Thread Number: 24622
How Can........
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 381554   9/26/2009 at 14:08 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

How can wringer washers be "semi-automatic"?

I recently saw a thread about a Coronado "semi-automatic" wringer washing machine

how is this possible??

and if you want. post random pics of washers.

im a nerd

^___________^

:)

-Chance





Post# 381557 , Reply# 1   9/26/2009 at 14:26 (5,296 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

lebron's profile picture
I don't know about wringer washers being semi-automatic... technically they are not. Although I assume some were marketed this way.

Semi-automatics are automatic in that they "do" everything except the user has to control the machine, no advancing timer.


Post# 381559 , Reply# 2   9/26/2009 at 14:31 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

i dont mean to sound like an ass, so if i do forgive me. but i know what " semi-automatic" means

i was just wondering how this was


Post# 381565 , Reply# 3   9/26/2009 at 15:29 (5,296 days old) by volvoguy87 (Cincinnati, OH)        
Timer.

volvoguy87's profile picture
Maybe this refers to a wringer with a timer that will shut off the motor after a certain amount of time has passed?
Dave


Post# 381566 , Reply# 4   9/26/2009 at 15:39 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

idk. maybe

and

does anyone know where i can find a vid of that thor washer with a washplate. at least i think it was a thor


Post# 381577 , Reply# 5   9/26/2009 at 16:38 (5,296 days old) by dishwashercrazy (West Peoria, IL)        
Chance:

dishwashercrazy's profile picture
Is this the video of the Thor that you were asking about?

Mike


CLICK HERE TO GO TO dishwashercrazy's LINK


Post# 381579 , Reply# 6   9/26/2009 at 16:51 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

er....no

the one im talking about has a washplate at the bottom of the tub

im pretty sure its a Thor


Post# 381583 , Reply# 7   9/26/2009 at 18:01 (5,296 days old) by ptcruiser51 (Boynton Beach, FL)        
Timer with shutoff

ptcruiser51's profile picture
In the bungalow colony where my parents had a cottage I recall at least two of our neighbors had wringer machines with a timer that shut the agitation off after a set time. The machines still had to be filled and pumped-out manually.

My mom had a semi-automatic top-loader. See my profile for an explanation. I think Robert has/had one of these.


Post# 381586 , Reply# 8   9/26/2009 at 18:40 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

Thats A Good Idea actually

i think that they should start making the wringer washing machine design again

who agrees with me


Post# 381590 , Reply# 9   9/26/2009 at 18:56 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Hoover & Other Twin Tubs

launderess's profile picture
Were called "semi-automatic" as the washing would stop once the timer ended. One still had to transfer laundry to the spinner thus one thinks that is where the "semi" comes from.


Fully automatic washing machines washes, rinses and spins dry without any furhter input from the user, aside from setting cycle choices at the start. Madame comes back at the end of the cycle and her wash is done.

Semi-automatic washing machines leave out one or more automated steps, thus the user has more interaction.

Obviously it is not possible to have a fully automatic wringer washing machine (how would one get the laundry into the mangles?), but a timer can be added to start and stop the agitator.


Early wringer washing machines did not have timers. One activated the agitator and it kept going until one turned it off. Thus one could wash (or rinse)laundry for one minute or one hour.... By the final years of production, many wringers, including those by Speed Queen did offer timers on some models. This was probably done to compete with fully automatic washing machines rapidly taking over market share.

Even a semi-automatic washing machine allowed a housewive to get on with other tasks rather than standing over or by a washing machine to operate controls. It also prevented damage to laundry left at the mercy of those agitators for too long. If Madame went away and forgot about her washing on a standard non-automatic washing machine, she may return to find her washing beaten to threads.




Post# 381592 , Reply# 10   9/26/2009 at 19:05 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

i would perfer a wringer over an automatic. i live in the mountains so we mountain folk tend to get dirty. and with a wringer you can just set a timer for how ever long you want and just let it wash.

and there so cool looking

does anyone know where i could maybe get a maytah square tub wringer?


Post# 381605 , Reply# 11   9/26/2009 at 20:23 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
As With Twin Tub Washers

launderess's profile picture
Check eBay, Craigslist and the like, usually the problem is always the same; the washer one wishes is never close by thus will require shipping.

However several members are speaking highly of a man with a truck who will ship large appliances. Failing that there is Uship and Craters and Freighters. The later being the creme de la creme of shipping large items, but one will pay (often dearly), for the service. On the upside your unit is packaged within an inch of it's life and shipped with very high standards.



Post# 381607 , Reply# 12   9/26/2009 at 20:25 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Already Having a Twin Tub by Hoover

launderess's profile picture
The only advantage one can see with a wringer is perhaps a larger washing capacity, and lack of tangling. One still would have all the wash day drama of handling soaking wet laundry between on or more tubs. Have toyed with the idea of snagging a wringer, to use for large items not suited either to the Miele or Hoover, but am not really sure.

L.


Post# 381610 , Reply# 13   9/26/2009 at 20:47 (5,296 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Wringer washers

are potentially dangerous. Fingers, hair, jewelry get caught in the rollers. I know there are many who still use them, and many who love them, but no thank you, as far as I am concerned.


We got our first automatic in 1964, and have never looked back.


Yes, a wringer is better than doing all wash by hand. I will stipulate to that.


However, automatics are safer and require much less interaction than wringers.



Lawrence/Maytagbear


Post# 381611 , Reply# 14   9/26/2009 at 20:48 (5,296 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)        
Emending that-

"automatics, properly used, are safer."



L/Mb


Post# 381612 , Reply# 15   9/26/2009 at 20:54 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Even With The Hoover TT

launderess's profile picture
A person has to get themselves worked up to doing more than one wash load with the thing. Yes, there is lot of wash day drama, but after awhile that wears off and one is left with all that splashing of water, wet floors, wash day hands, and a massive headache from all the noise.

Both twin tubs and wringers do call for one to perhaps slightly adjust what one considers enough rinsing. Oh the fist few loads aren't a problem, but after a bit one does tire of the process. There is also, at least in my experience, mangling and twin tub spinning do cause lots of creasing of fabrics. This in turn leads to lots of ironing afterwards.

L.


Post# 381614 , Reply# 16   9/26/2009 at 20:58 (5,296 days old) by soberleaf ()        
another idea until you find a wringer

is that you can add a switch to most automatic washers and turn off timer motor thus extending wash cycle as long as you like. i have done this to every washer i have had for the last 20 years (except my rollermatics) and it works great! for me at least!

i see wringers on e bay all the time, i picked up two this summer from various sources so they are pretty common. try asking walt (18millst) here on the site if he has one he might sell, i got one of mine from him.

mike, love that video of the thor in action! would love to see how the dishwasher attachment works, i assume it is an impeller base in a tub that replaces the washer tub. watching that machine throw that wash water is priceless!

good luck finding a wringer! washer dreams do come true on this magical site! i (and many others here) can attest to that! a big beautiful square tub pink maytag will probably find it's way to you!


Post# 381616 , Reply# 17   9/26/2009 at 21:10 (5,296 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
A true semi-automatic washer....

ronhic's profile picture
...means you don't handle the laundry at all until it is done.

Twin tubs were never considered semi automatic here (though other Australians should feel free to comment) as there was always some handling of the laundry before it was done.

Australian machines, particularly earlier Simpsons, probably reflect this better than most as the machines tend to look like a normal automatic but you need to switch between components of the cycle. Leon, and possibly Nathan, have excellent examples of 'true' semi automatic machines.

As an example of how they work you would select each part of the cycle by turning the dial

Fill - hot/warm/cold
wash - with detergent
spin - to remove suds
fill - cold or warm (plus manually add conditioner if required)
wash - to rinse
spin - to finish

I am fairly certain that there was no timer at all involved that would halt the action of the machine...though I can't be 100% sure as I have a vague memory of a 'twist' style kitchen timer on the window sill in the laundry

At this point you remove and hang....

This is from another post and is identical to my grans.


Post# 381631 , Reply# 18   9/26/2009 at 22:40 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
Any washing machine that does not automatically wash, rinse, and spin dry (with the machine handling the changes of water/filling/draining), is a semi-automatic washing machine.

To put it another way, any washing machine that requires user intervention to get from putting in soiled laundry, to arriving at spun (or wrung out), laundry is semi-automatic.

Wringers, twin tubs, even some small top loading washing machines that one had to fill with a hose for washing and rinsing, are all semi-automatic.

In commercial terms, there were automatic washers that did just that, washed and rinsed laundry. Laundry had to be removed to an extractor to be spun dry. However since the washer did do all the cycles without input from the user, it was an automatic "washer". If it went on to spin the laundry dry it would have been an "washer-extractor".

L.


Post# 381635 , Reply# 19   9/26/2009 at 23:10 (5,296 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Launderess....

ronhic's profile picture
Maybe from a North American perspective, but certainly not for most people here. If you asked an Australian who wanted an automatic if they had to choose either a wringer/twin-tub or a semi-automatic, they would choose a semi-automatic and they would expect a machine that looked like an automatic, but where they controlled the steps...AND they didn't get their hands wet or have to touch the laundry until it was finished.

Most people in North America went from either a wringer or twin-tub to an automatic. That didn't always happen here as we had semi-automatics that filled a much needed niche in our market.

Just as wringers and twin-tubs were a huge step up from doing the whole process manually, in Australia, a semi automatic was one step again between a manual machine and a full automatic. This was brought about primarily because of the very high cost of appliances here. Much of that cost was the 'automatic' part - timers. So the manufacturers here brought out true semi-automtics where you didn't touch the actual washing until it is finished, but still needed to turn a switch to change from one process to another.

Wringers and twin-tubs do not work like this. You cannot complete the whole cycle without actually moving the washing at least twice. That is, from the wash to the wringer/spinner, back into the wash tub to rinse (some twin-tub spinners and Nth AMerican dual tub machines excepted...you only have to touch it once there)and then back through a wringer or the spinner after it was rinsed. Regardless, my point is you had to actually move the washing out of the tub at some point in the process.

Most Australians would consider this to be a manual process/step and, as a result, a manual washing machine.

A true semi-automatic removed this step and meant that you could wash, rinse and spin without touching the wet washing but still had to control the steps.


Post# 381641 , Reply# 20   9/27/2009 at 00:14 (5,296 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

i want a wringer but im in the mountains and my mom would say no

Post# 381642 , Reply# 21   9/27/2009 at 00:28 (5,296 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        

ronhic's profile picture
Try selling her the idea that 'is better for really dirty work clothes' as you can control how long you wash things for' which could save her having to re-wash later

Post# 381643 , Reply# 22   9/27/2009 at 00:32 (5,296 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture
"Try selling her the idea that 'is better for really dirty work clothes' as you can control how long you wash things for' which could save her having to re-wash later"

Yep, and you can soak that dirty load for as long as you want without tying up the main washer.


Post# 381649 , Reply# 23   9/27/2009 at 02:26 (5,296 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Yeabut

launderess's profile picture
One can soak in any vessel; wash tub, bath tub or sink. No need to use a device that can harm limbs.




Post# 381665 , Reply# 24   9/27/2009 at 04:47 (5,295 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
A semi automatic wringer washer overhere in Europe would mean a wringer washer that heats the water up to the desired temperature and then starts washing like this Miele 75T

CLICK HERE TO GO TO foraloysius's LINK


Post# 381672 , Reply# 25   9/27/2009 at 06:30 (5,295 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Louis...

ronhic's profile picture
...that would still be considered a manual washing machine here....

....and I have to say that the wash action is a little 'violent'...


Post# 381699 , Reply# 26   9/27/2009 at 11:10 (5,295 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

i like Mieles

but anywho

i would probably use it as an everyday washing machine. and the big stuff i would just take to the Laundromat. (conforters, large bath towles, ect.)

maybe i will ask for one for Christmas. I cant decide between the washer or a new cell phone. i need a new cell


Post# 381700 , Reply# 27   9/27/2009 at 11:25 (5,295 days old) by soberleaf ()        
oh, go for the washer!

they're a hell of a lot more fun to watch than a cell phone!!!

you don't see a "cellphone.org" out there on the web! there is a reason for that!


Post# 381704 , Reply# 28   9/27/2009 at 12:12 (5,295 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        

I like wringers just as much as automatics. My mother used one for years as did her mother. Ed's Appliances here in Bettendorf has four Maytag wringers and is selling them for $75.00; 1 round tub and three square tub.



Post# 381759 , Reply# 29   9/27/2009 at 17:46 (5,295 days old) by soberleaf ()        
wow!

what a great price that is!

Post# 381765 , Reply# 30   9/27/2009 at 19:48 (5,295 days old) by frapdoodle ()        

wel in recent posts, there has been a website that has been selling newly-made speed queen wringer washing machines

im probably gonna go for that, but i ned to know if it has a drain pump.

if it has a pump, then its a "go"


Post# 381771 , Reply# 31   9/27/2009 at 20:17 (5,295 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
No Pump

launderess's profile picture
Lehman's has the "new" SQ wringer washers, called "Home Queen", and are built in Saudi Arabia.

While based on the old Speed Queen wringer design, the machines are from the old manual/gravity drain models. No pump is available.

Gravity drain wringers weren't a problem when units were located either in basements, or on a porch, or even outside (as when used on a farm). One simply lowered the drain hose into a floor drain, or onto the ground (to use the water for say watering plants, or even cleaning the porch). Failing either, one had to drain into buckets and dump the water where ever (slop sinks, up the stairs and out the back door, or god only knows).

As more homes began to have either dedicated laundry areas, and or women wished to do laundry in the kitchen by rolling the machine near the sink, pumps were added to drain wash water by force.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO launderess's LINK


Post# 381776 , Reply# 32   9/27/2009 at 20:43 (5,295 days old) by toggleswitch2 ()        

My understanding of "semi-automatic" is when one takes an ordinary automatic washer, (with a hot and cold fill-soleinoid) and puts a "Y" connector on it to make it usable from a faucet ("tap").

Requires no user intervention after starting EXCEPT to change the water temperature after it has filled up and started agitating/washing.


Post# 381781 , Reply# 33   9/27/2009 at 21:36 (5,295 days old) by brisnat81 (Brisbane Australia)        

I've got a few different types of what in Australia we call a Semi Auto. Here it basically means any washer that you dont get your hands wet.

A Naco Front loader which has the following process.
Close Drain Cock
Put Clothes and soap in
Set Mechanical Control to Wash
Turn Power point on
Turn Hot and Cold Tap on until water reaches rim of tub, then turn off taps.
After 10 minutes Open Drain Cock
When Empty Turn cold tap on and flush for 1 min
Turn mechanical control to spin for 5 mins

Rinse Phase
Turn mechanical control to wash
Close drain cock
Turn cold tap on until water reaches drum lip
Tumble for 5 minutes
Open Drain Cock
When Empty turn on cold tap and flush for 1 min
Turn Mechanical control to spin for 5 minutes
Repeat rinse stage with a 10min final spin
Turn off Power Point

This machine has no timer, you control it all.

The Whirlpool Top loaders tend to have timers.
Turn Power on
Add clothes and Soap
Turn taps on until machine has the right amount of water, then turn taps off
Select Heat and set timer to Hold until water is hot enough
Select Agitate option and set Timer to start agitation
Select Pump and set timer
Select Spin and set timer
Turn tap on for a spray rinse
When spin stops
Turn taps on and fill
Select agitate and set time
Select Pump and set Timer
Select Spin and Set timer
Turn tap on and off for spray rinse.

The Spin Drain machines work as above, except there is no pump step.

The Solid tub Fridgidaires with Heaters require you to put the suds save ball over the end of the drain hose,
Fill the inner tub with water, spin the water into the outer tub.

Set control to heat and Timer to Hold
When the water heated light comes on pop the suds save ball off the end of the drain hose and place the hose into the washers tub.
Set the control to Agitate and the timer to hold.
Run until the tub is full, then follow steps as for the spin drain machines.

So lots of different varieties here, but as Ron said, if you have to get your hands wet, its a manual machine, not semi auto.


Post# 381955 , Reply# 34   9/28/2009 at 20:22 (5,294 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
The Aussies have it.

mickeyd's profile picture
Over the years, Leon has shown several true semi's: A Pulsamatic and Kelvi' wobbler come immediately to mind. So until the Supreme Washer Court makes its ruling, I'm laying my money with the Aussies. They have fleets of Semi's down under. My apologies if it is not Leon. A semi-automtaic looks like an automatic, and you do not have to move wet clothes around, but you have to tell the machine what to do. I have referred to my Norge and Visimatic as semi-automatic because they shut themselves off, after washing OR draining, but I've always known they weren't really semi's. In America, we had the Thor, and another machine which squeezed the clothes in a rubber collapsable tub, by Bendix, I believe. Everything being regional, we never called our Easy Spin's semi's, the most popular machine before the coming of the automatics. And that's all she wrote.

"how can...." Are you the young'un who wanted to see Maytag wringers. Here ya go, Buddy. It's my home-made Maytag Twin-tub semi-automatic ;'D ;'D ;'D


Post# 381959 , Reply# 35   9/28/2009 at 20:33 (5,294 days old) by mayfan69 (Brisbane Queensland Australia)        
Semi auto's

mayfan69's profile picture
Hey mickey

Yes, you're right.....both Nathan and I have semi-automatic washers. Here's a link to my 1968 Simpson Fluid Drive semi automatic in action.....a TRUE Semi automatic washing machine for those who don't undertstand the concept.

Cheers
Leon



CLICK HERE TO GO TO mayfan69's LINK


Post# 382051 , Reply# 36   9/29/2009 at 14:53 (5,293 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Well I Don't Know Nothing About All That

launderess's profile picture
*LOL*

But just as an aside, whilst reading my vintage box of "All" detergent (with Bleach, Borax and Brighteners), only top loading and front loading washing machines are referred to as "automatic". Wringer and spinner washing machines are called just that under the detergent dosing directions.

Pipe snap from a recent fLeaBay auction:


Post# 382065 , Reply# 37   9/29/2009 at 16:11 (5,293 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Indeed, Dearest

mickeyd's profile picture
We never really experienced the semi-automatic wave here in America. Again, as far as this washophile knows, there was the Thor and the Bendix. The fact of their rarity is proven not only by your lovely ad, but by their lack among American club members, with only Ross having a Thor, and Robert (?) having the Bendi Squeezer. Forgive me for omitting anyone.

All the semi's are enjoyed by the Aussies. We English and Yankees had the twin tubs and spinners, after the wringers before the Automatics, with a lot of cross-breeding, of course. But isn't it all wonderful and interesting the way the Australian machines are as unusual as their flora and--mainly--fauna

Great thread, there, in your link, Leon. Thanks for such a nice treat with afternoon tea. So satisfying, and so nice to see you and Cimberlie again.


Post# 382165 , Reply# 38   9/30/2009 at 03:23 (5,293 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
UK

chestermikeuk's profile picture

If you mentioned Semi-Automatic here again its likely to be the Thor Parnall top loader type machines, look like a toploader but you control manually!!! Keith here (Keymatic) has the original Thor and the later model that looks very much like the Hotpoint Top Loaders!!!

Heres Keiths early Thor Spin Washer that takes the Dishwasher Basket!!!





type=application/x-shockwave-flash allowscriptaccess=always allowfullscreen=true width=425 height=344>



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy