Thread Number: 68044  /  Tag: Modern Automatic Washers
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Post# 907563   11/18/2016 at 19:54 (2,708 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))        

whirlykenmore78's profile picture

You as I choose durable commercial laundry equipment made in USA over flimsy junk from overseas.  Show your machines and give reviews.  I'll start, Here is my FL set.  I have found them to be the best I have ever seen.  Solidly built American made laundry machines that do an execptional job in a quick efficient manner.  While you miss out on some fluffs and buffs you end up with a much better machine overall.

WK78
  View Full Size



Post# 907569 , Reply# 1   11/18/2016 at 20:43 (2,708 days old) by mtn1584 (USA)        
7 years old and going strong....

 AWN 542 and matching electric dryer.

Post# 907573 , Reply# 2   11/18/2016 at 21:52 (2,707 days old) by man114 (Buffalo)        

Here the Speed Queen and the Samsung it is up against for the durability test...

  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 907588 , Reply# 3   11/19/2016 at 07:27 (2,707 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

When Speed Queen updates their front loaders to heat the water and perhaps enlarge the drum some, I might be interested. Wouldn't hurt to make the dryer reverse tumble too! After all, if they are going to be the very BEST!!! So far I have been happy with the LG made set I have now, but should something happen within the next few years that could change. To date, this set has been the best I have ever had as far as features and performance.

Post# 907590 , Reply# 4   11/19/2016 at 07:53 (2,707 days old) by brastemp (Brazil)        

This is the first time I will give my opinion on the Speed Queen here in the forum. This brand unquestionably has quality but several people here make it as a religion for example if you buy another brand then your product is not good. Speed Queen is strong and well built, but in my view it still has programming problems, options and flexibility of cycles. Maybe the washing machine is very active in this forum because most of us like old washers and the Speed Queen stopped its own evolution in the past. It's frustrating to watch a video of a front Speed Queen front with towels and see the same play foam on the glass for several times, this for me is a design error because my Whirlpool Duet 10 years does not do that. I respect anyone here on the forum recommends Speed Queen, it is still a durable option, but there are several options on the market, perhaps some suit the consumer better than Speed Queen.

Post# 907593 , Reply# 5   11/19/2016 at 08:14 (2,707 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
"to each their own"

 I suppose, but there is at least one contemporary Brastemp video on youtube titled "cacca".

Post# 907600 , Reply# 6   11/19/2016 at 08:38 (2,707 days old) by brucelucenta ()        
Speed Queen

 I've said it all before. Speed Queen was among the best and most durable machines ever made thru the 50's and 60's. At about the beginning of the 70's they changed the design of HOME machines to a reverse motor and they were much less reliable and more trouble prone. The coin op ones stayed the same until the perforated tub models. Then in the 80's thru the 90's they redesigned and had a perforated tub machine. These first machines were some of the worst machines I have ever seen for problems with tub seals, pumps and belts. Many of the early machines lasted barely past the warranty and many were junked within the first 5 years. Alliance bought them and seem to have cured most of the major problems. However, the basic mechanism is still the same as it was when introduced back in about 1980 with some modifications. Makes me very skeptical of them now. Particularly since there have been more than one person on this very site who has had major problems with newer machines made by Alliance. Maybe the top load machines are the very best you can buy now. I suspect that is probably true, but I do not know for sure and still remember all the problems machines I have worked on had that looked very similar to what is being produced today. As far as the front load ones, I would imagine they are well built since many are in laundromats now. They need to add a few more features for the home units, such as heat boost.

Post# 907627 , Reply# 7   11/19/2016 at 11:40 (2,707 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
I had an AWN542 for about a year and it was a fine top-loader. The agitator on newer Speed Queen machines is great. Looks (and sounds) a bit like Whirlpool's 'Surgilator' from their belt-drive days. Turns over a BobLoad with no problems.

There were a number of fine improvements in the redesigned front-loader, but as Bruce mentioned, it would have been great to see a 4.5 cu.ft. drum (as in my Maytag, which has a standard 27" footprint) and an internal water heater. With their excellent build quality, those two additions would be the jewels in the crown.

Not being a fan of impeller or agi-pellet machines, there's no question a gleaming SQ electronic top-loader set would be in the laundry room if I couldn't have a front-loader for some reason.

Post# 907628 , Reply# 8   11/19/2016 at 11:50 (2,707 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
did a good action yesterday

 pierreandreply4's profile picture
hello to all yesterday i did a good action i saw an elderly couple looking at one of htose agipeller kenmore top load and i recommended that they look at a speed queen washer dryer set.

Post# 907642 , Reply# 9   11/19/2016 at 13:53 (2,707 days old) by man114 (Buffalo)        

My parents have the Amana digital control model from ~2000. It was originally like $1000 and circuit city marked their appliances 50% off and I convinced my dad to purchase it, he paid about $500.

It's essentially a Raytheon version of the digital Speed Queen I pictured here.

They've had that machine for 16 years. It has been one heck of a workhorse. My sister and I lived there still at the time, later on my wife, son and my parents lived there for a year when in the process of buying a house, so literally did the laundry for 4-5 people for 8 years. Not only does it still work but my mom is retired and will help us out with laundry if we get backlogged due to work schedules and school events.

I actually preferred the old large VFD Amana they had when that machine was made, it was more visually friendly and easier to understand. It would have been nice to see it carry over when Alliance took over.

Post# 907675 , Reply# 10   11/19/2016 at 20:03 (2,707 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

If I was ever to get a top load washer again, it would be a Speed Queen I am sure.

Post# 908840 , Reply# 11   11/28/2016 at 11:01 (2,698 days old) by HiLoVane (Columbus OH)        

While I've had my AWN432 for close to eight months, now, still can't get over how well it does the job. I'm a single guy, who lives alone, and only does laundry once a week; up to five loads (counting sheets & towels). The rollover with a goodly-sized load (including two paris of jeans) is impressive. Ive always felt the agitator design was something of a cross between the old Whirlpool Surgilator, an the Maytag Power-Fin.

I'm confident that whatever problems I ave with it, will be very few and far between, considering the way I use it.

Never thought I'd own a SQ (but, I also never thought I'd own a Gretsch or Guild guitar...but I digress -lol)

Post# 908929 , Reply# 12   11/28/2016 at 20:08 (2,698 days old) by washman (o)        
I've probably posted enough

 about Speed QUeen on here to the point that many eyes glaze over.

Frigilux appointed me something with a latin name but I can't, for the life of me, remember it.

You can check out my youtube channel also. I even have some dryer vids on there! how about that?

Post# 908946 , Reply# 13   11/29/2016 at 03:23 (2,697 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

frigilux's profile picture
Patronus Absolutus. You earned it; wear it with pride.

Post# 908947 , Reply# 14   11/29/2016 at 03:25 (2,697 days old) by qualin (Canada)        

I posted a 5-year review in a separate thread regarding my FL Huebsch aka SQ set, just because I felt I had so much to say about them.

I probably will be posting another review in another 5 years, if I have the set for that long, which I probably will.

My previous GE TL set lasted me for 7 years before the washer started making loud creaky gruncha-gruncha-gruncha noises during the agitation portion of the cycle. I could have probably oiled it and the machine might have lasted longer, but the electric dryer was costing me a fortune to run every month and I'm neurotic enough about washers/dryers that I prefer to have matched sets.

We'll see how the Huebsch's stack up to the GE's reliability-wise..

If anything, I get the feeling that the dryer is the weaker of the two, with its mechanical timer... but we'll see..

Post# 908956 , Reply# 15   11/29/2016 at 05:44 (2,697 days old) by Easyspindry (Winston-Salem, NC)        
I came home . . .

. . . from the Beltsville Wash-In with a new Speed Queen Front Load. It's a great machine!!! The action is incredible. It's quiet and easy to be around when it's working. It's much easier to sit in front of and watch than anything on television these days.

Of course, my Fisher & Paykel top load is still working flawlessly and is also a fine machine.

Jerry Gay

Post# 913509 , Reply# 16   1/1/2017 at 16:01 (2,664 days old) by jp10558 (Southern Tier, NY, USA)        

I got a SQ TL last year to replace my Kenmore, and had to replace the dryer this year. I was far less sure the SQ was the dryer to get, but the appliance dealer when asked said the SQ dryer was also the best to get for decent lifetime. No one else warranties for 5 years. I like gadgets and tech, but I also don't really want to play with my laundry - I just need it to work, and if I'm spending $1k a machine, I'd like to have it last as long as possible. I just don't ever think "There's a new feature I must have" in my laundry room - I don't fit in with AW really, except a good place to get real reviews and advice.

The dryer works fine. If SQ lasts relative to our lifespans of the kenmores it replaced, I hope to get ~ 20 years out of them. I did pretty well (according to the net and the appliance repair men) getting 10-11 years out of the Kenmore set (the dryer lasted another year). OT: Same on my hot water heater, got 16 years, would have gotten more but needed the space and switched to in line hot water heater.

I honestly jones for the the washer / dryer set my parents got through my grandmother from where she worked back then - they were real Maytag, and 20 years old when they got them, and they must have lasted 25 years for my parents with just belt changes and I think 3 heating elements for the electric dryer. And my uncle could actually repair those. I hope the SQ are similar for basic repairs and really do last.

In terms of cleaning, they seem as good as anything I've ever used, but I'm still stone age and never have done FL, not least because SQ FL were like 2.5x more expensive!

Post# 913675 , Reply# 17   1/2/2017 at 17:56 (2,663 days old) by imperial70 (MA USA)        
If you come here for reviews you may be mistaken

 This place is really full of opinions.

Post# 913701 , Reply# 18   1/2/2017 at 19:39 (2,663 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
I have the opposite concern of you qualin, give my SQ FL's motor control board (read computer firmware) failed so quickly, although repaired free of charge under warranty...when I crank the mechanical SQ dryer dial I am comforted.

Post# 913957 , Reply# 19   1/4/2017 at 15:45 (2,661 days old) by ryanm (New York)        

I have Speed Queen washer for 8 years now, but repair man tells me the machine is shot. I have been a Speed Queen proponent and we have tried to take very good care of the machine, but it started having problems about a year ago where clothes would not spin out good. The tub actually leans to one side now as well and it squeals and makes a grinding sound during washing. I've been told it needs tub seal between tub and transmission, and it also needs a transmission, plus mechanism to balance the tub etc. The repair man is from the dealer I bought the machine from. They told me repairs would cost more than the machine is worth as labor is expensive even if the company would cover some of the parts (I believe the transmission is under warranty), but labor will be between 400 and 500. I did write to Speed Queen as I bought this machine thinking it would last a while, however my previous machines lasted MUCH longer than this one and they got more use because we had more people in the house when we had other brands. I am somewhat disappointed about this and maybe this is not the 'norm' for these machines. I know many folks here praise the Speed Queen and I may get backlash for posting my experience but I love reading this forum and hearing all different opinions and likes and dislikes. To replace this machine . I most likely will not buy another Speed Queen , I wrote to the company but no one answers me. I also recommended that they think about COLOR for their machines, perhaps a see through lid. In my current home machines can be seen so it would be nice to get a color like the Black Stainless offered by LG and other brands. On the flip side I got to use an LG top loader for a while when I stayed with my relatives, and I was very impressed by it's performance and technology and cleaning, and it is also very quiet and takes a very large load, even though I have always liked conventional machines, I do like the LG. As for other brands, I just think they are very ugly with the flat consoles instead of a nice upright console like the Speed Queen and LG have, it is just my preference.

Post# 913963 , Reply# 20   1/4/2017 at 16:18 (2,661 days old) by brucelucenta ()        

So, a speed queen washer seems to last about as long as any other washer it seems. Not surprising. I never have thought they were all that and a bag of chips anyway.

Post# 913971 , Reply# 21   1/4/2017 at 17:31 (2,661 days old) by WASHERDUDE (Canada )        
If

 One day SQ designs a front loader at 4.2cf or greater and I manage to get my hands on one. I will expect a minimum of 15-20 years out of the thing without any repairs, including minimum maintenance. With my current washer I'm expecting 7-8 years, if it lasts longer, whatever.

Post# 914005 , Reply# 22   1/4/2017 at 19:41 (2,661 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Lets face it

 NO ONE makes machines as good as they used to be..Center Dial 606 and 808 Maytags, Halo of Heat dryers, Ge Filter Flos,Unimatic amd MultiMatic Frigidaires with Flowing Heat dryers, Real front loading Westinghouses, Bendixes,Norges, Blackstones.Belt Drive Whirlpools,.etc, oh yeah, solid tub Speed Queens with the dryers that had the big red filter in the door,But Speed Queens are as near as you will get.

Post# 914007 , Reply# 23   1/4/2017 at 19:45 (2,661 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
And lets not EVEN

 Get started on dishwashers!!!3 plus hours to save a few gallons of water..PULEESE!!!!Not in MY kitchen!!!


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