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Thread Number: 89483
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Were the post-1980 woodgrain Maytags considered somewhat “boring” compared to the center-dials? |
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| Post# 1140838 1/31/2022 at 20:18 (808 days old) by WoodJack99 (Massachusetts/Virginia, USA) | ||
They’re definitely not as brightly colored as their predecessors. I know many people seem to think it was a sad change. Personally, I think it was just a modernization; the center-dials looked 70s and the woodgrain looked 80s. And they were the same machines internally.
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| Post# 1140849 , Reply# 1 1/31/2022 at 21:18 (807 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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| Post# 1140853 , Reply# 2 1/31/2022 at 21:31 (807 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
 It depends if you're talking about appearance, usability, or repairability.
Appearance - Purely subjective.
Usability - Upside: The infinite water level switch comes in handy once you memorize the switch settings in proportion to the water level in the tub. Downside: All spray rinses and deep rinses are cold only. No console light.
Repairability: Removal of the console to service the timer/console switches/lid switch is far quicker and easier than all of the previous generations. The newer motor/carriage design is MUCH quicker and easier to remove and install. The twist lock water fill injector hose is MUCH easier to remove and install.
This post was last edited 01/31/2022 at 22:02 | ||
Post# 1140856 , Reply# 3 1/31/2022 at 22:07 (807 days old) by RP2813  (Sannazay) |
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 I'm with you Melvin. I think the 10 series design with the white buttons is better looking than the uninspired brown-on-brown of the 12 series, which must have presented difficulties for the visually impaired.
I do like the warm spray rinse on the CD models better than the default cold on my 12 series. This post was last edited 01/31/2022 at 22:26 | ||
| Post# 1140857 , Reply# 4 1/31/2022 at 22:19 (807 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
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Post# 1140858 , Reply# 5 1/31/2022 at 22:25 (807 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area) |
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Dan, white or ivory plastic doesn't have to "yellow". Whatever plastic material Westinghouse used for their range knobs in the early 50's stays white as snow. Maytag probably used a less costly grade. | ||
| Post# 1140859 , Reply# 6 1/31/2022 at 22:28 (807 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago) | ||
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| Post# 1140861 , Reply# 7 1/31/2022 at 22:36 (807 days old) by qsd-dan (West) | ||
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Not disagreeing that better compounds would slow down or eliminate the yellowing process but it's no secret that all ivory colored buttons used in Maytags from 1966-1983 yellowed overtime, especially when exposed to florescent lighting....which ruled the world during that time period. This was not a problem with the black or gray colored buttons from the 1950's-1965 nor the brown buttons used from 1984-1994. Look at the consoles from most appliances makers from the mid 90's on including computer equipment. Not a pretty aging process. | ||
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Post# 1140862 , Reply# 8 1/31/2022 at 22:49 (807 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay) |
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I don't recall seeing a 10 series with yellowed buttons, but if Dan says so, I see no reason to doubt that they're out there. Still, even ivory is better than brown IMO.
Our '97 Amana pair had white knobs that quickly yellowed, which is a mark of the '90s for sure. They were in the garage and received indirect light from two north facing windows, plus there were florescent lights in the garage which could have contributed to the yellowing.
The knobs on my mom's '49 Westinghouse stove were white as new when I sent it off to its new home in 2008, and it was under flush-mounted florescent lighting starting in the early '70s. It's apples and oranges as far as the Amana's cheap modern materials vs. superior post-war quality on the Westinghouse, though. | ||
| Post# 1140865 , Reply# 10 1/31/2022 at 23:22 (807 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey) | ||
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12 series glossy consoles also hold up much better to wear and tear and clean up nicely with polishing compound. I like them. | ||
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Post# 1140866 , Reply# 11 1/31/2022 at 23:23 (807 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Yes Ralph, those who are visually impaired, they did pose a bit of a challenge, but once I got familiar with the layout, any model in the whole line I could operate without any issue. But I knew I didn't want to deal with it for the next 2 to 3 decades, The most visually functional dryers I've had were my GE big door and the Maytag Dependable Care. And the washer, the GE, the Fridgemore, and the Duet.
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Post# 1140874 , Reply# 12 2/1/2022 at 07:59 (807 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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10 and 12 series Maytags
Once upon a time I had a personal preference for blue center dial Maytags, but that has changed. This is the generation of Maytag from my childhood. Folks around here either went to Sears and put a Kenmore on credit or went to the local Maytag dealer and bought what they could afford. That was the Iowan thing to do. Heck, considering the economy in the early to mid 80's around here it is a wonder that these sold locally at all, but they did.
I suspect Ralph meant that the 12 series machines only offered a cold spray rinse as the 410/810 and 712 do offer a deep warm rinse with a hot and warm wash. This 712 set has been a daily driven now for a few years and in fact my wife prefers this set out of everything else. The washer was cleaned and refurbished with new seals/damper pads/motor glides/pump/drive belt (sans popping open the transmission) and I replaced the seals/electronic control on the dryer. They don't come much more dependable than this. Ben
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| Post# 1140900 , Reply# 13 2/1/2022 at 15:31 (807 days old) by thatwasherguy (Kentucky) | ||
I’m extremely biased here, as I grew up with a ‘76 set...
But My favorites the central-dial machines. There’s just something about the v-shape of the control panel, with the chrome dial, crystal knob and chrome cap in the middle, along with the chrome trim that they had. I don’t know what it is about them, but in my opinion, they are the most beautiful washers and dryers ever made. That said, the black control panel Maytags were very good looking as well (in my opinion second most beautiful machines after the central dials). Then there’s the “woo woo” sound that the models with the helictal transmission made when they agitated. That sound is music to my ears. Maytag truly was wonderful. Here’s a few pictures of my 1978 A-208 and DE-408 (the first 4 were taken before I even had a chance to unload them from the back of the truck). Thanks,
Thatwasherguy. | ||
| Post# 1140904 , Reply# 14 2/1/2022 at 16:06 (807 days old) by Good-Shepherd (New Jersey) | ||
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This 712 set has been a daily driven now Nice. IMO the 12 series have a classy, rich look to them. As for the Iowan's buying Maytags that was a smart move. The cheapest washer, vehicle, etc. is the one that lasts the longest. | ||
| Post# 1140923 , Reply# 15 2/1/2022 at 19:14 (807 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1140933 , Reply# 16 2/1/2022 at 19:42 (807 days old) by electronicontrl (Grand Rapids, MI) |
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I grew up with '76 Center Dials
I also grew up with Center Dials and did not like the control panels on the "12 Series" when I first saw them, but now find them classy.
I agree.
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