Thread Number: 82352  /  Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990
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Post# 1063821   3/19/2020 at 18:02 (1,470 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        

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Heres a fun compilation video of British Twintub washing machines (or twinnies) have put together after requests from our overseas friends comparing different styles/actions etc. I`ve also shown some inside money shots to get an idea how they work,
its interesting from initial feedback you get to see how different washers perform etc...youll hear the banter from our members here lol

The 4 main makes are Servis Supertwins, Hoovermatics, Hotpoint Supermatics and Philips Toptwin, am editing individual videos at the mo..

Hope You Enjoy !!









Post# 1063884 , Reply# 1   3/20/2020 at 08:14 (1,469 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        
Thanks a lot



Mike ...


The realm of the twinnie : )

Simply, timeless.

When i am going to sleep, not counting sheeps... counting twintub washing machines!
lol

Thank you for sharing with us @ AW community !


Post# 1063888 , Reply# 2   3/20/2020 at 09:09 (1,469 days old) by Jetaction (Minneapolis)        
What fun!

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Thanks so much, Mike!

Post# 1063901 , Reply# 3   3/20/2020 at 11:27 (1,469 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Amazing Twin Tub Water Ecstasy

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Oh Mikey,

That agitator that squirts steamy water--are you kidding me?!And then the two spinners that circle spray water, one of them at criss-crossed variable angles--Oh My God ! Can't help but wonder if that is where GM Frigidaire got the idea for the 1-18 circle spray fill & spin rinse.

One of the two black agitators moves like crazy, almost like a speeded up movie. Fred would know that it's a lot like the non-hydrator agitator in the Blackstone wringer washers. Those built-in suds-return systems are so satisfying. And then...... there is....... the BOILING! LOL. You've got it all.

Speaking of sleep, I watched this last night at about 2 am, and toward the end, I drifted off to blissful repose. Thank you for such a satisfying dream of twin tub heaven. You are the bomb, Michael. :'D


Post# 1063902 , Reply# 4   3/20/2020 at 11:36 (1,469 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

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Afternoon Mike,

Thanks for compiling the all the "Great's" in action just what I needed to lift my WFH day amongst the mayhem and uncertainty.

With regards to Servis and Philips doing the "Lessiveuse Style" action there is no mention of this action in the instruction manuals and its potential dangers, is this because you had the water level below the required level ??

Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1063941 , Reply# 5   3/20/2020 at 21:50 (1,468 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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That's a wonderful video - thanks, MIke.

I love the spitting agitator!


Post# 1063948 , Reply# 6   3/20/2020 at 22:51 (1,468 days old) by Hippiedoll ( arizona )        
WOWZERS...

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That was a really cool video!
I do like the twin tub washers, especially the ones with an agitator (Speed Queen, Hotpoint, Simplicity) but they are more work than an automatic. The fact that they're smaller makes them cute.
But after having & using the HOOVER twin tub, I would only think about getting one with an agitator. The impeller disc just isn't for me. But I definitely like the spinners!

One thing that has me scratching my head though...
Why didn't GE make their portable washers with the Filter-Flo design? You see that it can be made because of that one Hotpoint twin tub that has the Filter-Flo workings. And also the other one with the red filter pan on the agitator, I don't know what brand that one was. So why didn't GE make their portable washers with the Filter-Flo design and an agitator, instead of with that reversing impeller disc at the bottom of the tub?
:o(

Thanks for posting that video chestermikeuk/Mike. That was really cool to see.
:o)


Post# 1063955 , Reply# 7   3/21/2020 at 03:51 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hi Jean (Unclejohn) I love that analogy counting twinnies ha ha, glad you enjoyed it, more to come, are you still using all your Hoover twintubs ?

Need to film the T5044 next, lovely brown / bronze livery !!


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Post# 1063956 , Reply# 8   3/21/2020 at 03:57 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Don, many thanks , always fun to share different appliances here, do you still have your Hoover twintubs ? I do love the colours you guys had our was a range of white ha ha..

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Post# 1063958 , Reply# 9   3/21/2020 at 04:29 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Oh Mickey, we aim to please ha ha, when I saw the "Lessiveuse Style" boiling burping agitator I knew you would approve. its the reaction of the heater being directly under the agi, so when boiling in a small amount of water you get the "Perc" effect,

The faster moving twintub is the Philips Toptwin, which moves at 120 OPM (oscillations per minute) and is the fastest of all twinnies, the Hotpoint will be 100 and the Servis is 86 opm and has the widest sweep @ 210d arc.
The Philips also has a nifty filter system under the agitator or "Gyrator" as they call it..

The Hotpoint spinner with the Circle Spray is more effective than the hose or jet straight in, that shot had the water pressure controlled from the tap just right, too little and it dribbles down the side, more tha the pic and it overshoots..


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Post# 1063959 , Reply# 10   3/21/2020 at 04:38 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
"Lessiveuse Style"

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Morning Keith, totally understand how you feel, weird days indeed and more to come, forcing myself to get stuff done and enjoy it..

The only time I ever saw people "Boil" in twinnies was just with a small amount of water over the clothes and then either ditch the water or top up to wash normally, yes am not surprised its not in the instruction book ha ha...

Obviously the "Perc" effect only happens when the water is below the holes on the agitator and pressure from the powerful heater forces the water up the inner tube.


Post# 1063960 , Reply# 11   3/21/2020 at 04:46 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Greg , Thanks, hope all great with you guys, Do you still have the yellow Hoover twinny ? Love the colourways that you had..



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Post# 1063962 , Reply# 12   3/21/2020 at 05:20 (1,468 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Christina, the Hoover twintubs where marketed here as "The Washdog" races through washday, they are fun to use but as you say John in the video, always best to keep the mop handy and I think using any twinny the way we do with lids open ya floor will always have a wash ha ha.

The agitators are great more like the top loaders, The Rolls Royce of twinnys has to be the Servis / Simplicity / Speed Queen a long wide sweep to move the clothes through the water also having four vanes on the agitator and a square tube so the clothes get washed into the corners and out again..

The red filter pan is the first UK Hotpoint twintub, produced 1959, the later models then had the Spiralator agi like the Easy. I wonder if it was trademarks and such that GE didnt do a mini filter flow system,

We also had a GEC twinny which was really special and it was two tubs in one, and had two wash impellers in the base a bit like the Maytag, alas we dont have one of those at the moment.


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Post# 1063991 , Reply# 13   3/21/2020 at 10:41 (1,468 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
A real treat

Hello Mike,

Great compilation, it takes me back seeing the glass lid on the hotpoint spinner; thinking about it, it must have been around 1963/4 when I saw that in a playmates mothers kitchen. Much more interesting than playing in the little lads sand pit!!!

Regards, Walter.


Post# 1063997 , Reply# 14   3/21/2020 at 11:28 (1,468 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        

Hey, Mike,

you are quite right when you say the Servis-SQ-Simplicity are 'The Rolls Royce of twinnys' ! I've had (and used) a Simp Supertwin which definately was impressive, both in terms of washing efficiency and spin speed, while still being very quiet.

I only use, from time to time, my Hoover Rinse-O-Matic (same as Washdog UK). And now my 'new' Maytag A50 (of which the wash tub leaks a little bit--will have to put some silicone up around the tub before i run it next time). The A50 is so quiet when compared to the Hoov., probably the less noisy thing next to the Servis-SQ-Simp. So glad i managed to find one in good working condition, 'as is'. I've also found a belt that works just fine for its impellers: 3L510 v-belt (Gates Truflex 1510, Ind Nr 6751, 3/8'' x 51'').


Post# 1064007 , Reply# 15   3/21/2020 at 12:36 (1,468 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Mikey

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What a riot that little GEC twinny is; would love to see one day when you find one--which, of course you will !-- the movement pattern in the cool double elbow tub.

Speaking of yellow Hoovers, last winter you had a grand thread up that motivated me to get the Oovuh going with a winter load of fleece & flannel. Don't know if I got the pix to you, but they're right here on the laptop. Enjoy.

Footnote: Always wondering why American washers couldn't boil, when all of yours did. Even the Frigidaire you pixed in Christina's 1-18 thread.
Imagine-- A Frigidaire boiling !Too funny ! How an American Unimatic might protest: "We don't need heat; we already have achieved a rolling boil!" ;'D


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Post# 1064065 , Reply# 16   3/21/2020 at 19:06 (1,468 days old) by Spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

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Thanks Mike, a great trip down memory lane for me. 1970s UK was dominated by TT, front load automatics were slowly gaining popularity. My Mum had the Hoovermatic de lux washdog which had the fill hose going in thru the back next to the rubber drain hose. It had the white water spout mounted in the spin deck and swung round to fill the wash tub. It also had the auto rinse feature which was very useful. I had lots of fun with that machine until it pegged out early 80’s and we got the service top load automatic machine. That is another interesting washer but was short lived unfortunately.

Post# 1064103 , Reply# 17   3/22/2020 at 04:53 (1,467 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Good morning Walter, well yes at that age one of those twinnys would be christmas comes early over said sand pit ha ha...I never knew anyone with that model other than the English Electric like Darrens with the brush filter but that was red and red agitator.

This is Johns that he actually had found a brand new in bag spinner lid as with many of them at that time they corroded from the alkali powders etc.



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Post# 1064104 , Reply# 18   3/22/2020 at 05:02 (1,467 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Jean (UncleJohn) oh yes I think it was because I grew up with the Servis that had me spoilt etc..Is the Simpson an agitator twinny. Glad you got a belt for the Maytag was the original a V belt then or round ? making me think now !!

But you have the Holy Grail of Hoover Twintubs dont you with the Rinse-o-matic and the wash filter system ?


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This post was last edited 03/22/2020 at 05:17
Post# 1064105 , Reply# 19   3/22/2020 at 05:16 (1,467 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Morning Mickey, yes hope we can get to use a GEC all in one twinny one day !!

Fabulous twinny water shots, Those Hoover twinnys pump out at such a rate that they lend themselves to artistic water shots, have heard many a tale of the hose jumping off the sink & flooding the place !!

"A Boiling Frigidaire" now theres a video to conjure up, they did the twinnys and spinners as well, complete laundry range.


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Post# 1064106 , Reply# 20   3/22/2020 at 05:25 (1,467 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Simon yes I think the British held on to their twinnys for a long time over the automatics, I think as well many people saw friends with the likes of Indesit & Zanny washers with slow spin speeds and complaining
especially with our weather.. so hung onto them !!

The Hoovermatic Washdog must have been one of the best sellers for Hoover at the time...great machine and with the autorinse. What Servis top loader was it the UK one with Blue agi & booster fin or the Canadian made Kenmore Whirlppol ?


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Post# 1064133 , Reply# 21   3/22/2020 at 11:04 (1,467 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        

Ah, yes, Chester Mike, the Simplicity twinnie has an two speed four-vane agitator, whereas most Speed Queen twin tubs are only 1 speed. Regarding the belt fitted to the Maytag motor-impellers, the original was indeed a round belt. However, the V belt described above fits like a glove and gives great washing power, as far as i'm concerned. The minor leakage excepted (from the top of the wash tub), this A50 is in excellent working order. Clothes get well washed, and barely damp after 3 min spin.

I 100% agree with you that the washdog (rinse-o-matic) is the 'Holy Grail' of Hoovers. And, yep, that sort of lint filter also gives pretty good results.

I, too, found that GEC washer fascinating and unusual to say the least.


Post# 1064155 , Reply# 22   3/22/2020 at 16:05 (1,467 days old) by Spinspeed (Far North New South Wales Australia (originally London UK))        

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Hi Mike, yes that is the one. Fantastic machine for its time. However, I was always jealous of people who had automatics. They were so cool but as you say had really slow spinspeed. I always used to buy Bold Automatic detergent even though we had a TT. I loved the smell if it.

The Service top loader was a very interesting machine. There is a thread on the very machine. It was cool if not a little slow, had no spray rinse and had thee deep rinses. Small capacity and was not best suited to British hot water systems of that day. Took forever to heat the wash water up.

Thanks for posting this Mike, excellent thread
Simon



CLICK HERE TO GO TO Spinspeed's LINK


Post# 1064240 , Reply# 23   3/23/2020 at 03:26 (1,466 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Morning Simon, well I never, not like me to miss all things Servii haha, especially when Alans posts the holy grail of literature - then I checked the date, was moving home...

These where made for Servis UK by Whirlpool Kenmore but the Canadian design, I dont know if their model had a heater or it was made specifically for UK market. Hoping Guy (BellaLaundry) or Jean (UncleJohn) can help us ?

Oh yes Bold for colours Daz for whites and Lenor ha ha..This Hoovermatic was prob the best selling and almost semi automatic with the linked heater timer and the autorinse albeit you had to move the clothes between tubs !!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK




This post was last edited 03/23/2020 at 03:45
Post# 1064258 , Reply# 24   3/23/2020 at 07:56 (1,466 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Mike what a great video

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I love all the sloshing washing action!!! Getting extra enjoyment as my babies are currently snowballed in storage. 

 

 


Post# 1064280 , Reply# 25   3/23/2020 at 10:45 (1,466 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        

Mike,

as far as i know, there were absolutely no heater models in the various twintubs right here in North America. [Only some of the models of UK or Australia ??]

That is probably one of the reasons we had some plastic (poly-) tubs models whereas in the UK there were none. That being said, i personally prefer ss, porcelain enamel or alum tubs in washing machines of any kind.


Post# 1064301 , Reply# 26   3/23/2020 at 13:01 (1,466 days old) by alanlondon (London)        
Super read Mike

thank you so much for taking the time to compile a list. My Mum had Hoover twin tub when I was growing up and I used to fill it for her and get it ready for use (aged probably about 6) and then stayed with her whist she did the laundry turning the knobs on instruction. I remember that the spinner would be left on whilst she hung out some clothes on the line which were finished, the loud high pitch deafening noise for ten minute or so would ring in my ears long after the washing had ended!

Also my mum would always lift the lid of the blue spinner and put her finger on top of the revolving clothes as it came to a stop in an impatient way, how her arm was never ripped off I'll never know!

It's worth remembering too that this was a time when we had two electrical sockets in the kitchen, so there was a long trailing wire to add to the excitement.

Happy memories.

Cheers, Alan



Post# 1064375 , Reply# 27   3/24/2020 at 02:23 (1,465 days old) by Alanlondon (London)        
Instructions for my Mum’s Hoovermatic

Knew I had them somewhere!

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Post# 1064376 , Reply# 28   3/24/2020 at 02:46 (1,465 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

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Hoovermatic 3334 - great machines :)
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1064379 , Reply# 29   3/24/2020 at 05:12 (1,465 days old) by Alanlondon (London)        
Brochure from 1978

Think this was nearly the last re-incarnation of the Hoovermatic

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This post was last edited 03/24/2020 at 05:32
Post# 1064381 , Reply# 30   3/24/2020 at 05:33 (1,465 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Morning Jon, glad you got to use our Hoover twinnys on your visit, they do speed through washday. Will you be able to bring your machines to where you are now ?

ps, Cant believe its 15 yrs since your visit !!


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Post# 1064382 , Reply# 31   3/24/2020 at 05:50 (1,465 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Hello Jean (UncleJohn) yes I was surprised when I first saw the Washdog variations of US Hoovers with the one piece moulded tubs. Its the other way around here,only a few without heaters , saying that 95% of the time as a kid I saw twintubs used the heater wasnt, usually our hot water was from a back boiler over a coal fire or immersion tank heated by electricity or gas so the washer was filled up from the tap..

I do like a shiny tub but equally love the different colours of the vitreous enamel.


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Post# 1064383 , Reply# 32   3/24/2020 at 05:59 (1,465 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

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I love that 1978 Hoover with the orange accents. Many years ago there was one on a Dutch auction site. A daughter was selling it for her father so she could get him an automatic. In the end the father decided against the whole idea, so that was that. It was one of the few British style twintubs I came across in the NL. The other one was a later Hotpoint twintub. And then there was the twintub my mother had. The AEG Turnamat and similar machines caught on early in the NL, the British style ones didn't stand a chance against them.

Post# 1064384 , Reply# 33   3/24/2020 at 06:04 (1,465 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Great memories Alan but I bet many kids where deafened as we would have been ear height to the noise ha ha..the picture of long trailing flexes is familiar, my nan only had one 15 amp socket in the living room so it was my job to unhook the cable from where it hung, on a hook under a shelf in the under stairs pantry, it trailed from near the front door through the lounge, dining room and then into the leanto utility where it had a woolworths twin socket on the end, one plug for the Hoover single tub, the other the Spin a Rinse.

Next to the cable hook was a hook that held both those Hoover Instruction cards, I coveted them for years lol..

ps, Ive never seen the adendum note attached to the card about "Turning to Boil" I wonder if they had a load of broken thermostats etc and then issues it?


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Post# 1064385 , Reply# 34   3/24/2020 at 06:27 (1,465 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Morning Louis, oh so near yet so far, as Alan said and in the brouchure this was the last style from the washdog era until they went full panel fascia on the front, and as always we can rely on Hoover for the colour - These seem to be the more rarer models, not usually many seen, it came with silver lids as well, the plug in rinse socket was problematic with the inner hose connection to the spray arm usually burst and was such a faff to repair..

I always remember as an alter boy (dont) the parish priest celebrated his 25th anniversary , the parish clubbed together and presented him with a cheque and he went and bought the above T5044 in white to use himself, often think was he a secret washer lover ?



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Post# 1064387 , Reply# 35   3/24/2020 at 07:04 (1,465 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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And now with all that washing done, in British tradition & fashion, " More Tea & Cake Vicar" lovely victoria sponge and decorated with the Hoover spin can mat !!

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Post# 1064400 , Reply# 36   3/24/2020 at 08:55 (1,465 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        

Like very much the display of colours of those various wash tubs !

: )


Here are pics of two my own machines: Canadian-made offsprings of UK Hoovermatics, models 0610 instructions brochure & 0632 rinse-o-matic 'washdog', auto rinse, metal tub


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Post# 1064411 , Reply# 37   3/24/2020 at 10:41 (1,465 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

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Afternoon Jean,

Thanks for sharing the pic of the instruction card for the 0610, I have attached the card for the UK version 3304 / 3304E and my machine.

Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1064417 , Reply# 38   3/24/2020 at 11:29 (1,465 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        

Thank you, Keith, for sharing

Ah, yes, pretty much the same thing as ours--including the drain tube out from the rear of the machines instead of top.


Post# 1064436 , Reply# 39   3/24/2020 at 16:02 (1,465 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@keymatic

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I have one that looks identical to yours but also has a heater which is operated by turning the wash timer anti-clockwise from off. Its awaiting a respray but works perfectly.

Austin


Post# 1064546 , Reply# 40   3/25/2020 at 09:54 (1,464 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

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Afternoon All,

Just having a sort our of a pile of old ERT magazines and found a few adverts, Servis updated MK41 & the New Top Twin, both from 1969.

Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1064560 , Reply# 41   3/25/2020 at 12:03 (1,464 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Thats a rare Hoover twinny indeed, anyone of you got pics of the back to see how / where the pipe comes out and also underneath, does it have the newer spin can pulley and weight like the 3301 ?
I do like these first of the new styles with the pipe out the back, heres the 3309..

Enquiring minds !!


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Post# 1064577 , Reply# 42   3/25/2020 at 13:50 (1,464 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Fabulous compilation and thread Mike

And lots of great memories of repairing and using some of these machines together, and many more in the great restoration queue.

This is the best picture of the back of the 3304 i can find, I'm assuming the hose was perished and what you can see is the elongated hole the hose would come out through, just above where the pump is. Well you will if I've managed to include the photo!

This one has the light weight aluminium pulley and long spin can shaft as on the spinarinses and I think the lower spin speed too.


Mathew


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Post# 1064579 , Reply# 43   3/25/2020 at 13:59 (1,464 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Hi Austin

yours is like mine with the heater, these certainly lasted longer thanks to the plastic lid hinges, the 3301L I have with the cast alloy hinges has just rotted through the hinges and into the lid.

Mathew


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Post# 1064584 , Reply# 44   3/25/2020 at 14:43 (1,464 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Excellent Servis and Philips adverts Keith, fun looking back into the ERT mags to see how much things have changed!!

Does it give a model number of the Philips Toptwin, never seen that model before ?


Post# 1064586 , Reply# 45   3/25/2020 at 14:48 (1,464 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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Cheers Mathew for the pics, I wasnt sure if it was a round hole with rubber ring like those converted spin a rinses for the drain hose, love the charcoal accents !! You are quite right about the metal v plastic hinges on the spinner lids,
when you think what ours was like before the Spa of Bob & Neil got their hands on it...


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Post# 1064589 , Reply# 46   3/25/2020 at 15:16 (1,464 days old) by unclejohn (Can)        
3304

Ah ah, Mathew,

exactly the same basic design as our 0610's here in Canada (see pics below)



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Post# 1064655 , Reply# 47   3/26/2020 at 04:34 (1,463 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Morning Matthew,
Interesting your 3304 has the plastic hinges, my 3304e must have been an early model as it still has the alloy hinges/brackets like the 3301L.

Mike, i will check out the model number on the Top Twin and let you know.
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1064660 , Reply# 48   3/26/2020 at 06:35 (1,463 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Another British made twintub was the Burco 21, which we have on the restore list, this was one that Gary (Electron1100) managed to save from the tip, an agitator machine with solid spin can ,
much like Servis but has a pump port & control like the Hoovers..

Did any of you or family have one ?


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Post# 1064671 , Reply# 49   3/26/2020 at 08:41 (1,463 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
good to see those photos

of the burco Mike, it must be quite unusual to have a spin timer rather than a wash timer. Again as you've said, I don't remember people using the heaters, maybe by my time in the 70's the fuel price rises, people weren't into boiling as much, and as hot water was available from back boilers or immersion heaters, once the machine was out, most would just want to get on with the wash. I remember one lady telling me her routine was to come back from the shops, put the tank on, then fill the machine and do the wash. Perhaps we would have filled, added detergent and whites, set the heater and timer and return to continue the wash, better results and use less electric than heating a whole tank.

But back to the spin timer, did anyone actually run the spinner for 4 mins, again I remember most running until the last drops stopped pumping and get them on the line. Maybe in the wet weather things got a longer spin. but again I would think the wash timer would be more useful.



Post# 1064673 , Reply# 50   3/26/2020 at 08:56 (1,463 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Keith

good to see those extra photos of your 3304 and that your hinges are still in good condition.

Have you given the frigidaire mastertwin much use, would love to see some more photos, and a video would be fabulous if possible.

Great too to see the adverts for the philips, what would you date the philips top twin in Mikes video as, I assumed late sixties- to very early seventies, but your advert for 69 implies the model with the full width console and drain arm had been superseded for the more basic design, I assume this would have had two drain hoses, the washer having a spring loaded ball valve on the end as both pumps ran with the wash motor, or at least the later 70's model I had years ago did. That would have reduced the manufacturing costs quite a bit, negating the need for the wash clutch/solinoid and drain arm/valve.

Mathew


Post# 1064690 , Reply# 51   3/26/2020 at 13:56 (1,463 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Top Twin

Mathew
The advert I have for your Top Twin is in a 1967 magazine so it must have run from sometime around then to 1969. I wonder if it did have the ball valve on the wash hose, looking at the picture Keith has posted it looks like the suds return hole is still in the same place in the wash deck, I wonder if you just had to shove the wash hose in there and let it recirculate as the earlier machine in the Persil ad did. The spinner brake arm works the opposite way round too!
Ian


Post# 1064697 , Reply# 52   3/26/2020 at 15:54 (1,463 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@mathew

ozzie908's profile picture
Your spot on its the same as the one I have, Its in perfect working order now and just in need of a respray it must have been stored with a Ivy bush :)

Also have a Burco 21 and its complete and believe it or not it works electrically but is in need of an upgrade as all pipes have perished, The wiring may need replacing too and when its done it too needs a respray but all in good time.

Hope you are keeping well?

Austin


Post# 1064704 , Reply# 53   3/26/2020 at 16:13 (1,463 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@mathew

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A little pic of the Hoovermatic in question.

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Post# 1064706 , Reply# 54   3/26/2020 at 16:18 (1,463 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Burco 21

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Waiting for refurbishment ....

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Post# 1064710 , Reply# 55   3/26/2020 at 16:49 (1,463 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
A hotpoint 9404

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Washes the best of all twin tubs IMHO due to the filter that catches all manner of crud...

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Post# 1064759 , Reply# 56   3/27/2020 at 04:51 (1,462 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

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@Matthew, Austin & Ian,

Reference the newly styled Philips Top Twin model 3202 this was launched in 1969, as per the write up in the magazine. I think even in 1969 Philips still had the Top Twin De-Lux on offer as per the advert I originally posted.

A friend of mine has used one of the 3202 machines and said the wash emptying hose had a spring & ball set up to prevent emptying the wash tub as the wash pump ran all time.

Austin, be good to see some pic's of your 3202 if you have them to hand, also luv the Burco 21 - a few years ago someone was selling some spares for this machine which I managed to get, that is as close as I got (wash empty diverter valve, pump etc)to getting one of these machines.

Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1064849 , Reply# 57   3/27/2020 at 19:59 (1,462 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Philips Toptwin Twintub Washing Machine 1968

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Heres a video of the Philips Toptwin, having spent time with it and only ever seeing one in Trident Electrical Store as a kid with my nan when she bought a Frigidaire spinner, am loving this twinny, a vigorous wash action but certainly keep the clothes under water , active water style, and with the motor running all the time it switches the wash action on / off by solenoid. The pear shaped spin can really does settle the clothes for a superfast 3000rpm spin dry.

Take a look, ask a question, leave a comment, please tick for like..Cheers







CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK


Post# 1064882 , Reply# 58   3/28/2020 at 09:29 (1,461 days old) by Alanlondon (London)        
Philips Toptwin

Fascinating video Mike, very much enjoyed it. The clutch arrangement looks very similar to the Hoover Keymatic. Here’s some instructions albeit not exactly the same model as in your video.

Cheers Alan


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Post# 1064883 , Reply# 59   3/28/2020 at 09:32 (1,461 days old) by Alanlondon (London)        
Few other bits and pieces on the Philips Toptwin



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Post# 1064899 , Reply# 60   3/28/2020 at 11:57 (1,461 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Thanks for posting

those instructions Alan,

Interesting to see the different filter arrangement making use of the continuous circulation of the wash water, and I know I may not have been the only one to have thought this model had a double spinner lid, but can see from reading the instructions and seeing the images clearer, they've just lent the spin mat against the open lid.

Always enjoy learning something new.

Mathew




Post# 1064908 , Reply# 61   3/28/2020 at 12:27 (1,461 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@keymatic/Keith

ozzie908's profile picture
I will take some pics for you next time I can get at the 3202 :)

Austin


Post# 1064913 , Reply# 62   3/28/2020 at 13:17 (1,461 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
More Philips

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Here's is a small leaflet for the machine Mike featured in his video above, as you can see it has been marked Jan 1966, so presumably this variation of the machine came out in 1965

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Post# 1064917 , Reply# 63   3/28/2020 at 13:28 (1,461 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Afternoon Alan, thought you would like that, yes that clutch solenoid arm is something indeed, and yes was talking with Mathew earlier and he mentioned the keymatic similarity. Many thanks for posting the brochures we saw this one in the Ada / Philips display at the Calderdale Heritage Museum in Halifax some years ago, interesting it has the port in the washtub to empty. I wonder if it still used the same motor / pump / clutch arrangement ? looks like it did from the console.

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Post# 1064920 , Reply# 64   3/28/2020 at 13:40 (1,461 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Interesting it has the port in the washtub to empty

vacbear58's profile picture
Now that comment is quite interesting Mike as I was looking around on Youtube where I knew there was a Persil video featuring the Philips. And I was most surprised to see that apparently the water re-circulated during the wash. And it was on "the wrong side"







Post# 1064930 , Reply# 65   3/28/2020 at 14:26 (1,461 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Philips

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Evening Al, lovely sales leaflet there, interesting how Mathews Toptwin looks later than the one we actually saw in the Philips museum in Halifax, the earlier model looks much more streamlined and newer !!

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Post# 1064939 , Reply# 66   3/28/2020 at 15:13 (1,461 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
lol

well thats's me wrong about the two lids, I know you'd have shown me those photos Mike, but had forgotten about them, I get what you mean about the streamlined look, but think those dials make it look older than the ones on ours. Ah Al, could it be the suds return from the arm is on the left and the recirculation jet is on the right?not sure.

Post# 1064948 , Reply# 67   3/28/2020 at 16:16 (1,461 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        


vacbear58's profile picture
My guess is that the suds return was on the left as before, but the recirculation was on the right. Don't really see the point of the re-circulation with out some sort of filter

Post# 1064967 , Reply# 68   3/28/2020 at 18:01 (1,461 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Al,
Philips have always had a form of filter from the Top Twin’s through to the Turbo Star wringer washer..always under the agitator.
The inlet on the left was purely for suds return on the Mk1 then later the arm just rested in a hole behinx the console
I have a poster / leaflet of the New Top Twin, i will dig it out tmw.
The Top Twin’s have always ranked within my top 5 twin tubs :)
The Top Twin Super - didn’t Stella market that before Philips ??
I need to get mine out of store at some point :)
Keith


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Post# 1065017 , Reply# 69   3/29/2020 at 07:14 (1,460 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

sesteve's profile picture
Fab thread MIke. I love twin tubs - the water, noise and smells of both the detergent and the machine bring back so many memories. Have just looked through some of my brochures and found a few good ones. Here’s the top twin - looks like an enthusiastic child may have doodled on the back!

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Post# 1065018 , Reply# 70   3/29/2020 at 07:20 (1,460 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

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And a few bits on the later model and explanation of different wash actions

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Post# 1065019 , Reply# 71   3/29/2020 at 07:22 (1,460 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Philips Toptwin Twintub Washing Machine 1962 - 1974

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Well not sure if I managed to confuse dates etc ha ha but after referencing The Oracle`s Spreadsheet (MatchboxPauls) where is he when ya need info lol, I think its this :

1962 - 1965 Toptwin De-Lux Model EA5400 (Halifax Museum)
1962 - 1965 Toptwin De-Lux Super Model EA5402

1965 - 1969 Toptwin De-Lux Model HA8030 Mathew & Keiths

1969 - 1971 Toptwin Model HN3202 (Keith & Steves pics)

1971 - 1974 Toptwin Model HN3206 (Als pic)
1971 - 1974 Toptwin 3207 Model HN3207 (Ians pic)

1974 Toptwin De-Lux Model AAC870 flat panel with silver & blue controls like slimstar TL models. (Steves pic)





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Post# 1065021 , Reply# 72   3/29/2020 at 07:57 (1,460 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

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Here’s the Hoovermatic

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Post# 1065028 , Reply# 73   3/29/2020 at 08:55 (1,460 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

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here’s a Morphy Richards twinnie brochure

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Post# 1065042 , Reply# 74   3/29/2020 at 10:46 (1,460 days old) by Alanlondon (London)        
Thanks Steve

For posting those brochures, very interesting reads. The Morphy Richard’s is a rebadged Rolls, no?. With the stay in doors lockdown here, certainly freeing up extra time to enjoy the website more and to post and to while away the time in a nice manner! Here’s a Servis instruction of a machine I’ve never had, but looks really sturdy. A few of my Mum’s neighbours had this model when I was growing up, once while sitting with my Mum in one of their kitchen’s (when incidentally there was a significant leak coming from underneath it, which neither my mum or the neighbour paid any attention too) she emptied it and I was so surprised to see how shallow the wash tub was compared to the hotpoint one.

With this thread, I’ve really enjoyed going back in time to twintubs, where particularly in the cul-de-sac that I grew up in it was a time when Mums really used to chat and get together over their machines and gossip I now realise!



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Post# 1065054 , Reply# 75   3/29/2020 at 12:35 (1,460 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon All,
Great literature coming out like the Morphy Richard’s Twinny !!
Enjoying the thread so much, it enthused me to have a play and went a started up the 3304 Hoovermatic yesterday :)
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1065056 , Reply# 76   3/29/2020 at 12:49 (1,460 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.
Just a bit of info about what I think was the final Philips twin tub sold in the UK - the AAC870.

Always liked the blue styling accents - very smart.

Great thread!

Paul


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Post# 1065057 , Reply# 77   3/29/2020 at 12:52 (1,460 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

and a couple of images of the Philips EA5402 ...

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Post# 1065063 , Reply# 78   3/29/2020 at 13:30 (1,460 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Artistic Licence

Could that be a little artistic licence in Steve's reply no 69, picture 4 showing the wonderfully clean water running out into the sink. I fear someone was just pumping clean water from the wash tub as it looks like the wash drain plug is pulled.
Me, cynical? Never

Loving this thread, by the way

Ian.


Post# 1065077 , Reply# 79   3/29/2020 at 15:50 (1,460 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
well spotted Ian

though at that flow rate, they're probably pumping from both washtub and spin dryer.

Thanks all for posting all the literature, quite a few I've not see before.

I had one of the AAC870, the last model going on 30 years ago, one of the pumps had seized and burnt out the wash motor, so I had it for parts, (who knew we'd ever be collecting these things) some of the hoses were used to repair the top twin in Mikes video, and somewhere I still have some of the spares off it, it had the two drain hoses, with a ball valve over the wash one. They had done away with the solenoid and clutch for the was drive, instead, the wash timer had to be set running to enable the spin dryer to be used, so in effect perhaps they could claim both a wash and a spin timer. I think the console is still in mums garage, (with a lot else lol).

Mathew


Post# 1065151 , Reply# 80   3/30/2020 at 04:08 (1,459 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

sesteve's profile picture
Thought I’d add in some pictures of the Colston Ariston twin tub - the last incarnation of the Colston twin tubs but without the split washtub lid. The spin dryer on this has a clockwork safety catch on the lid and a plastic dog clutch on the spin drive which probably is the reason why the Colston machines remain elusive.
I love the drain hose arrangement on this version I’ve attached the link to a video of this machine in action


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Sesteve's LINK


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Post# 1065152 , Reply# 81   3/30/2020 at 04:33 (1,459 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

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And here are the instructions for the Colston Coronet. Also the plastic dog clutch

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Post# 1065176 , Reply# 82   3/30/2020 at 10:18 (1,459 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Reply# 76

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Thanks for sharing the brochure of the last Philips twin top. Beautiful simple design! Was it made in the same factory as the Slimstar?

Post# 1065193 , Reply# 83   3/30/2020 at 12:51 (1,459 days old) by Mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Twin Tub Binge Reading :'D

mickeyd's profile picture

These exclusive, Royal Doultonesque, Hyacinth Bouquet "Brochures" are so wonderful, I can't get enough of them,
and that odd little Colston--what an alluring creature ! Thanks for the vid, Steve.

A few more things need another reading before I can grasp it all, but I'm not clear on the Philips riverflow rinse: is it conducted in the wash tub, overflow style,
or in the spinner like the Hoover auto-rinse? One of the pictures looks like a wash tub, but my perception could be off. Enlightenment please. How fascinating.
So much variety.


Post# 1065197 , Reply# 84   3/30/2020 at 13:58 (1,459 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Fabulous brochure Steve, Keith & Paul, much bedtime reading, now its all 50 pages of small print no one understands in 6 languages.

Bring back the pictures, diagrams and over the top marketing I say !!

Loving the silver and blue of the AAC870, last incarnation of the Philips, just looks so classy.

Louis as far as I know it was, in the |Ada/ Philips factory in Hipperholme, Halifax taken over by White Knight who are just about to close it !!


Post# 1065198 , Reply# 85   3/30/2020 at 14:13 (1,459 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Philips Toptwin Twintub Washing Machine 1962 - 1974

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Evening Mickey, now when I said over the top marketing we have all gasped at this,

RiverFlo Rinsing, basically the spin can is pear shaped with holes in the base, the spin and wash pump run constantly as soon as you switch mains on, you MANUALLY hose either warm or cold water over the clothes,
like the video, water saturates and drips through but drains out of the spin can and is pumped away before you even spin. When the water is clear you then spin dry !!

There You Go, manual hose and spin !! BUT it gets better

The Toptwin control boast "Silent Friend" controls, presumably because they hardly make a sound when being used ha ha..so there we are.

The marketing department must have been on herbal tea instead of Tetleys and thought "How can We Sell This" - But We Loves Them For It !!

So now you can rest easy and sleep well Mickey !!


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Post# 1065199 , Reply# 86   3/30/2020 at 14:21 (1,459 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Colston Ariston

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Glad its all working Steve, the Colston Ariston certainly has a place on the podium, just noticed the details like the hose storage, the little details that make it.

Heres the link to when we visited Steves place and started the repairs on it.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO chestermikeuk's LINK


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Post# 1065310 , Reply# 87   3/31/2020 at 09:22 (1,458 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Keith Hoovermatic

ozzie908's profile picture
Its in need of a respray but its working perfectly fine. Sadly I do not have a black ribbed hose but I can live with that :)

Austin


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Post# 1065321 , Reply# 88   3/31/2020 at 11:55 (1,458 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Austin,
I guess after 50yrs a bit of a respray is minor, good to hear its still working all ok. I had to put a new hose on mine, i did find a grey ribbed hose which is quite good. I did have to put some sealant around the side near the base of the spinner can as it was pitted and thought it may corrode further if it wasn’t sealed.
Keith


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Post# 1065331 , Reply# 89   3/31/2020 at 13:00 (1,458 days old) by reversomatic (east anglia,england,u.k.)        
Frigidaire twin tub by Philips

reversomatic's profile picture
Great thread thanks Mike . I seem to remember seeing Frigidaire badged Philips twin tubs. The controls were mounted top right front of cabinet .A small rectangular dark blue,green panel with just 2 knobs. Wash timer and motor or heater . I think these were the some of the last machines as it had the 2 drain hoses out of the back the wash 1 having the ball stopper on end. The most common fault on the Philips twin tubs was pump failure due to them running continuously. Such a common fault that you could buy a pump overhaul kit impeller, seals and bearing bush, and a sod to fit. Regarding the G.E.C. space saver twin tub I once had the deluxe model the difference being that it had a variable thermostat for the heater and aluminium spin can instead of galvanised steel also pumped the water into to an outlet in the left hand top side of wash tub instead of hooked drain hose, A poor machine, single motor directly driving spin can with belts from it driving pulsators and no brake . Also heater and motor switches were interlocked so that motor and heater could not operate together. Wish I still had it though it was rare then 40 odd years ago when I was about 20. Regards Nige. P.S must not forget Rolls twin tubs, the Ford Anglia of machines for the commoners but still great and British.










Post# 1065349 , Reply# 90   3/31/2020 at 15:49 (1,458 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Evening Nige, thanks, but Im only the starter catalyst , you guys provide all the gloss and information !! And am loving all the new information,

Nowthen, you mentioned that Frigidaire badged Philips twintubs, I hadnt realised that, thought they where Rolls etc, Please look at Keiths (keymatic) thread number Post Reply #75,
Keith has sneaked a pic in without explaining it and nobody appears to have picked up on it, Is this the Frigidaire twinny badged by Philips that you mean..

I`ll make it easier, here it is...


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Post# 1065355 , Reply# 91   3/31/2020 at 16:33 (1,458 days old) by anthony (uk)        
The frigidaire twin tub

anthony's profile picture
had a few inherent faults .the washer lid had a plastic hinge that snapped after a few weeks use .the flimsy knobs broke easily [when going out to repair one of these i would often find a pair of pliers inside for switching on when the knobs had broken ,When asking the customer if they would like new knobs they would say dont bother they will only snap again] water would seep into the spin switch arm till it eventually seized and snapped off usually in the on position .The ball on the hose inevitably fell off .they went through spin bearings like i go through socks and no matter how much you tightened up the nuts holding the wheels on they would fall off constantly.All faults i look back on some 45 years later with much fondness

Post# 1065356 , Reply# 92   3/31/2020 at 16:35 (1,458 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Colston

optima's profile picture
Twin Tubs

A Big thank you for this superb Thread & to Stephen for posting the Classic Colston Coronet Instruction Booklet. I am absolutely loving it!


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Post# 1065404 , Reply# 93   4/1/2020 at 05:04 (1,457 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Keith's Fridgidaire

is the rolls version, Impeller wash action, Fridgidaire spinner. the Philips version I think was more like the basic Philips with the dials on the front where they are on Keith's Fridgidaire. Of course I can't remember where I may have seen a photo of one. Also, My old friend John told me he had an Electra branded Philips twin tub at one time, as a side note he had problems with the spinner switch.

But also, Looking at the Morphy Richards twin tub, yes likely a rolls clone, but looking again could this actually be a Duomatic clone. My thoughts are prompted by the brochure pictures, no re circulation jet in the wash tub, two hoses shown on back view, pulsator in the sketch looks ribbed more like the hoover, though obviously smaller, and it has a removable spin surround.

Mathew

Keith, do you have any images of the wash tub of the English electric twin star, I know it's not like the rolls, the base is angled and the pulsator is belt driven, so a similar shape as the Servis power glide but again a smaller and faster pulsator.



Post# 1065405 , Reply# 94   4/1/2020 at 05:07 (1,457 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

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"All faults I look back on some 45 years later with much fondness" Ha Ha ...

Morning Anthony, do you think they where downgraded for Frigidaire or would this have been the same for all Philips Twintubs as well ?

How many Philips Twintubs did you service over other brands etc when you worked for HC Troldhal service agents ?

I really love the look of the sleek Philips AAC870 & the Frigidaire, but equally the sleek Topline control panel.


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Post# 1065408 , Reply# 95   4/1/2020 at 05:25 (1,457 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Craig, glad you`re enjoying the thread, did your family have the Colston Coronet Twintub then ?

Pic courtesy of MatchboxPaul !!


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Post# 1065409 , Reply# 96   4/1/2020 at 05:37 (1,457 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Mathew oh right was thinking it could be the Philips 870 badged etc, ah well, there are that many variations its easy to mix up, have never seen a Morphy Richards but do like the spinner lids & hinge position, almost Servis esque !!

Keith can you show us more pics please of the Frigidaire including inside and rear panel, Inquisitive minds eager to know.



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Post# 1065410 , Reply# 97   4/1/2020 at 06:07 (1,457 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Acme Twintub Washing Machine

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Another twintub we have yet to come across is the Acme model, this was a big heavy twintub with gearbox using what must have been a first, the Agi Impellor, made in white plastic.
It has a powerful 2.7kw heater, a two speed wash action, Normal for Cottons, Gentle for Wollens / Delicates.

The spin empty is through a swing arm (same as Acme De-Lux spinner) on the top of the twintub and can be moved in any direction to return suds to the washtub or swung over the sink for rinsing.

Pictures courtesy of Trevor Howsam Film Prop Suppliers..


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Post# 1065411 , Reply# 98   4/1/2020 at 06:10 (1,457 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Acme Twintub Washing Machine

chestermikeuk's profile picture
And the Ideal Home Report 1963 courtesy of (MatchboxPaul) , also did Philips make the Brunlec Twintub ?

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Post# 1065412 , Reply# 99   4/1/2020 at 06:33 (1,457 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
#frigidaire mastertwin

keymatic's profile picture
Morning All,

Busy morning with conference calls etc, with regards to the Mastertwin, it is just like the Rolls, the impeller and drain grid are in the same position as in the Rolls, one thing I did notice Anthony mentioned was the "ball on drain hose" the machine I have doesn't have this set up, albeit it does have a drain hose for the spinner side, but not for the washer side as there is a re-circulation jet which is the method to empty the wash tub.
Mike; The machine is currently at mother's so I cant access that easy with the current Covid-19 situation, the back of the machine from memory is quite plain, just drain hose and power cord, I will get a pic when I'm next over there, tub shot attached. Weirdly Frigidaire promoted their wash action was "Impell-action" (Impellor)

Matthew; I have had a look and I have a few bits on the EE Twin Star including some service information, few pics attached. EE did make a few different styles of "Twinstar" over the years.

Cheers


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Post# 1065413 , Reply# 100   4/1/2020 at 07:35 (1,457 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
AEG Lavalux twin tub

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Today due to having time on my hands I am going to try and remove the spin can from the above mentioned washer as the although its all in good working condition, the spin mount has split and so the whole can has dropped to the floor, I have been told by a good number of people that the part is NLA so it will be taken apart to see if an improvisation can be constructed. Time will tell :)

Austin


Post# 1065414 , Reply# 101   4/1/2020 at 07:44 (1,457 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Stokvis twintub

foraloysius's profile picture
Here is a Dutch Erres brochure as Stokvis was named in the NL. (Erres, short for R.S. Stokvis). Stokvis didn't make laundry appliances themselves, but it was sourced out to different manufacturers, the biggest one was the Dutch company Menkema.



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Post# 1065418 , Reply# 102   4/1/2020 at 08:54 (1,457 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
@Austin

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon Austin,

Good luck with the AEG Lavalux, they were wonderfully built machines, but a bit tricky to work on sometimes, I have two, one with the copper drum and one with the blue lining, the valve diverter always seems to stick and seize - both of mine have required this unit removing and working on, a couple of years ago I thought, "I had better free that lever up" well went to yank it and it broke clean off..oppss !! luckily someone last year was selling some spares from a Lavalux and I got another lever. Hope it goes ok.

Just sitting pondering on the Rolls concept of washing..the Impellor, so many companies jumped on the band-wagon with this method, Acme, Burco, EE, Frigidaire,Goblin..to name just a few, a good name with a cheap washing design !!

Cheers


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Post# 1065431 , Reply# 103   4/1/2020 at 09:59 (1,457 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@keymatic/Keith

ozzie908's profile picture
Good afternoon to you I trust you are relieving the boredom of quarantine ? lol

After spending a good few hours getting the AEG apart I have become stumped at removing the spin can ! Its a royal PITA to get off so at present its lying on its side while I come up with another way to remove and repair the spinner seal its torn all the way off the mount.

Watch this space I will let you know how it goes.....

Have never seen an Acme or many of the other brands mentioned they could not have lasted long !

Austin


Post# 1065432 , Reply# 104   4/1/2020 at 10:01 (1,457 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@keymatic/Keith

ozzie908's profile picture
Something that would make the AEG lavalux even better would have been a reversing wash motor as that would have helped untangle the washing.

Just a thought....


Post# 1065449 , Reply# 105   4/1/2020 at 11:39 (1,457 days old) by reversomatic (east anglia,england,u.k.)        
Frigidaire twin tub by Philips

reversomatic's profile picture
Hi all, found picture of the Philidaire. Reply 32. Nige

CLICK HERE TO GO TO reversomatic's LINK


Post# 1065455 , Reply# 106   4/1/2020 at 12:09 (1,457 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Duomatic

vacbear58's profile picture
Now that is a very interesting theory Matthew, and something I had never thought of, I always thought they were just varities of the Rolls/Tallent machines but of course both machines have a common ancestry.

Here is a Goblin in this Persil ad, and it does not appear to have a re-circulation nozzle





Not sure which one this is, but it has the recirculation. I think this is a later Fairy Snow ad going by Joan's rather simpler hairstyle - they went on until around 1966






Post# 1065457 , Reply# 107   4/1/2020 at 12:13 (1,457 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Stokvis

vacbear58's profile picture
Thanks for posting that brochure Louis - that is certainly a chunky agitator!

The machine can be seen in action in this Fairy Snow advert - the dialogue is absolute rubbish - the wall oven is Canadian and the washer is, of course, from The Netherlands :)







Post# 1065458 , Reply# 108   4/1/2020 at 12:17 (1,457 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Pye

vacbear58's profile picture
And here is yet another variation in the Rolls/Duomatic question, this time its a Pye - I think the ad is a bit of a con as it looks like they have cut in a bit of Hoover washing action to my eyes, still its yet another to add to the list






Post# 1065468 , Reply# 109   4/1/2020 at 13:33 (1,457 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Maybe the Goblin

was more duomatic descended not having a jet, plus, it appears to have a hole for suds return, or a 2nd drain hose in the corner, maybe. Is it me or does it seem to be washing in a clockwise direction too.

I think the two fairy snow adverts are both Pye twins, a quick flash of the control panel looks the same. I agree these adverts with the Randals are very corny, maybe of the time but have certainly given us a few clips of different washing machines in action over the series.


Post# 1065470 , Reply# 110   4/1/2020 at 13:42 (1,457 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Duomatic

vacbear58's profile picture
Beat me to it Matthew, I was just asking Ian the same thing, the Goblin is definately clockwise and the Rolls anti-clockwise - could you imagine the spray if it were not? Be nearly as bad as a Hoovermatic for splashing LOLOL

Post# 1065478 , Reply# 111   4/1/2020 at 14:33 (1,457 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        
@ Al

keymatic's profile picture
Pye twin doesn’t wash like that, well mine didn’t the last time I looked :) lol
Keith


Post# 1065485 , Reply# 112   4/1/2020 at 15:47 (1,457 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Wonderful thread you have started Mike!
Really enjoying reading and catching up with its development over the last few days.

Thanks for posting the Erres Twin Tub brochure, Louis - I wonder if we had a clone of that machine in the UK, where there were seemingly a large number of machines subjected to badge engineering.

I agree with Mike and think that the TopTwin's were built in the Halifax factory, with later models built alongside the SlimStar's. I attach some more photos of Mathew's machine, when it visited my place a number of years ago ....


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Post# 1065486 , Reply# 113   4/1/2020 at 15:49 (1,457 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

and a handful more, including the ratings plate - so good that a handful of these early Philips Twin tubs have been saved ….

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Post# 1065487 , Reply# 114   4/1/2020 at 15:55 (1,457 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
1961 Ideal Home Laundry Report

I just hope it is legible - fingers crossed.


A number of autos to start with, but loads of twin tubs and spinners dotted throughout the pages, including the Erres that Louis posted the brochure for earlier in the thread - sold as STOKVIS in the UK.

Including the whole report for the sake of completeness ….


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Post# 1065488 , Reply# 115   4/1/2020 at 16:00 (1,457 days old) by reversomatic (east anglia,england,u.k.)        
Goblin twin tub, all their own work !

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Years ago we had goblin twin tub in as scrapper so I had to do an autopsy. They were all Goblins own work. The reason why the suds return hole is so large is that they used a two in one crooked drain hose like a Servis. The pulsator was belt driven similar to the Twin star set up. Motors were adapted Goblin cleaner motors either LE1 or LE2, Two separate electric drain pumps made by Woolwich. The spin side was the same as their separate spinner. The cabinet was textured plastic coated steel so they were quite rust proof. This would have been late seventies when I was at my first job so it must have quite old then. A lot of interesting machines about then. Nige.

Post# 1065489 , Reply# 116   4/1/2020 at 16:03 (1,457 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
1979 Ideal Home Tub report

Some late 1970's offerings ...

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Post# 1065490 , Reply# 117   4/1/2020 at 16:13 (1,457 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Some bigger pictures from the 1961 report.

The GOBLIN is image 10 - this the one you were referring to Nigel? and Louis' STOKVIS is image 9.

Paul


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Post# 1065492 , Reply# 118   4/1/2020 at 16:44 (1,457 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Paul

foraloysius's profile picture
The Erres was sold in the UK as Stokvis.

Post# 1065508 , Reply# 119   4/1/2020 at 17:57 (1,457 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Space queen sink washer

ozzie908's profile picture
Anyone seen one of these ??

Post# 1065510 , Reply# 120   4/1/2020 at 17:59 (1,457 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
Loving

….this thread more and more. I am so glad I joined this site. I never knew there had been so many different makes. I can still see my mother filling the rolls rapide and putting in a level cup of blue tide powder then pushing down my fathers marks and sparks Y fronts with the wooden and galvanised tongs as a substitute for drowning my him!!!

Great scans of brochures/ instruction booklets guys.


Regards, Walter.



Post# 1065563 , Reply# 121   4/2/2020 at 04:50 (1,456 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
oh Walter

domestic bliss, you describe the scene vividly. Way back up in your previous post, you said about your friend with the sandpit and rather watch the hotpoint twin tub. That ran so true for me, as a lad sent over the road to play with a lad I had absolutely nothing in common with, there was a hoover automatic deluxe washing away in the kitchen and his mum with the qualcast concorde in the garden, and I had sit and watch "match of the day" lol

Mathew


Post# 1065566 , Reply# 122   4/2/2020 at 06:02 (1,456 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Goblin Twintubs

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hello Nige, glad you got the chance to see and disect a Goblin twintub up close and confirm its not a Rolls in disguise.

My schoolmates mam had one the grey snakeskin effect I always described it as and who ever thought "Stelevetite" was a word never mind a plastic coated skin over the metal ha ha,
I use to love the texture of it,also the controls down the front, slightly angled in and the pump lever control had a small burgundy knob on the end !!

I never got to see underneath or the back come to think, we where always sent packing out of the kitchen when it was working lol.I do remember it was taller than the Rolls and much slimmer in depth.Cheers for the information.


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Post# 1065568 , Reply# 123   4/2/2020 at 06:12 (1,456 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
"Summerscales"

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Nowthen we where talking about this yesterday and just when I went to get the pic for the Goblin my eyes popped out on realisation

"Was This Made By Goblin" ? looks like it

And we see the model listed is available without automatic pump 75gns, so am assuming the lever is to engage the pump? or is it automatic 79gns with a stopper on the end of hose ?

Did Goblin have a version of this ? with or without automatic pump?

Was this a catalogue exclusive only ? pic courtesy Keith from Trafford 1961 catalogue



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This post was last edited 04/02/2020 at 08:25
Post# 1065569 , Reply# 124   4/2/2020 at 06:35 (1,456 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
@ Mike - Goblin Double G Twin Tub

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

This is a fascinating Twin tub and I have bought this machine into question sometime ago, not sure if that is the pic I posted ages ago from a Trafford mail order catalogue of 1961, but this machine has a unique washing action in the sense that it has a two-way washing action by both spinning the wash tub and also agitator action.
I have an Electrical sales brochure from 1961 and it gives a good description in it but most of my books have been boxed up and are in the loft at my house which has just been rented out.
I don't think there is much information out there on this machine, either W C Summerscales or Goblin.

Cheers
Keith


Post# 1065582 , Reply# 125   4/2/2020 at 08:51 (1,456 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Goblin Scales

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Keith, yes it is one you posted, I knew I hadnt lol..it becomes an even more fascinating machine, the lads where saying about the wash was swirling from right to left, opposite of the Rolls, makes sense now if Goblin built it and as they did all the others single tubs & wringers it would make sense to build their own, I wonder if Nige can help if he saw the mechanism or was the twin action something on the Summerscales only ?

Heres a Scales from Kays 1960 / 1 (MatchboxPaul) must be earlier but mentions the patented wash action ? and this shows a pipe for the spinner to bucket but the the description says two pumps for washer & dryer ,
so I wonder if earlier Goblin twintub had the pipe on side for spin empty as its like the Goblin spinner ?


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Post# 1065590 , Reply# 126   4/2/2020 at 10:38 (1,456 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,
Arhhh another pic of the infamous "Double G" - I'm not sure what one came first, Summerscales or Goblin, I am leaning towards Scales and then Goblin took over, I have had a rummage and found the booklet that mentions the machine, it is from a magazine called "Switch on" and dates from March 1961 - see attached
Gawd knows how the tub turned and also had an agitator...must have gone through tub seals like crazy !!
So the adventure continues...lol
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1065593 , Reply# 127   4/2/2020 at 11:03 (1,456 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Goblin Scales

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Oh you may have cracked it there Keith, we where saying how the video of the Goblin looked like a Hoovermatic ie rolling water and wondered if they had used a Hoover for the video wash action...

At that point we where thinking its was like a Rolls, so looks like this is it in the video, wonder if it was a jet plume of water like the Parkinson Cowan ?


Post# 1065607 , Reply# 128   4/2/2020 at 12:09 (1,456 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
taking what you've got Keith,

Mike has said and remembering what Nige has written, it sounds to me it was initially a pulsator with a recirculating jet, they called the pulsator an agitator, then when we see the hole in the wash deck, the jet was dropped and a twin line hose used. The way it talks of a rotary swirls and moving agitator to increase the speed of the water, that says pulsator to me, now if this pulsator was belt driven similar to the twin star as nige says, could the twin star take this design for their washtub, certainly one incarnation of the twin star had a angled base to the tub and a small belt driven pulsator, I've got a parts list somewhere, which contains no drawings it's just a list, showing the washer and spinner have seperate but identical brush type motors, now if goblin used vacuum cleaner motors?

Nothing for it, one of us will have to find one, or preferably both a goblin and a twin star and a........

Even if I'm wrong, it's been great having all these variations going on in my head today.

And another thing lol, knowing how heavy those acme spin dryers are I looked up the weight of the Acme twin speed agitator twin tub, it's 209lb the hoovermatic 109lb, nearly twice the weight of the hoover, and more than twice the weight of the rolls.


Post# 1065623 , Reply# 129   4/2/2020 at 14:16 (1,456 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        

Loving all this twin tub stuff. A few thoughts, some perhaps somewhat fanciful!
Could the Scales Double Spin be masquerading as the Brunlec 47? Which reports that the Brunlec had a gravity drain spinner and there doesn't seem to be many others mentioned.
What's the wash action on the Acme like, is it a reciprocating agitator or does it just spin in one direction, or spin in one direction and then reverse? It looks like it could be a very interesting machine.
The Bylock President looks interesting too. I wonder if this was a bought in design. I presume the lever low down on the front is the wash pump control, but how does the rinsing in a continuous flow of water work. Electric spin pump or a solenoid set up similar to the Philips?
And what is a 'rinser' on the Stokvis. Does it just switch on the spin pump separately?
Oh well off to ponder a little more
Ian.



Post# 1065654 , Reply# 130   4/2/2020 at 17:32 (1,456 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Colson

optima's profile picture
Mike

The Colston Twin Tub i can remember was from way back in 1973. The (Autoplus) -
It had a drop down hinged lid hiding the Controls Dials. It was the best looking Colston Twin Tub Washer by far.


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Post# 1065712 , Reply# 131   4/3/2020 at 04:37 (1,455 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Goblin double D

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Thats great brainstorming Mathew, just looking at the video Al posted and you all mentioned "Its going in the opposite direction! thinking they might have intercut the video with a Hoover for demo purposes, but if the Twinline hose was being used as the jet on the LHS washtub entry port would that not force the water down on the left so rolling the water up from the bottom of the tub on the right? ie opposite to what the video is showing..

Also is they where using the twinline hose as the downward jet you would assume the hose exit hole was narrow for more forced water ? or they used a powerful dedicated pump motor to force pump the water out at speed, but then that would create its own problems on emptying as you would have a jet spraying water everywhere into the sink, unless emptying the washtub you used the spinner pump on a diverter valve.?

The other possibility is that they did use a a recirculating jet on the right of the washtub like the Rolls but angled down into the washtub on the right so the water rolling effect comes up on the left and rollover is seen like the video ?


Oh Thoughts, Thoughts & Thoughts, Keep them coming guys !!


Post# 1065713 , Reply# 132   4/3/2020 at 05:00 (1,455 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Scharpf Reply# 126

foraloysius's profile picture
Very interesting to see a fully automatic Scharpf H-axis twin tub (Turnamat style) being announced on the cover of the Switch on Magazine, a German washing machine with only push button controls. With a price of 159 Gns that must have been a machine for the happy few.

Post# 1065714 , Reply# 133   4/3/2020 at 05:23 (1,455 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Colston

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Craig, oh nice one, I can imagine that with the drop down cover controls like the last Philips. The last Colston`s always looked sharp I though in appearance, clean lines , simple controls etc.

Interesting seeing the comparison on your which report with the Frigidaire. Thanks for sharing..


Post# 1065722 , Reply# 134   4/3/2020 at 07:05 (1,455 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Back to Stokvis

vacbear58's profile picture
Louis

I was interested to see from Image 9 of reply 117 that the Stokvis had both impeller and agitator variants


Post# 1065723 , Reply# 135   4/3/2020 at 07:26 (1,455 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Stokvis

foraloysius's profile picture
Alistair,

AFAIK Erres Stokvis only sold washing machines with agitators in the NL, but I could be wrong. But so far I only have seen agitator machines on auction sites. They probably had different sale policies for the British market.


Post# 1065724 , Reply# 136   4/3/2020 at 07:40 (1,455 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Erres Stokvis

foraloysius's profile picture
Around 1964 Erres Stokvis came out with a new line, were these sold in the UK too?



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Post# 1065726 , Reply# 137   4/3/2020 at 07:45 (1,455 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
Acme Twin Speed

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,
Just looking at some of the information that has come out on this thread and it is great and adds to the depth of knowledge which most of us crave about past machines.

I did notice in your thread of #97 regarding the Acme Twin-Speed (pic courtesy of Trevor Howsam), I noticed that the rubber part of the discharge arm is that of the fill hose on the 260 Thor Automagic, albeit they changed the colour to grey on the Acme. I found one in the garage last night took a pic.

I guess most washing machine companies at the time had access to various interchangeable parts form one machine to another. The white plastic agitator disc on this machine was very advanced for the time, but I do believe Goblin used a soft white rubber "Floating" agitator in the their single tub W140.

Cheers


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Post# 1065729 , Reply# 138   4/3/2020 at 08:33 (1,455 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Keith yes its great when everyone comes together to share the knowledge or "Brainstorm" as many of us where doing all night I think ha ha, to find out how stuff works if we havnt seen an example of it.

I couldnt move the Acme Twintub when I was taking the pics but am sure it will be a gearbox with usual back n forth twinny action, its was so heavy to move but as Mathew says so does the little Acme spinner and that Acme is double the weight of the Hoovermatic ha ha..

Great you have the spares, was this also used on the Acme De-Lux spinner with metal arm , I cant remember, and prob right on the parts, I was stunned years ago when first saw the English Electric dryer with the Servis MK2 control knobs !!

Spooky was just talking the Al about Goblin washer mechanism as where saying about the floating agitator and later the later floating white rubber hands reference Im assuming they just changed to a white rubber produced paddle ?


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Post# 1065730 , Reply# 139   4/3/2020 at 08:54 (1,455 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hey Mike,

Sometimes all this thinking makes one quite dizzy, we just need a time machine to go back and check them all out and even bring a few back..!!

I have that Goblin washer, the agitator doesn't float in that one, I guess there wouldn't be any W140 around now as the rubber agitator would have crumbled away.

Good inside shots of the Acme Twin-Speed !! Call the Midwife used that very machine.

Cheers


Post# 1065837 , Reply# 140   4/4/2020 at 04:41 (1,454 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Ref the Goblin Double D wash action, I wonder if its something like this Acme twintub, which unlike the big model above with the agi pellor is based on the Rolls cabinet or badged ?
So the use of this with recirculation jet placed in the tub may provide said effect ? (pic courtesy of MatchboxPaul)


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Post# 1065904 , Reply# 141   4/4/2020 at 16:45 (1,454 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,
With Acme having a wash time of just 4 minutes this machine used the impeller like the Rolls.
I think the Goblin Double G, had a unique washing action yet to be uncovered.
Cheers


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Post# 1066022 , Reply# 142   4/5/2020 at 10:34 (1,453 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.

I remember visiting the KAYS catalogue archive many years ago and first seeing the ACME Challenge machines - so bright and vibrant and a real shame that one has not surfaced yet.

There appear to have been at least 5 variants of Challenge twin tubs sold from 1963 through to early 1969. From what I have been able to deduce from sources, it looks to have gone something like this (note - any corrections would be appreciated):

1963 saw the first two models arrive on the scene, with KAYS Spring Summer '63 offering the first model in the accompanying photographs, whilst Autumn Winter saw it joined a more 'deluxe' version, with the flattened ovoid fascia on the front of the cabinet (photo 2).
Strangely the later version was described as 'MkIII' - assuming that the earlier version was MkI, means we are missing a MkII (was this sold through the pages of another catalogue?).
Both the 1963 offerings were based on the ACME Conquest, again introduced in 1963.

1965 saw changes at ACME, with the original Conquest updated into the Conquest MkII and two new models introduced - Models 715 and 915.
The 715 was to form the basis of the 1965 Challenge and the 915 the basis of the Challenge De Luxe - both pictured in photo number 3.

Any one any idea what happened to ACME, cause 1965 appeared to be their final year of Twin Tub production?

For the 1966 season the Mail Order companies went to English Electric, who provided them with a Challenge version of their second generation Twin Star - this machine is in photo 4. This model last appeared in the pages of KAYS catalogue Autumn Winter '68-'69.

Apart from Servis and the Challenge machines, did any other manufacturers produce such bright colour offerings on their white goods?

Paul



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Post# 1066030 , Reply# 143   4/5/2020 at 11:02 (1,453 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Some quick additons ...

Mentioned earlier n the thread was the Colston autoplus.

There were possibly three versions of this:

1st dating from 1967 and running through till 1970, then model '2301' running from 1970 to 1973 - I don't know if these are one and the same models?
1970 seems to have been a start point where the offerings, previously described as 'autopride' and 'autoplus', started to be described as models 2201 Coronet (either a simple renaming, or a new model?) and 2301 Autoplus.
Model 2351 Autoplus seems to have run from 1973 though to at least 1976, possibly into 1977.

The first photo (drawing) is from 1969, so will be the first Autoplus (possibly the 2301), whilst the second photo is from 1973 and will be of the model 2351.

Also of note is that there were a fair number of exclusive Colston twin tubs produced, variously branded as Singer, Electra, Aristocrat, Emelec, Easeelec and Elite, mostly based on the base model Coronet, but a couple based on the Autoplus.

Paul


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Post# 1066037 , Reply# 144   4/5/2020 at 11:24 (1,453 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
and a quick Philips update ....

Following on from the earlier discussion on Philips models, I found a photo (albeit a line drawing) of what is model HN3206, which appears on the scene in 1970 and shows better the dial cover arrangement.

A previously uploaded image I think is the HN3207 from 1971 - note the fascia height lip running the full length of the back of the wash deck and the Philips badge on the front - both these details leading into the AAC870, which was introduced in 1973.

I think Philips offerings ran as follows:

EA5400 Top Twin De Luxe (1963 through to 1967) - PHOTO 1
EA5402 Top Twin Super (1963 through to 1966) - PHOTO 2
HA8030 Top Twin De Luxe (1967 through to 1969) - PHOTO 3
HN3202 Top Twin (1969 to 1970) - PHOTO 4
HN3206 Top Twin (1970 to 1971) - PHOTO 5
HN3207 Top Twin (1971 to 1973) - PHOTO 6
&
AAC870 Top Twin (1973 to 1975) - PHOTO 7

Any corrections/thoughts on the above gratefully received and thanks to those whose photos I have reattached here :-)
Paul


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Post# 1066155 , Reply# 145   4/6/2020 at 00:44 (1,452 days old) by Chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Colston

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Many thanks Paul for taking the time to search & delve into the timeline history of those brands , and for the spreadsheets , breakfast reading as we speak.

I hadn't noticed the drop down cover panel on the Autoplus , Craig mentioned it in his post. The Philips Topline certainly went through a transformation from the heavy but very practical control panel to the sleeker flatter version of the final series , the whole range looked stunning in their silver & blue livery !!


Post# 1066156 , Reply# 146   4/6/2020 at 00:49 (1,452 days old) by Chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoovermatics .

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Nowthen "How Far Can A Hoovermatic Pump Water" ....if you've ever used a Hoovermatic twintub you will be very aware of the rate of flow at which they pump out into the sink, have seen many a sprayed and flooded kitchen if the pipe is not fixed firmly over the sink ....






Post# 1066169 , Reply# 147   4/6/2020 at 04:54 (1,452 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Thanks for those pictures

Paul, I notice the first picture of the acme challenge spring 1963, was based on the original acme, minus the twin speed, it describes agitator action, 5/6lb load and clearly has the spin deck of the original, no giveaway rolls bolts either side of the machine and is £70. I can't quite make out the descriptions of the two acmes in photo 3, was the deluxe the agitator machine and the standard the impeller, two different cabinets though both look to be built on a plinth. All fasinating to see and think over.

Seeing these catalogues with machines of various pros and cons, and options for payment terms, show how the wide range of the markets spending ability was being served. Wasn't that one of John Blooms' goals, to sell a washing machine to every Council house.

Mathew




Post# 1066170 , Reply# 148   4/6/2020 at 05:31 (1,452 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Acme Twintub Washing Machine

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So where does the Acme I took pics of at Housams props place fit in datewise? Mathew having read your question and going back over the Which 1963 info and now Pauls further info, the 1963 report that machine is like the blue ones with a stainless band around the washdeck, Housams has a rubber band like Hoovers, same spinner but the washlid is tilted back like the Servis and it has a knob front left of the washdeck like a Servis wringer ? pump engage perhaps ? or agitator on / off ?
Questions Questions..


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Post# 1066256 , Reply# 149   4/6/2020 at 16:56 (1,452 days old) by optima (Cumbria England)        
Colston

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Paul

Thank you so much for the Scans of the Colston Autoplus - Just as i remembered it, brings back so many good memories. I adored that Twin Tub.


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Post# 1066261 , Reply# 150   4/6/2020 at 18:20 (1,452 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Bylock 'President'

It seems to be a Rolls 'Super 66' by another name. Same - or similar - control panel.


Pic courtesy of thenostalgiashop.co.uk.


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Post# 1066263 , Reply# 151   4/6/2020 at 18:24 (1,452 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
ACME

www.gracesguide.co.uk/Acm...

Post# 1066265 , Reply# 152   4/6/2020 at 18:40 (1,452 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Scharpf

Courtesy of: digitaltmuseum.no/011025127908/v...

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Post# 1066267 , Reply# 153   4/6/2020 at 19:07 (1,452 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Scharpf

Courtesy of ebay.de

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Post# 1066287 , Reply# 154   4/6/2020 at 21:50 (1,451 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Reply# 152 Scharpf

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That is a model I have never seen before. I have seen models with 1 or 2 dials, but not with 3. Must have been the TOL model.

Post# 1066307 , Reply# 155   4/7/2020 at 03:17 (1,451 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Bylock President

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One might think it was a Rolls, and indeed I did myself until I took a good look at the photo, the control near the bottom of the machine was never seen on any Rolls, there is an inset plinth around the machine and its missing the two screws on the spinner side which all Rolls seem to have

The curious thing was that Bylock came to manufacture motors for Rolls (if they were not already doing so in 1961) and were bought over by Rolls in 1963 only to crash with them in 1964 when Rolls went bust. So there may well have been Bylock branded Rolls machines but this does not look like one of them


Post# 1066309 , Reply# 156   4/7/2020 at 04:40 (1,451 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Morning Al,

Just looking at the Bylock "President" I wonder if it Bylock used some of the parts from newly amalgamated company by Rolls.

I had a look at some other Rolls machines and the Electromatic didn't have any spin-dryer cabinet side screws.

I think there was a cross over of lots of parts, like I mentioned earlier Acme used the same rubber discharge arm as the Thor Automagic fill flume.

All these quirky oddities that come out of these threads.

Cheers Keith


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Post# 1066401 , Reply# 157   4/7/2020 at 20:33 (1,450 days old) by nilfiskGA70 (Limerick, Ireland)        

nilfiskga70's profile picture
When I moved out of my digs in 1988, I bought a second-hand Hoovermatic from a vendor who supplied spare parts to our cleaning supplies firm. It had the 'orange trim' switches. Loved that machine and I donated it to a charity when i left the job to return to college in 1989. I also used the Hoovermatic wash motor to drive a replica of an "R2-D2" robot we built for a school musical in 1982. It was removed off a scrap twin tub from a neighbour. Dad used parts of its chassis to fabricate new hinge mountings for the boot lid off my Mum's 1976 Fiat 128 - the car was just 6 years old but the boot lid was already falling off as the hinge mountings had crumbled with rust! Unbelievable that could happen to a 6 year old car today!!

Post# 1066422 , Reply# 158   4/8/2020 at 06:39 (1,450 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoovermatic

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Great story Peter, did the Hoovermatic have white or silver lids ?

Yes in terms of new cars they are certainly more reliable than yesteryears, you always used to see breakdowns at the side of roads, very rare now !!


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Post# 1066427 , Reply# 159   4/8/2020 at 08:28 (1,450 days old) by NilfiskGA70 (Limerick, Ireland)        

nilfiskga70's profile picture
Hello, Mike
Yes, that last pic is exactly like the one I bought back then. It had the white lids and it was pristine when I got it for the discounted sum of £80 as our repair shop was a valued customer of the vendor - a one-man firm going by the name of PB Spares Ltd. He was also a great friend of the boss and he would leave us till last after doing his round of his customers in Limerick, just so he could hang on and go out with us that Friday night for a few scoops. The machine was faultless and made a great job of the laundry, but I always ended up having to take a mop to the floor when the job was done! Hope you are enjoying the spring sun, good drying on the line...getting the trusty lawnmower out with its 31 year old Briggs & Stratton MAX motor, spent another great summer years ago fixing B&S engines for a repair shop in my native Galway. The engine has outlasted 2 decks now, and still catches on one or two pulls of the cord. They don't make them as good today. Regular oil changes are the key.


Post# 1066737 , Reply# 160   4/10/2020 at 08:38 (1,448 days old) by aquacycle (West Yorkshire, UK)        

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some misc catalogues through the years

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Post# 1066744 , Reply# 161   4/10/2020 at 09:03 (1,448 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Aquacycle

ozzie908's profile picture
OMG £250 for a Hoovermatic ??????

Must have been on weekly terms or how would anyone afford them?

Nice to see them again though.

Austin


Post# 1066813 , Reply# 162   4/10/2020 at 18:46 (1,448 days old) by anthony (uk)        
The frigidaire twin tub

anthony's profile picture
Hi Mike
that Phillips Tt is rather nice looking much neater than the Frigidaire version .When i worked for HCT [some 45 years ago now ] i worked on mainly Frigidaire and Hoover machines sometimes there would be the odd Hotpoint. That earlier Frigidaire TT in post 6919 [very much like the rolls ] had an English electric clone .It looked the same but the controls were arranged differently on the front however the main and most important difference was hidden inside .Instead of the usual decent size motor directly driving the wash impeller a second spin motor and belt arrangement was used .Those spin motors while perfectly adequate for driving a spin dryer could not handle the load and would burn out quickly .Another thing i have remembered about the Frigidaire [the later model] is that it had two hoses on the back [one with the ball for emptying the tub and the other for draining the spinner .A really bad design in my opinion .You have the pump running constantly but the water is held back by the ball .Surely the old recirculating idea was better .Ok so we are talking about TTs can anyone tell me if there is an easy way to get the knobs off a Hoover 5090 without removing the complete top.The alloy plate with the decals on has come loose and rattles like mad when the spinner is on


Post# 1066866 , Reply# 163   4/11/2020 at 06:47 (1,447 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Hi Anthony, Hoover knobs

it's a bit of a key hole surgery job, back off, the switches are on a metal section that unscrews, the knobs are linked to the switches with wire metal hooks, unhook these, then you can use some small or snipe nose pliers to squeeze the spring washers on the underside of the knobs and they should just come loose. Hope that helps, sorry for the brief description, all the best, Mathew

Post# 1066930 , Reply# 164   4/11/2020 at 14:45 (1,447 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
Replies 121 and 160.

121, Matthew, oh the agony of being foisted with stereotypical masculine pastimes, we understand each others exasperation?

160, Aquacycle, great to see those pics again: photo 10 of 14; that was the service twintub my mum bought 1974/5, but I think it was white spray painted may where stainless steel is pictured?

Regards, Walter


Post# 1067044 , Reply# 165   4/12/2020 at 09:24 (1,446 days old) by AquaCycle (West Yorkshire, UK)        

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Great Universal 1999. Possibly one of the last twin tub appearances?

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Post# 1067218 , Reply# 166   4/13/2020 at 15:39 (1,445 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Chris
Thanks for the 1999 catalogue page, showing the servis retro tub and the final hotpoint 9404.

I too have both those models being sold into 1999 - I wonder if they made it into 2000?

Paul


Post# 1067220 , Reply# 167   4/13/2020 at 16:09 (1,445 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
A couple of questions ....

The SCHARPF machines mentioned on the cover of Keith's copy of 'Switch On!' earlier in the thread - were those machines ever released into the UK market, or was it a case of you can look, but you can't touch?


Also, a name I have heard of over the years, but I have never actually seen an advert for them or indeed a photo of any of their models - TALLENT!
On Wikipedia it reads that Tallent took over production of Rolls twin tubs for about a year after Rolls went into liquidation in 1964, before they were finally rebranded as Colston in 1965.
Are there any images of these twin tubs, branded Tallent? There were apparently three models:

W151 Super De Luxe
W152 De Luxe (with round lids)
W153 De Luxe (with square lids)

Could the W152 have been a Rapide clone, whilst the W153 would go on to be the Colston Autopride and the W151 the Colston AutoPlus? All conjecture and theory and hoping someone can provide some answers (fingers crossed).

I have added some pictures - 1st the Rolls Rapide De Luxe, 2nd the Colston Autopride and 3rd the Colston AutoPlus.


Paul


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Post# 1067222 , Reply# 168   4/13/2020 at 16:12 (1,445 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Correction

Instead of Rapide De Luxe, I should have said Concorde ...

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Post# 1067223 , Reply# 169   4/13/2020 at 16:24 (1,445 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Paul reply 67

ozzie908's profile picture
Have never encountered a Rolls/Colston with a spin timer ..... Very posh.

Austin


Post# 1067252 , Reply# 170   4/13/2020 at 21:19 (1,444 days old) by Mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
Here’s a good example of an Australian made Lightburn twin tub with unique Smackulator wash action 😝
Video courtesy of Nathan :-)






Post# 1067253 , Reply# 171   4/13/2020 at 21:20 (1,444 days old) by Mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
And also a Lightburn H-Axis twin tub. Inspired by the cement mixers that the company also made :-)






Post# 1067254 , Reply# 172   4/13/2020 at 21:22 (1,444 days old) by Mattywashboy (Perth, Western Australia)        

mattywashboy's profile picture
I’ve also just found a Gumtree listing for this quite unique Panasonic microprocessor control twin tub.
Wish it was in my state I would have it in a heartbeat!


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Post# 1067285 , Reply# 173   4/14/2020 at 05:43 (1,444 days old) by Hoover0308 (Brisbane Australia )        
I like to call it the Spankedomatic

Mattywashboy, I have a Smackulator, or Spankedomatic coming up from Sydney.
My next project after finishing the Hoover 0308 reno


Post# 1068424 , Reply# 174   4/21/2020 at 01:54 (1,437 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Acme

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Acme laundry appliances were sold in the Netherlands too. Here is a Dutch brochure.

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Post# 1068435 , Reply# 175   4/21/2020 at 05:55 (1,437 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
Acme..

keymatic's profile picture
Just added one of those Acme Sunbreeze Tumble Dryers to my collection, it will look great next to the Thor Automagic in the utility room with the nicely aligned French grey trim :)

Cheers


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Post# 1068437 , Reply# 176   4/21/2020 at 06:13 (1,437 days old) by nilfiskGA70 (Limerick, Ireland)        

nilfiskga70's profile picture
Loved that Lightburn 'Smackulator' - found it funnier watching the video over and over a few times. What an unusual, but seemingly effective wash action, couldn't stop laughing out loud despite it bringing back memories of the occasional 'visit' to the principal's office in school in the early 80's! (cue the quotation 'Assume the position' from the movie 'Dead Poet's Society').

Post# 1068522 , Reply# 177   4/21/2020 at 15:52 (1,437 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        

That's an interesting brochure Louis, I didn't know that Acme had a twin speed wringer washer as well as the twin tub
Ian


Post# 1068637 , Reply# 178   4/22/2020 at 12:32 (1,436 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
ACME brochure

Thanks also from me to Louis, for posting the ACME brochure.
As with Ian, I never knew they did a wringer machine, let alone four different version of it!
I can't say I have looked out for it in the past specifically, but will have to have a look through the literature to see if it/they are mentioned anywhere and see which ones were offered to UK buyers.

Does anyone have an ACME wringer in their collections? I think we have examples of the ACME spinners preserved, representatives of both the full size and compact Sun Breezes preserved and of course a Twin Speed Combination is in existence (although sadly it can't be called preserved).

Very interesting brochure Louis - thanks again for posting.
Paul


Post# 1068639 , Reply# 179   4/22/2020 at 12:48 (1,436 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
You're welcome Paul,

Did you manage to understand the descriptions? Just in case you didn't, all models have a pump, the variations are with or without a wringer and with or without a heater. I had the Acme centrifuge, never used it though, the bearings were totally gone. I like the rinse-spinner with pump.


Post# 1068644 , Reply# 180   4/22/2020 at 12:57 (1,436 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
After a bit of help - Info ...

Hi Ian.

I noticed your superb Guardsman Red Supertwin, over in the Superheat thread.
Can I ask a favour - if the machine is easily accessible, can you confirm for me what the model/MK number is for me?


Hi all.

I am trying to identify once and for all what the model/MK numbers are for the early (MkI) Supertwin models, which were on sale in the UK between 1959 and 1962.

MK19 was the heated 1959 first version, which later became MK27 around 1961, but I am after confirmation of model/MK numbers for the following:

1959 unheated
1961 unheated
Guardsman Red
Horizon Blue
Lemon Peel Yellow
& Almond Green

For all I know, they could all still have been called MK19.

I know examples of most of the above are preserved, but many machines are held in storage sites, which are currently out of bounds.

If you happen to have examples of any of the above versions to hand and getting to them is relatively easy (please don't empty garages or rooms to get to them), then I'd be really grateful for the info.

All to help with a small project I am working on at the moment.

Regards to all.
Paul
p.s another question off the top of my head - was there ever a gas heated version of the (MkI) Supertwin, or was the (MkII) MK31 the first Servis gas twintub?






Post# 1068650 , Reply# 181   4/22/2020 at 13:11 (1,436 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Louis.

Would it be...

ACME 10 … with electric wringer and unheated
ACME 20 … as per the 10, but heated
ACME 30 … as per the 10, but without the electric wringer
&
ACME 40 … as per the 30, but heated ?

Paul


Post# 1068653 , Reply# 182   4/22/2020 at 13:23 (1,436 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        

foraloysius's profile picture
That's totally correct Paul!

Post# 1068672 , Reply# 183   4/22/2020 at 15:55 (1,436 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Paul,
Acme had a compact wringer washer called the Acme Minor - i will dig out the pamphlet :)
Cheers
Keith


Post# 1068792 , Reply# 184   4/23/2020 at 09:14 (1,435 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
ACme Wringer Washer...

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon All,

I can't find any reference to the ACME 10/20/30/40 wringer washer being sold in the UK, however I have a sales pamphlet for the Acme Minor dating from the early 60's.
Not sure if all the spinners have been found, the pump model is yet to be discovered.
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1068852 , Reply# 185   4/23/2020 at 13:01 (1,435 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Superheat

Paul
It's buried behind two wringers, two twin tubs and a dishwasher in the dining room! I'll dig it out for you at the weekend and let you know.
Cheers
Ian


Post# 1068893 , Reply# 186   4/23/2020 at 18:51 (1,435 days old) by nilfiskGA70 (Limerick, Ireland)        

nilfiskga70's profile picture
Some really unusual models I have never seen or heard of - amazing the ingenuity of people - so many different solutions and designs with one purpose in mind: cleaning laundry. I spent 7 weeks in the Philippines back in 1997 - our firm had a plant in Cavite, approx. 30 miles south of Manila and I was sent to train the technicians on some of our equipment which was being transferred there. Pity I had not been more observant of their laundry solutions - I saw it all: from the women washing laundry by hand in the river near Hidden Valley Springs, to the huge variety of twinnies - not a front loader in sight. Twinnies that nobody in the Northern hemisphere ever saw. The house I stayed in was in a suburb of Manila called Ayala Alabang, rented by our firm - it sported a large upright Maytag washer and dryer. Love the ACME brand, brings many happy memories enjoying Wily-E-Coyote and the Road Runner cartoons on our 1977 colour Philips G8 telly as a kid. As an aside, for the Rolls experts out there - was there a Rolls type washer in single tub format? I am almost certain that my Gran had something like that - the large circular grating and the bottom-mounted impeller are exactly what I remember but I am certain it was not a twin tub. It was replaced by a Servis Supertwin around 1980 when I was 13/14 years old.

Post# 1068978 , Reply# 187   4/24/2020 at 05:11 (1,434 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Colston Ariston single tub

Perhaps this?






Post# 1068981 , Reply# 188   4/24/2020 at 05:25 (1,434 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        

An earlier incarnation was the Colston 'Cadet' single tub.

Shown in this thread, Reply #16:

www.automaticwasher.org/c...


Post# 1068993 , Reply# 189   4/24/2020 at 06:46 (1,434 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Numbers

Hi Paul
Done some shuffling about. It is indeed a Mk19, serial number 19WM98340.
Hope that helps
Ian


Post# 1068995 , Reply# 190   4/24/2020 at 06:50 (1,434 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Any idea when your Gran

would have bought this machine, I'm all but certain rolls didn't market a single tub washer and the colston/ariston is the only versions of the rolls type single tub I know of.

However, there were several other cheap impeller action single tub washers around in the 60's, very basic and cheap, if anyone has a which magazine at hand, february 1961,(sorry can't find 1961, despite having 60-65 filed away) has two tested, they are very basic, just a tub with a direct drive pulsator in the base, no heater or pump, possibly not even a switch, even a wringer was extra. Can't remember the manufacturers, so I'm sure these and others probably cropped up via direct sale newspaper ads, door to door selling through the 60's.

Mathew


Post# 1069007 , Reply# 191   4/24/2020 at 08:08 (1,434 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mathew,

As you say there were many single tub washers on the market who all jumped on the band-wagon once the Rolls washing concept was launched around the very early 60's, cheap and easy to manufacture !!

I picked up a brand new Flatley washer some years back, which is now in the loft boxed & never used, very basic no pump, heater and yes no switch just plug in and away you go !!

Keith


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Post# 1069029 , Reply# 192   4/24/2020 at 10:29 (1,434 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@keymatic

ozzie908's profile picture
So that would have been the original " Plug and Play " lol

Post# 1069064 , Reply# 193   4/24/2020 at 15:26 (1,434 days old) by anthony (uk)        
hoover 5090

anthony's profile picture
yes i know its relative youngster compared to some of the machines here but we have had it since new .its been in constant use for the last year while doing the house up and has performed faultlessly every time. i have managed to get the knobs off and have straightened the panel as best as i can [yes its a bit of a mess but considering it was almost bent double its not bad .just wondering if anyone can recommend a good glue to stick it back on with.I don t want to have to do this again so the glue needs to be good .My mum had the very first incarnation of this machine in the late fifties and if i remember correctly we got a new on about every ten years this being the last one .i can remember my dad replacing the spin motor rubber mounts on one of them with three cotton reels because they were snapping frequently it ran for years like that .Mum once asked me if it was possible to do away with the safety switch for the spin dryer on the front of this machine [she found it really annoying being used to the older machine where you would just lift the lid ]needless to say i said no

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Post# 1069227 , Reply# 194   4/25/2020 at 13:02 (1,433 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Keith.
Thanks for posting the leaflet for the ACME Minor. Soon as saw it, I remembered that it was sold in early sixties copies of the KAYS catalogues that I have seen - 1961 to 1962 for the Minor, whilst the Twin Speed was offered in 1960 to 61.

Never noticed the Twin Speed singe tub before, so thanks again to Louis for opening our eyes to it and it appears that, through he pages of KAYS anyway, we had three of the models available in the UK.

Paul





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Post# 1069236 , Reply# 195   4/25/2020 at 13:57 (1,433 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Many thanks Ian ....

…. for confirming the model number of your Guardsman Red Supertwin - much appreciated.

I wonder of it's safe to assume that the other three colours were also Mk19? If anyone else is in a position to conform model numbers for their colours of Supertwin, that would be great.


Never really thought about it much, but does anyone actually own an unheated Supertwin, or did they all slip under the radar as far as buying them for preservation was concerned?

Strange but, as with the ACME single tub, I never really noticed the fact that there was an unheated version offered by Servis.

Paul


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Post# 1069246 , Reply# 196   4/25/2020 at 14:54 (1,433 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        

That's an interesting picture Paul, I'm guessing that's the unheated Supertwin as it doesn't have the thermometer dial. But isn't that light between the controls a heater 'on' light? I wonder if its a touched up picture and someone missed a bit?
Ian


Post# 1069510 , Reply# 197   4/27/2020 at 07:14 (1,431 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        
Acme in Action..

keymatic's profile picture
Found an Acme Challenge in action with Persil :)
Cheers


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Keymatic's LINK


Post# 1069511 , Reply# 198   4/27/2020 at 07:42 (1,431 days old) by kenmore58 (Rhode Island)        
Hoover twin tub repair manual

kenmore58's profile picture
Hey Guys,

Not sure if this is the right thread to post in, but I have recently been able to use some of my vintage machines that have been packed away for a while. I have a 1970's Hoover twin tub that, of course, has a pump problem.

Anybody have service manuals for these machines? I think I might be able to repair and rebuild the pump.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ron


Post# 1069519 , Reply# 199   4/27/2020 at 08:28 (1,431 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Fairy Snow advert

Is this a Hoovermatic in this advert?

www.hatads.org.uk/catalog...


Post# 1069538 , Reply# 200   4/27/2020 at 11:05 (1,431 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        
#Fairysnow

keymatic's profile picture
Great, i’ve looking for that advert for years..Craig Douglas :) with a Hoovermatic 3301L
Cheers
Keith


Post# 1069582 , Reply# 201   4/27/2020 at 18:11 (1,431 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        

Thanks! You're not the only one, I've been searching for it too - for absolute yonks.

I only found it because I followed your link to the ACME Challenge. A bit of a recursive loop!

Speaking of ACME - the ACME Automatic... what are your thoughts, to my thinking which I posted in the following thread...?



CLICK HERE TO GO TO Rolls_rapide's LINK


Post# 1069704 , Reply# 202   4/28/2020 at 12:42 (1,430 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
T5090

Hi Anthony.

Were the fascias glued on, double sided taped on, or held on with tabs?

Not au fait with adhesives I am afraid - would a thick, double sided and waterproof tape do the trick?
Paul


Post# 1069705 , Reply# 203   4/28/2020 at 12:51 (1,430 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.
Methinks a screen grab of the ACME Challenge from the advert warrants a post of its own!

Thanks for the link Keith.

I can recommend that website as well - there are a number of really good adverts on there, all free to search and view - search for the likes of 'Persil' and 'Midlands Electricity Board' etc (good one for Persil and the Hotpoint 1600 Automatic, as well as one with the Hoover 3236H - I digress).

Paul


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Post# 1074659 , Reply# 204   5/28/2020 at 06:27 (1,400 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Paul, managed to get a serial plate confirmation for my Green & Cream Servis Twintub, it is indeed a MK27 dated from 1963.

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Post# 1074667 , Reply# 205   5/28/2020 at 07:19 (1,400 days old) by Hoover0308 (Brisbane Australia )        
Not forgetting the Australian Hoovermatic 3304

Slight differences to itself cousins.

Here is mine in action...



CLICK HERE TO GO TO Hoover0308's LINK


Post# 1078843 , Reply# 206   6/27/2020 at 03:36 (1,370 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoovermatic

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Great job on the restoration Stephen, once used never forgotten, the spinner lid section is different to ours in the UK , does this have the pinch pump like the US or chamber pot like the UK models ?

Have got a later 3309 that is ready for a respray and revamp if we can ever get to them this year after lockdown !!


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Post# 1078866 , Reply# 207   6/27/2020 at 09:29 (1,370 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,
Always loved the 3309L, mum’s first twin tub in 1968 after the burco went. Nice charcoal lines :)

My 3304E is going off this coming Wednesday to be sprayed, it’s not too bad just a needs a once all over in off-white and the base trim in light grey.

Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1078960 , Reply# 208   6/28/2020 at 02:53 (1,369 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoovermatic 3309L

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi keith yes have always like the charcoal effect range, my Gran had the single tub after the Empress and a lovely black bridging unit that was never gonna fit a Creda debonair spinner lol..

So did your mum have a Burco twintub or wringer / boiler ? I was amazed to learn mum only had a burco boiler and stand wringer until I was 2 when my sister was born and in came the new Servis Supertwin MK2 in 1963.

Look forward to seeing pics n vids of the 3304 after its repaint, just noticing the pitting on the spinner lid inside ridge, ours rotted through with holes after contact with the caustic powder of the time.


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Post# 1078967 , Reply# 209   6/28/2020 at 04:08 (1,369 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

Mum had a square Burco boiler (F44 - i think :) with a fleetway wringer from 66-68, then got the 3309L. When all of us (4) moved to my nan’s two-up, two-down in 77, while our house was being built mum gave nan the twintub as the new house had the 1509 & liberator dryer.

That twinny went on till 1990, 22yrs !!

Im only having the exterior painted on Wednesday, i need to clean the spinner lid bracket up at some point. If he does a good job the 3334 is going next. Is £70 expensive for a full paint & possibly a bit of shot blasting and treating ?

I will post when its back

Cheers
Keith



Post# 1079407 , Reply# 210   7/1/2020 at 01:58 (1,366 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Keith, its amazing to think in our lifetime our mums didnt have the luxury of "Washday, Just Forget It" but they were not on their own, how technology has moved on rapidly from 1957 with the first Hoover twinny to 3 yrs later with the Hoover automated Keymatic etc..

Mum had the baby burco from 1960 till 1963 when the Servis Supertwin MK2 appeared and then 1978 the Servis Slimline 850 appeared. Mum actually hated the auto at first as " The wash basket was never cleared" on any given day, there would always be one item then needed others for a full load etc, unlike a twinny where you could race through a family wash in a couple of hours. Mum actually took to the dishwasher quicker than the auto ha ha..The grandkids just look at you daft when I point out how their gran used the twinny and same with great grans with wringers / washboilers etc !!


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Post# 1079464 , Reply# 211   7/1/2020 at 13:18 (1,366 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
that's a story repeated

over and over Mike, Robs mum, 5 kids and her parents, told of how you couldn't see the kitchen floor for piles of washing, sorted in loads for the hotpoint twinny, plus the whites boiling in the copper. Seems like madness to us, but it was all done in one morning, and being the 60's/70's having that spin performance in a 2 up 2 down with no central heating you can see the benefits over an indesit auto at least in the winter. She told me once the wash stopped working, called the shop to bring a motor and it was back up and running to finish the wash. She of course did take to the automatic as the family moved away, but in my view, never got away from the size loads washed in the twin tub, so always seemed to under load the automatic.

Another I'd heard of, the husband had thought not to repair the twin tub, so had an auto plumbed in, after one load,she had the shop deliver another hoovermatic and husband came home to see the automatic on the drive awaiting collection, `I can't be waiting all that time for one load' So whilst we may not understand it ourselves, not all housewives were slaves to the twin tub.


Post# 1079472 , Reply# 212   7/1/2020 at 13:55 (1,366 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
And isn't lovely how we

ozzie908's profile picture
have a choice and use whatever we fancy when the mood takes :)



Post# 1079547 , Reply# 213   7/2/2020 at 03:50 (1,365 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

It is amazing how the technological advances in washing machines seemed to jump in leaps and bounds in the early 60's - within 5 years we had gone from Single tub with wringer to Twin tub then to Automatic, I guess if the demand is there that fuels to desire to have the next best product !!

On another note the 3304E went off to the powder coating sprayers yesterday in the delightful pouring rain, this is a new company I am trying so we will see how that turns out, the guy seemed very interested in the machine but didn't understand how you used it albeit he was in his 50's and I would have thought he would have seen a twinny before !! lol - I will keep you posted.

Austin, the freedom to choose to have the odd play with a vintage machine is ideal, I like many others on here have had to do weeks / months of twin tub washing when I have moved house etc and whilst I didn't mind doing it, typically on a Saturday morning it can be a bit of a chore as opposed to just chucking it in and letting the machine do the whole cycle while you get on and do other things..as Mike said "Washday - just forget it"

Cheers
Keith


Post# 1079548 , Reply# 214   7/2/2020 at 04:18 (1,365 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Twinny Washday

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Great stories Mathew, yes stepping over piles of laundry , saying that with kids in school & hubby at work most of the family never saw what went on unless mum was working and it was done at night or the weekend.

Another benefit of twinny washing was even after multiple washloads and top ups the water was always used to wash the floor down and the kitchen was gleaming, a process that judging by many ebay pics of washers being sold is not carried out much these days !!

And the housewife always had the final say ha ha, have heard that story so often from older repair men, if the husband bought the washer the wife didnt like - "It went out and what she wanted came in " lol..



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Post# 1079602 , Reply# 215   7/2/2020 at 17:45 (1,365 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
Great stories indeed

from Matthew. "just get out of my b****y way so I can get the job done"; the battle cry of the harassed 50s/60s housewife even after a strong cup of typhoo and and a moggadon tablet!!!!!!!

Post# 1079860 , Reply# 216   7/5/2020 at 02:57 (1,362 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1957- 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Thats a good price for a spray job on the Hoovermatic Keith, last another 50yrs !! and yes when you think just how much in washing machines has changed, now we seem to have hit a peak with same old same old.

Funnily enough I spoke to Aunty Mags earlier, she said "How do You Remember All These Details", turns out her twinny was the 3304 with heater as she always boiled the whites in it, small amount of water with Persil then filled up to wash !! I remember the round badge, 2 controls, hose out the back but never sure heater or not, now we know...


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This post was last edited 07/05/2020 at 03:12
Post# 1079861 , Reply# 217   7/5/2020 at 03:07 (1,362 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1957- 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Walter, yes if you had a Hoovermatic your floor got a free wash every time, like it or not , its a feature you never had on a Servis did you ?



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Post# 1079864 , Reply# 218   7/5/2020 at 04:05 (1,362 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1957 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Looking through Chris Parkers catalogue thread (Reply #160 ) it shows the Frigidaire twinny that is the Philips 3202 from 1969 with agitator ??


Ps, I cant believe this threads been going months and no one has mentioned the glaring typo ? Im only human and head like a sieve sometimes !! ha ha...


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Post# 1079866 , Reply# 219   7/5/2020 at 04:48 (1,362 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        
Hotpoint supermatic

sesteve's profile picture
Here’s a brochure I meant to post and forgot

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Post# 1079867 , Reply# 220   7/5/2020 at 04:55 (1,362 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

sesteve's profile picture
Not sure if I posted this either - another view of the Frigidaire

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Post# 1079871 , Reply# 221   7/5/2020 at 05:59 (1,362 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Ooooh

ozzie908's profile picture
Frigidaire Jetamatic how wonderful is that ! Anyone got one ?

Post# 1079907 , Reply# 222   7/5/2020 at 13:12 (1,362 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
@Sesteve - nice Hotpoint brochure, did it just focus on the Supermatic or the full range on the front ?

Did the Frigidaire pamphlet have a drawn family on the front ?

Cheers
Keith


Post# 1079908 , Reply# 223   7/5/2020 at 14:03 (1,362 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
HOTPOINT EMPRESS

I didn't know that it was in production well into the 1960s!!!!!!

Post# 1079926 , Reply# 224   7/5/2020 at 15:58 (1,362 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Walter,

I think the Empress went on till about 1974

Regards


Post# 1080025 , Reply# 225   7/6/2020 at 09:43 (1,361 days old) by Sesteve (London, UK)        

sesteve's profile picture
Hi Keith

The brochure covered all that range - I only photographed the twin tub bits for the thread.

I think the Frigidaire brochure did and was actually for fridges but had this on the back. It’s a bit flower power looking in its design lol

S


Post# 1080029 , Reply# 226   7/6/2020 at 10:26 (1,361 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Steve,

Hotpoint did some good marketing material at that time :)

I sold one of those Frigidaire leaflets a while ago as it didn’t have much on washers..you might have been the lucky buyer :) lol

Cheers
Keith

Ps. Getting there slowly with the 1504 - bowl & clamp support next on the list.


Post# 1080060 , Reply# 227   7/6/2020 at 15:40 (1,361 days old) by anthony (uk)        
The frigidaire twin tub

anthony's profile picture
totally bored out of my mind this morning i turned on the Tv 9AM [bbc2]They are showing reruns of Bless This house from the early 70s .I was enthralled to see Mrs Abbot [Dianna Coupland doing the washing in a Frigiaire mastertwin [the earlier model ]

Post# 1080075 , Reply# 228   7/6/2020 at 16:53 (1,361 days old) by anthony (uk)        
the Frigidaire brochure

anthony's profile picture
nice to see those machines again .Haven't seen a jetamatic in 40 years nice machine .we once got the American version in for repair [imported by a doctor ]I went to a large rambling house on the outskirts of Middlesbrough to collect it .Once in the house we were taken to the scullery where the jetamatic lived with its matching dryer both in bright yellow enamel.The wqasher had a big transformer to drop the voltage down to 110 [the jetamatic had no heater]The fault was that while the machine would wash it wouldn't spin Hmm clutch plates i thought [thinking i would have to order them from the states] i was pleasantly surprised to find they were the same as the ones fitted to the uk version .fitted a new set and away it went .Must have cost an arm and a leg to import those machines to the UK .The Frigidaire spin dryers were great and very popular i think back in the day loads of people bought on to go with their wringer washer [usually chucking the wringer]There was an earlier version of the spinner in cream with a chrome handle and a grey band round the lid along with a rubber spout launched around 1958/9 exactly the same inside. I once called to a house in hartlepool to repair one of the older spin dryers .The lady was so happy with her working spin dryer she gave me a fridge [A huge cream Frigidaire ]that had stopped working .her husband had bought a new Fridge freezer [they were just catching on over here in the early 70s]I called back later with my brother to collect the beast and took it home [still living at home back then]Once home i plugged it in just to see what was up .A quick click then nothing .relay i thought .brought one home from work the next day and fitted it and switched on again there was that click again but this time i was rewarded with that comforting purr that modern fridges dont make .Mum was delighted [she had never had a fridge till then .Mums gone now but the fridge is in the kitchen still purrrrrrrring away like mad.Sorry for rambling on guys

Post# 1080133 , Reply# 229   7/7/2020 at 04:18 (1,360 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1957 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Oh Steve, lovely Hotpoint brochures and dark blue Hygena kitchen as well BUT whats with all those trades descriptions ? "Frothing" pushing it a bit there ha ha..

Walter yes hard to imagine with twinnies and autos about just how long the Empress and other wringers carried on being made, Servis still produced the compact up to 1976...


Post# 1080134 , Reply# 230   7/7/2020 at 04:47 (1,360 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1957 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Anthoney, no need to apologise for rambling, its great information to hear about machines from people like yourself who worked on them. I used love seeing those Frigidaire thumpers in the local launderettes, amazing wash action.

So did the UK Jetamatic have a heater in it at all ? I think it was a solid tub with overflow rinse,? did you work on many of our models ?


ps. Can you confirm if the above frigidaire twinny was indeed the Philips version with agitator ( Reply 218 )


Post# 1080155 , Reply# 231   7/7/2020 at 09:47 (1,360 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
"Bless This House"

I saw part of an episode last week, possibly on ForcesTV. There was what I took to be an Indesit L5 in Diana Coupland's kitchen, to the left of the back door.

Post# 1080164 , Reply# 232   7/7/2020 at 11:02 (1,360 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Bless this house

ozzie908's profile picture
Has been on Forces TV for quite a while :)

Always watched it to see what machine they had it was a Frigidaire Twin tub I never saw her use though. We had an L5 in 1977 so I recognised that when it arrived in their kitchen, from what I can recall there were not many programs where you saw the washing machine at all.

Austin


Post# 1080224 , Reply# 233   7/7/2020 at 18:17 (1,360 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        

I remember that in the 'Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads', the episode where they go on a bike ride, there was a Rolls Rapide twin-tub in Terry's sister's kitchen (Sheila Fearn).

And 'The Liver Birds' featured an Indesit automatic.


Post# 1080267 , Reply# 234   7/8/2020 at 02:41 (1,359 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads...

keymatic's profile picture
I am sure I once saw an episode with Thelma - Brigit Forsyth in a kitchen with a Frigidaire Jetamatic..

Cheers


Post# 1080268 , Reply# 235   7/8/2020 at 02:58 (1,359 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Frigidaire Jetamatic

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Post# 1080295 , Reply# 236   7/8/2020 at 08:19 (1,359 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
1973/4 Hotpoint Empress.

I want an unused BNIB Empress for Xmas.

About as likely as being a single winner of a roll over euro lottery!!!!!!!






Post# 1080340 , Reply# 237   7/8/2020 at 12:29 (1,359 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
Walter

what were we always told, `I want doesn't get'. lol

Post# 1080423 , Reply# 238   7/9/2020 at 13:31 (1,358 days old) by anthony (uk)        
Hi Chestermikeuk

anthony's profile picture
Our uk Jetamatic did have a heater [the biggest one i have ever seen on a washing machine ] The american version didn't [not a good idea when you only have 110 volts to play with ]The later Frigidaire TT was indeed a Phillips clone but i am not sure about the earlier model of which there were two .They looked identical from the outside the only noticeable difference was one would have a blue plate behind the knobs .the other had a black one .The machine with the blue Plate [the one i have seen in every episode of Bless this house this week ]had a large induction motor one end directly driving the wash impeller the other end of the motor shaft driving the recirculate pump while the one with the black plate had a second spin motor driving the same impeller and a pump by means of a pulley and a v belt [also seen on an English electric machine]While the small motor was quite capable of driving the spin dryer it was too small and under powered to drive the wash impeller under full load .Both machines used the same spin bearing assembly as the Frigidaire spin dryer .Incidentally the early Twintub had a worktop specially shaped to fit the sort of elliptical shape of the machine .So to sum up the earlier machine it appeared to have a rolls wash tub set up and a Frigidaire spin dryer in one cabinet All accessed through the bottom [wish i could get hold of one then you could see what i mean] I once had one of these machines upside down in the workshop doing a repair while the apprentice next to me was busy changing a compressor on a fridge .When he decided to do a test on the fridge and plugged it in [you guessed it ] he put the wrong plug in [TT plug ] 43 years later i still have the scars on mu right hand to remind me of that day

Post# 1080430 , Reply# 239   7/9/2020 at 13:56 (1,358 days old) by anthony (uk)        
Hi Chestermikeuk

anthony's profile picture
To answer your other question .The Jetamatic was an overflow rinse machine .The company i worked for H C Troldhal were part of GM and were agents for Hoover and Hotpoint Ariston Colston as well as Frigidaire Who also made an automatic machine [the Auto 50 and 51 ] that ran alongside the TTs.Another machine that i worked on back then but have never clapped eyes on since was an automatic labelled Mc Enzie [never seen one since ]A very basic simple machine It reminded me of the early indesit machines with t removable plate on the front for access to the pump .A very basic machine with a slow spin and just one control .The timer select programme and pull to start . The two compartment soap dispenser had a valve that was moved by a plastic bar attached to the timer .On start up water flows into compartment one taking the powder .At the rinse stage the timer would pull the plastic bar moving the valve over to the softener compartment eliminating the need for an extra solenoid valve

Post# 1080489 , Reply# 240   7/10/2020 at 09:45 (1,357 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        
@Anthony

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon Anthony,

Great to hear the first hand experience of the Frigidaire Jetamatic washer, on that subject my Mastertwin has independent wash and spin motors.

The whole machine is an square-ish oval shape with worktop to match. As you said basically a Rolls washer side with a Frigidaire spinner side.

Cheers
Keith



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Post# 1080492 , Reply# 241   7/10/2020 at 11:01 (1,357 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.

Loving the Hotpoint brochure Steve - is there a date on it at all? With it having the 1502 in it and being the older style brochure with fold out pages, i'd hazard a guess at 1967? Mike has a slightly later brochure containing the all the same models, but in a newer style and moving away from the fold out pages style, which I've dated as 1968. Curse Hotpoint for not putting dates on their literature! lol.

Mike - many thanks for checking out the model number of your green Supertwin and apologies for the delay in responding to it. Haven't looked for a while and it slipped my notice until now.
I wonder if green was a later addition to the range, hence it being MK27, whereas at least the red version appeared as a Mk19 and maybe the blue and the yellow?

As for on the telly - the UK Decimal coinage public service film, also has a Frigidaire MasterTwin on the kitchen ....


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Post# 1080494 , Reply# 242   7/10/2020 at 11:11 (1,357 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Anthony.

'The later Frigidaire TT was indeed a Phillips clone but i am not sure about the earlier model of which there were two'

The earlier pre-MasterTwin twin tubs were Models WTS (Standard - unheated) and WTD (DeLuxe - heated). I attach a photo of the WTS model, with it's blue background to the dial and I presume that the heated WTD model would have had two dials and the black background to the dials that you mention.

Both the WTD and WTS look to have arrived on the scene circa 1965, with the original MasterTwin around 1967 and a model called the 'De-Luxe' around 1968, with the later MasterTwin De Luxe around 1973.
The MasterTwin De Luxe in 1973, would tie in with the introduction of the 'new' Philips AAC870, upon which it was based?

Regards
Paul


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Post# 1080495 , Reply# 243   7/10/2020 at 11:17 (1,357 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
... automatic labelled Mc Enzie [never seen one since ]

Hi Anthony.

Don't want to divert the thread too much, but I don't ever remember anyone mentioning the brand McKenzie on the forum before.
I attach the only picture I have of any of their offerings, in the form of the 'Biomatic TWINFILL' ....


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Post# 1080496 , Reply# 244   7/10/2020 at 11:22 (1,357 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Back to twin tubs

Does anyone know who provided these twin tubs for a number of the elctricity boards at all?

They were sold through the Midlands Electricity Boards and MANWEB at the very least, but I don't know who provided them.

Cheers
Paul


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Post# 1080499 , Reply# 245   7/10/2020 at 12:09 (1,357 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Midelec

vacbear58's profile picture
Paul

According to the Which March 1965 the Midelec machines were made by Easiclene

Al


Post# 1080514 , Reply# 246   7/10/2020 at 14:53 (1,357 days old) by anthony (uk)        
The frigidaire twin tub

anthony's profile picture
nice to see a surviving Frigidaire mastewrtwin complete with its lid.Your right Paul.there were two models [you have jogged my memory a little ] The machine without the heater was the one that had a spindryer motor driving the wash impeller .Obviously made to a budget.If i remember rightly underneath where the induction motor would have been there was a flywheel attached with a v belt connecting the motor pump and flywheel .They were [in my opinion a much better machine than the later Phillips clone which was rather flimsy and cheap looking .the very fast spin dryer was much quieter and efficient than the Hoover models of the day and had a nice enamelled spin can .That McKenzie is the later updated version of the ones i worked on [probably cost a bit more ]As i said earlier its pump was very much like an early Indesit the pump being driven by the other end of the main wash motor and accessible through the round hatch on the front .theres that tel tale small door just like the indesit .Found Sid Abbot having his breakfast in front of the TT this morning

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Post# 1080586 , Reply# 247   7/11/2020 at 07:08 (1,356 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Frigidaire Twinnies

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Anthoney , glad we got to the bottom of the "Who Made Which Frigidaire Twinny" ha ha, I think the Philips version looks the smartest IMHO, and great to know in the rolls version the original Spinner was used. fab spinners they are.

Hope the hand injury recovered well, my worst nightmare a plug in the wrong socket, thank goodness for plug in circuit trippers although unless a fault it would not have helped you in that moment.

Great to know the Frigidaire Jetamatic had a powerful heater, heres a pic with the "Fill & Heat" on the first timer position. I must check if the water capacity was more than the Hotpoint toploader . I did love seeing those turquoise thumpers in the self serve Frigidaire Launderette when as a kid with Nan getting the velvet winter curtains dry cleaned.

Did you do much work on the Frigidaire french produced H-Axis Top loader with tumble dryer ? (in 3rd pic)


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Post# 1080638 , Reply# 248   7/11/2020 at 13:44 (1,356 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)        
Frigidaire Extra-Dry 585

foraloysius's profile picture
Who built that machine? Thomson Brandt by any chance?

Post# 1080780 , Reply# 249   7/12/2020 at 16:02 (1,355 days old) by anthony (uk)        
the Frigidaire top loaser [french ]

anthony's profile picture
Sorry to say i never got my hands on one of those .getting back to the jetamatic .I was never impressed by its performance .Although the agitation process was quite vigorous under a full load it did not work well [we would often do load tests with say a full load of towels ] the machine would be loaded up to say the top vane on the agitator and then soap powder was sprinkled directly onto the clothes switch on [usually with a screwdriver stuck in the lid switch]the machine would fill and start to wash now although the thing was thumping up and down as it should the load would barely be moving .Simply by removing one towel the roll over would work perfectly so although the machine was not overloaded its not true to say it can wash a 9 Lb load .the spin was very average and the water usage was astronomical by today's standards .In my opinion the Hotpoint wins hands down and unless my memory is playing tricks on me i am sure the Jetamatic was a lot bigger than the Hotpoint.I was given a Hotpoint top loader around 1977 [I had just got married and we only had a twin tub ]and after using it for a week or two i was thoroughly impressed. My wife at the time was enthralled at what it could do to a load of dirty nappies .She loved it consequently when we got divorced she took it with her

Post# 1082030 , Reply# 250   7/22/2020 at 18:08 (1,345 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
"Bless This House"

I've been watching most of the episodes recently on ITV3 and CCXTV. CCXTV is a few series behind.

In the early series, there is generally only a wooden folding clothes horse where the washing machine would later sit.

Series 2 Episode 2 'Love Me, Love My Tree', features the Indesit L5 automatic - with a square flap for the pump/filter access - for one episode only - as far as I can see.

Then it is back to having no machine and the wooden clothes horse again.

The Frigidaire Mastertwin makes its appearance in Series 3 Episode 1.

There is an episode in Series 5 (Episode 8), where the 'kids' bring a tramp home, and wash his clothes in the Mastertwin, breaking it in the process. The spin dryer section is referred to as a "tumble dryer".


Post# 1083532 , Reply# 251   8/2/2020 at 04:40 (1,334 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Heres a short video showing the Hotpoint 1400 Supermatic Twintub (Hotpoints first from 1959) and the Spin Guard accessory. There was a slight gap between the spin drum and outer can so it was possible to lose small items inbetween
while transferring from the washtub.

Here is Mathew (Keymatic3203) with his Hotpoint Supermatic demonstrating the use of the Spin Guards, love the colour and matches the filter flow perfectly.






Post# 1083587 , Reply# 252   8/2/2020 at 13:07 (1,334 days old) by Mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Thanks, Mike ~

mickeyd's profile picture


Love the turnover, the steam, the ship-like port window on the spin hatch, the instant suds-return. Such cool wonderful little washers. Everything's so fast and energetic. HOO-RAY for Hotpoint!


Post# 1083681 , Reply# 253   8/3/2020 at 03:14 (1,333 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
English Electric Liberator Twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Mickey, glad you like the Hotpoint which was their first twintub, nice machine, taller than their later models which I like.

Now here is the later model by The English Electric Company, which has a powder clutch for the spinner and a built in brush filter for wash water filtering.






Post# 1083707 , Reply# 254   8/3/2020 at 07:46 (1,333 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

Luv Darren’s English Electric Liberator Twin, really like the slightly raised wash control deck and the ribbed wash & spin lids.

Nice one !!
Cheers


Post# 1083726 , Reply# 255   8/3/2020 at 09:48 (1,333 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
Two clever features

The lint filter and panel that can raised to open the spinner chamber.

Unique to English Electric?


Post# 1083737 , Reply# 256   8/3/2020 at 10:06 (1,333 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon Walter,

Hotpoint first introduced the Filter clean action when the original Supermatic was launched in 1959, with regards to the access panel on the spinner side I believe this first came out on the 1420 Hotpoint Supermatic - consumers obviously found small garments slipping between the spin can and outer drum.

Keith


Post# 1083779 , Reply# 257   8/3/2020 at 16:33 (1,333 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
Keith

....thank-you for info.

I have learnt so much about UK twin tubs from this thread.


Walter.


Post# 1083811 , Reply# 258   8/4/2020 at 02:50 (1,332 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
English Electric Liberator Twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hi Keith , yes it is one smart looking twintub, whats the timeline as to which came first the EE or Hotpoint 1420 ?

Very different with the jazzy lids and the spin open cover for checking the outer can. Love the brush filter as well. Is the one Kevin Cox has with red agitator and brush filter a later model then ? (pic courtesy matchboxpaul)

Walter thats great & how we all learn, everyone pooling their knowledge, and always more to lean as well !!


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Post# 1083812 , Reply# 259   8/4/2020 at 03:03 (1,332 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
AEG Lavamat

chestermikeuk's profile picture
While the thread say British Twintubs, the AEG is included as it was sold here and many are still about. Its a very sturdy twintub, with an aluminium washtub and a heavy copper spin can. The spinner drive is very unique,
the brush motor is horizontal with a rubber wheel on the end, this sits against a rubber flywheel attached to the spin can. It also boasts 3 motors for wash, spin and pump, love the large clunky pump lever feels like driving a tractor ha ha...


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Post# 1083813 , Reply# 260   8/4/2020 at 03:04 (1,332 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
AEG Lavamat twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Here is owner Mathew (Keymatic3203) using his Lavamat..






Post# 1083821 , Reply# 261   8/4/2020 at 04:35 (1,332 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Morning Mike,

Umm good question, I would have thought the 1420 came first (1964/5) and then when the merger happened between GEC/AEI/English Electric (1967/68) that's when EE could have acquired any left over machine parts from the old Hotpoint Supermatic 1400.

Hotpoint restyled the Supermatic from the 1400 to the 1420 and when this was again restyled to the 1450 1967(ish) all the redundant 1400/1420 parts were then pushed to EE and the Liberator was introduced as the machine's main structure is virtually identical to that of the 1400 & 1420.

With regards to Kevin's 4151 as pictured, this must date from late 60's possibly early 70's ?

Regards


Post# 1083858 , Reply# 262   8/4/2020 at 12:56 (1,332 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Liberator Twin

Mike/Keith
The Liberator Twin was introduced in January 1966. There is a piece for the launch in English Electric and Its People for this month giving details of the new machine. It gives spin speed of 2850rpm which I guess is the same as the 1420, were the 1400s the same?
Interesting that it predates the EE/GEC/AEI merger by a good few years, I can only assume EE contracted production out to Hotpoint perhaps. Certainly there are only a few cosmetic differences on Darrens to the 1420 Mum had. Sloping control panel, no suds return, different lids and the lift up spin deck was grey on the 1420. It even smells the same when its working hard.
Something I've not thought of before, was the Twin Star still in production along side?
Ian


Post# 1083869 , Reply# 263   8/4/2020 at 13:41 (1,332 days old) by Mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
English Electric Liberator Twintub

mickeyd's profile picture
Just catching up here, Mike and company.

This one surprised me at how well it turned those sheets, and delighted to see what a precise and expert wringer Matthew is. Are there two pumps at work in this machine?

When I find the pix & vids, I'll show you how, for a few years, Lady K's had a filter exactly like the EEL Twin tub and Wringer. And the Lady K's came after the EEL's. Guessing Whirlpool copied it, the bloody pirates, LOL.


Post# 1083872 , Reply# 264   8/4/2020 at 14:19 (1,332 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Ian,

Interesting information that comes out of these discussions, i just had a look at some of the information I have and it looks like the EE “Twin Star” was launched in 1964, although I believe there were earlier versions. In all the brochures & literature it was on sale the same time as the Liberator. I guess it gave EE foot in both camps - agitator & high speed disc washing methods, this may have been why that put their name on what was predominantly a Hotpoint Supermatics machine.

There several differences as you say lids etc, I wonder if the suds return hole is covered up with the long name plate. I would say all the internal machine is the same as 1420 but cosmetically they changed a few exterior features.

Just need to find that elusive 1420 now !!!

Cheers K


Post# 1083875 , Reply# 265   8/4/2020 at 15:25 (1,332 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        

Very true, I'd love to see a 1420 again, although I suppose Mums would probably have been a 1421 as it was unheated.
Here's the article.


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Post# 1083935 , Reply# 266   8/5/2020 at 02:52 (1,331 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
EE Liberator

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Great information guys, have just checked and appears the Hotpoint 1420 came out in 1963 and had a 2,850 pm spin.

And the English Electric as Ian states was 1966 with a same 2,850 spin speed.

Main difference as well was the filterflow on the Hotpoint from central outlet and EE using the earlier Hotpoint tub with outlet in the corner for the brush filter .


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Post# 1083937 , Reply# 267   8/5/2020 at 04:43 (1,331 days old) by Slowspin66 (lincoln uk)        
The EE TWIN TUB

slowspin66's profile picture
It’s funny the liberator twin has the same wash deck as the 1420 and there is place for the filter flow nozzle ......the valve box is the same as well so will get some photos when I get home ....
The EE is a great machine and lovely to use ..... not a brilliant design but still good for its time


Post# 1083947 , Reply# 268   8/5/2020 at 06:27 (1,331 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
1420 v Liberator....

Hi Darren,

I was going to say, i bet it you look where the filter clean nozzle sits on the wash deck, i bet there is a cut out for it, the top surround is basically a 1400/1420.

I bet under that long washing guide panel there is the sudz return hole in the metal surround.

Keith


Post# 1083988 , Reply# 269   8/5/2020 at 11:26 (1,331 days old) by Mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
Brush Filter Video ~

mickeyd's profile picture
Bet those extended fins on the Hotpoint could really make some powerful currents; its's just like the early GE style, but that poor AEG Lavamat's wash action--not in the same league as the British TT's.

One very warm winter day, I pulled out the Lady K to wash outside. Here's a vid of the cylindrical brush filter Whirlpool/Kenmore pirated from English Electric Liberator.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Mickeyd's LINK


Post# 1083998 , Reply# 270   8/5/2020 at 12:40 (1,331 days old) by Slowspin66 (lincoln uk)        
Liberator twin

slowspin66's profile picture
These photos are a little rubbish as the machine is back together so it’s difficult to see the undercarriage !!! Your right Keith the black plugs fill in the holes where the filter flow hose would have passed through and the other is where the suds return was on the 1420 !! The brown smearing is old adhesive that was there to stop them falling out I presume

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Post# 1084071 , Reply# 271   8/6/2020 at 04:03 (1,330 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
English Electric Liberator Twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Cheers Darren for confirming that, I do like the look of the EE console with the raised and angled profile. Look forward to using it again soon..

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Post# 1084072 , Reply# 272   8/6/2020 at 04:08 (1,330 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Brush Filter

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Good morning Mickey, and wow yes "Which Came First" lol, looks great filtering the water, gotta Love "The Lady Kenmore" could almost be British with a title like it has.

I do like how both are gentle in action but still very effective, now if that was on the end of a Hoovermatic pump we would all be running for cover.

Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Mike


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Post# 1084073 , Reply# 273   8/6/2020 at 04:27 (1,330 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Marks Hoovermatic T5004 twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Heres a mini video of Mark Kightleys Hoovermatic de-luxe T5004 twintub washing machine, showing the powerful heater bubbling away, the rolling action of the Hoover Boiling Pulsator wash action and the Auto rinse and tub emptying .






Post# 1084091 , Reply# 274   8/6/2020 at 07:29 (1,330 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike / Darren,

I think the EE Liberator has to be one of the stylish twin tubs, the attention to details is vast, from Brush filtering to the extra refinements for example the "cotton real" cord protector to the spin hose guard on the back panel.

I guess the 1420 would be the exception to the rules having as Hotpoint quoted "Brains as well as Beauty"

The Australian Supermatic "Galamatic" was quite nice being a combination of both the 1420 and the 1400 as it had the spin discharge arm.

Cheers



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Post# 1084095 , Reply# 275   8/6/2020 at 07:50 (1,330 days old) by vacbear58 (Sutton In Ashfield, East Midlands, UK)        
Advert

vacbear58's profile picture
I always wondered why they used this different style machine for Australia






Post# 1084122 , Reply# 276   8/6/2020 at 12:48 (1,330 days old) by triumphdolomite (Staffs(UK))        
Supermatic/Liberator

Keith, the 1420 had the 'cotton reel' too, the spinner hose should hook round it.

Could that 75 in the serial number be a Hotpoint date code? Working backwards from 02 being Feb 70 and on the theory that they only went up to 96 would this make it March 1968? Or is that a bit late, would the 4151 have been around by then, though as it seems to be based on the 1450 Supermatic I presume it would have been contemporary with the 1460 Supermatic.
Just guessing as usual!



Post# 1084132 , Reply# 277   8/6/2020 at 15:00 (1,330 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Ian,

Arhhh right, kind of looks like it would go that way.

Im not good on working out dates from serial numbers, but March 68” sounds about right. The 4151 i am sure is early 70’s ?

It would be great to find a 1420 but may just have to be a paper dream, who knows :)

Cheers


Post# 1084559 , Reply# 278   8/10/2020 at 07:32 (1,326 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Servis Twin Tub MK1 In blue and white.

ozzie908's profile picture
After a little repair to the spin pump and darn good clean and descale as it came from a hard water area. I present my latest acquisition :)

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This post was last edited 08/10/2020 at 08:39
Post# 1085063 , Reply# 279   8/14/2020 at 14:26 (1,322 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
'Bless This House'

Series 1, Episode 9: 'Make Love, Not War' (regarding rows and arguments between husband and wife).

Trevor and Betty have a slant-front Hoover 'Keymatic'... with what appears to be the circular programme progress indicator, so it must be Model 3226.

There's a canister of 'Vim' and possibly a packet of soap powder sitting on the machine too.


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Post# 1085119 , Reply# 280   8/15/2020 at 04:42 (1,321 days old) by keymatic3203 (Cardiff UK)        
the 3226

has the most discreet plumbing, or could we hope the set designers to have put the tap adaptors on the sink taps I wonder.

A lovely Servis Austin, I've got the all cream model.

Mathew


Post# 1085144 , Reply# 281   8/15/2020 at 09:22 (1,321 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hey Austin,
Great Servis Mk1 there, always liked to Sky Blue out of all the Servis colours :) here’s mine in the same blue but cream base colour option.
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1085897 , Reply# 282   8/21/2020 at 13:14 (1,315 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Austin.

Congratulations on the Mk27 supertwin in blue! What a fetching shade of blue it is too and looks in great condition.

Excellent that there is a representative of both white/blue and cream/blue in preservation.

Keith .... is your example a Mk27 as well, or might it be an earlier Mk19 example?

Still trying to discover whether Servis did both Mk19 and Mk27 Supertwins in all the colourways, or whether some colours were only available with a particular model number. So far for definite we have:

Mk19 in red
Mk27 in blue
Mk27 in green

Paul


Post# 1086828 , Reply# 283   8/27/2020 at 15:26 (1,309 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Bless This House

Series 2, Episode 2: 'Love Me, Love My Tree'

As previously mentioned, Sid and Jean gained an Indesit automatic (for one episode only), but more to the point, Trevor and Betty lost the Hoover Keymatic, and gained an early Hoovermatic twintub.

Visible at the back of Trevor. One dial, it looks like photo 2, (courtesy Trevor Howsam Ltd (Props)).


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Post# 1089736 , Reply# 284   9/17/2020 at 14:45 (1,288 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.

Apologies for the quality of the following images - all have been taken from newspaper adverts and might be of interest:

GEC Super De Luxe (based on the Philips Top Twin de luxe)
FLATLEY Twin Tub ('coming soon' for Christmas 1960 into 61 - this is the only mention I have found of such a machine - did it ever get released onto the market?)
REGENTONE Twin Tub (a rental company version of the Frigidaire Master Twin)
COTTO De Luxe
DUOMATIC Olympic
INSTAMATIC Turbo
TALLENT Twin Tub (the Rolls machines sold after Rolls went bankrupt)
RAYJON Select-o-matic
PYE twin tub
INSTAMATIC twin tub
GEC Space Saver
GAYDAY twin tub
ROLLS Electromatic MkII (as sold in Northern Ireland)
EKARMATC (a Bylock President clone)
DUOMATIC '49 Guineas' model

Hope everyone is doing well.
Regards
Paul



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Post# 1089742 , Reply# 285   9/17/2020 at 16:00 (1,288 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Evening Paul,

Crumbs never knee half of them even existed - “Gayday” twin tub, luv it !! The only i have is the Pye twin tub, really just a Rolls.

Cheers
Keith


Post# 1089825 , Reply# 286   9/18/2020 at 18:01 (1,287 days old) by anthony (uk)        
found these today

anthony's profile picture
while looking for something on vacuums. Thought they might be interesting to someone

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Post# 1089826 , Reply# 287   9/18/2020 at 18:05 (1,287 days old) by anthony (uk)        
there's

anthony's profile picture
The liberator in there somewhere and the levitating Burco boiler [never new it could do that]

Post# 1089964 , Reply# 288   9/20/2020 at 05:30 (1,285 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Cotto Twin Tub

It appears that the Cotto machine was an independent exclusive, exclusive to Broadmead Group of Bristol, which was owned by John James, but traded as 'Broadmead' or possibly 'Broadmead Wireless' or 'Broadmead Radio'.


Broadmead Group was later taken over by Firth Cleveland Group.


A link to a fairly in-depth flickr article on John James:

www.flickr.com/photos/bri...


www.gracesguide.co.uk/Broadmead_...



Post# 1089965 , Reply# 289   9/20/2020 at 05:40 (1,285 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Rolls-rapide

ozzie908's profile picture
Hello Do you happen to know if the spin can on a Rolls 66 is threaded on the shaft? I have tried to remove it by pulling to no avail and wondered if it may be screwed on?

Thanks for any insight you can offer :)

Austin


Post# 1089966 , Reply# 290   9/20/2020 at 06:03 (1,285 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Instamatic Twin Tub

Owen Owen was another department store, which later absorbed the department store 'Lewis's' (not to be confused with John Lewis Partnership).


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Owen...


Post# 1089969 , Reply# 291   9/20/2020 at 06:25 (1,285 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi Keith.

Did you mean that you have a PYE twin tub in your collection? If so, any pictures of it possible?

I like 'Gayday' too! lol..

Paul


Post# 1089972 , Reply# 292   9/20/2020 at 06:28 (1,285 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Thanks Anthony for posting the catalogue pages.

Thank goodness people have saved these and many are now available to purchase. I have bought a fair number on disk myself and they have proved to a real eye opener over the years, showing many vintage machines and some of them quite obscure too.

Where else would we have seen images of the Challenge twin tubs, if digital copies of the catalogues weren't available.
Great stuff!

Paul


Post# 1089973 , Reply# 293   9/20/2020 at 06:30 (1,285 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Thanks Rolls_Rapide, for the links to the department store histories.

Just read up on John James, via the history on the flickr link - what a generous bloke he was.

Paul


Post# 1089974 , Reply# 294   9/20/2020 at 06:32 (1,285 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Hi Austin.

Not wanting your question to be lost in all the posts - please see Austin's enquiry, in reply #289 and repeated below ....

'Hello Do you happen to know if the spin can on a Rolls 66 is threaded on the shaft? I have tried to remove it by pulling to no avail and wondered if it may be screwed on?

Thanks for any insight you can offer :)

Austin'


Post# 1089980 , Reply# 295   9/20/2020 at 07:03 (1,285 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Rolls 'Electromatic MkII'

That must have been one of the ones affected by either wobbling all over the place in a very dangerous-looking way - due to the introduction of the spinner brake, or flooding the kitchen due to the emptying pump.

Post# 1089982 , Reply# 296   9/20/2020 at 07:14 (1,285 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
'Rolls 66'

I'm afraid I have no technical knowledge of these machines, other than it being one of the first successful Rolls machines.

Surely the likes of Chestermike and company would know? I think they've collectively managed to disassemble Rolls and Duomatic machines in the past.


Post# 1089984 , Reply# 297   9/20/2020 at 07:35 (1,285 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Gayday twin tub

They couldn't have sold many of those, not with that advertising blurb:

"Twin tub, 3kW heater. Complete with heat resisting table top. No twin tub, 3kW heater. Tangle washing action."

Hmm.


Post# 1089991 , Reply# 298   9/20/2020 at 08:32 (1,285 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@matchbox Paul

ozzie908's profile picture
Thank you for bumping my question I will have to see what I can find out elsewhere as I need to get the spin can out to repair the seal and supports.

Thanks you Austin


Post# 1089993 , Reply# 299   9/20/2020 at 08:35 (1,285 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Rolls Rapide

ozzie908's profile picture
I have a newspaper clipping that I have scanned but its not too bright, Re the gentleman who started the Rolls machines to be sold in UK it is an interesting article and explains why he went bust etc I will try and locate it.

Austin


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Post# 1089994 , Reply# 300   9/20/2020 at 08:36 (1,285 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
Sadly I have them the wrong way round

ozzie908's profile picture
So pic 2 is the left side the paper clipping and 1 the right ...

Post# 1090020 , Reply# 301   9/20/2020 at 12:53 (1,285 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Austin,
Had a quick rumage and found some techincal data on Rolls spinner, i believe its general info as opposed to a model specific.

With regards to the “Pye” twin tub - i got this from a guy in Crommer / Norwich many years ago, he had, had a shop which he owned but went bust but instead of getting rid of the stock he bought all the stock back to his house, he had hundreds of spares, going back to the mid 60’s - i managed to get loads of hoses off of him and the Pye twin which he had rebuilt.
It is exactly like Rolls. I will have a look for some pics.
Cheers
Keith


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Post# 1090021 , Reply# 302   9/20/2020 at 12:58 (1,285 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Keymatic

ozzie908's profile picture
Thanks Keith that is ace...

Could you email me it please so I can see in more detail?

Your a star... :)


Post# 1090023 , Reply# 303   9/20/2020 at 13:10 (1,285 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon All,

Had a play with my new Perobot Twin tub yesterday - dates from 1955 and the washer and spinner are in the same tub :)

See it in action

Cheers
Keith UK


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Keymatic's LINK


Post# 1090744 , Reply# 304   9/26/2020 at 04:06 (1,279 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
Another set of obscure machines

Hi all

I have got to get my archive in some semblence of order, so its time for another batch of obscure twin tubs (some more obscure than others) before they get filed away:

CASTOR Universal (ca 1959-60)
D.E.S Twin Tub (ca 1965-67) ... 'D'omestic 'E'lectric 'S'ervices was a shop, based at 9 Salisbury Road in Reading.
ROLLS Super Sixty Six (1961 version)
ROLLS Super Sixty Six (1962 version)
ELIZABETHAN Dynamatic (ca 1960)
BURCO Twin (ca 1966)
BURCO Twin 40 (ca 1967-71)
BURCO Twenty One MkII (ca 1963-65)
BRUNLEC 47 (ca 1964)
PHILIPS HN3207 TopTwin (ca 1971-73)
FRIGIDAIRE WTD De Luxe (ca 1964-66)
ACME Conquest MkII (ca 1965)
FRIGIDAIRE De Luxe (ca 1966-at least 1969) ... replaced the WTD and had, at the very least, different style lids.
ROWEN Twin Tub (ca 1964-65)
DUOMATIC Popular MkII (ca 1963-64)

Hopefully there will be some more new ones amongst that lot.

Enjoy!
Paul


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Post# 1090916 , Reply# 305   9/27/2020 at 16:29 (1,278 days old) by anthony (uk)        
photo 11

anthony's profile picture
is the Frigidaire with the small spin motor driving the wash impellor .they would constantly burn out [fine for driving the spin drier but not up to shifting all that water and wet washing the next incarnation would have the big direct drive induction motor .In an earlier post i may have caused a bit of confusion over this machine when i said the spin motor drove the wash impellor .What i meant was the machine has the usual set up [spinner driven by a small motor with a belt driving the drum and pump ] this machine has a second motor [same as the one driving the spinner ] driving the washer and its pump via another belt and pulley .I can still remember the price of a replacement motor back in 74 a motor would have cost £19.99 .not much these days but back then a considerable amount .A new spin bearing for this machine fitted would cost £25 .Having said all that These early Frigidaire TTs were quite durable [not a lot in them to go wrong] and looked after would last a good ten years or more

Post# 1091023 , Reply# 306   9/28/2020 at 11:59 (1,277 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Thanks for the information Anthony.

I hoped that somewhere along the lines a photo of the machines you worked on would surface.

From looking for adverts on newspaper archives, it looks like the WTD ran from about 1964 till 1966, whereupon it was replaced by the visually very similar 'De Luxe' model.

Until a few months ago the existence of the WTD and WTS, as well as the later De Luxe, had never really registered with me - the MasterTwin and later MasterTwin de Luxe taking all the fame.

This thread really has been an eye opener, with all the machines that have been discussed.

Paul


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Post# 1091129 , Reply# 307   9/29/2020 at 04:27 (1,276 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
British Twintub Washing Machines 1959 - 1990

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Well thats another load of reading and perusing Paul, cant believe how many different models about, I always thought Brunlec might have been agitator unless they did both ?

So all the new batch above are impellor type apart from Philips and Burco 21 ? wondered about the Rowan ?


Post# 1091130 , Reply# 308   9/29/2020 at 05:47 (1,276 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Paul,

Great new load of machines indentified there :) the Rowen was an agitator machine, same as the Easiclene / MEB machine. I have a pamphlet i can picture when i get home (currently in the Orkney’s)
Cheers
Keith


Post# 1091281 , Reply# 309   9/30/2020 at 03:53 (1,275 days old) by Chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Rowan

chestermikeuk's profile picture
That's good to know Keith, it looks substantial, would be great to see the brochure when you get back.

Enjoy your hols 👍👍


Post# 1092175 , Reply# 310   10/6/2020 at 11:14 (1,269 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Hi all.

This penultimate batch are actually pretty boring, particularly with them being black and white drawings essentially, but I post them to show something that I hadn't realised.

It is really surprising to me that more Colston and Ariston style twin tubs haven't surfaced over the years cause, as well as being sold as Colston and Ariston (obviously), they were sold hard by the various Electricity Board shops too, under many of the local boards names.

Badge engineering of both the standard 'Coronet' and also the deluxe 'Auto-Plus' took place, with some of them detailed below:

ELITE Standard
ELITE De Luxe
ELECTRA model 2206 (this version replaced all the variously branded offerings)
MANWEB Brand De Luxe
MANWEB Brand Super
SWEBLINE Twin Tub
EMELEC Standard
EMELEC De Luxe
& finally, a non electricity board exclusive
SINGER Autocascade (an exclusive sold through Singer shops)

Paul


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Post# 1092177 , Reply# 311   10/6/2020 at 11:23 (1,269 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        

Prior to the Colston clones being introduced, below are some of the earlier Electricity Board exclusives:

ELITE Twin Tub (Philips)
EASEELEC De Luxe (???)
EASEELEC Standard (Rolls)
MIDELEC (Easiclene)
SWEB De Luxe (Frigidaire)
SWEB Standard (Rolls)
MANWEB Brand Twin Tub (Rolls)

I am also attaching a colour picture of the EASICLENE Easitwin De Luxe, from which the MIDELEC Twin Tub was derived.

Paul


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Post# 1092178 , Reply# 312   10/6/2020 at 11:30 (1,269 days old) by matchboxpaul (U.K)        
and finally from me ....

.... not a UK built model, but one sold in the UK and probably in very small numbers.

Is anybody able to confirm that 'Italy's leading manufacturer' will have been Candy?
If not Candy, who was it and what brand this machine was sold as?

Regards
Paul


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Post# 1092274 , Reply# 313   10/7/2020 at 10:20 (1,268 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

Following up on the Rowen Twin Tub I attach the pamphlet that I recently acquired.

Regards
Keith


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Post# 1092323 , Reply# 314   10/7/2020 at 17:56 (1,268 days old) by SEsteve (London, UK)        
Colston

sesteve's profile picture
Hi Paul

I’ve thought the same about the lack of Colston twinnies turning up especially as they seemed to be in all the catalogues for years! Interestingly, the autoplus in the Argos catalogue that Chris Parker posted is listed as discontinued!

My theory is the plastic dog clutch on the spinner was it’s weak point along with the gasket to seal the spin can. We fitted a new one on my Colston Ariston twin tub to get it going and because the brake was too harsh it shattered after a couple of runs! Had to shim the brake so it now coasts down more and so far it’s been fine. Here’s couple of pics of it

That Rowen twintub looks interesting Keith. The wash tub looks really small though. Does it have any info on the company that made it? I’m wondering if some of these more random makes makes may end up having the same addresses!
S :)


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Post# 1092387 , Reply# 315   10/8/2020 at 09:54 (1,267 days old) by keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Afternoon Steve,

I have got a feeling the Rowen was a bi-product of the Easitwin which was re-badged as the Midelec, there is no information on the pamphlet regarding the company as I think t was commissioned and backed by the Midland Eastern Electricity Board. I have checked on the wash tub capacity which is the same as the Easitwin & Midelec 5lbs.

While flicking through the 4 Domestic Electrical Appliance monthly magazines I recently got, there was an advert for one of the earlier Frigidaire Twin Tubs, which I think Paul mentioned in reply #306

Regards
K


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Post# 1092526 , Reply# 316   10/9/2020 at 03:57 (1,266 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Rowan Twintub

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Keith hope youre well rested after the hols, Thanks for posting the Rowan brochure, this must be like many others and appears not to have survived anywhere.

Was talking with Al about it and it does look like the EasiClene model also with features from Servis like the top openings, the spin lid of Philips and a touch of the Acme as well. In fact looking at Pauls ad for the Midelec, it says swirling wash action with 3 automatic programmes, I wonder if it could have been a sub dept of Wilkins Servis although we see the add has an agitator wash action.

I wonder if the small agi I found years ago is the one for this. would love to seethe insides and workings.


Post# 1092615 , Reply# 317   10/9/2020 at 17:58 (1,266 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Rowen twin tub

According to Al's 'Which? 1964', (from the lengthy DUOMATIC twin tub thread), says:


"The ROWEN, made by Easiclene, and similar to the EASICLENE EASITWIN, was also sold in certain shops as the INSTAMATIC."


www.automaticwasher.org/c...


Post# 1092623 , Reply# 318   10/9/2020 at 19:30 (1,266 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
D.E.S. twintub

Seems to be a DUOMATIC clone, according to 'Which? October 1967'.

Post# 1095098 , Reply# 319   10/29/2020 at 16:58 (1,246 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
'Electromatic' twin tub

Seems to predate the acquisition of Rolls Razor; no mention of 'Rolls' or 'Rolls Razor', or 'Rolls Electromatic'.

Pic courtesy of Etsy, allegedly from a 1950's magazine.


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Post# 1099768 , Reply# 320   12/8/2020 at 05:38 (1,206 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoovermatic

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Now heres an idea for Christmas, Hoovermatic twintub with viewing hatches !!

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Post# 1099859 , Reply# 321   12/8/2020 at 16:12 (1,206 days old) by supertwin59 (shropshire, england, united kingdom)        
That photo

.....(1955-59?) reminds me of the spacious two story electricity board showrooms in sauchehall street in glasgow of fifty plus years ago.

Shop displays were far better years ago!!


Thanks Mike.

Regards, Walter.


Post# 1100200 , Reply# 322   12/11/2020 at 10:28 (1,203 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Electricity Boards Shops

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Hello Walter

Yes indeed, they where the best stores to see all appliances of the era on display..


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Post# 1100221 , Reply# 323   12/11/2020 at 14:06 (1,203 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Mike,

Fab pics, i take these were the Ideal Home Exhibition ? Luv the cut-away 3174 and clear spinner lid👍
Cheers
Keith


Post# 1100308 , Reply# 324   12/12/2020 at 04:53 (1,202 days old) by chestermikeuk (Rainhill *Home of the RailwayTrials* Merseyside,UK)        
Hoover - Who Beter..

chestermikeuk's profile picture
Morning Keith, First seen in the Hoover UK archives in North Canton for the 100th, and delighted when Al purchase a Herbert Hoover Shareholders yearly report with them all in total technicolour...

From a time when yearly reports where a true reflection of goods and services, brochures had colour photos and not 200 pages of text in 5 languages.


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Post# 1101354 , Reply# 325   12/20/2020 at 14:17 (1,194 days old) by SEsteve (London, UK)        
Hotpoint Twin 6

sesteve's profile picture
Thought it was worth adding this machine on here which I picked up for a fellow collector a few months ago. It’s a lovely machine and apart from the hoses needing to be replaced it seems to be fully functional. I made a video too which I’ve linked

Next time you see it it will have been fully restored to it’s former glory for many more years of washing

S


CLICK HERE TO GO TO SEsteve's LINK


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Post# 1101384 , Reply# 326   12/20/2020 at 16:23 (1,194 days old) by Keymatic (London / UK)        

keymatic's profile picture
Hi Steve,

Fab machine, i really luv the styling on the Twin Six, which was the lower, budget twin tub by Hotpoint. Always interested on why Hotpoint opted for the spinner to empty into the wash tub when it would have been so much easier to just have a discharge hose out the back of the machine. I picked one of those up many years ago in north London. It was in a bad state and decided washer heaven was the best place for it, i kept quick a few bits off it.
I look forward to the refurbished machine.
Have a great Christmas.
Keith
Ps. Im working on the jet action twin tub from Germany / Netherlands 👍🎄


Post# 1120770 , Reply# 327   6/19/2021 at 09:31 (1,013 days old) by Vintagewashday (Cambridgeshire)        

vintagewashday's profile picture
Hi, all, I've recently joined the group (after visiting numerous times over the years and loving this thread) I thought you might be interested to see the user manual for the Acme Challenge which my Nan owned many years ago (long before I came along) and which seems quite elusive. I hope you find it interesting. I have also popped in some photos of the manual of the wringerless Countess which I am lucky enough to own and some general photos of manuals. There are also some shots of a section of a fab 1960s book called Home Making in Colour. It is from the section called Washday Made Easier. I got the book years ago (pre internet) and so spent many hours looking at it 🙂 I was always intrigued by the Hotpoint that appeared to be missing the spinner lid and only had one final. Thanks to this group I now know it was the Twin Six as in the post above (great looking machine by the way) Anyway, enjoy!

Best regards

Kevin


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