Maytag Wringer


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Thread Number: 296
Maytag Wringer

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Post# 47141 10/16/2004 at 14:19 (7,295 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes Okay, great news, my best friend bought me a Maytag Wringer at an auction, I am not supposed to get it "for a little while." But I did get a glimpse of it. She says that she doesn't know if it works but I can tell that it needs repair. The wringer itself is detached. Is this repairable? I would love to use this machine for towels soon at my moms. I also don't know the condition of the interior but the exterior... WOW! No rust, the chrome name plate looks great and all it needs is some scrubbing! I have no idea if the motor still works but is there one I can get to replace it? Are they still made? Do I need to know the model? HELP ME! I AM SO EXCITED! I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED A WRINGER!

Post# 47143 , Reply# 1 10/16/2004 at 14:31 (7,295 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)
Checkrate/Likes That's wonderful news Jamie, keep up posted when you get the machine!

Post# 47160 , Reply# 2 10/16/2004 at 18:56 (7,295 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Sounds like you don't need any help at all - wringers are usually pretty reliable and will work even after not being used for many years. The wringer head lifts off the machine to make moving easier so it will just slip right back onto it's shaft when you get it home. Congratulations, you will have lots of fun with it - but be careful! Greg

Post# 47168 , Reply# 3 10/16/2004 at 19:37 (7,295 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes You could really have fun if you have a gramma and let her use it. Then watch for her to get her tit cought in the wringer. This could be very fun. hahahahahaha. (There is an old saying "I haven't had so much fun since gramma caught her tit in the wringer")

Post# 47169 , Reply# 4 10/16/2004 at 19:53 (7,295 days old) by agiflow-action ()
Checkrate/Likes Fixerman,...that was definitely uncalled for.

Post# 47170 , Reply# 5 10/16/2004 at 19:56 (7,295 days old) by CleanteamofNY ((Monroe, New York)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie, Wringers are a work of art! They are classie ole gal that are a work horse! There was one on ebay that I should have used the Buy Now button for she was a winner to look at! Good luck with your unit and keep your fingers clear of the rollers! CLICK HERE TO GO TO CleanteamofNY's LINK on eBay

Post# 47171 , Reply# 6 10/16/2004 at 20:00 (7,295 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes Please accept my sincere apology. I didn't mean for it to be taken personally.

Post# 47173 , Reply# 7 10/16/2004 at 20:07 (7,295 days old) by agiflow-action ()
Checkrate/Likes It's ok fixerman....got to keep it cool around the younger members is all.

Post# 47230 , Reply# 8 10/17/2004 at 15:48 (7,294 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *Thank You So Much!* Thank you for the information, I REALLY appreciate it. I also have a few more questions though. 1. What stroke does the agitator have? 90 degrees? 180 degrees? 2. Is it bad to use it often or are do you think it will be fine? I hope to use it as often as the other 2 machines we have. 3. Does anyone have video of this machine in action? I would love to hear how it sounds, that way I can compare it to mine and see if mine could use a little maintenance or not. 4. Are the agitators interchangable? Can I put a filter agitator in it? It would be awesome to all of the other agitators in action. THANK YOU!

Post# 47231 , Reply# 9 10/17/2004 at 15:49 (7,294 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *Thank You So Much!* Thank you for the information, I REALLY appreciate it. I also have a few more questions though. 1. What stroke does the agitator have? 90 degrees? 180 degrees? 2. Is it bad to use it often or are do you think it will be fine? I hope to use it as often as the other 2 machines we have. 3. Does anyone have video of this machine in action? I would love to hear how it sounds, that way I can compare it to mine and see if mine could use a little maintenance or not. 4. Are the agitators interchangable? Can I put a filter agitator in it? It would be awesome to all of the other agitators in action. THANK YOU!

Post# 47238 , Reply# 10 10/17/2004 at 16:34 (7,294 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes Congratulations on a Maytag wringer! Keep us posted, and watch the hands too! My Maytag Dependable Care (automatic of course) has a short agitation arc; somebody remarked that it was 120 degrees in an old post. 90 degrees seems way too short, especially for a wringer! Maytag did make a special filter-agitator for their wringer machines which would work in your washer if you can find one.

Post# 47241 , Reply# 11 10/17/2004 at 16:51 (7,294 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie ... Congrats on the Maytag wringer! Are the letters M A Y T A G spelled out in chrome? Is it a square machine? If so, then you have a Model E. This version of the Model E with chrome letters was built in the early to mid 1960's. Very nice machine. Go to my link below to see some wringer photos. Picture #5 shows what a Model E looks like and #7 shows the 5 agitators and the colors that Maytag used on their "modern" (post 1939) wringer washers. As far as using too often ... well ... they were built to last a lifetime! Don't overload!!! Good luck ... CLICK HERE TO GO TO geoffdelp's LINK

Post# 47244 , Reply# 12 10/17/2004 at 17:17 (7,294 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes The major things with maytag wringers of this vintage are: 1. The agitator shaft seal. Probably not a bad idea to replace it on general principal. 2. Leaking oil from the transmission input shaft seal. Seals should still be available but you may have to make a tool to install it. 3. Keep the agitator shaft lubed with petroleum jelly to prevent the agitator from freezing to the shaft. 4. Always separate wringer rolls when not in use to prevent them from sticking together.

Post# 47247 , Reply# 13 10/17/2004 at 19:14 (7,294 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *My Maytag* Okay as far as I know, The green part on the Wringer itself is red, not green and I don't know about the agitator (I hope its green or a filter agitator!) But I am guessing that it is red or possibly black, the only style difference in this photo compared to mine is that mine has M A Y T A G in actual chrome letters, not printed onto the cabinet. So judging from what geoffdelp has said it is a model E built in the 60's. If anyone can provide a trade for whatever agitator I have for a green agitator or a black filter agitator, that would be great! But just how do you take the agitator out of the Maytag Wringers? CLICK HERE TO GO TO Pulsator's LINK

Post# 47248 , Reply# 14 10/17/2004 at 19:15 (7,294 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *My Maytag* OH! And thanks for those VERY helpful tips fixerman!

Post# 47258 , Reply# 15 10/17/2004 at 21:33 (7,294 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes The agitator is removed simply by grabbing the bottom and pulling straight up. Many times the agitator becomes coroded onto the shaft and can be a bear to romove. I have tried the "Agitamer" on these but had no luck. The Agitamer simply folded the plastic agitator up and eventually broke the $45 or so Agitamer. Agitamers work best on agitators that have the shaft splines on top. That's why they should be lubed with petroleum jelly. If it doesn't come out readily, try filling the tub with hot water. If you are lucky it will come out with much hard work. If the agitator comes off without the spline attached, The spline will have to come off too. Maybe use a gear puller on it. After romoval you will probably want to replace the O-ring that holds the agitator down.

Post# 47260 , Reply# 16 10/17/2004 at 21:54 (7,294 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes As a sidenote, nearly every GE Filter-Flo I've looked at had an agitator that was "frozen." The manual says to "grab and pull up hard on the base of the agitator;" I've grabbed and pulled with no such luck. Last year I bought a water-powered Agitamer with some other tools but haven't had to use it yet; the machines I've had to look at either used impellers or had agitators that were mounted with set screws or bolts.

Post# 47268 , Reply# 17 10/17/2004 at 22:20 (7,294 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes Some of the later model Maytag automatics had a set screw instead of a hold down O-ring but the wringer should be pull off. Sometimes the O-ring becomes hard from age and cause the agitator to come off hard.

Post# 47302 , Reply# 18 10/18/2004 at 09:33 (7,293 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie ... You're getting a lot of sound advise; cool! Did you need an Owner's Manual? Repair manual? Many of these parts are still available; albeit expensive. I guess that's what is making them so collectable! If these machines are maintained properly, they will last a long, long time. Care should always be taken not to overload and to be careful how items are placed through the wringer. Your machine should have either the black agitator or the black lint filter agitator. You should have a red release bar, black agitator, chrome letters, and a chrome agitator start. Do you know if it is a pump model or not? The one in my picture is a pump model; see the goosneck on the right hand side for placing over a sink? If it is a pump, it will also have the strainer under the agitator to catch small objects before they go into the pump and break the impellers. The tub will be made from spun aluminum and is really hard to polish. The best way I know how to maintain these tubs, is to always use the softest water available and no harsh chemicals. Do all your bleaching prior. Don't use "boxed" water softeners either, they tend to dull. I use plain old, original scented Tide ... the best! :-) If you want a manual, send me your address to: geoffdelp@aol.com; I think I have some extras, or can make copies! :-) Always happy to share info with another Maytag enthusiast!! Geoff

Post# 47798 , Reply# 19 10/25/2004 at 20:20 (7,286 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *Great News!!!* I finally got my friend (Alisha) to look inside and she said that it has a turquoise agitator! YES!!! And I am getting the machine on friday! I will be able to answer most questions then. I hope to get it down stairs, and at least plug it in to see how she runs. Should I remove the agitator first? and check to see if it needs petroleum jelly? But, I don't think I will be plugging it in for a while yet. Alisha said that on the way home it leaked grease, oil or something and so I think thats a sign that it may need a new transmission seal. Is this a problem? (It was taken home on its side.) What should I do? Can anyone give me list of things to check all over the machine to make sure its okay to plug in and start? What should I buy? Will any stains result of the petroleum jelly? How should I apply the jelly? How often? How much? My guess is that it will be used at least once every week, or it could do all the for a whole week (around 5 hours worth with three washing machines.) It just all depends on how I am feeling. Once I get it restored and its humming dreamily away I will take out the video camera and make a movie for everyone to watch, but I need all the help I can get to help save this beauty. Is there anyone who can answer all of my questions? How many Maytag Wringer experts are there out there? Please help me! And THANK YOU anyone who does!

Post# 47803 , Reply# 20 10/25/2004 at 21:15 (7,286 days old) by westytoploader ()
Checkrate/Likes Congratulations! Can't wait to see pictures! As for the leak, it might be the wringer head; wringers weren't meant to be transported on their sides and I've heard a few stories about the wringers leaking oil when tipped over; I'm not positive though. Also, if you apply Vaseline sparingly to the agitator shaft only, you won't have to worry about it getting in the wash. You just have to use a very small amount. --Austin

Post# 47807 , Reply# 21 10/25/2004 at 21:43 (7,286 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes I would ramove the agitator and put a gob on the splines. Just spread it so it has a coating. I think some people remove the agitator after washing to prevent the frozen agitator problem. When the machine is filled with water there remains an air pocket under the agitator so it shouldn't wash the lubricant out. When we used to haul Maytag wringers we would lay them on the side with the agitate knob down, this keeps the oil from leaking out the air vent hole or leaking out the wringer drive hole, which is what probably happened. Before replacing the seal, clean up the oil so you can see where it leaked from. If the drive shaft seal is leaking it will show up there. Try to determin how much oil leaked out. If you need to add some, the easiest way is to turn machine upside down and remove the drive pulley and then the two bolts holding the drive worm gear and remove it. then fill with oil.

Post# 47858 , Reply# 22 10/26/2004 at 15:38 (7,285 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes Thank you! I will try and do these things as soon as possible, but I have a few more questions. Whats the best way to get the machine downstairs? what the best way to transport it? If mine has the pump, (don't know yet) how is it activated? Also, I here what your saying but I am kind of foggy about it. What kind of oil? what kind vaseline or petroleum jelly? and whats a spline? I know nothing of wringers at all. Please help me! Do I need to buy a new O-ring for it? What does the O-ring do?Besides lubricant and oil is that all I should buy? Any info is appreciated!

Post# 47861 , Reply# 23 10/26/2004 at 16:02 (7,285 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie ... Remove the wringer head before you move it downstairs. As "fixerman" said, if you have to tip the machine, do so with the agitator control facing down; that will keep the oil from coming out of the breather hole on the right angle drive (ANOTHER new term!). I have mailed you a repair, an Owner's, and a parts manual. I put them in the mail today, Tuesday, and I would think you would have them by Thursday/Friday at the latest. Should be just a couple of days from Minnesota to Michigan. I think you'll find these manuals to be a wealth of info to you. They will demonstrate the various controls on the machine, as well as tell you how to dismantle (if you wish), and any routine maintenance you should do. The lubrication for the agitator shaft is just plain old Vaseline. A jar will last you forever. You don't cake it on the agitator shaft, but just give it a good coating. You'll get the hang of it! These machines were built to last and last if they are well taken care of. Here's your chance ... Geoff

Post# 47862 , Reply# 24 10/26/2004 at 16:20 (7,285 days old) by fixerman ()
Checkrate/Likes Whats the best way to get the machine downstairs? Two strong people , one holding the top and one on the bottom. what the best way to transport it? Stand up and held securely with straps or rope, or if you must lay it down make sure the drive post is on top. If mine has the pump, (don't know yet) how is it activated? A pump model has a lever on the bottom outside of the tub that moves the pump pulley into contact with the drive pulley. The pump models have a drain hose with a hook screwed to the end to hook over the drain tub or drain stand. What kind of oil? what kind vaseline or petroleum jelly? Actually it is graese. you should be able to buy it from appliance parts stores. You may want to ask for Maytag brand. Part no. 056080 Vaseline is Vaseline. Ask your parents, They will know. and whats a spline? Splines are grooves cut into a shaft to prevent it from slipping when agitating. Do I need to buy a new O-ring for it? What does the O-ring do? It would be a good idea to replace it. Maytag part no. 015494. The O-ring holds the agitator down. If they go bad the agitators tend to come off when washing. There is a lip at the bottom of the agitator that slips over this O-ring.

Post# 47868 , Reply# 25 10/26/2004 at 17:54 (7,285 days old) by kenmore1978 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Vaseline* "Vaseline" is a brand name for "petroleum jelly". Available in any drug store or market.

Post# 48028 , Reply# 26 10/28/2004 at 16:31 (7,283 days old) by Partscounterman (Cortez, Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes *maytag agitators* I took the time to look at geoffdelp's maytag wringer agitators and must tell you that you are missing one. I once had a model NX (gray skirt & wringer-speckled porc. tub) and it had a black bakelite agitator with no shaft sticking up-kinda like the washer version of a manx cat. It was really fun to watch this one, except when you washed sheets the whole sheet would get sucked down over the agitator.

Post# 48038 , Reply# 27 10/28/2004 at 19:14 (7,283 days old) by WASHENDRY (pinconning,mich)
Checkrate/Likes *MAYTAG WRINGER* IF YOU HAVE ANY TROUBLE WITH THE WRINGER, LET ME KNOW, I'VE WORKED ON A FEW FRON THE THIRTIES MODEL'S THRU 1980, SOME OF THE GEAR RATIO'S CHANGED BUT THEY'RE ALL PRETTY MUCH ALIKE, I HAVE MAYTAG WRINGERS FROM 1920'S GAS ENGINE, 1930'S GEAR SHIFT, 1946 SQUARE TUB,REMOVABLE LID, 1964 CHROME BEAUTY, 1978 ROUND TUB, 1983 SQUARE TUB LID ATTATCHED, W/WRINGER SAFETY PEDAL, GOOD LUCK AND HOPE IT ARRIVES SOON KIM

Post# 48058 , Reply# 28 10/28/2004 at 22:23 (7,283 days old) by maytagbear (N.E. Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *Imagine!* Someone on this board needing clarification about Vaseline/petroleum jelly! Love and laughter! Lawrence/Maytagbear

Post# 48094 , Reply# 29 10/29/2004 at 08:35 (7,282 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Partscounterman ... you're right! I forgot about the NX agitator! A rare speciman, indeed. There was an NX for sale on Ebay a while ago that had that agitator. That would have been great to have. I had an NX once, but the agitator was the black bakelite with the shaft. I was never sure how efficient the agitators with no shafts were.

Post# 48114 , Reply# 30 10/29/2004 at 16:24 (7,282 days old) by scott55405 ()
Checkrate/Likes Robert's clear-tub demo model J has a glass agitator made like the NX's. Until I saw that NX on Ebay, I'd never seen that style washer and didn't know that this shaftless agitator had been used on actual machine meant for home use. Doesn't the NX also have two black rollers, rather than one white and one black?

Post# 48132 , Reply# 31 10/29/2004 at 19:04 (7,282 days old) by Partscounterman (Cortez, Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes NX Yes mine did anyway. I think the black roller was the "soft" roller and the cream colored one was harder. That way they could talk you into stepping up to a "better" model with both kine rollers. I wish I could go play with Roberts demo glass tub washer. Too bad we did't meet 'til just before I moved here-Oh well, its not like I never be back in the twin cities (shiver!)

Post# 48143 , Reply# 32 10/29/2004 at 21:05 (7,282 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes The NX was a lot lower in price, wasn't it? I think, as you say, Partscounterman, they used those machines to convince the buyer to upgrade to a different model. They made them look ... well ... sort of like a canner, don't you think? I couldn't believe it when I saw the pictures of Robert's demo "J" ... complete with a Pyrex shaftless agitator! Wow!! One of the Maytag News I have from the early 1950's has a picture of a glass tubbed "J" with the shaftless agitator and they were doing a demo where you braided 3 towels together and then put them in the washer. The towels would become untangled in just a couple of minutes!! If I don't load my queen-sized sheets properly in any one of my machines, I pull them out all tangled up; not sure how it would untangle braided towels?? Maybe it has something to do with the shaftless agitator? The "magic" to the gyratator was that it created water currents that kept the clothes moving towards the center of the tub and not the agitator dragging the clothes through the water. Wasn't the original gyratator a shaftless one? What was the purpose of putting on a shaft? Does anyone know?

Post# 48147 , Reply# 33 10/29/2004 at 21:43 (7,282 days old) by Partscounterman (Cortez, Colorado)
Checkrate/Likes *agitator shaft* Yes, I think your right. In 1987, Maytag did some promotional/historical thing at Newton. So we drove like bats outta heck to see it. Jesse White was still Ol' Lonely at the time and he filled a time capsule. One of the thing they put in the capsule was the original shaftless agitator. I'll bet they added the tall shaft to overcome the very problem I had with the NX-sheets would get sucked down over the agitator, which didn't do the sheet a lot of good (bet it got really, really clean though) With a load of smaller items, the NX was fascinating. I miss it. It ended up some where in southern MN 'cuz I moved into an apt. and couldn't deal with it at the time. Sidenote-I haven't seen a single wringer washer(other than pics) since I arrived on Maui a year ago. They were always so plentiful in the midwest.

Post# 48155 , Reply# 34 10/29/2004 at 22:58 (7,282 days old) by scott55405 ()
Checkrate/Likes You're right. If you go estate sales regularly, rarely a week will go by when you don't see at least one wringer washer. Most times there's also an automatic but not always. It's the whole basement thing; storage and keeping things was simply not a problem for most. Prior to my going to estate sales a few years back, I never would have imagined even here that there were still as many around as there are.

Post# 48164 , Reply# 35 10/30/2004 at 03:30 (7,282 days old) by kenmore1978 ()
Checkrate/Likes *shaftless agitator* I'm trying to imagine what this looks like, does anyone have a pic of one?

Post# 48173 , Reply# 36 10/30/2004 at 05:41 (7,282 days old) by WASHENDRY (pinconning,mich)
Checkrate/Likes *MAYTAG WRINGER* DID IT ARRIVE? KIM

Post# 48192 , Reply# 37 10/30/2004 at 16:01 (7,281 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *Unfortunately...* Unfortunately due to bad weather I was not able to get my Wringer last friday as planned. I will be recieving it in about 2 weeks! EEEEEEERRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so tired of waiting! I got all of these preparations just waiting! Well, I will update when it FINALLY arrives.

Post# 48195 , Reply# 38 10/30/2004 at 16:45 (7,281 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes I have not thought about that "shaftless" Gyrator in years!!! I remember them. Went camping with my Dad when I was a child (lets say mid-'50s) and I believe the campground was in central Florida somewhere, a huge place---, and they had a laundry area--with attendant--that had a half dozen or so Maytag Wringers with that "shaftless" Gyrator. I watched them in operation for hours, never having seen them before (or since). Thanks for jogging my memory!! -Steve

Post# 48198 , Reply# 39 10/30/2004 at 17:24 (7,281 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie ... did you get the info I sent? Steve ... How did those laundries work? I mean, did you have to pay, like a dime, for each tub of water? I never could figure out how they did those before the days of "coin-op".

Post# 48219 , Reply# 40 10/31/2004 at 02:42 (7,281 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply to Geoffdelp* I do not remember exactly how the system worked but I do remember in some places you paid by the basket full--which is most likey how it was at the camp ground, just pay the black ladies and they would take over. I watched them in operation for hours and do not ever remember anyone other than the attendants actually using those machines. At the attended full service laundries I just remember them weighing out the clothing and charging for it that way. At this time, at least in the south, laundry was almost the exclusive domain of black women. I think many were tipped employees. I remember well a laundry here in Atlanta--must have been around '61 or '62---they had a row of Frigidaire 3-Ring Multi-matics---and you would be greeted by a black women at the door who would then take your laundry and sort it into loads, put them in the machines, transfer them to the dryers and then fold and hang them for you while you sat and watched television--and they were fast! They were tipped employees. When you were ready to leave they would beg to carry the laundry out to the car (where the management could not overhear them) and see if you wanted them to take the laundry home to iron it for a fee! Most folks took them up on it as they were inexpensive and who likes to iron for hours?! -Steve

Post# 48231 , Reply# 41 10/31/2004 at 07:45 (7,280 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Steve ... that's horrible!! Those poor women probably worked for pennies on the hour. My Mom is from Louisiana and some of the things she's talked about; what a disgrace to humanity. I've seen pictures in my Maytag News from the early 1950's from Augusta, GA where there was a "boom" for a defense plant (I think) and they set up manufactured housing (more like trailers) for the workers and there was a central area for doing laundry and they had Maytag E's available for the people who wanted to use them. There was also a photo of a woman who had a Model N right outside her home and left the machine out year round because of the climate. This was at the same time they (Maytag) were pushing the portable automatic idea. Big casters on the little AMP with a coupling device for the water usage and drainage. Interesting!!

Post# 48234 , Reply# 42 10/31/2004 at 08:01 (7,280 days old) by westie2 ()
Checkrate/Likes *Wringer Laundries* Growing up in the country there were several laundries that had the old 1930 typs Maytags along with the newer white square tubs. The one that my mother/grandmother and great grandmother used twice a year for big time washing of quilts ect was the old 1930's machine in which the owener had piped in live steam to the tubs to really boil the clothes. This was a self serevice where you did your own laundry. The live steam comming into the machines made a loud rumble/scream while it was being used.

Post# 48256 , Reply# 43 10/31/2004 at 15:15 (7,280 days old) by Pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)
Checkrate/Likes *Manuals* YES! I just got the manuals in the mail! Thank you so much Geoff Delp! These are going to be so helpful! I am so excited! Thank you!

Post# 48279 , Reply# 44 10/31/2004 at 20:25 (7,280 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Jamie ... good luck!!

Post# 48283 , Reply# 45 10/31/2004 at 20:38 (7,280 days old) by Gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply to Geoffdelp---* Well, I don't know what these folks made but they sure seemed to like what they did and had much better working conditions that what I see some of the Mexicans working in now---I guess each generation has its disgraces. By the way, I distinctly remember visiting some of my relatives up North during this same time period and seeing much the same thing at their laundries-----. -Steve

Post# 48344 , Reply# 46 11/1/2004 at 17:56 (7,279 days old) by laundramatt (Youngstown, Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes *How did those laundries work?* There's a trailer park nearby that has a laundry room, with one Maytag wringer washer it it. (Most trailers have their own washer and dryer hookups nowadays). Anyway, the park owner rigged up a coin dispenser to the electrical outlet that the washer is plugged into. For a quarter, you get 15 minutes of electricity and agitation. I always wondered if anybody hid extension cords in their clothes baskets under the clothes to hook up the washer to another electrical outlet and save themselves some quarters. The place is rarely used anymore, and always locked whenever I try to stop by to see the washer in action.

Post# 48388 , Reply# 47 11/2/2004 at 14:05 (7,278 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes Laundramatt ... that's unusual, huh? Have you every gone in there to do a load?

Post# 48392 , Reply# 48 11/2/2004 at 14:18 (7,278 days old) by geoffdelp (SAUK RAPIDS)
Checkrate/Likes *Reply to Gyrafoam* Steve ... Oh, I'm sure you saw it up North, too. We didn't have the nickname of "White Cloud" (St. Cloud) for nothing. You're right ... each generation has its disgraces; hopefully, we learn from them (disgraces) and treat each other with respect. One can only hope and pray ... I like Laundramatt's example of the coin-op electrical outlet. Do you suppose that's how a lot of self-service laundries were? I've seen pictures of self-service laundries with Maytag automatics before the coin slide and you paid per load. They must have had attendants going around taking money? I still wonder how a lot of these self-service laundries worked. I remember the coin-op days from the 1960's/1970's when we took family vacations. I'd go to the laundry with Mom (figures)! I've always had the luxury of having my own washer since I left home in the late 1970's. Only once, for about a period of a year, did I have to rely on a coin-op in an apartment building while my furnishings were in storage.

Post# 48420 , Reply# 49 11/2/2004 at 20:28 (7,278 days old) by laundramatt (Youngstown, Ohio)
Checkrate/Likes geoffdelp, I don't live at the trailor park, and the only people who have keys to the laundry room are the tenants. I did get a chance one time to be there while a woman was doing her wash, but she probably would have thought that I was crazy if I had asked her if I could help. :-)

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