Can’t beat these classics. The raw strength and power behind these machines, no new washer built today (with few exceptions) can stand up to these vintage beauties.
@@roxcyn You will never see a microwave built like Amana Radar ranges again! Thankfully now they are much cheaper to own! and most every home owns one. The tradeoff is not having a product that lasts!
I'm considering the possibility that, *IF* you're willing to pony up the cash for it, you might just get something that lasts just as long. Keep in mind what inflation's done, and what this washer's equivalent cost would be now. Heck, even my Hoover 62 Vacuum cost about $1,200 originally, once you've considered inflation.
The way that thing picks up speed when it starts spinning with a full tub of water, the motor must be 2 horsepower and the transmission must be a turbo hydramatic 350!
I’m impressed with the build quality of the cabinet and the seamless bend into the back panel. It’s beautiful. You’re quite right about its real cost in modern calculations. People really had to save for their appliances in the 1950s and they were difficult to come by.
26:50 newer washers usually have larger tubs I'd think, a spin speed of 1100 rpm today would realistically be increasing the linear velocity of a much higher amount of mass so even a slight imbalance would cause bad issues I'd imagine
"do you want to spend $1500 on a washer?" Just dropped almost $1400 for a TC5 speed queen and for the first time in 4 years I have clean clothes so YES I do LOL. My HE front loader (LG) was terrible even after hacking it.
holy crap that machine spins!! and drained crazy fast... why cant they make machines like that now.... the motor on that thing must have incredible torque
Fabulous video. I seem to recall that the spin speed was around 1,100 Rpm, compared to 6-700 of most washers at the time. Clothes left that washer ready to iron-dry.
Looks like you made the right call on the amount of detergent. I understand why they took phosphates out of detergent, but this Tide probably has it. Even with today’s chemistry, phosphates we’re the best cleaners.
That's awesome! I would definitely use an old washing machine if I had it. They made stuff to work and last back then. Even if the powder was caked up, it would dissolve in hot water and would still work. Very cool.
Tide has unique enzymes that are good at removing a variety of organic dirt, stains ect. That is why the consumer following is paying a premium for the product. Tide, like other quality products, saves time; laundry does not need pretreatment or booster soap additives. Enzymes are in most cold water detergents and the enzymes can be engineered thus can be patented.
This is why you never buy new shit. Buy old and when it breaks it's designed to be disassembled and repaired and the parts are only a couple bucks. Have a dryer from 1999 that was squealing, tail end of the reliable appliance era. Took the back off and found the belt was on its last legs. Got a new OEM belt from eBay for $5 and muscled it onto the pulley and she's good as new.
MrJetta985 I’m surprised it spun so fast. Most American top loader washers generally only spin at 600rpm. (Admittedly, the larger drum size makes that more effective than in a small drum.)
@@adelaideautowashes I guess it makes sense. That was long before they started adding tailor-made enzymes and additives to either laundry or dish detergents. Nowadays, they're so highly engineered for one task or the other that they probably wouldn't work well for the opposite task. (I could imagine dishwasher detergent being very harsh on natural fabrics, since it's basically designed to dissolve organic material! An old coworker had worked at an appliance maker prior, and he said that one of the engineers told him that if you wanted to dispose of a body with consumer products, dishwasher detergent was the way to go! :P )
Hey Eugene, a mother great video... I've the Frigidaire vintage Unimatic and Jet Action Washing Machines... They were said to have the best washing action, and best in cleaning your clothes... Wish I had a Jetcone Washer now instead of the H E crap they sell TODAY...
I've never heard of a washing machine blowing up! Interesting I honestly cannot even sleep without a washing machine or dishwasher in the background since I was a child. Now that I'm grown and I pay my own bills, understand how much electricity we used as a child making my parents run the washing machine or the dishwasher for me to go to sleep. In front of the fireplace beautiful memory:-)
Love your videos! I have a question I'd love to get your advice on. I have a 1980's Maytag (LA506) that the transmission seems to be going out. Is it worth having it repaired? It's a fantastic machine with no problems until now. (I bought it used 6 years ago) I don't even know if parts are still available. I've gotten burnt so many times on newer junky washers that I was hoping to keep this one running as long as I can. Glad to know others share this appliance interest- and thanks for any input you have on this matter.
I wouldn't get rid of it. My mom had a 1984 Maytag A482. Probably best top loader ever built. I'm sad she finally got rid of it after 28 years. Loved the cool-down on the Perm Press cycle and the soak/prewash option that went right into the Normal cycle. Ah....miss those days of laundry problem-free washing.
I think the issue with the spins speed is that the new machines of today are all plastic and light weight. Back then the machines were built to last and the drums weren’t as big as the one’s we have now a days, but it’s all comercial really. I loved the Frigidaire machines, my favorite was the jetcone version
The GM era of Frigidaire was the best for the Unimatics. It was robustly built and it was designed to work with drying cloths on a clothesline. So that’s the reason for the high spin speeds. They didn’t care about efficiency in the regards that we do today. After GM let go of the original unimatic drives due to cost considerations and efficiency stuff & then things started a downward spiral to a once former shell of itself as company. The 1970’s was a sad time for consumers. By the late 70’s the WCI ownership was already in the works and things got real cheesy in the 1980’s with Frigidaire. I could not sell many of them in the late 80’s with any confidence because I’d gotten burned with exchanges & excessive warranty repairs from the Frigidaire laundry division. Being built with such low reliability and uninspiring performance. I swear wives everywhere were carrying pitch forks and bazookas wanting my head on a plate. I gotta great lesson in public relations thanks to Frigidaire..Holy shirt!
Pretty much everything made back then was made to last. Now, everything has planned obsolescence. I can almost guarantee that a modern appliance won't be working 70 years from now. I have a relative that has an oven from 1949 that works like a dream. Only downside is that the pot that replaces one of the burners is made entirely out of aluminum.
The whole reason that these old washers are made so well is because of the quality of the materials that were used as well as the people that design the washers. There were better Engineers than there are today. It also doesn't help that all of the washers made today or computerized. These old washers are married very simply. They are not complex. Simple and straight to the point, no complex Electronics. We live in a throwaway world today, nothing is repaired oh, it's just replaced oh, nothing is made to last, because if it was, companies would not make very much money. It's all about money nowadays.
Companies wanted more money back then too but today it seems like what u have is never enough in profit. But its really the consumers fault that go along with all the cheap materials that companies make with things
I would LOVE to see the insides of this machine. Like how did they work, did the water spin out into the cabinet then pump out, or was it pumped out of an outer tub. Also would just love to see the motor and how it works to make the agitator go up and down
@@ericpippen7915 There are some videos you may see that are uploaded into automaticwasher.org but I don't of anyone that has posted a complete video of all you describe. Most member post units in operation and showing symptoms in which repairs are needed. One member has written a computer program in which has vintage washer controlled by his laptop computer and modified the washer with features of washers offered decades later.
Do you by chance still have this machine? I restore vintage appliances as well. My businesses Appliance Archaeology LLC. I would love to find one of these!
That’s real machine there ! One that will clean clothes really well! Unlike todays junk . It’s really disappointing todays HE crap doesn’t clean as well as this old school stuff. My dads Mom had one of these & the sound reminds of My grandma. When she would do a load of laundry! Yes that would clean the you know what out clothing. She used tide detergent & Downy fabric softener. Child hood memories
Driven to make a product cheaper, with a limited life span and not be repairable, not having to maintain a supply of replacement parts just having people to replace & install appliances.
you are correct and that why the overflow wash & rinse became popular, to prevent sudlock from using too much detergent. Low sudsing detergents were created for washers having this vigorous water action
Do you think if you used a half cup of today's detergent it'd foam up as much? I'm confused because they don't foam as much but they are more concentrated.
That was the best soap back then because it contained phosphates that got clothes clean. Detergents dont clean as well after the phosphates were removed. Didnt need to use a that much soap either. That type of agitator twisted the crap out of your clothes. I want an old fashioned ringer washer. If it only had a separate spinner.
Here is a website you probably have seen, but maybe not. I had a Unimatic circa 1958. Came with me first house. Used it for 6 years, and it stayed with the house when I sold it in 1988. Should have kept it. Did replace the engine starter capacitor. Ran like a champ. www.automaticwasher.org/
If General Motors made this washer today, I would spend the $2,800.00 in today's money on it. Just because it works better, and it would last me the rest of my life.
The public didn't demand cheap washers lol ... ppl tend to "just go with it" Today's money is yesterday's $ This isn't the uk lol where money is valued differently 😆 Is hasn't been that long since then
Of course only a car company could come up with a washing technique like this. Piston action. Got to love it !
Can’t beat these classics. The raw strength and power behind these machines, no new washer built today (with few exceptions) can stand up to these vintage beauties.
Great machine indeed but it is loud.
@@MicklowFilms I play drums. Nobody will notice, lol.
Mostly the agitators
Except for Speed Queen, still rockin' with their TC5003WN with no lid lock/door lock.
@@DanfossDrivesAmerica yes, I totally agree
That washer is powerful. When they say "they don't make things like they used to. They weren't lying."
Durability and pride in manufacturing an effective product, is very much lacking today
@@russ5024 - Agreed. We've gone through 3 microwaves within the last five years because they make the control panel (buttons) so cheaply!
@@roxcyn You will never see a microwave built like Amana Radar ranges again! Thankfully now they are much cheaper to own! and most every home owns one. The tradeoff is not having a product that lasts!
I'm considering the possibility that, *IF* you're willing to pony up the cash for it, you might just get something that lasts just as long. Keep in mind what inflation's done, and what this washer's equivalent cost would be now. Heck, even my Hoover 62 Vacuum cost about $1,200 originally, once you've considered inflation.
Only indie products work as good.
The way that thing picks up speed when it starts spinning with a full tub of water, the motor must be 2 horsepower and the transmission must be a turbo hydramatic 350!
I’m impressed with the build quality of the cabinet and the seamless bend into the back panel. It’s beautiful.
You’re quite right about its real cost in modern calculations. People really had to save for their appliances in the 1950s and they were difficult to come by.
And they were built to last.
@@chineeboy18 I dont think it was more of making stuff to last than it was the best way to manufacture stuff back then
Amazing to see this old gem still working like new! They don’t build them anymore like they used to, sadly😫
I agree about the boring front loaders I do I like the old washing machines better much much better the ones with agitators are my favorite
This was a $3000 washer in todays money. The newspaper ads show it as $299 at the time
Do you happen to have a link to one of those newspaper scans? It's alright if you don't, though.
@@101Volts no now, I just did a google search at the time
try any newspaper archives
@@cyoungso Thanks.
@@cyoungso Yeah, there's a whole site...periodicals on demand. As far back as you wanna go. Lol. Forgot the name tho
26:50 newer washers usually have larger tubs I'd think, a spin speed of 1100 rpm today would realistically be increasing the linear velocity of a much higher amount of mass so even a slight imbalance would cause bad issues I'd imagine
"do you want to spend $1500 on a washer?" Just dropped almost $1400 for a TC5 speed queen and for the first time in 4 years I have clean clothes so YES I do LOL. My HE front loader (LG) was terrible even after hacking it.
Beautiful machine the older ones are so much better than what we have today their so durable and reliable. An I love that shirt by the way.
Talking about the spin speed, it's called the concord effect.
holy crap that machine spins!! and drained crazy fast... why cant they make machines like that now.... the motor on that thing must have incredible torque
Fabulous video. I seem to recall that the spin speed was around 1,100 Rpm, compared to 6-700 of most washers at the time. Clothes left that washer ready to iron-dry.
OMG, I want this washer!!
In pink or turquoise, please:)
@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823
Even better 😊😊
Ill take Turquoise . I love vintage this machine is older then my mom!!
Looks like you made the right call on the amount of detergent. I understand why they took phosphates out of detergent, but this Tide probably has it. Even with today’s chemistry, phosphates we’re the best cleaners.
I totally agree with your final talk regarding the old machines! Nice & clear
I wish they still made appliances this well. I’ve only had my LG set for about 4 years and it’s already needing some seal replacements 😔
Buy an older 1
That's awesome! I would definitely use an old washing machine if I had it. They made stuff to work and last back then. Even if the powder was caked up, it would dissolve in hot water and would still work. Very cool.
Tide has unique enzymes that are good at removing a variety of organic dirt, stains ect. That is why the consumer following is paying a premium for the product. Tide, like other quality products, saves time; laundry does not need pretreatment or booster soap additives. Enzymes
are in most cold water detergents and the enzymes can be engineered thus can be patented.
So this washer is 68 years old and still works beautifully. Meanwhile, my washer is only like 6 or 7 years old and broke already.
that’s why it’s best to buy an older used one. much much better than newer ones. sadly they’re not as energy efficient tho if that matters to you
@@mrfandude1235 HEY! I HAVE LG FOR NOW 6 YEARS AND IT'S FINE!
Why did u buy a newer 1 lol ... washing machines aren't like cars
Older ones last forever
@@woke1497 Hmmm… I don’t know. Maybe because they only sell newer ones at the store.
This is why you never buy new shit. Buy old and when it breaks it's designed to be disassembled and repaired and the parts are only a couple bucks. Have a dryer from 1999 that was squealing, tail end of the reliable appliance era. Took the back off and found the belt was on its last legs. Got a new OEM belt from eBay for $5 and muscled it onto the pulley and she's good as new.
Wow it spins so fast, i unbelieved it.
In Germany our maschines spins at that time only 400 rpms and also uses a lot of whater
MrJetta985 I’m surprised it spun so fast. Most American top loader washers generally only spin at 600rpm. (Admittedly, the larger drum size makes that more effective than in a small drum.)
Sweet mother of spin cycle!!
I remember my momma washed dishes with Tide when she ran out of dishwashing liquid. It worked well
Wait, what? The Tide says “for cleaner clothes ... sparkling dishes”?! I had no idea Tide was originally marketed as a multipurpose detergent!
Yeah, back then Tide could also be used as a dishwashing detergent.
@@adelaideautowashes I guess it makes sense. That was long before they started adding tailor-made enzymes and additives to either laundry or dish detergents. Nowadays, they're so highly engineered for one task or the other that they probably wouldn't work well for the opposite task. (I could imagine dishwasher detergent being very harsh on natural fabrics, since it's basically designed to dissolve organic material! An old coworker had worked at an appliance maker prior, and he said that one of the engineers told him that if you wanted to dispose of a body with consumer products, dishwasher detergent was the way to go! :P )
Tide was multi purpose well into the 70s from what I remember from the boxes my mom bought. Don't know if that carried on into the 80s.
@@adelaideautowashes But inly if you washed dishes by hand....it was not made for automatic dishwashers!
@@vintageappliguy Yup. Detergents also smelled better back then. I used to love going down the detergent isle in the 70s and 80s at our supermarket.
My grandmother used to wash dishes tide way back in the 70s.
Hey Eugene, a mother great video... I've the Frigidaire vintage Unimatic and Jet Action Washing Machines... They were said to have the best washing action, and best in cleaning your clothes... Wish I had a Jetcone Washer now instead of the H E crap they sell TODAY...
The jet cone washer I had late 60s era,it a 2nd speed spin.the cloths were dry.The high speed spin would put your cloths in orbit.
I've never heard of a washing machine blowing up! Interesting I honestly cannot even sleep without a washing machine or dishwasher in the background since I was a child. Now that I'm grown and I pay my own bills, understand how much electricity we used as a child making my parents run the washing machine or the dishwasher for me to go to sleep. In front of the fireplace beautiful memory:-)
Love your videos! I have a question I'd love to get your advice on. I have a 1980's Maytag (LA506) that the transmission seems to be going out. Is it worth having it repaired? It's a fantastic machine with no problems until now. (I bought it used 6 years ago) I don't even know if parts are still available. I've gotten burnt so many times on newer junky washers that I was hoping to keep this one running as long as I can. Glad to know others share this appliance interest- and thanks for any input you have on this matter.
I wouldn't get rid of it. My mom had a 1984 Maytag A482. Probably best top loader ever built. I'm sad she finally got rid of it after 28 years. Loved the cool-down on the Perm Press cycle and the soak/prewash option that went right into the Normal cycle. Ah....miss those days of laundry problem-free washing.
I think the issue with the spins speed is that the new machines of today are all plastic and light weight. Back then the machines were built to last and the drums weren’t as big as the one’s we have now a days, but it’s all comercial really. I loved the Frigidaire machines, my favorite was the jetcone version
I agree, my mom had one, it was a great washer!
No one:
Not a soul:
This washing machine: plapplapplapplapplapplapplap
Dead meme
Well my front loader spins @1160 rpm. Funny that a Whirlpool could spin that fast ?😁
Eugene thanks for the great video - it is so impressive how the technology was than!
The GM era of Frigidaire was the best for the Unimatics. It was robustly built and it was designed to work with drying cloths on a clothesline. So that’s the reason for the high spin speeds. They didn’t care about efficiency in the regards that we do today.
After GM let go of the original unimatic drives due to cost considerations and efficiency stuff & then things started a downward spiral to a once former shell of itself as company. The 1970’s was a sad time for consumers. By the late 70’s the WCI ownership was already in the works and things got real cheesy in the 1980’s with Frigidaire. I could not sell many of them in the late 80’s with any confidence because I’d gotten burned with exchanges & excessive warranty repairs from the Frigidaire laundry division. Being built with such low reliability and uninspiring performance.
I swear wives everywhere were carrying pitch forks and bazookas wanting my head on a plate.
I gotta great lesson in public relations thanks to Frigidaire..Holy shirt!
The woman on the box is enjoying doing the laundry way too much. I had forgotten that they used to put wringer washer instructions on the boxes.
Everything was better back then.
She probably had a benzedrine inhaler for the nerves
I had one my first washer I got it for 25 dollars used. Some times you had to give the tub a push to get it to start going up and down.
Pretty much everything made back then was made to last. Now, everything has planned obsolescence. I can almost guarantee that a modern appliance won't be working 70 years from now. I have a relative that has an oven from 1949 that works like a dream. Only downside is that the pot that replaces one of the burners is made entirely out of aluminum.
i love this machine
The whole reason that these old washers are made so well is because of the quality of the materials that were used as well as the people that design the washers. There were better Engineers than there are today. It also doesn't help that all of the washers made today or computerized. These old washers are married very simply. They are not complex. Simple and straight to the point, no complex Electronics. We live in a throwaway world today, nothing is repaired oh, it's just replaced oh, nothing is made to last, because if it was, companies would not make very much money. It's all about money nowadays.
Yep satisfying the shareholders with profits is the priority!
Companies wanted more money back then too but today it seems like what u have is never enough in profit. But its really the consumers fault that go along with all the cheap materials that companies make with things
If it lasts as long as this washer? Then, yeah. That's a no brainer.
I would LOVE to see the insides of this machine. Like how did they work, did the water spin out into the cabinet then pump out, or was it pumped out of an outer tub. Also would just love to see the motor and how it works to make the agitator go up and down
Go to http:automaticwasher.org to learn more about vintage automatic washers
@@russ5024 I am subscribed there, but I would like to see a video of the motor, inner workings and all that
@@ericpippen7915 There are some videos you may see that are uploaded into automaticwasher.org but I don't of anyone that has posted a complete video of all you describe. Most member post units in operation and showing symptoms in which repairs are needed. One member has written a computer program in which has vintage washer controlled by his laptop computer and modified the washer with features of washers offered decades later.
Do you by chance still have this machine? I restore vintage appliances as well. My businesses Appliance Archaeology LLC. I would love to find one of these!
this is machine is alot better then today’s machines which suck
I also think you should start including sheets in your test to see if these can get the air bubbles out
That’s real machine there ! One that will clean clothes really well! Unlike todays junk . It’s really disappointing todays HE crap doesn’t clean as well as this old school stuff. My dads Mom had one of these & the sound reminds of My grandma. When she would do a load of laundry! Yes that would clean the you know what out clothing. She used tide detergent & Downy fabric softener. Child hood memories
26:42 you need a raise for saying that!
That's cool. I LOVE that shirt, lol I don't see where to get them...?
I'd like to see how it does on permanent press.
Perfect. As always.
I wish all washing machines were still made exactly this way. Why do they mess with perfection?
Driven to make a product cheaper, with a limited life span and not be repairable, not having to maintain a supply of replacement parts just having people to replace & install appliances.
Front loaders don’t blow up at 1136 rpm they could spin way faster than that.
Can you wash your shop towels in this after you finish with restoring this?
Love this machine. Do you have or get any speed Queen front load washers? If so how can I get it?
Very nice
I heard that too much suds is bad for the machine
you are correct and that why the overflow wash & rinse became popular, to prevent sudlock from using too much detergent. Low sudsing detergents were created for washers having this vigorous water action
This model was called The Jack Rabbit. Not for its RPM’s.
lol
Do you think if you used a half cup of today's detergent it'd foam up as much? I'm confused because they don't foam as much but they are more concentrated.
They used to foam up in the early 2000s
You should be on the tide commercial
That was the best soap back then because it contained phosphates that got clothes clean. Detergents dont clean as well after the phosphates were removed. Didnt need to use a that much soap either.
That type of agitator twisted the crap out of your clothes.
I want an old fashioned ringer washer. If it only had a separate spinner.
An back then you actually washed dishes with that tide as well as clothes
Those agitators are called Hubber Bubbers
lol no, pulsators
@@russ5024 I call em hubber bubbers since that’s what they do their ridiculous 😂😂😂
Where do you guys find these old washers? I want to find a nice old washer to restore but I don’t know where to find them.
Ebay. These are also pretty rare though
Alec Bailey yeah i don’t want one exactly like that but i just want a nice vintage washer
Craigslist, Ebay, Estate Sales etc.
There are still GE Filter-Flo washers from the 1980s around and lots of parts on ebay and other places for them. They're pretty good machines.
Just keep looking relentlessly until you find one. I do the same for rare guitars that don't have much of a following.
Just like an old car juddering lol. Weird action for clothes cleaning however.
Gets clothes cleaner faster than other methods of agitation
Well it was designed by GM.....
I was watching this at work. Was getting weird looks. Had to turn the volume down.
lol
And now Tide still includes tide pods with new washers but only 2 or 3.
18:53 Haha machine farted.
I believe Tide had phosphorus in it at that time.
Here is a website you probably have seen, but maybe not. I had a Unimatic circa 1958. Came with me first house. Used it for 6 years, and it stayed with the house when I sold it in 1988. Should have kept it. Did replace the engine starter capacitor. Ran like a champ. www.automaticwasher.org/
The unimatic gang by GM
Wow amazing love how it turned all the clothing
As long as it was not overloaded it did!@@maganam209
How does it drain so fast!
A row of holes evenly spaced just below the rim of the spinning tub
I wonder why this style of agitation went out of fashion. It seems super effective.
5:51 a sound I’m all to familiar with
I'm, allergic to Tide with perfumes, I'll break out into hives
And I hope you know what to do.
It, just needs a, new washer or a
New gasket.
If General Motors made this washer today, I would spend the $2,800.00 in today's money on it. Just because it works better, and it would last me the rest of my life.
Splish Splash I was taking a bath...
Have you ever watched the action of an ABC or Kelvinator washer? They splash even more! Most have a lid with a window too!
“Boring front loader”
This sounds like umm yeah you know what I mean
thought it said millionaire
The public didn't demand cheap washers lol ... ppl tend to
"just go with it"
Today's money is yesterday's $
This isn't the uk lol where money is valued differently 😆
Is hasn't been that long since then
fashion
I'd spend 1500 if it meant never having to replace a washer again.
18:54 excuse me!
0
Está porqueria que lava nada
Yeah, that's why it was one of the best cleaners in it's day. Just jealous of our wonderful American ingenuity aren't you?
Why was this video re-uploaded? I swear I watched it a day or 2 ago?? why do you throw all the colors and whites together. Not a good way of washing.
@John Texas Clothing still uses dyes no ?
@Ram14250 The first version was edited to play 20% faster or some such rate. This version is normal, real-time speed.
I really don’t know why he jumps on people Pat. It’s just a laundry channel. It’s not like we’re watching someone abusing children.
@@LlyleHunter Exactly Bruce.
After all this time, still going strong...impressive.