Discussions & Debate: The Rattle Or Humming?

Discussions & Debate: The Rattle Or Humming?

Many of our machine’s today have sensor’s to detect a unbalanced load before it rev’s up to spin. On several occasions our newer machine’s will sometime’s fail to distribute a even load and won’t spin or will continue to spin whilst the load in the drum is unbalanced.

Many years ago, most classic machine’s we adored had no sensor’s, cutting out all the riff raff in-between and spin straight away, unbalanced or not. Most would say this could have harmed the machine, though in my opinion this is a myth, as many old classic machines were built to last by getting 20 years or more, regardless if it spun crazily each time.

On many YouTube video’s, I’ve noticed some newer machine do tend to spin unevenly occasionally. The riff raff in-between which can sometimes take a good five minutes to distribute the clothes evenly in the drum, before it gets to spin and the machine may have not achieved it at all.

So the question is, do we all favour a machine to do the job properly and get a even spin? Or do you prefer the machine to cut to the chase and spin unevenly. What’s your views?


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Post# 529218 7/7/2011 at 06:26 (4,676 days old) by thelaundrylab (Hampshire UK)
Checkrate/Likes Discussions & Debate: The Rattle Or Humming? Many of our machine’s today have sensor’s to detect a unbalanced load before it rev’s up to spin. On several occasions our newer machine’s will sometime’s fail to distribute a even load and won’t spin or will continue to spin whilst the load in the drum is unbalanced. Many years ago, most classic machine’s we adored had no sensor’s, cutting out all the riff raff in-between and spin straight away, unbalanced or not. Most would say this could have harmed the machine, though in my opinion this is a myth, as many old classic machines were built to last by getting 20 years or more, regardless if it spun crazily each time. On many YouTube video’s, I’ve noticed some newer machine do tend to spin unevenly occasionally. The riff raff in-between which can sometimes take a good five minutes to distribute the clothes evenly in the drum, before it gets to spin and the machine may have not achieved it at all. So the question is, do we all favour a machine to do the job properly and get a even spin? Or do you prefer the machine to cut to the chase and spin unevenly. What’s your views?

Post# 529266 , Reply# 1 7/7/2011 at 11:10 (4,676 days old) by CleanteamofNY ((Monroe, New York)
Checkrate/Likes I guess I prefer the balancing act. Since these new machine are light weight in materials, it's better to go slow and get it right than to bang around and destroy the cement counter weighs and pump hose connection!

Post# 529269 , Reply# 2 7/7/2011 at 11:22 (4,676 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)
Checkrate/Likes Actually both. On older machines I love a little rattle. It's part of the character of older machines. New machines should be almost silent, the smoother they run the better it is for me.

Post# 529273 , Reply# 3 7/7/2011 at 12:21 (4,676 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)
Checkrate/Likes Here in the U.S., most of the front loaders have plastic outer tubs as opposed to stainless or porcelain on steel.My theory is that,being not as durable,the plastic tubs could either shatter or break from the massive vibrations that occur during the final spin which can rev the tub up to as many as 1400 rpms . A stainless steel or Porcelain on steel outer tub would never do that and could easily withstand the vibration no matter how fast the velocity would be.The only issue there is that,if the unit is stacked,it better be secure. Otherwise,the dryer could be shaken off and fall causing some serious issues.I heard about that happening a few times back in the 70's when White Westinghouse made their "Space Mates" front loading/stackable laundry pairs.If the newer front loaders here had metal outer tubs,I'd say it would not be an issue. However,due to the fact that they are attempting to make production as inexpensive as possible,plastic outer tubs are here to stay along with balance sensors in the front loaders.

Post# 529330 , Reply# 4 7/7/2011 at 14:56 (4,676 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))
Checkrate/Likes When I was 10, our Westy galavanting across the floor was entertaining. Definitely wouldn't want my Frigi Gallery doing that today, not sure it's sturdy enough. It seldom has a problem balancing so long as the operator has entered a balanceable load. Flat can't wash one pair of jeans or one bath towel alone. Pre-rinse spins are short to start with, can spend the entire time trying to find balance. I'd appreciate an intelligent distribution, where the timer didn't advance until balance was achieved. But the Frigi is a clockwork timer, has no idea what the works are actually doing, only the motor module does. And while I say it seldom has a problem, it still does and looking at it seems the imbalance detect is more sensitive than it needs to be. The 50s Westy had no detection. Or rather, it had me if I happened to be watching it at the time which I often did. Later TLs I used had mechanical detection but it wasn't 100%, the tub could still bang the cabinet. I'm afraid today's machines would tear themselves up if allowed to do that.