Thread Number: 21749
I've Just Been Thinking
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Post# 342189   4/14/2009 at 00:57 (5,462 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

These New Modern Washng Machines And Dryers Are Cool And All, But I Really Think That They Should Start Making Retr Style Again. I Mean The Old Kenmores With A Water-Fall Style Lint Filter, And The Frigidaire Unimatics, And G.E. With The Filter-Flo. I Personally Think That The Older Washers Wash Better. I Dont Know. Maybe I Am Just Old Fashion.

Well That Is What Has Been On My Mind

I Would Like To Read Your Inputs

Thanks Much
Chance





Post# 342281 , Reply# 1   4/14/2009 at 14:28 (5,462 days old) by bugsyjones ()        
I feel ya!

I feel that way about most modern products/appliances, etc.

For example:

I have a few old vacuums. Kirby's and what not. They work great...

I decided to buy a brand new Hoover bagless upright recently. The latch to close the bottom of the dirt cup was broken! Right out of the box! Brand new!

Needless to say, I opted for a refund. I'll stick to my old vacuums.

Another example are our Kitchen appliances.

When we bought it, it came with all brand new GE appliances. That was three years ago. Now we only have one remaining GE appliance. The refrigerator. The microwave touch pad messed up, the gas range had a oven thermostat problem, and the dishwasher quit working all together.


Post# 342287 , Reply# 2   4/14/2009 at 14:49 (5,462 days old) by beadsobleach ()        
Lint Filters

Why did they stop putting lint filters on washers? it couldn't have been that much extra?

Post# 342311 , Reply# 3   4/14/2009 at 17:01 (5,461 days old) by vintagesearch ()        
lint filters

I often wondered where the hell the filters went?! i mean our older whirlpool had the filter on the bottom of the agitator we would take it out and clean it that washer never had linting problems i never minded cleaning a filter unlike some people i mean dryers still have manual filters to clean out so they could have left washers that way!!!

Post# 342316 , Reply# 4   4/14/2009 at 17:27 (5,461 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Having seen...

ronhic's profile picture
....some truly revolting lint filters on washers, I can understand why manufacturers have looked for other ways to remove lint....

I think the worst that I have used was a Simpson with the filter in bottom of the agitator. We had rented a holiday house at the coast and needed to use the machine....The filter was so full of solidified lint you nearly had to get a chisel to get it out. So I left it out and ran the beach towels through on gentle to reduce the chance of linting and then respun on the normal cycle....

People forget to check these things when they are buried away. When filters sat on top of agitators or were clipped into the recycled water flow, people generally remembered to check them. With them buried at the bottom of an agitator under the softener cup, people don't even think to look. All they are interested in is getting the dirty clothes/linen in and clean out....

...and the lint in a dryer is just that - dry....not exactly objectionable to handle though some still don't do it very well either....

On the other hand, we're a bit exceptional....I can't imagine that any of us on here don't check and clean the filters on our machines....


Post# 342317 , Reply# 5   4/14/2009 at 17:27 (5,461 days old) by joelippard (Hickory)        
The new stuff

joelippard's profile picture
is nothing but a bunch of junk in my opinion. Certainly it would cost more than what the price is of the current model to build washers of the quality they were 35-50 years ago but if they would last longer than 3-5 years I'd be willing to bet most people would make the investment to avoid the aggrivation.

I have decided that I will aquire older appliances as I have the funds to do so and I will repair them as long as parts can be purchased or begged.

I've been hoping that these slower economic times would cause companies to beef up their quality vs cost ratio.

As for lint filters, some makes have the self-cleaning filter. I don't put a great deal of stock into that, I'm sure they filter some stuff out but I want to see it! I'm amazed at what the 1-18 catches, and filter flo's are great as well. Also to be noted is a good float over rinse like many of the solid tub machines had.


Post# 342328 , Reply# 6   4/14/2009 at 18:26 (5,461 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

You All Make Valid Points

And In My Opinion Not Just The Function But The Design Was Better As Well


Post# 342396 , Reply# 7   4/14/2009 at 23:16 (5,461 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        

I love my Frigidaire front loader, and so far I haven't had a single problem with it. I have had no problems with odors. I think my biggest complaint about it is the cycle seem sooooo long. I do find them rather boring to watch and they have no character, which is why I'm getting top loader again. In my opinion vintage machines rock!

Post# 342404 , Reply# 8   4/14/2009 at 23:52 (5,461 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

It's very true that today's front loaders and HE machines don't have any character. The YouTube videos a couple years ago of a Kenmore Oasis were a little sick, I thought. It would be a little easier for me to keep my stomach with the lid closed on one of them things, as per the thought of a load of dirty socks literally coming to life, and that wierd sound. They're great for a collector who just wants something that's a little out of the ordinary, though. But they're just not for me.

The front loaders may look pretty with their colored paint, but that's about all they have to offer in my opinion. Set one down in a humid basement, and that pretty finish won't last long. They may be effective at removing set stains, but I don't see them as being that good at flusing out dirt and sand. A load of dirty janitor mops might break an HE front loader, and I was even cautioned against using a 50 pound Milnor for that type of load. But I would never have a problem assigning my top loader for that task. HE front loaders seem to be marketed to people with money, and large investments in expensive clothing that they don't want to get dirty.

If anybody wonders about what a front loader has to offer, here's a photo of my 2.1 cubic footer chewing through a couple queen-sized blankets.

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 342405 , Reply# 9   4/14/2009 at 23:54 (5,461 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        
And another money shot...

To demonstrate the rollover!

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 344376 , Reply# 10   4/23/2009 at 17:57 (5,452 days old) by yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
yeah filter flos are great to watch...i prefer the kenmores that threw the water out to the agitator from the front corner...ge's were nice lint catchers but you couldn't see the clothes for the filter pan...but the best part was you could see how dirty the water was getting....or for added fun add some bluing like LaFrance just ot see the color change...

Post# 344400 , Reply# 11   4/23/2009 at 20:14 (5,452 days old) by norfolksouthern ()        

If anybody wonders about what a front loader has to offer, here's a photo of my 2.1 cubic footer chewing through a couple queen-sized blankets.

Correction: I meant "top loader". Not front. The 2.1 cubic footer in the photos is one of a Whirlpool world washer. I would also like to note that this machine may not be as repairable as an older direct drive portable. And for that reason, I may retire it soon except for occasional use. Of course, this will put me in the market for another machine as a "daily driver", perhaps either a belt-drive Whirlpool or maybe even a shredmore. Yes, a shredmore; because they are cheap, reliable, easy to fix, and parts are readily available.

NorfolkSouthern


Post# 344459 , Reply# 12   4/23/2009 at 23:55 (5,452 days old) by spinmon (st. charles mo )        
shame on new

Our Kenmore '90' is 13 years old. Trans replaced within 1st year(warranted) for neutral drain prob,-didn't 'neutral' most times. After that,it's been perfect. I hear this washer was still designed for life of 8+ years. Most new ones are 'about 5'. The '90' still looks GOOD,so she'll prolly be repaired,not replaced ,when the time comes.

Post# 344741 , Reply# 13   4/25/2009 at 17:30 (5,450 days old) by j2400 ()        

"Why did they stop putting lint filters on washers? it couldn't have been that much extra?"

Every bit of extra cost adds up, I guess. I've heard stories of car companies making one small change that only saves a small amount per car, yet adds up to massive savings over time.

One issue with lint filters is that in a way they've become obsolete for most people. Most people now dry clothes in a dryer, which will remove lint. It's people who air dry a lot who notice the non-existent lint filtering in newer machines. People like this are a minority, and a minority washing machine companies don't want to encourage, since these companies also make dryers.

However, the effective lint filtering on older machines is a bit selling point to me. I air dry a lot. Recently, I started using an older Kenmore, and the thing that I noticed quickly, and has continued to impress me, is how effective the lint filtering is.

As for styling, I think it's mixed. When I stumbled on this site, I was amazed by the incredible styling content of some older machines--particularly the ones from the 50s. I also found myself liking older Maytags, which strike me, somehow, as being right. Some other machines, however, don't interest me...at least as far as appearance.

I'm not sure older styling will ever be brought back, however. And it may be better that it's not brought back. It's been my observation that usually when something goes retro, it's often a bad retro. There's more or less the original look, but one way or another, it ends up not being the same. More often than not, the modern version ends up looking like a cheap copy. One might as well get the original--which has both the style and history.


Post# 344788 , Reply# 14   4/25/2009 at 20:48 (5,450 days old) by wigwag (San Diego)        
Defending the direct drive...

I actually think its a very reliable machine, I put myself in Whirlpools shoes in the 80's they had a belt driven machine that was expensive to produce and folks wanted more and more capacity and weren't careful about over loading. With the newer generations losing respect for the automatic washer and just stuffing clothes in it was probably causing lots of service calls for overloaded washers, so they made a bigger tub, and a short stroke to cover the overloaded machines problem and put in a coupler that would blow if someone overloaded it real bad.

I think they did a great job given the circumstances and consumer needs (ok so maybe the agitator should have been more gentle) but they used that time to develop a front loader to take on the newer business challenge of low water and low energy,

Just my two cents. But I do agree I love the older machines, I just don't think they could work given the current user base.

Steven


Post# 344850 , Reply# 15   4/26/2009 at 03:18 (5,450 days old) by strongenough78 (California)        

strongenough78's profile picture
I was having this discussion with my mom and brother a couple nights ago. We agreed that we like and miss old washers. Not that new ones in my opinion aren't effective, I've used a few that wash great. But there's something about the older ones that were more reliable and a bit more effective in getting clothes clean. WigWag has a solid point. People do like to overload machines. They still do even with the deeper tubs. I see it all the time in the laundry room at my apartment, and people wonder why we're always having problems with them. I'm sure someday someone will make a retro style washer/dryer set. If it be a bad one or good one, who's to say yet. But retro seems to be making a comeback, so give it some time. I just do hope they give the option of a dual action style or the vari flex agitator or say a Power Fin like the Maytags, the Pulsator like the classic Frigidaires, or the Super Surgilator like the Whirlpools. I bet more people will opt for the vintage style of agitator and of course, with the longer, slower stroke agitation over the short fast ones everyone is doing now. It would be nice to have more options like that. Wouldn't it be cool if Maytag brought back the awesome A806 and Frigidaire the Ultra Clean Unimatic with the 3 ring agitator? We can only hope. Hey, you never know, maybe if enough of us write and petition to these companies, they may take it into concideration! There's something to think about.

Post# 344857 , Reply# 16   4/26/2009 at 04:14 (5,450 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I would LOVE to see older TL washer designs and models make a comeback-but I don't think it is going to happen under the newer water and energy use restrictions put forth by the gov't and enviornmentalists.If you want the older machines-you will have to shop the used appliance places and tell them YOU WANT the older designs and not the newer fast stroke "blender" ,"shredder" designs.I have found some places throw out the older machines-I hear"No one wants those old ones!"So tell the store operators YOU WANT the older machines before they are thrown to the crushers.Get on their want list.

Post# 344865 , Reply# 17   4/26/2009 at 05:28 (5,450 days old) by strongenough78 (California)        

strongenough78's profile picture
Cool, thanks Tolivac, I'll keep that in mind :)


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