of instant electric warming a 4 litre per minute dribble of water that scalds you if an inconsiderate housemate flushes the bog. My shower runs off my mains pressure 185 litre fast reheat water cistern, it delivers about 12 - 15 litres per minute and you can stand under all day and not run the tank cold, running water elsewhere barely affects my shower. I have a secondary recirculation pump on my hot water to give instantaneous hot water at all outlets.
Yes, I have heard stories of this Amsterdam malarky, as on old married man, I will not get chance to enjoy its delights. Actually the UK is becomming far more liberal with regard to that side of life. I hear that back rooms are appearing in clubs, uncut porn vids are on sale, the police leave cottages alone and the Home Office has reduced canabis to a category C drug, so the police ignore it in small ammounts - it is quite openly smoked in public in many places including local buses. All this has happened without major fuss from teh previously rabid right wing press and appears to be accepted / tolerated by so called 'Middle England'. Oh, and the age of consent has been lowered to 16, giving equality with hetties, not sure whether the 'in private' bit has been dropped, but certainly does not get enforced like it did.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17397-5/8/2002-14:13 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: "I think you may notice changes for the worse with regard to the divide between rich and poor, if anything the gap has and continues to grow. "
That's because the rich keep doing the things that make them rich, and the poor keep doing the things that keep them poor.
We now return to our regularly scheduled appliance talk...
-ph
***** Post# 17398-5/8/2002-14:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Manual shifting vs. automatic)
MESSAGE: Yes, I prefer manual shiftes as well, but as luck would have it my daily driver is an automatic. Actually for commuting it's just as well, what with the stop and go on the freeway.
All my motorcycles are manual shift ;-). (Actually, Honda did make an automatic motorcycle years ago, but it never caught on).
***** Post# 17399-5/8/2002-14:27 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert
Are you planning on taking some pictures of your treasures brought back? I'd love to see! Thanks for always sharing.
Rich
***** Post# 17400-5/8/2002-14:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
Bubs is right about typical Brit hot water, low pressure, long wait at the tap, small volume stored and a long time to reheat, often it is impossible to fill a bath more than a few inches. Most showers in the UK are instant electric with a low flow rate and a tendency to scald if anyone else draws water.
Cost of living is extornionate in the UK, the Govt is concerned that so called key workers (police, nurses & firefighters) are being priced out of the housing market. Average earnings at Nov 01 were about £23k, link below. Average housing now costs just over £100k, http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3BPENOR0D&live=true&tagid=ZZZPB7GUA0C&subheading=UK As most mortgage lenders will only lend 3 times earnings, you can see the problem. We pay about 10% National Insurance on earnings - allegedly pays for our joke of a health service, and I think 23% tax, those earning over about £28k pay 40% tax on income above £28k. We also pay 17.5% VAT on almost everything we buy except supermarket food, and very high tax on petrol, tobacco and alcohol, eg petrol is 75p per litre, ie over US$1 per litre, cigarettes are £4.40/pack about $7.50. Food is expensive as are utilities, though I think our phone rates are amongst the lowest. Broadband internet is as rare as hens teeth and if you are lucky enough to be able to get expect to pay about £30 ($50)/ month.
Living here and paying such excessive tax, one really does wonder where it goes - the health service is crumbling, schools are failing, roads are gridlocked and potholed, the railways are a disgrace, disaster prone and unreliable, we have many homeless people, state pensions are amongst the lowest in europe - £72.50 per single pensioner, public sector housing is literally crumbling.
Overall, the UK is a good place to live if you are lucky enough to be able to afford a good standard, otherwise it must be a miserable hole.
The Govt has a great web site at www.open.gov.uk where you can search for info on many aspects of UK life.
***** Post# 17401-5/8/2002-14:37 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Oh you dextrous boy, are you implying something sinister about us left drivers?
Richtoo
***** Post# 17402-5/8/2002-14:56 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich,
The only thing I brought home was this '56 Hamilton Timeline, not to restore of course, but to use for spare parts for my '56 Norge Timeline when I start its restoration at the end of this month. I also brought home the tranny out of the '54 Norge and a Vari-Flex agitator. Otherwise that was it :)
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/vwp?.dir=/Last+Aberdeen+Trip&.src=ph&.dnm=34+Hamilton+Time+Line.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/aberdeenfarm/lst%3f%26.dir=/Last%2bAberdeen%2bTrip%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17403-5/8/2002-15:21 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: The cost of living is pretty bad in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well. I believe the median pricing for a single family home here is now about $382,000. In San Franciso itself, the median home price is over $520,000. The median household income for the Bay Area is $75,000. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a lot of families here cannot afford to buy their own home. Only about 25% of households here can afford to own a home; in the City it's less than 10%. I lucked out; I cashed in some company stock options and employee stock purchase programs and was able to come up with a 20% down payment buy a home for "only" $225,000 in 1997. Now the place is probably worth at least twice that, but I'm planning on staying in it permanently, or at least as long as I can (never say never). Of course I waited until I was at a ripe old age to buy; now I'm scrambling to pay off my mortgage early so I can enjoy my eventual retirement without having to worry about foreclosure (knock on wood). And rents are exorbitant as well, although there have been reports that some landlords are having to lower their rents in response to the recession. Translation: fewer jobs means people are leaving the area, so there may be more rental unit vacancies.
The bottom line: people want to live in nice areas; the demand for housing soon outstrips the supply; the smart money is on spotting and buying into an area before it becomes popular.
***** Post# 17404-5/8/2002-15:24 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: It's so easy to drive on the wrong side in go-arounds as long as you remember the difference between levorotatory and dextrotatory. Isomeretrics during the manuver are optional.
***** Post# 17405-5/8/2002-15:51 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: If you think that's dear, get a load of this... AOL used to charge £15 per month here for internet access, plus call charges of a penny a minute. I use the internet a lot, usually about six hours a night, and ended up with a monthly phone bill of £120-£130! Those pennies soon mount up, evidently.
Needless to say, I was glad when AOL dropped the call charges. £15 a month is quite cheap when you consider how much use I get out of it. Nowadays, I wonder how on earth I managed to afford it.
***** Post# 17406-5/8/2002-15:53 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (my televisions)
MESSAGE: **snigger**
***** Post# 17407-5/8/2002-16:20 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: Well, thank goodness you saved the agitator after you and greg tortured the poor Lady.
All us Kenmore fans need to give you and Greg some spankings for that one buddy. HEHE :-D
***** Post# 17408-5/8/2002-16:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: Agreed, British hot water systems are usually woefully inadequate. Mine is the usual hot water cylinder in the airing cupboard, which means my hot water pressure is rather low. It's not worth installing a combi boiler here, as I plan to move sometime in the near future. My next place will have one installed if there isn't one already, that's for sure.
Electric showers are garbage IMO. My parents have one, and I always end up just running a bath if I'm visiting. Theirs is a 10.8 kW, but in cold weather, you still have to turn the flow down to a trickle in order to get a decent temperature. Nothing beats a mixer shower - I really miss the built-in Mira in the last place I lived.
***** Post# 17409-5/8/2002-17:18 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Dallas parking)
MESSAGE: That's the law in Dallas too, but it's rarely enforced. People park in whatever direction they happen to be going at the time. Also, in parking lots the lines are more of a suggestion than a rule. It's pretty much every man for himself.
***** Post# 17410-5/8/2002-17:22 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I don't believe I've ever seen an automatic in the UK. Even fairly high-end cars. I can get used to the stick being on the left of you, but the radio always confuses me - I go to change stations and stick my hand out the window. Of course, the opposite is true when I return to the US (that's when I'm really dangerous).
***** Post# 17411-5/8/2002-17:46 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Sorry, I have to jump in here to defend the 'feminazis'. Maybe feminism and political correctness did go too far in some ways, but it was necessary to push too far to get to the point of equality, we have experienced very similar in teh struggle for gay rights.
The pen is mightier than the sword and language is a powerful medium. The term Lady Kenmore was fine in its day, but is sexist nowadays. I would be pretty pissed if my washer's name suggested it was for women rather than men to use it. Likewise I get really annoyed when street sellars call things like 'come on girls, 3 bunches of flowers for £1', makes me feel that as a bloke I should not buy flowers when I actually do like to buy them for my house.
We are all better off is language includes us all rather than excluding us on grounds of gender, race sexuality whatever.
I'd better get off my Persil soap box, sorry can't help myself sometimes.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17412-5/8/2002-17:56 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Dallas parking)
MESSAGE: Well, the parking laws are very much enforced in most California cities, I've noticed. Perhaps not so much on residential suburban areas, but in the urbanized areas, yes. With property tax rates and assessments capped, various local governments get "creative" in how they raise funds. One of these is to jack up parking meter rates, and fines for parking violations. In Berkeley, in particular, it's a high art. I think you might get seven minutes for $.25. US$1 will get you maybe 30 minutes of parking. The meter maids there are quite sadistic, and ply their trade with a vengeance. For a while I got so annoyed that I was popping spare nickles into the slots of expired meters and shouting "meter maid" in the doors of retail businesses if I saw one coming as I was walking down the street (University Avenue). The city put an end to that sort of thing by making the meters quarters-only, and making it illegal to put money into a parking meter of a car not your own. They WANT people to break the parking rules so they can fine them! In my little town, parking rates are much more reasonable, a penny a minute, more or less. And I've never gotten a parking ticket. Of course, this town is nowhere near as lively as Berkeley. Oh, and in Berkeley I've even been ticketed for sharing a parking space with an automobile. They have this weirdly worded parking regulation that you cannot park a vehicle within 3 feet of a parking hash mark. It's worded so that cars can do it, but not motorcycles. I also got a ticket once for parking in front a movie theatre in a zone marked "no parking during performance or 15 minutes before or after". It was like 30 minutes before the start of the performance. So I caught up with the meter maid and protested and to my surprise she grumpily tore up the ticket.
In San Francisco they have recently cracked down on residents parking their cars on that portion of their driveway that also serves as a sidewalk. Since many residences in the City have no front yards and the garage door is directly adjacent to the sidewalk, this means that a lot of people got fined and/or towed for their traditional parking spots. Of course, it was an inconvenience for the disabled and blind to have to manuver around cars parked over the sidewalk, so I can understand the need there for some crack down.
***** Post# 17413-5/8/2002-17:59 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (European radio)
MESSAGE: I don't recall having an issue with the radio in the rental car in Ireland. I did enjoy listening to the Gaelic language radio stations while I was there. I got so I could even detect the different dialects. There are supposed to be three, but I could only tell between two. One sounded a bit Scandanavian to me, the other a bit Slavic. Of course I had no idea what the were talking about, except when they said the name of some town or city, or person.
***** Post# 17414-5/8/2002-18:00 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Yes the pen is mightier than the sword. On the other hand, what's in a name?
***** Post# 17415-5/8/2002-18:34 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Hamilton )
MESSAGE: Thanks, Robert. I was confused...I thought when you said you got your "farm Kelvinator" up and running quickly that you had just brought one home. You were referring to the pink one that you previously had, huh? What ever happended to that?
I wonder if the person who originally bought that Hamilton you brought back for parts was influenced by Hamilton's Fall Laundry Festival? Check out the ad on this link. I think it is the same Hamilton washer. Aren't those Hamilton's pretty rare? Too bad is wasn't salvagable, but great that it can prolong the life of your Norge. (Says a lot for organ and tissue donation.)
Good luck with the Norge repair. That machine is a gem.
***** Post# 17416-5/8/2002-18:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi PeterH770)
MESSAGE: How are you going there Pete?
Well, Peter, I guess you and Republican economic policy go back a long way then, huh? Margaret Snatcher and old Ronald used to make oversimplifications like that as well. It would be nice if things were as simple as you would us like to believe, but they are not. You are just embarrassing yourself saying stuff like that, because deep down you probably are quite a clever little dick. You'd have to be to contribute to this forum.
Peter, I detest censorship and don't like people who tell other people what to think, say and do - think about it. If you don't like what you read, ignore it. Don't be so un-American. Remember, real people actually died for your constitution and it does mean something, even though there seem to be a lot of folk around who don't think so right now.
BTW, are you that Peter on the conventioin pics. with the long hair and the nicely contoured buns in tight-fittng bluejeans? If you are, HUBBA HUBBA!!!!
***** Post# 17417-5/8/2002-18:39 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: Really? I've always understood that automatic cars are fairly popular over here. Admittedly auto's tend to only be standard on larger cars (5-series/ E-class/ A6 upwards), but it's usually optional on at least a couple of cars in a range. I may just notice them 'cause my mum's three cars have all been autos, the first was a Mini, then a Metro and now a Polo, plus I've seen plenty around. I would say manuals are far more common though.
I'm just learning to drive at the moment, but it'd confuse me to change to an LHD car. I think I'd be dangerous in that case :)
***** Post# 17418-5/8/2002-18:49 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: I'm going to have to disagree with the generalisation that British hot water systems are bad. Some are, ones with tiny hot water cylinders that last for about 10 minutes, and I hate them. I've never had any major problems anywhere I've lived, apart from one slightly temperamental combi boiler. My current house, the heating/ hot water is from a combi boiler put in about a year ago, and the shower is a 8.5kw Mira electric that just heats the mains water and does a pretty good job.
I guess it depends on where you live and what the waters like, as there's a lot more variation across the UK than there is in some countries, in hardness, temperature and pressure.
***** Post# 17419-5/8/2002-18:51 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I took a visual survey of parked cars when I'd be walking around, and I think I saw only one automatic the entire week. Having noticed that trend, I asked Mike and he confirmed. Mikey and Ty have a very nice car that is a non-automatic, a type of car that would not generally be seen as a non-automatic in the states.
***** Post# 17420-5/8/2002-18:52 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: Well, I sure like the pushbutton shower thing. Instant right temperature, no fuss. Mikey and Ty have some sort of boiler that fits under the counter and looks like a frontloader with no door, that handles both the water supply and the water for the heating system.
Funny how people often assume such things are "for women". If that's the case, how are single blokes like myself supposed to look after ourselves? If I waited for a woman to come along and do these things for me, I'd be waiting a LONG time. Besides which, I have my own particular way of doing things, and get very tetchy when someone tries to take over.
***** Post# 17422-5/8/2002-19:02 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Ouch! That's horrendous, it's when I hear things like that that I wonder how AOL still have customers. I've got Telewest digital TV, phone service and their blueyonder broadband internet service. I certainly wouldn't go back to BT for the telephone. Also, I used to work for *cough sky cough*, in Engineering Support, which kinda put me off having that system... Well, there were other reasons too, but working there helped me decide.
Dave
***** Post# 17423-5/8/2002-19:15 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: That's interesting, but from what some people tell me it's the other way round in the states, automatic being near standard and manual being around less, is that right?
It's strange, the hubby doesn't like automatics and said he drove one once which he just didn't enjoy, but then his car (Seat Leon) is what would be termed a small car in the US, but a medium car here. Most of my family who drive larger cars all have manuals, except my aunt who preferred an auto due to an ankle injury a few years back.
Strange how discussion of cars and appliances goes together - something to do with the design and mechanics?
***** Post# 17424-5/8/2002-19:25 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: It's one of those things which probably varies according to the type of house as well. When I was about 7, the house we had in Scotland was three storeys high, so we had a good head on the storage tank, and therefore good hot water pressure. Everywhere else, it's been abysmal. Never a problem with cold pressure, though.
With my current system, it's difficult to balance supply and demand. If I have my timer set for too long, I end up with a tankful of hot water which doesn't get used. On the other hand, if I throttle it back, there isn't enough hot water to fill a bath. That's why I prefer combi systems, as they heat as much or as little as I need. Plus you get hot water at mains pressure, which is always a good thing.
What sort of flow do you get from your shower? I think the reason it's so bad at my folks' house is because, even in summer, their cold water supply always seems to be ice cold. Perhaps that's why their shower has such a hard time getting to a decent temp.
***** Post# 17425-5/8/2002-19:26 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: Well, if you don't need to tear it down for parts, I know someone that might like to play with it....
***** Post# 17426-5/8/2002-19:29 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: And...you don't have anything harvest gold in your collection and I just happen to have one of these that needs a home, we could trade! :-)
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Frigidaire&.src=ph&.dnm=washer+controls.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/Frigidaire%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17427-5/8/2002-19:33 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: Yes Dave you are correct; I believe I heard that only about 14% of the cars on the road here are non-automatic now. There are a lot of cars sold here that you can't even *get* a manual transmission with, it's simply not offered. We are so saturated with automatics that most people I encounter under the age of 40 simply don't know how to drive them. Not one of my local friends can drive my car, because none of them know how to operate the transmission. I may give in and go automatic next time because of this, but it will just depend on how I feel at the time and what kind of a car I would get.
Automatics in larger cars here have probably been pretty standard since the 1960s, but there again they tend to work much better with larger engines, although they have improved overall in the last 10 years or so. In smaller cars with 4 cylinder engines they never shift at the right time or they go back and forth between gears and I just can't stand it. Also, you have no power when you're at a stop light and going to take off. I guess like some folks here like to manipulate the controls of their appliances at will, I'm kind of a control freak when it comes to the operation of my car's transmission, LOL. The other benefit is that the transmission is far more dependable and less expensive to repair than an automatic. If there's any problem, it's usually the clutch, which while expensive is not near what a new automatic transmission would cost.
My parents always drove large cars with automatics, but my dad had a pickup truck with a manual transmission, and thought it good that we all should know how to drive both types of cars. I'm very glad he did do that.
***** Post# 17428-5/8/2002-19:39 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: OT - Spitting Image Chicken Song (TV, phone, internet etc.)
MESSAGE: Yes, I was set to party when I heard they were dropping the penny-a-minute call charges LOL. Even so, even if that were not the case, I would still have stuck with AOL, simply because I like it better than anything else I've ever used.
Like you, I'd never have a BT phone line again if I could help it. That's one of the reasons I haven't gone onto AOL broadband yet, as it has to use a BT line. Perhaps if that situation changes, I will give into Connie's charms and sign up for the service.
***** Post# 17429-5/8/2002-00:06 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: Yes, automatics are much more common here. I know many people who never learned to drive a manual. Typically the few manuals around are usually found on lower-end cars. I happen to prefer manuals, but that makes car shopping quite challenging.
***** Post# 17430-5/8/2002-00:35 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I can do a manual, but probably would be rusty, have never owned one. I couldn't get my new car last June without a sunroof except by special order, I imagine they would have laughed me off the lot if I'd asked for a manual!
***** Post# 17431-5/8/2002-00:41 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: What did you get Glenn? The last couple times I bought a car, they had to bring them in from elsewhere because they would never have ones that had what I wanted, or they'd have what I wanted and they'd be automatic or the wrong color. Ed is right, finding the car you want with a manual is no easy task. It was a bit easier with the 2 door sportier ones but I don't have the patience anymore for all that messing with the seats when there's back seat passengers.
***** Post# 17432-5/8/2002-00:42 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (C.o.L.)
MESSAGE: Geezus! I'm really not up on what are the average figures for my area, but mine aren't anywhere near those!
I paid off my home mortgage recently, a bit less than two years early, and I'd really like to build a bigger place . . . but until I win the lottery . . . and since I don't play the lottery . . .
***** Post# 17433-5/8/2002-00:44 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (C.o.L.)
MESSAGE: Glenn, that's just fabulous! Congratulations. How many people in their 30s have a paid off house. Therein I guess is your benefit for working all those jobs and hours!
***** Post# 17434-5/8/2002-00:54 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: An Infiniti I30t. They just aren't found without a sunroof in Tejas. I wanted the xenon headlights and traction control, which were included in the "t"ouring package along with the sunroof and power rear sunshade. I could have gone for the special order, but that would have taken a month, so they said.
I've never had a sunroof before, and hardly ever open it. Dealer on the 1992 Mazda 626 tried to talk me into one, I resisted that time.
Seems like the car-buying process gets more painful and irritating each time. My 1986 Buick Somerset purchase was a fun experience, my first "new" car. The Mazda was quite a lovely vehicle, but the dealer just a touch icky. The Infiniti was even more icky, with a few . . . uhh, minor complications, we'll call them, that one wouldn't expect from a supposedly upscale class of dealer.
***** Post# 17435-5/8/2002-00:59 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I've done it. They do.
***** Post# 17436-5/8/2002-01:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: I had electric moonroofs a couple times and they were kinda fun but I really don't miss them. The climate is so extreme here it's rare that you're not using either the heat or air anyway, so I didn't open mine that much either. I had them when I used to have the 2 door sportier cars (2 Toyota Celicas, and a Ford Probe (I think that was some sort of Mazda made thing; great car)). One of Mikey and Ty's cars is a convertible, which I had not been in in years. Turned out to be a perfect day for it one day when we had it out, so it was kinda fun.
What is a power rear sunshade? Are xenon headlights those ones that look "blue"?
Sorry to hear of your bad experience. I would not have expected complications of whatever kind from the dealer of that caliber of car, either. I bought two Mercury's now and was given red carpet treatment with wine and the whole bit. I hope you are enjoying the car nonetheless!
***** Post# 17437-5/9/2002-02:02 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Cars and such . . .)
MESSAGE: Scott, I was told when I bought the Mazda that it and the Probe (at that time) were built in the same factory. One of the women in my office had a used Probe for one of her teen step-daughters. I recall her fussing about the tires for it being expensive.
My Mazda went through hell and back, but I had great sevice out of it. It was vandalized in August 1998 late one night in the parking lot at work. All the windows were broken out except the two doors on the driver's side, and the radio smashed (they may have been trying to steal the radio and couldn't get it out). Had it from July 1992 (it was a '93 model, actually, the year it was restyled to the rounded look) through mid-June 2001. Other than normal maintenance (and not counting the vandalism), I spent a total of $243 on a tune-up in February 1999.
Yup, the xenon headlights are blue-ish.
The I30's power sunshade is a mesh shade affair that rises up from the rear deck across the window to shade the back seat occupants. A bit of a gimmick, methinks, a package deal with the sunroof. But I do use it occasionally.
***** Post# 17439-5/9/2002-02:27 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New PoD!
MESSAGE: very nice! Kind of looks like a cross between a Sears and a Frigidaire! The colored buttons and the lid make me think of Sears, and the control panel design makes me think of Frigidaire. The tub opening kind of looks like a modern Sears, the way it slopes down in. Wouldn't this be a fun unit to find!
***** Post# 17440-5/9/2002-02:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Suds,
These were new words for me, thanks. I shall turn 3 times widdershins in delight.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17441-5/9/2002-05:00 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: What do sugar molecules and prostitutes have to do with driving around a round-about? Please explain yourself Sudsmaster! Are you in distress and urgent need of assistance, is this your call for help? If I could I would come, but it is not exactly practical, so maybe you should try 911?
***** Post# 17442-5/9/2002-07:19 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: New PoD!
MESSAGE: And we also got to see a real one from the graveyard pics. Nice washer indeed.
***** Post# 17443-5/9/2002-08:11 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Sounds like poor old Modern Maid.(No relation to Modern Maid in the US) MM made a better quality of stoves in Melbourne till the late eighties, sales slowed till they went bust. I got my first one as a discount leftover stock when they closed down. It was the best stove I had used. When we moved I bought a second hand one. When we move into the house we are building now I intend to get another good second hand one I believe if tehy had changed the name they may have survived. The name did strike me as old-fashioned and faintly sexist. They could have changed it to Modern Made and it may have been OK.
Chris
***** Post# 17444-5/9/2002-08:27 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Actually in the 70's or early 80's Whirlpool washers were advertised showing one child wearing markedly brighter and whiter clothes than the other kids around them, with the caption "Guess Who's Mum has got a Whirlpool?"
And I heard of a lesbian mother who needed stiches "down there" after giving birth. After the operation the surgeon popped to check on her, and offered the reasuring words " your husband will be pleased. Five stitches and you're as tight as a virgin."
Chris
***** Post# 17445-5/9/2002-08:55 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Liberty for ALL)
MESSAGE: Ummm... Thanks... I think... As far as politics go, I'm Libertarian. The Republicans seem to be influenced too much by the Christian Coalition, too willing to pass laws against things that I do in the privacy of my own home that don't hurt anyone else. On the other hand, the current "democratic" trend is nothing more than class warfare, when in reality rich people do indeed work hard for what they have, and it should not be taken away from them by governmental force to be given to "unfortunate". At what point should I stop trying to get ahead because more of my earning will be taken away from me? Why should I give to charities when the government does it for me? The role of government is not to redistribute income. Why are we so willing to trade liberty for security? We are so far away from our Constitution...
But isn't that Philco in today's POD a beauty?
Yes, I had the second longest hair at convention (Karen's is longer). It was chopped off late last year when I woke up one morning and just didn't want to deal with it any more. It's now below collar length.
-ph
***** Post# 17446-5/9/2002-09:13 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (The Crusher)
MESSAGE: Hi Rich, I broke down my old Farm Kelvinator for spare parts when I found my ABC-O-Matic.
***** Post# 17447-5/9/2002-09:15 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up.... (Uni pics please)
MESSAGE: Definately going to need to take the lower bearing assembly off of the Hamilton to use on my Norge. It seems to be in good shape, on my Norge it is very noisy. For sure the Hamilton had less usage.
***** Post# 17449-5/9/2002-09:18 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: New PoD! (Thanks Anthony)
MESSAGE: There used to be at least five machines of this model out on the Farm. I don't think any are left now :(
We can thank Angus for today's picture of the day as he sent me this picture a while ago.
***** Post# 17450-5/9/2002-09:24 ||| todde (longbeach, IN)
SUBJECT: POD Grandma's Washer
MESSAGE: Hi: This set was my grandma's w/d. Does anyone know the original date of this pair. When I was little I loved the fact that the dryer had a window. I remember her next w/d were top of the line maytags, and not nearly as exciting. Grandma was an antique dealer and saved everything. I'll ask her whatever became of this set!LOL
***** Post# 17451-5/9/2002-09:40 ||| Infodiva (Nebraska)
SUBJECT: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor??
MESSAGE: Hi all - just bought an unrestored 1945 Frigidaire fridge. My husband thinks I've lost my mind. Anyway, I love it! It cools just fine - but the compressor rattles. Any idea what the problem might be, before I call the repairman (who's going to laugh and hang up??) >:)
THANKS in advance!
Barbara
PS: also, any resources for fridge manuals?
***** Post# 17452-5/9/2002-09:51 ||| cycla-fabric (New Jersey)
SUBJECT: Philco POD
MESSAGE: That is a great looking set. Love the style of the control panel and the window in the dryer door. I would love to turn back time and purchase that pair!!
***** Post# 17453-5/9/2002-11:01 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: On large cars here, the only choice in transmission here is generally an automatic. This upsets the auto enthusiast magazine writers, but I guess an automatic is less mechanical trouble on a large, powerful car than a manual would be. On smaller and economy cars, the manual tranny is the standard on the base models, with the automatic tranny being an option costing as much as $1,000 extra. However it would not surprise me if in the USA, most small cars have automatics as well. Certainly the vast majority of rental cars here are automatic, even the gutless (for us) economy models.
Speaking of engine size, I had to supress a smile and correction when during the afternoon tea break in the factory in Ireland, my table companions referred to a coworker's car as having a "big, powerful engine", when it was a 2 liter model. I didn't have the heart to tell them that here in the USA that would generally be considered a quite small motor, esp. with the popularity of 3 liter and upwards V-6 and V-8 powered SUV's. Here, a motor generally has to be at least 3 liters to be considered sizable. The exception may be the few high performance motors from Honda, which wring over 200 horses from 2 liter and smaller displacements. But you can bet those motors are very high revving and mate quite poorly with automatic trannies.
***** Post# 17454-5/9/2002-11:09 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (C.o.L.)
MESSAGE: Yes, I could probably sell this place after five years and pocket the equity and buy a nice home in another state for cash and have change left over. But although it took me years to get over missing the seasons of New England (I grew up there until I was 11), I am totally used to the mediterranean climate here now, and wouldn't want to live most other places.
I recently refinanced my mortgage and took it from a 30 year to a 15 year loan, and I'm paying extra each month on top of that to whittle down the principal (le?) as fast as possible. I got a good rate: 6%, which is only 5.5% more than my savings account makes :-). I remember in the early 80's when you could easily make over 10% on a CD savings account. But then interest rates were well over 10% as well. I always chuckle when I hear financial advisors say it doesn't pay to pay off a mortgage early, because then you dont' get the income tax break. I figure they must be getting kickbacks from a loan company, because they view paying interest to a bank as being preferable to paying taxes to Uncle Sam.
***** Post# 17455-5/9/2002-11:18 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: LOL, I confess that "isomeretrics" is not a real word. It's made up out of two real words, however, "isomer" and "isometrics". The joke is that dextrorotatory and levorotatory are chemist's terms to refer to different isomers of a compound. Isomers are variations of a compound in which the chemical formula is identical, but the position of the atoms are changes. Rotatational isomers take the distinction a stop further. I recall they may refer to how a solution of the compound rotates polarized light, but it's been decades since I took any chemistry courses. Maybe you could ask The Snatch.
***** Post# 17456-5/9/2002-11:19 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Well, let's see... getting serviced could be "sweet", but it also can be dangerous to engage in that activity when driving... however it may well generate more laundry, which gets us sort of in the neighborhood of being back on topic.
***** Post# 17457-5/9/2002-11:20 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Look who's all lit up....
MESSAGE: Mmmm. Sounds good...
;-)
***** Post# 17458-5/9/2002-12:49 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor??
MESSAGE: Hey, neat. Can you post a photo?
Let's see, rattling compressor...
Well, first check to see if there are any loose tubes or parts external to the compressor that could be causing the rattling noise. If the fridge rear coils are pressing against a wall, then it's possible that is causing the noise. Also, if the refrigerator was tipped during the move, you should let it sit upright overnight before plugging in. This will let the lubricating oil that might have flowed out of the compressor when it was tipped over, flow back in.
If the compressor itself if rattling, this may mean that the compressor is internally worn and may need replacement. Your service person should be able to give you a better idea of the feasability and costs involved.
LINK: http://www.contractingbusiness.com/editorial/serviceclinic/failures.cfm
This has been getting too cosy lately you and I keep agreeing with each other I mean.
Again I agree with you with regard to censorship. Though I disagree when you say that if you don't like what someone says just ignore it - my own view is that granted I can not make someone say or do what I think is right, but that I should put and explain my point of view - it strikes me that this is exactly what you are doing too in your post!
Pete does have a valid point about how some of us, me especially, can get wildly off topic.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17460-5/9/2002-13:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: Hi Dave,
I really don't think autos are very popular here, the last stats I heard suggested about 11% of all new car sales were auto.
I bought an auto Corsa, as I hate buggering about with 3 pedals and a stick when stuck in traffic. The prejudice against autos that I heard when buying were unbelievable - you can't tow them (wrong, you can tow for up to 30 miles at up to 30mph without raising the drive wheels, longer and faster with raised wheels on a tow truck) you can't bumb start them, (correct, but you can't bumb start any car with a cataltic converter), they use more petrol (probably true but not very much more), you dont have any control (complete bull$h!t - I can letteh auto box change gear, manually change, use kickdown, select normal winter or sport modes), they have less omph (more bull, I can leave others standing when traffic lights change to green).
I wanted the Polo auto, but it was not available when I bought my car, your mum must be pleased with it, it's a lovely car. I love minis too, learnt in a manual one, I will be a gentleman and reserve my views on metros.
I have described before why I think autos are unpopular, ie Brit protestant work ethic, same reason why DWs are still only 20% market penetration, ditto autowashers and driers.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17461-5/9/2002-13:05 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Miele arrives for the lynching of Bubs)
MESSAGE: Hi Dave
Good point about combis, I think they are raising the general standard of UK hot water. My comments referred only to teh traditional low pressure cylinder arrangement and instant electric showers.
Just spotted you have combi + leccy shower. Showers can run very well of combis, better water flow and much cheaper to run, needs a thermostatic valve for safety.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17462-5/9/2002-13:18 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!!
MESSAGE: In Unimatics picture titled 102 Glass of Steel which shows him breaking the glass on a Frigidaire 1-18 washer lid, the Kenmore next to it is the very first washer I ever remember because my mom had it. Can anyone tell me what year it might be and where I could find the catalog it would appear in and maybe the owners manual?
***** Post# 17463-5/9/2002-13:18 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor??
MESSAGE: It could be that one of the internal springs that suspend and cushion the compressor motor inside "can" is broken. The rattling is the mechanism inside jiggling when it runs. I don't know anything about the internals of a compressor, but I understand they can run for a long time like that. Another spring may eventually break due to the additional stresses that are now coming into play.
I don't know if a new replacement would be available, or if perhaps a used compressor could be found, or what the cost would be. If you do want to look into repairs and can't find an appliance dealer, you might check with an air conditioning or commercial refrigeration outfit.
***** Post# 17464-5/9/2002-13:35 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Driving on the side)
MESSAGE: 20%?! Wow. Seeing a kitchen without a dishwasher here is a real oddball, and they most often have a portable unit available. So then, there are a lot more twintubs still in operation in the UK than I would have imagined!
***** Post# 17465-5/9/2002-15:43 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hey Kirk, Miele, Dave, Mike etc.
Do any of you think any good of the new '6th Sense' Whirlpool's? In my current quest for a new washer, I came across these today on the internet. The one I'm interested in is either the AWM8163 1600rpm or AWM8143 1400rpm versions. They seem to be of quite high quality, are made in Germany and have good noise levels (51dB washing/71dB spinning), and uses 39l water/0.95kWh. Does this series seem good to you?
Kirk, I think that in the new Zanussi range they should do at least a 1600rpm Jetsystem version, why not 1800rpm? AEG claims that it can spin at 1800rpm due to its outer tub, so there's no reason why a Zanussi cannot.
from surgilator
P.S. Mike - how do you find your Asko's? Pros/cons?
***** Post# 17466-5/9/2002-15:54 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: A question for Kirk
MESSAGE: Hi Kirk,
Seeming as your Bosch was the 'top of the top of the' range one, doesn't your Bosch have a version of the Zanussi Jetsystem. Since I've found out about the little spray nozzles, I'm only looking for machines with them on. In my price range though it looks like it's a choice between the Whirlpool and Zanussi.
from surgilator
***** Post# 17467-5/9/2002-16:13 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: My mom had an 800 with the same panel but it was a 68. The one you're seeing is 72 or 73. It has the notched lid. the earlier ones had a metal handle on the lid. BEAUTIFUL machine. Had the gold RotoSwirl agitator. Detergent/bleach/softener dispenser. At timer mark 4, the bleach dispenser would kick in making a lound clang. It had 2nd rinse and auto-soak/prewash. It's basically almost a Lady K without the buttons.
It's my #1 priority as far as a classic washer goes. And what a wonderful machine to grow up on.
Looks like the Kenmore 800 is picking up a following on its own.
***** Post# 17468-5/9/2002-16:18 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!!
MESSAGE: Appliguy:
The Kenmore Model 800 that you seen in Greg's and Uni's "Steel of Glass" frame??? I have a picture of one just like that in my Sears Robuck and Co. S/S 1971 Catalog. Difference being that like the Kenmores of the late 1960's, the one pictured in my catalog is a 1969-71 model because the lid of the one that's pictured in my catalog has the curved handle on the lid, as well as the detergent dispenser that portrudes out on the washer's top. The one you've seen in Greg's and Uni's Frigidaire 1-18 "Steel of Glass" frame is either a late 1972 or a 1973-74 model. You might try snagging either a Sears F/W 1972 Catalog or any Sears Catalog from 1973 or 1974. I'm VERY SURE your mother's washer in pictured inside one of those catalogs.
--Charles--
***** Post# 17469-5/9/2002-16:26 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!!
MESSAGE: Can you email that picture to me. The one I had is the one you described. it would mean alot to me.
Thanks
jasonlava@yahoo.com
***** Post# 17470-5/9/2002-16:28 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: So that's what that loud clank is in a Sears, toward the end of the cycle! I always thought it was a suds saver diverter valve. My reasoning was the "clank that can be heard around the world" that Maytags have for this reason.
***** Post# 17471-5/9/2002-16:34 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: Scott:
Well, that was what that loud clank was when it kick on in my mother's large capacity Kenmore. Only hers did not have a bleach dispenser. Hers was a Sud Saver model. And it would only happen during the "Normal" cycle. If you used a water level that's lower than "Large" or "Extra Large" (our 1978 Kenmore was equipped with four water levels), the diverter valve would clank immediately. Now, if we were doing a large load inside of that machine, some of the water would drain first, and then the diverter valve would kick in and then direct the water into laundry tub.
--Charles--
***** Post# 17472-5/9/2002-16:37 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (Jason........)
MESSAGE: Jason:
I don't have any access to a scanner right now. So, I cannot e-mail the picture to you per se. How about if you could leave me your mailing address at my "e-mail" address below, and I will mail you a copy of that machine sometime this weekend.
Would that be okay??
--Charles--
***** Post# 17473-5/9/2002-16:40 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (Oh Jason....... The "
e-mail"
address......)
MESSAGE: Jason:
Here it is:
"chaskelljr1_@hotmail.com"
Looking forward to your "e-mail".
--Charles--
P.S.: BTW, I kind of share your feelings of what Greg and Uni did to that 1973 Lady Kenmore earlier this week. That wasn't very nice. That's no way to treat a LADY (LOL)!!!!!!!
***** Post# 17474-5/9/2002-16:56 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: A question for Kirk
MESSAGE: Anyone can feel free to connect me, but I'm pretty sure the only machines with Jetsystem style water recirculation are made by members of the Electrolux group. I think BSH machines and maybe Whirlpool/ Bauknecht ones have "cascade" or "direct infill" type systems where the water fills over the top of the door glass.
Do some of the Hoover ( the Vision maybe) machines have recirculation?
Dave
***** Post# 17475-5/9/2002-17:13 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: The electric softener dispenser would do the same thing at the start of rinse fill.
My parents' KDI-17a with the non-reversible motor has a drain valve that makes a distinct and powerful "twhunk" sound.
***** Post# 17476-5/9/2002-17:14 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: How did it accomplish that? A two-stage reset on the water level? Or an extra switch or set of contacts tied to the extra large position?
***** Post# 17477-5/9/2002-17:27 ||| jakins (Kissimmee, Fl.)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Frigidaire had a mounting for many of the older fridges. the compressor was suspended on springs. after moving if it came of the mounting it would rattle. if it is one of these mountings it is an easy fix. this mounting usually would have a slight rattle when the compressor would turn off. good luck
***** Post# 17478-5/9/2002-17:56 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: OMG THAT IS SAME KENMORE 800 MY MOM HAD!!!!!! (You too huh?)
MESSAGE: DADoES:
Our Kenmore must've had an extra set of contacts tied to the extra large position, because there wasn't any extra switches or knobs on the control panel. On the match all Kenmores of the late 1970's (which was what our 1978 Kenmore was), unless you you've had the 1976-77 Lady Kenmore (in which case, you would've seen five controls on the panel and a light), or the #2 Kenmore (of the same years...... same amount of controls (5), but less elaborate labling of the controls and no light), all you basically had was three controls on the black control panels with the fake wooden sheetmetal on top of the panel (the water level control (with the large capacity models having four positions instead of three like you would find on the standard capacity or deluxe 24" compacts), the cycle timer in between, and the water temperature control (with the Lady Kenmore and deluxe models having five settings plus "Automatic", while the mid-level models (mines included) had three or four positions).
So, it must've had an extra set of contacts tied to the extra large position then.
--Charles--
***** Post# 17479-5/9/2002-17:57 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
The Whirlpool machines are very good IMO. The 1600 rpm model especially seems to be a very good buy, and was one of the models I considered buying myself at the time. My only complaint is that the text on the control panel looks a bit cheesy, but that's hardly going to affect the operation of the machine, so is a bit of a non-issue when all's said and done.
More likely than not, the main reason Elux don't offer an 1800 rpm Zanussi is because they "reserve" this feature for the AEG range. It's probably just a way to encourage people to spend extra and trade up to an AEG if they specifically want the faster spin speed.
***** Post# 17480-5/9/2002-18:03 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: A question for Kirk
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
The Bosch spray system only operates during pre-wash and the rinsing cycles, but not during the actual main wash. It's very similar to Jetsystem, in that it has a little nozzle moulded into the rubber door boot, through which the water is injected into the drum.
To be honest, I'm not sure if the spray system makes much difference to the wash performance. It does, however, help to wet the load down more quickly from the beginning. As a result, the machine doesn't often need to pause to add more water, because it saturates the laundry completely from the very beginning in most cases.
***** Post# 17481-5/9/2002-18:14 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi PeterH770)
MESSAGE: What is so wrong about agreeing with me Rich?
What do you mean by 'wildly off topic?' People here always discuss different things unrelated to washing machines, that is what is called normal human interaction. Yes, this is a site about appliances and that is the common interest we all share, but it is only one aspect of life. I think we are all old enough to decide what we wish to write about in our posts. Where there is human interaction the exchange of differing ideas and views on a variety of topics is completely normal. It is our natural curiosity that makes us do this and it is very healthy. In fact, its absence would give greater cause for concern and may ultimately discourage people from interacting here altogether, particularly if some individuals appoint themselves as forum censors and try to stop the natural flow of communication to satisfy themselves. I see no benefit in this.
I can't write about some appliance burial ground and picking up 1-18's, because I don't have that here. I thoroughly enjoy Greg's, unimatic's and Jason's enthusiasm, their resources and little adventures, but there are certain appliance experiences that I can not replicate, where I am. My contribution to their relevant experiences is limited to viewing the pictures and telling them how much I enjoy them. If there is something appliance related happening in my life, that I feel like sharing, I will. In the meantime, I take interest in other contributor's experiences, like Scott's English holiday or your opinions about English taxation and living costs or Sudsmaster's little word play.
I know that Peter meant no harm in voicing his opinion and wasn't trying to offend anyone (perhaps), but the tone sets the mood and I, for one, will not be told when and what I ought to talk about and where. In my view Peter doesn't have a point at all and neither do you in this case.
***** Post# 17482-5/9/2002-18:23 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: A question for Kirk
MESSAGE: Hiya Dave,
Yes, that is correct - perhaps I haven't made this clear enough in the past. The BSH and WP models fill from above the door glass, but don't actually recirculate it during the cycle. If you specifically want recirculation DURING the cycle, the Elux group machines (AEG and Zanussi) are the way to go.
The BSH machines have a valve which diverts the incoming water into two separate streams; one for the dispenser drawer, which dumps directly into the outer tub as normal, and another for the cascade nozzle, which sprays onto the laundry in the drum.
The AEG and Zanussi models always fill through the dispenser drawer. During fill, the recirculation pump picks up water and detergent from the bottom of the outer tub, and sprays it directly into the drum. Often the water will bounce back off the load, and spatter the door glass with detergent, but it soon gets washed off again once the load begins to tumble. One bonus is that it's a lot of fun to watch for those of us who like that sort of thing!
The Hoover Quattro machines from a few years ago had a recirculation system, similar to Jetsystem, which operated intermittently during the cycle. The current flat-front Hoover models no longer offer this feature, but the new Vision models do. Because of the low water consumption (35 litres), it's there to ensure the load wets down thoroughly.
***** Post# 17483-5/9/2002-18:26 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hmm, I guess this is where cars offer the advantage over motorbikes. Yet, a little open air activity on the back of a motorbike in some secluded spot, on a sunny day or balmy night sounds good too. With your wonderful Maytag Neptune, laundry management should be a cinch. You sound like a fun guy Suds.
***** Post# 17484-5/9/2002-18:32 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi PeterH770)
MESSAGE: Yeah, sometimes I get quite conscious of the fact that we seem to digress a little at times. But it seems to go in phases; we'll go off-topic for a few days at a time, and then the conversation naturally steers itself back round to appliances again.
As the digressions always seem to be rather temporary, I tend not to worry about them, and just enjoy them for the extra conversation they bring to the group. My impressions are that the folks here are a rather switched-on bunch of people, and I for one find all the resulting conversations to be very informative and entertaining.
***** Post# 17485-5/9/2002-18:38 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hmmmm, depends on the motorbike. My pal's Yamaha R6 wouldn't lend itself to that sort of thing, that's for sure. The pillion seat is about the size of a postage stamp, and so high up, my hip locks up whenever I climb on board. Damn fine bike for a ride out, though :o)
***** Post# 17486-5/9/2002-19:28 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hi Surg,
You do seem to be having trouble deciding what to buy. I must admit that I know little about Whirlpool, other than it is a nice looking washer.
Maybe you could narrow the field by deciding your absolute needs in a washer, and your desirables. Then think about what brands you would really like, brands would consider and brands you would never buy. Think about your budget, and then see what matches you get.
Your point about spin speeds - I knew I had read an interesting article recently, a little delving through my history turned it up. It is a Miele press release about their new style motors, in it they claim that DC motors are limited to 1600rpm. I do not claim to understand all the tech talk on this page, but hope the link will be of interest to some.
***** Post# 17487-5/9/2002-20:28 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Whirlpool Project F
MESSAGE: "The water is evacuated and the membrane compressed by the pressurization of the vacuum chamber"
A squeeze tub?
Everything old is new again.
***** Post# 17488-5/9/2002-20:36 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: New PoD! (POD)
MESSAGE: Hi all, Enjoyed the picture of the day so much. I don't remember ever seeing any ads for this Philco before. Any one know what year these machines were. Really loved the looks of the Duo-matic. Sure nothing out there now that compares. Terry
***** Post# 17489-5/9/2002-21:24 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Liberty for ALL)
MESSAGE: Hi Peter,
Well, shame about the hair, but then again you probably scrub up really nice with a buzz cut also (hmm, gets my hormones flowing every time, that raw masculinity of buzz cuts).
The POD Philco is a beauty indeed and, as somebody already mentioned earlier (may have even been you), quite ahead of its time. The extra large lid and opening for easier loading is a much advertised feature in numerous brands of washers now. I love the different color buttons too. What exact vintage is this machine? Pre-sixites?
Now I want to get political, if I may (I will anyway). I think that people opt for security because there is no such thing - it is a myth. Particularly in countries like the United States, where the government does so very little for its citizens when you compare it to modern Western European nations. Uncle Sam has a rapacious appetite for tax payer's funds on both state and federal levels and they do so very little with it for the betterment of their own society. With the amount of money that is generated in the US and the overall wealth of that country, I personally think that the level of poverty and social disharmony, that one enconters there, is unconscionable. This has nothing to do with liberty and freedom, it is simply greed and political expediency.
Wouldn't you rather see your hard-earned tax money spent on American public schools and universities? Or a health care system that treats all people equally (regardless of their bank balances), because a healthy and well-educated society functions better and achieves more?
Why is your tax money being sent to places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and wherever else they will only buy more weapons with it and keep shooting at civilians (American and otherwise). Does America really need another Star Wars defence system? Don't you find having working poor in your country embarrassing, I would. In Pakistan or India that is the order of the day, but in a country like America it is disgusting.
I don't think that your work effort is undermined by single mothers, the unemployed and other socially disadvantaged people. They simply make good scape goats for trite government propaganda to detract from the real issues surounding the wasting of valuable tax dollars. That happens here in Oz too, no differences there. I find it very sad how much media attention the already disempowered in our societies attract, as far as these apparently overly generous government freebies are concerned. I know of no one personally, wanting to trade places with the unemployed and poor to enjoy that fabulous taxpayer-funded lifestyle. It is easy to kick people when they are down and they don't have a real voice or political power.
That is not to say that there is no abuse of welfare and other types of systems designed to help people in need, but it is negligible in comparison to the money that Washington wastes. Welfare is important and I certainly don't want to live in a society that resembles Victorian England or nations like Pakistan, Rawanda or so many other places. Look at it as a national insurance policy to protect your personal interests and safety. As a civilized society, we are supposed to progress as well as prosper, not go backwards because we can only manage to think about short-term profits and reject the idea of a social responsibility to our less fortunate citizens.
That poor people continue to do the things that keep them poor and the rich do their stuff is correct to a certain point. Mind you hard work and a savings account are not the sure fire way to prosperity either, that is a myth. Some rich people work extemely hard, many poor people do very little and spend their money on crap. Many rich people are there, because they had an advantage from birth, a lot of luck in many cases and often because they are dishonest. They play the system, just like some of the poor try to manipulate welfare to squeeze it for everything they can get. There are plenty of poor people who work very hard and they never get anywhere and not because they smoke or drink and do not save. There are plenty of rich people who get paid too much for what they do, because they have the connections. Take Clinton and his 90 million dollar talk show deal - that sort of thing sux in my books and there is no rationale that can justify it.
Anyway, just my two cents worth.
***** Post# 17490-5/9/2002-22:15 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer
MESSAGE: Well, Todd, the original date of that particular Philco pair came from a brochure dated 1965. But I remember that my friend's parents bought the identical washer in 1967. Perhaps the model didn't change over those few years. It would be interesting to find out whatever became of your grandma's set. Unfortunately those are all too rare................
***** Post# 17491-5/9/2002-22:25 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer
MESSAGE: I'm not sure where they were made, but I don't have the impression they had very broad market coverage. I saw a few Philco tv's, radios and refrigerators growing up, but I didn't even know there were Philco washers til I saw Robert's.
***** Post# 17492-5/9/2002-23:04 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (DC motors)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
I don't have time to read through your link at present (i will chase it later) but that is BS about there being any hard limit on the speed DC motors can do. It's all in the gearing. The DC motor used in my little Philips H-axis TL runs at 10500 RPM on spin (the motor is labelled) but is geared down by the pulley sizes to give a 1000 rpm spin at the drum. By using a larger motor pulley you could get a faster spin, though you would need to adjust the motor speed controller to slow down for wash or it would tumble too fast. Sometimes I wonder if the manufacturers have their models all mapped out for the next twenty years... in 2004 we'll go to 1800, in 2006 we'll break the 2000 rpm barrier, by 2020 we'll be washing 10kg in half a glass of water and spinning it at 3000rpm. By drip feeding the improvements we are encouraged to regularly discard perfectly good appliances to get a new feature or faster spin.
Now I will be labelled a conspiracy theorist...
Chris.
***** Post# 17493-5/9/2002-23:07 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Liberty for ALL)
MESSAGE:
Goodness Bubbles, you never fail to surprise!!
Like Herr-Miele I find myself amazed to be saying "hear Hear!"
Go Bubbles!
Chris.
XXX
***** Post# 17494-5/9/2002-01:46 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: I'd give it a go.
***** Post# 17495-5/9/2002-01:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: Tractors & Laundry
MESSAGE: Try this one on for a macho approach to the lawn tractor vs. laundry folding dilemma.
***** Post# 17496-5/9/2002-01:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Are you under the mistaken impression this is a nutating pillion?
***** Post# 17498-5/10/2002-05:59 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer
MESSAGE: Scott - Philco Corp was based in Philadelphia (Phil.Co.), and I think that the appliances were manufactured either right in Philadelphia or nearby. Apparently the brand was popular regionally in Pennsylvania, as some neighbors who moved here from the Scranton area had at least a few Philco items in their houses - refrigerators, dryers and TV's. I do not believe that Philco ever made or distributed dishwashers.
Actually, I do remember that on a few Amtrak trips, you could see the Philco water tower as you approached the North Philadelphia station - so that was probably a factory complex.....
***** Post# 17500-5/10/2002-06:59 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (A little trivia question to do with traffic (Hullo Miele, main Herr))
MESSAGE: No Richtoo,
I wasn't implying any such thing. In fact, although I got my first licence in the US at sixteen, I think it is totally natural to drive on the left. No, I was just being tongue in cheek, knowing how wonderfully religious many Americans were (are), perhaps they had some religious justification for introducing right hand traffic. You know, like in days of old, when it was frowned upon to use one's left hand for anything, so if you were naturally left handed, you had to retrain yourself to use your right. I believe that was based on religion and not toileting habits, as is common in some Asian countries. Or it was simply their rejection of anything British.
That may be an interesting point for our American friends to answer for us. Did Americans travel on the left prior to the introduction of the Automobile? Or was horse and buggy traffic already a 'right hand side' thing in centuries past? Surely, in large towns like Boston and New York there would have been some kind of traffic code in existence two or three hundred years ago?
Miele, do you know why traffic in all of Europe changed from left to right (excluding the UK of course)?
***** Post# 17501-5/10/2002-07:33 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Tractors & Laundry
MESSAGE: All I got to say is...
YEAH!
I have a washer collection AND a tractor and I love them both.
***** Post# 17502-5/10/2002-10:28 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: A question for Kirk (Recirculation systems)
MESSAGE: I remember seeing the Hoover Quattro models, they had the nozzle in the same place as the classic Whirlpool combo from the late 50s/early 60s.
I think for the load to be wet down thoroughly, instead of using a recirculation system, the drum should spin at around 200rpm whilst the water fills, this will distribute the laundry better. Perhaps if the water came from above the door rather than through the drum, this would probably be a good system. A few 100rpm rev-ups dotted throughout the wash cycle should get the laundry clean in no time!
Another idea is on a Jetsystem/Bosch/Whirlpool model is to have the recirculation device activated during the first part of the interim spin cycles to give a 'spray rinse'.
From surgilator
P.S. Kirk, do the Jetsystem (Zanussi/AEG) models fill the drum up with water then? Is there a tank underneath the drum in the outer tub where the water fills into, like the Whirlpool 50s combo?
***** Post# 17503-5/10/2002-10:52 ||| infodiva (Nebraska)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Hi all - thanks for the info you've posted. I decided to leave the fridge unplugged for a day, and now it's running fairly quietly. I think the rattle is probably the mounting; I'll try to tighten it/etc.
Thanks!
Barbara
***** Post# 17504-5/10/2002-10:56 ||| infodiva (Nebraska)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor??
MESSAGE: I'll try to post a photo soon. It's really a neat appliance! Too bad about the exterior - what do y'all think about my having it repainted candy apple red?? >:)
Barbara
***** Post# 17505-5/10/2002-11:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor??
MESSAGE: Oh, I'm not a big fan of red appliances. Generally speaking from a preservation point of view, it would be best to repaint the appliance in its original colors. It would retain more value for collectors that way. Of course, original paint in mint condition is the most valuable state, but not all appliances are that lucky.
***** Post# 17506-5/10/2002-11:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Sounds like it might have been the oil then.
***** Post# 17507-5/10/2002-11:58 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (A little trivia question to do with traffic (Hullo Miele, main Herr))
MESSAGE: The American adoption of driving on the right side of the road can be traced to Napoleon. He was left handed and dictated that his troops march on the right side of the enemy so he could keep his weapon arm toward the enemy.
The French practice spread throughout most of Europe. In turn, although America was a former British colony, the desire to break with English control, plus the influence of continental European immigrants, led to the adoption in America of the right hand side of road driving custom.
LINK: http://www.driving.co.uk/4a2.html
***** Post# 17508-5/10/2002-12:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (A little trivia question to do with traffic (Hullo Miele, main Herr))
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
We were at cross purposes again, I was not suggesting that you were implying anythig, I was just having a little latin-rooted word fun, wouldn't we all like to be latin rooted?
I like your religious US theory of right vesus left.
Interesting point you raise about the horse days in US, I hope someone can enlighten us.
I don't know why Europe changed over from left to right, if indeed it all did, some countries may have been right sided to begin. I can't see it happening in teh UK, way too many cars and so much road, it would be cost prohibitive and a death warrant.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17509-5/10/2002-12:33 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (A little trivia question to do with traffic (Hullo Miele, main Herr))
MESSAGE: Thanks Suds,
I should have read your post before replying to Bubs, very interesting.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17510-5/10/2002-12:47 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Liberty for ALL)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I know I owe you several replies to posts and will try to wprk back over them. I apologise for getting so behind in replying to you, but there is a very good reason, and this post typifies it. Your posts are written so pasionately and give me so much food for thought, challenge my ideas and make me think whether I agree or disagree.
I do have some sympathies with Peter's Libertarian views, as I suspect do you from some of your comments eg on censorship. For me, I am thinking of hatred of censorship, self-responsibility, state keeping out of ones bedroom, legality of drugs. However, I could never become a libertarian as the economic side runs absolutely against my grain. I am with you on education, health care and poverty issues, I agree that tackling these helps to create a stronger society for all.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17511-5/10/2002-12:55 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (DC motors)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
I too suspected it was BS, but it is teh Miele site and one must have faith in them. I have thought about what you say about the 10500 speed in your Philips and taking it to its conclusion, one could gear at 1:1 and have a spin of 10500. This would require a very powerful motor to give sufficient torque to get the load tumbling and spinning or teh addition extra gear ratios, so would be beyond practical limits. I figure then that the Miele statement of 1600 being the max possble is that it is referring to a practical max using standard motors and gearing. I know so little about motors that I acknowledge I could be talking out of my situpon here.
I love your conspiracy theory and suspect that there is more than a grain of truth in there. Add to it the fact that periodically governments will try to impose tougher requirements, the manufacturers negotiate these with the govt and will try to ensure any requirements are achievable whilst making the govt think that the requirements are really tough. Gosh, what a piss-pooor sentence, I hope you can follow.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17512-5/10/2002-15:08 ||| steved (Albany, NY)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (yes they did.......)
MESSAGE: hi Anthony, I have a brochure for Philco dishwashers, manufacturered by D&M.... from the late 60's, early 70's....
both buillt-in and portable models ...... SteveD
***** Post# 17513-5/10/2002-16:28 ||| infodiva (Nebraska)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Yes, I do think it was the oil partly, but it's still rattling a bit.
So, repainting it a color it never would have been is a bad thing... I collect furniture and never refinish it because I value the original finish. But, I kind of wanted this fridge to 'stand out.' :) Hmmm, dilemmas, dilemmas...
***** Post# 17514-5/10/2002-17:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Hey, well, it's your fridge and if you want it candy apple red, that's your right to choose. Me, I'd paint it the original color. But then I have this vintage harvest gold GE wall oven that I'm thinking of repainting in black so it blends in better with the adjacent stainless/black fridge.
I'd be a bit concerned that the rattle is still happening, that the lack of oil caused excessive internal wear. How long did you run the fridge with it rattling? There may also be rubber mounts underneath the compressor that have dried out and hardened - replacing these (if they exist) might help quiet things down as well.
At one time this kitchen was all harvest gold and mainly 60's through 70's GE stuff - dishwasher, fridge, oven, cooktop hood, and washer/dryer. I've been replacing items for various reasons, dishwasher bottom was rusted out, fridge was way too energy inefficient, I wanted a more efficient front loader washer and gas dryer, etc. All that remains now is a big Nutone harvest gold vent hood and the aforementioned wall oven. Well, the GE filter-flo washer is in storage in the carport.
***** Post# 17515-5/10/2002-18:22 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Pictures Part 2 (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: You're a braver man than I am LOL.
***** Post# 17516-5/10/2002-18:24 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (yes they did.......)
MESSAGE: For the "record" (pun intended), my parents had/I grew up on a 1968 Philco console stereo. If you watch my home video in the videos section, you'll see it in one of the shots. That's my other "dream machine"
And yes, I have Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas LP just itchin to get spun in the console when I find one.
Speaking of spin, I need to wash clothes. Excuse me, I have a date with a Lady.
***** Post# 17517-5/10/2002-18:31 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (Almost Angus but Philco actually stands for .....)
MESSAGE: You were close to the true meaning of the acronym Philco Angus, but the company actually started life in 1906 as the Philidelphia Storage Battery Co. making batteries and power supplies. In 1927 they started making radios and by the late 1930's they started making appliances. Just thought you all might be interested in the true orgin of the Philco name. here is another tidbit you all might find interesting as well, orignally the company located on the corner of Ontario and C streets in Philly but later when they shortened their name to just Philco Corp. they were located at Tioga and C streets in Philly. Just thought you all might find this interesting
PAT COFFEY
***** Post# 17518-5/10/2002-18:46 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: A question for Kirk (Recirculation systems)
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
The Jetsystem machines rotate the drum slowly while spraying water onto the load from above during fill. Nothing near as exciting as the 200 rpm you suggested, but it does seem to work very well. The load gets saturated from the very start, so the washer doesn't often have to pause in order to top up with more water afterwards.
Have you seen the current Hotpoint models? The ones with the "Powerstream" logo on the control panel are programmed to double the drum speed during certain phases of the wash cycle. Apparently, this is to make sure powdered detergents dissolve properly, and also has the effect of driving the solution through the fibres in order to loosen stains.
The Jetsystem machines kind of have a spray rinse. The drum picks up speed and starts to spin a couple of times during the first two rinses on the cottons cycle, while the water sprays down from above. If you select the Quick Wash option, the spin-rinse stages are omitted in order to save a few minutes on each rinse.
By the way, the new Jetsystem machines no longer have the tank underneath the outer tub. The water now sits in the tub itself, but the recirculation system still works in more or less the same way as it did on the older machines.
***** Post# 17519-5/10/2002-19:27 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (yes they did.......)
MESSAGE: We were a Zenith home. Zenith TV, Zenith portable hi-fi. No photo, except I may have one of the old Zenith TV.
***** Post# 17520-5/10/2002-19:31 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (yes they did.......)
MESSAGE: Interesting that Philco dishwashers were never seen around here though....
***** Post# 17521-5/10/2002-19:33 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Grandma's Washer (RCA, Philco and Kenmore)
MESSAGE: Our TV was a 1975 RCA XL-100 (I think) with dual speakers. GREAT TV! It lasted about 10 years and it had a wonderful picture. Lots of Brady Bunch, Sesame Street and Bugs Bunny was watched on that TV as I was growing up.
1968 Philco stereo. Doo wop, Motown, Tom Jones, the disco era, even the Village People was enjoyed by me off of that old console.
1968 Kenmore 800 - nuff said.
I want to find all 3 and return back to the glory days of my childhood.
The 70s!
***** Post# 17522-5/10/2002-21:15 ||| Mrcoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: In search of a Frigidaire
MESSAGE: Greetings. I am searching for a Frigidaire 1-18 Jet Cone washing machine, any vintage that I can get ahold of, in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Anything reapirable will do, and better if it's "still breathing" (pardon my pun).
If anybody knows of one at a reasonable price, please let me know. Thanks!
Thomas
***** Post# 17523-5/10/2002-21:24 ||| Mrcoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: Wallpaper
MESSAGE: Also, I am wondering if I can get the three-ring agitator background to use as wallpaper for my computer. Any info would be appreciated.
***** Post# 17524-5/10/2002-21:49 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Wallpaper
MESSAGE: Right click on the background of your "Wallpaper" post and select "Save Background As," save it to your hard drive in a folder, then change the wallpaper using this new file. It works best if you choose a "tile" option, then it will fill the whole desktop with 3 Ring Agitators.
Welcome to the club - good luck in finding your 1-18 too. There are still many of those machines around so it shouldn't be too difficult.
***** Post# 17525-5/10/2002-22:52 ||| Mrcoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Wallpaper (Only one hitch...)
MESSAGE: I got a Macintosh. So, it's a bit different from a PC. Anybody out there know how to do it with a Mac?
Thomas
***** Post# 17526-5/10/2002-22:53 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: NEWS FLASH
MESSAGE: An anthropologist at Tulane has just come back from a field trip to New Guinea with reports of a tribe so primitive that they have Tide but not the new and improved Tide with lemon-fresh Borax.
-- David Letterman
***** Post# 17527-5/11/2002-12:37 ||| infodiva (Nebraska)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Maybe the red *is* a bit extreme >:) How about robin's egg blue (haha)? (rhetorical question)
Anyway, about the rattling - I ran it for maybe 5 minutes with the rattling, and then unplugged it overnight. The past couple of days it's been really quiet. I'm convinced it was the oil, too.
\THX
***** Post# 17528-5/11/2002-16:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: 1945 Frigidaire fridge - rattling compressor?? (Compressor mounting)
MESSAGE: Oh, good! About the rattling, that is. If it's quiet and cooling well, you're in good shape!
On the blue, well I like that better than red, but hey that's my personal preference. Maybe someone here knows what colors this vintage was available in when they were built. Me, I'd probably go for a nice jade green, but only if it fit in with the rest of the kitchen.
***** Post# 17529-5/11/2002-23:17 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Saturday Sights
MESSAGE: A friend of mine had an aunt who passed away and in the process of cleaning out her house, he thought of me when they got to the laundry room. I didn't bring the dryer (or washer) home as they haven't decided if they are going to leave it in the house or not and I wasn't overly excited about it, but it was a pretty dryer, I just have so many dryers already. The washer was also a GE, but newer than the dryer. I did tell him that if they are going to haul it away to the krusher, I would come and take them to play with - another hole in my head..... I posted pictures of both machines and a couple of pics for Peter of my 47 Bendix so he can see the pump solenoid positions.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/New+pics&.src=ph&.dnm=GE+Dryer.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/New%2bpics%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17530-5/11/2002-23:29 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Bendix Washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: With soap dispenser!!
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=870272943
***** Post# 17531-5/12/2002-06:51 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Bendix Washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: When we were driving home from the convention last summer we found a Bendix like this in a family owned appliance store.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_2001/vwp?.dir=/Convention+2001+Trip+back&.src=ph&.dnm=08+bendix01.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/svb14_2001/lst%3f%26.dir=/Convention%2b2001%2bTrip%2bback%26.src=ph%26.view=t
One day a housework-challenged husband decided to wash his own sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to his wife.
"What setting do I use on the washing machine?"
"It depends, she replied, "what does it say on your shirt?"
He yelled back, "Minnesota".
***** Post# 17533-5/12/2002-09:23 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (DC motors)
MESSAGE: Hi Richtoo.
It may be the Miele site, but the info on it comes from marketing whizzes not engineers.
The Philips motor I mentioned is tiny, about the size of a soft-drink can. A bigger motor could work harder. Or you can "change gears" using an expanding pulley (1970's WM technology) or have a gearbox on the motor. Siemens had a nifty motor in the eighties which was a 2-speed induction motor and a 10:1 reduction gearbox in one unit. They were used on Asko-Asea washers (and many others I believe) for several years. The motor had 2 speeds of 1400 rpm and 2800 rpm. In 1400 mode it drove thru the gearbox giving final speed of 140rpm. The drum pulley was three times the size of the motor pulley, giving drum speed of 46 rpm, =WASH. When the motor changes up to 2800 rpm (just another winding in the motor) a centrifugal clutch in the gearbox engages, bypassing the reduction so motor speed = pulley speed. 2800 rpm/3= 933 rpm SPIN which was pretty impressive in its day. It wass quieter and much more reliable than the alternative electronically controlled motors of the day. The induction motor is not very efficient, though.
A modern DC motor with a 15-to-1 gearbox could probably break the 2000 rpm barrier today, easily and efficiently. A DC stepper motor could probably do it easier and cheaper still.
Just because it's in a Miele ad doesn't mean its the truth. As a ex-religious person I'm not good at keeping the faith.
As a true example of marketing BS...
Subaru in Aus had an ad a couple of years ago for the new Outback 4WD wagon. It had in huge letters "just what you need for overtaking road trains on the Gunbarrel Highway".
Background info to help you unpack the BS...
1. Road Trains are super-trucks used to haul freight between Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin. The roads are straight and LONG so the trucks tow five or six trailers. They can only go on these straight paved roads, as they are so difficult to manoevre.
2.The Gunbarrel Highway is, in the words of my "drive Australia by 4WD" book, one of Australia's toughest long-haul 4wd treks. The distance is considerable and the area extremely remote.... Track conditions include ruts, corrugations, washaways, stones, sand, mud. You must be totally self-equipped for food, water and equipment for any emergency." It was named because on section of it is as straight as a gunbarrell. The "highway" name was a bit if irony on behalf of Len Beadell who surveyed it. It is legendary with mad 4wd enthusiasts.
So ... There are NO road trains on the Gunbarrell Highway. And the Gunbarrell Highway is probably well beyond the abilities of a Subaru 4wd, crawling along never ming overtaking freight trucks.
Chris.
***** Post# 17534-5/12/2002-10:54 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: My collection so far:
MESSAGE: Two washers and a dryer. It's a start.
2001 Kenmore FL
1981 GE Dryer
1977 Lady Kenmore portable
***** Post# 17535-5/12/2002-11:59 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My collection so far:
MESSAGE: Jason, do spinning washers make your trailer vibrate/shake? I have been in some where I have experienced this; its quite fun! LOL
***** Post# 17536-5/12/2002-12:42 ||| Surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hi all
I have spent a long time studying the Zanussi FJS1425 Jetsystem and Whirlpool AWM8163 6th Sense washers, and I have decided to go with the Zanussi because:
a) I prefer the push button programming style, rather than the dial - also easier to clean
b) Even though they both claim to have 300mm doors, the Zanussi opening is around 2cm more than the Whirlpool when compared side by side
c) Jetystem
d) cold fill only
and
e) 'super rinse' option
I must admit though that the Whirlpool did come very close.
I'm deciding onto going with the Whirlpool 6th Sense vented dryer, as I like Whirlpools drying system, styled like American dryers, i.e. only the sides of the drum move round, the back stays stationary. I also found the drum baffles rounder than Zanussi's. Compared to a similar priced Zanussi, too, it is good value: £159.99 for the Whirlpool sensor dryer compared to the £199.99 Zanussi timed dryer.
I am just waiting until I can afford them, and then I'll get them.
from Jonathan (surge)
p.s. Kirk, do you think though that Zanussi should do a 1600rpm version of the Jetsystem XC models, seeming as they probably won't do an 1800rpm version?
***** Post# 17537-5/12/2002-14:18 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My collection so far:
MESSAGE: The little Kenmore isn't heavy enough to vibrate the trailer (even though IT may vibrate on an unbalanced load). the Frigemore definitely vibrates. I reinforced the floor and made sure the machine was equally balanced on all four legs. It still vibrates a little. Any washer on a plywood floor will shake.
***** Post# 17538-5/12/2002-16:26 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hiya Surge,
Congratulations on deciding which washer and dryer to go for! I know what it's like to have trouble deciding, as I'm the same when it comes to these things. Nothing wrong with that, though, as it's important to make sure you'll be happy with your choice.
Overall, I think you'll like the Zanussi. The performance is excellent, and personally I really like the electronic controls - you can easily suss them out without even reading the manual. And more cycles than you can shake a stick at, which is always a good thing as far as us laundry lovers are concerned :o) You'll be surprised at how quiet it is compared to your current Hotpoint, too.
By the way, the new Jetsystem XC6 lineup will include a 1600 rpm model. However, the new models will naturally be more expensive, so you will likely be getting a better deal by going with the FJS1425, which in essence has exactly the same design and features.
The Whirlpool dryer is a very good choice IMHO, as they seem to dry pretty quickly and evenly. It's basically a scaled-down version of their US models, as you noted, which seems to be very reliable. Bosch have a Whirlpool-made dryer in their lineup, and I've heard nothing but good things about it.
Anyway, let us know what you think to your new washer and dryer once they arrive and you've run a few test loads through them :o) No doubt you're already getting excited in anticipation of the day they arrive!
***** Post# 17539-5/12/2002-18:38 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in
MESSAGE: You know how on Sunday night's you're all bummed because you know you gotta go to work tomorrow? Well here's the answer to that problem.
1. Stick a pizza in the oven
2. while you're waiting, find the laundry from the past few days or take down some towels
3. load them into you favorite vintage machine
4. Cue up your favorite oldies CD
5. When the pizza's ready, start the CD
6. Grab a cold beer.. ahem.. Coke
7. Start the washer on it's longest cycle
8. Enjoy!
The playlist for tonight was a specialty mix of late 1960s lite pop. lots of Burt Bacharach tunes plus a few extra. This little playlist I call "Avocado Memories". In hopes that I will soon find an avocado Kenmore.
Herb Alpert - This Guy's In Love With You
Dionne Warwick - Walk On By
Tom Jones - She's A Lady
Fifth Dimension - Up, Up And Away
Sergio Mendez - Look of Love
Carpenters - (They Long To Be) Close To You
Tom Jones - It's Not Unusual
Brazil 66 - Fool On The Hill
Dionne Warwick - I'll Never Fall In Love Again
B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My H
Dionne Warwick - Do You Know the way to San Jose
Soundtracks - What The World needs now
This playlist is also right at 35minutes long... the length of a "normal" cycle on a vintage Kenmore (started at 14). The fill starts at "This Guy's In Love" and the tub brake kicks in after the final spin at the end of "What The World Needs Now (is love)".
It all happens too quickly. fill, wash, drain, spin, fill, rinse, drain, spin. 35 precious minutes of pure joy.
"She's got style, she's got grace. She's a winner." - Tom Jones, "She's A Lady"
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kenmore800/vwp?.dir=/pictures/Lady+Kenmore+portable&.src=ph&.dnm=05lkwash.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/kenmore800/lst%3f%26.dir=/pictures/Lady%2bKenmore%2bportable%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17540-5/12/2002-19:58 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in
MESSAGE: Jason, that has worked for me for years...except that I have no vintage machine at the moment. It sure beats sitting around moping about work. Loved the playlist, too. A fine idea for a Sunday night.
I tried to expand the idea a while ago and invited a few friends over. I figured that a community wash in might be cool. It helps if your friends are into doing laundry.....mine are not, so that idea fell flat.
***** Post# 17541-5/12/2002-21:24 ||| Erkjoey (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in
MESSAGE: Cool idea Jason! And what great songs.
***** Post# 17542-5/12/2002-23:33 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Bendix Washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: Very interesting! Do you know what year that model is? It *might* be the same model my family once owned. I'll show some photos to my mom and see if she remembers it.
***** Post# 17543-5/13/2002-07:50 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: The planets must have been aligned or something.
Yesterday was also Burt Bacharach's birthday. 73 years old. I bet he's seen some old washers in his day.
He said it all when he wrote "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No it's not for some, but for everyone!"
***** Post# 17544-5/13/2002-07:50 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: here's the link
***** Post# 17545-5/13/2002-10:42 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Bendix Washer on Ebay
MESSAGE: 1949-1950. Consumer Reports rates this washer model in the Nov 1950 issue which is avaiable in our electronic library.
***** Post# 17546-5/13/2002-11:03 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: And Dionne Warwicke, perhaps the best known interpreter of Bacharach, was recently arrested for possession of 12 joints... far out, dude... :-)
***** Post# 17547-5/13/2002-11:51 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: That song is used on an advert over here, but I just cannot remember what it was for. It is still on at the moment, but I just don't know!
Anyone from the UK know?
from surgilator
***** Post# 17548-5/13/2002-12:35 ||| Erkjoey (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Jason, That is a great song, from the 1969 movie, Bob and Carol, and Ted and Alice.
***** Post# 17549-5/13/2002-12:39 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (smoking pot)
MESSAGE: Was she smoking pot while giving psychic readings? LOL
***** Post# 17550-5/13/2002-14:39 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (smoking pot)
MESSAGE: Her psychics should have seen this coming... The psychic she hired was a narc, more like... Should've also told her she'd be laughed at when she told them "It was planted on me!"
-ph
***** Post# 17551-5/13/2002-15:24 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: I recall now that the 'Waht the World Needs now' song is on, it is the commercial for a holiday company.
***** Post# 17552-5/13/2002-17:46 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: "What the world needs now,
Is twelve sweet joints,
One for each month of the Zodiac..."
***** Post# 17553-5/13/2002-18:33 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Hmmm, maybe her new album will have these songs:
Do you know the way to San Jose?
I got some friends of mine
smoking pot in San Jose
You see this girl
This girl's in love with weed
What do you get when you smoke a joint?
Policeman come to burst your bubble
***** Post# 17554-5/13/2002-21:07 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Awww.
Poor Dionne.
I really love Dionne. I also love Petula Clark, the 5th Dimension, Shirley Bassey, Trini Lopez and Mel Torme.
When we were little my mum used to listen to 2CH a really daggy old station that played all those classics above. We used to protest at Mum listening to such a daggy station but I secretly loved it!
***** Post# 17555-5/13/2002-22:11 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: If you see me walking down the street,
Next time we meet, and I start to cry
Let's get high.
***** Post# 17556-5/14/2002-06:00 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Getting my Brady Bunch fix
MESSAGE: 3 words:
SHOW THE KITCHEN!
***** Post# 17557-5/14/2002-06:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (Golden Oldies)
MESSAGE: My Dad still listens to this station in the car.
When I drive it I like to change it to a rowdy heavy rock station and leave it.
***** Post# 17558-5/14/2002-06:21 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: I need your drugs
I want your drugs
Send all you drugs
your drugs, to this girl
If not I'll just die
***** Post# 17559-5/14/2002-06:31 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (Dionne W)
MESSAGE: Now now....She had them for medicinal purposes. The old girl has glaucoma. (RIGHT)
I'm surprised Miss Cleo didn't warn her to be more careful with her stash!
***** Post# 17560-5/14/2002-07:08 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: POD Westy
MESSAGE: What year is this awesome washer? Space age, man!
***** Post# 17561-5/14/2002-09:20 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: OHMIGOD!!! Trini Lopez!!! I haven't thought of him in years! "Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet..."
What about Vikki Carr?
-ph
***** Post# 17562-5/14/2002-10:45 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (lemon tree song)
MESSAGE: And there's a valuable lesson in that song. A lesson that I've learned the hard way too many times.
***** Post# 17563-5/14/2002-19:11 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Husbands & Laundry
MESSAGE: Hi Steve
Haha... that was pretty funny...and probably so true in many households. Luckily, our husbands are not that bad. ;-)
And I personally showed my son the little label at the neck and how on the backside it tells you how to wash that item. Now at 21, he can sort (sorta) and wash his clothes using the correct cycles and temps. What an accomplishment and how proud I am! He will be one of the new generation of men who can do laundry.
Rich
***** Post# 17564-5/14/2002-19:22 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Westy
MESSAGE: That style Westy was built in the late 40s and early fifties. The home version was a bolt down model. The commercial version was also a bolt down model and had a timer dial on top (you can almost see it in the picture.) In fact, I'm not sure what the dif was between home-use and commercial machines, if any. The commercial ones did say "commercial" on the window, as in the picture. But the control knob was the same on both. The the commercial machines of that style did not use coin slides yet...an attandant operated the machines at the public laundry. Westy later made a similar model for public self-serve "Laundromats" that had a different style door with a soap chute. They sure were cool looking machines. (That's what Flash Gordon must have used for his underwear!) I have a users manual that covers that machine. I will find it and scan a few pictures of the control knob for you.
***** Post# 17565-5/14/2002-19:56 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: "Let it please be him, oh dear God, it must be him, it must be him - or I shall die...." from the movie "Moonstruck" and by the way a favorite of Italian men over a certain age throughout the five boroughs of New York..........
***** Post# 17566-5/14/2002-20:02 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: POD Westy (The Streamliner)
MESSAGE: The Westinghouse repair manual I have for this machine refers to this model as the "Streamliner." The window is the same, sans the "Commercial" designation.
***** Post# 17567-5/14/2002-20:05 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: "Now he's gonna play that damn Vicki Carr record and when he comes to bed he won't touch me."
One of my favorite lines from Moonstruck - one of my all time favorite movies.
***** Post# 17568-5/14/2002-20:08 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: .......I was green (Avocado) with envy!
MESSAGE: Well, on today's real estate brokers' inspections, I was in a somewhat dated large ranch which had been custom built in 1956 for a middle aged childless couple. They were the only people to ever live in this house and recently died. I cannot wait for the estate sale - lots of neat 50's furniture and the kitchen was a late 1950's Jetson's dream. Unfortunately none of the original appliances were there except for a very unusual style cooktop. It was 2 separate sets of two electric coils with the pushbutton controls on the wall above the cooking units. Since it was a Hotpoint, there was also a plug in the wall for the deep fryer. Most unusual were the cabinets - dark wood with frosted glass sliding doors. The baths were a 50's dream of pink and blue tiles and fixtures all in mint condition.
However, what a surprise to open the door of the laundry to find a late 60's GE Americana dryer in..yes, Avocado Green - - complete with full width control panel lamp. Beautiful - and spotless!! I will be taking that home. I was sad to see however, that the washer was a late model BOL Roper - I have a feeling though that there was once a matching Avocado GE washer in the place of honor............. what a find THAT would have been !!!! I keep hoping that while doing those realtors inspections and going to public open houses on weekends I will run into a Norge Timeline or a nice Philco Custom Imperial... oh well, I can dream, can't I?????
***** Post# 17569-5/14/2002-20:14 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: And what made it even better was that for many of us Italians that grew up in Brooklyn, that was our family and those things really went on in some form or other.........
The Vikki Carr record joke in that movie had to be written in by someone who knew that my father and most of my friends' fathers listened to that song tirelessly over and over again.....
" I've heard that song before - what are you TALKING about??!!! I see the way you look at her and it isn't right!!!!". How can this line from "Moonstruck" tie someone from that movie to my other favorite movie - "Arthur"??
***** Post# 17570-5/14/2002-20:22 ||| Mrcoffee2 (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in!
MESSAGE: Plug in your favorite Frigidaire washing machine, add cloths. Add detergent. Grab some of your favorite old Slayer, King Diamond, Alice Cooper, Metalica and Black Sabbath death/speed/THRASH metal tapes.
When it goes: CrAnK iT Up To ThE rHyThMiC THROBBING of THAT pUlSaTiNg AgItAtOtR jUmPiNg Up AnD dOwN aT FULL VOLUME!
***** Post# 17571-5/14/2002-20:30 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Anthony, who said it only had to be Italian men. I know I'm over that certain age, but I'm definitely not from the 5 boroughs, nor am I Italian, and I loved the movie from the get-go. One of my all-time favs.
***** Post# 17572-5/14/2002-20:48 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: hmmm...that's 3 recommendations now. I'll have to rent that one sometime.
***** Post# 17573-5/14/2002-21:59 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (Movies)
MESSAGE: I watched "Big Eden" this past weekend. Very enjoyable.
***** Post# 17574-5/14/2002-23:06 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in!
MESSAGE: Mr. Coffee, did you get that 1-18 yet?
***** Post# 17575-5/14/2002-23:30 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in! (Hey)
MESSAGE: Dude! How's the rapidry running? The little Lady K is still kickin'. Thanks for letting me adopt her.
Wanna do another Frigi wash-in? Or we can have a wash-in at my house with the little lady and the Frigemore.
Keep in touch. Later.
***** Post# 17576-5/14/2002-23:43 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Karving up a Kelvinator
MESSAGE: I've been working on taking apart one of the Kelvinator washers I brought home from the farm and found something that seems rather strange. Robert told me that this dark blue tub was only used for a single year or so, most of the others were lighter gray porcelain. The strange thing about this tub is that part of the Kelvinator/ABC cycle is overflow and "Splash Away" rinsing. The fill flume on this washer is directed not into the washtub, but into the top rim of it. While this would be very dramatic watching the water fill from the holes in the rim all around the tub, I think the whole "overflow" concept is somewhat diminished with the high rim on the washtub. Splash Away rinse just might splash small items up and over the rim of the tub! I posted a couple of pictures of the tub and one of the lower mechanism to illustrate how remarkably simple this mechanism is - no tranny, just pulleys and a reversing motor and clutch. Even the damper assembly is very simple (absorbs the movement of the spinning tub.) Once I get this machine stripped, I can start working on the newer 60's model that is in much better shape.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/Kelvinator+Kelvinator&.dnm=Tub+and+Fill+Flume.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
***** Post# 17577-5/15/2002-04:49 ||| laundromat (florida)
SUBJECT: Leonard and Duracrest
MESSAGE: I wonder why nobody has seen any of these brands at the old junkyards or estates??????They too were made like the ABC's.Duracrest was the May Company's brand name(Hecht's if you're from Maryland,D.C.area)Leonard was the brand made for E.J.Korvette.
***** Post# 17578-5/15/2002-05:45 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Bob-Can it have anything to do with the fact that Nick Cage was in the movie -- Oh no, how silly of me -- Cher is in it, too! ;-)
***** Post# 17579-5/15/2002-05:56 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Not the movie, I meant the record...........
***** Post# 17580-5/15/2002-05:56 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: You haven't seen it????????!!!!!!! GO NOW and rent it. I guarantee you will love it!!!!!
***** Post# 17581-5/15/2002-07:43 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (Arthur Tie-In)
MESSAGE: I've thought about this all night and can't come up with it - been a while since I've seen Arthur.....
***** Post# 17582-5/15/2002-09:57 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Karving up a Kelvinator (That's Strange)
MESSAGE: I'm surprised at that fact that the fill flume ends before the opening of the tub. In the Kelvinator I used to have, the fill flume was the same style except there was another part that was used to extend it into the opening of the tub. The whole design of that later Kelvinator tub is to keep the water from splashing out into the outer tub and going down the drain during agitation. My ABC looses about 1/4 of its water level after a 12 minute wash, but the later Kelvinator design lost very little because of this redesigned tub.
***** Post# 17583-5/15/2002-15:16 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Old pictures
MESSAGE: This link goes to a site about a dutch photographer who was employed by an electricity company. There are some very nice black and white pictures of old European appliances. Most of the stoves are AEG's. The dryer in one of the pictures is also an AEG, while the washers in one of the last pictures are Constructa's I think. Look at the name of the last picture....
Louis
LINK: http://www.hsa.lr.tudelft.nl/~eric/WouterPen/
***** Post# 17584-5/15/2002-16:25 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Old pictures
MESSAGE: Interesting photos! They look post-war. I'm so glad they didn't follow the "Curiosity" photograph with the "Roasting and Frying" sequence... ;-)
***** Post# 17585-5/15/2002-20:23 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (Arthur Tie-In)
MESSAGE: OK, OK, I'll divulge. Remember in Moonstruck, that scene in the liquor store - "I see a wolf in everyone I ever met and I see a wolf in YOU". The woman who said that (I think her name was Lottie) was Helen Hanft. In "Arthur", she was the woman that Dudley Moore woke up when he went to the wrong apartment see Linda (Liza Minelli) during the night after he proposed to Susan Johnston (Jill Eikenberry). Remember, the woman opens the door and starts yelling "MY HUSBAND HAS A GUN". And of course Dudley Moore answers "I'm sure he has madam and for all we know, he shot it while you screamed"............
***** Post# 17586-5/15/2002-20:33 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Weigh in on the new Clean Breeze Tide and Tropical Scent Gain
MESSAGE: Well, I was in my local (20 miles away KMart yesterday) and I espied the new Tide and Gain. I couldn't resist trying them both. So far, I have only used the Tide and sorry to say, it's not my favorite. I thought the fragrance was way too intense and almost unpleasant. I can't figure out what it is supposed to smell like, but I will be donating that to my neighbor. Next up - tropical scent Gain. I suppose I will never understand why the old traditional Tide, Gain and Cheer fragrances aren't reintroduced. Now that there are 4 different Gains and 300 assorted Tide products, it would seem that there was enough room for the return of the old fragrances (pre liquids, pre ultra-powders and pre phosphate ban).....
***** Post# 17587-5/15/2002-21:02 ||| Mrcoffee3 (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in! (Troubles with password)
MESSAGE: Well, not yet. In that last post, I was just dreaming of having a little fun with one of those machines!
Anyways. I'm having some trouble with my password. I've had to log in as a new user twice already, and it looks like I need to e-mail Unimatic about the situation.
Could it be that I'm using the wrong detergent? Is this what they call a "suds lock"?
***** Post# 17588-5/15/2002-21:11 ||| Mrcoffee3 (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Weigh in on the new Clean Breeze Tide and Tropical Scent Gain (I will have to agree with that!)
MESSAGE: Yes, it seems that we are introduced to too many wierd smells in our laundry detergent. Maybe we should write Proctor and Gamble and tell them to go back to what they had before (and yes, they really did smell nice back in those days), and maybe the grocery stores will have an easier time stocking their displays with things that really matter. Example? I can find an excessive amount of Tide with wierd smells, but I just can't seem to find any halfway decent sausage seasoning, nor can I get hog casings in most places! It's rediculous!
***** Post# 17589-5/15/2002-21:46 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Oh, of course, it's that Cagey actor.
***** Post# 17590-5/15/2002-21:48 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in (wow)
MESSAGE: Anthony, I remember the song originally released too!!!!!.....
***** Post# 17591-5/15/2002-22:11 ||| tcox6912 (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in! (Hey)
MESSAGE: Jason,
Glad you're enjoying the little lady. Giving the rapidry a rest for a few weeks and using the Fisher & Paykel for now. We do need to have another wash-in soon. I got a lead about an appliance graveyard outside of Hammond, and will try to check into it. If its still there, we must go exploring. Will keep you posted.
***** Post# 17592-5/15/2002-22:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in ("
Oh, you're a hedge!"
)
MESSAGE: LOL! I didn't realize that was the same woman in both films - what a hoot! Didn't she have on a mud mask and curlers in the Arthur scene? One of the best!! Dudley Moore was a brilliant light put out too soon.
Thanks for the trip down movie-memory lane!
***** Post# 17593-5/16/2002-06:29 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night 1-18 Jet Cone stress relief wash in! (NO WAY!)
MESSAGE: WOW! Give me a call when you find out about the graveyard. I bet my Kenmore 800 is there!
***** Post# 17594-5/16/2002-06:30 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunday Night Lady K Stress Relief wash-in
MESSAGE: That would be her!!
***** Post# 17595-5/16/2002-10:44 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old pictures
MESSAGE: LOL, yes they are indeed post-war pictures.
Louis
***** Post# 17596-5/16/2002-10:59 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine
MESSAGE: ROME: Italian police have taken a mother into custody after finding her eight-month-old baby drowned in a washing machine in a mountain village north of Milan.
The woman's husband found his wife, 32-year-old Loretta Zen, in a confused state in front of the washing machine on Sunday afternoon, just as families throughout the country celebrated Mother's Day.
Inside the machine, he found the body of his baby girl, police said.
Police said they were holding Zen for questioning. "At the moment the mother is the only one who is under investigation," prosecutor Elvira Antonelli said on yesterday.
After removing the baby's body from the machine, which had completed a full cycle, Zen's husband called the police and the woman was taken to the psychiatric ward of a nearby hospital.
Italian newspapers said Zen had been suffering from depression after the recent death of her father.
"Due to conditions the mother was found in yesterday, we thought it necessary to admit her to a mental ward," Antonelli said.
The death comes just months after Italy, where the family is a sacred institution and children are adored, was shaken by the brutal murder of a three-year-old in another isolated mountain community.
The little boy's mother was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released due to insufficient evidence.
***** Post# 17597-5/16/2002-13:15 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine
MESSAGE: That is indeed horrible. It also reminds me of an incident here last year, where a toddler and his aunt were playing in a laundromat. They were playing a game where the aunt would put the child into an empty front loading washer, close the door, and play peek-a-boo. Well, she eventually put him into a washer that someone had loaded with enough quarter that it automatically locked and started the wash cycle. The aunt panicked and couldn't open the washer, of course. They eventually had to use a crowbar to free the child, who fortunately was not seriously injured. The aunt and the child's mother were both arrested for child abuse/endangerment.
***** Post# 17598-5/16/2002-14:03 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Safety matters)
MESSAGE: Well, I don't think that mother would get away with what she did if she were here in the United States. As for the one who played "Peek-a-Boo" in the laundramat, it is rightly so that she got arrested. Also, a toddler got an arm ripped off when he put his arm in a front loader at a laundramat, and it locked and started its cycle.
I just have to wonder about the safety of front loaders versus top loaders, because they lock once they start a cycle. It would be a lot easier to get a kid out of a top-loader than it would from a front loader such as a Maytag Neptune, an Asko, or any other front loader with a door that locks.
There is a lesson to be learned here. Never leave a small child unattended around a front loader! They can be more dangerous than any top loader or wringer to a small child!
***** Post# 17599-5/16/2002-16:53 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Safety matters)
MESSAGE: I wonder about that because if someone's loading a washer and sees a kid stuck inside, that person's going to get the kid out and finish loading the washer. I don't think any mother in her right might would let a kid try to climb in a washer. I can't speak very much for myself because my cousin and I STUPIDLY climbed in the big dryers at the laundromat my mom worked for. thankfully, no one started them but even so they would've pulled us out. (dryers had windows).
Modern front loaders lock when started. Even if you were dumb enough to leave a kid inside a machine, you can push the timer in (or power it off) and open the door. With my Frigemore the lock deactivates immediately.
Top loaders seem to be more unsafe than a front loader. A clueful kid can pull a chair up and raise the lid. Most new washers stop dead when you raise the lid except for Kenmore. Robert can correct me here if I'm wrong but Unimatics had no safety. Just open the lid. 1140rpm could take an arm off in a heartbeat. Even my dream machine Kenmore 800 had a Mercury switch so you could effectively lift the lid halfway before it stopped spinning. The older Kenmores with the lid switch mounted close to the control panel was no help either. Just push the switch and the machine runs.
I guess my parents trusted me to stay and watch the washer because they trusted me enough to not stick my hands in there while spinning.
I feel sorry for the father of that kid in Italy. What's wrong with people today, I just don't know.
***** Post# 17600-5/16/2002-17:25 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Safety matters)
MESSAGE: It is true that anybody in their right mine will get the kid out of the washer, and I agree to that. However, there are cases where the kid might be tempted to climb in there him/herself. There is one instance where a parent saw her severely autistic son standing in the in the tub of a top-loader while the machine was agitating! Obviously, she pulled her son out and there was no harm done. Of course, the kid could have climbed out if he wanted to, and the machine would not have spun with the lid open. but he just happened to *like* being there. The parent cought him doing that several times.
The point is, a kid can climb into a front loader just like they can climb into an old refrigerator, a dishwasher, a dryer, a stove, or any other type of appliance.
Remember, too, that the Maytag Neptune does not have a window. Also, a Wascomat commercial machine waits for at least a minute before it unlocks, and they are usually bolted down to the floor, and can exert extraction forces of up to 200 times the force of gravity! That, and the extremely high temperatures at which they can heat the water as it enters the machine.
The fact is, you can get yourself out of a top loader if you know where to climb. You can't get yourself out of a front loader after it starts!
***** Post# 17601-5/16/2002-17:35 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Unimatic Spin Safety Switch)
MESSAGE: Jason, all Unimatics except for the WO-65 had a spin stop safety lid switch. They started out with switches in '47 and for some reason didn't design a switch for the 1950-1952 WO-65 model, but with the introduction of the WO-65-2 in '52, the safety switch was back.
***** Post# 17602-5/16/2002-18:46 ||| GOLITTLESPORT (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: Hello Mr Coffee
I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree with you on that statement that a front loader is more dangerous than any top loader or wringer machine.
I was mangled in a wringer as a child in the 1950's. Not only where many other children seriosuly harmed and even lost limbs, but many many women were severly injured using these power-wringer machines also. In my opinion, although a major step forward in home laundry and a marvelous appliance worth the danger in most women's mind, wringer washers were the most inheritantly dangerous washing machines ever built.
That poor child in Italy was placed in that machine. She could have just as easily been placed in a top loader. Even a blind person could load a front loading washing machine and know a child or pet was in the machine before they started it, and thus locked it. I think the locked door (with a window so you can see the action) is a major step forward in washing machine safety.
Top loaders that do not lock are still a safety hazard to curious unattended children. The child could be very seriously injured by the time the machine stopped spinning.
Here is a sad and true story (I read this in our local newspaper about 20 years ago and never forgot it.) A child fell into an unattended top loader whose lid was open and drowned. They think the child, who had pushed a chair over to the machine, had tried to grab his teddy bear pajamas that were in the machine and lost his footing and was pulled in to the machine and under water by the water currents and the action of the clothing being pulled down to the bottom of the tub. The parents found the boy while the machine was still washing and it was too late. He was dead. A child can drown in a minute.
Any machine can be dangerous when not used properly and when children are left unattended...or when maliciously used as a murder weapon.
The odds of a child accidentally getting locked in a washing machine are very low in my estimation. The danger lies with them getting in the machine while it is operating...whether top or front load.
Rich
PS. A friend has the new HE3T Kenmore front loader. It has a burst of water and a tumble and then stops and unlocks the door. The reasoning is any child or pet would push their way out at that point. After a moment it relocks and resumes the cycle.
***** Post# 17603-5/16/2002-18:50 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Unimatic Spin Safety Switch)
MESSAGE: Jason, all Unimatics except for the WO-65 had a spin stop safety lid switch. They started out with switches in '47 and for some reason didn't design a switch for the 1950-1952 WO-65 model, but with the introduction of the WO-65-2 in '52, the safety switch was back.
***** Post# 17604-5/16/2002-18:51 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Unimatic Spin Safety Switch)
MESSAGE: Ok. Thank you. I knew there was a model or two that didn't have a safety. Thanks for clarifying that.
***** Post# 17605-5/16/2002-19:03 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: I agree with that too. When I was a kid, I would watch for hours the Milnor FLs at the laundromat. They had manual locking doors and my only instruction was never open the door while the machine was on. I followed the instruction. Today the doors will lock on a Front loader and IMHO I think that's better for a family with kids. If the kid wants to watch, he can sit on the floor and be entertained for hours looking through the glass. A top loader could be more dangerous because you can open the door between safety and danger. Just some thoughts.
***** Post# 17606-5/16/2002-19:52 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: For the past three months I have been working on learning how to restore a vintage 1951 television set. I have restored many a washer in my day and thought it was time to broaden my horizons a bit. Well this has been an incredible learning experience for me. Now that I'm finished I wanted to share my experiences with the club so I created this cyber-documentary.
With the TV safely in the living room I'm ready to start on my next project the '56 Norge Timeline. It needs a total restore as its leaking oil right and the cabinet needs a serious paint job. I've been collecting part for the machine over the past five years and was waiting for the right time. I will take lots of pictures and share as I go, this will be the first Norge I've every completely restored. More to come, but first here is my TV-Docu-drama!
LINK: http://www.classicappliances.com/TV/tv-restoration.htm
***** Post# 17607-5/16/2002-21:12 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Robert - what a beautiful job on the restoration of the TV. I can appreciate the difficulty and effort that took. My mother worked in an electronics factory for many years and I remember when she and my father built a color TV in 1972 from Heathkit. They labored over this for the longest time, and I never saw so many small parts!! I would watch, but it was all Greek to me!!!
Well, after this the restoration of the Norge should be smooth sailing....... By the way, how do you resotre the cabinet? Is there special equipment to sand and special paint to finish the job?
***** Post# 17608-5/16/2002-21:16 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (tv restoration)
MESSAGE: Robert,
You did a real nice job best of luck.
Peter
***** Post# 17609-5/16/2002-21:22 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Robert - What fun!! Your set looks wonderful. You did a great job and did it correctly as well. I'm from Phoenix and Antique Electronic Supply is a good source for parts. They also had a lot of old schematics as well and would make copies of them if you needed one. I also believe there may be other sources out there for your picture tube.
I've currently have my mother's parents 1929 Victor "Electrola-Radiola" that needs restoration. I got the machine from my grandmother in 1967. It actually still worked and I was able to use it until 1978, when its capacitors finally went out. I've lugged it around the country in my travels and it's now going to go with my nephew in California. He's great at electronics and once again it will get new life.
There is nothing like hearing period music or watching old TV shows on these machines. They show a quality, much like our other appliances, that we'll probably never see again in machines.
***** Post# 17610-5/16/2002-21:38 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (YAY!)
MESSAGE: That is totally awesome. How wonderful to see one of your dreams "visualized" (literally). I'm sure seeing the Lucy-Desi show is just as sweet as watching a 57 Unimatic.
My dream TV is not so far in the past. I really want to find a 1975 RCA Colortrak XL-100 (I think) console with dual speakers. That's the set I grew up on. Lots of Bugs Bunny, Speed Racer and Brady Bunch was viewed on it. Also, not to mention playing Atari on it all night long in the 80s. I actually have a pic of that set somewhere. Anyway, my dream is to find one of those, restore and feed TV Land to it so I can wake up at 6am and enjoy the Brady Bunch just as I did 25 years ago as a child.
***** Post# 17611-5/16/2002-22:30 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Atari 2600)
MESSAGE: I still have mine. Haven't pulled it out in a few years, but it worked fine the last time I did.
***** Post# 17612-5/16/2002-22:41 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Safety matters)
MESSAGE: I don't understand how a front loader could lock with a kid's arm in the way...
The Neptune will automatically stop the cycle if it detects the torque is too high.
A laundromat front loader is far more dangerous than a residential front loader. The laundromat front loaders I've seen lock automatically once you start the cycle and cannot be unlocked until the cycle finishes. In the case in question there was a lot of discussion about the people in the laundromat running around frantically looking for a way to shut the machine down. This was sort of negligence on the laundromat owner's part as well. There should have been an emergency shut off switch readily available, but apparently nobody could find it.
***** Post# 17613-5/16/2002-22:45 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: This sort of explains the Neptune's complex sequence when you pause it. It unlock immediately, but when you try to get it to start again. It will lock, move the drum a little, then unlock, and then lock again. I guess this is for the same reason, to let someone trapped inside push the door open, but it can be annoying if you are in a hurry. I think it also tests the torque before locking again, and the time it spends "thinking about it" seems to vary depending on the load.
Although I find is slightly inconvenient, if it saves a child's life, it's worth it.
***** Post# 17614-5/16/2002-22:57 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Waaaay Cool!
I've used Antique Radio Supply in Arizona as well. I have a 1950 Plymouth car, and bought the radio for that model at an antique car parts dealer. I had to replace all the capacitors as well, as well as the inverter, which turns DC in to AC. That the radio is 6 volt positive ground made things more interesting. In any case, after having the radio on my dining room table for a month or two, with a big 6 volt car battery by its side, I was ultimately successful. It's been in my car ever since. It's no hi fi set, but it does get the strong stations just fine, and on top of that it has chrome pushbuttons and a lighted dial. One of these days I'll take a digital photo and upload it.
When I was about 13 years old we lived in the same flat as that GM Frigidaire washer. The landlord left a non-functional console TV in the basement. RCA, I think. Anyway, we didn't have a TV in those days and I really wanted to try to get that thing to work. But since there was no picture my friends and I concluded that it needed a new picture tube and the job was way beyond our skills. I'm very impressed that you successfully resurrected your vintage TV. Congratulations!
***** Post# 17615-5/16/2002-22:57 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (Top-Loader Safety)
MESSAGE: I really can't say much about that. :-/
***** Post# 17616-5/16/2002-23:03 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: WowwwEEE!! Robert, it appears there's nothing you can't do!
***** Post# 17617-5/16/2002-23:07 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Thanks Anthony, those Heathkit TV's go for quite the big bucks on eBay.
Anyway, I'm going to sand, prime and paint the cabinet like I did with the little Bendix Deluxe. I have a air-compressor and sprayer, but using high quality spray can paints seems to work just as well as is a lot easier.
***** Post# 17618-5/16/2002-23:10 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: I agree, the set looks, sounds and even smells so differently than a modern television, its so much fun to watch.
I watched Will and Grace on the vintage TV tonight and had to wonder what the owners would think back in 1951 when this set was first delivered, if they could see 51 years into the future to see this particular tv show. I would just love to see the expressions on their faces!
***** Post# 17619-5/16/2002-23:11 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (YAY!)
MESSAGE: Well you never know Jason, vintage TV's seem to be a lot easier to find that vintage automatics.
***** Post# 17620-5/16/2002-23:12 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: Well spoken Rich, even in curious playtime a child that crawls into a front loading washer (or dryer) and does get the door closed on themselves would still not be able to start the machine.
There are very many unthinkable horrors in the average household for a young child exploring unattended. As much as we try to insulate and protect our children from these dangers, most parents lay awake some nights because they cannot stop thinking and worrying about the dangers that their children will face everyday of their lives. The fact remains that even the most alert and doting parents find it impossible to keep an "eye on the baby" every waking moment of every day - there is still a house to run.
There was a Maytag Gray Ghost wringer washer at a sale this last weekend and one of the guys I know was trying to convince me to buy it ($200 - yeah, whatever!) I told him I had no interest in a wringer washer unless it's pink and wouldn't use it even if I did have one. He made a comment about the dangers of the wringer and told a story of his grandmother tearing skin off of her thumb when she glanced away for just a split second. The expression "tit in a wringer" wasn't just made up for fun, there's a true story behind it, I'm sure!
***** Post# 17621-5/16/2002-23:13 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: WOW Rich, a 1950 Plymouth sounds really fun! I would love to own an early 50's car someday. Like a '53 Buick Roadmaster Convertable in sunshine yellow! Oh well, ya never know.
Please do photograph the car, dash and radio, it would be really neat to see.
***** Post# 17622-5/16/2002-23:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Beautiful job Robert - it looks wonderful in your living room!
You know my vote on the picture tube rebuild, but enjoy it for a while before you take it apart and nervously box it up for shipping!
I love the thumbnail/text format for this - it really works very well to convey more information along with the pictures.
***** Post# 17623-5/16/2002-01:36 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: Well, Will and Grace certainly isn't Leave it to Beaver.
Or is it?
***** Post# 17624-5/16/2002-01:40 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: I remember doing all sorts of life-threatening things when I was a toddler. For example, I used to climb up the oak tree outside our 2 story house, and climb up to the point where the top branches were the size of pencils, dead, and tinder dry. I guess I instinctively knew how far I could go, and heights didn't really bother me. Other times I would get out on the roof via a window that overlooked the porch roof, and got busted by a neighbor for that. But I was never allowed to even touch the Bendix in the basement. I think my parents must have turned it into a scary thing for me, because I remember being quite frightened by it, especially when it belched suds.
Go figure.
***** Post# 17625-5/17/2002-03:38 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: Even though I was interested in washers at a very early age, my grandmother constantly warned me of the danger of those wringers whenever I helped her. I spent many hours cautiously feeding clothes through those dangerous rollers without incident, yet, like golittlesport attests, there were accidents. My uncle was one who had his whole arm pancaked by a wringer! One horrific and unfortunate Canadian incident involved the death of a child who fell into a TL automatic while spinning. This led to stringent 'brake' rules which gave a minimum time which tubs had to stop rotating in. Ultimately, IMHO, parents need to instill safety value to their children and supervise their children. Machines and their creators have come along ways today, but never to the point of stopping a psychotic person from committing a heinous act such as this.
Eddy
***** Post# 17626-5/17/2002-05:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration
MESSAGE: That's fabulous, Robert.
It's a gorgeous set.
It looks reminiscent of the Westinghouse set my family had, a 1956 model.
TV didn't come to Australia until 1956, and colour TV not till 1975. My parents bought the Westinghouse second-hand in he early sixties, it had to be serviced many times! Once our pet rabbit, Tippy-toes, got under the set and ate through the speaker cable. No sound. The set eventually died when when a vase of flowers on top of it was knocked over by a billowing curtain behind it. As it happened before my eyes I told my parents (after quickly switching it off). They didn't believe me, they thought I had knocked it over so I got my bottom smacked. To add insult to injury they decided we would not have a TV any more.
Colour TV arrived in Australia in 1975. Neighbours across the road got a new Rank-Arena colour set. (made in Japan by NEC) it was incredibly unreliable, my mother smugly said the repairman should bring a toothbrush and move in with them. My best friend's family up the road got one, a Korting from Germany, his mother was into quality stuff and she had intended to buy a Blaupunkt, which she pronounced "blonk-a-plonk". The salesman assured her Korting was just as good and would be the next Big Thing. I have never heard of Korting again.
The Olympics came along in 1976 and my father is a complete sports nut, so family policy had a sudden reversal and we got a Philips 21" coulour TV. It was a Dutch design, assembled here in Melbourne by Philips Australia. Dad got it from some discount dealer for a "too cheap" price. It gave trouble from the start. The dealer tried to fix it unsuccesfully several times, then Mum called Philips direct. The serviceman told her it was a "factory second" that had been sold to the trade cheaply and had no warranty. They fixed it anyway at no charge and it lasted over twenty years without further trouble.
As a teenager in the late seventies I got several old B&W TV's given to me to try to repair. I took the valves out and rode down to Tandy on my bike to test the valves. Occasionally I got lucky and got a set working. One I remember was a big Precedent with the control knobs on the side. I gave myself some good electric shocks, too. I had a job after school so I bought an ex-rental Baird B&W portable, one of the last valve sets. It was a mix of valves and transistors. After about a year it went dead so I found a friendly local repairman who was willing to guide me through fixing it myself. He showed me how to use a multimeter to test for open circuits and we found an open circuit resistor in a big ceramic multi-resistor across the top. He soldered in a new single resistor on top of the bad section of the multi-resistor and didn't charge me for the repair, he said he wanted to encourage me to take an interest.
Good luck with it, Robert. It is a beauty.
Chris.
***** Post# 17627-5/17/2002-06:16 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Horrible News from Italy about a Baby in Washing Machine (I disagree)
MESSAGE: Yes, back in my day....(rocking in chair, reaching for ear-trumpet)...
In primary school in the late sixties one girl in my class had her arm broken by reaching in to a spinner of a twin tub. A few years ago I had a Lightburn twinny, it had a very powerful spinner which got to full speed (2800rpm) from rest in about one second. It took off with a loud "whoosh". But it had no spinner brake, so it took up to a minute to coast to a stop. Later ones had a hopeless brake, involving a solenoid pulling a leather belt around a pulley. It still took about 20 seconds and if you turned off the power it released the brake.
I don't know how old I was but as a real youngster I had to do the washing in a dodgy Hoover twin tub. It was the original model (at least in Aust) with a blue aluminium dome lid over the spinner with the hinge shaped like a chrome arm over the lid. The lid had long since broken off so you worked the spinner by lowering or raising the chrome hinge over the open spinner. I know I was just tall enough to reach the controls so I was probably five or six. My parents were into giving kids duties from an early age. My best friend up the street used to mow the lawn before he was strong enough to start the mower. His mother used to pull the rope to start the mower and he would mow the lawn. (His father had died) She would probably be up on charges these days.
Chris.
***** Post# 17628-5/17/2002-07:12 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (YAY!)
MESSAGE: I guess that's because it's a "cool" thing to collect vintage TVs. For some reason washing machines sound "crazy" in other peoples eyes. I don't know why.
There are lots of old TVs and console stereos, even 1970s ones still working today. I just have to find one.
***** Post# 17629-5/17/2002-07:14 ||| JasonL (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: POD is that yellow or what?
MESSAGE: Wow. that has to be 60s/70s. What washer is that? Bendix?
***** Post# 17630-5/17/2002-07:36 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: POD is that yellow or what?
MESSAGE: Early-mid 60's Philco(Bendix) Duomatic combination in sunny yellow - a beautiful machine indeed!
***** Post# 17631-5/17/2002-07:52 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: New family member
MESSAGE: My Jennair refrigerator bit the dust, so here is it's replacement.
I would not have another Jennair / Maytag refrigeration appliance!
Steve
LINK: http://www.geappliances.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+DevMM.FramesImg?model=RSS&color=Stainless&img=sbys.jpg
***** Post# 17632-5/17/2002-07:53 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New family member (model number)
MESSAGE: Model number GSS25SGMBS
***** Post# 17633-5/17/2002-09:18 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris, wow color TV didn't arrive in Australia until 1975? 21 years after it was first introduced in the United States. I wonder what the hold up was all about? I like the way you guys call Vacuum Tubes "Valves" which actually describes what a vacuum tube really does. It's simply a variable electrical valve.
I would love to find the very first color-TV, its the RCA CT-100. They go for about $3000. Here is an interesting story I found on the very first color broadcast of the 1954 Rose Bowl Parade...
LINK: http://www.novia.net/~ereitan/rose_parade.html
***** Post# 17634-5/17/2002-11:03 ||| JoeEkaitis (Rialto, California, USA)
SUBJECT: May 17 Picture of the Day (Bendix combo in the bathroom)
MESSAGE: ::KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK::
"Daddy! I have to GO!!"
"Just a few more minutes, dear. The rinse cycle's almost over."
::KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK::
"DADDY!! I HAVE TO GO REALLY, REALLY BAD!!!"
"Pretty soon, dear. The drying cycle just started."
::KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK::
"I'M GONNA PEE MYSELF!!!!"
"Just waiting for the door to unlock, dear."
***** Post# 17635-5/17/2002-11:27 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert, wonderful job you did on that TV. I think color TV in the Netherlands was introduced in 1969 or 1970. I think in Germany it was introduced in 1967 or 1968. I heard that color TV was introduced later in the Netherlands because the manufacturers still sold so many b&w tv's which was very profitable for them.
Louis
***** Post# 17636-5/17/2002-11:35 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New family member (model number)
MESSAGE: Hey Steve,
Great looking fridge you got there. But I am still waiting for pictures of your Unimatic washer. Hasn't it arrived yet?
Louis
***** Post# 17637-5/17/2002-12:05 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: color TV adds a whole new twist to restoration. Not only do you have one electron gun, now you have 3 and you need a signal generator to set the TV up. As far as I remember, I fixed a 70s Zenith and I had to start out with the convergence (lining up the guns to shoot the electrons to their correct phosphors). First you adjust the guns to get the correct amount of color (or you'll wind up with a green or blue screen), then you get a horizontal line, then you have to adjust to a crosshatch pattern. It's actually fun turning the screws and getting a good color picture. The 74 RCA I also fixed had some bad transistors and after that, I did the screen setup and as far as I know, that set still works.
***** Post# 17638-5/17/2002-12:27 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: New family member (Another new arrival!)
MESSAGE: Yes Louis,
It arrived this morning at 10:30 Eastern Daylight savings time.
It looks great, from what I could see. Didn't have time to play woth it (Darn). Had to leave for work.
***** Post# 17639-5/17/2002-14:07 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: May 17 Picture of the Day (Bendix combo in the bathroom)
MESSAGE: Hi Joe
Haha! I could see that happening. IMHO, watching the Bexdix would have it all over paging through Reader's Digest when sitting in the bathroom for extebded periods.
Rich
***** Post# 17640-5/17/2002-20:01 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Friday night trip thru time
MESSAGE: Oldies on the stereo, towels in the Lady Kenmore, and pizza on the table. It's another Friday night wash-in with the Little Lady and Sir Frigemore.
LIttle Lady: 1977 portable Lady Kenmore. 35 minutes of heaven. From the fill to the final brake, it's the song of the angels.
Sir Frigemore: 2001 Kenmore 41042. The Laundry Channel, a window to happiness and stress relief.
***** Post# 17641-5/17/2002-20:20 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night trip thru time
MESSAGE: Neptunes are doing the weekend laundry - black jeans, then leftover whites, then blue towels. Music: local TV news. Refreshments: homegrown avocado guacamole on homemade oatmeal/wheat germ bread (like buttah!), henry weinhard's beer. Leftover guacamole addressed with corn chips.
It doesn't get much better than this.
Might even put on some Boz Scaggs ("Lowdown") to set a festive mood.
***** Post# 17642-5/17/2002-21:29 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night trip thru time (Oil Oil Oil)
MESSAGE: And me, why I'm covered in Norge transmission old oil, head to toe. What a mess to say the least. I'm surprised to find out that the drive pinion gear in the Norge tranny is made of plastic! Otherwise it's bullet proof solid, just like any other 1950's automatic washer tranny. More to come.
***** Post# 17643-5/17/2002-21:34 ||| appliguy (Vienna Va.)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Robert welcome to the wonderful world of vintage TV)
MESSAGE: As a Fellow vintage TV owner I welcome you to our growing ranks Robert. My vintage set is a 1957 GE Ultravision 21 inch console TV with a blond cabinet and an early american style look to the base. First thing I suggest you do when you bring your set up to your living room is see if your TV has an RCA jack to which you can plug in an antannae or a set of rabbit ears. If it does have the jack I mention believe it or not you can use a vcr and cable (with a converter box) on your TV (you may have to first disconnect an enternal antannae). I know this will work as I have vcr and cable box hooked to mine and boy do I love watching the old b&w TV shows on a set they were meant to be seen on. One neat feature of my TV is the tuner, you don't turn it by hand, instead there is a round plate with buttons around the edge. These buttons are marked with the channel numbers and when you want to change a channel you depress the button of your choice and an electric motor turns the tuner to the selected channel. It makes a real neat sound changing channel. With each change of a staiton the tuner goes CHA-CHUNG. I will be glad to send a picutre of it to you that you can put up on the page (I don't know how to do that kind of thing myself). Well anyway I just wanted to say welcome aboard and what a lovely job you did on your newest accomplishment. I can't wait to meet you at the convention this summer (me meeting the appliance God...as my good friend Agnes would say I could plotz just thinking about it). Have a good one. Patrick Coffey
***** Post# 17644-5/17/2002-21:54 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Robert welcome to the wonderful world of vintage TV)
MESSAGE: Hi Pat,
Wow, that sounds like a fun GE TV, did you restore it Pat?
My TV has the usual two screw connection points for the antenna in the back. What I've been doing is using an RF Modulator that I can run both the roof-top antenna (located in the attic) as well as my DVD player into the vintage TV. The RF modulator converts modern RCA style (yellow/red/white) cords into a 2 wire 300 ohm cable, just like on the old rabbit ears.
You're lucky, you usually cannot play VCR programs into a vintage TV very well, something to do with the lack of a time base correct in VCR's. The picture has a tendency to bend at the top. With modern TV's (25 years or less) it's a non issue because they have the proper circuitry built in. DVD players and cable-tv however produce a beautiful picture on early tv's.
***** Post# 17645-5/17/2002-22:04 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: May 17 Picture of the Day (Bendix combo in the bathroom)
MESSAGE: Gives new meaning to the terms, jerk some laundry started or dump some laundry in.
***** Post# 17646-5/17/2002-22:15 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (I'll second that!!)
MESSAGE: Fantastic job on the TV Robert. I really enjoyed reading all about its restoration. Thanks for sharing with all of us. Sounds like you are making good progress on the Norge as well. I really enjoyed that machine at the convention. Terry
***** Post# 17647-5/17/2002-22:39 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night trip thru time (grease, grease, grease)
MESSAGE: Me, I'm covered in grease from the second Kelvinator mechanism this week. As I expected, I must replace the outer tub boot and water seal on the "good" machine which means tearing it all apart. From what I can tell so far, some small critter had made it's nest inside the outer tub....gotta love these farm machines!
Does anyone happen to know what size the pump belt is for the later Kelvinators? I have only a very small piece of the old belt, not enough to measure or compare for a new one.
Hope everyone's Friday night and weekend are grand.
***** Post# 17648-5/17/2002-23:51 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night trip thru time (grease, grease, grease)
MESSAGE: Greg two are listed, 3L160 and 3L170 depending on the model. If you can find both you might want to experiment and see which one works better.
And in case anyone was wondering...
4L500 for Dasher Belt
4L420 for Spin Belt
***** Post# 17649-5/18/2002-07:43 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert.
Yes, no colour TV here till '75.
I have read about the history as to why but I only remember it vaguely.
Basically it was a mix of political and technical reasons. For a start Australia is about the same size as continental USA but at the time only had a population of about 12 million. (now 20 million). There was one government-owned station with national coverage (ABC) and three commercial networks covering the state capital cities (7,9 and 10 networks) plus a large number of tiny regional stations. The capital cities had four stations (ABC, 7,9,10) the rural areas had either ABC plus one local station or ABC only, or no TV at all in vast areas. Getting some TV at all to people in isolated parts of the outback was a higher priority than colour. Also as ABC was government owned and had no advertising (it still doesn't) it would be a massive cost to government to set up for colour transmission. Also changing to colour was beyond the means of many of the tiny country independent stations.
Finally the experts in the Department of Communications, the bureaucracy that administers radio & TV frequency allocations and standards, was not convinced that the currently available technology wouldn't soon be superseded with something new and better, ans so was reluctant to commit the nation to someting expensive that could soon be redundant. The USA is/was in this situation and Aus wanted to avoid the same. The NTSC system adopted in USA and later by Japan was the first, but the PAL system developed later in Germany is superior. In the UK the B&W system initially had less lines per screen than the colour system so they were incompatible and B&W sets became obsolete once the older transmissions ceased. Aus Authorities wanted to avoid such costs. When it appeared that PAL was here to stay it was adopted as the standard for AUS. The French have a third incompatible system (SECAM) just to make things more complicated.
Finally in 1972 the Whitlam Labor government was voted in, and they accelerated introduction of colour TV as part of their huge change to Aus society, finally bringing the nation into the 20th century in the 1970's.
I believe South Affrica only got colour in the 1980's.
Chris.
***** Post# 17650-5/18/2002-08:31 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris,
Thanks for the history lesson, that was very interesting to read. I never realized that PAL is superior to NTSC. The UK was the first to start regular broadcasting of B/W television back in '36 on the old their old 405 line system (as opposed to our 525 line system). The first official broadcast here in the US was at the NY Worlds Fair in '39, but it wasn't until '46 that regular network programming began.
***** Post# 17651-5/18/2002-09:07 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (TV goes further back than '36)
MESSAGE: Before "electronic" TV there was "mechanical" TV. Instead of a scanning electron beam, it used a metal disk with a series of hole in it. The disc would spin and a beam of light would pass through the disc giving a grainy but recognizable picture. That system was invented by John Logie Baird. There's a webpage about his Televisor. He also invented radar and fiber optics. All of us with cable internet should thank him.
Oh to get my little hands on one of those mechanical sets.
LINK: http://www.digitalcentury.com/encyclo/update/baird.html
***** Post# 17652-5/18/2002-09:11 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: NTSC: Never The Same Color
***** Post# 17653-5/18/2002-09:17 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Friday night trip thru time (grease, grease, grease)
MESSAGE: You have such a head for knowing! Thank you!
***** Post# 17654-5/18/2002-10:48 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (San Francisco did it first! All Hail Philo!)
MESSAGE: As with many things in this century, the "left" coast led the way. The very first electronic television broadcast was performed in San Francisco in 1927, by a 21 year old recent arrival from Utah, named Philo Farnsworth.
RCA had a patent for electronic TV dated 1923, but the alleged inventor, Zworkin, never produced a working set before Farnsworth's achievement in '27. As usual, legal battles ensued, which Farnsworth eventually won, and RCA had to pay him royalties for TV's it sold in the 30's, but WWII suspended sales and his patents expired shortly after the war.
Farnsworth took a dim view of what had become of his invention. He told his children, "There's nothing on it worthwhile, and we're not going to watch it in this household, and I don't want it in your intellectual diet."
As it may happened I spent my teenage years just a few blocks away from a somewhat famous short little street in San Francisco named "Farnsworth". This street was notable in that it was so steep the sidewalks had steps. It was always entertaining to drive a manual shift car to the top intersection, where one had to be very adroit to keep the car from rolling backwards or stalling. I don't know if the street was named after Philo, but his spirit was very much alive in our household. We didn't have a TV from 1963 to 1966, and those years represent a gap in my popular education. I remember feeling quite left out in junior high school when other boys would talk excitedly about such shows as "The Addams Family", "The Munsters", etc., but I had no idea what they were talking about. But I did have books and radio. I became quite fond of nightly radio dramas broadcast on KGO radio, and also read big books of play scripts I found at the local library. Although I didn't comprehend much of the plots, to this day the dialog from such classics as Bus Stop seem oddly familiar.
***** Post# 17655-5/18/2002-13:30 ||| Kinghagkustom (Tulsa Ok)
SUBJECT: Westinghouse front loading washer and dryer
MESSAGE: I am desperately searching for a matched pair of Westinghouse front loading washer and dryer. Can anyone lead me in the right direction?
***** Post# 17656-5/18/2002-13:57 ||| kinghagkustom (Tulsa Ok)
SUBJECT: 1940's 1950's metal kitchen cabinets!!! I NEED THEM!!!
MESSAGE: Pease help me find kitchen cabinets from the 40's or 50's, Youngstown, Geneva, Sears and Roebuck, GE...I have a vintage late 40's Sears double sink unit with a wonderful Morton sink. I want to use this piece along with My Tappan model 60 and my matching early 50's Westinghouse fridge and freezer. I need cabinets to match the period...PLEASE HELP ME?!?!
Please respond to this message or email me at kinghagkustom@gbronline.com Thank You
***** Post# 17657-5/18/2002-16:16 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: It's time to think Reservations
MESSAGE: I spoke with PeterH and he has given me his blessing to search for a place in the DC area.
I am looking at Fairfield Inn. The price would be approx. $90.00 per day for up to 3 in a room. The room would include free continental breakfast each morning.
I am going to contact them next week, to see if we can get a better group rate. I need an idea how many of us are going to need a room.
I estimate the hotel is about 2 miles from John Lefever's house. Not sure about the airport situation. I will ask when I call.
Here's the important thing, folks. E-mail me if you want to be counted. I need to give them an approximate number of rooms to block. The block date would be Aug 16 (arrival) to Aug 19 (depart). You can check it out at the link.
Special e-mail address will be posted soon.
Steve 1-18
LINK: http://www.fairfieldinn.com/dpp/PropertyPage.asp?MarshaCode=WASCR
***** Post# 17658-5/18/2002-16:44 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: It's time to think Reservations (Reservations)
MESSAGE: Yes Steve count me in
Thank you,
Peter
***** Post# 17659-5/18/2002-20:55 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Color Television)
MESSAGE: Isnt it funny that Bands like Skyhooks and Abba really took of in 1975, just ready to coincide with colour television.
***** Post# 17660-5/18/2002-23:11 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Westinghouse front loading washer and dryer
MESSAGE: Any particular model? Many of the condominiums in this area that were built in the early 80s were set up with Westinghouse Space Mates stackable units. Some still are around - in fact I saw a pair hauled off about a month ago.
***** Post# 17661-5/18/2002-23:38 ||| steve1-18 (Grovetown, GA)
SUBJECT: Reservation e-mail
MESSAGE: If you think you are going to the convention this summer ansd are interested in staying at the Fairfield Inn I mentioned POST 17657, please send me an e-mail. The address for this is:
applianceville@comcast.net
This is not a reservation! I need an approximate room count so I can try to get us a better rate.
Drop me a line and I'll keep you posted.
(Terry L & Peter S: I got your notes and you are already counted)
Steve 1-18
LINK: applianceville@comcast.net
***** Post# 17662-5/19/2002-03:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Sunday morning
MESSAGE: While Art Blakey is on the CD player in the bathroom the little Miele toploader is doing a load of towels and some small stuff. Prewash, wash and six rinses! Biotex for the prewash and Persil non biological and Calgon for the main wash. What a morning!
Louis
***** Post# 17663-5/19/2002-06:32 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Well, having friends with appliance stores can be profitable. On Saturday I was able to pull from a discarded machine a turquoise GE straight vane activator(with the 8 vanes)and matching filter flo pan, mini basket and fabric softener dispenser all in great shape. I will be able to use those in the late 60's GE machine I got at an estate sale. It is currently in storage until I get the garage emptied ( got new furniture and am waiting for a friend to take it off my hands). When I found the machine it had a white straight vane activator in it and was missing the mini basket. I suspect that was not the original agitator which could explain the lack of mini basket... I think the turquoise one is much handsomer anyway. Actually the machine is in decent shape but only runs on one speed and there is just a bit of rust on the bottom of the machine and one spot on the side. Years in a damp New England basement will do that though......
Now for the "tragedy" - actually it isn't really but I did try that new Tropical Scent Gain. Disappointment....... It is better smelling than the new Clean Breeze Tide but still way too heavy and strong. I tried a few loads but it looks like that box is headed for donation to my neighbor. Surprisingly, I am finding that when I can deal with the suds issue that Surf powder (the one with bleach alternative) delivers fine results and leaves a light pleasant scent behind................
***** Post# 17664-5/19/2002-15:29 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Anthony, congratulations on the extraction of the valuable pieces of GE activation/dispensing/filtering/small loading. Hmm, wonder what other treasures your appliance store friends will help you find in time. I thoought of you yesterday when I was in Wal_mart. Strolled down the detergent aisle and spied the new Clean Breze Downey as well as boxes of Tide. I opened the Downey and took a whiff, wasn't impressed. However, I KNOW I don't have nearly as discerning a nose as you do. And as a visually impaired individual my olfactory should be more keen, like my hearing, but I guess it isn't. I'm increasingly becoming unimpressed (maybe senses are becominng dulled) with all thesse new & current laundry scents. I'm probably gonna go back to Downey Enhancer full time after depleting this current bottle of Tropical Breeze or Scent. Regular Down FS just seems to make things so limp and I don't notice an appreciable odor either. Although I'm not as heavy-handed, but have tried to be, with the regular downey, as a certain member is. Enhancer seems to leave my cotton slacks & towels, golf shirts, and unmentionables (and sheets) crisper & more absorbant. But, next weekend I'm going to be doing my loads of PP shirts for work and will see how the regular downey does with those (it's been so long since I've used the regular stuff on laundry). Maybe regular Downey will be relegated to the poly/cotton stuff & Enhancer for all-cotton stuff. I know, I'm a minority here that really likes Enhancer, but I do. But, like many of us, I'm increasingly becoming winsome about the redturn of the true old scents of detergent likke Blue Cheer & Rinso Blue. I'm tiring of all these "experiments".........I really like using the Wisk powders right now, but it has no appreciable scent . That apparently has been 'wisked" away too .....
***** Post# 17665-5/19/2002-16:58 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: I like Downy Enhancer. I've got a bottle of Downy regular (tropical scent, I think), but I don't use it on anything but towels or sheets, and then not always. The bottle isn't that old, but it has gotten kinda clumpy and doesn't dispense well.
As for detergent, I'm using HEB Bravo and Purex "Mountain Spring" or some such scent. Possibly will go back to FAB RF after that.
***** Post# 17666-5/19/2002-19:27 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Bob - have you located any LaFrance in your area yet? There are still one or two Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) supermarkets that carry it, but it is becoming increasingly rare here. The major chains - Stop&Shop and Shaw's have long since ceased carrying it... But we can still get Calgon with phosphates so all is not lost....
I have finally tried the Fab powders that Colgate sent me as samples. I like the Sunshower Fab with bleach alternative and the Rain Forest also. They clean great, with only a low level of suds and most importantly rinse very well - but I do use a warm rinse.... Sad that those powders are not available in stores here.........
***** Post# 17667-5/19/2002-23:20 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Fab rinses fine in cold also.
***** Post# 17668-5/19/2002-23:49 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Anthony, no more LaFrance here. And now, Calgon is only available in liquid form at Wally World & my HEB. I've only once seen the Fab with bleach alternative in Albertsons, but they don't carry it anymore.
***** Post# 17669-5/19/2002-23:51 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: I may go back to Fab RF for regular laundry and use wisk with bleach for the stuff that needs that formula since I can't get Fab with bleach here.
***** Post# 17670-5/19/2002-23:52 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: Anthony, I'm still willling to do care packages for you.
***** Post# 17671-5/20/2002-07:31 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Triumphs and "Tragedies"
MESSAGE: I wonder if this disappearance of Fab with bleach is part of Colgate's plot to completely eliminate powdered detergents . Last time I spoke to a rep from Colgate, they told me that their powdered products were no longer available in New England, New York and the Mid Atlantic Region ( I guess that's Philadelphia down to the Carolinas) and they were in the process of eliminating them in the Southeast ( assume Georgia, Fla., Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee,etc........). SO, it appears it is only a matter of time before they sell only liquids. Their reason is that their powdered products are not popular in those markets. Well of course they are not. If you do not spend a single dollar on advertising (well, WHEN was the last time you saw a commercial or print ad for Fab, Ajax, Fresh Start or Dynamo( a lousy product anyway)?) or do something to increase your shelf space so the market is not dominated by the 5,000 Tide products of course your product will not be popular.
Perhaps part of the issue is that Colgate has become more of a health and oral care products company and its focus is no longer cleaning and fabric care here in the US. Also, I imagine it is almost impossible to compete effectively with P&G's powerhouse budget. There have long been rumors that P&G locks retailers into deals for shelf space that all but obliterate the competition. So to lock it in, they keep inventing new flavors of Tide to push out others. These new Tides cannot be based on "need". After all how many fragrances do we actually need? Perhaps we should all cave in now and save the trouble later and begin to use all of those dreadfully evil smelling Tide products. What's next? Tide air fresheners? Tide scented (all 25 of them) Bounty towels? Tide bath bars and body wash? Tide cologne?? Tide brand TV dinners and packaged juices? I know - - a chain of laundry themed fast food restaurants - who could resist Tide burgers and Tide fries???????
***** Post# 17672-5/20/2002-08:54 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances
MESSAGE: Hi everyone, just wanted to wish everyone in Applianceville a big happy anniversary. It was exactly a year ago today that I launched our web site. WOW, 17,760 posts in one year! Looking forward to seeing everyone at this year's convention.
YAY
***** Post# 17673-5/20/2002-11:10 ||| chestermikeuk (Chester, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances (One Year On!!!)
MESSAGE: Hi Robert
WoW!!! One year on....a big thanks to you for all the hard work, support and time that you have given in order for us to enjoy the club....
I wonder how many more "Classic Appliances" have been found and restored since last year????
Cheers, Mike
p.s. What model number is the "Hoover Twinny" that you have???
***** Post# 17674-5/20/2002-11:59 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances (one year ago)
MESSAGE: One year ago I was alone in my search for a vintage Kenmore 800. Yahoo searches and ebay pulled up NOTHING! Search for washing machines and you'll find wringers. Lots of wringers but automatics? Nope. It was a few months later I found THS and found one of Uni's posts. I found his Yahoo photos of the basement and my eyes were opened! I thought YES! I'm not alone!
One year, a Frigemore and a vintage portable Kenmore later, we're all still here trying to find that dream washer.
***** Post# 17675-5/20/2002-12:15 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances
MESSAGE: A joyful "YAY" for Classic Appliances and a heartfelt Thank You to you for your dedication, time and passion!
From the collectors to the curious, you have enriched us all. Congratulations on a resounding success!
***** Post# 17676-5/20/2002-14:10 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances (Anniversary!)
MESSAGE: YAH - Thanks to you Robert for making it possible
This keeps me going
Jetaction to all
Peter
Congratulations and thanks for making this great site possible, thanks too to all the contributers who make this site so informative and such fun.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17678-5/20/2002-14:57 ||| geodon2000 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances
MESSAGE: thanks, robert, for outing me from the laundry closet...
what an entertaining year this has been...
geodon
***** Post# 17679-5/20/2002-21:44 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances
MESSAGE: Yes, I've just now logged on. I knew today wass a special day in applianceville. Happy anniveresary to everyone. And to you Robert, a THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart just doesn't seem to be appropriate enough for all the pleasure you have given me and the rest of us here. We have loads of fun here.
***** Post# 17680-5/20/2002-21:47 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Well I worked on the Norge this weekend and boy what a mess underneath there. The oil seal had gone out in the bottom of the transmission which allowed oil to leak down between the agitator shaft and the spin shaft. In a Whirpool or Frigidaire Unimatic tranny they only use about 3 cups of oil, but the Norge takes 12 cups, YUK! Unfortunately the oil came out through the torque spring clutch and brake assembly which uses a heavy coating of automotive grease. The oil and grease mixed together makes for a sludge like mess. What makes it even worse is when the machine goes into spin the break and clutch spring also spins which means the sludgy mess is thrown all over the inside of the cabinet by centrifugal force...
Then I took the '56 Hamilton that I got out on the Aberdeen farm apart this weekend as I needed some parts for the '56 Norge. Check out the amount of dirt that gets packed into the bottom of these machines that sit outside for 20 years...
***** Post# 17681-5/20/2002-22:09 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances (Happy Anniversary to all!!)
MESSAGE: Just wanted to wish one and all a very Happy Anniversary!! A special thank-you to you Robert for all that you have done and continue to do for us. We all need to remember just how lucky we are to have found each other. I spent my whole life thinking that I was the only one with this interest. I am looking forward to the convention this year and seeing all of you again. Thanks Robert and everyone else for a really great year!
Terry
***** Post# 17682-5/20/2002-22:20 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Ewwwww - nothing worse than oil and grease - worse with 3/4 of a gallon!
There is a little patch of dirt on the corner of the driveway and the sidewalk going around the garage that I have nearly overflowing with South Dakota-Kelvinator dirt from the two machines I have stripped so far, four machines to go and I may be able to fill in all of "Digger's" holes!
It's been washer restoration week here too - I have all the Kelvinator parts cleaned and laid out in the garage and I am in the process of painting the cabinet while I wait for some new parts to come. Hopefully, we can be washing by this time next week!
Good luck with the Norge - thank heaven for latex gloves!
***** Post# 17683-5/21/2002-02:19 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances (Happy Anniversary to all!!)
MESSAGE: Bravo! All the discussion, pictures, videos -- it has been an outstanding achievement!
***** Post# 17684-5/21/2002-03:55 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Robert, Madge would have you soaking in Palmolive after dealing with such a mess! What a state it's in, but I bet not for long. Good luck with the restoration and here's hoping there aren't any more nasty surprises.
Happy anniversary to Applianceville!
Eddy
***** Post# 17685-5/21/2002-06:30 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE:
MESSAGE: Well, Robert, you're right. It's quite revolting down there. BUT as we all know, if anyone can get through this and make that Norge run like new again it's you. So much for the Norge "permanently sealed in oil transmission". I just cannot figure how 12 cups of oil could even fit in that machine....
And Happy Anniversary!
Good on you for your initiative and for all your effort.
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17687-5/21/2002-08:26 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Latex gloves...A sure sign of a gay mechanic.
Aren't they the best??
Chris.
I thought it was an Australian thing.
I remember as a kid the Palmolive ads with the woman shrieking "...Soaking in it?!?" in a really strong Aussie accent, the accent was part of the character. Wonders will never cease.
Chris.
***** Post# 17689-5/21/2002-10:29 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: And don't forget the Rags-in-a-Box!
***** Post# 17690-5/21/2002-10:50 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Well, I'm not gay but I used to have a box of rubber gloves in the trunk of my VW in case I needed to work on it. The grease gets on the gloves and the little bit that gets on your hands is easily washed off with the sweat. Easy.
***** Post# 17691-5/21/2002-10:51 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary Classic Appliances
MESSAGE: Happy belated anniversary to you Robert and all the other members. I'm looking forward to the convention to see some of you and all the wonderful appliances this club is about.
YAY!
Louis
***** Post# 17692-5/21/2002-11:03 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: (Madge)
MESSAGE: "Madge" was an icon here in the United States as well! She and Josephine the Plumber! And of course "name of show, brought to you by the Colgate Palmolive Company," or "All Temperature Cheer, for the way you wash now, all tempa-Cheer".
I didn't start getting interested in the soap opera storylines until late grade school/junior high, but I always loved watching the commercials. Then of course at night was prime time and a whole other set of commercials to see, like the singing Meow Mix cat and the Purina Cat Chow one with the woman dancing around with her cats.
Happy anniversary to all and thanks for all the various pictures! Robert the tv looks wonderful and that must have been such a completely new and different experience to do. I know in the end everything will come out fine with the Norge too. What's really interesting about the farm machines too is Greg's Sears actually lighting up still after who knows how many years in South Dakota climate extremes.
***** Post# 17693-5/21/2002-12:04 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Really? Maybe... Anyway, I use vinyl gloves when doing dirty jobs like changing engine oil, painting, staining, etc... I don't think it means anything about sexual orientation, just a desire not to expose one's skin to disfiguring or toxic substances... I use machine washable leather gloves when doing gardening and carpentry work. Why? I get tired of pulling splinters out of my hands, and working without gloves eventually makes one's skin feel like sandpaper. Frequent washing can leave the skin dry cracked and painful.
I know you were just kidding, but seriously, sometimes a glove is just a glove.
***** Post# 17694-5/21/2002-12:05 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Right you are there, Jason. Wearing gloves around nasty stuff is not just for gays.
Now, wearing latex gloves to bed might be another matter ... ;-)
***** Post# 17695-5/21/2002-12:29 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Happy Anniversary (video)
MESSAGE: Take a peek into Friday night wash-in with the Little Lady and the Frigemore.
Yes, that's the 90w/ch Onkyo stereo going full blast.
LINK: http://members.cox.net/rotoswirl/videos/washin.wmv
***** Post# 17696-5/21/2002-12:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Hi Jason,
Well that kills Chris' theory, too bad as I was getting quite excited thinking about the hunky mechanics who service my car, they wear cute little white latex gloves.
I guess pink marigolds may be a better sign of a gay mechanic. I always feel a bit embarrased wearing marigolds when I have to do any easy job on the car, but I live with that, its easier and safer than scrubbing skin after.
PS - I enjoyed your vid in your later post, great taste in music, my kind of stuff.
At first I thought you meant Dame Edna's bridesmaid til you said about soaking in it. I remember (70s?) UK ads for Palmolive washing up liquid - woman in curlers under hair dryer in salon, manicurist getting her to soak her nails and a shriek on realising its washing up liquid - don't remember her name so I guess it's Madge. I think the same ad may have been run with different settings too beside teh hairdresser, but that is the one I remember best.
I don't think we even have palmolive washing up liquid anymore - big brand is P&G Fairy followed by Unilver Persil.
At first I thought you meant Dame Edna's bridesmaid til you said about soaking in it. I remember (70s?) UK ads for Palmolive washing up liquid - woman in curlers under hair dryer in salon, manicurist getting her to soak her nails and a shriek on realising its washing up liquid - don't remember her name so I guess it's Madge. I think the same ad may have been run with different settings too beside teh hairdresser, but that is the one I remember best.
I don't think we even have palmolive washing up liquid anymore - big brand is P&G Fairy followed by Unilver Persil.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17699-5/21/2002-13:36 ||| eddy1210 (Vancouver, B.C. Canada)
SUBJECT: RE: (Madge)
MESSAGE: Hi Chris, sure we had Madge here for years doing the Palmolive commercials. The famous "it's more than just mild" ads ran for years. The actress who played the manicurist was Jan Minor and as far as I know she did all the North American commercials. That was one of my most favorite commercials ever. They run alot of the U.S. commercials here in Canada too. Even though Jan is retired now from commercial making, they even refer to her Madge character in the most recent Palmolive commercials. Do you know who played the Madge character in Australia?
Eddy
***** Post# 17700-5/21/2002-14:01 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: ...you would be surprised what other things certain heterosexual men believe are not just for gays. ;-)
Gizmo's (I think) glove analogy makes perfect sense in one way, since many heterosexual men, while they would never admit it, copy a lot of things from gays. The only real down side of this for gays is (and maybe others are better at this than I am) is that you can't tell who's who, in those situations where that matters. Then again so many gay men have also done this in reverse that it's pretty even.
***** Post# 17701-5/21/2002-15:02 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(What's in a glove?)
MESSAGE: Well, no offense intended, but I really don't think gays invented the use of protective gloves to keep hands clean or safe. It's just common sense to use them when warranted. I thought gays were suppoed to have "gaydar" that enabled them to detect a kindred spirit regardless of superficial trappings. But then decoration is used in many species to signal sexual status. Somehow this all reminds me of the Monty Python bit where they did adaptations of various romance classics using semaphores.
***** Post# 17702-5/21/2002-18:31 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: I find teh gay/straight male interaction rather fascinating, it certainly has changed a lot in recent years. I have recently had conversations with a couple of straight guys that would have been unthinkable some years ago. One very attractive straight friend has a gay brother and they go out on the scene together, and the straight guy was 'complaining' about how much interest he received - I pointed out that he would be more upset if he did not get any interest.
Another rather camp straight friend was questioning why so many people thought he was gay, and seemed quite relaxed when I pointed out that it may be because he is so camp.
This mixing up of styles is fun and refreshing, but it certainly has thrown my gaydar out of kilter.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17703-5/21/2002-19:09 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Same here Rich! Really messes the so-called "gaydar" (when I was younger the distinctions between gay and heterosexual men (I don't do well with the "S" word) were much more sharply defined (ie if you were gay, you didn't do, say or wear certain things or act in certain ways, or let anyone know of certain interests you may have had, or work in certain jobs, it simply "wasn't done", period, and vice versa for heterosexual guys), and regardless of the pros or cons of that in general, you did know who was who).
I'm actually having dinner this evening with a young heterosexual male friend whom I love dearly; he and another person were probably the first I ever met in a workplace a few years back that just accepted me at face value and just plain didn't care. It's actually really nice, we laugh a lot and learn so much from each other.
***** Post# 17704-5/21/2002-20:29 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: Well, darn. While I was visiting my favorite tire man on Saturday, I noticed one of his cute, beefy mechanics was wearing gloves while working on a vehicle--the only dude in the shop to do so. Rats, he was an eye-full. Who knows, maybe he "is"!!!
***** Post# 17705-5/21/2002-20:32 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: (Madge)
MESSAGE: Well, I'm glad P&G Fairy isn't marketed herre. I would not be caught dead with it in my kitchen. Brawney paper towels yes, but not Fairy dishwashing liquid.
***** Post# 17706-5/21/2002-20:35 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess
MESSAGE: I know Scott, it's awefully frustrating, particularly since I'm not attracted to ragers anyway.
That was fun, very creative, thanks for the anniversary video.
***** Post# 17708-5/21/2002-23:02 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Me I just like washing machines.
What gets up my nose, not being your typical bogan/westie, is that people think you are gay because one is not a beer swilling groin scratching farting flanellette shirt wearing football fanatic.
I just do what i like and not what everyone thinks I should do. My idea of a dream woman is Siouxsie. Just had to through that one in because I am really into her at the moment.
Keep it coming guys. More pictures and videos please!
I'll come to the partie with some advertisments that I want to scan and post and will do very shortly when assignment season is over.
Jus to think that I once thought I was the only crazy person who loves washing machines.
***** Post# 17710-5/21/2002-00:41 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Hey arrrhhhooo,
Were do I fit in then? I scratch my nether regions in public, fart, belch, drink red wine and wear flanelette shirts (when it gets cold - which it is now). I like footy (players) and go to games with my (admittedly mostly straight) friends. I don't speak softly, don't try to be nice all the time, hate being politically correct, dislike bitchyness, find casual sex seedy (particularly when it happens in public places)and think that most inner-city gays have a huge attitude problem (probably due to poor self-esteem, compensated by an over-inflated ego, excessive gym-sessions and constrictive clothing). In fact, once you get out of Sydney and you meet friends of Dorothy in other places, it is so refreshing that there are real men out there who don't experience a constant gender crisis because they like to give and take it up the a**e.
Remeber that the terms westie/bogan don't mean much to most of the people in this forum and ugh!boots are pretty fashionable in the States, I believe(?).
***** Post# 17711-5/21/2002-00:54 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Yes, Bubbles, but those sequined pink rubber gloves one might wear when dusting the portmanteau are a dead give-away, aren't they?
***** Post# 17712-5/22/2002-02:35 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh
You have described my best friend who is gay with that 'beer swilling groin scratching farting flanellette shirt wearing' although he is not into football, my bf loves football and is actually interested in the game rather than just the players.
Fairy liquid was very heavily marketed, some years ago the jingle was 'hands that do dishes can be as soft as your ars^W face, with mild green, Fairy Liquid'.
Fairy adverts starred dear, dear Nanette Newman, star of stage, screen and 'the Stepford Wives'.
We also have Fairy non-bio washing powder, marketed as suitable for baby and kid clothes. I think Fairy is equivalent to the US Ivory brand.
I guess the brand is so well established in the UK that one fails to notice the name and its associations, although Omo always amused me.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17714-5/22/2002-03:12 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Well Richtoo,
Remember, when we say football we mean league and union, not soccer (I believe they wear real satin shorts? YUMMO!!). And I do enjoy watching union and league footy for both the aesthetic and the sporting aspects.
***** Post# 17715-5/22/2002-05:25 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Hmm, I don't know Sudsie, depends, I would say. What color are yours? Mind you, I don't even have a portmanteau only a portemonnaie, which is usually empty. I hate Pink in clothing and furnishings, but would live in a pink house, with a white roof, eaves, porch, doors and shuttered windows. I think its a very tropical color, that is friendly and gay (lol)!!! Of course, it would have to be an ice-cream or pastel pink, not deep or electric. Surrounded by coconut palms, other tropical flora and a tropical blue sky, the contrast would be stunning. Now I imagine myself sitting on the front-porch, scratching myself, farting and belching, dressed in a flanelette shirt with huge sweat stains under my armpits, lol, and the picture is complete.
BTW, thanks for your post (17507) of about a week ago, regarding left and right hand traffic. I have been very busy lately and unable to visit here for a while. As always, you are a veritable fountain of knowledge and useful information. I do wonder though, because the article stated that many countries purchased their mass-produced motorcars from the US and therefore went the right-hand way. If this is true, I am surprised that Australia didn't, as prior to the second WW, our car industry was totally American. Ford and GM dominated the marketplace and Ford, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick etc., were common household names. After WWII things sort of changed and Australia started to design its own cars like the Holden (GM)(with Ford and Chrysler using US components and design features well into the seventies), but European (particularly British, initially) and Asian cars began to dominate the marketplace. I think this also happened, because Australia came to some agreement with England regarding the preferred import of British products to help stimulate Britain's post-war economy - which actually was a big shame, because British technology at that time was very antiquated and Australia would have fared much better, had they stuck to closer economic ties with the US.
I don't like what is happening to the car industry in the US anymore. Since the late eighties, American cars have become as boring and ordinary as their European and Asian counterparts. I do miss the classic American look very much. Luckily, there is a growing interest in collecting these old dinosaurs here, also. There are people, who specialze in importing and restoring US cars predating the late 80's, then converting them to right-hand drive.
I have my eye on a 1971 to 75 Caddy Eldorado convertible - my grandfather used to own a Burgundy colored 1971, which was a gem. It was all electric and more. I remember that the roof was activated by a moisture sensor that responded to rain and the lights used to dim automatically with approaching traffic. It was a total cruisemobile with white leather seats, that were as comfortable as a luxury lounge, in fact, riding in his car was a totally comfy and relaxing experience, the like of which cannot be recreated even in a modern Mercedes Benz. I never got a chance to drive it though and when I reached sixteen, he had sold it and bought a VW Sirrocco in its place. I think he went mental in his old age.
My other favorite is the Oldsmobile Toronado from the late sixites up to about 78. Then, of course, the old Chrysler New Yorker, Lincoln Continental Mark IV and V and the Town Car, the list goes on. I actually learnt to drive in a mid 1970's Oldsmobile station wagon, the one with the round tailgate that opened electrically with a key and used to freeze shut in winter. I think that was the biggest-ever, mass-produced, station wagon made anywhere in the world at approx. 19 feet in length, one could have almost lived in it. It fit ten people easily, had a bench seat in front, faux woodgrain on both sides and was painted in two-tone caramel and light brown. I remember the interior was a sort of brown/caramel color as well and we had clear plastic protector covers over the seats. I used to car-pool a number of my friends to school and many wonderful adventures were had in that car, especially during lunch-time recess, we used to sneak off the school grounds and go cruising the neighborhood. God, I love these big old cars, particularly that low thudding sound that a big V8 makes.
I remember one of my school friends, her father owned a funeral home and she used to drive his big Caddy Brougham to school every mornig. She was this pint-sized girl, 5 foot nothing, who used to be near invisible behind the steering wheel of that car. We used to laugh watching her drive it, because it almost looked as if the car was unoccupied, there was only this little tuft of hair sticking out above the steering wheel.
Well, you made me reminisce and feel all gooey and sentiMENTAL, Sudmaster. Again, I got totally carried away and it is all your fault. Gotta go now!
Bubbles
***** Post# 17716-5/22/2002-07:45 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: This was the top of the line machine from about 1964 - notice the dispensers on top of the panel. Also notice someone's husband or BF is going to get a scolding for leaning golf clubs on the washer!!
***** Post# 17717-5/22/2002-07:52 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: Sunny Yellow GE Dryer Came Home
MESSAGE: My friend called yesterday to come and get the sunny yellow (57?) GE dryer from his aunt's house. They tried, in vain, to get me to take the GE washer (67) but I politely declined and thanked them profusely for the dryer. When I got it home and wiped off the outside layer of scuz, it turns out it is a beautiful machine in very good condition.
Now for a bit of trivia, when I pulled the dryer out from the wall, the normal 30AMP dryer cord was there along with another cord (standard 120v) hanging from the back panel. I haven't researched this or checked the wiring inside the machine, but suspect that it was wired for use on either current supply. Most dryers of this era had to be "converted" for use on lower amperage circuits. Interesting....
This is a picture of the machine when I first saw it, I'll post more as I have time to play with it more.
LINK: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/vwp?.dir=/New+pics&.src=ph&.dnm=GE+Dryer.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/gansky1/lst%3f%26.dir=/New%2bpics%26.src=ph%26.view=t
***** Post# 17718-5/22/2002-09:12 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: I suspect the design wasn't changed that much thru 1968 as this was taken out of a 1967 BH&G magazine.
***** Post# 17719-5/22/2002-09:13 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Sunny Yellow GE Dryer Came Home
MESSAGE: The double cord thing is very odd, you'll have to let us know what you find out. Congrats on another new toy. The dryer looks like its in very nice shape.
***** Post# 17720-5/22/2002-09:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Yeah, a nice machine. I was actually more fascinated by the kitchen decor, it looks very experimental. I reckon the designers were being investigational with hallucinogens to squeeze out something not thought of hitherto; and they may have succeeded.
***** Post# 17721-5/22/2002-12:29 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: My aunt has a kitchen designed like that. The cabinets are brown with the black molding. I'm not sure what you call that style. Western? Country? Not sure.
***** Post# 17722-5/22/2002-13:01 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: And I can get it in my favorite color.
***** Post# 17723-5/22/2002-15:07 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Mr. Bubbles, Kelvinator was doing some interesting things like that with appliance fronts and finishes during that period. I have one ad that is 2 pages of refrigerators with all sorts of decorative fronts on them.
A friend of my mom's had this w/d pair in coppertone but the washer didn't have a window, and I did not know at the time that Kelvinator was "different" than other washers on the inside. She still lives in the same house, but I suppose the pair is gone by now.
***** Post# 17724-5/22/2002-16:16 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Jason,
The mouldings look okay. It's just that combination of colors and textures, that I find interesting, to say the least. As I said, the designers bravely went where no one dared to go before or since.
BTW, cute little video and a very big pizza - that looked good enough to eat. I could almost smell and taste it.
***** Post# 17725-5/22/2002-16:38 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
That just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving. You never know what's on the inside until you look. That goes for people too. ;-)
Rich
P.S. The whole club is waiting for pictures fo your new laundry room.
***** Post# 17726-5/22/2002-16:38 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Scott
That just goes to show that appearances can be deceiving. You never know what's on the inside until you look. That goes for people too. ;-)
Rich
P.S. The whole club is waiting for pictures of your new laundry room.
***** Post# 17727-5/22/2002-18:22 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Yeah, my aunt's kitchen was a very much matched better and best of all, it was crowned with a beautiful early 50s 40" Tappan range.
And yes, the pizza was good too! I didn't eat it all that night but over a few nights I ate cold pizza right out of the fridge.
***** Post# 17728-5/22/2002-18:34 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Whirlpool had a washer and dryer set with "woodtone panels" on the front of them. That was the dryer door (full width of cabinet) that could either open down for a shelf or swing open to the side.
It was mighty pretty in it's day, the cat's meow you might say!
***** Post# 17729-5/22/2002-18:44 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Mr. Bubbles, how entertaining. You'd be in 7th heaven over here, as mid-70's cars are considered quite passe, and can be had for a song. There's the little niggling problem with California smog regulations, and many old 70's cars have been relegated to the crusher because they can't or won't pass smog. And those that do, have their HP throttled back perhaps as much as 30%. It wasn't until the 90's, it seems, that car manufacturers figured out how to get low emissions and good power and fuel economy. These days any car '73 or older is exempt from biennual California smog inspections/certifications, which means those cars are now more valuable here.
Personally I find the 70's behemoths amusing if a bit loathesome. I've never driven one but I'm sure they have a pillow soft ride and about as much road feel as stirring a jar of mayonnaise. I did drive a rental Cadillac deVille back in '99, before their re-engineering, and it was rather disappointing, both in terms of handling and interior design/fit/finish. The Northstar V8 motor was nice, though.
It looks like GM may be importing a Holden GM design to replace one of their stalwart US lines. Many of the US car mfgs are throwing in the engineering towel and using their foreign aquisitions to do future engineering on their cars. For example, Chryslers will have either Mercedes or Mitsubishi design chassis and other components, although the cars themselves may be manufactured over here, the ride will probably be stiffer and handling improved. The exterior and interior styling will still be done by Americans. Good thing, because Mitsubishi seems incapable of designing an attractive vehicle. And Mercedes, except for their TOL SL series, tends to lean to the boring side. The Ford Focus is completely european designed, and I actually like the little 3door hatch in all black, kinda cute.
Oh, and my gloves have no sequins. Generally they are buff tan leather, or clear vinyl. I do have some ominous tight fitting neoprene black rubber gloves I've used when the engine work gets really grimy. They frighten a friend of mine, lol. Sequins would be bad for serious engine work, as they might drop into a bearing and ruin it.
***** Post# 17730-5/22/2002-18:54 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(what I think)
MESSAGE: Suds I think you're right, that back then folks wanted to feel as though they weren't moving, or floating as they were moving, where today stiffer suspensions and being able to feel the handling seem to be more popular. One thing I remember about the big cars we had back then (the ones I learned to drive on) was how sensitive the power brakes were. It took some practice before my father felt confident he was not going to go through the windshield when I applied them, LOL.
***** Post# 17731-5/22/2002-18:58 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Happy Anniversary (video)
MESSAGE: Great video Jason! As always, I really enjoyed it! Funny to see a Sears spinning that fast, LOL. Scott
***** Post# 17732-5/22/2002-19:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: When was that Greg? I never knew about the wood panels or that they'd offered a door that opened either way. Interesting!
***** Post# 17733-5/22/2002-19:03 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Rich! Picture album will probably come sometime next week. We move in this weekend and there's still stuff not done, but soon I promise there will be pictures! I was over there today and the floor is laid in the laundry room and the cabinets hung, so it's beginning to shape up quite nicely!
***** Post# 17734-5/22/2002-19:52 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (New laundry room for Scott)
MESSAGE: Yes Scott - you have a digital camera so we need to see some full and empty pictures of your new laundry space. It must be exciting to have a whole laundry room to fill with vintage treasures, the room will soon be overflowing with those great Minneapolis estate sales. Leave space for a Hoover twinnie - or two!
***** Post# 17735-5/22/2002-19:55 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (WP dryer door)
MESSAGE: Late 60's or early 70's I think. Do you remember the WP ads with the lady sitting with stacks of ironing all around her and the dryer behind her? I'm sure someone posted that ad once, but don't remember who or when. I think the ad said something about perma-press care and her being out of work, or something to that effect.
***** Post# 17736-5/22/2002-20:00 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (New laundry room for Scott)
MESSAGE: Pictures to come soon Greg, and I"ll be looking forward to that Hoover, and to seeing you, Skyler and Jack again!! :)
***** Post# 17737-5/22/2002-21:15 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (WP dryer door)
MESSAGE: Yes, and those wood-grain fronts were quite a "sight" with the rest of the metal shell being avocado in colour......
***** Post# 17738-5/22/2002-22:17 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: Hoover New Wave
MESSAGE: I found this really interesting link while sufing. The process of designing a new washing machine is described and it is really interesting.
What a great job to be a washing machine designer!!
LINK: http://www.co-design.co.uk/hoover.htm
***** Post# 17739-5/22/2002-23:46 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (WP dryer door)
MESSAGE: I kinda vaguely remember that. Maybe I have the picture saved. I haven't run across it in a while, but neither have I looked for it.
***** Post# 17740-5/22/2002-23:48 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(Floating Automobiles)
MESSAGE: My I30t has the feel of floating on a particular stretch of road coming into town. I have the pleasure of taking that route to work every day.
***** Post# 17741-5/23/2002-02:24 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
Yeah, in a way I think it is a shame that appliance manufacturers do not make colored appliances and offer different finishes anymore. I suppose with some fridges and dishwashers one can still slide a panel over the front to match the appliance with the rest of the kitchen, though, most brands don't even provide that option now. In this age of apparently unlimited choice, our choices appear to be rather limited to white, bisque, chrome or stainless steel.
I don't think there is anything wrong with the appearance of the actual Kelvinator appliances. It is the rest of the kitchen that doesn't do them justice. In my opinion, had they matched the kitchen cabinets to the panels on the fridge, stove and dishwasher, the picture wouldn't be so harsh on the eye. Then again, perhaps that was their intention all along.
***** Post# 17742-5/23/2002-03:06 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Kitchenaid is a notable exception to that rule, with their cobalt blue fridges etc.
***** Post# 17743-5/23/2002-03:52 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(Holden cars)
MESSAGE: I strive to please Sudsmaster and am happy to hear that you were entertained.
Actually, Holden now exports its Commodore model to the Middle East under the Chevrolet badge. Perhaps that will be the designated model for export to the US also. Must admit, I do like the large cars, especially the Statesman/Caprice, which has a lovely interior and is very spacious. Our current Ford LTD is also very handsome and equipped with chrome, wood and leather trim, which gets me every time. I find its exterior styling very handsome and somewhat reminiscent of the old Yank tanks of yesteryear. I've provided the Holden link, if you are interested to check it out, just for comparison. If you are curious about Ford Australia (which you may not be) their web address is: www.Ford.com.au
There used to be a little Australian two-door sports convertible made by Ford years ago, that made its way to the US. I actually think it was called 'Capri' over here and sold as a Mercury model in America. It apparently came with numerous standard-issue flaws, a chronically leaky roof one of its major features and was discontinued in the early nineties.
I thought that Mercedes Benz already manufactures automobiles in the States and has been doing so for a few years. In fact, I am pretty certain a German relative once told me that the American made Benzes are considered to be of higher quality than their German-made counterparts. BTW that new VW Beetle is made in Mexico, isn't it?
I know that the old yank tanks of yesteryear were a bit sloppy in handling at speed around corners, but for your fabulous freeways they were the perfect modes of transport. I enjoy their styling, interior space and love the interior fittings, which nowadays only come with very upmarket vehicles. I always thought that these behemoths (as you describe them) were very good value for money in their haydays and they deserve to be preveserved for posterity. Unlike cars of today, the make of a car in years gone by, was easily identifiable by its shape and grille. Now it all comes down to the badge that has been stuck on it.
LINK: http://www.holden.com.au
***** Post# 17744-5/23/2002-04:05 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Cobalt blue sounds nice, but wouldn't go with my current kitchen (lime-washed cabinets). Kitchen-Aid appliances are not widely available here. Whirlpool have added a Kitchen-Aid oven and gas cook top to their range and their stand mixers are the latest for the yuppie home (at $700 a pop), but, apart from their fridges and top loading washers, most of their products are imported from Germany and not the US.
***** Post# 17745-5/23/2002-07:52 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: An article appeared in the Wall Street Journal May 16, 2002 about American laundry habits and practices that is rather interesting. Comparing the use of American vs. European equipment along with some input from P&G about bad American laundry habits.
LINK: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB1021500602345998680,00.html
***** Post# 17746-5/23/2002-09:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: So Americans are the only people in the world who have the most number of clothes per person? They are also the only society where people change their clothes daily? What?! And the rest of the western world lives like paupers and we all wear the few clothes that we own, until they can stand up independently? On top of all that, Americans are supposed to be stupid, don't know how to use detergents or their washing machines and should have changed to European front loaders yonks ago? Gosh, that Emily Nelson had her head right up inside her front loader when she wrote this crap. America the great and beautiful, which sends rockets to space, but its children run around in dirty and torn clothes, how sorry I feel for you lot, LOL!!! What about us poor Australians, our clothes must also be very dirty and ragged, because we don't even have Liquid Tide and most of us do cold washes in our antiquated top loaders, which also till make up 90% of household washers.
Why would people, who launder their clothes daily, change their laundry habits, if they switch from TL to FL? A daily load remains a daily load and if machine capacity decreases, then, obviusly, two or three daily loads will turn into four or five. Of course, additional time will be spent waiting for cycles to finish, since most Euro FL's take longer. Then there is the constant kneeling or bending down (unless one is less than 5 feet tall) and pulling things from those tiny port holes, yuck. Then again, some people, like this Emily, obviously like bending over for their washer.
Even in fantastic places like Germany, Holland or the UK, clothes still need to be ironed, folded and put away. So, a survey like this one would yield very similar responses from jaded housewives/husbands, sick of their laundry chores, even though they supposedly use more sophisticated laundry techniques and machines (yeah right!). Naturally, being European, they are much more fastidious and their clothes are so much cleaner, uhu! >:P You dirty little Americans, you, shame, shame, shame!!!
If this article wasn't a plug for Tide and front loading washers, I will change my name from bubbles to froth.
As far as washing performance and stain removal in front loaders is concerned, I have attached a link to Miele (Australia). Go to the 'hints and tips' section and read up on how their front loaders still need assistance with removing persistent stains effectively. I rest my case.
LINK: http://www.miele.com.au
***** Post# 17747-5/23/2002-11:47 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(Holden cars)
MESSAGE: Bubbs,
I'll have to check on which model Holden is going to be made and sold in the USA.
In regard to Mercedes, the opposite is true. Mercedes makes their SUV, the ML-XXX, in the USA, in Georgia, I think. In any case, the quality of this model is below par. Mercedes quality in general is an interesting phenomenon. I'm told they achieve it by extensive testing and rework. It's not that their production lines or technologies are anything better than other companies, it's that they use humans to go over each car and detect/fix manufacturing flaws. Hence part of the reason for the high price, as humans are still more expensive to pay than machines.
I think overall, car design reflects more of the whims and fads of public taste than they do of car designers. For example, the late 30's and 40's cars, by and large, all looked pretty much alike, at least for the same year. One company would come out with a new grille or tail design and sure enough all the other mfgs offerings would have very similar designs that year or the next. For example, elegant v-shaped and gently contoured grilles could be found on just about every manufacturer's cars in 1934. In 1936 the barrel-shaped grille was predominant. By '38 it was an odd combination of the barrel grille and a lower more horizontal grille. And so on. By the 50's, though, car manufacturers started getting a bit more adventurous. Maybe they thought they could sell whatever they designed. This went on until the late 70's/ early 80's, when sales tanked and mfg's didn't want to be the proverbial odd man out. In the 90's, technological innovation led to some very nice unusual designs that worked well, such as the Ford Taurus (excluding the UGLY mid 90's remake), Chrylser/Dodge LH cars (Intrepid), etc. There is a lot of innovative styling going on today - although there is still the 3 box boring sedan typified by Toyota and copied by just about everyone else who doesn't want to lose sales by appearing too different. I'm sure exceptions can be found but that's my theory and I'm sticking to it :-).
***** Post# 17748-5/23/2002-12:02 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: I've seen blue, red, and green Viking (I think they were) ranges and refrigerators at Expo. Haven't been there in a while, maybe they're off the market.
***** Post# 17749-5/23/2002-14:27 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Well on Miele USA's website, it states the following:
"Top loaded vertical drums
Can damage clothing and provide poor cleaning results because an agitator yanks garments back and forth in a stationary drum"
whereas
"Miele's horizontal drum
Provides superior washing action for the largest variety of fabrics using gravity, specially-designed fins, and very little water."
I agree that frontloaders don't wash without detergents, you can't wash anything without a detergent, but we don't need to use bleach and other likewise additives as European machines use a small enough amount of water to enable it to be heated to any temperature
See for yourself. I rest my case.
from surgilator
p.s. i have used both toploaders and frontloaders, and frontloaders have come out better.
LINK: http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/laundry/get-wash.html
***** Post# 17750-5/23/2002-14:27 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Thanks for sharing that article, Greg. Very interesting and most of it true. Most Americans have pathetic laundry habits and hand them down generation to generation...with each generation getting progressively worse.
One inaccuracy I noticed was that the article said Americans like top loaders because they hold bigger loads. The latest Amercian front loaders hold more than a top loader. Also, I for one, hate doing big loads of wash (not to say I never do)a American habit for sure. They made a good point when they said we spend more time doing laundry because these huge capacity loads take more time to sort and fold and put away. Besides, these bigger loads often don't get as clean as they should, especially in agitator machines, and come out more creased and wrinkled. I think manufactures brainwashed people into believing with larger capacities you cut down the amount of work it takes to do laundry.
All in all, good points raised. The art of properly caring for one's clothes has been lost to many. Maybe manufactures should pack a video "How to PROPERLY do your laundry" in every new machine.
One thing I'd like to add...it's nice to have this club where the correct way to do laundry and apreciate laundry appliances and their history can be shared.
Rich
***** Post# 17751-5/23/2002-14:43 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Boy, Bubbles, you read a lot into that article that wasn't there. I went back and read it again after your comment to see how I missed all those points you ranted about. I couldn't find them.
Rich
***** Post# 17752-5/23/2002-14:50 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: I agree with you, Surg. When I switched from using an agitator washer to a front laoder, I could see the difference in the clothes. As much as I love vintage agitator machines, there is no comparison, IMHO, between modern tumble washers vs. modern agitator washers.
And of course, as the article stated, when one knows how to use the correct water temperature, pretreat stains, sort fabrics properly, and use the right options/cycles on your machine the results are greatly improved.
Rich
***** Post# 17753-5/23/2002-16:44 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (coloured apps)
MESSAGE: Smeg do Cobalt blue, pastel blue, mint green, pastel pink, red and silver fridges. In the UK we also had a fashion for kitchens in yellow, navy blue or British racing green and one of teh BOL manufacturers, Servis I think, did a whole range of BOL washer, dryer, fridge, cooker, microwave, kettle, toaster etc in these colours.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17754-5/23/2002-16:48 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I want one of those cobalt blue Kitchen Aid mixers, just over £200 in the UK. I don't care if they are 'yuppie', they look the dogs bollox and work well too. I don't want a Kitchen Aid blender though, not keen on the design, I will buy a Waring Blender when funds allow. These will match nicely with my 'yuppie accessory' Dualit toaster.
Missed you, glad your back, I will be disappearing soon though
***** Post# 17755-5/23/2002-17:04 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Why will you be disappearing soon?! I hope that will only be temporary. Mikey has one of those toasters you're talking about. I think it runs on a timer. Very interesting. Scott
***** Post# 17756-5/23/2002-17:05 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD (coloured apps)
MESSAGE: Also, the Elmira stove works offers a retro bottom freezer fridge in quite a number of different colors.
***** Post# 17757-5/23/2002-18:29 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (G'day Surge!)
MESSAGE: Surge, I didn't say anything about washing without detergents and find that statement surprising. How does that relate to what I have said in my post?
I posted the Miele link to prove my long held experience, that front loaders do not provide a vastly superior cleaning result to top loaders, contrary to the adamant claims of some. I felt that posting this Miele link would be enough to prove my point. Why should the manufacturer of one of the most popular and top end brands of European FL washers provide such extensive pre-treatment advice for stain removal if, as some have claimed previously, this was supposedly unnecessary with FL washers because, as you yourself claim, they are sooooo much better? So all these decades, Americans (and other users of TL's) have been deluding themselves about the performance standards of their laundry equipment? I don't think so Sir! American consumers could have chosen top loaders over front loaders as far as 50 years back and there are many very good reasons why they didn't then and still don't now.
I know enough about American and European laundry habits and standards of laundry cleanliness from personal experience and comparison. A lot of the claims made regarding FL versus TL performance and gentleness are exaggerated and the day that top loading agitator washers disappear from the marketplace (as some suggest they should) will be a sad day indeed, at least for me.
I didn't like the article much and don't agree with a lot of what is said in there, as you have already figured. I really think that the claims made, regarding the apparent outmodedness of American laundry habits and appliances, are rather presumptuous. I have yet to get a poor result from my detergent and washer, perhaps you could be kind enough to tell me what I am doing wrong when I use my top loader and detergent? Why do my clothes come out clean and undamaged - even my handwashables? Perhaps, I should write this Emily Nelson and ask her the same question.
***** Post# 17758-5/23/2002-18:32 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh
Thanks for this link, it is very interesting and informative.
Cheers
Richtoo
***** Post# 17759-5/23/2002-18:49 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: You make an interesting point - that a smaller drum will wash better than a bigger drum, because more of each item is exposed to the drum fins, etc. This makes me feel slightly better having the 2.9 cu ft Neptuen instead of the 3.18 cu ft HE3t ;-).
Even so, many of my loads do not fill up the Neptune. I'd say they are anything from 1/2 to 4/5 full. The whites are usually the least, about 1/2 full. Which means they get very clean using just STPP, Sears HE, and oxygen bleach, and 130 F water. Even Ecos gets them clean.
***** Post# 17760-5/23/2002-18:50 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Miele,
Missed you too! I would love one of those K-A mixers in chrome, seen one at David Jones the other day and loved it. Still, $700 is pretty dear. I also like the classic Sunbeam Mixmaster (only costs $199), mine just died after 21 years, which I bought for $80 back then - but that was a lot of money in those days. Then the Aussie dollar was higher then the US$ too, would you believe it. For one AU$ I used to get US$1.30.
Anyway, why and when are you disappearing? Are you off on holidays? You will be missed, so make sure you come back soon.
bubbles
***** Post# 17761-5/23/2002-18:54 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubs,
I couldn't resist, actually I also spotted many of these issues in that text.
Taking your points -
para 1, fair point, though in Europe we dont use chlorine bleach to get clean white clothes.
para 2, absolutely agree. In mitigation, kneeling down to ones FL washer is teh same as loading any dryer, and kneeling down is better for ones back than bending to reach teh botton of a TL tub.
para 3, is teh UK a fantastic place? I must have another look. Yep, washing, drying, ironing, folding putting away takes as long here as anywhere.
para 4, Hi Froth, just joking, it's a shameless plug alright.
para 5, well of course Euro FLs need help with tough stains, they are just washers not miracle workers, despite how they might be marketed. Again in the interests of fairness, the internal heaters and thus higher posible temps should give better cleaning ability with straight detergent, I have read that cleaning power doubles for every 10C rise over 20C (cold).
Another issue I had with the article was in one of the paras talking about teh half collar test; if I may quote 'The American machine in the test also was larger, and so used more water than the European one, diluting the detergent'. Well, of course a bigger machine and more water would dilute a given quantity of a given detergent more, if this is how the the test was conducted then it was very unfair. This is one of the reasons we have different detergents and recomended dosages for different types of washer and load sizes.
Interesting, though flawed article, I enjoyed it.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17762-5/23/2002-19:02 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: I would appreciate a larger capacity machine than the 5kg my Miele holds, purely so I could wash large items like king size duvets at home. I don't think a large capacity would have me doing fewer but larger loads as I like to divide my wash my colour and type, also I would not want to wait enough time to build up huge loads as I might want to wear a particular item sooner.
I guess huge capacity is a boon to large families who can get a huge load of lights/darks/whatever every day or so.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17763-5/23/2002-19:08 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Scott,
The Duealit does run on a timer, also it does not pop-up, all in all a very expensive appliance for less features than much cheaper ones, but so beautiful and well made.
I will be disappearing from here as we are away to Cornwall for a holiday, one of my favourite parts of the world. We are staying in a beautiful small fishing village, Mevagissey, on the top of the cliff looking out to sea and with great local restaurants. It is near the Eden project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, both of which are just wonderful.
I will miss my boys, but their favourite aunty will look after them. A lovely thing about my cats is that they are always pleased to see me home after a holiday and never cold-shoulder me.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17764-5/23/2002-19:15 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Hi Suds
Something I picked up from a post on this site lead me to believe that, all other aspects being equal, a larger diameter drum should wash best. This is because the clothes can achieve greater agitation from the larger drop. I have always understood that the fins are present to lift the clothes ready for the drop rather than to provide the direct agitation.
Compared to our Euro FLs your neppie has a huge drum. I loved the neppie I used.
I did not know Sunbeam still made the mismaster, I take it that is the old 50s style mixer, beautiful design.
The chrome KS is exorbitant, over hear it's about double teh cost of the colours. Ideally, I would love one of teh KA commercial bowl-lift mixers a la Julia Child, but I don't think they are sold in the UK. Nigella Lawson uses one, but she could have had it imported and converted.
I'm off to bed now, goodnight all
Richtoo
***** Post# 17766-5/23/2002-19:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Well I hope you have a wonderful time Rich and we'll look forward to seeing you when you return. I am very happy your hiatus is temporary! I will probably not be seen for at least the next couple days anyway as I am moving. I think the cable modem will be hooked up at the new house sometime Saturday though, so maybe by Saturday night I will be on again.
***** Post# 17767-5/23/2002-19:38 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Hi Miele,
Yes, they do and it isn't too harsh on the old eyeball either, the shape has been contemporized slightly and it is now referred to as the 'Retro Mixmaster', but it still has that Mixmaster magic. Mind you, Sunbeam have most of their appliances manufactured in China now. My deceased Sunny was Australian made and I have brought it to an electrician to have it revived once more. I want to preserve it as I have developed a strong attachment to it. It and I have baked many a delicious cake together and I can not bear to part with it.
I love 'Nigella bites', she's gorgeous and like her cooking style.
Well, sweet dreams till next time.
bubbles
***** Post# 17768-5/23/2002-19:57 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Go little sport!)
MESSAGE: Hi there little sport,
Well, they are there and, perhaps, reading the article a third time might help you - then again, it probably won't. If you didn't get it the first and second time around, a third time won't clarify things either. You are not only supposed to look at the words, but glean information and construct a meaning from the way they have been arranged.
bubbles
***** Post# 17769-5/23/2002-21:19 ||| Erkjoey (Los Angeles, California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Go little sport!)
MESSAGE: Bubbles, That level on condescension, is unneccesary! It is a perfect example, of your lack of self esteem, and overweening ego. Maybe you need to look those up, two or three times, before you get it.
Erik
***** Post# 17770-5/23/2002-21:20 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Richtoo, I hope your "disappearance" is simply a holiday and not permanent. Bob
***** Post# 17771-5/23/2002-21:24 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits ((G'day Bubs))
MESSAGE: Bubbles, my Kenmore (a.k.a. "Ripmore") (made by Whirlpool) ripped another pair of slacks last nite. I for one, like golittlesport, will gladly take a front loader (when I can afford it or my current 16 year old machine dies).
***** Post# 17772-5/23/2002-21:34 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Well Richtoo, I'm the king of the club in terms of stockpiling laundry. I may go for a whole month without washing a load or a certain type & color of a load. But I'm still very picky about sorting. I guess that's why I stockpil and own so many pieces of clothing & linens, I can't stand to do small loads in my top loader. Wastes water and is even more harsh on the fabrics.
***** Post# 17773-5/23/2002-21:43 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Go little sport!)
MESSAGE: Bubbles, golittlesport is a marketing and public relations executive. I do believe he knows his way around words quite well and could well-construct his own spin cycle if need-be
***** Post# 17774-5/23/2002-21:51 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Well Rich, proper laundry habits transcend the type of washer - top or front loader. I think one can achieve outstanding results with either if you take the time to do it properly. My mother and her sisters were meticulous in their laundry habits, and they passed these on to their sons - the daughters were another story entirely - perhaps some sort of feminist rebellion... And they all taught us the same lesson - my mother put it very well when she said "Laundry is not brain surgery, but most people are too damn lazy to care what their clothes look like. For Christ's sake - if you are going to do something badly, at least pick something more complicated than laundry"!!
***** Post# 17775-5/23/2002-00:06 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Hi Anthony
I have to agree completely that one can get excellent results from either type of machine, if the machine is used properly and one knows a bit about laundry. There are certainly drawbacks to both kinds of machines...no machine is perfect. (Me - I love bending over and stretching the hamstrings so the front loader is fine! Haha! Besides I have mine raised.) My satisfaction with my current washer over other machines I've owned is only my opinion. And I'd take a Unimatic Frigidaire anyday.
Rich
***** Post# 17776-5/23/2002-00:22 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(Holden cars)
MESSAGE: I think it may be the Monaro being exported to the States.
Car badges are the big thing that stylists are suppoused to be working on. Being an alert kind of person I can always tell what kind of car it is from a distance unlike people like my blond sister who can only tell you its a white car.
Notice VW's only have their badge on the car. the word Volkswagen is no where to be found on the outside of the car.
***** Post# 17777-5/23/2002-00:23 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave
MESSAGE: KInd og galling to think of all the effort to make a new washing machine and now they make rebadged Candies.
***** Post# 17778-5/23/2002-00:44 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: We have that same Mixmaster too. There is a new one out though called the Mixmaster Profesional which carries the retro theme further. Truly beautiful.
If only Simpson would make a Retro washing machine with a crome flared control panel with butterfly knobs again. Ahhh.
That would be beautiful!
***** Post# 17779-5/23/2002-00:48 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: That is so true. So many people are lazy and take short cuts and live in pigsties. I am amazed at how people can take so much pride in their appearnace but when it comes to keeping a clean and tidy home that one spends so much time and money to buy or rent and take a near enought is good enough attitude.
***** Post# 17781-5/24/2002-02:46 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Kelvinator POD
MESSAGE: Thanks! :) See you all soon!
***** Post# 17782-5/24/2002-03:52 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: Laundry habits and KitchenAid mixers
MESSAGE: After reading the artical about american laundry habits, I can only think of one conclusion. Laundry methods, and the type of machine used is a personal choice. People have so much to do with so little time these days, that they really don't want to be bothered with more gizmos, dials, and gadgets. Let alone the old front vs. top loader debate when they have to run their kid over to a soccer practice after working a 10 hour shift. They just want to run a load through without hassle.
Why don't they just make things a bit simpler by bringing back the good old boxes of Tide (and its wonderful old scent) or Cheer (the blue variety) without overstuffing the grocery store isles with things that we know absolutely nothing about, and can even care less? That, and just make washing machines more fun to use like they did back in the 1960s and '70s?
Some folks here like the KitchenAid mixer. 'Can't do without mine. It's a goodie! Get one that matches the color of your vintage Frigidaire, Maytag, or GE! Them old Sunbeam Mixmasters are nice too. 'Bummer they're made in China though.
***** Post# 17783-5/24/2002-07:51 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: What A Mess(Holden Monaro)
MESSAGE: Yes arrrooohhh, you are correct. It is the Monaro that Holden is going to export to the USA. Or so the story goes.
Holden was also going to export the WB Statesman to the US, it was to be badged as a Buick. It was loaded with extra chrome and styled to suit US tastes at the time. GM in the US pulled the plug at the last minute.
If US folks want to test-drive an Aussie made car, look at a Mitsubishi Diamante. They are the Mitsubishi Magna from Australia. Only the most plush model is exported. Avis rent-a-car in the USA got some flack from USA dealers/distributors by doing a deal to direct-import several thousand Diamantes from Mitsubishi Australia, bypassing the US distributor. Or so I read a while ago. I drive the earlier version of the same car, a 93 Magna wagon. It's a beauty.
Speaking of Holdens, the hubby and I have just replaced his car, the Lada Niva, with a Holden Barina. (Sold in Europe as Opel/Vauxhall Corsa.) It is a bright red 99 model. It's a little cutie.
Chris.
LINK: http://www.holden.com.au/app/serve?page=monaroEntry
***** Post# 17784-5/24/2002-07:59 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: F&P sacrilege
MESSAGE: The latest issue of RENEW magazine arrived yesterday. It is a mag on renewable energy including solar and wind power. It had an article on how to take the rotor and stator from a Smart Drive F&P and use them to make up a high efficiency generator for recharging batteries in a solar power system. The smart drive uses permanent magnets revolving around a set of fixed windings to achieve its movement. By driving the disc of magnets around the stationary coils, a current is induced in the coils which can be rectified and fed into hungry batteries. (the spin braking on a smart drive is just shorting out these windings.)
I have a dead Smart Drive in my shed, an early model for which the fried semiconductors are no longer available so I might just have a play one day, if I wouldn't be lynched by fellow applianceville members...
Chris.
***** Post# 17785-5/24/2002-08:01 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: How on earth did you get all that from the article?
You assume that just because Miele have stain fighting tips their machines are no more capable of removing stains than top loaders. Each to their own, but any top loaders I have used have not been able to remove stains that I could've got out in a front loader, that's without using any stain treatments. I'm not a fan of stain treatments, and because I've always been used to cleaning in FL machines I've never seen the need for them in general day to day use. I will use them in special needs situations though.
I'm not going to sit here and tell people "TL bad, FL good", but I really think you need to go read that article again. If you can't see past your own feelings and be considerate to others then you really ought to not say anything.
***** Post# 17786-5/24/2002-08:04 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave
MESSAGE: That was an interesting article, but I wish the pictures they referred to had been available to view. It's a shame that, if I recall correctly, the New Wave line were not great for performance, and were unreliable. I think that's a huge part of the reason Hoover are where they are today.
To be fair, the machines they are making are, I think, joint projects between Hoover and Candy, so there's input on both sides. Also, with any luck, Hoover will be inheriting some of the reliability of Candy.
***** Post# 17787-5/24/2002-08:05 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Laundry habits and KitchenAid mixers
MESSAGE: I used to have a Sunbeam Mixmaster of about 1960's vintage but I was given my Nan's Kenwood Chef when she died. It was from 1969 and has never needed repair. She was a fantastic cook and it got plenty of use. I am very pleased and proud to have her old Kenwood and will never get rid of it. I was very close to my old Nan and think of her whenever I use it. I get a bit moist-eyed using it, too.
I have given the Sunbeam to a friend but its speed control has packed up, it goes flat out on any setting so it will be coming home to Dr Chris for some surgery.
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17788-5/24/2002-08:24 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: There's times I'd like a bigger machine so that I could get more of the washing done at once, or so that I could wash large duvets at home. Then I remember that if I did more washing at once I'd have more to put away. Still I think that there should be no problem with having a larger drum as long as it is used sensibly. There's no more sense packing a huge drum tight full than there is a small one, as long as the clothes have enough room to tumble there should be no problem with the results.
Actually what really astonishes me is the price of front loaders in the USA. If the companies want them to take off in a big way then they're going to have to start producing some at lower price points. Over here machines start at under £200, rising to over £1,000 - admittedly quality factors in here, but you can get a decent machine for around £250. That's going off topic though...
Dave - who is studiously avoiding the large pile of ironing on the dining table ;-)
***** Post# 17789-5/24/2002-08:47 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hey Surg,
Sorry it took me a while to reply here. Good to hear you made a decision. I've got a Whirlpool condenser dryer, and it really is very good, and easy to use as well. I have heard good things about their reliability as well, and particularly because Bosch use one for their base model. I don't think they'd put their name to something that wasn't good.
Kirk, what are the current Zanussi machines like for rinsing and noise? I've got an FJS1397 which I'm trying to get the warranty company to replace (long story - will tell if anyone wants to know), and I want to make sure what I get isn't too noisy and does a good job rinsing.
Dave
***** Post# 17790-5/24/2002-09:18 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Dave,
Who is making assumptions here? 'Take your own advice' is my advice to you.
***** Post# 17791-5/24/2002-09:30 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Excuse me? I certainly didn't intend to be nasty, and I didn't think I had been particularly. I just genuinely wondered how you'd gotten all that from the article. I'm assuming here that you are more a fan of TL than Fl machines, and thats entirely your choice, but you don't need to go into such a tirade about it.
***** Post# 17792-5/24/2002-10:01 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Hi Bob!)
MESSAGE: Well, I am sure he does, but so do I. There was no call for him to be rude, either, even though he may not have agreed with my response. I repay every courtesy in kind. And yes, I did get 'all that' out of that article, what of it?
***** Post# 17793-5/24/2002-10:10 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (what a load of crock!)
MESSAGE: Why should I excuse you? You are old enough to take responsibility for what you say. Read the last sentence of your post 17785 and tell me again that you are just being friendly.
***** Post# 17794-5/24/2002-10:45 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (A grand idea...)
MESSAGE: Well, with as many old Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Kenmore top loaders around, one can add one of these to their collection and keep their front loaders for serious business (if that's their preference). Or, you could get a top loader, and then add a front loader to do your experiments with.
I currently have an old Maytag wringer. I hope to be getting my old Kenmore top loader back, if that's possible. Then, I would like to get me an Equator front loader for some of the bigger stuff. Then I'll add a good old 1-18 as a nice toy to play with. Why not have your suds cake and watch it too? That way, there's more fun and less debate. Take care...
***** Post# 17795-5/24/2002-10:57 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: That is grave news indeed Bob,
How many pairs of slacks have you lost in this way? Were these slacks new or old? Sometimes it can also be the quality of the clothes, perhaps it wasn't really your washer's fault. Did this happen during the gentle cycle?
I have bought stuff that was poorly sewn together, which is not always immediately apparent. In fact a lot of clothing these days is substandard, buttons that fall off, hem-lines that frey and so on. Even the upmarket stuff doesn't always cut the cheese. Usually, if the garment is very new, I exchange it or get my money back. I never machine-wash unmended things, that is definitely a no-no, with any type of washer.
If your slacks were older, it is possible that the fabric was worn and thinned out. Sweat and friction compromise fabric strength, which is also not always immediately discernible to the naked eye. Both, synthetic and natural fibers become brittle over time through regular wash and wear. If these trousers were well-worn, they could have ripped whilst you were in a public place. So thank your washer for saving you this embarrassment.
You know, like I said in another response already, I don't know what I do wrong, that stuff like that doesn't happen to me when I do my washing. I would like to share everybody's point of view, but find that it is simply not possible.
P.S.
Read 17750 (and 52 in particular) and then 17775 and tell me that there isn't some kind of contradiction. At leat I can not be accused of being inconsistent, then again, marketing is a fickle business.
***** Post# 17796-5/24/2002-13:00 ||| herr-miele (UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hi Surg
'(long story - will tell if anyone wants to know)' - what a teaser, Ok i@m nosey, I have to know.
Maybe a while before I get back to you, off on hols.
Richtoo
***** Post# 17797-5/24/2002-13:25 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (The Long Story)
MESSAGE: Hey Dave,
Seeming as I'm getting a Zanussi Jetsystem, I want to know about your long story. I don't wanna buy one then find something drastically wrong with it after £350
from surgilator
***** Post# 17798-5/24/2002-13:44 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (G'day Bubs)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
I can bet you any day that a £200 Servis frontloader (the crappest you can get), or even my crappier Hotpoint frontloader can clean better than one of the top of the range Maytags or Whirlpools.
As I have stated before, I have used toploaders and frontloaders before, and frontloaders are just simply better at cleaning. And you say your toploader can wash handwashables, as if you were saying frontloaders can't. Sorry, every frontloader here offers a handwash cycle and you can wash your handwashables rest assured in a frontloader that they won't get ripped apart. I'm not saying that it's ever happened to you, but it will some day. With a frontloader you are guaranteed to have your handwashables washed without damage.
If washers were to be relaunched in the world, like they were first launched with a choice between front and top loaders, I'm sure with all our environmental problems and different fabrics nowadays most people, if not everyone, would choose front loaders. In most cases today, Americans and all the other people who own toploaders probably do so because their mum and grandma used to have one, and its the only type of washer they've ever used.
I must say that toploaders are interesting machines, but their performance just cannot live up to the performance of a modern day frontloader. Maybe 50 years ago people chose toploaders because they washed better, but I admit that frontloaders were really crap back then, and didn't wash as well as tops. But the difference, in my opinion, is the reverse nowadays.
Toploaders also cannot have much cycle flexibility, as all it does for washing is rotate the drum back and forth for washing, and 'speed' up to only about 600rpm for a spin, the same speed the lowest speeds on frontloaders are. Frontloaders, on the other hand, can have more cycle flexibility. The drum can be turned at different speeds and for different amounts of time to give optimum agitation for a wide range of fabrics. Spin cycles are much more efficient as frontloaders allow time to tumble the clothes to balance them around the drum until it speeds up, then the drum goes through a combination of speeds, for example, 600rpm, then up to 800rpm, then up to 1000rpm and so on, rather than just revving up straight to a spin, as toploaders do, allowing the load to be thrown off balance. And, when toploaders go out of balance, what do they have to do? They either cut off, giving you no spin at all, they rattle around the laundry room or they fill the tub up with water again, wasting half of your water tank. A frontloader just slows down, tumbles to redistribute then resume.
"Why do my clothes come out clean?"
Maybe its because you had to go back to the washer 3 times and redo your load again.
from surgilator
***** Post# 17799-5/24/2002-13:44 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (G'day Bubs)
MESSAGE: Bubs,
I can bet you any day that a £200 Servis frontloader (the crappest you can get), or even my crappier Hotpoint frontloader can clean better than one of the top of the range Maytags or Whirlpools.
As I have stated before, I have used toploaders and frontloaders before, and frontloaders are just simply better at cleaning. And you say your toploader can wash handwashables, as if you were saying frontloaders can't. Sorry, every frontloader here offers a handwash cycle and you can wash your handwashables rest assured in a frontloader that they won't get ripped apart. I'm not saying that it's ever happened to you, but it will some day. With a frontloader you are guaranteed to have your handwashables washed without damage.
If washers were to be relaunched in the world, like they were first launched with a choice between front and top loaders, I'm sure with all our environmental problems and different fabrics nowadays most people, if not everyone, would choose front loaders. In most cases today, Americans and all the other people who own toploaders probably do so because their mum and grandma used to have one, and its the only type of washer they've ever used.
I must say that toploaders are interesting machines, but their performance just cannot live up to the performance of a modern day frontloader. Maybe 50 years ago people chose toploaders because they washed better, but I admit that frontloaders were really crap back then, and didn't wash as well as tops. But the difference, in my opinion, is the reverse nowadays.
Toploaders also cannot have much cycle flexibility, as all it does for washing is rotate the drum back and forth for washing, and 'speed' up to only about 600rpm for a spin, the same speed the lowest speeds on frontloaders are. Frontloaders, on the other hand, can have more cycle flexibility. The drum can be turned at different speeds and for different amounts of time to give optimum agitation for a wide range of fabrics. Spin cycles are much more efficient as frontloaders allow time to tumble the clothes to balance them around the drum until it speeds up, then the drum goes through a combination of speeds, for example, 600rpm, then up to 800rpm, then up to 1000rpm and so on, rather than just revving up straight to a spin, as toploaders do, allowing the load to be thrown off balance. And, when toploaders go out of balance, what do they have to do? They either cut off, giving you no spin at all, they rattle around the laundry room or they fill the tub up with water again, wasting half of your water tank. A frontloader just slows down, tumbles to redistribute then resume.
"Why do my clothes come out clean?"
Maybe its because you had to go back to the washer 3 times and redo your load again.
from surgilator
***** Post# 17800-5/24/2002-13:51 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (Zanussi Jetsystem)
MESSAGE: Hey Dave
In the Zanussi brochure, the Jetsystem's are the quietest at 57dB. As 10dB is usually added for spinning, that woul make it about 67dB, which would be a very quiet spinner. An average noise level for wash is 61Db and spin 71dB. Miele's I think are the quietest with washing/spinning at 45/60dB and AEG's 49/69dB.
from surgilator
***** Post# 17801-5/24/2002-19:11 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (enough)
MESSAGE: I've been quiet throughout this entire thing but I'm going to say what I have to say. I don't mean any harm or offense to anyone here.
Some people like front loaders and some people like top loaders. There's no reason to argue or try to convince one another why a certain washer is better. We all like different kinds of washers. So what's the point?
This message board used to be wonderful because all this bickering and hateful remarks started happening. Now it's gone down to the level of being a battlefield. Let's just cool it and start talking about vintage appliances again.
***** Post# 17802-5/24/2002-19:22 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: Another 1977 wash-in
MESSAGE: That's right, Friday night, Pizza, Lady Kenmore and of course, a playlist right out of 1977:
Various Artists - The Sounds of the 70s PT 2 (15minute long megamix of 70s disco)
ABBA - Dancing Queen (Wicked Mix)
Vickie Sue Robinson - Turn The Beat Around
Anita Ward - Ring My Bell (Wicked Mix)
Bee Gees - You should be dancing (Ultimix)
***** Post# 17803-5/24/2002-19:27 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another 1977 wash-in
MESSAGE: also note that the playlist runs 35minutes long, the entire "normal" cycle on a vintage Kenmore.
***** Post# 17804-5/24/2002-19:35 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (enough)
MESSAGE: Well put, Jason. It's usually best to ignore someone when they go into personal attack mode. Not alwasy easy, though.
***** Post# 17805-5/24/2002-19:42 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: Another 1977 wash-in (Bumbs and Whirlpools)
MESSAGE: Jason...what a great playlist! I truely enjoy your videos and your taste in music. When I saw your list it reminded me of another great disco song "Lady Bump" and if my mind serves me correct, there was a follow up called "The Lady Bumps On." And to this music, you would do the "Bump!" My brain fails me a bit on the artist, though I'm thinking Andrea True (of the Andrea True Connection). I'm welcome to debate on that one.
I rather like the late 50s Lounge type music, instrumentals and female vocalists. As I have a small collection of music, should there be anything you're looking for, let me know via e/mail, I might have it and can send you a copy.
Though not pertaining to your post, I do agree with Bob on the Whirlpool. I had one like his, and a Kenmore. Both machines put holes in my clothes and ripped them as well. And that does include a brand new set of expensive knit sheets! Not to mention of a few of my house guests clothes as well. The Whirlpool was sold and currently have a Frigidaire F/L.
***** Post# 17806-5/24/2002-19:53 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Another 1977 wash-in (Bumbs and Whirlpools)
MESSAGE: I've never heard "Lady Bump" before. Andrea True Connection did More More More. A song about making porno films. Another disco classic.
Me too. I had a Whirlpool and I have the torn socks, pants, and towels to prove it :-(. That's why I got the Front loader. It cleans better, spins faster, and doesn't rip clothes.
My little 77 Kenmore is a belt drive model with the slower agitation so it's very gentle. It just lacks in the rinsing/spinning department so I put the clothes in the Frigemore for a final rinse & spin before the dryer.
I don't hate top loaders because I own one, a vintage portable at that. I just like the FL's energy saving (and clothes saving) abilities.
***** Post# 17807-5/24/2002-21:54 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: Another 1977 wash-in (Bumbs and Whirlpools)
MESSAGE: "More, More, More" I pulled out some old vinyl and was listening to that a couple nights ago!
***** Post# 17808-5/24/2002-00:24 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Hmmm.... I beg to differ on this Rich. It's not exposure to the fins that cleans (they are just their to move the clothes up) - it's the clothes hitting the bottom of the drum and forcing water through the clothes. A larger drum means that the clothes fall farther and hit with more force. I believe that this is one reason small European washers (Bosch, Asko, etc.) have a longer wash cycle (20,30, more minutes) than larger American ones (Frigemore, Neptune, HE3t - 10, 15, 20 minutes).
***** Post# 17809-5/24/2002-00:24 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: RE: Another 1977 wash-in (Lady Bumps On)
MESSAGE: Ok, that song "Lady Bump" was "playing in my head," so I dug through my records and couldn't find it. However I did find the artist, Penny Mclean. I have another disco 45 by her, "1-2-3-4...FIRE!" Most of the singers at that time sounded very similar, thus I got her confused with Andrea True. I did find both More, More, More and another one by her, "Party Line."
On a funny note, I also came across another, perhaps more wash related 45, "Portuguese Washerwoman" by Joe "Fingers" Carr. Another one of those 1950s novelty type records!
Around 1996, when I bought a new home in Phoenix, I had wanted a F/L, however they were not yet available in that market, so I got a TOL Amana T/L machine. It did a great job on the clothes. When I moved 3 years ago, I have to leave that machine in Phoenix. I must say I'm very pleased with the Frigidaire F/L. So far, it does a great job on my clothes and treats them very gently too.
***** Post# 17810-5/24/2002-00:28 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Ooops - guess I should have finished reading the thread before replying with my repeat of this.
***** Post# 17811-5/24/2002-00:31 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Bubbles, these slacks were 100% cotton, <8 months old, and done on the gentle cycle. I have a whole "graveyard" of ripped slacks from my washer and DADoES has seen that pile.
***** Post# 17812-5/24/2002-00:34 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: It's hard to even find a low end top loader here at that price (£200 approx = $300).
***** Post# 17813-5/25/2002-02:08 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Well, Ed, that is the conventional wisdom, I suppose, and one that Miele likes to foster. However, when a drum is packed full, the clothes may wind up taking 1/2 the drum volume when wetted down. There really isn't much falling going on then. What is going on is constant immersion and re-immersion in the wash water.
Now, please bear with me, as I am attempting to describe something that is both familiar to engineers and biologists but perhaps not so obvious in a laundry context. As a body or machine gets larger, the forces required to move it get much larger. The relationship is not geometric but (and here is where my math starts to fail me) logarithmic or exponential. Consider, if you will, for a moment, the lowly grasshopper. Or better yet, the industrious ant. We all know how the ant can lift many times its own body weight. Oh, wouldn't it be scary to be confonted by an ant the size of an elephant! (Empire of the Ants, starring Joan Collins). But in reality, there are several reasons why an elephant size ant is not possible. For one, the size of the exoskeleton needed to support such a mass would be huge. Then, there's the matter of how the ant breathes. It has no lungs, rather, it has air passages inside it, the whole ant is sort of a passive lung. While this system works ok for something the size of an ant, it won't work on anything much larger than a rat. Which is why we don't see any cat size insects.
What has this to do with laundry? Well, the laundry mass in a smaller drum is more like the ant. There isn't so far for wash water to travel to hit all the spots in the mass, as there would be in a bigger drum filled with more laundry. Proportionally, each garment has a much better chance of getting more wash water sent through it, as each garment represents a larger proportion of the load. If you think of the load/drum interface as the surface area of the load, then surface area to volume of an 8 lb load in a Miele is greater than that of a 12 lb load in a Neptune. Additionally, each garment has a greater chance at being at that surface, where more of the washing action may be taking place than in the interior of the load.
And that's my opinion as well. I think European front loaders have settled on their small drum size because it has intrinsic advantages in terms of cleaning that a larger drum loses.
Oh, and I think that the shorter cycles in the Neptune, Frigmore, and HE3t are simply because Americans are used to quicker wash cycles. Longer is still better, even in a Neptune. Fortunately I can stretch the wash time from 34 minutes to about an hour in the Neptune, by using the "stain fighter" program selection. The whole cycle takes 90 minutes, but it's worth it to get cleaner whites.
There is of course the advantage that if you have a larger drum machine, but you still wash small drum size loads, then your *might* get even better results in the big drum, provided the wash times, temperatures, etc. are similar. But there will be some additional waste of water and energy in the bigger machine. Well you can't have everything.
***** Post# 17814-5/25/2002-09:04 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: $300 is almost reaching to the bottom of the barrel of washers. That's usually Ropers, the basic Kenmore and GE. I think even Frigidaire is over $300. The Roper is a dependable Rippool and the GE is a non-dependable washer. You may find some Japanese portables at a lower price but I don't know much about those. I haven't seen any here yet.
***** Post# 17815-5/25/2002-09:12 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: The longest cycle on a Frigemore is 55minutes. That's the heavy wash with extra rinse. Of course the Frigemore is a more basic machine than a Nep, but it has a window :-P . If the FM had a heater and a 90min cycle, it would be perfect. And Lord knows, my towels need all the cleaning they need.
That's an interesting concept. Bigger drum: less chance of getting wet. Makes sense. So having a mid to small sized drum is an advantage.
***** Post# 17816-5/25/2002-13:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Jason,
Since you often enjoy the cycle on a Friday night with a pizza, why not interfere with the cycle and set the timer back to the beginning when the main wash is at the end. This way you get an extended main wash. If you do you belong to the real laundry addicts, the dial pushers!
Louis
***** Post# 17817-5/25/2002-18:12 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: I was referring the duration of the main wash portion of the cycle, not the entire cycle.
***** Post# 17818-5/25/2002-18:19 ||| washrfreak (Dallas)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: I respectfully remain unconvinced. In a full load almost all the water in the drum is absorbed by the clothes - there is no immersion and reimmersion going on. It's more of a "squishing" of wet clothes (that's the technical term anyway).
By your theory, European machines should be far better performers as they incorporate both long wash times AND what you believe is a better wash action. I have had both larger American fl machines and smaller European ones - I did not see the difference (the Frigidaire and Westy did better than the Asko), with the exception of high temperature washes that are not possible in American machines (but that would not be comparing only wash actions).
***** Post# 17819-5/25/2002-18:50 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Ed, I do not claim that my "theory" would result in "far better performers" on the part of small drum fl washers vs. large drum loaders. Only that it is a factor.
As far as immersion is concerned, at least in my Neptune, and also every laundromat front loader I've observed, there is at least a couple of inches of water in the bottom of the drum after the load is fully saturated. True, that's not much, but that also bolsters the point: only the outside of the load gets wetted first, and keeps on getting wetted and rewetted. If dabbing at a stain with a paper towel full of club soda can get things clean, then so can the constant rewetting of the outside of a fl load. Of course, what's on the outside constantly changes, and that rate of change is necessarily faster in a smaller load than in a bigger one.
The other point is that the reason for getting a larger fl should not be so much for water/energy savings, but to hold larger items.
Go rent a copy of "Empire of the Ants" to see what I mean.
***** Post# 17820-5/25/2002-19:20 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Yes Luigi, I often restart the 8 minute wwash cycle on my gentle cycle to give it a total of 16 minutes--especially when dealing with whites that end up being done on gentle.
***** Post# 17821-5/25/2002-20:06 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: You guys have both made good points on this discussion. I watched a few loads very closely today in the Kenmore FL. There is definite slapping of the clothes against the walls of the drum. I think most FLs are so quiet when they tumble wash that the only sound you can hear is that slapping of the clothes against the drum. When I watched, the clothes were lifted to about 11 o'clock and then fell, hitting the drum wall at about 4 to 6 o'clock...depending on the size of the load. Slap! - they hit with decent force. The reversing of the tumbling seems to expose all the clothes to the sides of the tub. I put a black t-shirt in with a light load just to watch this...it moved from the center of the load to the outside of the load and back again in one or two reverses. Even watching a XL load of heavy towels, there was slapping on the tub, although not as forceful as with the mixed average-sized load. It was very interesting watching this action so closely after reading your posts and watching for the different things mentioned. I also saw how the clothes were carried through the shallow pool of water in the bottom of the tub, and I'm sure that action coupled with gravity moves soapy water through the fibers. But seeing the clothes forcefully slap the side of the tub makes me think that is where the greater cleaning action takes place. I have a Maytag video on the Neppy and they even add that the "waterfall baffles" shower the clothes. I guess all of these variables come together to produce the cleaning action. My mom had a Westy laundromat when I was growing up and it filled with more water and "rolled" the clothes through the soap and water solution. Today's machines are really a different kind of wash action with the lower water levels. Just my 2-cents worth and observations today while washing.
***** Post# 17822-5/25/2002-22:44 ||| scooter1 (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Television Restoration)
MESSAGE: I read with fascination Unimatics account of a vintage TV restoration. I my youth I attempted a restoration of a General Electric combo tv/radio/record changer that was given to me my an aunt. I made it though the radio, thanks to the Antique Radio parts house in Phoenix, who walked me through most of the tough spots. They have been lifesavers to me any number of times with old Hi-Fi sets and tracking down lost parts to my Telefunkens and Magnavoxes.
A couple of things that have been brought up through the discusssion groups about television peaked my attention and I recalled some information I gathered some years back. Television was ready to go "live" in 1940 in the US, and had limited but regular programming live from NYC. All broadcasting was put to a halt with the advent of the war and the need for the technology elsewhere. However, color television was available, patented and workable as early as 1940, with the Goldstone Mechanical system from CBS. RCA's all electronic system was some years behind. When the war was over and the rush to broadcast was on, congress put a halt to color tv and pushed black and white into production. CBS's mechanical system was not compatible with existing recievers and one of the congressional mandates was that any color system would have to be so. We could have had color televsion from the very beginning had congress chosen to let the market rule.
A second subject drift that I recalled was the quality of picture in the UK vs the US. At the time I was working on televisions I read an article that made a correlation between political systems and the quality of television pictures. I do not know if any of this is true but it was a fun analogy at the time, about 1983 I believe. The article stated that in the US democracy, we had the lowest resolution picture, but we as citizens had the right to control our horizontal and vertical hold, tint, and hue. In the UK, a highly socilist government, the picture quality jumped but alas they were only allowed to control color and hue. The French, a more stricly socialist society, had yet better picture but could only control color. The Russians, with total state control had volume only. The communists had developed a high line of resolution picture but too bad if the picture rolled at 900 or you didn't like the color. Again I dont know if its true but I found it interesting. Thanks for reading to the end!
***** Post# 17823-5/25/2002-23:13 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Rich, I can just see your face glued to the window watching all aspects of the laundry. Very daring to put that dark t-shirt in with those light colors. I couldn't bring myself to do that, even for the sake of science. But, I know you truly enjoyed giving the washer it's extra attention for our sake. So much so, I bet you were slap-happy. Well, with that said, I know you're gonna end up slappin' your BB.
***** Post# 17824-5/25/2002-01:22 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Hmmm. More slapping action, a different kind than the infamous Roto-Flex that "gently slaps your clothes clean."
Gives me another urge to run out and get a Hettie . . . but I just can't.
***** Post# 17825-5/26/2002-04:28 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: I've heard that the Hettie is not so very slap happy. It has more of a rollover action than a slapping action. The Frigemore seems to be better for wash drama.
Louis
***** Post# 17826-5/26/2002-05:39 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: GE dryer on eBay
MESSAGE: And no bids yet.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2026790501
***** Post# 17827-5/26/2002-05:55 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: Pink but expensive
MESSAGE: Maytag washer on eBay.
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2025815422
***** Post# 17828-5/26/2002-06:46 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave
MESSAGE: Well I think the Vision is a truly stunning machine.
I think Hoovers main problem is that different national branches of Hoover have been sold to different people. In Australia we have two Hoovers. Hoover floorcare which handles vacuums obviously and Electrolux ownd the rights to Hoover laundry products.
Is Candy good or bad? I dont expect it to be Miele class but is it truly hideous?
***** Post# 17829-5/26/2002-08:04 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Hi Bob,
If you already have a whole graveyard full of ripped clothes from your washer, why don't you contact Kenmore and have a little chat to them about this? Had my washers ever done this to my clothes, regardless of whether they were new or not, I'd be on to the manufacturer el pronto. Big companies like that don't like adverse publicity, so if you have a genuine grievance about their product, they will probably reimburse you for your inconvenience, especially if you have evidence that supports your claim. If you let them know that you are not going to go away with only an apology for your troubles, you might even get a Kenmore front loader out of them for a heavily discounted price or, perhaps, even for free. I think if your current washer has caused you this much grief, you ought to be reimbursed for your troubles - fair is fair. Don't you have some kind consumer protection group or watch dog that you can contact and get some assistance from? From what I am reading here, you obviously wouldn't have any difficulty to have your complaint corroborated by others to put more weight behind it.
If Whirlpool/Kenmore products are that flawed, they should, by rights be removed from the market until they address and rectify the problem.
I always thought that American consumers were very conscientious about product quality and performance and certainly not backward in coming forward with any grievances? I find it surprising that large companies like Kenmore/Whirlpool can consistently sell (according to what is often said in this forum), what appear to be flawed products.
What is the use in a product that gives improved cleaning results, but consistently damages clothes? The dual action agitator has been available over here for a number of years now, through Maytag and Whirlpool. Both brands are actually rated very highly and there hasn't been any negative feedback from any consumer choice groups in this country and they would normally pounce on big ticket items, like washers, if they provided such consistently poor results, as have been described by you and others.
I sincerely think that you have every right to complain and should really do something about this.
Take care
bubbles
***** Post# 17830-5/26/2002-08:15 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Rip-washers)
MESSAGE: Hi Bubbles.
You have made it perfectly clear that you prefer TL's which is of course your absolute right. But try not to be blinded to the possibility that SOME TL's may have serious problems that render them inferior to at least SOME FL's. The direct drive Whirlpools are notorious for being hard on clothes. A neighbour of mine s few years ago was almost in tears asking me to help her with her machine which ate clothes. She was a woman of very limited finances and had spent really well more than she could afford as she had five kids and needed a big, reliable washer. Had she asked me before purchase I would have probably given her one of my collection of resurrected machines - probably a Hoover TL. She chose a new Whirlpool. All I could suggest was to wash everything on gentle, this also gave a slow spin so she had to finish with a seperate fast spin. She had complained to Whirlpool Aust with no luck, they just said she must be overloading. She wasn't.
Choice mag have in the past down-rated Whirlpool TL's for being harsh on clothes, I can't remember the results of their last test.
Chris.
***** Post# 17831-5/26/2002-08:26 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Goodness Sudsmaster I'm afraid this time I can't agree. Sorry.
For the same load size a larger drum would allow the load to be more loosely distributed, thus allowing the water to penetrate easier. A bigger drum would only be slower to wet up if you put a bigger load in it.
I still own but no longer use a Philips TLFL from France. It is the best machine I have ever owned for getting a load reliably clean with no pre-treatment or fuss, just toss the clothes in and expect them clean at the end. I believe part of its secret was its large drum diameter. As it is so skinny it makes up its 5kg capacity with a large diameter drum. It seems that you could mercilessly overstuff the drum but when wet the clothes would pack down and leave plenty of tumble room. Also the water level inside was quite high - almost up to the axle - but as the drum was so skinny that was only about twelve litres per fill. Unfortunately it hates my inverter so it sits unused in the shed.
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17832-5/26/2002-08:38 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: Electra??
MESSAGE: To the UK laundry lads: What is an Electra??
The recycle centre in Geelong has two deceased FL's - a Bendix washer-dryer (not vintage) which is coming home with me on Tuesday and an Electra fairly basic FL which pretty clearly is a Hotpoint, judging by the plastic outer drum and the way the motor is mounted on top of the drum. Its only apparent fault is a broken door catch. I won't be taking it home but I haven't heard of the brand before, is it just a rebadged Hotpoint or is there more to it than that? It is marked made in UK so I assume it came here with a British immigrant.
Thanks.
Chris.
***** Post# 17833-5/26/2002-08:47 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Television Restoration)
MESSAGE: Hi Scooter1.
There are only three systems in use (apart from digital/HDTV)
The French system, SECAM, is also used in Russia. (and lots of other places). Unfortunately I can't remember the exact words and I don't speak French but I read once that the letters SECAM are an anagram of something in French that translates roughly as "anything as long as it's not American".
Without wishing to offend and with toungue firmly in cheek may I suggest that only an American could call the UK a "highly Socialist Government".
Best Wishes
Chris.
***** Post# 17834-5/26/2002-08:58 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: Old AEG washer
MESSAGE: I have found an old AEG washer on the German Ebay - it looks to me it's at least 30+ old, guessing this as ti doesn't have a front mounted soap drawer.
I have been looking through this German Ebay site today, and they have got washers at really good prices. You can get Miele's for as little as 1 E
***** Post# 17835-5/26/2002-08:58 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Old AEG washer (The Link)
MESSAGE: sorry, forgot the link
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1355538057
***** Post# 17836-5/26/2002-09:02 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: RE: Electra?? (Electra)
MESSAGE: Electra was a brand that was 'exclusively' sold by East Midlands Electricity and Powerhouse. The 800 and 1000rpm washers were rebadged Servis', and the 1200rpm washers were rebadged Hotpoint Aquarius washers, but had Creda's door.
Powerhouse still sell Electra tumble dryers, these again are rebadged Hotpoints. (They are from the previous Hotpoint dryer range, they are the ones that match my current Hotpoint washer).
jon
LINK: http://www.powerhouse-online.co.uk
***** Post# 17837-5/26/2002-09:44 ||| scooter1 (LAS VEGAS, NEVADA)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Television Restoration)
MESSAGE: Thanks for the information, its always appreciated. No offense taken, I'm too politically ignorant to have made that conceptual leap and the connection. I am heading to the library on Tuesday and if I can find the article that I attempted to paraphrase. I will correct myself as well if I can find it.
Thanks so much for sharing your information with me. Have a great one! Happy washing.
Scott
***** Post# 17838-5/26/2002-09:59 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Hello Mr. Bubbles
When Whirlpool/Kenmore switched to direct drive in their top loaders, they began to receive complaints about the rough wash action. Their machines now had a very fast agitation stroke and they also redesigned the inner tub to be longer and narrower. This left clothing more exposed to the agitator and harder to move through the tub. They did come up with a "solution" - their "normal" cycle now had slow agitation with a normal spin. Only the "heavy duty" cycle would offer faster agitation. It was a trade off: wash action was lowered, but not as much damage to clothes. Sure, one can probably wash an item without damage by very loosly-loading a machine and running on delicate, but Americans are "brain-washed" through marketing that these washers hold HUGE loads of clothes. Kenmore: "This washer holds 18 extra large bath towels" or Whirlpool: Woman in her nighty holding a king sized comforter next to her Whirlpool. Now they don't say you can wash that comforter in the machine (only in dreams) but they insinuate so...and they don't give dimensions of the bath towels, probably they are over-sized tea towels. But regardless, the vast majority of American washing machines are Whirlpool/Kenmore top loaders, and folks in the U.S. eat up the b.s. marketing. In my opinion, I think as the agitator machines got larger, it was harder to move the clothes and effect cleaning without also increasing the harshness on clothing. Take for example the vintage Kelvinator machines. One of the gentlest wash actions ever design in a top-loading machine, yet it would not effectively work in a bigger tub. Same thing with Philco's "blades of water" wash action.
***** Post# 17839-5/26/2002-10:41 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Chris,
I agree with you on the Philips being a wonderful machine, I got very good results with it too. I have to differ with you about the water level though. It was a two level machine, the lower water level was maintained in the main wash of the regular cycle and that low level wasn't almost up to the axis. The higher level was, but that level was reached in the prewash and the rinses of the regular cycle except when you when you used the 2kg button, which made the water level go down to the lower one in the prewash and in two rinses. In the delicate cycle only the higher level was possible.
My Philips would take in around 12 litres when empty and 20 litres when fully loaded on the lower level. On the higher level it would take in around 30 litres.
Louis
***** Post# 17840-5/26/2002-10:49 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: Old AEG washer (The Link)
MESSAGE: Yes, this is indeed a 70's washer. It's almost a BOL washer, there were probably a few models with a lower spinspeed.
***** Post# 17841-5/26/2002-11:25 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Vintage Kenmore)
MESSAGE: Belt Drive Kenmore vs Direct Drive Kenmore is about as different as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Belt drive action is a soothing rhythmic action accompanied by the almost musical sound of the motor. There were various wonderful agitators put out by Kenmore. They sure had a whole lot of different ones. Various incarnations of Roto Swirl (my favorite and I think the most common), Roto Flex, Vari Flex, Penta Swirl, Penta Vane, Straight Vane, Dual Action. The main advantage was the slow almost 180' back and forth motion that gently washed clothes and in the standard 12lb tub, the Roto Swirl could roll the clothes fairly decently. Kemores really lacked on spinning and rinsing (even though my dream washer has a 2nd rinse). I consider myself lucky that I even own a belt drive Lady K. It's a portable and it's not my dream machine. It doesn't sound exactly like the big machines but it has the wash action and the famous "grind-click-clunk" while shifting into spin.
The direct drive Kenmore/Whirlpools were nothing at all like their predecesors. I remember when my friend brought the machine over when I first moved in my house. I figured "Cool! A whirlpool! Now I get to hear the sounds of my childhood".. WRONG! First thing I noticed was the tall, thin tub (which was not any large capacity at all). So I filled it with clothes and started it up. The agitation started going... that super fast 90' slapping that we all know. I was thinking "My God, what did they do to these things?". It really was a love/hate relationship. I was grateful that I at least had a washing machine, something I could come home to and enjoy on Friday nights, yet I also couldn't wait to get rid of it because of the harsh agitation. Pants were getting holes, new towels were ripping at the bindings. The rollover was pitiful. The extraction was worse. Towels took at least an hour to dry, eating up lots of 220v. As notorious as the DD Whirlpools for going out of balance. Mine would usually dance in the laundry space on a regular basis. Part of it is because I live in a trailer but the other part is the machine just didn't have a good suspension.
This is the machine that most people in the USA own. Think figure it's a Kenmore and it's the same beautiful machine that mom had so they'll buy it. Before I even knew a club existed for appliance enthusiasts, I was also sold into getting a new Kenmore with the same features as a vintage 800. But I would still be getting the clothes ripping and poor spinning. Trouble is, Ken/Whp is one of the most reliable and easiest to fix washers. The pump, motor, coupler, and trans are right there in front for any one to fix. I'm sure there were business reasons for killing the belt-drive. Cutbacks, cost cutting, make cheaper stuff and sell it for more. Just think how pissed some of those executives and designers must have been when their favorite shirt was torn in one of the new machines.
When I got the Frigemore everything changed like night to day. Clothes came out cleaner IMHO and the spin is twice as fast so towels now take 35-40minutes in the dryer. After the first month, I noticed a drop in my electric and water bill. It's heavier and built better so while it does shake on the plywood floor, it doesn't walk across the floor like the WP did.
In defense of top loaders, I find that washing towels in a belt drive Kenmore makes the very soft. In a front loader, the towels are a little bit rougher. HQOTS pointed that out to me and when I got my Little Lady, I found out it was true. So at least in my house, there's a place for a top loader. Of course that space to be occupied by a 1968-70 Kenmore 800 or Lady K whenever I find it.
***** Post# 17842-5/26/2002-19:04 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Electra??
MESSAGE: Electra is the brand name of the Electricity Board shops across the UK. A lot of the boards have actually sold up their shops, but there are still some. I think the biggest group is Powerhouse (blech), but there are a couple of smaller ones too.
My parents had two Electra washers when I was younger, the first was a rebadged Hoover 800, and the second was called (I think) an Electronic 1100 and was a rebadged Creda (pre Hotpoint). It was a fairly decent machine aside from reliability, and got traded in for an AEG about 9 years ago. More recently they've had Merloni made really low end washers/dryers/dishwashers and GDA (Hotpoint/Creda) low end washers/dryers.
***** Post# 17843-5/26/2002-19:30 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (The Long Story)
MESSAGE: I think it's just bad luck on my part to get dodgy engineers, but here goes:
Bought it May 2000, good machine, quiet, washes well. Vibrates a lot, but part of that's the fact it is on a suspended wooden floor. June 2001- new kitchen, with 12mm ply and ceramic tiles laid on floor - machine still vibrates lots sometimes. August 2001, start noticing water on floor at front of machine after some washes. Call service (store, not Zanussi) who come and can't find anything wrong.
After this I left it about 6 weeks and there was a few other problems. The machine had a dent at the side of one of the holes in the drum (engineer reckoned a coin had done the damage) and had eaten a few things. Was also not rinsing particularly well. Engineer came to visit and ordered new drum, heater and 'tub seal'. Then came back and fitted these and left saying all was fine. Ran the machine through an empty hot wash and all seemed fine... until I put a load of clothes in. When it went into spin there was the most awful thumping noise. We opened the top of the machine (which they hadn't put back on properly) and noticed that one of the pressure switches hadn't been put back properly. This was banging off the top of the drum - phoned service people and had a row with them about it.
This is getting long already, so I'll quickly summarise the rest - another 3 or four visits, a replaced pump (drain not recirculation), front outer tub and door gasket, the machine isn't leaking (small hole in the gasket was to blame!) but still vibrates and doesn't rinse well. P'house claim engineers know all the machines well - hah, one guy said the machine only had one pump for recirculation and draining, the other said it has two. It has also developed an alarming suspension creaking noise when it starts spinning.
Grrr, if it worked well then all would be fine as it's a good machine, but I am trying to get them to replace it with a newer one or something else. When Bosch introduced the new range I was very very tempted to go and buy an old model 245S which I saw on sale cheap and sell mine off. I didn't though, but we'll have to see what happens. If/when I get a new one I want to make sure I get one with extra rinse options, and adjustable temperature - that's the two things I really wish it had.
That was long, sorry...
Dave
***** Post# 17844-5/26/2002-19:42 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (reliability)
MESSAGE: The Vision certainly looks interesting - and I am quite looking forward to seeing one.
Candy is actually surprisingly good for reliability, the latest Which report on washers has them all as follows:
"Washing machines
Overall, 19 per cent of machines up to six years old have needed to be repaired at some point. But, brand by brand, there are big differences. The least reliable brands - Hoover, Philips and Ariston/Colston - have poor ratings, with around a third needing repairs. Contrast this with the ratings for the better machines - Miele, Candy, Bosch and AEG - and it's clear that the manufacturers at the bottom of the table need to make improvements."
Didn't intend for this to get this long, but I had to copy it all in, 'cause I can't link to the image on the Which? site.
Dave
***** Post# 17845-5/26/2002-20:32 ||| jgp57 (dearborn michigan)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (enough)
MESSAGE: thank you. the right thing to say.
***** Post# 17846-5/26/2002-21:10 ||| tlee618 (Danville, Illinois)
SUBJECT: A Happy Holiday to one and All!
MESSAGE: I would like to wish everyone in Applianceville a very Happy Memorial Day. Terry
***** Post# 17847-5/26/2002-21:40 ||| gizmo (Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Hi Louis.
I think your Philips and mine are slightly different. Mine only has one water level I think, but I may be wrong. It definitely doesn't have a 2kg load switch - the only controls are spin speed, water temp, economy switch (which lengthens wash time)and the timer. It fills well up towards the axle - not right up to it, maybe one third of the height of the drum, but substantially more than a conventional front loader, which has just enough to wet the clothes plus a little puddle at the bottom. My guesstimate of twelve litres is pretty rough - I pumped it out once into a twenty litre plastic drum, and from looking at that I would guess it to be twelve to maybe sixteen litres at most. My point really was just that with the skinny, large diameter drum the same amount of water in litres comes higher up the drum. You can hear from all the sloshing inside it has a really strong wash action.
***** Post# 17848-5/26/2002-22:12 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Rip-washers)
MESSAGE: Thats ia for sure Chris.
We have a direct drive Whirlpool and we have never had so much lint on clothing. And never a torn pair of slacks but lots of little holes in things like undies. Mum never fills it to the top which helps somewhat but on the low water level it really thrashes away.
However when it washes on the full water level the DA agitator looks really gentle as it rolls clothes around, where as machines like Hoover splash a lot. Oh the rinsing is not that good either. WHy there is no spray rinse before the deep rinse, where it would do some good, but one AFTER the deep rinse where it does less good is completely beyond me.
Maybe this is why Whirlpool is selling more FL's.
***** Post# 17849-5/26/2002-22:22 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: I tried to see how many towels I could get into our Whirlpool and i could et 10 max. I wuldnt think of switching it on unless I took 2 out. For all that drum size the top water level only goes up to the third row of holes, not all the way to the top.
***** Post# 17850-5/26/2002-22:33 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (reliability)
MESSAGE: Well that is a surprise. From what I heard I though Candy was really really bad.
Its such a shame the New Wave wasnt that good a machine. You would think after all that effort they should og got it right. Maybe they should of appliaed the new manufacturing principles to the old machine regardless of how old the design was.
Bendix Australia is now selling Candy kitchen appliances but the washing machines are still made by Philco
LINK: www.bendixaust.com.au
***** Post# 17851-5/26/2002-23:08 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: I could get a really large load in my KitchenAid, but I never actually counted how many bath towels. I say the same thing on the water level -- there's room for a good 2 inches more, maybe 3. When I loaded it all the way up, I always cheated and added more water.
***** Post# 17852-5/26/2002-23:15 ||| golittlesport (California)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: That was always a pet peeve of mine with Whirlpool/Kenmore top-load machines. I even called for service after I had a Kenmore with DA agitator installed. The guy said that is as high as it is supposed to fill. I told him "but a third of the agitator is out of the water, what is all that extra tub for??" Of course he had no answer. People open the lid in the store and see a big tub and big agitator and think it will hold those 18 towels that advertsing says it will hold. But in reality the capacity is no where near what the optical illusion would have one think.
***** Post# 17853-5/26/2002-23:20 ||| DADoES (El Campo, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: It's marketing. The agitator-mounted softener dispenser is arranged to be above the water level, and they have to do *something* with the extra height of the "clothes mover" (as KitchenAid calls it), so they run the spiral all the way up to the top.
I recall some Kenmore models (mostly upper-line models with a timed softener dispenser) that didn't have so tall of an agitator, and it looked kinda squatty sitting down in the basket.
***** Post# 17854-5/26/2002-23:37 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Rip-washers)
MESSAGE: Chris, thanks for affirming me and reinforcing my statements & experience. See, I'm NOT crazy. I do 85-90% of my laundry on the gentle cycle jsut for this reason. Newer Kenmore models offer a gentle agitation & fast spin speed cmobo on the speed switch for "regular" fabrics. Years ago, that speed cmobination for those types of fabrics would have been regular/fast. So, what does THAT tell ya. And Whirlpools have a stepped down wash system, septs to gentle from fast at the 6 minute mark on the timer when it starts with fast agitation. Bob
***** Post# 17855-5/26/2002-00:24 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Gizmo,
Yes, but if you read my message carefully you'll see that I am not comparing equal loads. Of course the same size load in a big drum will wash better than the same load in a little drum. I'm talking about full drums in both machines, which means that the load in the bigger drum will be bigger than the load in the little drum.
***** Post# 17856-5/26/2002-01:15 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Rip-washers)
MESSAGE: I would say all but the coin operated machines my landlord owns. No step down, no spray rinse after the wash cycle. The knit cycle is the same as the heavy duty cycle. They did a lousy job at washing too. If I only had my 6 year old Kenmore portable back! It had a step down wash system, was very easy on cloths and did a great job. Even for a direct drive! It is unfortunate that they replaced that version with one that has a straight-vane agitator, and a housing made of plastic with a price tag of over $500.00. I was very disappointed when I went to Sears to view that model.
I got me a wringer now, and it washes very well. Of course, the rinse cycle depends on the operator! As for extraction? Well, it's very obvious why they had cloths lines back in days of this type of machine. Still, I would glady keep my old wringer and just let Kenmore sell their poorly designed new portable to somebody else. Unless, of course, I get my trusty old Kenmore with dual action back...
***** Post# 17857-5/26/2002-01:26 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE dryer on eBay
MESSAGE: That is a very Royal clothes dryer indeed, Your Majesty!
Does anyone know how old that model is?
***** Post# 17858-5/26/2002-01:27 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: Your Majesty, having seen both machines in action this past winter and for a number of reasons, my personal preference is definitely the Frigmore.
QEOM
***** Post# 17859-5/27/2002-05:29 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi Scott.
How did your move go? I take it you moved from Mineaopolis to Arizona right?
***** Post# 17860-5/27/2002-05:53 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Funny but in the simpsons I grew up with they all had fabric softener dispensers in the top of the agitator post and the water level came right to the top of those machines. So why they are so high up on whirlpools I have no idea.
Golittlesport.
The instruction book tells you that is the water level is not up to the top of the agitator that is is designed that way and not a machine fault. Obviously you are not the only one who has asked that question.
***** Post# 17861-5/27/2002-11:49 ||| Ironrite (Las Vegas NV)
SUBJECT: I've Seen it All!!
MESSAGE: Ok, here's one for the "Great Debate." Which is going to go better in our cars? A F/L or a T/L?
I took a few moments this morning to look at my Sunday paper. In the USA Weekend magazine section they show a picture of a joint project with Ford and Maytag. "A mini-washer/dryer is built into the rear cargo section of Windstar Solutions, a Ford-Maytag concept vehicle. (note, a Windstar is a minivan)
Judging by the picture size it would appear to be a F/L machine, perhaps holding a soccer uniform or two. The article talks about all the electronic gadgets that are now being added to cars to help us with our busy lives.
***** Post# 17862-5/27/2002-13:13 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (reliability)
MESSAGE: I'd thought Candy were worse than that as well, so was pleasantly surprised when I read it, especially as they are comparatively cheap over here.
The machines in the range before the New Wave were reasonably good. I had one in a flat I lived in for a while and it was a good machine, just noisy. Do you think you're going to get Candy washers over there, perhaps even a Candy badged Vision?
How much do washers (FL or TL) generally cost in Aus?
***** Post# 17863-5/27/2002-13:17 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: My Gran had an old Philips TL machine, which also had a very deep drum (well I remember it that way, but I was about 10 when the machine was replaced). I don't think it filled up to the axis except during some of the rinses, but it did fill higher than newer machines do. It had a strong wash action, and was also one of their machines that started spinning whilst still full of water.
I think hers was entirely different machine, it only had controls to open the door, rinse hold, program selection and cycle selection.
Dave
***** Post# 17864-5/27/2002-13:38 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Hello Dave,
I think your Gran had the Philips CC1000. It was one of the first washers that spun with 1000rpm. The CC1000 was 45cm wide I think, the later Philips washers were onlyh 40cm. Unlike all the other Philips washers the CC1000 had two large controls on top of the same size. Later Philips washers had only one big control (the timer). Unfortunately I have never seen a vintage CC1000, it would be great finding one.
Louis
***** Post# 17865-5/27/2002-13:44 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: It sounds like it was a CC1000, blue and silver control panel. I'm sure I probably have some pictures somewhere, but I don't know where they'll be.
I don't know if it ever got displayed, but the Science Museum in London took it, along with an ironing machine and a 50's or 60's Electrolux fridge. My gran was a fan of letting things be useful if they could be :)
***** Post# 17866-5/27/2002-14:43 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (big drums vs small drums)
MESSAGE: Dave,
You would make me very happy if you could post the pictures, it sounds indeed like the CC1000. Your Gran did an excellent choice when she bought this machine.
Louis
***** Post# 17867-5/27/2002-19:44 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: I've Seen it All!!
MESSAGE: Michael, this concept vehicle has been around for almost a year now. Yes, even the combo is concept, maybe one-of-a-kind. And yes, your perception is right, capacity for a soccer uniform or two or a few t-shirts to process while going from one activity to another in the evening with a busy family. Of note, Maytag decided to put a window on that product (HINT HINT MAYTAG).
***** Post# 17868-5/27/2002-21:11 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: And the same is true of the last models of the GE old design machines as well as the new design plastic GE's. The water level on both machines never even reached the top row of holes in the tub and left a good couple of inches of the agitator fins or whatever they are called showing. I too had service calls on this and for each of those two machines, the technician refused to adjust the water level regulator - he told me that was as high as it should be. To me that significantly reduced the tub capacity so I just added more water........
***** Post# 17869-5/27/2002-21:23 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hiya Dave,
You've probably been wondering why I haven't got back to you on this one; I've been on holiday in Scotland for the past two weeks, and only arrived back home today. Unfortunately, I couldn't take my laptop with me, considering the space restraints of my pal's campervan - otherwise I would have done! LOL
To answer your question, the current Zanussi models are very quiet. My parents have an FJS1225, in a utility room with a tiled floor and walls, and even then the motor noise is barely audible during wash. The loudest noise is that of the clothes sloshing around inside the drum. Of course, the spin cycle is slightly louder, but not what I would call "noisy". The new models due out shortly should be even quieter still, as they will have DC motors.
As for rinsing, I'd rate it as pretty good. But you really do have to be stingy with the detergent, and use a bit of trial and error until you find the right amount. Measure the powder as normal, then tip a third of it back into the carton - generally that's about right. If you use too much, the water recirculation will really kick up the suds, which will then be a real bear to get rid of.
Out of interest, what's been happening with your current Zanussi? I can't remember the last time I came across a dodgy one, they seem to be really reliable.
***** Post# 17870-5/27/2002-21:38 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (enough)
MESSAGE: Agreed - we all know the ins-and-outs of front loaders vs. top loaders, a subject which has been done to death already on forums such as THS. No offence to the THS regulars, by the way, just saying that it's something you could debate until the cows come home, and people would still have differing opinions regardless.
My opinion, taken from personal experience, is that either type can do a fantastic job, providing you use it right. All that matters is that it does what you need it to do, and you enjoy using it. If those two criteria are met, then your personal choice of washer is more than justified.
***** Post# 17871-5/27/2002-22:07 ||| kirk280980 (Lincoln UK)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest (The Long Story)
MESSAGE: Geez, you really have had bad luck with that machine. Of course, it doesn't help when service engineers can't tell their backsides from their elbows, and don't even reassemble the machine properly after "repairing" it.
I presume you have an extended warranty contract through Powerhouse? If so, read the small print; some warranties pledge to replace a product if the original problem is not sorted out within a certain time frame. However, most stores don't automatically offer this, and will only do it when the customer specifically points it out - they rely on you not to notice, which means they can keep fobbing you off!
Personally, I'd contact head office and insist that they arrange for a Zanussi Service Force engineer to make a visit. They'll know more about the machine than any retailer's service department ever will, and if it can't be repaired, they will basically "write off" the appliance. In which case, you ask for a copy of the service report, which you can show the retailer to prove your point.
Let us know how you get on, by the way. It can be a real headache when a retailer digs their heels in and won't budge on a matter like this.
***** Post# 17872-5/27/2002-22:48 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: I've Seen it All!!
MESSAGE: Hah!
Well it was an old frugal trick to put a lidded bucket full of clothes and soapy water in the trunk, then drive around town for a while. The vibration and movement would give a very effective but gentle wash action, not to mention a long wash cycle. Of course there was no rinse and no spin cycle. And I'm wondering where the heck they think they are going to stow 15+ gallons of water for a proper wash cycle.
***** Post# 17873-5/27/2002-23:42 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Just think about all the people that Mr Coffee talkes about. Those too busy to pay attention to the simple process of laundry, and think off all those crammed in loads washing in relatively low water levels and in cold water in the winter and no wonder people get poor washing results!
***** Post# 17874-5/27/2002-23:47 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (reliability)
MESSAGE: I would so love to see a Vision sold in Aus. Hoover washer and dryers are owned by Electrolux in Aus however. Hoover had been selling a Beko manufactured front loader here for some years and now its been discontinued, probably in favour of the Simpson and Westinghouse FL's which are made by Gorenje and LG respectively.
For around the $800 - $1000 mark you can buy Whirlpool or Simpson or LG FL's. $1300 will buy you a Bendix or Ariston and $1500 + for Bosch, Asko, AEG and Mieles.
FL's gained a much bigger share over the 90's thanx mainly to well priced machines like the Whirlpools where as before they were always costly TOL models.
***** Post# 17875-5/27/2002-00:04 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (price comparison)
MESSAGE: Hoover and Simpson TL's are about $500 - $600 and the 7KG models are about $700 - 800. Fisher and Paykels and Whirlpools are always about $800 - 900. Then there are LG's and Samsungs which are pretty competitive price wise with the 3 big brands, F&P, Simpson and Hoover. Then you have your Maytags that are over $1000. The TOL Atlantis is $2000.
I think it is about 30 pence to an Aus dollar.
How do prices compare?
LINK: www.retravision.com.au
***** Post# 17876-5/27/2002-00:43 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (Hi Scott)
MESSAGE: Hi arrrooohhh! No, I am staying in Minneapolis for the time being. It's funny sometimes how forces greater than us know best...based on this experience I don't know how well I would do with a long distance move; I think it would be better if I do decide to do it to wait until I have the funds to do it right (none of this do it yourself c&!p). We did have movers for the furniture and they were great, but I've been very busy shifting boxed goods and cleaning my old apartment (this is a lot of work even for a good housekeeper like me; I hate to think what it would be like if I didn't keep on top of things as well as I do in a normal situation.
For the next two weeks we will have some unfinished remodeling (although the worst of that, our incomplete kitchen, should be done tomorrow). Hence things are kind of hanging in suspense since we can't really unpack much right now. It's a great place though and I think in a couple weeks or so things will be grand, but it has been an exhausting weekend and I am ready to go back to work! :-P
***** Post# 17877-5/27/2002-00:47 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: My 1995 Sears machine did not underfill as your describing (the agitator was completely immersed on "hi" save for the cap and just a hair of the top part of the spiral), but if you held the knob at "reset" it would stop and the water would start running again.
***** Post# 17878-5/27/2002-01:18 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: My First Television Restoration (Television Restoration)
MESSAGE: Hi Gizmo,
Very funny! Now tell me, are we actually dumping PAL for that new digital tv thing that's gonna take over Australia in a few years?
BTW, I'm off washing machines for the time being, I am gonna try my luck with televisions now, so I am not going to respond to that other post of yours.
Bubbles
***** Post# 17879-5/27/2002-01:36 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: I've Seen it All!! (Hi Sudsmaster)
MESSAGE: Maybe they have some way of dry-storing the water (to reduce its volume and weight) and reconstituting it on a need basis? I am also wondering where they will stash the recycling facilities to take the pollutants out of the water aftr a cycle and if this water will be re-usable for further washes. They could always include one of those ionizers (or whatever they are called)so no soap and the water will be expelled from the car like exhaust. Actually, I reckon if you chuck a couple of those medicinal chinese music balls into the washer you'll probably get a really good and melodic wash with lots of chi and the musical vibrations and extra pounding would eliminate the need for soap!! I think I've just stumbled upon another late-night marketing idea for the shopping channel.
***** Post# 17880-5/28/2002-06:11 ||| appnut (Temple, TX)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits (That is no god Bob,)
MESSAGE: Well, I think I see a new qualifyer that needs to be added to the term laundry fanatic (or whatever). Not only "dial pusher" but also "high water level enhancer" or "water adder" or "water level adjuster".
***** Post# 17881-5/28/2002-07:39 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: Hoover New Wave (price comparison)
MESSAGE: Well the cheapest FL on that website converts to ~£307, whereas the cheapest Whirlpool I've found on qed-uk.com comes in at £226 (~AU$588). The cheapest FL on QED is a BOL Servis at £187.78 (~AU$489).
So, like the US market, we're a bit cheaper for FL machines but more expensive for TL machines.
The link is for the currency converter.
Dave
LINK: http://www.xe.net/ucc/
***** Post# 17882-5/28/2002-07:49 ||| daveuk (Livingston)
SUBJECT: RE: An update on my new washer quest
MESSAGE: Hey Kirk
How was your holiday? Did you enjoy all the lovely wet weather we've been having up here recently? Hehehe, I guess you probably got a few nice days though...
One of the reasons we bought the Zanussi was their reliability ratings, and the fact my bf's mother has one that's had fairly heavy use over the last 11.5 years without it ever going wrong. Bizarrely hers is also a lot quieter than mine, or practically any other washing machine I've seen except the high end Bosch/AEG ones.
Interestingly I've been told by one of the engineers and a couple of stores that I've spoken to that the FJSxx97 range have been the least reliable of recent Zanussis. Don't know how true that is though.
***** Post# 17883-5/28/2002-08:09 ||| PeterH770 (Atlanta, GA)
SUBJECT: RE: GE dryer on eBay (early 50's model)
MESSAGE: This is the lower end model to the one I have and to the one that John was selling up in DC. I beleive Robert dated my dryer as a 1952-1953 model...
-ph
***** Post# 17884-5/28/2002-09:52 ||| Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: Can't Even Give It Away
MESSAGE: Here is an interesting auction:
"I bought it new four years ago, it leaks water, spin cycle quit working and when I tried moving it I broke the little plastic brackets that hold the control panel on."
Funny when I move my Unimatics I have yet to break off the control panel. I guess I better be careful...
LINK: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2027512266
***** Post# 17885-5/28/2002-10:55 ||| peteski50 (New York)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Maybe we can try to make it go Up and Down
Lol Lol
***** Post# 17886-5/28/2002-11:43 ||| surgilator (North Hykeham, UK)
SUBJECT: New Zanussi range at HED
MESSAGE: Hey all, especially Kirk
HED have got the new Zanussi range in now, I am impressed with them. I like the new Aquacycle models with the electronic dial rather than pushbuttons. I also like the new Jetsystems, I see the old Aquacycle XC models have had the Jetsystem added and been incorporated into the Jetsystem range. I may wait now for a while before I buy. Zanussi also have a new condenser dryer lineup, and have, at last, styled the previous window dryer line to match the Aquacycle ZQ washers.
The new washer ranges are now F, FS, FJ, FJD, and IZ, previously they were FLA, FLE, FJS and IZ.
from surgilator
LINK: http://www.hed.co.uk/listitems.asp?CAT=54&Mode=1&BRANDNAME=ZANUSSI
***** Post# 17887-5/28/2002-12:07 ||| jasonl (New Orleans, LA)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Yeah, UP into a pickup truck, and DOWN to the dump
***** Post# 17888-5/28/2002-13:29 ||| foraloysius (Groningen, The Netherlands)
SUBJECT: RE: New Zanussi range at HED
MESSAGE: Kirk,
Thank you for the link, quite interesting to have a peek at the new Zanussi dryers. A pity though they don't match with the washers completely, I would have liked a few pushbutton models.
Louis
***** Post# 17889-5/28/2002-13:43 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Oh, I know I know! We can stick an Aeroteck K sized solid fuel rocket motor under the agitator, and use the rest as a launch pad. It WILL go UP! And then it will go DOWN! Way, way DOWN!
***** Post# 17890-5/28/2002-16:01 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: GE dryer on eBay (early 50's model)
MESSAGE: Thanks Peter, I was kind of thinking it was between the original ones with the controls on front like Robert has and the style of when the Filter Flo came out in the mid 50s.
***** Post# 17891-5/28/2002-16:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: How about down into the crusher! They're always so anxious to crush good stuff, maybe they should concentrate on getting some of this crap off the world's hands and recycled into something better!
***** Post# 17892-5/28/2002-16:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: That's the idea Jason! :-)
***** Post# 17893-5/28/2002-16:03 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Mr. Coffee, do you live in Minneapolis?
***** Post# 17894-5/28/2002-16:17 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away
MESSAGE: Now, now, Robert. That break away control panel on newer Frigidaire top load washers is a safety feature. Due to the extremely high spin speed of this washer (what, 450 rpm?) and the lack of an effective suspension system, if it encounters an severe load imbalance situation, it will wobble until it falls over and breaks off its control panel on the nearest solid object. After that the washer will shut down more or less permanently and will no longer be a threat to future laundry loads.
Please do NOT disable this safety feature by replacing the cheap plastic "hinges" with metal ones.
;-)
***** Post# 17895-5/28/2002-16:22 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away
MESSAGE: Oh, I forgot to add: The tendency of this washer to wobble and topple over during imbalanced spins is due to its lightweight construction, characterized by extremely thin sheet metal and wafer-thin imported circuit boards with undersized 1/4 watt resistors.
;-)
***** Post# 17896-5/28/2002-16:24 ||| Sudsmaster (San Leandro, CA)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: I'm afraid there's not much to be gained by crushing this washer. There's barely enough metal in it to create a rain gutter downspout. Well, on second thought, maybe that's still an improvement.
***** Post# 17897-5/28/2002-16:30 ||| chaskelljr2 (Washington, D. C.)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away
MESSAGE: Hello Unimatic:
It goes to show just how bad off the appliance industry has become. All I can do it shake my head in disgust.
As much as I complain privately about how cheaply made my 1990 Kenmore is made up, at least it doesn't fall apart when I try to move it, so I guess all cheap appliances don't fall apart when you try to move them. I guess that depends on WHICH cheap appliance, eh????
And now, as for that Frigidaire that you shown us on "E-Bay"??? Let me see here???? The damn thing doesn't spin...... it doesn't hold water...... and the control panel broke off when the owner has tried to move it........ Hmmmmmmmm........... you know what, if I was that owner, I wouldn't even be bothered by that POS (and you know what "POS" stands for, don't you)????
It seems like a good candidate for the city dump....... don't you think???? And then let the city put that thing out of its misery and then crush it to death. That's what I think. Don't you??
--Charles--
***** Post# 17898-5/28/2002-17:03 ||| MrCoffee (Minnesota)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Yup, in fact I live in Farmington, Scott. Maybe we should call Mr Rocketman and see what he can set up for us on that washing machine/missile silo and agitator/rocket... It'd be WAY cool!
***** Post# 17899-5/28/2002-18:58 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away
MESSAGE: I saw that yesterday and it gave me a great chuckle!!!!
***** Post# 17900-5/28/2002-19:00 ||| angus (Fairfield, CT.)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: The funny thing is that no one in ANY appliance store in my area will recommend a Frigidaire toploader, so how do people end up with them????? In fact several of the local dealers have stopped carrying Frigidaire laundry altogether - with the exception of the front loader of course............
***** Post# 17901-5/28/2002-23:38 ||| gansky1 (Omaha, NE)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: They end up with them because they trot off to the local Best Buy or Circuit City (or what have you) with their week's paycheck in their pocket and decide that $498 is a great plenty to spend on a washer AND dryer set. They get it home, continually overload it and then when their drinking buddies come to help them move.......I'm sure you get the picture.
The couple that I bought the Asko set from had used them for a couple of weeks and she decided that she liked her BOL Frigidaire top-load washer much better, so they sold the Askos to me. Now the Asko wasn't my favorite washer, but far and away better than some plastic, oversized Barbie washer from today's Frigidaire!
***** Post# 17902-5/28/2002-00:02 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: I think that sounds like a great idea! It was far more fun though back when the Frigidaire agitators *looked* like a space rocket, instead of us wanting to blow them away!
***** Post# 17903-5/28/2002-00:10 ||| scott55405 (Minneapolis)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: Amen! LOL
***** Post# 17904-5/28/2002-01:04 ||| arrrooohhh (Sydney Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: Can't Even Give It Away (Can't give it away!!)
MESSAGE: How can anyone like that BOL machine better than a lovely Asko. They would of paid some money for that set too!
BTW what photo album were your Asko photos in Gansky? I looked in the links section and couldnt find it in any of your albums.
***** Post# 17905-5/29/2002-07:15 ||| Mr-Bubbles (Australia)
SUBJECT: RE: American Laundry Habits
MESSAGE: That is an interesting point Jason. Although, I would have thought that, if a small drum is filled to capacity and clothes do not actually tumble about as freely as they would in a Neptune, there may be a greater chance of not getting full saturation, particularly during a shorter wash cycle. What Sudsmaster is saying about washing in European machines is right. Clothes don't have a lot of room to move inside the smaller drums of Euro washers and with the reduction of their water fills nowadays, a full load would not see clothes as deeply immersed as they used to be. In days past, the water line in most FL Euro washers came half-way up the window and one could observe some serious splashing and suds action. Now there is only the slightes hint that there is water inside the machine. A Miele, Bosch or ASKO, packed to full capacity, would need longer to saturate its load, I would have thought. I think this is also why there now is such a thing as a spin wash, to make sure that wash loads are wetted down quickly and completely with the least amount of water possible.
I thought the main feature of the Neptune wash is achieved by its, special-design, paddles (baffles) that scoop up the water and shower the clothes from above, in addition to the immersion that takes place when the load turns over. It seems to me that inside the Neptune, clothes tumble about more freely (and drop into a larger pool of water), which would mean that individual articles probably circulate from the center of the load to the outside, with greater frequency than in European machines. IMHO, Sudsie's scientific explanation should read (>water + >space + >circulation = > saturation in