What about those Australian machines someone on the group was talking about
around a year ago.
Karl

"Ignoramus22440" wrote in message
...
It seems that my current maytag washer broke the clutch, that's very
hard to get to. The motor and the tub pulley spin, but the tub does
not engage. There were also some bad noises coming from there, as
though a piece of metal was caught between some gears. These noises
stopped, eventually, with no improvement.

It is not the first time when this washer breaks and I have just about
had it.

I would like to buy a new washer that is built honestly, like Miller
welders or Cummins engines, and not like cost engineered crap that
does not last and is impossible to fix.

Such washers are, apparently, made, at least for commercial
laundromats. (which would not fit our room) Is there a consumer
version of that? Where plastic and potmetal is not used for major
parts, and things are built to last "like they used to".

I do not mind paying top dollar for such a thing if it exists.

Any ideas?

i

"Ignoramus21474" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 06 May 2006 11:39:12 -0500, Don Foreman
wrote:
On Sat, 06 May 2006 04:29:25 GMT, Ignoramus22440
wrote:

It seems that my current maytag washer broke the clutch, that's very
hard to get to. The motor and the tub pulley spin, but the tub does
not engage. There were also some bad noises coming from there, as
though a piece of metal was caught between some gears. These noises
stopped, eventually, with no improvement.

It is not the first time when this washer breaks and I have just about
had it.

I would like to buy a new washer that is built honestly, like Miller
welders or Cummins engines, and not like cost engineered crap that
does not last and is impossible to fix.

Such washers are, apparently, made, at least for commercial
laundromats. (which would not fit our room) Is there a consumer
version of that? Where plastic and potmetal is not used for major
parts, and things are built to last "like they used to".

I do not mind paying top dollar for such a thing if it exists.

Any ideas?

i

I was involved in R&D for whitegoods once upon a time, worked with
appliance makers here and in Europe.

Maytag ain't what it used to be. They once were fanatics about
quality and durability. Then there was a management shakeup about 8
years ago, VP of Engrg Curran Cotton was pastured, and the culture
changed. The whitegoods industry has consolodated enormously from
dozens of brands to just a very few by merger and accquisitions. U.S.
makers chase pricepoint. They are strongly governed by purchasing and
marketing; new designs start with an ordained pricepoint, then they
try to build the best machine they can that will meet that pricepoint,
because they firmly believe that American consumers buy price first.

European consumers tend to value quality and performance more, and
they're willing to pay for it. It's not a snob thing, just different
values.

The finest laundry machines in the world are probably made by Asko
Cylinda in Vara, Sweden. Vara is a very small town about 30 km from
Lidköping, where you can read a newspaper outside at midnight on 21
June (Midsomer). Employee turnover at Asko is about zip. The
culture there is quality, quality, quality. Lots of stainless steel,
very little plastic.

They are available in the U.S., though you won't find them in the big
box stores. They don't have the large capacity that Americans seem
to want, but they are superb machines. Pricetag will be well over
$1K.

http://www.asko.se/
http://www.askousa.com/company/awards.htm

Also have a look at their dishwasher. It is silent!

Possibly interesting tidbit: the water valves in their appliances can
withstand something like 180 PSIG pressure. Water in Norway comes
from high glaciers in places, mains pressures can be quite high!


Thanks Don. Their models seem to be all front loaders, and we'd prefer
top loaders,
why? front loaders are more efficient

On Sun, 7 May 2006 01:36:07 -1000, with neither quill nor qualm, "Karl
Vorwerk" quickly quoth:

What about those Australian machines someone on the group was talking about
around a year ago.

Weren't those Gnu Zealish? Pickle Zerks? No, um, Fischer & Paykel.
That's the ticket. http://www.fisherpaykel.com/

--
The ancient and curious thing called religion, as it shows itself in the
modern world, is often so overladen with excrescences and irrelevancies
that its fundamental nature tends to be obscured.
--H.L. Mencken in "Treatise on the Gods"

On Sun, 7 May 2006 08:33:18 -0400, with neither quill nor qualm,
"ATP*" quickly quoth:


"Ignoramus21474" wrote in message

Thanks Don. Their models seem to be all front loaders, and we'd prefer
top loaders,

why? front loaders are more efficient

How many times have you tossed in another item after the washer was
started and filling? If it's anywhere near as many times as I have,
you'd know why an wouldn't question it.

Anyone with a bad back knows yet another reason.

--
The ancient and curious thing called religion, as it shows itself in the
modern world, is often so overladen with excrescences and irrelevancies
that its fundamental nature tends to be obscured.
--H.L. Mencken in "Treatise on the Gods"

On Sun, 07 May 2006 06:44:50 -0700, Larry Jaques
wrote:

On Sun, 7 May 2006 08:33:18 -0400, with neither quill nor qualm,
"ATP*" quickly quoth:


"Ignoramus21474" wrote in message

Thanks Don. Their models seem to be all front loaders, and we'd prefer
top loaders,

why? front loaders are more efficient

How many times have you tossed in another item after the washer was
started and filling? If it's anywhere near as many times as I have,
you'd know why an wouldn't question it.

Anyone with a bad back knows yet another reason.

Frontloaders have come a very long way from the original Bendix
design. They use very little water now. I don't know this for a
fact, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if one can be opened after
fill to add another item.

Karl Vorwerk wrote:
What about those Australian machines someone on the group was talking about
around a year ago.

New Zealand based Fisher and Paykel makes a highly efficient top loading
washer. It is a simple design with a direct drive DC motor. They also
came out with a top loading dryer, with an unnecessarily complex design
(IMHO) compared with the washer.

Just a couple of comments: Consumers Reports is often wrong. I
wouldn't trust them on everything. Don't trust a control panel that
says "commercial quality" or "heavy duty." This means nothing. Some
laundry equipment that appears in laundromats is actually domestic
equipment that has been adapted for commercial use, thus they will have
no better durability. If you were to acquire a true commercial washer,
you should check on availability of service in your community; lack of
service may quash the idea.

Bob wrote:
Karl Vorwerk wrote:
What about those Australian machines someone on the group was talking
about
around a year ago.

New Zealand based Fisher and Paykel makes a highly efficient top loading
washer. It is a simple design with a direct drive DC motor. They also
came out with a top loading dryer, with an unnecessarily complex design
(IMHO) compared with the washer.
My sister just bought this pair last week from Lowes. I'm waiting to
hear of its + & -.

You might want to look at the Stabler, if you can find them (this is all I
can find:
http://www.ece.umr.edu/power/Energy_...esentation.ppt).
It is made by an industrial washing machine manufacturer and is built like a
tank. Very clever design features make it one of the most energy efficient.
My brother designed it and holds patents on some of the features. He's no
longer affiliated with them, but the machine is very good. Very pricey,
though. I believe they are still made.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Ignoramus22440" wrote in message
...
It seems that my current maytag washer broke the clutch, that's very
hard to get to. The motor and the tub pulley spin, but the tub does
not engage. There were also some bad noises coming from there, as
though a piece of metal was caught between some gears. These noises
stopped, eventually, with no improvement.

It is not the first time when this washer breaks and I have just about
had it.

I would like to buy a new washer that is built honestly, like Miller
welders or Cummins engines, and not like cost engineered crap that
does not last and is impossible to fix.

Such washers are, apparently, made, at least for commercial
laundromats. (which would not fit our room) Is there a consumer
version of that? Where plastic and potmetal is not used for major
parts, and things are built to last "like they used to".

I do not mind paying top dollar for such a thing if it exists.

Any ideas?

i

As I mentioned in another post, my brother designed the Stabler. A very
clever design that is a horizontal drum, but a top loader. Uses very little
water and has no transmission. Uses a variable speed motor to agitate and
then spin. Direct drive, IIRC. Very little to go wrong, and very easy to
get to things. Brother Ed is a very clever designer if I do say so myself.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Gary Pewitt" wrote in message
...
Try Lehmans. I have their catalog and on page 26 they show exactly
what you are asking for. Their web page is: www.Lehmans.com
They have a Staber brand washer. Not cheap. The residential model is
$1149.00 plus $150.00 freight and the commercial model is $1449.00
plus $150.00 freight.
Made to be serviced by the end user, few moving parts, everything is
front accessible. Toll free hot line for repair assistance. It's a
top loading tumbler action which saves much water.
I have no connection just admire well built machinery.
73 Gary




On Sat, 06 May 2006 04:29:25 GMT, Ignoramus22440
wrote:

It seems that my current maytag washer broke the clutch, that's very
hard to get to. The motor and the tub pulley spin, but the tub does
not engage. There were also some bad noises coming from there, as
though a piece of metal was caught between some gears. These noises
stopped, eventually, with no improvement.

It is not the first time when this washer breaks and I have just about
had it.

I would like to buy a new washer that is built honestly, like Miller
welders or Cummins engines, and not like cost engineered crap that
does not last and is impossible to fix.

Such washers are, apparently, made, at least for commercial
laundromats. (which would not fit our room) Is there a consumer
version of that? Where plastic and potmetal is not used for major
parts, and things are built to last "like they used to".

I do not mind paying top dollar for such a thing if it exists.

Any ideas?

i
Gary Pewitt N9ZSV
Sturgeon's Law "Ninety percent of everything is crap"

It's Staber, not Stabler. http://www.staber.com/

I've owned one for about 10 yrs. Unique patented design. Cleans
wonderfully, gentle on clothes, must use low-sudsing detergent (like
Tide HE), all stainless, only top-loading horizontal axis made. Has all
advantages of other horizontal-axis washers plus better agitation. Had
some problems which were corrected promptly. Essentially available
only from factory. Simple belt drive. Only issue remaining on my
older model is unbalance on spin dry for partial loads. Things like
1-2 towels which are hard to self-balance. A must look for those that
appreciate quality built American designs with demonstrable advantages.
..
Bob Chilcoat wrote:
You might want to look at the Stabler, if you can find them (this is all I
can find:
http://www.ece.umr.edu/power/Energy_...esentation.ppt).
It is made by an industrial washing machine manufacturer and is built like a
tank. Very clever design features make it one of the most energy efficient.
My brother designed it and holds patents on some of the features. He's no
longer affiliated with them, but the machine is very good. Very pricey,
though. I believe they are still made.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Ignoramus22440" wrote in message
...
It seems that my current maytag washer broke the clutch, that's very
hard to get to. The motor and the tub pulley spin, but the tub does
not engage. There were also some bad noises coming from there, as
though a piece of metal was caught between some gears. These noises
stopped, eventually, with no improvement.

It is not the first time when this washer breaks and I have just about
had it.

I would like to buy a new washer that is built honestly, like Miller
welders or Cummins engines, and not like cost engineered crap that
does not last and is impossible to fix.

Such washers are, apparently, made, at least for commercial
laundromats. (which would not fit our room) Is there a consumer
version of that? Where plastic and potmetal is not used for major
parts, and things are built to last "like they used to".

I do not mind paying top dollar for such a thing if it exists.

Any ideas?

i