Thread Number: 23380
Plastic washer paddles in drums.. WHY? |
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Post# 364439   7/16/2009 at 07:14 (5,368 days old) by robliverpool (england Liverpool)   |   | |
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Does anyone know why nearly all machines now have plastic paddles in the drum as i personally find them a pain, i seem to go thru new paddles in my hotpoint every year or so... Is it because the companies know they are going to break, hence the need to spend on new ones or can they not make the shape they desire when they press the drums etc... any info would be great as its been doing my head in again today i have had to buy another paddle at £14 a go |
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Post# 364440 , Reply# 1   7/16/2009 at 07:15 (5,368 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)   |   | |
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Post# 364485 , Reply# 3   7/16/2009 at 08:48 (5,368 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)   |   | |
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not only cheaper, but it also makes possible to use different designs to enhance the wash quality. I've never heard about an Electrolux machine with a broken paddle. And even if it happen and you have a missing paddle, the drum won't damage the clothes because there will be only a few more series or holes. Nothing too serious. Don't know about the other manufacturers. |
Post# 364489 , Reply# 4   7/16/2009 at 08:54 (5,368 days old) by favorit ()   |   | |
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so Thomas, why the ex-Wascator E'luxes don't have plastic baffles ?? ;-)) |
Post# 364496 , Reply# 5   7/16/2009 at 09:15 (5,368 days old) by mr_sparkle ()   |   | |
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I have never, ever had a paddel break and I wash some pretty hard stuff, like tons of jeans, my trainers, various shoes etc Ive never heard of any of my friends with then broken either? |
Post# 364574 , Reply# 7   7/16/2009 at 13:24 (5,368 days old) by robliverpool (england Liverpool)   |   | |
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yup sounds like my machine, mine is an early WMA 30, never had anything go on the machine even tho its doing in excess of 4 loads a day, just the paddles. I have had it a few years now and i am thinking of an upgrade. been looking around for miele commercial washer that can be converted to 240v... its getting harder to get the paddles for my machine as my machine they changed the drum desin for the paddles and the normal ones dont fit proper, the normal ones just have six little sliders that lock into place, mine has them plus two little prongs that also have to lock in, nightmare... thanks guys for the advice |
Post# 364837 , Reply# 9   7/17/2009 at 11:55 (5,367 days old) by robliverpool (england Liverpool)   |   | |
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As mentioned by matt there must of been a problem with the design, i know loads of other people who have no problems with plastic paddles it just seems to be me lol might even be coz i do a lot of 90 degree wash loads at least one a day the rest being 60 or 50 so maybe that is weakining the platic i dunno, next one is gonna all in one
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Post# 364896 , Reply# 12   7/17/2009 at 15:43 (5,367 days old) by newwave1 (Lincoln, United Kingdom)   |   | |
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Post# 364954 , Reply# 14   7/17/2009 at 18:33 (5,367 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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An American company or person purchased the rights for selling "Wascomat" appliances ages ago. Apparently the man saw how well built the units were and that the design was far better than the standard top loading washing machines then in use in laundromats, including being able to withstand the abuse such machines must take. All Wascomat washing machines sold in the United States require 220v power. Though some if not all can have steam heat lines attached, the motors are what require 220v. Also do not think Wascomat is interested in "diluting" their brand by going into the domestic laundry appliance market. It would require major costs to set up and service such a market, and not sure how many Americans would pay the several thousands even the cheapest Wascomat unit costs. Being as all this may, there are homes with Wascomat units, especially the soft mount models. One can find them easy enough on eBay and commercial laundry machine resellers. Long as one has the proper plumbing and power (not to mention a strong and solid floor), not much else is required. L. |
Post# 365204 , Reply# 17   7/18/2009 at 17:29 (5,366 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Quality is a reflection of what the brand stands for, and indeed what most TOL German laundry appliances stand. While nothing an the Amercian market compares for household use, that is simply because on this side of the pond the market concentrated mainly if not wholly on top loading washing machines. That is where R&D went and for the part where appliance makers put all their efforts. Why? Because consumers demanded (well at back then), value for money. Wascomat had a long tradition in Sweden for quality washing machines for domestic use as well, but you aren't going to see near or commercial grade units from Electrolux in the US or elsewhere for along time if ever? Why? Cost. Even Miele has begun "dumbing" down (if that is the right word), domestic washing machines sold not only in North America, but elsewhere as well. Look at the price difference between even an entry level commercial washing machine from Miele or Wascomat, and a TOL domestic unit. Consumers just aren't willing to spend upwards of 2,000 USD or more, for "just a washing" machine. We see more of this as laundry appliances as with most other major appliances become more a throw away consumer good than a durable item designed to last ten or more years. L. |
Post# 365207 , Reply# 18   7/18/2009 at 17:39 (5,366 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)   |   | |
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....isn't the base model Wascomat from the link above just a rebadged ASKO? ...and if so, well that pretty much answers the question of 'commercial quality for domestic use' On another note. When we bought an ASEA Cylinda 12000 in 1989 it was an expensive machine (AUD$1300)...no issue there, but the sales man described ASEA and Miele as follows from a quality and reliablity point of view... ASEA is basically a 'beefed up' domestic machine... Miele is essentially a slightly lightened commercial machine. Given we had 19yrs from the ASEA, I have no reason to question his 'logic'. I hope people who bought Miele in 1989 have had the same run. |
Post# 365210 , Reply# 19   7/18/2009 at 18:09 (5,366 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Commercial laundry applications wouldn't put up with much of what has been on offer in the US front loader market for a moment. Bearings that give in routinely, parts in units that cannot be repaired, or require entire sections to be replaced, and so forth. One can find Wascomat and indeed many commercial front loaders that are decades old, still running. Yes, they may have been repaired and or even torn down and rebuilt, but that is what they were designed for. It is even possible to do major repairs on older Miele units, such as changing motors, bearings et al, just at least on this side of the pond MieleUSA won't recommend it via their service techs. OTHO in places such as Germany and elsewhere where there is a good DIY market, one can purchase Miele parts off the shelf so to speak, and do the job oneself. Providing one has a way to hoist the innards out of a Miele, swapping the bearings, replacing the motor and such is not that hard. L. |
Post# 365348 , Reply# 22   7/19/2009 at 09:52 (5,365 days old) by favorit ()   |   | |
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Chris, here is another rebadged ASKO.... It's from Grandimpianti, an italian laundry machinery producer CLICK HERE TO GO TO favorit's LINK |
Post# 365369 , Reply# 26   7/19/2009 at 12:07 (5,365 days old) by bertrum ()   |   | |
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Cost simple. |
Post# 365624 , Reply# 28   7/20/2009 at 09:14 (5,364 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)   |   | |
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Bertrum said: "Plastic washer paddles in drums.. WHY? Cost simple." Not always!!!! Most of the times is more expensive making a plastic paddle (mould + the injector + the plastic + the screws that keeps them in place + the worker to install them in the drums) than a simple 6 or 8 ton mould that can make the drum AND the paddles on the same hit. |
Post# 365704 , Reply# 29   7/20/2009 at 16:30 (5,364 days old) by hoovermad (England)   |   | |
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AEG machines are now made in Poland. There was big hoo har and industrial action couple years ago when AEG announced they were shutting the German factories. Left AEG right up s##t creek for quite a while until new Polish factories cam online |