Why does everyone think WCI/ Franklin is so great?

To quote Aunt Augusta from The Importance Of Being Earnest, "We must not be premature in our judgments!"

I think they're great because:

1. Their Franklin (or Franklin-based) transmissions provide them a wonderfully unique agitation sound, most intriguingly described as 'a short moan followed by a slightly longer moan'.

2. Pre-WCI machines with Franklin transmissions made wonderful snorting/grunting, porcine-like sounds, hence the nickname "The Pig".
Best heard on Wizard/Coronado washers of the 1960s.

3. Said transmission also gives them their two most unique qualities, the indexing tub and the uneven agitator stroke (clockwise stroke is shorter than counter-clockwise stroke). The amount of tub-indexing/length of clockwise stroke determined by the load-force bearing against the agitator when it begins its clockwise stroke. But instead of the clockwise being increased under a heavier load, it is decreased, while the indexing and counterclockwise stroke increase. Ha! Didn't see THAT coming, did you?

4. Until Electrolux spoiled spoiled things, these machines featured a spin-drain.

5. I know of many elderly WCI machines still in service, despite their unenviable reputation as "brand-ruiners"---a grievance loudly voiced by GM-era Frigidaire, as well as Westinghouse aficionados.

Take it away, Nate....

In the meantime, I'm on Lebron-watch.


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Post# 385887 10/17/2009 at 10:55 (5,304 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)
Checkrate/Likes Frigilux double-dog dared me and "made me ask it".LOL. Of course, we all really know the answer to this one!

Post# 385899 , Reply# 1 10/17/2009 at 13:29 (5,304 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes To quote Aunt Augusta from The Importance Of Being Earnest, "We must not be premature in our judgments!" I think they're great because: 1. Their Franklin (or Franklin-based) transmissions provide them a wonderfully unique agitation sound, most intriguingly described as 'a short moan followed by a slightly longer moan'. 2. Pre-WCI machines with Franklin transmissions made wonderful snorting/grunting, porcine-like sounds, hence the nickname "The Pig". Best heard on Wizard/Coronado washers of the 1960s. 3. Said transmission also gives them their two most unique qualities, the indexing tub and the uneven agitator stroke (clockwise stroke is shorter than counter-clockwise stroke). The amount of tub-indexing/length of clockwise stroke determined by the load-force bearing against the agitator when it begins its clockwise stroke. But instead of the clockwise being increased under a heavier load, it is decreased, while the indexing and counterclockwise stroke increase. Ha! Didn't see THAT coming, did you? 4. Until Electrolux spoiled spoiled things, these machines featured a spin-drain. 5. I know of many elderly WCI machines still in service, despite their unenviable reputation as "brand-ruiners"---a grievance loudly voiced by GM-era Frigidaire, as well as Westinghouse aficionados. Take it away, Nate.... In the meantime, I'm on Lebron-watch.

Post# 385905 , Reply# 2 10/17/2009 at 14:04 (5,304 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)
Checkrate/Likes The funny thing is, I'm forced to use a 5 year old bottom of the line Frigidaire top loader and dryer, since they were here in the place that I'm renting and for now,that's what I have to deal with. The dryer is actually OK, but the washer with its straight vane and indexing tub creates too many air pockets. Nice long spray rinse however.

Post# 385918 , Reply# 3 10/17/2009 at 14:47 (5,304 days old) by mixfinder ()
Checkrate/Likes *Heft* The Westinghouse machines from the 60's were beautifully styled and loaded with chrome. They were quiet, did a good job and the ones from the 60's didn't knock during agitation like the ones from the 70's might do. The drawback was in labor intensive service if it did need it.

Post# 385929 , Reply# 4 10/17/2009 at 15:32 (5,303 days old) by mrcleanjeans (milwaukee wi)
Checkrate/Likes The blue ramped agitator was way cool!

Post# 385942 , Reply# 5 10/17/2009 at 16:52 (5,303 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)
Checkrate/Likes *Lebron-watch* HA! That's a good one! I'm not gonna even say anything

Post# 385951 , Reply# 6 10/17/2009 at 17:15 (5,303 days old) by j2400 ()
Checkrate/Likes They're great because they are so awful they make everything else seem so much better?

Post# 385953 , Reply# 7 10/17/2009 at 17:24 (5,303 days old) by j2400 ()
Checkrate/Likes More seriously, I've used a couple of fairly modern Frigidaire top load machines. This is outside the scope of the "Imperial" forum, but I will say I've been impressed by neither, although one is passably usable. But only passable--it is frankly bettered by the 68 or so Kenmore 500 I posted a while back, except for tub capacity. Which is a minor issue--the 500 tub is more than adequate for the stuff I regularly do. However, in comparison with some modern machines, a Frigidaire might not be so bad. I've heard of some preferring it over a modern "Shredmore." Next thread can be: "What makes the Whirlpool/Kenmore Direct Drive Designs so Great?"

Post# 385967 , Reply# 8 10/17/2009 at 19:18 (5,303 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes How about "Why does everyone think beating your clothes on a rock is so great?" :^> RCD

Post# 385975 , Reply# 9 10/17/2009 at 19:36 (5,303 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )
Checkrate/Likes *cast out* As in the movie THE EXORCIST...they need to all be C A S T - O U T !!!!

Post# 386040 , Reply# 10 10/18/2009 at 00:15 (5,303 days old) by rinso (Meridian Idaho)
Checkrate/Likes Please clarify: WCI/Franklin? Aretha or Ben?

Post# 386353 , Reply# 11 10/19/2009 at 16:01 (5,301 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)
Checkrate/Likes *Well...* I think you covered it, Eugene :-) To be honest, WCI machines are fun because they have unusual traits. The indexing wash is one; the brakeless spin is another, and if you're into that sort of thing, so is the bimetallic lid lock :-). Like the Kenmore aficionados would remind you of their favorite machine, Franklins have an unusual sound, and it's kind of satisfying, even if perhaps the wash-action isn't. Like anything else, they are fun for what they are. That's why I love my impeller dishwasher. Is it going to kick ass on a roast pan? Gawd, no. I sometimes have to pre-rinse drinking glasses, for the gosh sakes. But I like playing with it nevertheless. :-)