Thread Number: 39729
Which Brand To Look For? |
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Post# 588300   4/10/2012 at 01:21 (4,370 days old) by waterwitch (Pomona, Calif.)   |   | |
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Hello everyone, I'm new to this group of early automatic enthusiasts. I am currently in the market of finding an early washer and drier set. My forte being late 1920's and early 1930's appliances, I feel the need to ask those that are in the know of early automatics. So I ask you, which brand would be the best to go with as far as dependability, and acquiring parts for if need be? Please let me know what you think, as I value your opinion. Thank you.
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Post# 588391 , Reply# 1   4/10/2012 at 11:05 (4,370 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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Welcome to AW.org. The first automatic was from 1936, Bendix. Prior to that, you'd be looking at wringer washers, nothing automatic at all, lots of Maytag and Speed queens can be found pretty cheap. Here's a Bendix picture or two. While I'd love to find one, they are rare and small, and rumored to not really do a good job of washing and especially extracting. It wasn't until 1947 through the early 50's that automatics from a wide range of manufacturers hit the market.
Use the "searchilator" above and the archives to find Bendix info. But for early automatics, you'll probably get better washing from 50's and 60's models, out of your era, sorry. |
Post# 588392 , Reply# 2   4/10/2012 at 11:06 (4,370 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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Post# 588395 , Reply# 3   4/10/2012 at 11:08 (4,370 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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Post# 588410 , Reply# 4   4/10/2012 at 12:27 (4,370 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Presuming you're willing to accept that realistically, a fully automatic washer will be of post-war or later vintage, Whirlpool or Kenmore machines would probably be the least difficult to find parts for. Maytag automatics into the early 60's also have a vintage look, they are just as dependable as was advertised, and parts aren't impossible to locate -- should you even need to.
If you're interested in a pair of machines that doesn't have a boxy shape, you may find a good compromise with a Westinghouse "Laundromat" front-loading washer and matching clothes dryer, the earlier models of which could almost pass for older than post-war with their streamlined slant-front design. Key parts won't be as easy to find, but they are nice, quiet machines. |
Post# 588774 , Reply# 6   4/12/2012 at 13:16 (4,368 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)   |   | |
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will these be for show or daily drivers?.....meaning everyday use........
you may want to come into the late 50's and 60's, staying vintage, but for the most part dependable machines...and parts still available for the most part.... a lot of things to think about..... there are several threads of vintage machines, matched sets even, for sale, shipping may be involved, but would get you a head start......and other sets may follow..... |
Post# 588787 , Reply# 7   4/12/2012 at 14:40 (4,368 days old) by PeterH770 (Marietta, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 588890 , Reply# 8   4/12/2012 at 21:46 (4,368 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)   |   | |
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Post# 588948 , Reply# 9   4/13/2012 at 02:13 (4,367 days old) by waterwitch (Pomona, Calif.)   |   | |
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