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Thread Number: 90769
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Sears Best Lady Kenmore "Wash N Dryer" Combo |
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Post# 1152687 6/28/2022 at 06:26 (661 days old) by Launderess  (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Who knew?
Who made these combination washer and dryer for Kenmore? christmas.musetechnical.com/Show... | ||
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Post# 1152688 , Reply# 1 6/28/2022 at 06:33 (661 days old) by Ultramatic (New York City) |
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Post# 1152689 , Reply# 2 6/28/2022 at 06:33 (661 days old) by turquoisedude (.) |
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Post# 1152691 , Reply# 3 6/28/2022 at 06:47 (661 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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The Last Three Kenmore Combination Washer-Dryers These combination W-Ds were discontinued in the fall of 1971, they were built by Whirlpool St Joesph Michigan factory.
Yesterday Jon Charles and I [ Jason, Greg Nun and my Brother Jeff also came and helped later ] rebuilt a 1969 Lady Kenmore Combination for him to take home with him. Water testing to be done today.
The next one on my list is one of the last LKMs for my new laundry room.
John L. | ||
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Post# 1152692 , Reply# 4 6/28/2022 at 06:53 (661 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage) |
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Look what's on following pages!
christmas.musetechnical.com/Show... christmas.musetechnical.com/Show... Sears made sure they covered every price point of market didn't they? christmas.musetechnical.com/Show... This is from 1971, it's amazing how such a once great retailer has ended up. | ||
| Post# 1152705 , Reply# 5 6/28/2022 at 09:13 (661 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas) | ||
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Post# 1152711 , Reply# 6 6/28/2022 at 09:58 (661 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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 These combos have been discussed in the past. Whirlpool produced electric and gas combos under both the Kenmore and Whirlpool brands for more than 10 years total. They were dropped from the Whirlpool label at some point but continued as Kenmore until 1971 as John said above. There was a substantial mechanical redesign at some point. I recall John has quoted someone who said they had more parts than a Volkswagen Beetle? Jimmy and Gloria Stewart touted them in advertising. | ||
| Post# 1152740 , Reply# 7 6/28/2022 at 15:41 (661 days old) by stainfighter (Columbia, SC) | ||
Re: Sears every price point… | ||
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Post# 1152750 , Reply# 8 6/28/2022 at 18:11 (661 days old) by Chetlaham (United States) |
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Post# 1152753 , Reply# 9 6/28/2022 at 18:24 (661 days old) by appnut (TX) |
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Post# 1152771 , Reply# 10 6/28/2022 at 20:29 (660 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.) |
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"...it's amazing how such a once great retailer has ended up"
We just have to remember that any person or institution's reputation can be altered/changed/ruined in quick time. They're current status doesn't necessarily affect the image or successes that has gone before. Life is filled with one-hit wonders and surprising survivors. | ||
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Post# 1152806 , Reply# 11 6/29/2022 at 04:35 (660 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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Post# 1152848 , Reply# 12 6/29/2022 at 14:16 (660 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany)) |
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DADoES Reply Picture 3 That one dial wonder surely wasn't a combo, right? Seems a lot to run from one setting... | ||
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Post# 1152852 , Reply# 13 6/29/2022 at 14:41 (660 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.) |
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Some of the problems with the all-in-one are:
you can't wash or dry something else when one load is running. Some people don't need/want a dryer. If either the washer part or dryer part stops working then the whole machine is useless. Washers are more likely to fail, as we've seen over the years. All those parts must have made these a nightmare to fix and for that matter, to make. It was a good decision to disco. these even though they were a front loader. | ||
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Post# 1152868 , Reply# 14 6/29/2022 at 17:31 (660 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.) |
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That one dial wonder surely wasn't a combo, right?I'd not before tried searching the model at SearsParts. Voilà! Model 110.6109100 Kenmore Gas Combination Washer-Dryer | ||
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Post# 1152870 , Reply# 15 6/29/2022 at 17:38 (660 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany)) |
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Those part diagrams Oh my goodness, I can see why those were regarded as so complicated. Those water paths are remarkable! But still amazed a combo was sold that "dumbed down". No dryness adjustment, no drying temp selection, no "wash only" option. Amazing that was made - but surely one good example of "apartment outfiter bargain basement special"! | ||
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Post# 1152881 , Reply# 16 6/29/2022 at 18:42 (660 days old) by Chetlaham (United States) |
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One Knob Combo | ||
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Post# 1153075 , Reply# 17 7/2/2022 at 04:10 (657 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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combo capacity What were the capacities of these combos? How much could they hold and wash? | ||
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Post# 1153101 , Reply# 18 7/2/2022 at 10:48 (657 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Whirlpool Built Combinations WP built combos from 1956-1972, just over 15 years.
All were either 240 volt or gas heated, all were vented, all were rated at a full 10 pound load for wash and automatically into dry.
WP completely redesigned their combos for the 1961 models, they were the only company that completely redesigned their combinations. One of the big problems with US combinations was because sales were poor the manufactures could not- did not invest in needed design changes and improvements to make the reliability and performance improve as did most manufactures did with their early automatic washers and dryers.
WP stopped selling combinations after the 1963 models although they sold the 63 LKC models for a number of years past1963.
The redesigned 61 combinations were complicated and WP did invest the money into training independent dealers to service them, Sears had a great training and service organization that was able to install, and repair these great machines.
I have said if I could only have one vintage laundry appliance the 29" combination would be it, you just don't have to make any excuses for either it washing-rinsing-spinning or drying performance.
Yes Sears sold some basic one dial models, the only real customer choice was a warm or hot wash set on the timer dial.
The basic KMCs did not have Roto-Spray and used a higher water level, these combos DID NOT tangle clothing we have two of these basic machines and still have one in the museum.
John L. | ||
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Post# 1153104 , Reply# 19 7/2/2022 at 11:23 (657 days old) by Chetlaham (United States) |
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Complexity
I think this is what set combos back and stunted sales. As a whole, these machines were never economically viable.
The way I see it all but one belt could have been dropped. The whole transmission, gears, solenoids, pulleys, diaphragms, springs ect are wholly unnecessary. The blower could have been driven by a 1/4HP shaded pole motor. Water baffles and water routing system could have been eliminated. Life expectancy could surpassed all top load washers and dryers at the time. These washers not tangling clothes in tumble was the holly grail I think, any engineering beyond this was a diminishing return IMO. | ||
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Post# 1153126 , Reply# 20 7/2/2022 at 17:33 (657 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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TOL combo TOL combo? What options were available? | ||
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Post# 1153127 , Reply# 21 7/2/2022 at 17:36 (657 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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tol combo What was the TOL combo? What options and features were available at their highest end? | ||
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Post# 1153130 , Reply# 22 7/2/2022 at 18:12 (657 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA) |
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Saved the best for last
Here are the Sears spec sheets for the ‘71. These used an auxiliary pulser timer, similar to the Lady K dryers of the time, for both the enzyme soak cycle and the Wrinkle Guard. Pretty neat stuff.
Ben This post was last edited 07/02/2022 at 19:24 | ||
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Post# 1153142 , Reply# 23 7/2/2022 at 22:27 (656 days old) by Chetlaham (United States) |
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Elegant! | ||
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