Frigidaire


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Thread Number: 6602
Frigidaire

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Post# 132616 6/2/2006 at 09:45 (6,536 days old) by tumbler ()
Checkrate/Likes I've really enjoyed reading all the threads about the Frigidaire machines. Though I'm a front-loader guy, I grew up in a family with, at one time, three (!) Frigidaires! Actually, the first machine I remember dates from when I was about three, and I believe was an early G.E. automatic. When I was about 5 or 6, my mom bought a G.E. which I think was an early Filter-Flo (with matching dryer, hardwired-no plug!). At that time we rented summer places on Cape Cod which had Bendix front-loaders, my first experience with them. In '59, we bought a summer place which had a G.E. top-loader, probably a 1954 model with a very fast spin (and no lid switch-yeah!). I got a spanking for removing the back so I could look at the innards. In '63, we moved to the Va. suburbs of D.C.; the house had a Hamilton dryer ca. 1958, don't remember the washer. My mom immediately bought a Frigidaire (Jet Action?) which I believe had the 3-ring agitator, and a matching dryer. They lasted until the early '80s, and the dryer motor still powers a wire wheel/buffer in a friends workshop! At the same time, my mom outfitted the Cape house with another Frigidaire, probably a '64 model. Around '68 or so, they bought another house as a rental property on the Cape and put in another Frigidaire. This I think had the Jet-cone agitator and had a little window in the top-great machine. These were probably the last washers to use capacitor-start motors (less starting current, more starting torque than the slightly cheaper split-phase motors which are still used). Quality through and through. They sold the rental house,and the washer in their main house lasted until the inner tub rusted through under the agitator and it would pump out its water while it washed-not good for the clothes! Now she has '80's Maytags in both the Va. and the Cape houses. When I visit, I bring a big laundry bag so I can do my wash at home in my front loader-these damn Maytags tear my stuff up! Anyway, I've always been fascinated by machinery, especially laundry machinery, since I was very young (remember the spanking!), which is why I supplement my musician income as a refrigeration/commercial appliance mechanic! (I occasionally work on commercial laundry stuff like Wascomat, Milnor, Dexter, etc.)

Post# 132633 , Reply# 1 6/2/2006 at 12:06 (6,535 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)
Checkrate/Likes *Wow, John* those are some memories. I got spanked for trying to grab a running chainsaw... I guess our parents meant well, but they just sealed our fates by awaking our interests in ancient machines. Thanks for sharing.

Post# 132680 , Reply# 2 6/2/2006 at 15:53 (6,535 days old) by frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for sharing your washer history and memories! You had some real classics to 'play' with!

Post# 132878 , Reply# 3 6/3/2006 at 06:23 (6,535 days old) by gyrafoam (Wytheville, VA)
Checkrate/Likes John, like I said before, you have joined a long line of individuals with similar experiences! Looking forward to more discussion!

Post# 132929 , Reply# 4 6/3/2006 at 13:07 (6,534 days old) by mixfinder ()
Checkrate/Likes *Doesn't Sweat Much for A Fat Girl* Punch line from a joke about always say something nice. My oldest, her five children and husband moved into a house with a MOL Frigidaire from the mid 90's. It is very quiet, doesn't set the world on fire with rollover, but it was before dual action. It washes well enough to make them happy and has not needed a repair in the past 5 years. There is evidence of rusting around the hinges and bleach dispenser, etc. Kelly

Post# 133123 , Reply# 5 6/4/2006 at 18:20 (6,533 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)
Checkrate/Likes Hi Tumbler! I notice that the Cape Cod cottages that are washer equipped (very rare, cesspools and all) tend to be not so friendly places for the washers. Unless they are drained and dried, the unheated cottages are a brutal storage for any washer, dishwashers too. They tended to rust prematurely, and the transmission oil thickenes up easily. Bobby in Boston

Post# 134394 , Reply# 6 6/8/2006 at 12:56 (6,529 days old) by tumbler ()
Checkrate/Likes *Cape environment for washers* You're right, Bobby, about the environment on the Cape; anything not made of stainless steel corrodes pretty quick. Also, waste disposal is a problem what with the new Title 5 septic systems and all. The electric utility issues $100 rebates for purchase of "energy star" laundry machines, which includes most front loaders, for that reason. Nevertheless, my Mom's Maytag has been there since 1989, and the Frigidaire which preceded it, a 1964 model (I believe a 3-ring) was there for 25 years (!) until the tub rusted out under the agitator. It took the longest time to figure out why the machine would fill fine, then pump out while it agitated! Turns out that the solid tub was leaking into the outer tub; when the motor started, the pump-which will pump in either direction of rotation, would then empty the outer tub (and thus the inner tub because of the leak) while in agitation mode...The new front loaders all have stainless tubs, plastic outer tubs, and lots of plastic elsewhere; thus, less chance of rusting out.

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